PLAY YOUR OWN WAY
Introduction
Golf is a game that can be played and enjoyed on many levels, so set yourself up for success! It may take several years to be able to keep score according to the rules of golf, but there is no reason you have to wait until then. We strongly suggest you play on a recreational level before you attempt to enter a tournament or keep your own score.
To experience the game with confidence and enjoy moments of glory, let your group know you plan to PLAY YOUR OWN WAY. You’ll find most golfers supportive, and they’ll appreciate your effort to keep the pace of play moving.
What the Golf Course Expects From You
Golf courses dedicate numerous resources to creating a playable experience. They expect you to do your part to maintain the conditions they work hard to establish.
At the first tee, a STARTER will typically be stationed to review some of the specific rules of the course and remind you to play at a good pace. Course ready players are familiar with universal items such as:
- Arrive at the first tee box at least 10 minutes before your scheduled tee time.
- Dress in proper attire and bring a set of clubs.
- Understand where carts may be driven and where they’re forbidden.
- Know how to repair divots.
- Rake sand traps after hitting your ball out.
- Protect the putting green surface and replace the flag after you've played the hole.
What Fellow Golfers Expect From You
Golfers show up in all shapes and sizes, and their styles of play are just as diverse. Temperaments and attitudes can range from playing a serious, pin drop quiet game, to having fun and making frequent beverage cart stops. Regardless of skill, most golfers expect to find courteous players who respect and practice golf etiquette. Here are a few guidelines to follow at all times:
- Remain quiet and still during another player’s turn.
- When it’s your turn, BE READY. Walk quickly between shots and move near your ball with your club of choice in hand.
- Limit your pre-shot routine to 20 seconds.
- After taking ONE "real" swing your turn is over, no matter where the ball may go – or not go. The golf course is not the place to work on your swing.
- Be self-sufficient. Golfers are mostly concerned about one thing – their own game. Unless you’re with a mentor, constant questions about what club to use or how to get the ball airborne and straight will not be well received. Save those questions for your golf lessons.
- On the putting green, be mindful not to step on a players line, and remember to mark your ball.
What to Expect From Yourself
Many new golfers will experience a setback as they transition from hitting ball after ball on the range to switching clubs and navigating varied course conditions. During your golf lessons and regular practice work towards the following goals:
- Master the basics of each golf technique (full swing, chipping and pitching, sand shots and putting) so you can advance your ball from the tee to green.
- Get comfortable with a few clubs in your bag and have an idea how far they each go.
- Practice your swing until you achieve solid ball contact more times than not.
- Understand that you'll have good shots, bad shots and complete misses. This is expected, so don't despair! Take a deep breath, enjoy the scenery and the company of your fellow golfers - remember, you could be the one left back in the office.
Play Your Own Way
To make the game more enjoyable while you develop your skills, we've developed a list of practices you can put into place while playing for recreation. It doesn't matter if your playing partners are keeping score. As long as you keep up your pace of play and avoid distracting others as a high maintenance golfer, you're bound to be invited back. Choose one of more of these tips or come up with your own.
- Trouble on the tee box? Create your own tee box and start at the 150 yard marker.
- Should you land in the sand or other difficult spot, simply place your ball back onto the fairway to take your next shot.
- Getting frustrated, tired, lazy or bored? Sit out a hole and help out your group. Look for lost balls, pull the flag, locate the yardage markers or flag down the beverage cart!
- Place your ball on a tee in the fairway to make it easier to get the ball in the air.
- If your ball is the furthest one back (and therefore your turn according to the rules of golf), move it to where the best ball in the group is positioned and take your next shot from there.
- Always pick up your ball after eight to 10 shots (or fewer) if you’re taking up too much time.
- Score five on each hole - one of our favorites! This is a great strategy to experience the full range of shots, keep up with the group and end up with a really great score. Here's how it works: On each hole, you will take one tee shot, one fairway shot, one chip shot and two putts. Either play the ball where it lands or position the ball in an advantageous spot where you wanted it to land. As you improve, you may shoot or beat a score of five all on your own.
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