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Factors Affecting a Golf Ground and the Game

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Written by Vince Paxton

Wednesday, 26 March 2008

by VincePaxton

Every golfer would agree that no golf course is the same as another. Although playing a variety of courses can be challenging and fun, playing at a home course is going to be different regardless of how many times it has already been played.

Yes, it is the same golf ground. In fact, the only thing that has changed is the cup position on the green. However, no golf course is the same two days in a row or even during that same day. Training golf beginners to understand this concept is often not something they truly learn until they have experienced a course a few times. And this is true whether the course is in Spain or Pennsylvania.

Will Smith played in a movie entitled "The Legend of Bagger Vance" in which he expressed to his protg that the grass follows the sun. A putt that breaks in one direction during the morning will break in the opposite direction that same afternoon.

The weather is one factor that certainly influences the golf course and can make a certain course different day-by-day. In fact, weather conditions are a significant factor in how a golf course plays. For instance, a dry course will play faster than a wet course. On a wet course, the ball does not travel as far after it hits the ground whereas it will roll much farther after hitting dry ground.

The temperature also influences how the course plays. A nicely hit ball will travel farther on a warm day, as compared to colder weather in which the ball will not travel as far. Further, an area that has been dry for a period of time will become nearly as hard as concrete providing extra distance for the ball once it hits the ground. This is the case unless the fairways are watered heavily daily.

The golfer's attitude and frame of mind also impacts the course. How a golfer reacts to the course influences how he or she will play that day. The game of golf requires a focused, calm mindset so that the golfer can concentrate on each and every shot.

Another factor in how a course can play differently is how the golf ground is kept. Fairways trimmed close to the ground allow for the ball to roll further, whereas a fairway grown longer prohibits the balls from rolling as far.

The rough is another story as well as the other many obstacles you may find on the course like sprinkler heads. Although the rough will always be thick and difficult to pay out of, a wet and heavy rough makes it nearly impossible to do much more than try to chip the ball back to the fairway. Sprinkler heads are another problem golfers often face as they are situated throughout the course and will certainly affect a ball that hits them.

Finally, who is playing with a golfer or whether or not he or she is playing alone will affect how the course is played.

As you see, there are many factors that contribute to the same course being a "different" course no matter how many times a golfer has played it.

About the Author:

Focusing on latest developments in golf package spain, Vince Paxton wrote principally for http://www.alicante-spain.com . One can see his comments on golf package spain and golf holidays in spain here.