New vs known courses

[revkev]

There are times when I wonder just how much advantage there is to local knowledge. The problem is that it works both ways and at times knowing where the trouble is produces timid shots.

 

I'm best when someone says, "hit it there." Sometimes for me ignorance is bliss.

[GolfSpy WD]

If a person is timid because they know something is there, then their issue is their mental approach. Not knowing a hazard is there sucks far worse imo. There's a good reason a lot of very good players aren't nearly as good when away from their home course.

[JBones]

I completely agree that it works both ways.  There is a course here that has a 475yd par 5, from the tips.  There is a lake that you can't see from the tee and it takes a 290 carry to get over it.  It is designed for a layup, which makes it a true par 5.  The first time I played there, I hit driver over the lake (not knowing it was there) and hit 9i into the green for an easy two putt birdie.  Every time since then, I have laid up short of the lake.

 

As far as local knowledge on greens, I think it only applies to the "higher end"  courses that are very well maintained.  I play the local muni's frequently, because they are cheaper and you can play them fairly quickly during the week.  They get a ton of play and due to that, they can't cut/roll the greens on a daily basis.  You could go out in the morning and in the afternoon everything breaks differently, due to all the traffic on the greens.  In cases like this, local knowledge is completely useless.

[GolfSpy WD]

As far as local knowledge on greens, I think it only applies to the "higher end"  courses that are very well maintained.  I play the local muni's frequently, because they are cheaper and you can play them fairly quickly during the week.  They get a ton of play and due to that, they can't cut/roll the greens on a daily basis.  You could go out in the morning and in the afternoon everything breaks differently, due to all the traffic on the greens.  In cases like this, local knowledge is completely useless.

 

Don't forget how the speed of different greens will also drastically be different. I don't care how difficult they say higher end courses are, greens and fairways are always so much nicer than you score better given a good shot. Their rough and hazards can be tough though.

[revkev]

If a person is timid because they know something is there, then their issue is their mental approach. Not knowing a hazard is there sucks far worse imo. There's a good reason a lot of very good players aren't nearly as good when away from their home course.

I think it happens to everyone from time to time. A hole gets your number. I totally agree about not knowing but when someone who knows my game says, "that's your line," I seem to do very well. I think there can be an advantage to having no negative images on a hole. I generally hit solid straight shots unless I'm having a very bad day or something negative creeps in.

[GolfSpy WD]

I think it happens to everyone from time to time. A hole gets your number. I totally agree about not knowing but when someone who knows my game says, "that's your line," I seem to do very well. I think there can be an advantage to having no negative images on a hole. I generally hit solid straight shots unless I'm having a very bad day or something negative creeps in.

 

Fair point. I know one hole at my usual course that always seems to get my number. But I've played it well a few times and know what I'm supposed to do. I still struggle with this hole, but it's always due to what's in my head. If I just took two easy swings, it wouldn't be so bad. I'm just not that smart at times on the course.

 

Then there's the hardest hole that is a completely blind tee shot. By knowing generally where to hit the ball, the hole is easily twice as easy. It's still a very long par 4, so you need two good shots, but the landing area you're supposed to aim for isn't entirely intuitive until you've played the hole a few times. If you get past the tree line you're screwed. Because of the steep hill and trees, you can't just look at google earth either and figure it out. 

[hckymeyer]

I agree that it goes both ways, but I would much rather have the local knowledge and make an informed decision.  I played a course last year that conservatively cost me 5 shots due to thinking it was safe where I was hitting when it wasn't.  I'd rather know the danger and hit my shot than get to where my ball should be and realize the fairway ended 10 yards back and my ball is now off a cliff into the woods.

 

It takes the guesswork out of the course and puts the game back between your ears where it is supposed to be

[Jmikecpa]

I will take a course that I have played over a course that is new any day.  I have a hard time playing places that people that don't know my game are trying to guide me around and normally would have hit different shots than I actually hit.  Only exception for me is if I play somewhere that has a good caddy that I can get out with and then it is a different story.  I played Friar's Head this year and my caddy was with me from the minute I hit the range until the end of my round and did a fantastic job of guiding me around and picking clubs.

[revkev]

I really had in my mind those few shots or that hole on a home course that are problematic or conversely that very difficult shot pulled off on an unfamiliar course that would have been far more,difficult had I known the ob or hazard was really that close. In the end I'll take the local knowledge but sometimes.......

[hckymeyer]

I really had in my mind those few shots or that hole on a home course that are problematic or conversely that very difficult shot pulled off on an unfamiliar course that would have been far more,difficult had I known the ob or hazard was really that close. In the end I'll take the local knowledge but sometimes.......

Ha ha, I see your point.

 

I believe the term you are looking for starts with either the sun shining on a dogs ass or a blind squirrel finding a nut

[SMRT]

At this point in my game it does not hurt my score if I know the course or not. My best score so far was on a course I had never played. Knowing the course does usually help my ball count though.

[Mr_Theoo]

I like playing courses I don't play often or that or new because it makes me think more about my shots. When I play a course regularly I tend to go through the motions more.

[BK in TEXAS]

Interesting topic....I'm going to be play ALL new courses over the next couple months.....and I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!

 

Generally though, I score better the 2nd or 3rd time on a course.

[whiskey golf]

I like playing courses I don't play often or that or new because it makes me think more about my shots. When I play a course regularly I tend to go through the motions more.

 

I feel the same way, playing the same course over and over lets my guard down and causes me strokes from being careless because it's nothing new and I'm not as focused versus a new course or other course that has been played a couple times.

[RoverRick]

There are times when I wonder just how much advantage there is to local knowledge. The problem is that it works both ways and at times knowing where the trouble is produces timid shots.

 

I'm best when someone says, "hit it there." Sometimes for me ignorance is bliss.

 

I do not see how knowing a course could possibly be a disadvantage.  I have played courses in 46 states and 3 countries.  I can assure you ignorance is not bliss.  I remember in Canada last year at Pagoda, I did not play particularly well all week.  But three drives on that course were beauties and all three of them were wasted shots, because I was blocked off from the green.  I hit it down the left side and should have gone right or the other way around. 

 

I have teed off and been going down the wrong fairway.  I have had trouble finding the next hole.  I can not think of one time in which I ever thought, "I wish I had not of known that was there."

 

Now, before I go to a new course I like to study overhead images and "plan" my tee shots at least.  I want to know if I need to lay up or go for it, or go left or right off of the tee box.  This has turned into a lot of fun.  I do not even care (well, ok, so I do care) what the score is at a new course, I just want to hit the ball well, and execute my game plan.  If my plan turns out to be wrong based on the satellite views, well, I can still be happy with that if I hit the ball well.

[BIG STU]

I have to agree with Rick on this one. Knowledge is power. Some courses down here you absolutely cannot play well unless you have local knowledge or playing with some one who has. My home course is a great example. It has earned a rep especially among visitors as an extremely difficult course. You absolutely have to know where to hit the ball on the greens because if you don't many 3 putts await you. When I was playing competitive golf I would do detailed notes on my practice rounds of any unexplored courses. But I am glad you brought up the Google Maps because I had never thought of it of course we did not have it back in the day.

[revkev]

While I'm sympathetic to what Rick and stu are writing i would say there's always ample info to fit your shots into a courses design. Go online the day before and there will be maps, course descriptions, fly overs.

 

I fully agree that I'm most likely to do well on a course the 2nd or 3rd time around. Also I get bored easily and so I think I'm very complacent when playing a familiar course unless there is enough on the line to get my attention.

 

My biggest point here remains that dread you feel on the tee of a familiar hole or even course that has your number. We all have them. Even the guys on tour do.

[hckymeyer]

My biggest point here remains that dread you feel on the tee of a familiar hole or even course that has your number. We all have them. Even the guys on tour do.

 

Now this I completely understand.  I have 2 holes on my home course (14 & 15) that get me more often than not.  Towards the end of the year I started to play them a little better and it was all mental.  One of the ways I did that was to try and hit a different club off the tee, or a different club on my layup to the par 5 so I would be a different position than I normally am. 

 

I live on my home course so it's where I play 99% of my rounds in the summer.  So far it's been 2 years and probably 100+ rounds that I've played on it and I've found you have to mix it up once in a while to keep the course fresh.  It's amazing how much differently it plays if you move to a different tee box, pick a different club off the tee, or play in a different format like scramble or alternate shot. 

[Paul S]

I definitely agree that playing a course for the first time is a disadvantage. I love new courses, but I'm always looking forward to them becoming comfortable courses.