If you want to train for a marathon you don't run 26.2 miles on the first day. You also don't take a newbie out on an 18 hole course!
I'm pretty new to this forum and in pouring over lots of posts I've noticed what seems to be a common sentiment. It's about trying to get newbies(kids, wife or friends) into the game when they seem to meet with rudeness or discourtesy by other players on the course.
I am no expert but I was introduced to golf about 40yrs ago by my father and grandfather. I remember how I was taught and have since introduced my wife to the game. My children have had no interest at all and I'm ok with that.
I think some of us need a reality check when it comes to ability and expectations on a golf course. First of all, courtesy is a 2 way street. I am all about people teaching others the game but there is a time and place for it. When I'm paying good money for green fees I do have expectations about a basic pace of play. I play fast but don't expect others to do the same. But when it's 10am on a Saturday morning any my foursome is held up by a twosome that's punching the ball 30-50yrds a shot while they try to learn the game, that's not the best time or place. When it gets to the point that there are open holes ahead of them I will get irritated. Golf is about rhythm and you are messing with mine now.
Now don't get me wrong. I won't be rude and hit into them or yell at them. But I have in the past very diplomatically driven ahead and explained that they are holding us up and asked to play through. I've met with mixed responses from apologies to near fist fights with insecure parents that think the world revolves around their kids. Now I just suck it up and call the pro-shop and have them take care of it. I feel like a weenie for doing that but it's not worth the conflict these days.
Ideas to help teach newbies(I'm done whining).
My first golf swing was on a driving range. Shown the basics of grip etc. But I never hit more than 20 balls to make sure I didn't get too bored(I was about 8 yrs old). It was about contact and not direction or distance. Most of my time was focused to the putting green and turned into a game with my dad.
After some time I began making consistent contact and worked on direction. That was a pretty quick transition. Still kept it limited to about 20 balls a session. Fatigue is both a mental and physical condition that is counterproductive. Don't push it.
My first time ever on a course was at 7pm with an 8 pm sunset. First tee box is empty. Dad tees off. He hits #2 shot and we drive to the 100yrd marker where he drops my ball. I finished out the hole with him. Same for the next 4 holes. Then its dark. That was pretty much my golf for most of the season.
When I was getting good enough to use 3 wood from the tees we'd go out at the same time of day. No one in the world in our way or us in their way. Lots of times my grandfather would let me only bring a 5i, 9i and putter and play from tees. Amazing how well you can do with just 3 clubs.
When it was time to go out with dad on a Saturday I'd only tee off on the 9 easiest holes. He played all 18. Courses were much busier then. If time permitted I'd drop to chip and put on the holes I didn't tee from. This kept our pace of play just fine.
Eventually at about age 12 I began to play full rounds with dad from the senior tees. Then I worked back from there but began to lose interest to other hobbies. BUT I was given the fundamentals to come back to later in life.
So now it's time to teach my wife. Guess what? Same principals apply. Keep initial range time short to avoid fatigue and frustration. Focus on fundamentals but keep it fun. Most time needs to be around putting green and keep it fun and play games.
When ready to hit a course, go to the pro and ask if you can just walk 4-5 holes an hour before sunset for a very reduced rate. You'd be surprise but about 50% of the time they will just let you go for free or 1/2 of a 9 hole walking rate. I started her on the tees because she was pretty decent with her woods but she's also athletic with good coordination. Otherwise drop them at the hundred and just caddy for them not playing yourself. Any more than 4-5 holes and fatigue will set in fast. New muscles getting used in new ways...don't push it. You'll be sorry and they will end on a bad note of frustration again.
Just like me as a kid, when I took her out on a "big boy" course on a Saturday we paid for her to play 9 and I played 18. I picked the 9 easiest holes for her. Just explain to the pro shop what you are doing and they will be fine with it. If they aren't, find a more friendly course. I will never forget how excited she was to be on a "real" course that was beautiful with views and great conditions. She didn't care she only played 9 and frankly that was all her mental endurance would allow anyway.
Now a year later we can play a full 18 together and I've moved her up from my moms hand me down Lady Cobras to new Pings. The next hurdle was playing with strangers. Started with a really good friend that she was comfortable with. Then complete strangers where we could catch a 2 some by 5-6 holes and then finish out them. She was pissed at first when I did that as she was hoping to play through, but was thankful in the long run.
So, back to my original point......if you are having trouble with people on a course while you are trying to teach others to golf, don't throw them into a marathon, take your time and train them into it. You and they will appreciate it that much more. Now when I have to work a Saturday my wife will go walk 18 alone and often end up playing with another group. It's a win win. The courses that let us teach her this way now get nearly double the green fees from this family than they used to.
Sorry for the post......
