Tips for a newbie

I am 22 years of age and recently starting going to driving range using bruised up damaged drivers and was getting a couple 200 meters drives on my 1st try at a driving range (or so the signs laid out said)  I was told by a couple blokes at the venue I was a natrual at golf, so I decided to buy a driver for $100 nzd was a bit crap yes but went driving range a couple more times with similar success hitting 7/10 balls beyond 180 and I thought sweet I'm going to take up golf,  I brought a new $400 Callaway driver and I found the difference in quality amazing at the local driving range the net at the back says 250 on it and I hit it on the full today and hit many many balls 200 metres (again according to signs I'm not here to debate length of my drives) now I hit most quite straight, I want to know where I should go from here if I'm going to actually take up golf, how do I go about figuring out a handicap,  can I just wall onto a course and be terrible without getting in everyone's way ect, when I use irons at the driving range I get most at 135 metres and I'm semi accurate I'd say got pretty close to what I was aiming at most times (again metres correct measurement unit and correct according to signs, not looking to be told I can't hit the ball that far ect length doesn't worry me) I realize this is kinda long winded but yeah please any advice about how to transition in playing golf and course etiquette,  any and all tips appreciated thanks

At first try to find a course that's not busy or at times that are not busy. Don't worry about keeping an official score and if you are having a disaster hole (or not keeping pace) pick up the ball, or abandon it where you lost it, and move on closer to the green or to the next hole.

I don't mind playing with anybody as long as they move along and don't attempt to keep a legitimate score as they card their 150.

For most courses around here standard dress code is a collared shirt and no denim.

If you "hack the ground" it's no big deal. The ground doesn't know the difference between a scratch player doing it on a perfectly hit wedge shot or somebody like me messing up and hitting 3 inches behind the ball.

Just make sure you replace the divot or fill it with sand the course may provide.

Fix ball marks on the greens and take care to not scuff up the greens with your feet. If you are in a group don't walk in somebody's putting line on the green.

Make sure the group ahead of you is out of range before you hit a shot so you don't distract them or hit them.

Don't talk or move around when a playing partner is getting ready to hit a shot.

Be aware of players that may be nearby but playing a different hole. You may need to wait until after they putt to hit a tee shot if your tee box is near the green they are on or maybe wait until they are out of the way of a possible bad shot in an adjoining fairway.

If you know an experienced golfer that would play a round with you, and show you the ropes, that would be great.

Just common sense stuff. Play fast, don't disrupt anybody else's game, and have fun.

There are cultural differences in different places so your best bet on the dress question is to phone the course and ask them.  I'd also talk to the guy in the pro shop, explain your situation, and ask when would be the best time for you to come out and play when it is not crowded.

I also assume that in addition to your full swings you have done some basic pitching, chipping, and putting.

Good luck and remember that the first priority is to enjoy yourself.

Great point.

Unless you're leaving a trail of 7 or 8 of them on the way to the green.

Not so much putting as I haven't really got around to using a putting green of any description whether it be a actual grass one or otherwise, I know I'll sound like a total amateur here but only xp I have is on mini golf course, is there anywhere one would visit to practice putting do they have places to practice at courses? As for chipping and putting I tried a few different styles of rental clubs at the driving range and tried various shots including aiming for specific targets and landing within a certain area with said targets and wasn't doing to bad I thought all were landing within a 10-15 meter radius minus the occasional slice or hook. Would you reccomend borrowing some clubs to complete the set for my 1st round, do courses do rental clubs or anything?

Usually, but not always, courses have a practice green and a range and sometimes a short game area.  For putting I'd grab a putter and a couple of balls and go down to the local muni and use the practice green.  I do this sometimes myself, just to get in a little extra putting practice. You might also find (although it is not universal) that the ranges at courses are better than those that are just ranges, both in the quality of what you hit off of and the availability of the practice green and short game area (if there is one).  Maybe a good starting point is to find a local (non-private) course and try their range and putting green.  At the same place you can get the lay of the land, chat with the pro shop guy and get a comfort level.

For clubs, at this point I'd go down to my local thrift store and see if they have anything really cheap.  They won't be the best clubs in the world and they won't be "fit" to you, but for this stage of your golf exploration they are probably the cheapest entry.  Even renting clubs (which may be no better quality or fit) will quickly end up more expensive than buying a cheapy set at a thrift store.  You can always upgrade to better clubs later if golf "clicks" with you.  Estate and garage sales are also good possibilities for a very cheap set.  When I retired a few months ago, since we were moving and downsizing we had an estate sale of most of our belongings and in there were at least 3-4 sets of golf clubs that probably ended up going for about $20 each, if that, including the bag.

Another thing you might do is check in your area to see if there are any par 3 or executive length courses.  These would be far better choices, if available, than a full length course for your first few outings.  Where I used to live there was an executive length (that just means there are just par 3s and par 4s and they are usually shorter than on full courses, say a 4000 yard par 63) course and when I started playing after a layoff I would always start there.  I would play that course until my game shaped up and only then would I go back to playing my regular course.

One last thought.  Some places have a "ready for golf" package for beginners that covers the introductory things to get started, both play and conducting yourself on a golf course.  The ones I've seen are about $100 and include several sessions which I assume are with one instructor and a small group of beginners.  That might be something else to look into.  There certainly is a bit of an intimidation factor going out the first time, especially on your own, i.e., without an experienced buddy to guide you.  But if you overcome that and you like the game you will get a lifetime of enjoyment (and frustration) out of it.

If you say where you are located we may even have a nearby member of this board who would be happy to go out with you and show you the ropes.  I certainly would if you happen to live in Northern Colorado.  But from your reference to $nzd I'm guessing you are from that beautiful place where they filmed The Lord of the Rings. If so, maybe try posting a thread titled "Any New Zealand golfers?" - you might just find yourself a local golfing buddy.

Good luck!!