The gold standard of golf "value": Good greens.

[JessN16]

Reading the "worst courses" thread below, I have decided that what I typically base my ultimate decision of value on (presuming it's an average-priced course to begin with) is whether the greens are good.

We've got one local track that's a muni and pretty boring. Layout is nothing special, there are no bunkers, the tee boxes could be better, etc. But the fairways have decent grass and the people are friendly. Still, it's more expensive than all but one other public course in a 30-minute radius.

However, its greens are exceptional. Second-best in the area next to a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail course that charges $70/round. Putts roll true, there is no dead grass anywhere on any green and they don't nut up the speed by cutting them improperly (or not cutting them at all).

Therefore, this course is a pretty good value to me. I can play on crappy fairways but if I hit one within 10 feet I want the green to be playable. Thoughts?

Jess

[JCDot33]

Yep, that is exactly how I would describe my "practice" course.

It's a 9-hole par 32 (no par 5's), the fairways are decent, tee-boxes are always taken care of, but the greens are SPECTACULAR (some of the better courses around here should take notes from this place). They are firm (yet hold shots) and fast with a true roll.

I love this course to go out and work on iron shots (most of the fairways are 200 - 225 yards so I can't use my driver except on one hole) and work on thinking my way around the course ("how can I play this shot? Ok, now, what is another way to play that shot?") and it only costs about $25 for 18 ...

[Lemay427]

I agree. I would rather play on a course with marginal tee boxes and fairways, but really nice, fast greens.

[dave s]

+1 on the greens being the 'gold standard' for a course.

Played one of the 'must play' courses in my area this year. Had all the attributes you mentioned: interesting layout, nice tee-boxes, beautiful fairways ... then we got to the first green.

There were so many ball marks/divots on the greens it looked like a golf-ball-sized hail storm passed through ... but only hit the greens! I'm not sure anybody playing that course that weekend owned or knew how to use a repair tool. I quit fixing ball marks after about 100 or so.

In fact, the greens were SO bad, I looked up the website and sent an email to 'the management.' Email was received, (I use the 'return receipt' feature) but not responded to. Obviously, they don't care.

OTOH, our local league course and one other muni course in the area have become our local 'gold standard' for course condition. You have to take a serious jump in price (or membership) to find better greens than we putt on week in and week out. Really highlights the 'bad' stuff that's out there.

dave

[Harold]

I'm more of a sum of the parts when it comes to golf value. Greens shape certainly impacts the golf value in my eye. However it's not the only thing. One course I refuse to golf on (and it's one of the closest to me) has ok greens but such stuff like an entire weeks worth of dead divots sitting in front of the tee boxes on the Par 3's and garbage nearly overflowing from the trashcans has kept me from ever trying it again after giving it two tries. Oh yeah, the course is a "Semi"-private gc.

[Fraser]

A friend of mine used to tell me you could rate a course by their ballwashers!

Some have water, some have water and soap, some have little towels attached...you get the picture

[oo77oo]

I must really be spoiled be living where I do (Iowa). We have many courses ranging from 9 hole courses to top of the line courses. All of these courses I have played in my area are usually exceptional, from the tees to the greens everything is very well manicured and taken care of. These courses also are pretty cheap for 18 and a cart, only $25 on the weekends.

[erikpmort]

think how many courses loose money because they don't do the little extra that counts. I know the ones i sure avoid.

[JCDot33]

I must really be spoiled be living where I do (Iowa). We have many courses ranging from 9 hole courses to top of the line courses. All of these courses I have played in my area are usually exceptional, from the tees to the greens everything is very well manicured and taken care of. These courses also are pretty cheap for 18 and a cart, only $25 on the weekends.

Wait for it ..... wait for it .... WAAAAAAIT!

"Is this Heaven?" "No, it's Iowa." (Come'on you guys ... you were all thinking it! You're just mad I thought of it first!)

[ctmurrray]

Wait for it ..... wait for it .... WAAAAAAIT!

Yes we were and you did a great job by posting.