Fun Golf – What a Concept!

Kim Anders
Director of Instruction
John Jacobs Golf Schools and Academies Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort
Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, AZ
jkanders4@gmail.com

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I was working with one of my members this week and he made a comment I really liked. Bill plays in our Senior Men’s Group, handicap in the high twenties (or thirties), and really just wants to eliminate the real costly shots, like when he chunks the ball 10 yards instead of hitting it 110 yards.  

He is the shortest hitter in the Senior group and he’s fine with that. As he puts it, “I just want to be OK at golf and have fun, hit some good shots, and not lose a bunch of balls.”  

I ask Bill if he ever addresses the ball and the little voice in his head says, “Billy Boy – What are you doing? You got no chance of pulling this shot off!”

Bill looks at me like I’m a mind reader. “Happens all the time!” We talked about some course management ideas, like laying up to the lake on the 3rd hole instead of trying to go over when it requires his best 3 wood and a good wind helping him.  

He gets real quiet and then finally he says it. “You mean you want me to play fun golf?” I love it – Fun Golf! What a concept. So, instead of trying to hit shots he knows are impossible, losing balls, taking penalty strokes, and losing as much as 50 Pesos a round (about $2.50 US), it’s OK to play around the lake, which is what he actually does AFTER first hitting a ball into the lake.

Fun Golf. I know it’s not for everyone, but for a lot of people it’s a brilliant idea. When I was in Colorado I had a member, George, that played ‘Preferred Lies’. But his ‘Preferred Lies’ involved if you hit your ball into the woods and prefer it was in the fairway…he moved his ball there – no penalty! Ball in the sand, no problem – that’s why they put those rakes out there, to rake the ball out. Can’t carry the lake, no problem, pick your ball up and carry it around – no penalty! George was ahead of his time. He was playing Fun Golf 20 years ago.  

So, how is Bill doing? He came by this morning and told me Fun Golf is the way to go. Any time that little voice in his head tells him “no chance”, it’s his reminder to save the ball and play smart. He now realizes how much all those penalties strokes have cost him.  

And, he shot a 97 yesterday. The first time ever he has been under 100. Ever! You can still play by the rules and have Fun. And, maybe even shoot your best score. Ever!!  

Fun Golf – Give it a try. 

Kim Anders is Director of Instruction at the John Jacobs Golf Schools and Academies at the Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort in Mazatlan Mexico. You can contact Kim at jkanders4@gmail.com.