What determines where you play?

[Mathew]

Is it money? Is it location? Course difficulty or something else?

I recently started looking at the course rating and slope and a lot more than I used to. Well to tell the truth, I never really paid much attention to it at all.
I was just doing some research about it and I'm considering looking at the rating and slope of a course to determine if I'll play there at least until I improve my game some.

So my question is:

Is it better to play a harder course and shoot poor, or play an easier course and recored a better scores?

[596]

I don't look at all until I post a score. I don't really care what slope and stuff the course has. its all about having fun and enjoying the day outside without work on my mind. I don't join clubs because I like playing lots of different courses.

To your question........golf it supposed to be fun. I not into punishing myself by playing only hard courses all the time. In fact, you should play all the different sets of tees on the course. Play a short course sometimes, play a long course sometimes. Mix it up, learn and have FUN. Playing the short tees is good for confidence as well as playing a different course.....same course.....different tees......total different game.

[tracker]

I think it's good to mix it up.
Playing poorly repeatedly on a tough course can really mess with your head and coming off a "good" round on an easier course can boost your confindence going into a harder course.

[saevel25]

I rather play courses with a higher slope than a higher rating.

I love playing tough courses, i play just an above average tough course, when i play something really tough its usually 5-6 strokes harder for me for 18 holes. That and not knowing the course. I like to know more about the gold designers, i like Gary Player courses, and Donald Ross. I am not a fan of Pete Dye.

[Shindig]

I mostly stopped playing the easiest courses around me, but that's mostly because they're largely flat courses. I'd rather play courses where I'm not getting a flat lie all the time, and where missing the fairway by a margin has consequences. Courses around me, such as Woodley Lakes and Balboa, are too easy for this reason. So I'd rather play Rancho Park and Knollwood.

Now, there are other courses near me that I'd rather play: Riviera CC, TPC Valencia, LACC, and so on. As I am still in school, I can't really afford to join these courses. So public it is.

When I play with friends in O.C., my favorite course there is a bit out of my regular play price range (Talega), although I will play it when I get a chance, or to treat myself. But there are other good public courses in the area I'll play with my friends. And one course is inexpensive, but is way too penal on its front nine - two of the par-4s have about a U.S. Open fairway width with O.B. just off both sides. No thanks!

All other things being equal, I'd rather play a slightly more challenging course than a slightly less challenging course. I'd rather play one in the 6300-6500 yard range, but that's gradually increasing. I'd rather walk than ride. And I'd rather keep the fees manageable, with exceptions for special occasions.

Now, for you: assuming your listed handicap of 27.0 is accurate, I'd suggest avoiding too difficult (slope over, say, 125 or so) courses until that comes down. Otherwise, you might find yourself penalized way too much for something you can get away with at other courses, and that you'll learn to avoid as part of dropping the handicap.

[kevin.chan]

If $ is not an issue , i would like to play all type of courses .

My aim is to play as many courses around the world.

[RC]

I think the golf course has a huge effect on how a player develops. A tour type track will usually produce many young golfers who go on to play in college and on one of the tours. Having said that, I think the defining thing about courses I like to play is the greens. Smooth, fast greens and a decently difficult but fair layout are a hard combination to beat for your "most of the time" home course.

[The Road Dog]

I think money, convenience, availability, course layout, difficulty are the factors I look at when choosing courses to play. That is for my weekly and casual rounds. When playing with business associates or clients then the situation changes I could wind up playing anywhere.

[Leftygolfer]

I play courses that are challenging but playable. I also like to walk and I'm cheap so that plays a big factor in my decision. I play places that reward good driving and putting. BUt it really doesn't matter too much. If it is easier and I can drive it wild and hit greens, its still fun. I just judge it differently in terms of score. I play a 9 I can walk that is close to my house and it is easy. But if I don't shot 37-39 (par 35) I played pretty bad b/c you can get away with so much off the tee.

[CassinoNorth]

I love playing any new track I can get on to be honest.


I have a bunch of courses that each have their own purpose for me. The closest for me is 10 minutes away and is perfect for working on your par 3's (par 65, executive course), then I know there's a course that would make gorilla golfers go insane (use the driver maybe 3x all round) and really test my creativity, then there's my favorite course which is nice and balanced.

But overall, I really don't like dropping more than $50 on a round.

[wrx_junki]

Price is very important. As long as the course isn't boring I don't mind easier courses, although I definitely like to get my ass handed to by a difficult course. If I am playing with a foursome we usually drive about an hour away but if its only me and a friend, we stay local.

[Mathew]

Thanks for all the responses. I've been playing courses that average out around 128 on the slope. I think in 2011 I'm going to see if I play better on courses that are a bit easier and not so difficult. Maybe that will give my confidence a boost. Again,m thanks for all the replies.

[WUTiger]

Is it money? Is it location? Course difficulty or something else?...

I try to avoid crowding... call ahead to make sure there's no 20-team tournament that day.

As far as price goes, most of the courses have "bargain" days here and there due to the recession. And there's a couple of courses I avoid, because they attract rude, inconsiderate golfers who don't know the rules. Easy vs. hard... I like challenging courses, but not the ones where you have two IMPOSSIBLE holes per nine because the designer decided to be a show-off. Also, I try to play tees that match my game - about 6,200 yards or so. There's a couple of courses where I play the longer blues rather than whites, because the elevated blues give you a better look at the landing areas - avoid losing balls on blind tee shots.

[Par Fore]

Cost/Benefit

I look at green fee, if I can walk or have to ride a cart, distance to the course, and quality.....I like variety and challenging courses for the best price, and preferably close which saves on fuel/vehicle expense and travel time....

As far as slope and difficulty, I don't really pay attention.....if I want to make the course harder, I just play the tips.....at my handicap, almost any course in our area plays fairly tough from the back tees for my skill level....

[SouthernILGolfer]

Location is most important during the week, i play my home course mostly because its close and easy as I dont have a lot of spare time. I like to mix it up on weekends, playing many different courses. Most in this area arent that expensive and do vary in difficulty. How crowded a course might be is a big factor as was mentioned earlier, I hate to wait because the course is backed up. Not as much of a factor on weekends as I have more time, but can get frustrating at times. I seldom look at slope and course rating, yardage is really the only thing I take into consideration when deciding which tees to use, usually 2nd longest set of tees at most courses. I like to know where hazards, ob, bunkers, etc are if Im playing an unfamiliar course, thats another important factor.

[TourSpoon]

With two kids in high school that are not driving yet...hmmm...

money, location, and the quality of the greens

[Billy33]

I have been playing about a year and I like playing differnt courses; however, I dont like playing the ones where I lose my balls easily. I have played a couple courses and if you dont hit the fairway then you have to look a long time to find your ball. This makes golf even more frustrating to me.

[TXjammer]

1) who's greens are in the best shape?
2) do I have a coupon for that place? LOL
3) am I playing good enough for a challenging course, or am I just out for some "honing" time

And I am definitely in agreement with Billy33...I hate golf courses that "eat" golf balls...it's almost like they were designed to do so. One course here local has several par 4 and 5 fairways which even if you hit the fairway on the high side will still take your ball out-of-bounds onto private property and behind fences....I really hate that. I'd like to see how a pro would play these just one time.