Good Deal or Development Killer?

[Travtex]

My club membership expired at my First Ever Golf Place, and I went shopping around. The place I was at originally was 60/month for unlimited range balls, unlimited pitch 'n putt par 3 green fees, free clinics (1/week), and discounts at the nearby municipal course ($15 buck twilight w/cart).

I found a private club closer to home. It is 45 bucks a month for unlimited range balls (Closed Tuesday mornings), free clinics (3/week), and course discounts ($17 bucks cart, 10 bucks walking after 1pm).

On the surface, it looks like a better deal. Private club, apparently rated one of the 'Top 25 Courses in Texas', closer to home, beautifully kept... BUT, it seems to be a more difficult course for my noobness (125 slope).

General question involved is... Does playing a more difficult course help or hinder a newbie? Or is it more a mental thing? (i/e tendency toward frustration versus the challenge making other courses easier?)

[TheLauncher]

Others may know better but I think 126 is considered average for slope rating. My course is rated 126 and is very hilly, with few flat lies even in the fairway, several uphill holes, and small greens. Most local players say that if you can play well there, you should be able to do better at many nearby courses. So in my experience I am glad that I learned at this course. It may be tougher at first, but I definitely think it's better to learn at a full course, as opposed to a pitch and putt. However, the P&P; is still a great place to practice and improving your short game will drop your scores most dramatically.

[alf174]

My club membership expired at my First Ever Golf Place, and I went shopping around. The place I was at originally was 60/month for unlimited range balls, unlimited pitch 'n putt par 3 green fees, free clinics (1/week), and discounts at the nearby municipal course ($15 buck twilight w/cart).

sounds like a good deal, wish there was something like that near me

[chriskzoo]

Play the better course - your perception of the difficulty will dissipate after you play it a few times. Chances are it will be better for your game because you will have to start thinking about where to hit the ball rather than just looking at the flag and hitting it there.

[deronsizemore]

Others may know better but I think 126 is considered average for slope rating. My course is rated 126 and is very hilly, with few flat lies even in the fairway, several uphill holes, and small greens. Most local players say that if you can play well there, you should be able to do better at many nearby courses. So in my experience I am glad that I learned at this course. It may be tougher at first, but I definitely think it's better to learn at a full course, as opposed to a pitch and putt. However, the P&P; is still a great place to practice and improving your short game will drop your scores most dramatically.

126 slope is slighter more difficult for the bogey golfer than the "average." A 113 slope would be considered average.

[Shindig]

General question involved is... Does playing a more difficult course help or hinder a newbie? Or is it more a mental thing? (i/e tendency toward frustration versus the challenge making other courses easier?)

When I moved from mid-20s to mid-teens, I played tougher courses - of course, for me, that meant high 110s or low 120s. I'm struggling to

find a course with a 126 slope that I can play regularly. If I find one near enough to me, it may well be my new home course! If you have one, go ahead and play there! It will help. Just remember: you don't need driver on every hole. Plan your attack, play within yourself, and no course is too tough.

[plugged]

It is 45 bucks a month for unlimited range balls (Closed Tuesday mornings), free clinics (3/week), and course discounts ($17 bucks cart, 10 bucks walking after 1pm).

I used to live in SA. what course are you talking about?

And, BTW, that would be a screaming deal. I typically hit balls 3X/week. At $4.50/bucket, that's $13.50/week or $54/month. And that's w/o the other discounts. I would take that deal in a heartbeat.

[case31]

I would play the new course. It will expose you to different types of situations that will improve your game. For example, most of the easier courses, those with a 115-119 slope, are wide open, with rough that's not very punishing to get out of. If that's all you've ever played on, you know what's going to happen when you get to a more difficult course with deeper rough.
Or if you haven't had to punch out of a grove of trees to give yourself an open shot to the green, you'll never be prepared for it.

[CG031]

Play the better course - your perception of the difficulty will dissipate after you play it a few times. Chances are it will be better for your game because you will have to start thinking about where to hit the ball rather than just looking at the flag and hitting it there.

Agreed. Play the new course!!!

[Travtex]

I used to live in SA. what course are you talking about?

http://www.silverhorngolfclub.com/ho...start_page.php