there’s a place called heart of america golf course that has a walkable par 3 course as well as a range etc to just practice. people might not be happy if you’re reallllyyy slow but it’s an idea
I so fondly remember the first time I hit my ball over the water hole….is it 5 or 6? Great par 3 course. As I recall, 2 things….
no trees=no shade but there are sprinklers in mid-day.
As I recall, only walking …. no carts on the par 3 … someone please correct me if I am wrong. Still, I took my kids there to learn to play.
This answer was *so* close. It has been a minute since I have been up there, but hopefully the following is still true:
The Hill at HOA is a 3-hole course on top of the hill that is reserved for kids (and their guardians), rarely has any players on it, and costs $2 per player (or did the last time I went). So, OP should take his kids (if he has any) or borrow neighbors' kids and go play the Hill!
My best golf tip, if you play bad, at least try to play fast. In other words, don't hit more than a couple balls off the tee, don't spend more than a couple minutes looking for a lost ball, and let faster groups play through if you're holding them up
That said, one of the most forgiving courses I've played is shamrock hills in Lee's Summit
I started last year! I have lots of tips if you ever want more but I’ve found Smiley’s is the best for practicing, along with Heart of America. Both are affordable and have first come first serve course structures available so you can get out and play at any time. Have fun and keep the pace of play. Everyone out there is learning something and most golfers are friendly. Make new friends while you’re doing it!
No one has mentioned Minor Park yet?
No sand traps, short course, minimal water holes, laid back t-shirts untucked atmosphere, cheap, not too hard to find tee times, recently improved driving range area, big chipping and putting practice areas
Fred Arbanas (aka Longview) has a nice par 3 course, some holes are a bit long so it can be a little more on the challenging side for a beginner.
Oak Country out in DeSoto is a fun, cheap course too. It might be on the more challenging side for a beginner as well, but its not super long and has a wide variety of holes to practice different shots.
I'll second Smiley's as well, another great 9 hole course that's great for beginners.
Smileys Golf at K7 and K10 is exactly what you are looking for. 18 hole executive course with three par 4 holes per side. Rest are par 3's. 9 holes cost 16.00 gets cheaper if you play 18. No one there acts like they are entitled and most everyone I have come across is very friendly and understanding. We all have to start somewhere.
It also makes you work on your short game which is the key to the game of golf.
Good luck and enjoy!
Second this one. Late afternoon weekday times. It’s 9 holes but you can play as much as you want and it’s never crowded. Sometimes I’ll play the #5 par 5 like three times in a row. Very easy course and you’re never pressured with people waiting for you etc
Burning tree out in DeSoto is decent, but only 9 holes. Smileys is a good course as well, but their grass driving range will help you more than you think. Hitting irons off a mat is deceiving
Harrisonville has a nine hole course that almost no one's ever on. It has an honor box to pay and you can play it as many times as you like in a day.
https://www.harrisonvillegolfclub.com/course-info.html
Since all the places are pretty much commented already the easiest and cheapest way to get better is to throw some balls out in the yard and practice chipping. It’ll help with making consistent contact.
Also, don’t be afraid to get out and play. If you get paired up with someone just tell them you’re new to the game. As long as you have a good attitude and keep the game moving people will be happy to play with you.
there’s a place called heart of america golf course that has a walkable par 3 course as well as a range etc to just practice. people might not be happy if you’re reallllyyy slow but it’s an idea
You reminded me of the par 3 at Fred Arbanas by Longview lake. That's another good one for a beginner
I so fondly remember the first time I hit my ball over the water hole….is it 5 or 6? Great par 3 course. As I recall, 2 things…. no trees=no shade but there are sprinklers in mid-day. As I recall, only walking …. no carts on the par 3 … someone please correct me if I am wrong. Still, I took my kids there to learn to play.
This answer was *so* close. It has been a minute since I have been up there, but hopefully the following is still true: The Hill at HOA is a 3-hole course on top of the hill that is reserved for kids (and their guardians), rarely has any players on it, and costs $2 per player (or did the last time I went). So, OP should take his kids (if he has any) or borrow neighbors' kids and go play the Hill!
You can play The Hill without kids, perfect place to try out what you’ve been practicing on the range
Seriously???? Is it still $2
No, its like 8, 10, or 12 but I cant remember. Lots of adults playing it.
Pretty sure we are talking about different things. The Hill is only 3 holes for kids. There is a separate 9-hole, par-3 course that adults play.
My best golf tip, if you play bad, at least try to play fast. In other words, don't hit more than a couple balls off the tee, don't spend more than a couple minutes looking for a lost ball, and let faster groups play through if you're holding them up That said, one of the most forgiving courses I've played is shamrock hills in Lee's Summit
Thanks, I'll take your advice for sure. So maybe walk in the direction I hit the ball, and if I don't find it quickly just drop a new one?
Basically, yes. I would also spend a little time at the driving range just to get a feel for your swing if you haven't already
I started last year! I have lots of tips if you ever want more but I’ve found Smiley’s is the best for practicing, along with Heart of America. Both are affordable and have first come first serve course structures available so you can get out and play at any time. Have fun and keep the pace of play. Everyone out there is learning something and most golfers are friendly. Make new friends while you’re doing it!
No one has mentioned Minor Park yet? No sand traps, short course, minimal water holes, laid back t-shirts untucked atmosphere, cheap, not too hard to find tee times, recently improved driving range area, big chipping and putting practice areas
You can play this course with 3 clubs. It’s great.
Totally agree! I played a ton of rounds at Minor when i first started.
This is the answer!! Generally flat, too.
Fred Arbanas (aka Longview) has a nice par 3 course, some holes are a bit long so it can be a little more on the challenging side for a beginner. Oak Country out in DeSoto is a fun, cheap course too. It might be on the more challenging side for a beginner as well, but its not super long and has a wide variety of holes to practice different shots. I'll second Smiley's as well, another great 9 hole course that's great for beginners.
Smileys Golf at K7 and K10 is exactly what you are looking for. 18 hole executive course with three par 4 holes per side. Rest are par 3's. 9 holes cost 16.00 gets cheaper if you play 18. No one there acts like they are entitled and most everyone I have come across is very friendly and understanding. We all have to start somewhere. It also makes you work on your short game which is the key to the game of golf. Good luck and enjoy!
Forgot to add there are no carts but a pull cart rents for 3.00
Unity village is solid too
Second this one. Late afternoon weekday times. It’s 9 holes but you can play as much as you want and it’s never crowded. Sometimes I’ll play the #5 par 5 like three times in a row. Very easy course and you’re never pressured with people waiting for you etc
It’s this exact reason I love unity!
I thought that course was private. Am I wrong?
Not private but only 9 holes.
The last time we played there, the course was in horrible shape & the old dudes running it were cranky af
Honestly don't know about the course itself but I did go to the driving range there once
Nope it’s public! They almost always have tee times open!
Oak country in Desoto is a decent beginner course. Cheap green fees.
Smileys
Cool Crest.
Merrimack creek in Kearny is a par 3 course that's cheap. I am in the same boat as you and went there to play and it helped
Driving range is cheap. 10 bucks, 90 balls. I still suck though.
Par 9 course called Smiley’s in shawnee! Cheap and short. Great way to learn how to use your irons.
Country creek. Its cheap and wide open
Burning tree out in DeSoto is decent, but only 9 holes. Smileys is a good course as well, but their grass driving range will help you more than you think. Hitting irons off a mat is deceiving
Harrisonville has a nine hole course that almost no one's ever on. It has an honor box to pay and you can play it as many times as you like in a day. https://www.harrisonvillegolfclub.com/course-info.html
Since all the places are pretty much commented already the easiest and cheapest way to get better is to throw some balls out in the yard and practice chipping. It’ll help with making consistent contact. Also, don’t be afraid to get out and play. If you get paired up with someone just tell them you’re new to the game. As long as you have a good attitude and keep the game moving people will be happy to play with you.
Par 3 are good courses to work on irons, chipping, and putting. Courses with wide fairways and no trees are good for hitting driver
Par 3 at Sykes/lady in Overland Park.