Best Champ Course for Beginner Lady

[Polar Bear]

She's learning the game well, but has played exclusively on exec courses up to now. I want to ease her into Champ play, so would like to start off with the 'easiest' (is that the word?), or just somehow the friendliest 9 holes in The Villages. I would appreciate your opinions and thoughts on the matter.

Thanks for your input. :)

[tophcfa]

Keep her away from courses with lots of sand traps like Glenview or Laurel at Palmer. Sand traps are brutal on beginners. I would recommend Bonifay or Lopez and have her play from the friendly T's. My wife really enjoys golfing from the friendly T's, she can reach most greens in regulation and the T placement takes out just about all the forced carries. She very much likes Tierra Del Sol, not because it's the easiest courses, but because it is the closest to our home and she is familiar with each hole. Best of luck and I hope she learns to love the great game of golf : )

[rjn5656]

Orange Blossom

[Fredman]

Orange Blossom

Front nine.

[Medtrans]

She's learning the game well, but has played exclusively on exec courses up to now. I want to ease her into Champ play, so would like to start off with the 'easiest' (is that the word?), or just somehow the friendliest 9 holes in The Villages. I would appreciate your opinions and thoughts on the matter.

Thanks for your input. :)

Another choice is to play the executives that have 1 or 2 par 4’s to get the feel of longer ****s. As far as championship, Bonifay has 3 par 5’s so probably one to avoid for the short term. No matter what one you try, a beginner should play from the yellow tees (friendly’s). I like Hibiscus at Cane. Have fun.

[dewilson58]

On the South side.............Evans Prairie.

[stan the man]

Go south ... The further south you go the more the courses look like open fields with some holes with sand. Play the forward tees and dont worry about the people behind you,

[Indy-Guy]

Be sure and use the yellow tee boxes. I also would suggest playing around 6:00 PM so you don't upset to many other golfers. It is also cheaper.

[walterray1]

Go south ... The further south you go the more the courses look like open fields with some holes with sand. Play the forward tees and dont worry about the people behind you,

that in continuing to learn the game everyone would be considerate of the players behind them. Keep it moving please.

[Polar Bear]

Please don’t let this thread devolve into a pace of play exchange. I’m a lifelong golfer and my wife knows the basics of keeping things moving.

Having a bit of a novice in the group should not...and will not in our case...mean a slow pace of play.

Now back to the much appreciated course recommendations for a (fast playing) beginner! :)

[Bosoxfan]

Go south ... The further south you go the more the courses look like open fields with some holes with sand. Play the forward tees and dont worry about the people behind you,

Really? Now that's the kind of advice newbies don't need. Please keep up the pace of play. Hit the ball a few times and if you're having a bad hole pick it up and bring it to the green and putt out. Don't worry about the people behind you. Really?

[Bosoxfan]

Please don’t let this thread devolve into a pace of play exchange. I’m a lifelong golfer and my wife knows the basics of keeping things moving.

Having a bit of a novice in the group should not...and will not in our case...mean a slow pace of play.

Now back to the much appreciated course recommendations for a (fast playing) beginner! :)

Sorry //

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Go south ... The further south you go the more the courses look like open fields with some holes with sand. Play the forward tees and dont worry about the people behind you,

Don't worry about the people behind you????? That is the worst piece of advice I've ever heard given to a golfer. One of the first things that a golf should be taught before venturing onto a golf course is alway be aware of the people behind you and allow them to play through if you are holding them up.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Please don’t let this thread devolve into a pace of play exchange. I’m a lifelong golfer and my wife knows the basics of keeping things moving.

Having a bit of a novice in the group should not...and will not in our case...mean a slow pace of play.

Now back to the much appreciated course recommendations for a (fast playing) beginner! :)

Sorry but that statement needed to be addressed. It one of the basic tenets of proper golf course etiquette.

[dewilson58]

One of the first things that a golfer should be taught before venturing onto a golf course is always be aware of the people behind you and allow them to play through if you are holding them up.


Yes, but not in TV.

[Fredman]

Nothing worse than being behind slow players. If you are hitting your ninth shot on a par 4, pick it up and move on

[Northwoods]

Be sure and use the yellow tee boxes. I also would suggest playing around 6:00 PM so you don't upset to many other golfers. It is also cheaper.

I agree... book a tee time after 4:10 (after the waves). It's cheaper and I think anyone playing at that time is more tolerant of people learning to play championship courses. There are a lot more couples at that time. Plus, I think she will be less stressed if it feels a little more relaxed.

[tophcfa]

I agree... book a tee time after 4:10 (after the waves). It's cheaper and I think anyone playing at that time is more tolerant of people learning to play championship courses. There are a lot more couples at that time. Plus, I think she will be less stressed if it feels a little more relaxed.

Why does everyone assume someone learning to play golf on a Championship course is going to slow you down? My wife is a relatively new golfer and she is often wondering why we have to wait to hit our shots. She plays very fast and will pick up her ball if she is having a bad hole. I have had to wait for a long time for experienced golfers who refuse to stop searching for their lost ball because they don’t want to take a penalty stroke. And don’t even get me going on the foursome that does not play ready golf and treats every put as though it is to win the Masters.

[Medtrans]

Nothing worse than being behind slow players. If you are hitting your ninth shot on a par 4, pick it up and move on

Actually you should pick it up after your 7th shot on a par 4....Villages rule no more than 3 over par.

[Northwoods]

Why does everyone assume someone learning to play golf on a Championship course is going to slow you down? My wife is a relatively new golfer and she is often wondering why we have to wait to hit our shots. She plays very fast and will pick up her ball if she is having a bad hole. I have had to wait for a long time for experienced golfers who refuse to stop searching for their lost ball because they don’t want to take a penalty stroke. And don’t even get me going on the foursome that does not play ready golf and treats every put as though it is to win the Masters.

I'm sorry. My point was to make her feel more comfortable. The OP asked about the best (more forgiving) course to play. I just asumed the OP wanted advice. Obviously I shouldn't have posted my suggestions. Thanks for setting me straight.

[Polar Bear]

I'm sorry. My point was to make her feel more comfortable. The OP asked about the best (more forgiving) course to play. I just asumed the OP wanted advice. Obviously I shouldn't have posted my suggestions. Thanks for setting me straight.
Northwoods, thank you for your post. It was a good reply to my op and did not warrant the sort of reply that you got.

[stan the man]

Yes, but not in TV.

This will be my first "thumbs up" for ALL of your posts

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Why does everyone assume someone learning to play golf on a Championship course is going to slow you down? My wife is a relatively new golfer and she is often wondering why we have to wait to hit our shots. She plays very fast and will pick up her ball if she is having a bad hole. I have had to wait for a long time for experienced golfers who refuse to stop searching for their lost ball because they don’t want to take a penalty stroke. And don’t even get me going on the foursome that does not play ready golf and treats every put as though it is to win the Masters.

No one is assuming that every new player plays slow. Responses were to a statement saying "Don't worry about the people behind you."

But in general, people who are new to golf, are going to take a lot more shots. They also often don't know where to stand or when it is their turn to play. It takes some time for them to learn these things. Unfortunately, some never do. But the first things that every new golfer should learn is to be considerate of the people around you and take care of the course.

[Polar Bear]

Sorry but that statement needed to be addressed. It one of the basic tenets of proper golf course etiquette.
My post wasn’t directed at you, Doc. I had the same reaction as you did to the post you quoted! LOL! I just didn’t want the whole thread to turn in to nothing but complaints about slow golfers. :)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Actually you should pick it up after your 7th shot on a par 4....Villages rule no more than 3 over par.

I thought that it was double par. Six on a par three, eight on a par four and ten on a par five.

I don't know that it's a rule rather than a suggestion.

[Two Bills]

Quite a few of the Exec courses from the back tees are a good test for any beginner.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Quite a few of the Exec courses from the back tees are a good test for any beginner.

ALL of the executive courses are a good test for any beginner. In fact, other than driving, they are a good test for any golfer. It's simply a matter of how well you score. A good player can play an easy executive course and if he doesn't shoot even par or better, he's not happy. A beginner playing an easy executive course may be thrilled if they make a few bogies or a par.

I have a friend who was all excited because he made a birdie on an executive course. I don't play like I used to, but if I don't make a birdie in nine holes, I'm disappointed.

The test has to do with your expectations, not your ability.

The easiest course on the PGA tour is TPC Cromwell in Connecticut. But the players go there knowing that they are going to have to shoot three or four under just to make the cut. The hardest course is usually the US Open course. Players go there knowing that if they shoot even par, they might have a chance to win. At Cromwell they are going to need to shoot 24 under or so to win.

The easiest holes in relation to par for the tour players are par fives. But in relation to what all of the other players are doing, they are the most difficult. Players come to a 580 yard holes knowing that they need to make four in order to not lose ground.

Par is really irrelevant. The difficulty of a course is really irrelevant.

[Polar Bear]

...Par is really irrelevant. The difficulty of a course is really irrelevant.
In competitive golf, I totally agree. For a beginner trying to have some fun and learn the game, not so much! :)

[Two Bills]

ALL of the executive courses are a good test for any beginner. In fact, other than driving, they are a good test for any golfer. It's simply a matter of how well you score. A good player can play an easy executive course and if he doesn't shoot even par or better, he's not happy. A beginner playing an easy executive course may be thrilled if they make a few bogies or a par.

I have a friend who was all excited because he made a birdie on an executive course. I don't play like I used to, but if I don't make a birdie in nine holes, I'm disappointed.

The test has to do with your expectations, not your ability.

The easiest course on the PGA tour is TPC Cromwell in Connecticut. But the players go there knowing that they are going to have to shoot three or four under just to make the cut. The hardest course is usually the US Open course. Players go there knowing that if they shoot even par, they might have a chance to win. At Cromwell they are going to need to shoot 24 under or so to win.

The easiest holes in relation to par for the tour players are par fives. But in relation to what all of the other players are doing, they are the most difficult. Players come to a 580 yard holes knowing that they need to make four in order to not lose ground.

Par is really irrelevant. The difficulty of a course is really irrelevant.

I don't think the OP is trying to get his wife to qualify for the Pro Circuit, just test her game a little more!

[GreySkies]

Don't worry about the people behind you????? That is the worst piece of advice I've ever heard given to a golfer.

Yep, agree 100% most useless advice for Golfers 101

I am not a golfer but dated one for a time and remember the most talked about “golfer etiquette” topic which was always being courteous and allowing the faster players to “play through”.

I plan to learn golf in TV and as a newbie I know I would feel “pressured” if I had several other golfers waiting and watching me, a smile and a “Play through wave” is what I will do. :icon_wink:

[Polar Bear]

...I plan to learn golf in TV and as a newbie I know I would feel “pressured” if I had several other golfers waiting and watching me, a smile and a “Play through wave” is what I will do. :icon_wink:
Correct me if I’m wrong, experts, but I don’t believe waving the group behind you to play through is considered an acceptable option under TV Golf rules. Correct?

[Two Bills]

Correct me if I’m wrong, experts, but I don’t believe waving the group behind you to play through is considered an acceptable option under TV Golf rules. Correct?

Correct.

[Topspinmo]

Quite a few of the Exec courses from the back tees are a good test for any beginner.

Aren’t most yellow tee boxes Par 4s close to same distance of par 4 executives course furthest tees back?

My opinion would be play the executives from further back tees, and get of confidence consistency, and distance With all clubs. I find that most beginners or intermediate players can either hit irons good or the drivers, or can or can’t putt. Build some confidence in all clubs.

[Topspinmo]

Correct me if I’m wrong, experts, but I don’t believe waving the group behind you to play through is considered an acceptable option under TV Golf rules. Correct?


I would think it depends on how many it groups. If you got 4 slower players and group of two are behind you why not let them play on. Most likely never have to wait on them.

[Polar Bear]

I would think it depends on how many it groups. If you got 4 slower players and group of two are behind you why not let them play on. Most likely never have to wait on them.
Like it or hate it, I think the Villages golf policy of “no play-thru’s” has to do with keeping track of playing time and keeping groups in order of tee times.

[GreySkies]

Like it or hate it, I think the Villages golf policy of “no play-thru’s” has to do with keeping track of playing time and keeping groups in order of tee times.


I would hate it… probably why I never got into golf, or maybe I am too new to golfing to complain anyway?

:icon_bored:

The one constant I have had repeated to me about 10 thousand times in the last two months of living in TV is how “BUSY” this place gets during peak season, especially the golf courses. I get it, enough already!

However, one would think that basic time management processes would dictate that during the busy season it would be encouraged to allow play-through’s to help with the prevention of a growing number of players waiting on slower players?

[Northwoods]

Like it or hate it, I think the Villages golf policy of “no play-thru’s” has to do with keeping track of playing time and keeping groups in order of tee times.

I believe that is true. Once we had a foursome constantly pushing us, so we were happy to have them play through. The Ambassador told us no... you can't let people play through.