Playing a new golf course is always fun and exciting, but the challenge of a new course is that you really don’t know where you are going. Since no two courses are the same, The Wedge Guy has shared somes tips on how to make the best of a new and challenging course.

Here are the three keys to giving yourself the best chance of playing to your potential and enjoying the experience:

1. Get in the right frame of mind – You are on a new course, so relax your scoring standards a little. Take time to hit warm up balls on the range so that you can go to the first tee with good swing thoughts. And most importantly, make your mind up to have fun today!

2. Relax – Your primary goal is to enjoy this new golf course that you are about to experience. Take time to smell the roses, as they say. To give yourself the best chance to make good swings, approach your shots with a little slower pace, pick out the target you think is right and then “get inside” yourself, and just make a good swing with conviction.

3. Think! – Every shot is going to be chosen from analysis, not memory or familiarity. On each tee, look at the hole thoroughly, and refer to a course yardage book if you have one. Figure out where the wide part of the fairway is and where trouble might be. When in doubt on shorter holes, play for a spot that will leave you a 135-165 yard approach – that’s usually a safe area.

When you visit a new course, what are your strategies for playing a great game and enjoying yourself?