Breaking Through: Easy Courses or Difficult Ones?

[BigBoy]

I'm currently awaiting my start date for a new job, and have the next month to basically play golf as much as my body allows -

I've been making some huge strides in my scoring ability in the past few weeks with all of the free time. (playing 3 times a week, practicing 3 days) A lot of that has come on an easy muni near my house, and my confidence is nice and high right now -

I have options of more difficult courses in the same price range in my area, do you think I should start playing those regularly, or should I just press on and see how low I can go on this easier course. Shot a 14 over 84 on it recently, and that is coming from a guy who was very happy to break 100 a month and a half ago.

My goal is to improve as much as possible until I have to rejoin the real world and scrape out max 27 holes a week with maybe one practice session.

[whip_it_out]

If you want to really boost your confidence, stay with the easy.
If you really want to learn how to score, always play the harder. You learn how to play a lot smarter golf on a harder course.

Both ways can be good, but the harder course will help more in the long run even if your scores shoot straight up.

[golfman43]

If you have 3 days a week to play golf then i would say the first week play 2 at the harder and 1 at the easy then the following week play 2 at easy and 1 at hard then continue with the pattern i think that might be best.

[BTGolfer]

In general I would say that you would be best served by experiencing as many different golf scenarios as possible. This probably means playing both easy and hard courses - probably.

BT

[BigBoy]

Thanks a lot for your responses - as is usually the case in life, sounds like a measured mix of course types is the best way for me to continue to learn -

[Nick88]

Personally i would play the more difficult course, it will teach you to control your temper and also see how good your short game is!

This way you then know what you need to practice to become an even better player!

[DBeane]

Personally I would rather play the harder of the two. I have a course up the street from my house that I can always play at -1 - +1, regardless of how I'm hitting the ball (Its a pretty easy track). Point being, it can be deceptive.
In last months golf digest Azinger had a great story. He noted that he had difficulty breaking 80 two days in a row until he worked at Bay Hill for a summer. His game improved dramatically and he credited it to playing a more difficult course.

If given the choice between the two, play the harder. Good scores on a good track will build confidence. However, let your skill level decide. As important as it is to build confidence. I would hate to see a 30 handicapper go to Bethpage Black the day after the Open, shoot 152, lose 63 balls, and then hang himself in the locker room.

My thoughts,
-Beane