There are so many great golf courses out there. Some are private and require an invitation to enter, while others are public and provide a great place for everyone to play. But here’s my point: even if a golfer belongs to a private club, they should make time to play public courses.
One of my tennis buddies invited me and another player on the team to play nine holes at a public course, West Palm Beach Golf Park. It sounded like fun, so we all agreed to go. It’s not something I do often – I usually play golf with my family and spend most of my free time playing tennis – but I figured, why not?
We ended up having a great time, and it made me realize that this is something I should do more often. Here are a few reasons why public golf is fun for everyone—and can help your game.
1. Exposure to new courses
There are so many great public golf courses, and even the ones that aren’t considered mainstream can still be a lot of fun. They often have a more relaxed atmosphere, which can make the experience even more enjoyable.
We played West Palm Beach Parkan amazing facility that truly offers something for everyone. We played the front nine of the championship course later in the day, which worked perfectly – it suited our schedule and allowed the course to maximize use throughout the day.
The course itself is outstanding and provides a good challenge. The fairways are relatively wide, but there are many bunkers and the greens are quite undulating. It’s designed to be playable for all skill levels, and everyone in our group had a great time.
When you’re playing new courses, it forces you to adjust your game and hit some shots you normally wouldn’t. And by expanding your horizons, you’re adjusting your game in new ways.
2. Socialization takes the pressure off
Playing public golf allows you to play and meet people you wouldn’t otherwise — and that can be a great thing for your game as it changes your expectations and takes the pressure off your performance.
Golf gives you time between shots to relax, talk and catch up. It was great to hear what’s going on in everyone’s lives and spend that uninterrupted time together. While we all focused when it was our turn to hit, we also had plenty of opportunities to laugh and enjoy each other’s company.
3. Walking the course
On my home course, I almost always ride in a cart. It’s just what I’m used to. But when we checked in, we were told that our group would be walking, which took me by surprise.
That said, I walk and carry my bag when I play in Ireland and Scotland, so why not here? My friends used pushchairs and I carried my bag.
I really enjoyed the walk and plan to do it more often. When you walk, it can help you get into a better rhythm between strokes, which can lead to a better score.
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4. Playing with new people
When we arrived at the first group, we learned that we would be paired with another golfer, something that is very common on busy public courses.
He turned out to be a recent graduate from Providence College who had played on the golf team, so he was clearly a strong player. He was not only talented but great to play with. We got on well and it was fun to meet someone new as we shared the round.
While pairing with strangers can feel intimidating at first, it almost always works out well. Plus, it can push you out of your comfort zone and help you get better at playing in front of people you don’t know, which is a great skill to have.
5. Realization of individual goals
One of the best things about golf is that, no matter the skill level, there are always small victories that make the round feel worthwhile.
I played pretty well overall, except for one hole where I got a little too aggressive going for a pin. I did birdie the last hole though, which was a great way to finish.
My friend Nicole recorded her lowest nine-hole score, which was exciting to watch. Jessica, who had recently undergone a major posture adjustment, also played very well.
All in all it was a great day on the course and would never have been possible without access to a great public course.
