| Finding a good and relatively inexpensive public golf | | | | by as much as 50 percent during the hot summer |
| course can be a difficult task for any newcomer | | | | months. |
| to the world of golf and so this article aims to | | | | Next, some extras can be really helpful to your |
| give you a few tips on points to look for when | | | | game! Most beginners spend far too much time |
| choosing a suitable public golf course. | | | | on the practice putting green and not nearly |
| Chances are, if you're just starting out, you | | | | enough time on the driving range. Make sure the |
| haven't decided to apply to a fancy country club | | | | course you pick has an adequate driving range. It |
| yet so you can play their outstanding course, | | | | doesn't matter if you can putt like a pro if it |
| right? That's a very good idea, because there are | | | | takes you six strokes to get onto the green at a |
| probably several public golf courses close to you | | | | par 3 hole. Along with the driving range and |
| that are just as terrific and much cheaper too! Do | | | | practice green, you might find a public golf course |
| you think Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson started | | | | that has a chipping green or a practice bunker. |
| out on private courses? I doubt it! Even though | | | | These can all be great features to help you |
| we can't all have the status of a Woods or | | | | improve particular problem areas in your game. |
| Mickelson, we can make sure that we don't have | | | | And that's what it's all about. |
| an argument with our wallet every time we want | | | | Finally, check out the clubhouse. No, I don't mean |
| to hit the course for some practice time on the | | | | discover whether the bartender is handsome or |
| driving range or to get in a leisurely round. | | | | the waitress is cute. Learn whether the course |
| Of course, the first thing you want to check at a | | | | has a pro shop, and whether a golf pro runs it. |
| public golf course is the course itself. Find out how | | | | Ask about his or her qualifications - most of us |
| many holes it has - some courses only have 9 | | | | think of the words "golf pro" and immediately |
| and, to play a full 18 holes of golf, you just go | | | | think PGA, but not all golf pros are registered with |
| around twice. Walk a few holes and take a look | | | | the PGA. For that matter, not all golf pros are |
| at the course. Check to see whether it appears | | | | particularly well qualified for teaching. Ask if |
| well maintained. Are the greens plush and even? Is | | | | lessons are offered or if a golf school is |
| the rough bearable? Does it look like they | | | | associated with the course. This can be a big |
| regularly mend divot holes? There's nothing more | | | | selling point if you're trying to improve your golf |
| discouraging for a novice golfer than playing a | | | | swing and just can't figure out what's wrong. And |
| course that ends up being too tough just because | | | | of course, find out the cost of the lessons. |
| of poor maintenance. While poorly maintained | | | | The secret to finding a good public golf course is |
| courses can provide lots of entertainment value - | | | | to shop around. Check out several courses in |
| you know you look funny when you're swinging | | | | your area and don't worry about whether they |
| away in a bunker - they don't provide as much | | | | are listed in some Who's Who of public courses. |
| "good" experience for a novice golfer as a well | | | | Just do your homework and pick the one that |
| cared for course will. | | | | best suits your own needs. It will make for a |
| That brings up another thing to check, the cost of | | | | much more enjoyable experience and might even |
| a round. You'll find some big differences in cost | | | | lower your score! |
| from course to course, and many public golf | | | | And remember - a bad choice can get you the |
| courses offer reduced rates at certain times of | | | | same results as Hank Aaron, the world-renowned |
| the day and during the off-season. For example, | | | | baseball player who once said, "It took me 17 |
| public golf courses in Phoenix, Arizona, known as | | | | years to get 3,000 hits, but I did it in one |
| the City of Golf, sometimes discount their rates | | | | afternoon on the golf course! |