HFWR
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Take it from a life-long golfer....the 19th hole is the best one of all.
And where I excel...
Take it from a life-long golfer....the 19th hole is the best one of all.
I had planned for golf to be an ER hobby as I enjoy being outside and thought it would be a good way to meet new people. I took lessons and went to a women's golf clinic before going out on the course. For a month or so went out with a group of ladies who met on Saturday mornings for 9 holes. Then something went terribly wrong with my (already poor) swing and I was unable to get any height on the ball at all. I took more lessons, played a few times with my son, and spent many frustrating hours on the driving range trying to get my swing back to the point where I could at least hit the ball 75-100 yards, but nothing worked. Very frustrating because I pretty consistently hit the ball straight, but it would just slide down the fairway 25 yards on most swings. So I pretty much have given up on golf, sadly. Someone told me that there are similarities in throwing a ball and swinging a club, so I guess it makes sense that I suck at both of them.
You may be onto something there. I took a friend out for his first 9 yesterday. He said that he'd been to a range a few times, but it sounded like years ago. He's a good athlete and had played some hockey. I was ready for some whiffs and worm burners, but his first tee shot went over 100 yards--into the trees, but still nicely in the air. 4th hole, after a mulligan, he bounces onto the par 3 green,and 2 putts for a par. On #7 he made a 50 foot putt that had some break. Overall, it was really impressive.Give it a try. It is a great. and frustratingly difficult, game. The pros make it look so easy. I know many gifted athletes who think their gifts will translate to golf and oftentimes do not. One exception seems to be hockey players - they seem to pick it up well - I guess that it is similar hand eye coordination and if you can hit a moving puck with a hockey stick then hitting a stationary golf ball is a piece of cake.
Be careful on any golf course as one can be hit by an errant golf ball. Your position is behind and not in front of the player. Sometimes, even standing behind may be dangerous for eg. If the player in front is trying to hit the ball out of some trees, the ball may hit the trees and ricochet backwards. So, be careful and stay alert and keep safe.
So happy to read this thread and find many keen on golf. It's a great game - one you can play with friends or loved ones or even on your own. For beginners, best to take some lessons first. When you are ready to play on the green, play with your instructor or a very patient seasoned golfer friend. Your first few games should preferably be played on a weekday during non-peak hours. I note that you have raised a lot of questions but not much on safety. Be careful on any golf course as one can be hit by an errant golf ball. Your position is behind and not in front of the player. Sometimes, even standing behind may be dangerous for eg. If the player in front is trying to hit the ball out of some trees, the ball may hit the trees and ricochet backwards. So, be careful and stay alert and keep safe.
Yep, you never know....a couple years ago we were playing with a guy wasn't very good. He was hitting a 3 wood from fairway on par 5. My friend and I were standing roughly parallel to him 15 yards a way. Somehow he managed to smash the ball full speed straight sideways and the ball went right between us head high. I still don't know how that happened. So take the extra step and be behind them! ...
Already many great replies on rules and etiquette so I'll address another issue.
Competition vs enjoyment. Are you or DH very competitive? If one or both of you are then you can easily become obsessed with trying to improve your game and lower your scores. If you're both competitive and head off in this direction then no problem. If only one of you is, then there can be issues down the road. I've seen many couples start out together only to see one progress at a much quicker pace than the other and this can sometimes cause problems. Some couples do a good job of adjusting to this reality and schedule times to play together and other times to play apart with others who are more closely aligned with their skill level. I've seen other couples manage this situation poorly and end up having some serious arguments. Do your best to talk these issues out so you can both continue to enjoy the game.
Golf is a great game because anyone can play and it's a great way to get outside and get some exercise while enjoying time with friends and family. And golf courses re great places to meet people and make new friends. Also, many courses are set in beautiful locations with lots of wildlife around. Remember to try and maintain a balance between enjoying your friends and the surrounding environment versus trying to lower your score. I've seen many people get frustrated because they can't play as well as they THINK they should and end up giving up the game. People who stress out over their game, curse loudly on the course and throw their clubs around are not uncommon. It's a shame they've forgotten all the positive aspects of the game that attracted them to it in the first place.
Relax and have fun!
It became no fun for me because the people I played with were not only very competitive, they lied. A lot. Besides, it was a frustrating "sport" because one day I would shoot well, and the next, I'd put every ball in the woods. Completely unpredictable.Good point. Neither of us are really overly competitive . He can be a little more intense than me and do the in your face because he got a better score (he tries to come off as joking) but if I gently remind him it is about fun together and if he gets a better score I really don't care he will keep his happy dancing to himself. I guess until we try it we won't know our individual reactions. Like you said we just need to relax and enjoy the process. If it becomes not fun I won't stick with it
We currently live in an area where the golf courses are few and far between and golf is just not something most folks do. Including us. We are moving to Florida where of course you can walk out your front door in just about any neighborhood and golf. The community we are moving to has plentiful golf.
My questions are I am sure obvious if you live in a golf world, but, I am a nervous nelly about anything new and I don't want us to be those people that folks swear about, roll their eyes at, etc. if we are in the way, taking too long, or God forbid head to the wrong hole.
Do we call a local golf course and asked for a lesson with rentals? Or wait til we get where we are going and take a lesson at the course we would play on?
If we lose our golf ball do we just leave it and move on? Or do we at least try to find it?
If we hit the grass instead of the ball and a clump flies through the air do we retrieve it and put it back or let the groundskeeper repair it properly?
Is it obvious how to get to the next hole? Are they numbered?
How do we know if we are supposed to golf 9 holes or 18? Do you take breaks or keep going til your done?
What happens if you have to go to the bathroom?
Is their etiquette about what courses you can play at and is it rude to take tee times that regulars use if the person making the schedules give it to us? Or do they save those times for regulars and give everyone else what is available?
Are you supposed to use a golf cart? And do people really use bag boys or is that just professionals?
Who at a golf course do you tip?
Yes I have spent alot of time thinking about this and I really want to try it before we say we don't golf. We may love it or we may hate it. But my nervousness of the unknown will definitely keep me from trying it.
Second tree on the left. Or wait until you finish the nine holes. some courses do have a restroom in the middle of nine.
There are generally a port-a-pottys, or when you lose a ball and are looking for it in the woods you can decide…