Every time you hit the golf course, you want it to be a great experience. You want to be able to enjoy the facilities, your game, the opportunity to be outside and interact with friends, and the fresh air and exercise. Choosing a good golf course plays a big part in how much you enjoy your round. And with so many golf courses around these days, there’s a lot to choose from. Not all golf courses are created equal, however, and some offer more than others. Here’s what you need to consider when choosing a good golf course.
Availability
This is a big one, as it’s important to be able to play a round at a time and day that suits you, rather than being limited by the course’s other commitments. If a course regularly has days unavailable for players due to corporate bookings etc., it might be wiser to look somewhere else. Regular play is necessary for improving your game, and your course needs to allow you to do that.
Natural beauty
While a lack of natural beauty probably isn’t a deal-breaker, given the choice between a beautiful course and an ordinary one, most people will prefer the former. The thought of playing in ravishing scenery with outstanding views is enticing – although it may come at a cost.
Condition and maintenance
A good golf course will be beautifully – and regularly – maintained, so look over the course carefully. Is it well kept and attractive? Are the greens in good shape? Are pathways clean and clear? Are the fairways and the rough well-maintained? The answers to all these questions will tell you a lot about how the course is maintained – and whether it will be good to play on.
The offerings of the clubhouse
The clubhouse is an important part of a golf course (after all, who doesn’t love the 19th hole?), so check out its offerings thoroughly before committing to a course. What is the food like, and is it affordable? Are staff helpful and accommodating? What is the pro shop like? Can you get everything you need there, including help and advice? Does the club host tournaments and activities that you can attend? Try and have a meal there before you even play on the course, so you can really get a feel for the place.
Affordability
Most of us don’t have money to waste, so the affordability (or otherwise) of a golf course is likely to play a big factor in whether or not you choose the course. For each course you are considering, find out costs for peak hour tee times, off-peak hour tee times, driving range, practice greens etc. Discover if there is a membership program that can help discount playing costs, and what the cost of the membership is. The ideal golf course will be reasonably priced and affordable, and is likely to have a good membership program to help offset costs.
Also look at the value for money of each course. You might be willing to pay slightly higher fees for a course in a natural beauty location, or one with an excellent design. Cost is only one part of the equation, and the trade-off of higher fees for additional bonuses and benefits might be worth it to you.
Good course architecture
A course made up of many bunkers and water hazards is obviously going to be a lot more challenging to play than one without as many of these features. A good course architect will consider many things when designing a golf course, including position of greens, the slope of fairways and the placement of bunkers and waterways. They will also build in challenges for those of a higher skill level, while beginners can take an easier route. While the architect obviously has to work in with whatever the land offers, they should be able to design the course to make the most of the natural landscape and minimise any natural drawbacks.
A challenge
Most average day-to-day golfers aren’t expert players and will never play on a championship tour. Having said that, these golfers don’t want to just play on a straightforward course that presents no challenges. The best courses manage to strike a good balance between difficulty and playability, causing players to stretch and grow, but not to become completely discouraged and defeated. A course that helps you take your game to the next level is definitely something to search for.
Varied hole styles
An excellent course will be varied in shape and length of the holes, as well as in landscape. If all the holes are long and straight, the course is going to get very monotonous to play after a while. The best courses boast a variety of holes, ranging from long, short, dogleg and straight, all playing in every direction possible. You might even find some blind shots thrown in there. And each hole should possess its own unique challenges, such as water obstacles, slopes and bunkers, rather than the same thing all the time.
Social environment
Is the social environment amongst existing golfers one you would like to be part of? Is everyone standoffish and discourteous, or do the players seem more friendly and sociable?
Also consider pace of play. If everyone seems to play at a leisurely rate and take their time, this course might not be a good fit for someone who plays quickly and competitively.
Good reviews
Word of mouth is the best way to discover the truth about places, and it’s certainly relevant with golf courses. Look online for reviews of the course, either on the club’s website, or simply google “reviews for (insert relevant club name)” and see what you come up with. Of course, read all reviews in light of what you are looking for. If someone left a bad review because the course was too challenging, and you’re looking for a tough and challenging course, then obviously you don’t need to be deterred by that review. Examine why people are leaving either good or bad reviews and see if that meshes up with your requirements.
Also ask around among friends, family members and colleagues regarding which golf courses are good to play on.
So do your homework, book a time to visit the course and find out all you can about it before you make a commitment. Hopefully, your quest for the perfect course is successful.
If choosing a new golf course isn’t possible, click here to discover how to see your regular local golf course through new eyes.
