Spark Golf

Golfers - especially newbies - are finding a great way to fit in rounds

Golf is a time consuming pursuit, and testing your skill against others in competitive play is even more so. Players at municipal courses up and down the West Coast have a new option, one that can be tailored to their schedules.

Spark Golf leagues are currently available at courses in cities across the country including Albuquerque, Bakersfield, Fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, and the Bay Area. The leagues feature 9-hole competitions designed to be casual and fun.

Co-creator Charlie Klaus said he wanted to recreate the fun and excitement of a facility like Top Golf on a green grass course. “We knew technology was a big piece of it, so we invested and now have over 1,000 leagues running nationwide.”

League rounds are played weekly on specific weekday evenings, so players know when and where they need to be each week. Players are able to play as many or as few rounds as they like. Missing one isn’t the end of the world.

The co-ed leagues are designed for golfers of any age or skill level. Each league round has two games running simultaneously: a two-person best ball game and an individual game (both games use net scores). Players always play their own ball and record their hole-by-hole scores in the Spark app. Prizes for team, individual, and skins are awarded after each round.

Additionally, prizes are awarded at the end of the season in both the team and individual competitions.

Doug Suse, head professional at Stone Creek Golf Club near Portland, Oregon, said Spark Golf has brought new players to his facility. That same sentiment has been echoed throughout the region as courses add more leagues to accommodate interest.

The app - available for both IOS and Android - makes it easy to register and find a league to play in. Players are encouraged to sign-up with a partner, but the app can help pair individuals if necessary.

To learn more about Spark Golf, visit www.Spark.golf.