When you play a course for the first time, which of these stand out the most to you before/during/after your round of play?

[Spyder]

For the most part, I typically try to play a new course once every two weeks in my surrounding area (up to 40 mile radius). By doing this, I feel like I keep the game of golf fresh by playing in new and different environments. Playing the same course repeatedly, or having a membership, is very mundane to me because I enjoy the freedom of playing any course that I choose at a moment's notice without having a financial burden of needing to "get my money's worth" out of one course. (I am not knocking those of you who choose memberships. I have a home course as well, but I thoroughly enjoy playing new ones).

So after a round of golf at a new course (or your home course if you're not a golf nomad), there's typically one specific thing that sticks out in my mind either when I pull up to the course, while I'm playing, or after I'm finished. For me, I usually focus on the environment from the moment I pull up, to the moment I am back at home smoking a cigar and reflecting on my round while sipping my favorite rum.

To me, I love nothing more than waking up at 5:30 AM on a Saturday or Sunday morning, brewing a hot and fresh pot of coffee while enjoying a cigar outside in my ritualistic preparation for the round that I am about to play in 2 short hours. There's an orange, purple and red sunrise and it's a cool and dewy 70° and the birds are already chirping over the sound of the Golf Channel in the background (or they're laughing at me like my wife does for polishing my clubs at 5:30 AM on a Saturday or Sunday morning). All of this just puts me in the mood for golf.

You have to remember that here in Northeast Ohio, most of us do not take for granted the gift that we receive in April. The gift of being able to walk outside in shorts for once and expose our pallid bodies to the sun while drinking an ice-cold beer and playing the game that we miss so much for 5 or 6 months each year.

To make a long story short, I remember the environment at the golf course that I play. I selected: The course's overall condition (includes scenery, overall environment, level of maintenance, etc.).

[chriskzoo]

Course condition, and layout, period.  What usually stick out in my mind is if there are any goofy holes that are blind drives or where your score is dependent on having played the course previously (e.g. sand traps and OB that are not clearly marked on the card).

[jetsknicks1]

I chose the "Overall" option because it varies from course to course.

[David in FL]

I notice all of the above.  The only ones that have any significant bearing on whether I'll return are course condition, layout, and pace of play......with a smallish nod towards perceived value , as opposed to price.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by David in FL

I notice all of the above.  The only ones that have any significant bearing on whether I'll return are course condition, layout, and pace of play......with a smallish nod towards perceived value, as opposed to price.

I can agree with all of this as well, David. In the grand scheme of things, the general positive experience will determine whether or not I return (while considering general course maintenance and pace of play). Though, regardless of maintenance and pace of play, if I find the course to be too "open" and boring with not much scenery (which can also translate into challenges/obstacles) aside from grass and trees, I most likely won't return.

However, if I am playing Firestone CC North in Akron, OH, I will gladly deal with a sluggish pace of play so long as it is not obnoxious. That course is absolutely beautiful and obviously extremely challenging. I have yet to play there, but I'm still working on networking and building contacts to make it happen!

[submrnr729]

The first one because I am big on first impressions, I always have been, most likely always will be.  The staff and the pro shop set the tone for the experience of a first time golfer on any course.  I may choose to avoid a course if the staff are particularly ornery or generally unpleasant.

The second one for the obvious, it's the reason why we choose a course.  The level of maintenance, layout, location, scenery, all play a role in the reputation that a course will develop.  There's a reason why we will refer to some courses as a goat patch or a dog track as opposed to some that have awesome views and well-kept greens.

I'm in Northeast Ohio as well, and I know joys of the first rounds of April golf.  The weather up here is pretty goofy, could be 70 in the morning and 45 in the evening, especially in April.  I like to take advantage as much as I can in the early part of the season.  I've been very fortunate to play many courses throughout the US while stationed in other states, living in AZ for 10 years, and traveling with friends to play.  While I enjoy all the courses I play (generally) I really love golf in NEO in the fall, the last week or so of September and first of October.  The leaves are changing colors, the grass is a lush green, and the leaves are not on the ground yet.

[submrnr729]

Sorry, not sure why my post above got formatted the way it did and I cannot edit the format out for some reason...

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by submrnr729

Sorry, not sure why my post above got formatted the way it did and I cannot edit the format out for some reason...

lol No problem. I still actually contorted my neck and read it all! I'm from the Medina/Akron area. You're absolutely right about the weather as well. For example, 70° today and tomorrow, 65° on Thursday, then crap hits the fan on Friday at 45°.

Sunny on Saturday @ 50° and Sunday sunny with 60° again. It's a non-stop roller coaster of heat and cold until May this year unfortunately. I was spoiled by last year's weather since I was already tanned and burned up by this time.

[phan52]

I pretty much notice all that stuff, but course condition and pace of play are paramount. Those two things will affect my experience above all others.

[dave s]

Originally Posted by Spyder

lol No problem. I still actually contorted my neck and read it all! I'm from the Medina/Akron area. You're absolutely right about the weather as well. For example, 70° today and tomorrow, 65° on Thursday, then crap hits the fan on Friday at 45°.

Sunny on Saturday @ 50° and Sunday sunny with 60° again. It's a non-stop roller coaster of heat and cold until May this year unfortunately. I was spoiled by last year's weather since I was already tanned and burned up by this time.

We're neighbors.  I live in Wadsworth.  Home (league) course is Brookledge in CFO.  Played that track?  If you play all over the place, maybe we should connect if you ever have a need for a 4th.  Lived in the area a long time and know just about every decent course in NE Ohio.

dave

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by dave s

We're neighbors.  I live in Wadsworth.  Home (league) course is Brookledge in CFO.  Played that track?  If you play all over the place, maybe we should connect if you ever have a need for a 4th.  Lived in the area a long time and know just about every decent course in NE Ohio.

dave

I have never played that course, but I've heard of it. I typically play Skyland (Hinckley), Deer Pass (Seville), Pine Brook (Grafton) and Ridge Top (Medina). We should definitely hook up for 18 sometime though. I've cut so many ties with my old group that I'm running low on reliable golf buddies.