Do winter greens/tees make it easier or harder???

[GeordieAggro80]

Hi all,

I have started playing regularly again for the last 6 months after only playing maybe once or twice a year for the last 10 years. I joined a club in august and submitted 3 scorecards to get a handicap of 18. In the last month or so I've been playing 3 times a week and I've also had a couple of lessons too. I'm consistently scoring low to mid 80's now but I am wondering if it's down to winter tees and greens making each hole shorter?!?! Obviously the flip side is that the ball does not travel as far in winter and the ground is soggy etc.

Do most of you guys (and girls) shoot lower in winter or summer. Sorry if this has been posted already. I'm a newbie here!!!

 

[drawboy]

Hi and welcome along, Winter is a mishmash really. The holes are shorter but the ball doesn't bounce so it only goes as far as you hit it, also the greens are much slower and bumpy so even though it's shorter it is still difficult to score well.

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

hello mate,

the simple answer for my would be that winter tees and greens shorten each hole, meaning for most reaching the green shout be easier.

Given the whether is normally poor in our neck of the woods I dont play along with the "ball doesn't travel as far" idea. Especially as I'm not using top of the range golf balls.

Where are you a member? I'm waiting until next year but would welcome feedback on your course.

Kev

 

[GeordieAggro80]

How do matey,

Cheers for the feedback. I joined Parklands next to the racecourse but although it's served it's purpose of getting me back into the 'swing' of it my membership runs out at the end of this month. I'm looking to join Arcot Hall which I played last week. Even with our weather I thought it was a beautiful course!!

I also think parklands might be the reason my scoring has come down as it's not the toughest co pared to others!!

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

I know what you mean. it's a decent course but think once you've got your swing in place you should look for a more technical course.

I've mainly played the 'lakes' course at longhirst hall, the EuroPro course. not the longest but very technical with plenty of water. You'll have to give it a whirl sometime.

I've also played Ryton and Knotty hill recently. Ryton is along the same lines as Parklands and Knotty hill is a cracker with 5 sets of 9 holes to play.

 

[Oddsocks]

With the exception of two holes we're still using full whites. Our 3rd has gone from 120 yards to 95 so no real change. It's gone from a full 9i to easy wedge but with half shots alot more people seem to be hitting the front bunker. If anything the half shot is making it play more tricky. Our 5th is the only real change as reseeding is in progress and the Matt is about 75 yards forward from the White tee box, this has changed the hole from a driver and 8i to a driver and 3/4 wedge.

As were still using the full course I think its harder at the moment, balls that are short of the green that would normally roll on just stop, and pitches in can stop dead so wedge play needs to be bang on

 

[SatchFan]

Hello Geordie. Don't knock yourself down. If you are able to score consistently in the mid 80s then you are doing well. Have been lucky on my course this winter as all greens have been playable although the pace is very variable. I actually prefer winter mats for driving but not for par 3s when using an iron. Try as I might I cannot take a divot out of them.

 

[Smithster666]

At my course playing off winter tees makes your tee shot easier towards playing put getting a level peice of ground is like rocking horse Sh*t lol

 

[Imurg]

Our course has played longer than normal due to the lack of run on the ball. I've not played on a Winter Green since I joined 2 1/2 years ago and we always use normal tees, just mats on the par 3's. So it's normal course but no run. Makes it harder for us, hence the fact I've beaten handicap once this year so far, mostly buffer.....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My course is fortunate not to have any winter tees and so we are always playing off the normal blocks. Our temps are quite small and so it is a real lottery trying to get close. Does it make it easier or not. I'd say its 50/50 as you are hitting shorter clubs in to a small target and putting on effectively bobbly fairway is a bit mickey mouse at times espeically with the large bucket holes. Better that than no golf at all

 

[richart]

We just play off the yellow's except for one hole, where we play off the original tee, before the hole was extended. The difference between our yellows and whites is less than 200 yards. I personally find it slightly easier in the winter, as the wayward shots don't get into so much trouble. Course is fairly tight, and in the summer when the ball is running gets a lot tighter.

 

[USER1999]

We play off yellows in the winter, and it is way easier (but then SS changes from 72 to 69). It will be a shock when the clocks change and they stick another 1200 yards on the course. Driver wedge will become driver 4i in some cases.

 

[Boabski]

i hate winter greens, dont bother playing when they are on, would rather go to the range or just stay at home when they are on

 

[Adi2Dassler]

No winter greens or tees at our gaff and me and my pals always play off the whites.I reckon winter golf is significantly harder with only carry on drives,unpredictable greens, stronger winds and heavier ground.

roll on the summer.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Our club has shortend some holes but rotates the yellows around. I have played one or two "yellow" tees as far back as the blues!

I have found winter tougher than summer but it may be because of the greens and my poor putting. I tend to play in the morning so having some frozen and some non frozen greens plays havoc with my distance control!