First Round pending

[Travtex]

I finally tracked down a potential golf partner, and we're going to play on Saturday. I'm a touch nervous to finally hit an actual course after the past month's work of range + pitch 'n putt only.

I'm a bit more nervous about it now than I would have been a week ago. A week ago, I had crappy contact and no distance, but I DID hit the ball straight. Some swing "improvements" now have me not hitting that stupid little ball at all.

(Heh, one day at the range I kept hitting divot turf up into my FACE. If nothing else, I was keeping my head down... but the reward was dirt in the eyes.)

In any case, I'm a bit perturbed that I can't even hit the ball on the range, now. Feel a bit like I went from zero skill to negative skill. That's probably an exaggeration brought about by perception of course -- I can hit my SW further than I hit my 3w when I first started swinging, but...

Don't trust my swing at all, basically. When I hit solid, it seems like an accident and I don't yet comprehend why it happened.

Basically I just don't want to frustrate the one golf partner I've found. Is there some protocol for horrific suck golfers playing with bogey golfers to keep from ruining their day? Set a max stroke count, maybe? If so, what's a reasonable count?

I'd ask for swing advice, but that's a tad unrealistic -- Pretty sure some random dude isn't going to intuit my swing problems online and hand me a magic pill to remove the suck. Just wondering what the best protocol is in this situation to assure my partner isn't exasperated by the experience.

[hippyboy]

Don't worry I have played with a few newbie golfers & it won't be as bad as you think. I would suggest setting a shot limit, perhaps 4 over par or something like that, just say you are picking up as you do not want to ruin his game, he may well say to finish the hole (as I did on a few occasions).

But most of all enjoy it, I was blown away the first time I went on a proper golf course at the sheer size & beauty of it.

[alf174]

And don't worry about your score (or keeping it really). Pick up at double par worst case then tend the flag for your partner while he finishes, move on to the next hole, and reset.

The difference between the course and the driving range is management and you'll be changing clubs after each strike; both those things take practice that you can only get on the course.

[Zeph]

Nothing we can say will help you, just go out and do what you can. The only way to learn is by doing, everyone has to start somewhere. It's worst in the beginning. After a few rounds you know what to expect and will be more annoyed over playing badly than nervous.

Good luck!

[gibbous]

As long as you've got a basic understanding of etiquette and don't play horribly slowly, there's no real reason to be nervous. Anybody you might play with was in your shoes once, so don't worry about any other junk and just have fun.

Relax and make the most natural swing you can. Don't stress about the bad shots, just try to remember the good ones.

[Yukari]

Only one thing that will ruin the other guys playing--not knowning the etiquette. As long as you know the etiquette and keep up with the pace of play, he should have no problem.

I played with a lot of newbies, and I actually enjoy it as long as they know the rules, etiquettes and keep up the pace.

I don't care how good or bad they are, the times I did not like playing with someone is when that person does not know the etiquette and is SLOW!!!

[chaprichard]

1. Don't moan, or get aggrevated when you hit really bad shots,
2. Don't apologise for hitting bad shots
3. Don't take too long on your pre shot set up. Don't do loads of practice swings - 1 will do.
4. If you are hacking around really badly, it's good to sometimes to pick the ball up and tell your partner - I'm going to play this where your landed if you don't mind...
5. Don't rush your shots.

[skagen]

1. Don't moan, or get aggrevated when you hit really bad shots,

Do that! It will definitely speed up your play and also help you practice situations. My friend did this for me when i started and he was also pretty liberal with the drop rule since i lost a lot of balls.

I can beat him most of the time now

[LegalEagle]

1. Don't moan, or get aggrevated when you hit really bad shots,

All good advice. My first time out was with a friend of my dads. We went to this little par 60 course and I hacked my way around it...he shot 61. The one thing I learned from that round, from him, was to not rush. There was no way I could keep up with him...so why try. As long as you aren't holding up play (and if you are perhaps the people behind you should play through) just take your time.

Fast forward to today...I was behind a foursome of middle aged gentlemen (term used loosely). Every shot they took was followed by explicatives and grumbling...I'm far from a good golfer and that is why I don't get upset when I hit a bad shot. I get upset when my two foot birdie putt rims out (because I am better than that). Anyway, the point of that was, the game used to be one for gentlemen...if you play it like one you'll have a fantastic time. Just go out and enjoy hitting that little white ball (or several :) ) around the course. Listen to the birds and the wind and the sound of those shots that you just know were good ones.

[JackLee]

A lot of very good advice in this thread. One thing I will add. Keep your eyes on your ball or the turf just behind it through impact. Nothing irritates me more than players who look up before impact and barely make contact or miss the ball completely.