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Golf memberships.. How far would you travel??

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Losttheplot

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Hello all...
I'm about to sign up for a new membership at a local course but I'm not sure if it's the right course.
To put it simply it's right on my doorstep but it's a 'more forgiving and flat' course compared to the tougher challenging courses littered approximately 25 mins away. I'll be playing 3 rounds a week on average too and don't think this local course will improve my game as much as the courses further away. I play off 14 and it's only my 2nd year as a golfer so I'm keen to improve.
So my question is: do I sacrifice course toughness and settle for being very local (therefore minimum petrol costs) or travel 15-20 miles each way, 3 times a week to play at a tougher course?? Help needed :-) :D
 
tbh honest buddy it depends how much you want to progress as a golfer? imo if u r a 14 handicapper then i would prob stick to the "easier" one for the time being

but one quick point, flat isnt necessarily easier, the course i play at is a flat links type course and is generally regarded as a challenge. i have played all types of courses in the past.

personally i wouldnt be travelling up to 40 miles for a round of golf when their is one on my doorstep. also having one on your doorstep means you can nip out for 9 holes when theres nothing on the telly etc, or when the sun is out the last thing you want is a 30 minute drive for a round, or maybe after an argy with the missus you can go out and whack out some frustration on a pro v1 lol

if ur a 14 then youre prob hitting rounds of around 80-83, with the occasional late 70s? if thats the case then hone your game until youre around the 5 mark. remember the handicap comes down in increments and consistency, the better you get means the more consistent you get, meaning that when you get your handicap low ie say 1-5, then theoretically you should be playing to that handicap wherever you play

hope that helps
 
Disagree there. If you want to improve then you have to challenge yourself. 14 is a good starting point, so join the harder course and play as often as you can.

Also if you can, play with guys lower than yourself and watch how they play shots compared to yourself. You'll learn from them and hopefully your handicap will come down.

No way you can car share or get a bike to save on petrol costs?

Andy
 
Hiya, I've been playing regularly for a couple of years and am playing at the cheapest course in the area, its a ten minute drive, though there is a course about 3 minutes away, but its costly in comparison (even after the £1000 joining fee!). My place has tough greens, quite hard, slopey and quick, really good greens.

Im sticking with it till im down to low numbers. I reckon once i hit it consistently well then i'll join a much better course
 
I have two mindsets on this problem I have.

1st is to join and be content that the course is open, forgiving, on my doorstep and I'm not forking out a fortune on petrol costs. Don't get me wrong the course is well maintained, friendly and I'd be happy to join.

2nd is to join a tougher and more challenging course and accept that I have to drive 20 mins each way for 3 times a week, not car sharing very often. I know it will improve my game and membership is 20% more expensive.
 
Your mind sounds as if it's made up to join your local course. Firstly it's on your doorstep and financial reasons.

Andy
 
It should make you think about what your doing off the tee and not just swinging like a mad man going for maximum distance. Accuracy is far better than distance any day in my book.

Andy
 
your question can have a million and one answers bud, taking just one parameter and thats hitting fairways, you do it on either course and it makes no difference, you miss it on the easier course and the recovery isnt as hard as it would be on the harder course.

now does that make you become a better player if you save par from missing the fairway on the harder course? no, saving par is saving par

every course is different, i'm sure youve played both courses and you have things you like about each one but at the end of the day its all about how you feel you are progressing as a player.

i agree with the playing with lower handicap players will give you ideas to implement into your own game but again its your own game. some people can play draw shots but not cut shots, some can hit low forceful drives into the wind and some can only hit high drives.

my point is it doesnt matter where you play, it matters how you play. you can then take that swing onto any course
 
I agree with accuracy. Certainly the last 6 months when my handicap was coming down I learned a lot about course management and it's not all about hitting it as far as I can off the tee.
I see a lot of people just grabbing the driver without thinking about the hole and favourable sides of fairway, best approach to the green etc.
 
There's some sound advice there and all of it makes sense. I suppose it comes down to what type of golf I want to play and how committed I am to being the best I can be.
I know if I join the local option I might not improve at a faster rate than the tougher option but I must remember it's not all about being the best I can be in the quickest time. I will still enjoy my golf, socialise with friends on the course and still have a pint in the 19th irrespective of what the course is like.
So does choosing your course involve more on the social side rather than the golfing side???
 
why not join both?

I'm a member at a local parkland course that allows me to play a few evening rounds during the week and a though links couse 35 miles away that i play at weekends.

:D
 
Does the nearer course also have any practice facilities? If so that would be my choice. That way you can nip out for a few holes or just go up with a tube of balls and hit some chip shots etc. I don't know if there is such a thing as an easy course as you have to score wherever you play.

I'd also find out if the one closest to you draws their competitions or not. If they do you'll ge the benefit of meeting loads of new members quickly and so the social side will develop as well.
 
Just remember one thing, chances are when you get your handicap down below 6, you will start to play more scratch Open tournaments. 36 holes on those harder more challenging courses you talk about.

A golf course is only easy if it has no rough, bunkers, tree's or weather. Oh and don't forget you still have to be playing well.

Join the course you will play on most, there is no point joining a course that is tougher if you don't play it enough. Also remember that as it gets darker at night you will have half an hour less time to play.

Shark
 
I'll be playing 3 rounds a week on average too and don't think this local course will improve my game as much as the courses further away.
Click to expand...

When you are regularly knocking round there under par then it's time to change :)
 
HID is going to a 2nd interview at a golf club near Wokingham tomorrow and she gets free membership if she is successful It's not easy to get to (she'll have the car) by public transport but I'm hoping that they'll let her swap the membership to my name (or I can pay a "reasonable" fee) to transfer ownership.

It would be a chance to play two different courses throughout the year plus use their range and dedicated short game area (something Ascot lacks). Even if I only get guest fees I'd definitely make the efort particularly for a midweek round.
 
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