So You’re Ready to Venture Beyond Your Home Course

Often we select a golf course that is within our budgets, but the playability factor is equally important for enjoying the round. Is there anything worse than paying big bucks at the pro shop and leave the 18th green several hours later depressed over the fact that the course brought you “to your knees”?
With access to the Internet, you can gather information about a course through its web site. As you browse the site, you can determine if the course is within your budget. What kinds of amenities are included in the fee- cart, caddy, range balls? Are tee times available? Are there any applicable restrictions? What is the cancellation policy? If this information is not available on the web site, a follow up phone call is advisable.
To determine if the course matches your golf skills, browse the web page that displays the score card. Good measurements of playability are the yardage, rating and slope of the course. If possible, obtain a card from the pro shop. Compare the course with your home course. For example, your course has a slope of 132, course rating of 70.6 and measures 7,010 yards. The course you are considering has a slope of 142, rating of 71.1 and measures 7,200 yards. The higher numbers indicate that the course will be more challenging than yours. Each of the tees has its own rating. Does the course have one that matches your ability? If so, you have found a course that is affordable and playable. Book your tee time!
Having it all
We have all at one time or another gotten to the course to discover that we forgot our shoes or the extra sleeve of balls. It’s a good idea to take inventory before getting to the course.
Make sure you have included:

• All clubs, woods, irons and putter
  
• Balls, tees, towel, handicap index card
  
• Shoes and socks
  
• Sun protection for head, eyes and body
  
• Foul weather gear: umbrella, rain apparel
  
• Energizer snacks and water
  
• Be sure to do the same inventory check before going to the 19th hole and you have it all!

Before the first tee
Be sure to go to the pro shop first and check in. Then head to the range and warm up the body with a stretching routine. Hit a few balls with short clubs first and then venture to the longer clubs. Make sure to hit a few tee shots as well, since the intention is to loosen up. Notice your ball flight pattern. That slice will follow you to the course. Play it! Also save time for the practice putting green. The speed of the greens will be a vital part of your game. Putt three or four balls from the center of the green toward the fringe. This is necessary since putting to a cup is a distraction for determining speed. After getting the feel of the green, build your confidence by listening for three or four-foot putts rattle into the bottom of the cup.
Create a game plan

On the scorecard above is a line labeled “handicap”. Notice that the holes are numbered #1 through #9. The most difficult hole on the course is assigned a “1”, while the easiest hole “18”. Use your handicap index to convert to the handicap you’ll have for the round. Let’s say that your 11.5 index converts to a 13. Using the card for the front 9 holes 8, 2, 5, 1, 3, 6, and 4 are holes that you are likely to bogey since those are the most challenging holes. Your club selection strategy might be different if you are playing for bogey rather than a par. Is this a negative attitude? No, it’s being realistic about your current ability and using strategy that will maximize your potential on the course. There are times that laying up instead of clearing the hazard make more sense. A bogey is better than a double or triple bogey. Use the card and minimize high scores. Walk to the 19th hole feeling good about your round.
You’ve chosen a course that matches your ability and pocketbook. You have all the necessary equipment, you’ve prepared your body and mind for the round and you used a course management plan. Congratulations! You’ve done your best to create an enjoyable day away from your home course.

Nancy Bender is the LPGA Teaching Professional at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center in Valparaiso, Indiana. She is a LPGA Midwest Section Teacher of the Year 1999, 2001; LPGA National teacher of the Year in 2005; a “Top Teacher” in Golf Magazine, Golf for Women and Golf Range. Nancy has been acknowledged by the LPGA and Golf Digest for her dedication to junior golf and is active in The First Tee junior initiative. She continues active involvement in the LPGA serving as an evaluator for teacher certification.