Do members tire of playing the home course over and over again?

Weightshift · November 2, 2007

I'm thinking of taking out a membership next year as it would save me $500 just playing twice a week, April through September. It's a 45 minute drive from where I live and out of town too, so all the rush hour trafic is in the opposite direction. I've been playing there most of this season and they are by far the most friendly people I've met in a long time. The course is not long at 5133 yards (par-70) but very tight and demanding with 100' steep ravines and large elevation changes. They have lots of water and so the course is always green, one of the reasons I went there in the first place, with the drought we've had this summer. I've been condemned to power carts since hip replacement surgery and a number of subsequent dislocations needing ER visits, but I'm hoping I'll get the all clear to walk again at my December meeting with the surgeon. So if I were able to walk again I'd save considerably more, which would be very good news, limited as I am by this slim pension.

My question is really: Do members tire of playing the home course over and over again? Already I know which clubs to play on certain holes, and am getting more and more feel for these tricky greens. I know which greens I can go for under different weather conditions. I've played in the rain, in the baking heat, in the wind, even in near gale force winds. I know which holes are prudent to lay up on, and where to hit the ball too, to make the next shot easier - not to say that I can always accomplish those goals.

**g-funk13** · November 2, 2007

While playing different courses is important to continue game improvement, if you are going to join a course, a challenging course is a better choice for the good of your game.

And hey, you can always leave your woods in the trunk, and play irons only. Perhaps when you did, you could change up which tees you play from as well.

cmthomas68 · November 3, 2007

One of the best things about golf is that no matter how times you play a course/hole/shot the outcome is never the same. Of course it is good to play other courses, but I think playing the same course on a regular basis helps improve your game in the long run, as you aren't spending half the round trying to work out what the greens are like.

And there is also the added benefit of meeting new people and playing in regular groups. Joining a club is more then just playing golf, but being involved within the club.

**shortgame85** · November 3, 2007

I have been a member of my club for over 24 years and I have played golf on this course for a little over 5 years. As one with a handicap similar to yours, I would offer the following thoughts about your very good question. Perhaps, if I played to a 0 handicap, instead of a 16, had a repeatable swing and I was able to consistently hit the ball where I aimed it, then I might find playing the same course 30 or 40 times a year over several years less interesting than I do. However, I don't have that kind of swing, consequently, I often find myself playing the holes I know so well from different places on those holes and my interest level remains high. I also enjoy the beauty of my home course throught the three seasons during which I play ( sometimes four seasons, depending on the temperature ). I am very pleased to belong to a club, in part, so that I can walk onto the course with some familiarity, know people there and have staff and members know me. I also like being able to meet my family there for a meal after a round or just get a drink after a round from a staff I know. Aside from financial considerations, I hope these thoughts, of a somewhat personal nature, help.

**N.V.M.** · November 3, 2007

there's good and bad to playing the same course over and over. sure it's nice to play whenever you want,get to know every hole,etc. but, i think it's important to mix it up to make you a better golfer. i know a guy who shoots mid 70's on his course,but take him out to somewhere else,and he's a bogey golfer. my goal is to play on any course,and shoot pretty much my current handicap. that to me would be more satisfying.

bottom line is i'm not saying don't join up, just try to get out on other courses too.

**MountainHip** · November 3, 2007

I say join! Like a previous poster wrote, joining a club is more than playing golf. It's meeting new people, and playing golf with those people, having a drink here and there, and whatnot. Also there are organized functions for members that you can participate in as well.

I don't get sick of playing my own course over and over. It is also a valid point to play other courses as well to keep your "mind in the game"

On my home course I can roughly tell the distance of each shot by looking towards the green/pin, and taking a very quick glance at a yardage marker. Whereas on another course I need to be more detailed in checking yardage, and think about the shot I am going to play.

My home course is a tougher course, and even when I play courses that are rated easier I usually shoot higher scores. A true representation of how you play golf, is how you play golf on other courses. But you will get better by playing more golf, which is a product of a membership. I love my home course, for it's world class scenic beauty, but also for the relationships I have with the staff, and other members.

Hands down - Get a membership.

**CurtisBen** · November 3, 2007

I have really enjoyed my membership. I have been a member for about 3 years and I don't think you get bored. Go for it.

***iacas*** · November 3, 2007

Short answer: nope, I don't.

Medium answer: you can always play them from different tees to shake things up a little.

**Ben** · November 4, 2007

And hey, you can always leave your woods in the trunk, and play irons only. Perhaps when you did, you could change up which tees you play from as well.

Right. I play my course pretty much everyday. That is a good way of switching things up.

Ask if the course you are considering joining has affiliations with other courses in the area. The course I work for is affiliated with over 100 other courses worldwide.

**Fried Egg** · November 4, 2007

If you enjoy the course, join. It sounds as if you can still ocassionally play other courses without spending the money you did this year. If they have club tournaments, the fun and competition would be worth the membership right there.

**Leek** · November 5, 2007

I don't. I used to belong to two local clubs. I now belong to one and never get tired of the course.

**907golfer12** · November 5, 2007

Nope, mostly because I try and play the holes different then the last round that I played. Also playing just irons is fun.

**golfchief** · November 5, 2007

Join a club for all the above reasons. Some clubs have the option of free cart for an additional fee. Also if you have to leave your round early or you only want to play a few holes your not out the green fees.

Noncenx · November 5, 2007

I was in a similar place just a few weeks ago, wondering if I should join a club I love to play at that’s 45 minutes away. Anytime I had the opportunity I would play there but then when I had the chance to join I began wondering if I would get bored with the same thing each time. Then I began thinking about what I had been doing. When I wasn’t playing there I was at a local 9 hole muny, probably playing there 10 times for each one at my “club” and I didn’t get bored there. I would play different tees and clubs. Sometimes play w/o a driver or at times w/ a driver and 3 other clubs. I did a lot of things to keep it interesting and had a good time.

I went ahead and pulled the trigger a month ago even though winter is coming and don’t have any regrets. You have a different mind set when you belong. It’s “my” club now and I find myself repairing others divots and ball marks on the green. I spend more time on the range and putting green because I don’t feel I have to maximize my time on the course to get my money’s worth. I’ve already met some great people to play with and I’m on a first name basis with the staff. Now my biggest problem is figuring out how to get off work during the week to get there.

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Do members tire of playing the home course over and over again?

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