This happens to me as well. But sometimes I play better because after getting frustrated, I have learned to lower my expectations and to just enjoy the new experience. I always try, but never expect to shoot my lowest round playing a course for the first time. Sometimes a change of pace/scenery can be great for your game. It forces you to hit different shots at different yardages then what you are accustomed too and that can be great practice for your overall game. Just enjoy being out there and try not to be too hard on yourself. Any day on a golf course is better then being at work!!!

I tend to struggle most when I go from paying well in the area I am from and then visiting the in laws who live on the coast. Sea level throws my yardages off something fierce so I am always struggling to not just hit a drive into position A, but then always second guess whatever club I pull for my approach. I totally agree with David in just enjoying the round and see what you can take away for a positive.

I really enjoy playing different courses rather than the same tracts every week. That really gives me a challenge. During the course of a season, I rarely play the same course more than 2 or 3 times.

Up until late last season I regularly had the same problem when playing new courses.

The biggest thing I changed was to do what you already mention in your original post "put aside my score and enjoy a different course". This changed my mindset right from the first tee and allowed me to just go out and play and not have a false expectation that I could/should aim at every pin like I'm at my regular course where I know the scoring holes vs the holes that tend to have the tucked "sucker pin" placements. Now, when I play new courses my first thought is to aim for the center of the green and be happy with a GIR. I certainly don't shoot any record low rounds with this mindset but I've found that (usually) I'm within a couple strokes of my average score and I have a much more enjoyable round. I can't say that this approach is 100% foolproof either, sometimes a new course will just kick my butt. I guess that's just how golf is sometimes.

The other thing I do, when I have the time and/or am playing a competitive round at a new course, is use a website I found to preview/map the course. It may have been mentioned before on the TT discussions but can't say for sure. It's called ProVisualizer (www.provisualizer.com/index.php). The website uses Google Map images and allows you to mark and save tee, green and layup locations. I use this information before my round to identify driver vs 3 wood holes, aiming lines, and reachable par 5s. The site also allows you to print your own yardage books but I have never done this. Instead, I will make a few notes on a piece of paper and carry it in my pocket just to remind me of what is the "smart" play for each hole. It can take some time to get the points entered into the site but I've gotten much quicker after entering five or six new courses recently. In fact, I'm doing a long weekend golf trip playing two new courses for me on Sunday and Monday. Brickyard Crossing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Purgatory G.C. just north of Indy. Looking forward to playing both and plan to enjoy the experience with a group of my closest friends.

Hope this helps,

Rick

Been there and done that. Really can get frustrating! I personally have trouble with yardages, not sure why. This year I have only played my home course and I know it really well. Yet there are still certain holes every year that give me issues!

This used to happen to me before I bought a laser. Now before I tee off I ask if they have a yardage tracker and laser all trouble from the tee and fairway. It def has help me get over the hump

I think we all struggle on new tracks to some degree or the other. But I also believe that challenging ourselves makes us better golfers in the long run

I used to do that and always left frustrated, but my home course has made me a much better golfer , so now when I play elsewhere, I have the confidence to take them on and use what I've learned from playing my home course

I usually play better at a new course because I don't know what to expect at each hole. And since it is first time I'm playing there I don't worry about how I play. Just enjoy the new scenery and relax and you will play fine

Yeah, playing a new course is a challenge. I have low expectations with first time play on a new course. The pro's do practice rounds where they can hit mulligans and try shots from different locations, if possible I do the same for a first time round. Its always good to play with a local who will also play a practice game with you and give you some hints. I keep a mental diary, some courses I want to go back to and play for score, some have a single hole that challenges me and I go back, fast and tricky greens call me back, but some just aren't worth my time. I have enjoyed this approach, its just a lot more fun. If you're going to a new course for an event, that is different and can be quite frustrating.

I use to have that dilemma. Since then I've come to realize for me I played my "home" course so much that my index wasn't a real index even when applying a traveling index. I never play my "home" course more than 50% of the time and play many different courses throughout the year. I go in with no expectations and I also make sure I swing within myself no matter where I play. When I started doing this my index went up a bit but now it's back down and normalized.

I always look at my tee shots after a round, at every course. Yardages don't change, from here to there. If I really struggle, it's because I lost my position off the tee. Focus on a bread/butter fairway finder, regardless of the yardage. Mine is 240. When that is doing okay, I can score anywhere.......

Thanks TT members for all your input. I have been able to play some of these courses again and have shot better since knowing the course and where to position my shots. Like some of you have said, it has improved my game by playing a variety of shots different from my home course. Always look forward to playing different courses and and the challenge. Once again, Thanks.