Playing in the Dark

So I got out of class early today and decided to speed to the course to get in 18. I had two hours to play. The first 14 holes were in the light and I was playing ok at 8 over. Once the sun went down it got dark fast. I wasn't stopping for nothing, so I finished the last couple holes in the dark.

I could only see was the Vegas sky line, mountains and trees with the help of Nellis AFB runway.

Over the last four holes I shot even par and didn't lose a single ball. I did get close to losing my ball on hole 16 when I hit my 15* hybrid a lot further then I thought I did.

Note I took putts with in 5 or 6 feet since all I could see on the greens was the flag.

It was great feeling! I mean when you can hit the ball and see it rise into the mountains and disappear but you just know you smoked in on the line you were aiming is something else. I think this was the first time that I truly trust my swing but if you think about it I had too. The only other thing I had to help me was the sound of the ball hitting the ground.

For those last four holes I hit 3 of 3 fairways and 3 of 4 GIR. The one 1 I missed was long and online.

Having said all of that, has anyone else had similar experiences playing at dusk or in the dark?

thats awesome! I played a local par 3 course in the dark and I ended up doing well if not better when I couldn't see. Theres no point in looking up at the ball after you swing so it helps keep my head down, and I have a true "feeling" of the ball off the club head that allows me to track it down after I hit it.

Did you use some nice neon yellow balls to help with visibility at all?!

l completely agree. I hit the ball exceptionally well the few times I have finished in the dark. I think its because I never lift my head to watch the shot. There's no point! I also only focus on the swing. It's like I'm making a practice swing, except I make contact. Now how do I duplicate that during the day?

Up here in mid-summer we can play until almost 10:00 PM. If there's a high full moon in a cloudless sky you can [i]almost[/i] play right into the night. I might get some yellow balls this year just to try it out.

I sometimes get the same effect at the golf dome. When all you can see is impact (if that, in your case) you keep your head more still, and you can't really look up early. There's nothing to see anyway.

I have played actual night golf a few times with the light up balls. I struggle to make good contact in the dark and the ball being such a rock doesn't help.

To[quote name='mikeharris23' timestamp='1393908530' post='8793037']
thats awesome! I played a local par 3 course in the dark and I ended up doing well if not better when I couldn't see. Theres no point in looking up at the ball after you swing so it helps keep my head down, and I have a true "feeling" of the ball off the club head that allows me to track it down after I hit it.

Did you use some nice neon yellow balls to help with visibility at all?!
[/quote]

No I was using a TaylorMade Tour Preferred golf ball. To bad I want be able to write a review on it from todays round, The thing was coming off the club face hot today.

[quote name='sederlund29' timestamp='1393909055' post='8793077']
I have played actual night golf a few times with the light up balls. I struggle to make good contact in the dark and the ball being such a rock doesn't help.
[/quote]
I had the same problem playing night golf. When I played 8 holes were par 3s and one was a par 4. This definitely helped because you could tee the ball up just a little high so you wouldn't chunk it.

Years ago, after twilight league a group of 10 to 15 of us would go out for a quick scramble. Usually in the dark by the last few holes. Off the tee there were a few players hitting at once. When it got really dark we would fan out across the fairway and call out the brand a number of ball as we found one. I could usual tell the general area my ball was headed by feel.

It got so dark someone with white shoes would have to stand at the hole so we would know where it was. I've alway had a black putter. On league nights I would a put strip of white tape along the top edge so I should see it. I got so I liked the line on the putter eventually found putters with paint filled lines. It's one of the the reasons I still use an old Slotline putter.

[quote name='sederlund29' timestamp='1393909055' post='8793077']
I have played actual night golf a few times with the light up balls. [b]I struggle to make good contact in the dark [/b]and the ball being such a rock doesn't help.
[/quote]

I use the flashlight app on my phone. I secure it to the handle of my push cart with a big heavy-duty rubber band. Point it at the ball and I'm good to go. I also put it in the cup for long lag putts or pitches/chips.

Playing in the dark really helps me feel the direction of the shot without seeing it. I am better now during daylight at knowing where the ball is going without looking. Unfortunately, it's usually not straight.

the question is.... did you say," be the ball" and "nananananananannanana" every time you hit it???

The vicar and the priest and the rabbi were playing at their club one afternoon. The round was going slowly due to what seemed like a foursome plus caddies up ahead. Finally, one of them called the pro shop. He was informed that the group were all blind golfers. The vicar expressed his admiration for their endeavor, the priest thought it commendable that the club should host them, the rabbi wondered why they didn't just play at night.

I've had similar experiences playing in the dark to the OP. It helps me really focus on the fundamentals. I'm less worried about flaws in my swing than I am with simply trying to pick up the ball flying through the air. For me its the less swing thoughts going through my head that really helps me. I've had multiple dusk rounds/nines which I start out awful (because I'm rushing to play fast) but finish strong once visibility is limited.

[quote name='mwkbmw' timestamp='1393945106' post='8794753']
[quote name='sederlund29' timestamp='1393909055' post='8793077']
[/quote]

I use the flashlight app on my phone. I secure it to the handle of my push cart with a big heavy-duty rubber band. Point it at the ball and I'm good to go. [b]I also put it in the cup for long lag putts or pitches/chips.[/b]
[/quote]

Genius!