How not to look like a dummy.

I really really REALLY would like to play well one day on a course. I've only played maybe 3 or 4 times on a course, and all those times were borderline terrible. As my name states, I'm always at the driving range, and every once in a while I tell myself that I'll play a round the next day, and usually I end up at the driving range again. I think I can't get myself to go to a course because I don't want to look like a big idiot the moment I get there. The hardest part for me is just getting into the pro shop and paying for my round. But this one part is (for me) the scariest because I don't want to walk in WITH my golf bag, which I know you arent supposed to do, and then after paying wander around trying to figure out where the golf carts are. I know it sounds ridiculous but I haven't played on many courses to get the whole routine down. Any tips for the newbie?

How do you know your handicap?

Heres your biggest tip, and all you will ever need.

Ready?

Ok.

Here it comes.

Keep going.

Next line.

It's just a game....a round of golf.

you wont look like a dummy. Paying for your round is the easiest thing in the world, you tell him 9 or 18 holes, and then if you want a cart or not. He will charge you and give you the keys to the cart, then either someone will take you to the cart and clean your clubs for you, or he will show you where to get the cart. It is usually right next to the pro shop. Its really easy, dont even worry bout it.

kinda off topic, and if im not mistaken PING makes the G10 not titleist. lol

Just curious though, how are you a 15 handicap if you've never played on a course?

But honstly it's not that difficult. America today is pretty much idiot proof as long as you follow the signs or directions.

I guessed it. Its probably not right.

Tell the guy at whatever course you decide to play that you've never played there (at that particular course), and have him point you in the direction of #1 tee box. Get out there and play. There is noone to impress. Golf is a game of personal accomplishments. Have fun, we were all beginners once.

Have you tried an executive or par3 course? I think that is a good way to ease your way up to playing on a full course. Find out when the course is the least busy so that you don't feel rushed. If you have any friends or relatives who golf ask them to take you out, they probably won't mind if you stink.

Listen ,man you can go to the driveng range all you want and it's good if you have to work on something particular or warming up but your never going to get better at golf unless you play golf, I seen your video and not a bad swing but I cant imagine that there was anywhere there that you could actually practice golf. I play way more than I practice ( That's what winter is for in Michigan, practice) you need real golf situations where you can play real life golf shots to improve, I doubt you ever need to hit a 3/4 wedge shot at the driveng range to get it close to put the pressure on your buddies and get bragging rights ! Keep practicing but make sure you practice the right things and play some golf, if you want to improve!

Generally, the only requirements to play is to be able to hit the ball about 150 yds and understand the rules of golf. After that, you have to start at some time. So just go for it.

If you are concerned about what or where you are going or the order of things, go the course some weekend and watch. There are almost always people waiting or sitting around, so you will not stick out. Most of the important places are located around the club house. Look for the practice areas -- driving range, practice green, chipping area(s). Look for the 1st tee. Watch what people are doing. Watch where people go for carts. Get a score card. Some courses have booklet detailing the course, showing traps, course layout, distances to hazards, etc.

If not knowing the course is an issue, you can just walk the course. Watch out for other golfers -- and stick to the cart paths. I have used the score card and google.earth or flash.earth.com to examine the course.


The simplest playing experience is to play an executive golf course. The courses are very small, generally very easy to follow, to see greens from the tees, etc.

Go in, pay, go to the first tee and wait to start. Generally, executive courses are very informal starting policy. You can practice on the practice green or just play. When you are ready, get in line. In addition, one can play by oneself or join up with another group. Follow the cart path to the next hole. Wait for the previous group to finish playing the green, and you are ready to hit. Watch where the people in front of you go.

People playing an executive course are typically someone starting out or being taught the game by someone else or a skilled player practicing his/her short game. No one expects anyone to play well or fast. Join up with someone and learn with or from them. Most people know you are learning and are more then happy to assist you. Have fun.





As to a standard course, there are additional rules.

Generally come earlier then you want to play. You may or may not start as soon as you get to the course. Sometimes you might wait over an hour. Generally very early or very late is the easiest time to get to play.

You go to the pro shop to pay. Tell them you are a single, whether you are walking or riding, and you are a novice/beginner. You might want to ask to start after practicing/warming up ( 20-60 minutes). It is generally best to pay first and get a starting time, then practice. You may have to pay for range balls. If you need to rent clubs, pull cart or a motorized cart, you would pay now. The person behind the counter will tell you where the carts or driving range or practice green or 1st tee is. Just ask.

They will tell you when you will start. Two issues will come up.

First, most courses require groups to play. Most require 4somes. Some allow 3some/2somes. Few courses allow a single player to play a round by themselves. Therefore, when you sign up to play, you will be joining someone else. Often 4 singles are joined together by the starter. Sometimes you are added to a twosome or threesome. Because you are with others, most likely someone has played the course before and can give out general information about the course as you go along. Again, just ask.

The second issue is when you start. Groups are allowed reservations. Singles are not. Thus, you might be added to a group right away. Be ready to play - have your clubs organized, your golf cloths on before you come into the office. You can of course turn down an immediate start and be added to a later group. Ask for wait time for another start. If the course is crowded, you may have to wait a fair amount of time. You can alway practice your putting.

Go to the 1st tee 5-10 minutes prior to your tee time.

So you will be joining others. First thing to do is introduce yourself (I am ... and I am just starting out'), try to remember everyone else's names ( I actually write them down), decide which tee to play from (most likely the whites) and who is teeing off first, second, ... If everyone else is playing a particular tee, you might want to play with them even if it is too long.

Telling others you are novice/beginner is almost always good. One, everyone's been there, so they understand what you are going through. Two, everyone is more forgiving about your play or questions. Three, if the group you are will really does not want to play with a person of your skill (it does happen), you have the oppurtunity to switch to another group.

Tee off in order. Wait for the last member to hit, and proceed to your next shot. Play the hole. Try to walk/ride with one of your 4some. Then you can ask questions. Proceed the next tee. Just follow the group between holes. Generally the best score tees off first. Ties carry over. And on and on. Generally people break between the 9 and 10 for a snack, etc.

When the round is over, shake everyone's hand and thank them for a nice day of golf (even if you did not have a good day)

Important etiquette: Be ready to play; be aware of the others in your group; watch where your ball goes; watch where others' balls go; move quickly to your ball; only hunt for a couple of minutes for a lost ball; stop playing a hole if you have 10 shots (pick up the ball and wait to play on the next hole); don't give advice; ask others about the course -- which direction is the hole, where is the pin; leave the green quickly and go to the next tee before tracking what you did on the previous hole; have fun; don't get mad about your bad play; don't get too happy about your success; small talk (no politics, religion) while you are waiting on the groups in front is expected; don't bet.

For most people golf is a past time - 4 or so hours of relaxation with periodic interruptions to hit a ball. They are there to have fun. They all want others to enjoy their sport also.

Thank you for pointing out my inability to master the image transfer, having played PINGS for 20+ years, was pretty sure I knew who made the G10. Thanks again for the smart ass reply. I'll get that corrected for you.

Now, back to what was "on topic", and directed at the original poster, though I see you've answered that, I was confused as to how you profess to have a handicap index and were suggesting you'd never set foot on a course and was looking for some clarification on that, thinking you must be meaning you've only set foot on what you think are "real" courses a few times, or courses that intimidate you a few times, not really sure where it was going, or what you meant. It's like anything else, the first time you go into a bowling alley would be intimidating if you'd never done it and had no one to help you. Don't sweat it, most people in golf are happy to help others (person I've quoted notwithstanding) and there is nothing wrong with being new to the game. If you can find some friends or meet some at your course to play with, that will make a big difference. Or keep an eye out for some group clinics, or something of that nature, where you might meet people of your skill level and cultivate an interest in playing together. Golf isn't easy to learn, and harder by yourself. Make the effort to play with others, it will pay dividends forever.

Experiencing playing 18 holes and even just 9 holes in golf could be consider to me at least about 80% more enjoyable than just hitting practice balls at the range. I think you are missing out on a big part of what golf is all about and what makes all of us so passionate about golf. you will be walking with fellow golfers or friends that share you love for the game and make encouraging comments as you play. During your round you will miss hit many shots like we all do, but during the course of playing you will hit that one pure shots that goes exactly where you planned to hit the ball, you just hit a perfect golf shot that you always imagined and visualized the trajectory, the flight and the result of that solid and perfectly hit golf shot will feel like a grand slam in baseball. that experience will be worth all the anxiety you might have prior to walking into the pro shop to start your round and will definitely keep you comming back for more and more!

The tread could also read, "how to look like a beginner golfer"

Great advice so far! I would like to add, start out at the most informal course possible. Even if it's a real goat track, pick the cheapest and most laidback course in your area and start there. You can graduate up as your game progresses. But going immediately to the best course in your area will definately jade your opinion of the game. I would almost garuntee you will get rubbed the wrong way (as someone never having played a round) by someone or a group that you come across or wind up holding up.

You will enjoy the game much more at this stage if you find a place and time that you can play a relaxed round and have fun. Even if this means going to a course that looks like they mowed the greens with shorter goats and the rough with taller goats.

Dress a little better than you have to for that particular course and bring plenty of balls (and a half dozen more).

Good luck!

Stacey is right on about playing the most laid back course you can find. I enjoy golf so much more on an modest, relaxed course than somewhere I feel out of place.

playing with a buddy is the best way to get over the beginners jitters... especially if he's played alot more golf than you...
if you absolutely must play by yourself... id just observe others... see where they put their bags before entering the proshop/clubhouse... where others pick up carts if they are getting them... where they head after paying... etc etc...
when in doubt... just ask the guys in the proshop... most of the times... they are happy to help

I don't think the guy was being a smart ass, just pointing out something he saw. It's not like he called you names or anything. Lighten up.

Really, just don't worry about it. You can always ask the person who takes your money where the carts are, or ask where the first tee is. Read a primer on etiquette that you can easily find with a google search if you're too worried, but most of it if golden rule, common sense stuff. Don't relegate yourself to the range for this somewhat irrational fear of looking silly. If you are enjoying yourself (ie. not self-conscious) no one will think you are a dummy.