The Scorecard – How we “Review and rate a Course”

September 5, 2018

Kathy and I have played over 200 different golf courses all over the world. We enjoy playing different golf courses. We have played some crappy courses and loved them. Mainly because our golf matches the course. We have played some pristine golf courses that just blew us away. We wanted to figure out a way to rate a golf course that was not a result of how we played. Instead, we wanted to come up with a standard that recreational golfers (Like us!) look for when going to a golf course. We also wanted to have a bit of fun in the setup of our rating system.

So, we came up with 18 areas of interest and gave them 3, 4, or 5 “strokes” based on the complexity of the area of concern. By compiling our system this way we were able to turn our rating into a “scorecard”. We also realized that there are different levels of courses just like there are different levels of golfers. So, we assigned handicaps for the different courses as well. This way we don’t expect as much from a municipal course as we would a private course.

Our hope is that if you wanted to play one of the courses we rated, you would be able to get an idea of what to expect before you get there. Or, you may even decide that the course is a must-play course. And in some cases, you may scratch a course off your bucket list based on the holes we just put in your bucket.

We even hope that you use our “scorecard” on a course that you play and add it to our rated courses as a guest score-keeper. After all, many of the courses that we have played or want to play, are because they were recommended by a friend.

So come play some golf with us as we rate the courses we play.

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

THE SCORECARD

COURSE: TYPE: DATE PLAYED:
HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4		Desired day/time = Birdie; 20 mins (+/-) = Par; More than 20 mins or different day = Bogey
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4		Based on Course Style – example of breakdown: $0.00- $30.00 = Birdie; $31.00 – $50.00 = Par; $51.00 and Up = Bogey;
3 – Starter/Marshal	3		Yes/No Starter; Yes/No Marshal
4 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4		Compatible to handicap w/ minimum 4 boxes; Placement in relation to handicap; Upkeep; Hole Layout Signage; Condition Overall
5 – Condition of Fairways	5		Hazards; Length of Fairways; Risk vs Reward; Blind Spots; Narrow or Open; Condition Overall
6 – Condition of Greens	4		Speed; Size of Greens; Gimmick Approach; Cut and Location of Hole; Condition Overall
7 – Length of Course	5		Walkability; Par 3 reliability of mid-iron; Par 4 length too long; Par 5 length too short
8 – Hazards	4		Variety of Hazards: Water, Sand/Bunker, Rough, Trees, Boulders; Condition Overall
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3		Competitive Tee Box locations; Hole Layout Signage at Forward Tee box
OUT	36
10 – Practice Area	5		Golf Pro; Driving Range; Chip Area; Putting Area; Quality of Range Balls; Condition Overall
11 – Locker Rooms	3		Cleanliness; Amenities; Size; Condition Overall
12 – Pro Shop	4		Variety of Equipment and Clothes; Organized; Staff
13 – Location	4		In City; Isolated; Easy to Find
14 – Rental Equipment	4		Clubs and Bag; Carts; Trollys; Condition Overall
15 – Restaurant/Food Cart	4		Snacks/Drinks Available on Course: Variety; Price
16 – Club House	4		Reception; Restaurant/Bar; Condition Overall
17 – Parking	3		Enough; Location/Distance from Club House and/or 1st Tee
18 – Customer Service	5		Overall Quality
IN	36
TOTAL	72		PLAYER: ATTESTED BY: