Finding the Right Golf Course
Finding a golf course to play on is generally considered to be one of the number one challenges to a successful day of golf. Because it’s not a “pickup” game like football or baseball that you can play just about anywhere, golfing requires some ample planning and insight if you’re going to find access to an enjoyable high quality course. Sadly, picking out golf clubs isn’t quite as easy as some suppose, and there are certain qualities that you need to look for if you’re going to find the best one.
Availability
One of the biggest tricks to picking a good golf club is to find one with a schedule that matches yours. The problem is that only so many people can play golf at any given time, so you generally have to call in advance to reserve a spot on the green. Unfortunately, if it’s a great course, then the odds are good that people who golf there tend to go ahead and book their return trip well in advance. Often, this means waiting quite some time before finding a spot at these clubs. All in all, your best bet is to book well in advance.
Accommodations
Golfing can be an expensive hobby, and those who aren’t actively involved in it aren’t likely to have extra sets of golf equipment lying around. For this reason, it’s perhaps wise to look into whether or not the course you plan on attending has equipment for rent (or for free!) at the clubhouse. While most people reading this likely already have their own equipment, this is an important thing to keep in mind if you plan to take others golfing with you; never assume that they have their own gear.
Layout
The best course is only as good as its layout. You don’t want a course where all the holes are par 3 with a straight shot to the green, nor do you want a ton of par 2 holes filled with sand and water traps. Trying to find a nice balance between challenge and enjoyableness is key to having a great golfing experience, and this is definitely something you should look for in any club that you’re thinking about joining. Also important is the aesthetics of the club itself. Are the grounds well kept and pleasing to look at? Does it seem like the kind of place you could relax in?
Consider Public vs Private
One of the big differences in courses is whether or not a golf course is public or private. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. For instance, public clubs tend to be much cheaper, but they also tend to have less well-kept grounds and will cater to the beginner more so than the expert. Private clubs on the other hand are more expensive but usually have more comprehensive and luxurious facilities available, and may often have multiple courses for golfers of varying skill levels. Most people start out on public courses before taking the plunge and becoming involved with a private one.
In the end, a golf course is the kind of place where you really need to take your time and make a wise decision. This will be a place where you’ll be spending a lot of time and money, so make sure it’s right for you.