Public Golf Courses ? Making The Right Choice
Chances are, if you're just starting out, you haven't decided to apply to a fancy country club yet so you can play their outstanding course, right? That's a very good idea, because there are probably several public golf courses close to you that are just as terrific and much cheaper too! Do you think Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson started out on private courses? I doubt it! Even though we can't all have the status of a Woods or Mickelson, we can make sure that we don't have an argument with our wallet every time we want to hit the course for some practice time on the driving range or to get in a leisurely round.
Of course, the first thing you want to check at a public golf course is the course itself. Find out how many holes it has - some courses only have 9 and, to play a full 18 holes of golf, you just go around twice. Walk a few holes and take a look at the course. Check to see whether it appears well maintained. Are the greens plush and even? Is the rough bearable? Does it look like they regularly mend divot holes? There's nothing more discouraging for a novice golfer than playing a course that ends up being too tough just because of poor maintenance. While poorly maintained courses can provide lots of entertainment value - you know you look funny when you're swinging away in a bunker - they don't provide as much "good" experience for a novice golfer as a well cared for course will.
That brings up another thing to check, the cost of a round. You'll find some big differences in cost from course to course, and many public golf courses offer reduced rates at certain times of the day and during the off-season. For example, public golf courses in Phoenix, Arizona, known as the City of Golf, sometimes discount their rates by as much as 50 percent during the hot summer months.
Next, some extras can be really helpful to your game! Most beginners spend far too much time on the practice putting green and not nearly enough time on the driving range. Make sure the course you pick has an adequate driving range. It doesn't matter if you can putt like a pro if it takes you six strokes to get onto the green at a par 3 hole. Along with the driving range and practice green, you might find a public golf course that has a chipping green or a practice bunker. These can all be great features to help you improve particular problem areas in your game. And that's what it's all about.
Finally, check out the clubhouse. No, I don't mean discover whether the bartender is handsome or the waitress is cute. Learn whether the course has a pro shop, and whether a golf pro runs it. Ask about his or her qualifications - most of us think of the words "golf pro" and immediately think PGA, but not all golf pros are registered with the PGA. For that matter, not all golf pros are particularly well qualified for teaching. Ask if lessons are offered or if a golf school is associated with the course. This can be a big selling point if you're trying to improve your golf swing and just can't figure out what's wrong. And of course, find out the cost of the lessons.
The secret to finding a good public golf course is to shop around. Check out several courses in your area and don't worry about whether they are listed in some Who's Who of public courses. Just do your homework and pick the one that best suits your own needs. It will make for a much more enjoyable experience and might even lower your score!
And remember - a bad choice can get you the same results as Hank Aaron, the world-renowned baseball player who once said, "It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits, but I did it in one afternoon on the golf course!"
Copyright 2005 - Donald Saunders
If you're relatively new to the world of golf then choosing a suitable golf course can be a daunting task. So, after you've picked up your discount golf equipment take a look at the public golf courses in your area.
Latest News
 The Age | Golf | Annika Sorenstam says farewell to Tour Seattle Times, United States - 18 at Spyglass Hill en route to a 1-under 71, tying Arron Oberholser (66 at Spyglass) for the lead at 7-under 137 after two rounds of the Callaway Golf ... Sorenstam’s Final Shots Fall Short Sorenstam Misses Cut, Ends Historic Golf Career Golf legend Sorenstam's career ends with missed cut |
 Sportsnet.ca | Peter Williams: Women's Open one big tick for NZ Golf New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - By Peter Williams One of the key aims of New Zealand Golf's strategic plan last year was to organise and promote more high profile events. ... Storms on the Horizon for the Golf Industry Local pro Parrish to offer 10-event winter tour Boerne's Walker leads PGA Tour qualifier |
 SI.com | Golf demands high standard of integrity Examiner.com - by James McAfee, Golf Rules Examiner In no other sport do the competitors have such a high standard of integrity than in golf! There are no referees, ... Golf Tidbits: Why golf is a gentleman's sport Golfer displays the best in sport -- and in life JP Hayes turns himself in for playing an illegal golf ball; ruins ... |
 Sportsnet.ca | LPGA money title in reach for Creamer at ADT Championship USA Today - An eye-jarring, sensory-rousing chunk of currency will greet eight players at the lavish Trump International Golf Club's first tee for Sunday morning's ... Ailing Creamer has eyes on LPGA money title Pettersen leads ADT Championship |
Golf course owners sue hospital over extra taxes The Register-Guard, OR - Deborah and Eric Jeffries, owners of RiverRidge Golf Course off North Delta Highway, have sued McKenzie-Willamette seeking payment for additional property ... Hospital sued on property taxes |
 Washington Post | Shake-up planned for Australian golf ABC Online, Australia - Major changes are planned for Australia's summer of golf as players prepare to tee off in next week's Masters tournament at Huntingdale, in Victoria. ... Wild about John Clarke eyes off major jewel in Royal crown A dose of Daly will be a tonic |
 Sovo.com | Chambliss: A pro-business conservative Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - Their political committees donate to the Majority Fund, which in turn pays for golf trips and other events where Chambliss plays host to the lobbyists. ... Video: Ga. Democrat Gets Campaign Help From Clinton Chambliss to return to Walton? |
Richfield man pleads not guilty in golf cart death Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - A Richfield man pleaded not guilty this week to causing another man's death while driving a golf cart drunk in Rice County last summer. ... |
Dispute over golf property to continue Lehigh Acres News Star, FL - By Dennis Culver • dculver@lehighnewsstar.com • November 22, 2008 It looks like the debate over three holes at the Lehigh Resort Club Golf Course might last ... |
Teed off — Golf committee may soon change Ottumwa Courier, IA - BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER OTTUMWA — If the City Council approves, the current Golf Course Advisory Committee will soon be history and a new ... |
Resources
-
The Simple Golf Swing
Unlock Your Hidden Potential by Discovering the Golf Swing that is Delivering Consistent, Accurate Distance to thousands of golfers world-wide.
-
Golf Options: Hit Fairways Your Way.
New Golf System that Explains How Setup and Swing Factors Affect Ball Flight and Solutions to Common Golf Problems.
-
Golf Fitness Book - Golf Exercise Guide - Golf Training Workouts
Golf fitness exercise training book providing Golf workouts,Golf stretches,Golf exercises and Golf swing tips to improve Golf swing.
-
Golf Tips, Golf Lessons and Golf Instruction- Guide On How To Break 80
How to Break 80 is an instructional guide for golfers looking to get Golf tips, Golf lessons and Golf instruction.
-
Golf FREE At Golf Courses And Get Paid!
Discover the secret to playing free Golf at Golf courses anywhere and make up to $897 a week for playing Golf.
-
The Dave Way.
Destroy your Golf Slice in a matter of Minutes using this Revolutionary New System! Success Guaranteed. Sports & Recreation.
-
ShopUntilYouDrop.net - Get paid for shopping, eating out and more...
Get paid for shopping and eating out. Shop at your favorite stores, eat at popular restaurants, see the latest movies, shop the internet. Even your purchases are free!
-
Golf Fitness Experts provide comprehensive guide to better Golf
Golf exercises, mental strategies, and swing instruction from 7 leading Golf experts.
-
Play Golf For FREE And Get Paid To Play...
PaidToGolf reveals how to play FREE Golf and get paid to play.
-
Golf Game Method Book Putting Scoring Clubs Teeing Off Golf Instruction Ebook To Score In the 70s Im
This Revolutionary New Instructural Method is So Simple So Easy to Learn So Effective Golf putting Golf book shooting in the 70