do you prepare to play a new course?

[niblick]

I've been thinking about this lately. As I've gotten more serious about my game, I put in more time and thought into preparing for a new course. Nothing crazy, just spend a little time looking at the scorecard, look at the yardage and slope to determine what tees I'll play from, and get a feel to what kind of shots will be needed. If it's a tighter, shorter course I might practice 3 wood tee shots more the week prior. None of this is anything special, but I used to just show up at the first tee, pull out driver and wail away. I've found my worst rounds are typically the first time around a new course, so I'm trying to work on not showing up completely clueless. How about you?

[Adam Pettman]

I check what shots I'm likely to have into greens and where taking driver off the tee isnt safe but apart from that its just an ordinay round.

[cypressperch]

include calling ahead and talk to the pro or someone about the nature of the course: Hills, tightness, water, type of greens to include severity of break and speed, bunkers, trouble spots, etc. A lot of this does not appear on score cards. Some courses have web sites that can be helpful, sometime very helpful when they have virtual whatever.

Though some will disagree, those rankings of holes actually do indicate which holes are easiest, most difficult, etc. Conservative, smart golf is required on a new course if you actually hope to score well. Playing the hardest 2 or 3 holes for sure boggie can reduce the likelihood of having snowmen or worse hop onto the card.

Oh, another question of importance would be, "What kind of lies do you get in the fairways, rough, bunkers. You could then show up with the best 14 clubs that you might possess.

Get there in time to warm up thoroughly. Notice what your tendancies are and play the course with that in mind.

Good luck. Sincerely, Cypressperch

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by cypressperch

include calling ahead and talk to the pro or someone about the nature of the course: Hills, tightness, water, type of greens to include severity of break and speed, bunkers, trouble spots, etc. A lot of this does not appear on score cards. Some courses have web sites that can be helpful, sometime very helpful when they have virtual whatever.

Though some will disagree, those rankings of holes actually do indicate which holes are easiest, most difficult, etc. Conservative, smart golf is required on a new course if you actually hope to score well. Playing the hardest 2 or 3 holes for sure boggie can reduce the likelihood of having snowmen or worse hop onto the card.

Oh, another question of importance would be, "What kind of lies do you get in the fairways, rough, bunkers. You could then show up with the best 14 clubs that you might possess.

Get there in time to warm up thoroughly. Notice what your tendancies are and play the course with that in mind.

Good luck. Sincerely, Cypressperch

I love you, man.

In a totally non-gay, fellow golf enthusiast kind of way...

You never fail to chime in with most impressive advice. Some may say "long winded", but I say "precise".

And you are never - never - guilty of uttering superfluous or self-serving verbiage. I look forward to each and every post that has your screen name attached to it.

Hope this isn't too weird. I just wanted you to know that I truly do appreciate your wisdom, and especially your willingness to share it.

[JEFF4i]

Yardage books.

My best friend.

[Wi-Golfer]

I will do some research on the web, look at yardage, water hazards, etc. Don't really know if it helps me or not though.

[lamebums]

Originally Posted by niblick

I've been thinking about this lately. As I've gotten more serious about my game, I put in more time and thought into preparing for a new course. Nothing crazy, just spend a little time looking at the scorecard, look at the yardage and slope to determine what tees I'll play from, and get a feel to what kind of shots will be needed. If it's a tighter, shorter course I might practice 3 wood tee shots more the week prior. None of this is anything special, but I used to just show up at the first tee, pull out driver and wail away. I've found my worst rounds are typically the first time around a new course, so I'm trying to work on not showing up completely clueless. How about you?

Usually I'll stop by and get a score card. If I'm playing a serious event, I'll get in a practice round. At the least, I'll hit some balls so I don't hit a pitiful dribbler off the first tee and get into big trouble.

[cypressperch]

say the very same about you. Being a retired basketball-golf coach and history teacher (thirty years), I probably use this forum as an outlet for teacher-coach stuff that gets in my mind even though retired.

I learn a lot from this forum, so it is only fair that I try to add something to it in return. There are a lot of interesting people on here, some with considerable knowledge and experience. And we are spread all over the nation and the international aspect is really great too.

I will be on a trip for a few weeks so that if I do not run into a computer along the way, you now know the reason for my not posting anything. Cedar Rapids, Branson, Columbus, and maybe Latrobe are my destinations (Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania). This is mainly a family thing that my wife and I are going on, but I will have some fishing tackle and my "magic sticks."

Sincerely, Cypressperch

[BStone]

I do a lot of research on the internet, most courses have websites with yardage maps or at least scorecards. This helps me to map out what I plan on doing when I get to each tee. I find that if I have an picture in my mind of what I want to do, it is far easier to pull off rather than looking down the fairway and trying to decide on the spot what I want the ball to do. It is also good to get an idea for any hidden hazards or trouble spots off the tee, as many designers deliberately put a diaboical bunker, or pinch the fairway in the landing area of a driver off the tee.

Cypress, have a good trip and say hi to Arnie if you see him in Latrobe.

[Fourputt]

I don't really do much to prepare ahead of time. I may take a quick look at the course website if there is one, but I don't go crazy about it. I kind of enjoy the adventure of finding my way around a new course, and my rangefinder is my best friend for that.

I mostly just try to play within myself, and only hit as far as I can see and sight with the laser. I also like to try and join up with someone who is familiar with the course and can give me a clue when playing the occasional blind shot.

[twogreen]

My normal preparation is to Google a map for directions to the course so that I won't be late for the tee time. Hmmm, maybe this explains some of my less than stellar scores.

[DVS]

You can also get on some local golfing internet sites and find forums and ask people who have played it.

Sometimes just going to the course and using their chipping and putting grounds (usualy free) will also give you an idea of their greens. I have found that the speed of the greens is what screws up my score the most on a new course.

With the guys that i regularly play with, we are maintain a friendly-competitive spirit to our games (usually consisting of a silly bet that the loser has to do). So any edge I can get when we play, I will take. That includes doing some research on the course that we intend to play on next.

-DVS

[niblick]

interesting replies.

i've been shocked a few times while going around a new course, like ultra-fast greens (snohomish), or water in play off the tee on every hole (harbour pointe). i found myself wishing i'd been prepared for those things while playing, so that's caused me to do a little more homework. i can still stink the place up no matter how much i prepare, but i have more fun if i'm not blindsided by course conditions.

[DVS]

I think to for many, golf is an obsession. The mere fact that we are sitting here and reading and writing about it with others is proof of that.

So for us, golf is more than just playing the 18 holes on the weekend. Its the practice rounds, talking about it before and after a round at our local watering holes, its about debating the greats, going club ho'ing.....and doing research about a course before we play.

Its part of the hobby side of golf..part of the fun of the process.

-DVS

[SiberianDVM]

I like to send my caddie out for a quick walk around the course while I have a leisurely breakfast. She brings back a yardage book annotated with pin positions, trouble spots to avoid, notes on bunker sand consisitency, and recommended clubs to tee off with on dogleg holes and par 3s.

After my second cuppa and last minute potty break, I'll take a gander at her yardage book, check to make sure the sticks are clean, count'em just to make sure (it's hard to get a decent caddie these days, and they are all dumb as stumps, just ask Ian), putt a few, and away we go!