Golf on the go
How to approach playing a new course every day
So, you have taken the time off and put your clubs in the RV so you can enjoy a golf vacation. What a wonderful idea! New places and new friends await you. Playing a variety of terrain and mixing up links-style, championship and executive courses will allow you to refine your skills and enjoy a wide range of challenges.
You might find that you feel a bit intimidated teeing up for the first time. Without knowing the layout of the course, how the greens play and other important details, your game could be thrown off.
Here are a few suggestions that can help you get the most out of your golf vacation.
1. Check the website. Many courses have an aerial photo of their course, and some even have an animated flyover. This will help you visualize your play and get a sense of the topography and layout. The website for Bear Mountain on Vancouver Island has a good example of the flyover.
2. Go for a stroll. While you probably won’t be permitted to walk the entire course, take a look at what you can. You will get a sense of the fairway and greens condition, and a peek at the layout of one or two holes.
3. Study the scorecard. The handicap and par ratings will give you a hint of what to expect.
4. Mingle with locals and the pro. Ask about the most difficult holes and listen carefully for technical advice. Make friends!
5. Play with a local—and give them the honours. You will get a sense of how the hole plays, and you can also learn about the region and apres-golf adventures.
6. Go high-tech. If you love your GPS, why don’t you download the layout of the courses on your route?
By following these tips, you will not only decrease your score, but will also get to research each course and meet more people. Learning and meeting people are the keys to a truly enriching travel experience—so let golf be your vehicle to a sublime vacation.