Playing a new course some advice please

[Thexindi]

Hello fellow golfers.

A expensive decent golf club in my area generously has given 1 free month membership to anyone that signs up and I did and have gotten my membership pack with the usually stuff in it, all good.

This new course Ive played a twice before its par 73 and Ive shot rounds of 81 and 82, My Qs are when you play a new course, how do you play it?

Do you learn the course by playing it or do some research online about it?

Do you play it carefully or just go for it?

Try playing a few rounds with members there?

I rarely play new courses maybe 1 or 2 new courses a year and only a round or 2 with those, Its very generous and lucky that Ive got a 1 free month so I dont want to waste the opportunity.

Cheers

 

[bluewolf]

I just let it rip and have fun.. No amount of website photos will ever prepare you, and if you're like me then even if you make a conservative plan, you'll ignore it and rip the driver off the first tee anyway.. Have fun at the new course..

 

[Paul77]

I heard so many horror stories about my course. Even the website blurb "How golf was meant to be played" put me off. I went with an open mind, and a number of rounds later it's not phased me one bit. Don't fight the fight before it's fought.

 

[pbrown7582]

course planner and away you go quick check of the hole on the tee. IT can be useful to read the website for pros tip on each hole.

 

[LincolnShep]

Buy a course planner (StrokeSaver) book so you have an idea of any hidden hazards. Apart from that, just play and enjoy it. Even if you play badly, you're still playing a nice course for free!

 

[londonlewis]

My Qs are when you play a new course, how do you play it?

Do you learn the course by playing it or do some research online about it?

Do you play it carefully or just go for it?

Try playing a few rounds with members there?

Cheers

I have a look online for sure and will sometimes read a scorecard, look through photos, watch flyovers or scan through a course planner.
But I find I learn best by playing the course.

It depends on the course whether I would be careful or not. Also depends how I am playing. I am leaning more and more towards playing for a score nowadays - I'm happier shooting low 80s by playing 'boring golf', than shooting low 90s by trying to be a hero.

I tend to only play golf with my mates or my in-laws. I have played with members a couple of times but not often and don't find it particularly useful. Unless you play a similar style of golf to the members you play with, I don't think you would garner much knowledge.

 

[Neilds]

When checking new courses, I usually read the pro tips- the amount of times it says"long and straight is best" makes me laugh

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Don't pre judge from the card

One of my old courses was a short par 69. good course, tricky but skillful.
It always amused me to hear the Society 'warriors' on the first tee say what they would score then troop in after 18 with very long faces.

Also in reverse the tough courses are usually not as tough as you think they are.

 

[Hobbit]

You've already paid your money. Go and play, and enjoy. Even if you were a decent pro you'd be learning something new every time you played it for a good while yet. For example, the bunker you fly for weeks on end is a new proposition when the wind blows.

 

[chrisd]

I was going to play a new course a month ago, I looked at the card, photos, pro tips etc but when I got there I realised there was no way to pre plan so I just looked at each shot as it came up - luckily I got 35 points that way

 

[Thexindi]

Don't pre judge from the card

One of my old courses was a short par 69. good course, tricky but skillful.
It always amused me to hear the Society 'warriors' on the first tee say what they would score then troop in after 18 with very long faces.

Also in reverse the tough courses are usually not as tough as you think they are.

My local course I play on regular is short and extremely tough for its yardage, Quite often long holes dont make hard holes.
So I agree about not judging a course from the card

 

[walliams8]

From the West Midlands myself , what course is this out of interest ?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The only way to learn about a new course is to play it.

 

[Golfmmad]

One of the things that I like about playing a new course is not knowing anything about it!
It's much more fun to discover the layout by just playing it and finding out as you go round.

Expect the unexpected and enjoy the new experience!

:thup:

 

[Thexindi]

From the West Midlands myself , what course is this out of interest ?

Free month is with Calderfields Golf Club
They have stopped the free memberships now but Ive heard they are doing a open day at the end of the month, I think 18 holes will cost £5 instead of the usual £20 ish
or something like that dont quote me on it