Have you enjoyed a round at a nice course while shooting way over your index?

[vbb]

Like many mid-high cappers out there (I'm a 17) I've long held the opinion that playing somewhere really, really nice like Bandon or Pinehurst would be largely a waste of money. Yes, I enjoy golf immensely for the challenge and comraderie, but I can't see going somewhere and shooting 110 as being fun no matter what course it is. I've always told myself that I need to be a single digit capper to justify a round at one of those special places, but then I got to thinking a 7hcp would probably also be pissed shooting a 95 no matter what the course.

 

So, for those that have gone somewhere on your "golf bucket list" and had a poor round, did you enjoy the experience just the same?

[dcmidnight]

I blew way through my index playing the Ocean Course last week and I've never enjoyed a round of golf more than that.

Honestly I would hate to think that guys wont go on a special trip because you don't want to play bad. Think of all the amazing golf you are missing out on! And trust me, when you go to a place like Pebble, if you are shooting 110, you are probably right in the middle of the pack. My avatar is of me sitting on the 18th fairway at night where I liked to go and watch the groups come in, I'm not exaggerating to say that one in three golfers look like they just picked up the game.

One thing I would really encourage you to do is to play the right set of tees. If you're a 17 and you go on a golf trip with some buddies that are better golfers, don't be afraid to say hey, the tips aren't for me, I'm gonna play at 6200. And on bucket list courses like this if you're having a really disaster hole, just pick up! No need to put a 10+ on your card, if you've just cratered on a hole, pick up and walk it off and get ready to enjoy the next hole.

I dont know, I've seen more guys that are hellbent on going on trips like this and playing the tournament tees "just because", then shooting 120 and cursing and slamming clubs the whole way. That might be OK for a normal daily round - I guess - but for a round where you travel a long way to get there and its the round of a lifetime, I dont see the point. Our caddies at the Ocean Course had some hilarious stories about guys not playing the right tees and absolutely getting destroyed.

[vbb]

Oh, I am absolutely not one of those people that is afraid to play from the correct tees. I play whatever is in the 6000-6500 range (usually blue or white at most courses) and will tilt towards the shorter of the two if more than one set of tees is in that range. Off the tee is my biggest weakness, so I tend to play driver teed low and with a 3/4th swing for control or even hit a hybrid off the box to ensure I don't end the hole before I start it. Since I usually sacrifice distance for control, the last thing I want to do is add more distance.

I have a couple of set goals for next year. 1. I'd like to break 80. 2. I'd like to get my index down to a 13 or better. I figure I'll "reward" myself with a nice round, probably at Pinehurst since I have a buddy that lives near there and the US Open will be there, if I achieve either one of my goals. I figure I need to be breaking 90 at least 75% of the time to feel confident enough in my game to tackle Pinehurst.

[2putttom]

When in Vegas last year playing Bears best I was thirteen over for nine. I didn't fair any better on the back nine. Thinking that it was one of those quirk moments I went down the road and played Arroyo. I was nine over at the turn, sixteen over for the round. I couldn't hit a fairway to save my life. Putting was worse, I left the desert think feeling lighter in the wallet from side bets.

[apprenti23]

If you're not playing for cash or trophies you should ALWAYS be out there for enjoyment of the game.

If you're that big of a competitor you need realize that you probably never will get to where you want to be from an ability stand point. I say suck it up and go enjoy some great golf while you can afford to. Save your scorecards, too. You never know if ten years down the road you become a decent golfer and have the opportunity to play the same facility, you can compare the two.

[hankmoody]

Oh gosh yes, go and enjoy. It's golf. If you're a 17, with a realistic goal of breaking 80, you certainly can "play golf". They don't have those 'you have to be this tall to enjoy this ride" signs on golf courses. OTOH, I wouldn't take a first time player to Bethpage Black (like my friends father did to him when he was 13 lol).

[vbb]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1384804599' post='8167898']
If you're not playing for cash or trophies you should ALWAYS be out there for enjoyment of the game.

If you're that big of a competitor you need realize that you probably never will get to where you want to be from an ability stand point. I say suck it up and go enjoy some great golf while you can afford to. Save your scorecards, too. You never know if ten years down the road you become a decent golfer and have the opportunity to play the same facility, you can compare the two.
[/quote]

I don't play for money or trophies and I do enjoy the game. Like most people, I enjoy the game even more when I'm playing well, but I don't have to have my "A" game to have fun. I guess I've always wanted to get good enough so that even my C+ game would allow me to put up a respectable score and feel like I at least knew what I was doing. I wouldn't want my souvenir scorecard from somewhere like Pebble Beach to have a fat 108 on it. But maybe I am thinking about this all wrong, which is why I asked the question. If some of you have actually gone out to one of those iconic American courses and had a bad score (bad by whatever your standards are) and still had a great time, I'd like to hear your story. Maybe a 108 at Pebble is still fun because hey, you're at Pebble Freakin' Beach!

[Petethreeput]

Go. That is it. Shot a 97 as a 4 at Carnoustie. It was great. Shot a 94 at the Plantation Course as a 6. It was not as fun but I was paired with some not so fun guys. It was great though. I have failed on lots of the "bucket list" courses, but who cares really?

I find I never play to my handicap when I go on the road, I shouldn't say never, but it isn't often. They are famous because pros play there. That also means they are generally hard, well maintained, and a ton of fun.

Sign up, realize they are difficult courses, and play your best. It will be a ton of fun.

[jdhallissey]

Go and dont keep score. Have fun drop a extra ball here and there. Sure you want to shoot well, sure you want to brag to your buddies but at the end of the day it matters more you had a blast. Now if you play the same course twice then the second time round think of keeping score.

[skylargolf]

Honestly for me, the better I've gotten over the years the more frustrating golf has become and the more UNenjoyable it is at times. As you get better your expectations get higher. I think no matter what your cap is you just got to enjoy it otherwise theres no point in being out there.

[FSCMatt]

I've definitely done it. This season I had what is likely a once in a lifetime chance. I got I play Oakland Hills Country Club (and got comped which wasn't expected). When I was a kid I went to the Ryder Cup when it was there so I was crazy excited.

Knowing that I'll likely never get to play it again I chose to play the tips. I'm about a 5 and knew it was way to much course for me, but I wanted to get beat up. I played reasonably well and shot an 88. Never once got upset and had a blast with my caddy.

I think the way to go to somewhere like Bandon or Pinehurst is to remember the history and set a goal that's crazy high. My goal was to break 100 because I knew I could do that and it made my day easier to enjoy. Don't miss out on awesome golf because you're afraid you'll be upset with your round. Enjoy the day and the scenery and it'll be a whole lot more enjoyable.

[cdnrockies]

Didn't break 90 at Pacific Dunes as an 8 and it was by far one of the greatest days I've ever spent on a golf course for a multitude reasons.

[italianstallion]

Plenty of times. Most notably as a scratch golfer I shot 86 at Kapalua Plantation and loved every minute of it

[duffer987]

Played the Straits course on back to back days this year and was 11 strokes worse on the second day. There were a couple more grrr moments that round. But it was me and one of my best mates, an awesome caddie, and just the tree of us strolling along the lakeshore, playing a fantastic course.

We enjoyed both rounds tremendously and that we have a match on helps mitigate the - at times - poor golf.

I will get miffed more when I know I might not play the high end course again for a long time, so will not have an immediate opportunity to redeem a poor round, but it doesn't hinder my appreciation for the course or the facility itself.

[LittleLeftToRight]

Whether you shoot 65, 85 or 105 golf was meant to be fun. No one's life is at stake. Go play the courses of your dreams if you can and expect plenty of bad shots and high scores. Keep trying and you will hit a few memorable shots as well. You will always have those. Then the next time a major is played there and Tiger doesn't get up and down from a bunker that you did, you can tell your story.... Such is golf.

[spud3]

When I finished my first round at Old Mac last spring, the pro asked me how I liked my first round at Bandon. I told him I never had so much fun shooting 89.

If I'm playing by myself, which I was able to do at Bandon [b]way [/b]more than I thought I would, then scorecard is optional, especially if it's my first time at a course. I've found that doing that every once in a while reminds me of why I play: for the pure enjoyment of whacking that little white varmint around a beautiful landscape.

If I'm with a buddy (or three), we usually go for match play. That makes it easier to not get too hung up on the score or one bad hole. But there's been a few times where no one's playing well and someone has to just make the call:

"GROUP MULLIGAN!"

[vbb]

I appreciate the stories guys. Apparently I'm just being ridiculous. I still plan on setting Pinehurst as a reward trip for either breaking 80 or getting down to a 13 index or better, but if/when I go, I'll set out with the goal of keeping it under 100 and letting whatever else happens, happen.

[Bonneville85308]

Many years ago, I had a boss that was a member at Baltusrol in NJ, but played rarely/not well. He somehow got the idea that I had a "solid game" and invited me to leave work early one day and play. It ended up being a money game with the two of us against two of his low-handicap buddies, and we of course received a lot of strokes on the card. They were probably mid-single digit handicaps, I was about a 11 index, and the boss was in the high 20s. We played the Upper course and I ended up shooting a 112. Would have been even higher, but I picked up at "double par" on a few holes. I enjoyed the scenery and felt fortunate to have the opportunity to play the course, but felt extremely nervous and embarrassed. After making an 8 on the par 4 14th (I think I was in just about every bunker on the hole) I just wanted it to be over. We lost every single hole except #1, which I somehow pared after hitting my tee shot about 75 yards. I couldn't do anything right that day. Shanks, skulls, pop-up drives, huge weak slices, fried eggs in bunkers, etc.

After a while, even my caddie got frustrated with my game, and stopped all services besides simply carrying the bag. A few times he gave my boss a look that said "can we leave this guy behind and just continue as a threesome?"

The boss insisted on covering my losses in the match (was well over $200 at a time when I was making $20/hr. in today's dollars.). I would have been nervous playing with the boss even at a pitch and putt, so the fact that it was a club like Baltusrol just blew me over the edge.

[Clambake]

First, do you actually understand how an index is calculated? Remember it is an average of the best 10 out of your last 20 differentials, and if you have a normal distribution of scores in that best 10 it means that you play over your index roughly 75% of the time. So right away, the odds of playing to your index on a new course, especially something special, are pretty tiny. If you get upset about doing that enough to deny yourself the experience of playing some great courses, you really need to wonder why you play golf in the first place.

[vbb]

[quote name='Clambake' timestamp='1384914956' post='8175536']
First, do you actually understand how an index is calculated? Remember it is an average of the best 10 out of your last 20 differentials, and if you have a normal distribution of scores in that best 10 it means that you play over your index roughly 75% of the time. So right away, the odds of playing to your index on a new course, especially something special, are pretty tiny. If you get upset about doing that enough to deny yourself the experience of playing some great courses, you really need to wonder why you play golf in the first place.
[/quote]

Why do you assume so much from my post? Yes, I understand [u]exactly[/u] how an index is calculated, and never did I suggest that I would automatically play to my index upon trying out a new course for the first time. Not sure where you got that. It seems everyone else that replied in this thread understood what I was getting at. I am not saying it wouldn't be fun unless I went to some world-class course and immediately shot one of the lowest rounds I've had in the last 20. That'd be completely unrealistic. I was wondering if say you normally shoot somewhere in the mid 80s, if you planned a major golf trip to Pebble Beach and couldn't break 100, would that be viewed in retrospect as a great experience or a waste of a trip? Most have answered that the experience trumps the score, and I believe that.

For what it is worth, I looked up the scorecard on Pinehurst #2, and the Blues are at around 6900 yards while the whites are around 6350. I figure if I go, I'd probably play the whites to have a shot at a decent score rather than the Blues or Championship Tips since I normally play in the 6400 range anyway. I am positive I'll enjoy the experience more by playing the proper tees for my game.

[dave willie]

Way back in 1978 I played Pebble Beach when I was about a 10 handicap. Right before going there I shot 78 on a local course so I felt I was playing well. I ended up shooting 104 from the back tees but had a wonderful time. I managed to par #18!

I played Bandon Dunes when it first opened and I was about a 5 handicap. I don't remember which tees we played but I shot 92 & 90 the two times I played it. I loved the course and the experience. My only disappointment was losing to my brother by one stroke in each match.

I went back to Bandon in February (I'm still a 5) and played Bandon and Pacific Dunes a little better -- 78 on Pacific and low 80's in two rounds on Bandon.

My advice would be to play the great courses when you get an opportunity and enjoy the challenge. I wouldn't pick up when you are having a bad hole as someone else mentioned, unless you're holding up the groups behind you. Just play like every stroke is a new challenge, and don't focus so much on the final score. Tough courses need to be learned before you can start playing them closer to your handicap index, at least in my experience.

[Jimmy Mac]

The first assumption is that you'll shoot way over your handicap.

Why?

Just because a course costs a ton and has great scenery doesn't mean it's going to be the hardest course you've ever played. Frankly, I have found some of them to be easier since the greens are typically immaculate - they may be fast, but they'll run true. I miss fewer putts. Also, these courses often have great GPS systems in the carts with "Pro Tips" that help you understand the proper strategy for playing the hole.

I'm a bit higher handicap that you and I've had a great time playing some excellent high-ticket tracks. As you mentioned, be sure to play from the correct tees. But don't hesitate to walk up to the tips to get a look at what the pros are up against. Odds are you'll hit some awful shots, but you'll probably mix in a couple of great ones, too. Either way, your round will give you memories and bar stories that'll last a lifetime.

[ryu123]

vbb,


the previous posts from dave willie and Jimmy Mac are absolutely correct.

Obviously everyone has different expectations, but on road trips I don't worry about scores.

I played Riviera years ago with another non-member. He was a low handicap player from Philadelphia and wanted to play the tips. So since we shared a caddie, I agreed. I was about a 5 index at the time, played pretty well but scored 89. (If I shot 89 at my home course I would be bummed.) But in LA I had an awesome time because it's clearly a great course and on a warm sunny day there was nowhere else I'd rather play.

The last few years I've gone to Bandon and Monterey annually. I try not to focus on scores, but since I'm pretty familiar with the courses there I have slightly higher expectations (& I don't play the tips on those trips). Still, even when I get beaten up, it's a lot of fun and it's hard to be grumpy looking at the ocean.

[mctrees02]

The adage about playing the proper tees is very true. I've played Pebble twice (once as a 10+, and then this year as a 6.4). I've shot 85 and 82 (the 82 coming with a quad on 18 after parking a drive in the ocean and then having my 3rd shot plug in the tall grass around the right fairway bunker).

They are two of my most enjoyable rounds I've ever played. I remember them for a tap-in birdie on 8 (and not the triple on 10) or the up and down from the bunker on 17 to a back left pin (and not the quad on 18).

I didn't play the tips because I didn't want to get destroyed. Both rounds, I was with guys with a 15+ Index and drivers never breaking 250 play the tips & get murdered for most of the round. That's just not my idea of fun.

I would strongly suggest figuring out in advance which tees you will play. Look at hole maps and walk yourself through how you want to play the holes. Then take that to the range to work on your game and get excited about the round. Also, take note of the grass you might encounter. The short game shots I use in Dallas don't always work well in the rough of California.

[cardoustie]

Well pahdsy, last Fall I dropped a sweet little 92 on the Old Course. (as a 3.3 index). I didn't care about my score. This was a 92 that featured 3 birdies and two of them were 2 putt birdies after driving #10 and #12

[size=4]I was trying to create all sorts of funky shots to somehow find the greens and was enjoying the company of 3 good friends and 4 nice caddies.[/size]

It's fun hitting drives 360 downwind and 190 into the wind. It was gusting to 60mph that day and the low punchers were in high demand

As a second highlite I was within 10 yards of being OB way WAY left off the first tee, I was left of the swilcan bridge on #18

May I dare propose .... Change your focus to the process, and the environment / surroundings and not so much on the end result my friend

[cplax25]

But of course! It is easy to not be focused when at a nice course. Plus, many times, I have put too much pressure on myself and played worse. I always just try to enjoy the experience when at a nice course/abroad no matter how much I shoot over my hcap.

[SkyyDesigns]

Went and played Martis Camp for 2 days over the summer before the US Junior Am. Course is roller coaster with very unforgiving greens. I'm a + handicap and shot 81 the first day and had a blast with my buddies. Next day was serious business as we played 100$ rabbit, shot 73 from tips and won 2 legs. Had a day at Kapalua, I don't drink but got paired up with some business owners from AZ and they kept buying drinks and we were all completely smashed...I dont even know what I shot but I did make eagle on 9, and birdied 8 and 17...2 of my favorite holes in the world. Sometimes being with good friends or meeting new people can make a experience worth remembering, score is just a added bonus if you played well.

[PreppySlapCut]

Of course. While I will admit that I may have a SLIGHTLY more favorable opinion of a golf course if I play or have played well there, there are courses that I enjoy even they routinely throw me a beating. Part of the reason for this is that I respect course architecture and what is being asked of me as a player. Other times you have things beyond your control, like weather or conditioning, that play a factor. But that shouldn't always detract from your enjoyment.

[Bubb]

Lochenheath in Northern Michigan. Good luck shooting to your handicap there. I talked to a caddie there who had only seen ONE golfer shoot in the 70's there. People call it "Lochendeath." I had a blast shooting 14 over my handicap. Normally, I'd say "no", though.

[Imp]

Any day spent playing golf is not a day wasted. Who cares where it is or what course? Golf is a game meant to be played by those of varied skill levels, hence the different tee boxes.

Go and enjoy. Life's too short not to.

--kC