Terrible golfer, but loving the game, do I bother you good golfers?

I looked at a few threads, pace of play coming to mind mostly.
I am terrible at this game, have not actually played a course in 3 years, but have started getting my clubs out again at the driving range. Finally I can hit a drive straight at least once in every 5 or 6 or so shots.
Anyway, I was looking at the "pace of play" thread, and got to thinking, does my very poor swing and just horrible game bother people?? I can play through relatively quick, around 4 hours or less, obviously depending on who I play with. Scores are low tho, I don't think I have hit under 110 yet, so I have more to learn for sure.
So pro's, do I bother you at the course, or am I good to go?

Cheers

Scooter.

Play any way you like, as long as you play quickly. Don't worry about your game. Everyone else is too wrapped up in their own to pay much attention. Enjoy yourself.

As long as you are ready to play when it's your turn and don't have ball searches on every hole you're fine.

Within 4 hours is ok. We all started as diggers not able to hit it twice in a row. I enjoy playing with beginners as long as they keep up the pace.

If you are playing in 4 hours or less with a group then you are not playing slow, there is no reason for you to bother anyone.

That's a fast round by today's standards.

I would rather play with a 200 handicap good pace player than some Big Break wanna-be single digit that takes 10 minutes a shot.

If you are good company, and play fast, you should be able to play with anyone.

I'm really glad this thread started, as I've been working up the nerve to head to a course on my own for the first time. My wife bought me a gift card for a few rounds to the course down the street from us, I've been wanting to actually get out and play instead of hitting buckets at the range. That's pretty much all I've been doing since starting to play last summer, save for some outings with friends. I've been worried about not being able to keep up with folks I get partnered with, making some gigantic breach of etiquette, etc.

I just started playing this spring and last night got out last night for the first time on my own to play nine holes.  There was a twosome (guy and wife/girlfriend) in front of me and another single behind me.  After lurking around these forums I had "pace of play" paranoia and rushed my first few holes.  After a while, I realized two things.  First, I was waiting for the twosome in front of me so my pace was just fine as it was and second, if my pace was really bad, the guy behind me would/should have said something.  As it turns out, I let the guy play through while I was looking for a ball in tall grass and we ended up playing the last hole together.  He was a super nice guy and now I wish I had just asked if he wanted to play together from the beginning.

So, moral of the story... don't dawdle but don't rush either, don't worry about the people behind you, and have fun (that's why you're playing the game, right?)

You're playing under 4 hours for a round?

You can play in front of me anytime.

Fully agree with this, hell, we all started this way.  Also, don't hesitate to pick up your ball if need be.

nuff said

Not a problem Scooter.  One of the regulars I play with back in Colorado shoots consistently in the high 90's, but he doesn't screw around.  He plays quickly when he's up, he even plays by the rules.  He has good etiquette - he doesn't walk on other players' putting line, doesn't interrupt one's backswing, repairs ball marks even though he doesn't make one of his own that often, etc.  He's always happy on the course.  In all he's a good guy to play with.

We all started at the beginning in this game, and those who are unwilling to accept that people like you are just at the point we were once at are just snobs.  I enjoy playing with relative beginners, because it gives me a chance to help them over that first speed bump of learning good etiquette and conduct on the the course.  Playing skill and rules knowledge can come later, but knowing good conduct and playing without delay is what will get you accepted in just about any fourball.

I am a fellow hacker who loves the game - I only started breaking 100 this year but I've been playing for 4.  Just a talentless hack.

I show up to the course as a single all the time . .my job lets me sneak out mid-day wheras most of my friend's can't do that.  I have been paired up with literally hundreds of strangers of varying ability and not once has my lack of golf skill annoyed anybody.

The trick, I find, is to be friendly, have fun and keep up with your group.  These days, if I'm playing well I don't need to do much to keep up . .but in the past I would take measures such as not looking for lost balls, picking up my ball and advancing it to the spot where I wished I would've hit it . .etc.

I've exchanged numbers with more than a few single digit type players who are just grateful to find a playing partner that is available mid-week, is generally a nice guy and who plays fast.

As long as pace of play is good, no one should care how good or bad you are.  My normal foursome (son, dad and Father-in-law)  played in a little over 3 hours a week ago and 2 people were both over 100 (names withheld to protect the innocent).  Like some have said, most people would rather play with a total hack that can play at a good pace of play than a scratch player that slows everyone down.

Hear, hear!!!

The only thing that bothers me about bad golfers is when they insist of taking multiple practice swings before every shot because they know they are not good and somehow think the practice swing will help them.  That slows down play more than anything and it probably detrimental by the fact that it makes them constantly think about why they are so bad.

F*** the practice swings - when it's your turn, step up there and hit it - I guarantee you'll think less about what you're doing and play better.  What I can't stand is this:

2 Practice swings, hit it 50 yards

2 Practice swings, shank it

2 Practice swings, duff it 5 yards

2 Practice swings....

JUST HIT THE BALL!