Get out and about this autumn, there’s so much to explore – even on your doorstep, says Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey
For those of us who are members of golf clubs, it can be easy to get into a rhythm of playing our home course over and over again. Of course, we should be playing it a lot as we’ve joined that club because we enjoy the challenge of its golf course, and it’s important to learn how to play it to score well in competitions.However, it’s also important to broaden our horizons and play other courses, especially those which are nearby. It can be easy to forget how good the courses on our doorstep are. It can also be easy to play them once and then never go back for a second, third or fourth visit.
Many of you will be heading to the coast in the winter months and the links are fantastic places to get out to when the conditions inland become wetter and heavier going.
But while we’re in autumn – and if the winter is not as harsh as the last one (fingers very much crossed!) – try and pay a visit to some of your local courses. While playing in an event or open is a great way to do this, green fees across the region present fantastic value, particularly at this time of year. It’s also a good idea to check out your club’s reciprocal deals – some are based on location or which leagues top players from the club compete in, while others bring together clubs founded in the same year. There are also county card schemes – and you also have a great resource in your hand right this minute.
Playing lots of different courses is one of the perks of being a golfer (every Sunday league football pitch is very similar, isn’t it?) and visiting clubs across our region is always great fun.
Not only does playing different courses improve your game, you get to take on new challenges and see how other clubs do things. Lots of them also have great clubhouses too, and a top-notch breakfast or lunch.
Rather than focusing solely on honing your craft on one course throughout the whole year, make a trip to another local club this autumn – spend some time and a little bit of money there, and enjoy the experience.
Golf is about far more than playing the same 18 holes on repeat, it’s about exploring, facing new challenges, and gathering up all the experiences you can.
