There are so many great golf courses out there. Some are private and require an invite to access, while others are public and provide a great place for everyone to play. But here’s my take: even if a golfer belongs to a private club, they should still make time to play public courses.

One of my tennis teammates invited me and another player on the team to play nine holes at a public course, West Palm Beach Golf Park. It sounded like fun, so we all agreed to go. This isn’t something I do often — I usually play golf with my family and spend most of my free time playing tennis — but I figured, why not?

We ended up having a great time, and it made me realize this is something I should do more often. Here are a few reasons why public golf is fun for everyone — and can help your game.

1. Exposure to new courses

There are so many excellent public golf courses, and even those that aren’t considered premier can still be a lot of fun. They often have a more relaxed atmosphere, which can make the experience even more enjoyable.

We played The Park West Palm Beach, an amazing facility that truly offers something for everyone. We played the front nine of the championship course later in the day, which worked out perfectly — it fit our schedule and allowed the course to maximize use throughout the day.

The course itself is outstanding and presents a good challenge. The fairways are relatively wide, but there are plenty of bunkers, and the greens are quite undulating. It’s designed to be playable for all skill levels, and everyone in our group had a great time.

When you are playing new courses, it forces you to adapt your game and hit some shots you normally wouldn’t. And by expanding your horizons, you are adapting your game in new ways.

2. Socializing takes the pressure off

Playing public golf allows you to play and meet people you otherwise wouldn’t — and that can be a great thing for your game as it shifts your expectations and takes the pressure off your performance.

Golf gives you time between shots to relax, talk, and catch up. It was great to hear what’s going on in everyone’s lives and spend that uninterrupted time together. While we all focused when it was our turn to hit, we also had plenty of chances to laugh and enjoy each other’s company.

3. Walking the course

At my home course, I almost always ride in a cart. It’s just what I’ve gotten used to. But when we checked in, we were told our group would be walking, which caught me off guard.

That said, I walk and carry my bag when I play in Ireland and Scotland, so why not here? My friends used push carts, and I carried my bag.

I really enjoyed walking and plan to do it more often. When you walk, it can help you get into a better rhythm between shots, which can lead to better scoring.

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4. Playing with new people

When we arrived at the first tee, we found out we’d be paired with another golfer, something that’s very common at busy public courses.

He turned out to be a recent graduate from Providence College who had played on the golf team, so he was clearly a strong player. He was not only talented but also great to play with. We kept up well, and it was enjoyable getting to know someone new while sharing the round.

While being paired with strangers can feel intimidating at first, it almost always works out well. Plus, it can get you out of your comfort zone and help you become better at playing in front of people you don’t know, which is a great skill to have.

5. Accomplishing individual goals

One of the best things about golf is that, regardless of skill level, there are always small wins that make the round feel rewarding.

I played pretty well overall, aside from one hole where I got a bit too aggressive going for a pin. I did birdie the final hole, though, which was a great way to finish.

My friend Nicole recorded her lowest nine-hole score, which was exciting to see. Jessica, who had recently made a significant posture adjustment, also played really well.

All in all, it was a great day on the course, and it never would’ve been possible without access to a great public course.