My favourite programs of 2024? They jogged my memory what’s necessary

We’ve usually used this area this time of yr to wax poetic — or at the least try to — about our favourite programs we performed during the last 12 months. There are two causes for that. One, this can be a golf web site, and it’s one thing we are able to write about to feed the machine. And two, we wish to assume it’s an excellent useful resource for our readers. Possibly it’s a course they’ve performed too, however ideally it’s one they haven’t, which may then educate and encourage them so as to add it to their to-do checklist. It’s a beautiful factor — opening peoples’ eyes to nice golf programs they won’t have heard of.

However right here’s a slight twist to my entry. I already wrote about these programs. So as an alternative of writing about my favourite spots I performed for the primary time in 2024 — Chaska City Course in Chaska, Minn., and Sedge Valley at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Wisconsin — I’m going to inform you as an alternative what I realized on golf programs in 2024.

I’m certain I’ve written earlier than that I’ve an unhealthy obsession with making an attempt to get my handicap as little as doable, and it hasn’t been simple. I’m a 14, was as soon as all the way down to a 13, have lengthy thought I might be at the least an 11 but in addition by no means apply and don’t play persistently.

This handicap-lowering quest solely led to nerve-racking rounds, as dangerous days on the course grew to become extremely irritating and good days was white-knuckle rides, hanging on to get them into the clubhouse earlier than the inevitable crash.

However a while over the summer season, this all modified. I’m unsure there was a precise second, however in some unspecified time in the future I began caring much less however having fun with extra. A part of that was due particularly to my new technique when it comes to which programs I performed (like those talked about above), which helped rejuvenate one thing that wanted rejuvenating: having enjoyable whereas taking part in golf.

I realized dearer doesn’t all the time imply extra pleasant. Or that prettier doesn’t all the time imply higher. I realized that golf programs are like a diner menu — there’s one thing for everybody, and never everybody will agree on what’s greatest. In brief, my standards for which programs I selected to play grew to become easy: much less on the punishing side of golf, extra on the memorable. Locations the place I can’t wait to return to, not ones by which I’m afraid of the hazard at each flip. Possibly that’s the important thing for Common Joe golfers like me. Playability. What a beautiful phrase.