Does anyone use Spark Golf?

[The Vanity Golfer]

I've been considering getting into a "golf league" or a golf night where I play consistently one night a week. Similarly to any sort of intra mural or community type league.  I was curious if anyone uses Spark Golf - it seems like it is an app that sets up leagues at local courses.  Any one use it and have any thoughts on it? 

[M3S2]

I am in my second year of playing Spark Golf. I would recommend giving it a try. I really want to play more formal, 18 hole tournaments, but work during the week and can’t give up weekends. So Spark gives me a 9 hole, weekday evening competitive outlet. 
 

Pros:

Simple, convenient and easy to use. Everything is coordinated through the app; registration, payment, tee times/pairing, scoring, points/standings, skins payment, etc. I can play three nights a week across 5 courses between work and home. I don’t, I play in one league, but the option is there  

Flexible in that you can play as a 2 person team or single and can play a single league at one course or different courses. There are individual league and regional standings

Relaxed and encourages pace of play, priority is enjoyable environment with an element of competition.  OK for high handicappers. Everyone I’ve played with has been cool, ranging from total beginner hacks to scratch golfers  

Cons:

There are going to be cheaters, but the handicapping system accounts for that as good as possible (best 2 scores of last 5).  Certainly not unique to Spark and as with all golf competitions, if you play against the course and yourself, you’ll be happy  

Not “pure” competition in that preferred lies in the fairway and playing OB/lost ball as lateral hazards are standing league rules. 

No prizes beyond a belt for winning your league for the season and skins pot of $1 per player that comes from the fee (not optional, not additional). I’ve won skins ranging from $.68 to $8. This is not an issue for me. However, the skins are net, which grates on me, but not a big deal. 

Hope this helps. 

[The Vanity Golfer]

1 hour ago, M3S2 said:

I am in my second year of playing Spark Golf. I would recommend giving it a try. I really want to play more formal, 18 hole tournaments, but work during the week and can’t give up weekends. So Spark gives me a 9 hole, weekday evening competitive outlet. 
 

Pros:

Simple, convenient and easy to use. Everything is coordinated through the app; registration, payment, tee times/pairing, scoring, points/standings, skins payment, etc. I can play three nights a week across 5 courses between work and home. I don’t, I play in one league, but the option is there  

Flexible in that you can play as a 2 person team or single and can play a single league at one course or different courses. There are individual league and regional standings

Relaxed and encourages pace of play, priority is enjoyable environment with an element of competition.  OK for high handicappers. Everyone I’ve played with has been cool, ranging from total beginner hacks to scratch golfers  

Cons:

There are going to be cheaters, but the handicapping system accounts for that as good as possible (best 2 scores of last 5).  Certainly not unique to Spark and as with all golf competitions, if you play against the course and yourself, you’ll be happy  

Not “pure” competition in that preferred lies in the fairway and playing OB/lost ball as lateral hazards are standing league rules. 

No prizes beyond a belt for winning your league for the season and skins pot of $1 per player that comes from the fee (not optional, not additional). I’ve won skins ranging from $.68 to $8. This is not an issue for me. However, the skins are net, which grates on me, but not a big deal. 

Hope this helps. 

This is super helpful and exactly what I am kind of looking for.  For your location - are there better times during the week? I am not sure if it just isn't super popular in my area or the times are limited. Every week day 9 round registration is at 5:00 pm which would be hard (I would think) for most people to make due to work hours.

[M3S2]

I think around 5 pm is pretty common. All matches start between 5 and 5:30 pm in my area, depending on the course. I’m fortunate to have some flexibility in my work schedule, so I usually can make it with time for a proper warm up. Sometimes I’m running right up to tee time. I’ve played in 4 different leagues in my area and all are straight tee times, not shotgun.

I’ve not had the need to, but understand that the Spark folks behind the app are pretty responsive (email/text). People have got them to add them after registration is closed, remove them from a match after registration closes for valid reasons (usually lose the registration fee if you drop out after closing), etc.

You might be able to get you the last tee time to allow you more time.  Tee times and pairings are usually generated by the app, using a logic I’ve yet to divine, but there could be human intervention. 

Additionally, the leagues I’ve played, players are pretty lax with tee times and pairings. “Hey, I need to get done early tonight, can I go off first?” Go for it. “We would rather play with so and so, can we switch?” Go for it. You might be able to leverage the vibe of the league to start later (with the blessing of the starter, of course). The app scoring allows that  

The problem is the single or team that needs to get out before their paired team arrives, then miraculously comes in at 13 under…….(yes, I’ve witnessed that, 2 person, best ball team net for 9 holes, with the “best” player getting 12 strokes, not common, but it has happened)

[The Vanity Golfer]

22 minutes ago, M3S2 said:

I think around 5 pm is pretty common. All matches start between 5 and 5:30 pm in my area, depending on the course. I’m fortunate to have some flexibility in my work schedule, so I usually can make it with time for a proper warm up. Sometimes I’m running right up to tee time. I’ve played in 4 different leagues in my area and all are straight tee times, not shotgun.

I’ve not had the need to, but understand that the Spark folks behind the app are pretty responsive (email/text). People have got them to add them after registration is closed, remove them from a match after registration closes for valid reasons (usually lose the registration fee if you drop out after closing), etc.

You might be able to get you the last tee time to allow you more time.  Tee times and pairings are usually generated by the app, using a logic I’ve yet to divine, but there could be human intervention. 

Additionally, the leagues I’ve played, players are pretty lax with tee times and pairings. “Hey, I need to get done early tonight, can I go off first?” Go for it. “We would rather play with so and so, can we switch?” Go for it. You might be able to leverage the vibe of the league to start later (with the blessing of the starter, of course). The app scoring allows that  

The problem is the single or team that needs to get out before their paired team arrives, then miraculously comes in at 13 under…….(yes, I’ve witnessed that, 2 person, best ball team net for 9 holes, with the “best” player getting 12 strokes, not common, but it has happened)

That’s super helpful! I appreciate it. Hoping I can get into contact with Spark and see if I can grab a few later tee times so I can start signing up. 

[M3S2]

Good luck!

[StrokerAce]

with golf season coming up and having lost my regular league partner I'm thinking about doing Spark.

If the times start at 5 and sunset is around 7:30 does that give enough time to finish 9? Is it a shotgun start? How many groups usually show up and how do you determine order?

I'm assuming the pairings are done same day since you can decide whether or not to register for a certain day. does the app create the 2 person team? Do you and that other person play together or do you just combine scores at the end of the day?

how "relaxed" are people? I mean are they improving their lies in the rough, grounding their club in the bunker? taking fair drops (1 club length)?