5 ways social golf can improve your game

There are so many great golf courses out there. Some are private and require an invitation to access, while others are public and provide a great environment for everyone to play. But here’s my take: even if a golfer belongs to a private club, they should make time to play public courses.

One of my tennis partners invited me and another teammate to play nine holes at the public course, West Palm Beach Golf Park. It sounded good, so we all agreed to go. This is not something I usually do – I usually play golf with my family and spend most of my free time playing tennis – but I thought, why not?

We ended up having a great time, and it made me realize that this is something I need to do more often. Here are a few reasons why community golf is fun for everyone — and can help your game.

1. Exposure to new subjects

There are so many great public golf courses, and even those that aren’t considered premier can still be great fun. They tend to have a relaxed atmosphere, which can make the experience even more enjoyable.

We played Park West Palm Beach, an amazing resort that offers something for everyone. We played the front nine of the championship course over time, which worked out really well – it suited our schedule and allowed us to use the course throughout the day.

The course itself is outstanding and offers a good challenge. The fairways are relatively wide, but there are plenty of bunkers, and the greens are very green. It’s designed to be played by all skill levels, and everyone on our team had a great time.

When you play new courses, it forces you to change your game and hit shots you normally wouldn’t. And by expanding your horizons, you adjust your game in new ways.

2. Socializing reduces stress

Playing community golf allows you to play and meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet – and that can be great for your game as it changes expectations and takes the pressure off your practice.

Golf gives you time between shots to rest, talk, and catch up. It was great to hear what was going on in everyone’s lives and spend that uninterrupted time together. Although we were all focused when it was our turn to hit, we also had many opportunities to laugh and enjoy each other’s company.

3. Walking the course

In my home study, I almost always ride the cart. It’s just what I’m used to. But when we checked in, we were told that our group would be walking, which caught me off guard.

That said, I carry my bag when I play in Ireland and Scotland, so why aren’t you here? My friends were using carts, I was carrying my bag.

I really enjoyed traveling and plan to do it more often. If you walk, it can help you get into a better rhythm between shots, which can lead to better scores.

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4. Playing with new people

When we arrived at the tee, we found out that we would be paired with another golfer, a very common occurrence at busy public courses.

Turns out he was a recent graduate of Providence College who played on the golf team, so he was a solid player. He was not only talented but also great to play with. We got on well, and it was fun getting to know someone new while sharing a round.

Although pairing with strangers can seem intimidating at first, it almost always works out well. Also, it can take you out of your comfort zone and help you get better at playing in front of strangers, which is a great skill to have.

5. Achieving individual goals

One of the great things about golf is that, regardless of skill level, there are always small wins that make a round feel rewarding.

I played very well overall, except for one hole where I was too aggressive for the pin. I did birdie the last hole, though, which was a nice way to finish.

My friend Nicole recorded her lowest nine-hole score, which was fun to see. Jessica, who had just undergone a significant body shape adjustment, also played very well.

All in all, it was a great day on the course, and it wouldn’t have been possible without access to a great community course.