Whenever I take my kids out to play some golf, we head over to the local executive course. Obviously, the length (or lack thereof) suits their games for the time being. Also, the convenience of the course is second to none. I haven’t yet had to make a tee-time. I just show up and get on. And the course has never been crowded anytime I’ve been there.
But in the few times I’ve played the executive course, I couldn’t help but notice one thing at the end of each round – my score. It’s just not good.
Now, to clarify, my score is never very good, no matter where I play outside of mini golf. And I’m not talking about my score in relation to par. I’m talking about the actual number at the end of the round. The problem is, it’s right around what I would shoot for nine holes on a regular course. There’s something wrong with that, no?
You gotta figure, with a relatively easy and open layout, short holes and not much in the way of hazards, I should shoot pretty well here. But it’s quite the opposite. So why is that? My thought is that I let the course get in my head.
Is that possible? Can a short, easy course take over my mind? Do I unconsciously try to play differently here? For instance, maybe I’m trying to reach that par-4 in one because, at an executive course, I can. Then, when I follow up my executive round with a real round, am I carrying my bad habits over? That could be the problem.
So what’s my solution? Do I have to stop golfing with my kids until they’re good enough to play a “real” course? Well that’s not going to happen. So my other option is to take back my mind. I have to learn that just because I can doesn’t mean I should. I guess that’s a lesson all golfers need to learn at some point. How many times have I said to myself “Yeah, with a good shot, I can reach that green.” Well, that doesn’t always make it a good idea.
I just have to make sure I have the same mindset on both the executive course as well as the “real” course. Because if I don’t, before I know it, that awful score at the end of my round is going to be bested by my kids. And I’m not quite ready to deal with that yet.
Swing ’til you’re happy!
the only time length matters in my opinion is if you are playing a course that is too long. Even on a short course you still have to 1. get a ball in play, 2. hit the green and 3. get it in the hole. I can three jack a 300 yard par 4 just as easily as I can a 400 yarder.
I look at a course and often instruct players to look at a golf course as an obstacle course. If you had a blimp-eyed view of the course, where would you hit each shot? Would you make the right decisions to get around the course in the wisest manner or have we all be so brainwashed that it’s about smashing every tee ball with a driver? Plot your way around the course. Plan it out. Play it out. Make the right decisions rather than just automatically grabbing the wampum stick all the time.