Pitch n' Putt

First off let me say that I am not too good for pitch n putt but I am wondering if people get to a point where they dont find it entertaining anymore? As a new golfer I think its a fun way to get out for a hour and practice the short game on tiny greens. Hitting off the mats doesnt really help or equate to the big game but everything else is there.

My fiance' is also still very, very, very new to golf so Im wondering how good taking her is for practice? Or should someone who still struggles to get the ball 100yrds with mid irons stick to the driving range? We went once and she seems to have fun and liked the "real" feel of golfing outside on grass.

Anyway, just my Friday morning thoughts. Even as I get better I still think a round of pitch n putt will be enjoyable into the future, at least I hope so. If im on the grass hitting ball, im happy.

Tom

I think this is a case of who cares what others find entertaining. If the fiancé enjoys it then that should be enough. It's a great way for her to get practice without it feeling like nothing but practice. Pitch and putt is probably the perfect place for those times when she wants to do something more than just beat balls at the range. I think you will find yourself enjoying it because she enjoys it.

Very few golfers have a game so good it will not benefit from additional practice via a pitch-and-putt. That your girlfriend enjoys it and it's something you can do together is but the icing on the cake.

It's certainly not harmful for her game and may be very helpful if she enjoys it and feels it's "real" since she's playing tee to green.

It's a great way for her to get practice without it feeling like nothing but practice.

I think thats a key point for her. While she (and myself) definitely need plenty of range time PnP presents a very real challenge for her. There is a starting point and a hole to get the ball in. She enjoys that way more and while frustrating when she messes up, provides way more satisfaction than a good shot on the range.

Pitch n' Putt golf is incredibly underrated in the state and a great way to grow the game. While some courses may be more interesting and engaging as others, I don't believe anyone can outgrown the PnP. Take a low handicap longball hitter and put them on a 40 yard hole, the first time they make a bogey on an easy hole, they will be fully engaged in the round.

I actually wish there were more PnP around! There is also a par 58 course near me that seems like a perfect next step for her once shes able improve her distance and accuracy.

We have a "par 3" course in my town. 9 holes, 800 yards total. Hole yardages are something like 87, 103, 68, 125, 94, 65, 145, 160, 150

It's fun enough for me. I go occasionally by myself and can get around in about 40 minutes. But, my wife has started coming with me sometimes. She is not a golfer, not interested in really learning the game - it's my thing and she has her own interests. However, she'll come with me to this course because she can knock a few around, chip and putt with me, and to her it's just a nice walk in the park.

Also I get to share with her one of the (increasingly few) things I really enjoy. She likes seeing me "in my element" on the golf course.

Word of caution. If she is going to aspire to playing full courses, forced to hit approach shots from the fairway, do whatever it takes to make sure she does the majority of her iron play from grass. I played a lot of PAR 3 with the wife when I first started and all the hitting from mats and tees didn't do me any favors when on grass.

I got to the point playing PAR 3 on a very short course (9 holes, longest 130yds) that if I didn't finish at PAR or better it was a bad round. Go play a regulation course and it was fat city from the fairway all day.

Other than that the wife and I had a great time playing PAR 3 and still would if she wanted to play. Now she only plays golf when we vacation in Hawaii (not that often) and her favorite part is the cart. Since she never plays she just tees everything up all the way to the green then hits a couple putts and picks up. She can still roll one out 150yds when she catches it.

Word of caution. If she is going to aspire to playing full courses, forced to hit approach shots from the fairway, do whatever it takes to make sure she does the majority of her iron play from grass. I played a lot of PAR 3 with the wife when I first started and all the hitting from mats and tees didn't do me any favors when on grass.

The place we go to, actually going today, has mats and most holes also have a mowed fairway around the mat to hit from. So she can hit shots from real grass as well. The mats are rough so grass is a way better option anyway. I also bring a few tees to hit slightly elevated tee shots as if on a short par 3.