is my GC to advanced for me?

[big_eck]

this has really been bothering me for a few weeks now, when i took up golf just a few short months ago i played only council courses as they are cheap and have a few around me, i joined a club attached to my fave course on the council scene but there was no life, i often played about 95 around hazelhead 2 but due to no club atmosphere i moved and joined a nice links course right next to my inlaws house, its not cheap but has a very good social attraction lots of very nice friendly faces after a round. The biggest problem i face is i cant seem to play on a links course played 3 comps there and 3 last place scores one stableford with 19 points, on saturdays medal stableford i got 5 N/R on the last 5 holes i felt i just gave up, what would you do? move to a park course where i seem to do a bit better or stick it out and learn to play the links course im a member of? obviously im there till next year anyway i just dont want the course to put me off golfing all together

 

[Garush34]

Links courses are great. Not for everyone tho.

Have you played links before joining?? It might just take you a while to get used to the type of course if you've never played it before. If your there till next year anyway I don't think you should make your mind up now cos you might ruin the rest of your time there if you plan to leave now.

I'd just take it as it goes now and when it comes time to renew decide then. You'll be able to compare what you like best links or park land.

If I could I'd be a member of a links course prefer it more due to the shots you have to master to play well, but even when I don't play well I always come off the course having enjoyed my self.

 

[Foxholer]

Hang in there!

Though perhaps a quick review of what is causing the problems.
For example.
Is there a lot of wind? So your high shots get shoved all over he place.
Are you ending up in the long rough - and can't get out?
Can you not hold the greens?

One you do a bit of analysis of your bad holes, a pattern should emerge that you can find a way to counter.

Club and shot selection is much more important on links courses than on Parkland ones imo.

 

[Farneyman]

Stick at it. links golf wont get any easier, you may just get a bit better.

Either way you need to enjoy it or take up a new sport!

 

[big_eck]

Hang in there!

Though perhaps a quick review of what is causing the problems.
For example.
Is there a lot of wind? So your high shots get shoved all over he place.
Are you ending up in the long rough - and can't get out?
Can you not hold the greens?

One you do a bit of analysis of your bad holes, a pattern should emerge that you can find a way to counter.

Club and shot selection is much more important on links courses than on Parkland ones imo.

the wind doesnt really bother me if im honest i struggle to put the ball where i want it to! i just find i do better on the park land courses the other reason i joined there was a guy i know who is a member, i told him about breaking 100 at hazelhead and he said the course is to easy try newburgh its a real course, maybe a few lessons could make a difference, i feel if i can master the links then i could do well on a parkland, just didnt realise how much harder it is

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Assuming you have paid an annual membership and so tied in for a bit of time yet, why not ask the pro for a playing lesson. These are usually great value for money and he'll be able to give you some practical tips on how to play the holes and look at your technique in a real life situation and not a teaching bay.

 

[big_eck]

Assuming you have paid an annual membership and so tied in for a bit of time yet, why not ask the pro for a playing lesson. These are usually great value for money and he'll be able to give you some practical tips on how to play the holes and look at your technique in a real life situation and not a teaching bay.

Was wanting to do that because its only £75 a round pretty good value really but he broke his leg very badly just when I joined so he's not teaching for a while will speak to him on Saturday see my options

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'd suggest that you get into a regular roll-up group if they exist as the experienced members you play with will help you adjust your game to cope with the specific problems presented by links golf (btw if it's Murcar don't worry as that is a tough track until you know your way around it?)

 

[Five&One]

I'm in the process of changing from a Hill, gorse and wind course, you could almost say its an inland links course, to a more serene and flatter parkland course. played two rounds on the new course in the last month and posted my best two scores of the season. Length of course and par are almost identical and neither course has a reputation for being easy. The flat parkland just suits me better. Some courses are simply not ideal for the high handicapper. There are very few over 20 at my old club. The ones that do join seem to leave after a season at most, as I am about to do. the new course has a thriving cat 4 section. Maybe something to take a look at when you pick a new club. the mix of categories of the members. I think it can tell you a lot.

 

[Slab]

Play off high handicap but after scoring in the 90's on a muni I moved and got kicked in the teeth on first playing course in my sig, with just 7 points! & it took me near 9 months to put a 40 point round together (not repeated yet) but at least now I can score respectably in our group even with the odd nightmare coming back in

I'd say you have to give it more time to learn the course and how to manage your way round & you'll be better for it
(in my head I believe I'd regularly score in low 90's if back on the muni with high 80's a realistic expectation)

 

[patricks148]

I say stick with it, in the long run it will make you a better golfer.

When i started in 2006 i had only played a parkland for the first few months. I then joined a links course and though i was a member at a parkland as well where my handicap came down fron 24 to 16 in the first few months, i didn't get near playing to my handicap for the first 2 years at the links.

I feel now i could shoot a good score anywhere and thats thanks to links golf.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Absolutely stick with it - I'd advise you might try 'playing to 5s' - i.e. make 5 your own 'par' for every hole - score against your par and if things go wrong say off the tee then play for a 5.

Playing to 5s means that a 3,4,5,5 start would see you 3 under (super brill ) A 3,4,5,8 start would see you level (still pretty darned OK!) - and note how with the latter, the negative impact on your thinking of the horrid 8 is diminished as you are still 'level par' - and in your head that feels good. Note how scored against a real par of say 4,4,5,4 your 3,4,5,8 would see you 4 over - not so good as in your head the 8 has 'wrecked' your great start. So much about scoring is in the head.