Migrating from the range to the course?

[Hacker-G]

Hi all, I'd like to introduce myself! Name's Garry and I've just started playing golf.

A little history, I'm new to golf, but not new to ball sports. I've played ball sports all my life (soccer, squash, cricket, tennis etc) and have good coordination when it comes to ball sports. I've recently decided to get into golf, and bought myself some used clubs.

My dad used to be a decent golfer in his time (single digit handicap), and taught me about the golf swing many many moons ago (lets say 10 years ago). Was at the driving range the other day and noticed, to my suprise, that I remembered most of what he told me...my swing wasn't too bad! Was making good connection on ~60% of the balls and was getting good distance and accuracy. The rest were good with length, but tended to push them a bit. But for my first time out, I was well pleased with myself.

I guess this all just leads to my question: at what point does one actually migrate from the range to the course. I was considering instead of putting an hour or 2 in at the range, to try a round of 9 holes at he local course. With student discount, a round of 9 (walking) almost equals a big bucket of balls, so to me it seems the value would be hitting the course. I'd prefer to go around 6pm when I could possible have a round solo.

So, at what point should one move from the range to the course. Is there some sort of goal skill level or accomplishment that marks the "you're ready now" point?

Absolutely silly question, I know...but just excited and want to make sure I'd doing the "right" thing and not rushing.

Thanks all. Love the website!!

[Late4ttime]

Welcome!

In my opinion its more about etiquette. You'll know you are ready if you'd be willing to golf behind yourself.

Knowing when to let another group play thru, fixing your divots, repairing ball marks, not spending 15 minutes looking for a lost ball or fishing for them out of a pond. Those are the things that drive me crazy- golf is about respect for the course, fellow players, and yourself.

If you are comfortable with those things, I say go for it.

Late-

[JetFan1983]

Originally Posted by Hacker-G

I guess this all just leads to my question: at what point does one actually migrate from the range to the course. Is there some sort of goal skill level or accomplishment that marks the "you're ready now" point?

Absolutely silly question, I know...but just excited and want to make sure I'd doing the "right" thing and not rushing.

Thanks all. Love the website!!

Whenever you feel like it . It's nice though that you realize that if you are truly not ready for the course, you shouldn't go to the course. You should either stay at the range or find a par-3 course. This is what I did and it helped me narrow the focus down to irons and short game until I was ready for the longer clubs.

In your case, since you say you're already hitting the ball pretty decent, I would go whenever you have the free time. Keep in mind the busiest times to go are the weekend, so a twilight round mid-week is the time with minimal on-the-course traffic, if you can do that.

The biggest thing is (have fun obviously but) keeping up the pace of play with the group ahead. Pick your ball up and head to the next hole if you're melting down on too many holes and taking too long. No shame in that; in fact, its good etiquette.

Welcome aboard. And good luck on your first round back

[Shindig]

Originally Posted by Hacker-G

I guess this all just leads to my question: at what point does one actually migrate from the range to the course. I was considering instead of putting an hour or 2 in at the range, to try a round of 9 holes at he local course. With student discount, a round of 9 (walking) almost equals a big bucket of balls, so to me it seems the value would be hitting the course. I'd prefer to go around 6pm when I could possible have a round solo.

Man, I wish I could play 9 holes for the cost of a bucket of balls.    Even 9 par-3s set me back more.

Going in the late afternoon, as long as there's enough time to finish, is great for beginners (and anyone strapped for time).  If you're paired with someone, don't worry -- as long as you have good etiquette, most good players don't mind playing with you.

By the way, I don't know what type of 9 holes you have ahead of you, but know that there are "executive" (par-3 and short par-4s mixed) and "par-3" courses around;  maybe try one of those first?  It will be easier for you and are great practice at any skill level.

[BostonSully]

Originally Posted by Hacker-G

Hi all, I'd like to introduce myself! Name's Garry and I've just started playing golf.

A little history, I'm new to golf, but not new to ball sports. I've played ball sports all my life (soccer, squash, cricket, tennis etc) and have good coordination when it comes to ball sports. I've recently decided to get into golf, and bought myself some used clubs.

My dad used to be a decent golfer in his time (single digit handicap), and taught me about the golf swing many many moons ago (lets say 10 years ago). Was at the driving range the other day and noticed, to my suprise, that I remembered most of what he told me...my swing wasn't too bad! Was making good connection on ~60% of the balls and was getting good distance and accuracy. The rest were good with length, but tended to push them a bit. But for my first time out, I was well pleased with myself.

I guess this all just leads to my question: at what point does one actually migrate from the range to the course. I was considering instead of putting an hour or 2 in at the range, to try a round of 9 holes at he local course. With student discount, a round of 9 (walking) almost equals a big bucket of balls, so to me it seems the value would be hitting the course. I'd prefer to go around 6pm when I could possible have a round solo.

So, at what point should one move from the range to the course. Is there some sort of goal skill level or accomplishment that marks the "you're ready now" point?

Absolutely silly question, I know...but just excited and want to make sure I'd doing the "right" thing and not rushing.

Thanks all. Love the website!!

If you have a range and a place where you can both chip and putt for hours, I would avoid the course for as long as possible. Hit the range and putting/chipping greens as much as you can take it. Get so consistent that you get bored.

Then hit the course for your first time and find a friend that knows etiqutte to go with you. You should be good enough to get around and not slow people up if you've been practicing alot. I think longterm this will do wonders for your game.

I know because my first golf experience was on a course before I ever even hit up the driving range. 4 Years later I think im still living down the embarassment I felt that day.

[Hacker-G]

Originally Posted by Shindig

Man, I wish I could play 9 holes for the cost of a bucket of balls.    Even 9 par-3s set me back more.

Going in the late afternoon, as long as there's enough time to finish, is great for beginners (and anyone strapped for time).  If you're paired with someone, don't worry -- as long as you have good etiquette, most good players don't mind playing with you.

By the way, I don't know what type of 9 holes you have ahead of you, but know that there are "executive" (par-3 and short par-4s mixed) and "par-3" courses around;  maybe try one of those first?  It will be easier for you and are great practice at any skill level.

The joys of being a student at a university owned golf course. A big bucket of balls is $10. A round of 9 is also $10 if I buy 10 rounds at once (normally it would be $16) So my goal was a late round of 9 holes. Sun is still up at 8pm so was thinking of going at 6pm and playing as late as I can.

The DOWN side to this, is that the course is a challenging one. In fact, it has been upgraded over the recent years to be a harder course. The main reason for this is that we have an annual PGA nationwide tour event here (Stadion Classic). So, the course is running at a course rating of 73.2 and a slope of 136 on the red tees (total yards = 6800). So, from what I understand, this is a difficult course to play.

Suspect it would be a baptism of fire .... with a lot of lost golf balls. That's why I've bought recycled balls :)

Otherwise, no par-3 courses in the area, only other courses....but these dont come with the student discount...so would be double the price.

[JetFan1983]

Originally Posted by Hacker-G

So, the course is running at a course rating of 73.2 and a slope of 136 on the red tees (total yards = 6800). So, from what I understand, this is a difficult course to play.

Suspect it would be a baptism of fire .... with a lot of lost golf balls.

Here's how you solve that problem: don't play from the red tees. See how you do from an easier tee box first

[Shindig]

Originally Posted by Hacker-G

The DOWN side to this, is that the course is a challenging one. In fact, it has been upgraded over the recent years to be a harder course. The main reason for this is that we have an annual PGA nationwide tour event here (Stadion Classic). So, the course is running at a course rating of 73.2 and a slope of 136 on the red tees (total yards = 6800). So, from what I understand, this is a difficult course to play.

So don't play from those tees.  This is the University of Georgia golf course?  The black and white sets of tees should be sufficient for you.  Black might be too easy, but will avoid putting too big a number on the card early.  The difference between a slope of 113 (Black tees) and the red 136 is huge.  Oh, and don't get tempted to play the Bulldog tees just yet!

[Hacker-G]

Originally Posted by Shindig

So don't play from those tees.  This is the University of Georgia golf course?  The black and white sets of tees should be sufficient for you.  Black might be too easy, but will avoid putting too big a number on the card early.  The difference between a slope of 113 (Black tees) and the red 136 is huge.  Oh, and don't get tempted to play the Bulldog tees just yet!

Yup, UGA golf course.

Red tees: 73.2/136 (6825 yards)

Silver: 71.4/125 (6444 yards)

White: 69.4/120 (5997 yards)

Black: 65.7/113 (5186)

So, how do you decide which tees to go off of? Everything I have read says you should play the tees that allow you to hit the par 3 greens in 1 shot, and the par4 greens in two shots. Based on distances (using my driving range distances), I would be fine on the reds. Should I start on the blacks since that represents the "average" difficulty (113 slope), or play the whites or silvers and work my way up?

[Shindig]

Originally Posted by Hacker-G

So, how do you decide which tees to go off of? Everything I have read says you should play the tees that allow you to hit the par 3 greens in 1 shot, and the par4 greens in two shots. Based on distances (using my driving range distances), I would be fine on the reds. Should I start on the blacks since that represents the "average" difficulty (113 slope), or play the whites or silvers and work my way up?

Distance is a good general idea if you're a semi-experienced player with a middle handicap and there aren't suggestions at the course.

I wouldn't necessarily start at the black tees, but maybe try the white or silver ones first.  Play a few rounds before you adjust.

By the way, what are you using to say that you should be fine to hit the par-4s in two on the reds?   Driver long iron?

Also, I think you may find that your swing is a little bit different when there is a consequence to the shot.  But just enjoy the first round.

[CalBoomer]

Two suggestions. The first is to remember that the driving range is study hall, the course is exam time. Wise people never take an exam without first studying. The second is to pretend on the range that you are on the course. So hit the driver firstt. Assess how you did, and then pick an iron for your "fairway" shot. Assess how you did. Then hit an "approach" pitch or chip. Assess how you did. After a couple of repetitions of such make-believe "holes," you'll have some idea of how you might do on the course.