7 Benefits of Playing in Open Events at Golf Clubs

Many club golfers understandably play the majority of their golf at their home venue. Golf club memberships aren’t getting any cheaper, and so it really does make sense to maximise your fees, helping to justify your own re-joining decisions next year. However, playing the same course over and over again can become a touch repetitive. Moreover, it can hold your overall game back somewhat if you’re only ever asked the same questions by the course in front of you. There’s a load of reasons why playing an Open event can be beneficial, join us as we explore just a few of these below!

Improve Your Game

That first benefit of playing different courses is the development of your own game. Experiencing a mix of parkland, links and heathland tracks will keep you on your toes, demanding different shots throughout the round than the ones you might usually need at your own club. It’s one thing being able to play to your handicap in your Sunday morning fourball, but how will you fare on a foreign venue when there’s a prize or two on the line?

Fantastic Value For Money

Another fantastic reason for entering an Open competition is the value for money on offer. Most clubs see these events as showcases for their course, presenting them in the best possible condition, often for a cheaper rate than a standard greens fee. What’s more, many Opens also throw in a bacon roll and lunch to boot - what’s not to like about that?!

Mix It Up

Whilst some golfers may love the independence of heading off to compete on their own, Open competitions provide a great opportunity to mix up your usual format. Maybe you and a mate want to take on a foursomes event, or you’re interested in a mixed greensomes tournament with a friend or partner; Opens provide ample opportunity for every form of golf imaginable, from 72-hole scratch tournaments, to the immensely enjoyable Texas-Scramble.

Tick Off A Bucket List Venue

There’s no particular ‘type’ of club that puts on Open competitions, which means that there’s often an opportunity to take on a course you’ve been looking to play. Elite Open events will often fill up fast, as will those as big name venues, but the vast majority of the Top 100 courses will have at least one event for which everybody is eligible, so why not tie your visit in with a little competitive golf?

Get Your Competitive Juices Flowing

Speaking of which … You may play at a club that only holds the occasional monthly Medal, or purely be somebody that loves the thrill of the competition. Or you may be unable to get your fill of tournaments at your home course due to work or family commitments. Open events allow you to play almost as often as you’d like, with events across the country 7-days-a-week. Why not build your own little schedule for next year like the pros do!

A Good Lunch!

Ok, we admit this might not be the biggest reason to enter an Open competition, but more often than not, the host club will put on a darned good lunch! The showcasing of their venue doesn’t stop at the 18th green, and most will want their guests sharing the good word about their food and beverage offerings, as well as the smoothness of the greens. Our own research has generally pointed to the older, more established golf clubs taking the lunch more seriously (notably the likes of Royal Cinque Ports, Woking and Royal Ashdown Forest), although we’re yet to leave disappointed from lunch at an Open event.

Catch Up With Old Friends

One of the best things about Open events is that they happen year after year. This means that you can return to the same venues and see the same faces each time you visit. Whilst some events will mix the start sheet dependent on a myriad of factors, many will be drawn in handicap order, meaning that there’s every chance you may even get a knock with the same people again which is a fantastic way of building lifelong friendships.

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