Most of the courses I play have yardages on sprinkler heads to middle of green. Several courses have yardage books so this helps. I have a yardage range finder that helps me determine what yardage I need. Of course, this is for non-tournament rounds.
When I first went to the States in the early 1970's I was amazed to see 100 and 150 yard markers on the courses. I had played a bit in England and Australia where, at that time, judging the distance to the pin was a part of the game.
Sorry to be a boring old fart.
I still think that yardage books should be given out at pro shops, and eliminate yardage markers altogether (they're ugly). That, or GPS receivers for all! Yes, yes, I like that idea best.
Lowpost, I agree markers are ugly- the idea of having a yardage posted on a sprinkler is that they aren't ugly and simply have to be there anyway- plus it gives you a yardage nearly every 15 yards on most courses!
On courses I play often I take a few hours and walk it with my yardpro 400 and make my own yardage book. The yardpro isn't expensive (especially if you buy it off e-bay - I paid $105.00).
Trust me, knowing I know how far I am from a point or how deep the green is or how long the carry over water is makes playing a golf shot a whole lot easier.
I keep all the yardage books I make in case I need them again.
On Tour, we used to do it on Tuesday (which is normally the 1st practice day). We shared the load between 4 or 5 of us and it was done in about 2 hours.
If you're serious about the game, I really recommend you invest in a yardpro400 and spend a few hours walking the course doing a yardage book for yourself. I'm happy to scan and post a copy of what I do for a sample golf hole.
Ok, here are 2 pages from the yardage book I did for a tournament last year at Benoni Lakes Golf Club.
I mark the greens and fairways seperately. On the green I have dimensions, slopes, any NO GO areas, general breaks etc.
Fairways I mark the distance to objects, distance to the fairway, length of bunkers, width of bunkers, any no-go areas, bail-out areas, any major slopes. I also mark the width of entry areas onto the green.
Pretty detailed by to within a yard or 2, I know EXACTLY what is what.
BTW I always use the same symbols. Circles are sprinkler heads and squares and yardage markers on the fairway.
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