Do you play better at strange courses?

[palindromicbob]

I can't break 100 at my local club. 101 is my best. Waiting for my handicap to be made official when I get the cards submitted so had been playing of 28 but now cut to 24 in local societys as I only started playing in November.

Went to Slieve Russell on Friday and shot 33 points in stableford with only 2 dings. Took par on the 18th which is a 519 yard par 5 with a well guarded green.

At a different society outing I shot 30 at The Valley - Rathmore with 4 dings and 3 lost balls. Why can I do this at strange courses with higher difficulty yet suck at my local which I play at least once a week on average?

My theory is that I think to much about the shots to play because I know exactly where I do and don't want to be. At strange courses I'm more likely to play the percentage.

What do you guys think.

 

[chris661]

After playing for the club in a few comps this year I have decided that it suits me not to know the course too well (although it hope it is not a hindrance at Ballyliffin)

 

[RGDave]

My theory is that I think to much about the shots to play because I know exactly where I do and don't want to be. At strange courses I'm more likely to play the percentage.

What do you guys think.

I think I disagree. Surely playing the percentage means thinking about where and where not to go? I play the percentage all the time. If I didn't I'd go round in 72 once a year and 92 all the other games.

 

[Crow]

Not heard of a "ding" before, is it a no-score on a hole?

 

[palindromicbob]

Yup ding is a no score. In my four ball we will often tell our marker to "Ring the bell" just before we pick up and walk away.

 

[Mungoscorner]

I think sometimes we can become complacent at our home course.We know where the trouble is,and where we can get away with less than perfect shots,so we generally take on tougher shots etc.
I played an open at Beaudesert several years ago,somebody couldn't make it and i was asked to play at 9pm the evening before.I turned up having never seen the place,and listened to the advice of a friend who had played there many times.I ended up shooting level par,and could have done even better except for one wayward 2 iron.Having played there many times since,i've never managed to shoot lower than 77.

 

[Crow]

Yup ding is a no score. In my four ball we will often tell our marker to "Ring the bell" just before we pick up and walk away.

I like it!

 

[palindromicbob]

My theory is that I think to much about the shots to play because I know exactly where I do and don't want to be. At strange courses I'm more likely to play the percentage.

What do you guys think.

I think I disagree. Surely playing the percentage means thinking about where and where not to go? I play the percentage all the time. If I didn't I'd go round in 72 once a year and 92 all the other games.

By play the percentage I mean to play the shot with the most chance of success and avoid the risks. eg if stuck behind trees I have an option to play with a little bit of loft and try and clear them or else play a sideways shot onto the fairway and take it from there.

First choice might have a 50/50 chance if I get the right contact but leave me with a chance to take one less shot or end up with me taking another 2 to get out of the trouble my aggression created.

Second choice might have an 80% of reaching a better position even if I duff the contact but will lead to a dropped shot.

 

[goldenbare]

I think you have too much baggage on your own course, you have all those lingering bad shots in your head. you're usually playing a relaxed social game or comp with fewer expectations on a different course so just go out to enyoy yourself more.

I usually find the greens are twice the size of ours as well.

 

[Smiffy]

I do tend to play better on strange courses....



Apart from Woodhall Spa, Blackmoor and Boat of Garten

 

[Imurg]

I have played well away from home but more often than not I need to have played the course a few times to be able to grind out a decent card.
Not expecting miracles at Blackmoor....

 

[MashieNiblick]

Generally I am a bad traveller golf wise. I probably know my own course too well and when faced with a new track I have to get used to actually trying to judge distance/club selection (no GPS!) and read putts both of which I'm useless at away from home.

 

[CrapHacker]

I have played well away from home but more often than not I need to have played the course a few times to be able to grind out a decent card.

+1

I definitely need to have played a course a couple of times before having any chance of a good score

 

[ScienceBoy]

I have only been to East Brighton once...

 

[bladeplayer]

Yea i seem to play better away from home . was shooting around 80 consistantly at home without geting any good scores , playing away in matches or even in society outings i seem to be scoring better,,(38pts off 3 in one outing on a course totaly new to me) i think mayb i play smarter golf away from home (ie stay out of trouble ) cant explain why i cant do that at home tho , bit of a head scratcher that one ,, mind you,the weekend just gone, i was rubbish home & away ..

 

[freddielong]

Depends how strange and how fast the windmills go around

 

[GB72]

I seem to play far better on strange courses though I am not sure whether that is because my home course is difficult (not sure how to gauge whether that is the case or not) or because I am focusing more on my game or playing less 'mad' shots. It may even be as simple as concentrating more because I have handed over money to play. In any event, I shot scores on forum meets (Goswick, Grimsby, Normanby) and at informal meets or in a club match (Wyboston Lakes, Seacroft) that I would be hard pressed to replicate on my home course. I have never played any of these courses before but my 'A' game has come out every time.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I do tend to play better on strange courses....



Apart from Woodhall Spa, Blackmoor and Boat of Garten, ROYAL ASCOT

Sorted that for you Smiffy.

I don't tend to play well first time at a new place as I don't know the best lines in on the holes and usually take a while to adjust to the pace of the greens. I agree with the point about baggage on your own course. You can often stand there and remember all the trouble much more than looking from the tee and rembering the grea tdrive you hit there before. Human nature I guess

 

[Mungoscorner]

Paralysis by Analysis.