How important should scoring be for an absolute beginner?

**ZaPPPa** · August 25, 2008

This thread flowed out of the ' What do You Think Is More Important? And Why? ' thread.

There seem to be two schools of thought one how beginners should approach learning the game. One is that they should focus on whatever brings down the score on their scorecard most and one is they should focus on the basics and not worry about scoring. This thread is not a discussion on which method of learning is best, that's what the other thread is for, but this thread is about whether absolute beginners, who have never swung a club before, should worry about the score when they go out for their first couple of rounds.

Personally I believe beginners should not go out for a round until they have got their basics down on the range. Not because it would annoy more experience people on the course, but because it will be a greatly frustrating experience if you can't hit the ball cleanly at least 50% of the time. Chipping is IMO not required for the first couple of rounds. I went out without having practiced how to chip and pitch, but knowing the basics from books and video and I just tried to get it on the green in one or two tries. Chipping it anywhere onto the green was an accomplishment in itself. I didn't even own a putter the first time, so I borrowed one from my playing partner and putted every once in a while. I putted out maybe 2 or 3 holes in total depending on how well I was doing. I was holding up the round quite a bit, so I'd pick up the ball if it took too long. Obviously I didn't keep score.

I didn't start keeping score until I had practiced all the basics including all club types, pitching, chipping and putting and felt fairly confident I could advance the ball properly most of the time.

So, should beginners worry about keeping score or not?

**Mr Eagle** · August 25, 2008

Good question Zappa,Maybe none of us should worry about our score beginners or whatever.
We should let our opponents do the worrying!

The context in which you ask the queation though I would say, no

**Smallville** · August 25, 2008

I think beginners should keep score. How else will they learn by repitition, "in one, out two, hitting three?" I grew up always keeping score in any game that used a score. Didn't matter if it was a bad score or not, it was MY score so it mattered to me. I've seen where kids sports teams don't keep score because they are just little kids . . .WTF? They know if they got beat or not and if it was close or if they got their behinds handed to them.

So yes, keep score. Should they WORRY about their score? No, not at all, not at first. Maybe it's not going to be perfectly accurate because a beginner who's shooting well over 100 may forget a shot or two (or 10) but sure, keep score. The more they learn the game, the lower the score will get. And the better they will learn HOW to keep score.

**julie_m** · August 25, 2008

Haha, I've been playing for several months now and haven't yet kept my score. My boyfriend (who is far better than me but still seems to, dare I say, enjoy playing with me) just looks at the scorecard for the yardage then quietly slips it back in his pocket. He's always done this, I've never asked him to keep score or not to. Those little pencils never get used.

We both know me well enough that one of three things will happen - either the numbers will get me discouraged, or we'll get so competitive that it won't be fun anymore, or I'll get jittery with the pressure and start to fumble. If that wouldn't happen to them, then by all means, a beginner could think about keeping score. It's been more fun to me though, to not keep score. Every time I birdie, or even par, I don't forget it!

For the record, I'm not sure it's right to always give the better player the honor, if you're playing with a beginner - I always go first, so if I take a stroke or two more at the end it doesn't seem so obvious. I'm not sure if that's what you guys do, but it makes sense to us.

...You had better believe that the first time I keep score, it will be spectacular.

**$2 Nassau** · August 25, 2008

I say YES, keep score. But don't get too hung up on it. Don't set score related goals for yourself just yet. Look more at executing certain shots, or only allowing yourself 1 three putt every time you play, or playing an entire round without going in the water or O.B. Goals like that. Then move on to getting absolutely nuts about your score, like all us golfers eventually do.

**play4him** · August 25, 2008

When I started my children, I had them start from the green back to the tee. Once they had putting down, we went to chipping, pitching and so forth. I told them when they went out to play to not worry about scoring at first. I told them to work on different shots. So, if they hit a bad shot, to put down another and work on improving, as long as they weren't holding up the group behind them.

So, to me it's not very important to a beginner. They should work on improving different shots, and a lot of times you can only practice certain shots out on the course.

**JohnTwing** · August 25, 2008

I started playing last July, and I forced myself to score totally honestly at all times. I started off with a happy 141, and as I improved, now a year later, having 9 rounds in the 80's, with an 81 and 2 82's, the score matters a looot more. Scoring myself honestly from the get go allowed me to see rapid improvement on day 1. Sure, I was trying to make sure my 10's were 8's, and now I'm making sure my 7's and 6's are 4's and 5's, but it's the same type of battle.

**chris408** · August 25, 2008

I do keep score, but just starting out, I use it more as a baseline and progression of what areas I should be working on. I don't think it's something to worry about nor stress over.

I try to keep some stats (fairways hit/missed, club used, # of chips and putts, and other notes) so that I can see progression or defiancies, as well as set a goal for a particular hole..."next time let's try to do..."

**Smallville** · August 25, 2008

Chris-

In addition to keeping score in the beginning I also kept rigid track of my fairways and putts (in the early days, there weren't too many GIR's!). I've gotten away from that as for many years my improvement was kind of stagnant (get a little better one year, get a little worse the next). But with the major improvement I made this year I think I will start incorporating those into my scorecards now (and it will be good for my wife as well). Thanks for putting that back in my head.

**MunkeyGolfer** · August 25, 2008

I would say it should go either way depending on what type of person you are. I was a super competitive youngster and always wanted to see my score in anything I tried. But I am also the type that will not get discouraged by the score either. If you get easily discouraged when it comes to your performance in any aspect of your life, then you probably shouldn't keep score.

**yeis20** · August 25, 2008

Score is pretty moot for an ABSOLUTE beginner, they will at times be lucky to even make contact with the ball.

If you know they will be committed to getting better and tracking true score will assist them rather then discourage... go for it.

Otherwise, it is easier to tell them to keep track of shots they felt were struck fairly well, and try to increase that number each round.

**Lange** · August 25, 2008

So, should beginners

I don't think anyone should have to worry about it, but want to be able to improve by keeping there score to see what they could use most improvement in. I've never took lessons in my life, as i like learning on my own (I feel more accomplished) but on the other hand im always up for taking tips and learning tricks from others players. I love watching PGA players swings, and trying to mimic to the best i can. Golf channel is another favourite of mine where i pick up ideas for golf techniques.

I believe this way or taking lessons is the way begginers should take there start to golf, rather then looking at the same high score card each time and being so hard on themselves. It makes golf a lot more enjoyable and makes the challenge of the game become fun.

**play4him** · August 25, 2008

I basically started my freshman year in high school. I started out shooting around 110, and got it down to 98 by the end of the golf year. But the summer after my freshman year, I would play sometimes two to three balls while I played. I would work on different shots that would come up during a round. I wasn't worried about my score, I wanted to learn how to play the shots. Well after a summer of that, when I came back for my sophmore year, I was shooting between 77-82 consistently.

I credit that to some natural ability, but also from playing all those different shots that I wouldn't have, if I was so concerned with keeping my score with one ball. I remember I would play two or three balls and pretend that each ball represented a different golfer. Then I would try to play different types of shots such as low cuts or high draws, etc. The point is if I was so concerned about my score I wouldn't have tried those shots. By practicing them on the course during that time, I was ready to hit them my sophmore year. Just my thoughts from my own experience.

**Bourbon and Coke** · August 25, 2008

Gotta keep track of your score, but you can't really worry about the numbers.

**kafka01** · August 25, 2008

First of all - beginners should learn sound fundamentals. Golf doesnt start with a full swing - the full swing builds up from chipping -> pitching -> full swing. Thats where you get your solid base. After you feel somewhat comfortable with the technique go out and play, and of course keep score - dont worry about the numbers, but derive from these numbers where your game lacks and where you have to invest more time and you will see a natural decrease in your score..

**traviswise** · August 25, 2008

I just started a few months back and I absolutely keep score b/c I like to see if I am getting anywhere. And I need facts.

**MonkeyClaw** · August 25, 2008

Absolute beginners would probably have a lot more fun at the driving range, where there are no consequences to bad hits and they can just hit the ball.

At the course, beginners often keep score by counting how many balls they've lost. They know they are getting better when they lose fewer balls. They are REALLY good when they find more balls than they've lost. I think keeping score is useful but playing the rules a bit loose makes the game more fun for beginners. When I first started, I tried to stick as closely to the rules as possible. Then I got paired up with a more experienced golfer who told me to take another hit if the one I hit was bad, and it really helped with the frustration level. As I've gotten better, I've been more stringent with the rules.

**kafka01** · August 25, 2008

They are REALLY good when they find more balls than they've lost.

LOL - good one.

Yes i agree - they would have a lot more fun/less frustration/better progress on the range/short game area than on the course in the beginning - but try to sell this to a beginner - they wont buy it.

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