How to learn about a new course (before making a fool of yourself)

[vkurup]

Have a few games coming up at some courses that I have never played before. Wont have the opportunity to play them before match day.
While some courses have good websites, others are not very helpful. Google maps is not really too much of an option.

How does forumers prepare for game on a course they have not played before hand?

 

[sydney greenstreet]

Google maps Earth is what I use at least it gives you an idea of what the course is like.
New google maps coming soon.

 

[ScienceBoy]

A course guide is always an option, sometimes they can be found on eBay.

For competative games I usually just try and keep the ball in play, its my first (and sometimes only) visit to a course so why spend time looking for balls?

If its a friendly game just play my usual game but if I am not sure about any shot I play what I can see and nothing more, usually involving laying up...

 

[pbrown7582]

Read the website course review quite a few have pros helpful tips which are in the course planner.
But a course planner and have a quick look at the hole before teeing off, making an adjustment to club hitting no point mailing a drive 250 down the middle only to run into a ditch.

 

[fundy]

Tend to have a quick run thru the course on my GPS if its not one Ive seen before and try to have some idea of how I plan to approach the holes, once out there I tend to try and plot my tee shots based on distances to hazards and how far in it is lilkely to leave me to the green. Good to try and get into the habit of working back from the green to the tee not vice versa if you can

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I honestly don't prepare one little bit. For me any thinking or preparation before playing will almost guarantee a mess. I go and play a new course hole at a time - one shot at a time.

Besides - I don't kid myself that it would really make any great difference for me - my score is never that important around a track I haven't played before when I want to enjoy the course, the holes the experience. Last thing I want is to be cluttering my mind up with thoughts and expectations around what I'll shoot.

 

[vkurup]

Tend to have a quick run thru the course on my GPS if its not one Ive seen before and try to have some idea of how I plan to approach the holes, once out there I tend to try and plot my tee shots based on distances to hazards and how far in it is lilkely to leave me to the green. Good to try and get into the habit of working back from the green to the tee not vice versa if you can

I agree.... I think all the tour guys do it.. But at our level, getting out there is a luxury of time + will have to contend with all the other hackers. Also, to be honest, even if I were to back back from the green, I dont think i know what I would be looking for. It will be a case of Mark Twain's “Golf is a good walk spoiled" situation

 

[drawboy]

You can either play the game or you can't, sorry if this sounds harsh it isn't meant too but it shouldn't make a difference where you play. A 7 iron is still a 7 iron likewise through the set. Just go and enjoy it whether at St Andrews or the local muni a golf shot is the same world wide.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'll have a look at the website but that's all the preparation I'll do until the day. I'll buy a strokesaver (if they have one) and will have loaded it onto my Sky Caddy. A quick look at the guide, get out there, peg it up and enjoy the game

 

[stevelev]

If the website is no good, upload the course on your GPS and go into demo mode and look at each hole, like others say work from the green to the tee n each hole. I did this my last 2 round and even though I only played to my handicap I found it easier to hit greens and did not try to hard.

I also have a quick look on Google Earth and check out for streams, ditches and bunkers. The most important thing is to go out and just enjoy the fresh air and scenery. Dont worry about what the ball does once you've hit it you can't change it once its left the club. And no matter how your game goes, take the positives and forget the negatives

Enjoy

 

[londonlewis]

Have a few games coming up at some courses that I have never played before. Wont have the opportunity to play them before match day.
While some courses have good websites, others are not very helpful. Google maps is not really too much of an option.

How does forumers prepare for game on a course they have not played before hand?

which courses are you playing?

 

[scratch]

Is this a competition or friendly game? Even in a competition you are allowed to ask your opponent questions. If for example you have to drive over a hill, you are entitled to ask if there are any bunkers or water over there. You can ask factual questions like this but you can't ask for advice ie. what club should I hit off this tee?

 

[vkurup]

which courses are you playing?

Havent decided yet, but have New Zealand GC, Milford sometime this year. Hopefully get out to Woburn. Also am out in the US for a few days.

 

[londonlewis]

Havent decided yet, but have New Zealand GC, Milford sometime this year. Hopefully get out to Woburn. Also am out in the US for a few days.

I would google golf course reviews for the courses you want to play.
Occasionally there will be a full review with detailed descriptions of the course - sometimes with a course planner attached.
Example - http://golfdrawer.com/course-reviews/hoebridge-golf-club/

 

[vkurup]

I would google golf course reviews for the courses you want to play.
Occasionally there will be a full review with detailed descriptions of the course - sometimes with a course planner attached.
Example - http://golfdrawer.com/course-reviews/hoebridge-golf-club/[/B]

this is good stuff (or should i say, top drawer stuff).. I wonder why I never saw this website earlier.. though looks like fairly local to Surrey and not (yet) very comprehensive. lets hope they look at other courses soon.

BTW, have you figured out where you want to play?

 

[londonlewis]

this is good stuff (or should i say, top drawer stuff).. I wonder why I never saw this website earlier..

BTW, have you figured out where you want to play?

Glad you like it vkurup.
I am in the process of writing up reviews for The Golf courses in the Altonwood Group as well; The Addington, The Westerham Woldingham, Surrey National.
And Perranporth in Cornwall which is where I was recently playing. Takes time to get the reviews out though!

Feel free to spread the word about the website. And maybe I'll get to play Hoebridge with you some day.

 

[TheJezster]

I wouldnt normally do anything I dont think. Just turn up and play the course as it is. Got a Surrey 5 match against Shirley Park on Saturday, other than it's location I have no clue about the course. Not going to waste time buying anything for it, I'll turn up, have a bit of a practice and play the course. As drawboy said above, your still playing golf, the holes just look different to your normal course.

 

[vkurup]

Glad you like it vkurup.
I am in the process of writing up reviews for The Golf courses in the Altonwood Group as well; The Addington, The Westerham Woldingham, Surrey National.
And Perranporth in Cornwall which is where I was recently playing. Takes time to get the reviews out though!

Feel free to spread the word about the website. And maybe I'll get to play Hoebridge with you some day.

Look forward to those. There are a number of crown properties in surrey.. Pyford, Traditions, Pine Ridge, Merrist Wood etc.. you can easily do all those.

I pulled together a few words about our golf outings on my blog. There should be a few hole by hole reviews of some of the clubs around the area. Not journalistic standards, but feel free to look around..