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Posted
Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the board so I thought I'd introduce myself and ask a question too.

In the past, I would go golfing with buddies and we would just have no idea what we are doing out on the golf course. I mean to say that we could hit the ball pretty far, but I don't think we were filling divots or anything or following a lot of the unspoken rules about how to be polite when you're golfing. I know that such rules exist, but in the past, I just haven't cared much about them. Please don't judge me harshly!

So a few days ago, I accidentally let it slip that yes, I do indeed golf on occasion. Now I apparently have a golfing date set up two weeks from now with several people I work for, you know--people who can have influence over my job situation. I am scared to death because I don't know anything about how to actually play golf without accidentally pissing people off, just some of the rules and how to hit the ball.

I've heard that there are some good books that could help me, but I'm the type who buys books intending to read them and then just never does. Movies, on the other hand, I tend to watch. So here's the question: Are there any DVD's, videos, audiobooks or whatever else that you know to be good and could help me in my situation?

Thanks,

MM

Posted
I started off by reading this article form About.com. There's an etiquette primer & a few other good articles. The beginner page also has articles about rules & stuff.

I was lucky. When I started off, I knew nothing and the guys I was playing with knew I knew nothing. Good luck and have fun.

Posted

The USGA has an etiquette page

here I
don't think we were filling divots or anything or following a lot of the unspoken rules about how to be polite when you're golfing. I know that such rules exist, but in the past, I just haven't cared much about them.

As far as not judging you harshly

, you must realize guys like myself have no tolerance for people like you. Obviously you care nothing for the game or you would have sought out this information upon taking it up. You only ask now so you can possibly better your job situation. There is no place IMHO in the game of golf for people who don't take care of the golf course. If you learn anything from these websites I certainly hope you continue to use the information even after playing with your boss. And teach your fool friends as well.

Danny    In my :ping: Hoofer Tour golf bag on my :clicgear: 8.0 Cart

Driver:   :pxg: 0311 Gen 5  X-Stiff.                        Irons:  :callaway: 4-PW APEX TCB Irons 
3 Wood: :callaway: Mavrik SZ Rogue X-Stiff                            Nippon Pro Modus 130 X-Stiff
3 Hybrid: :callaway: Mavrik Pro KBS Tour Proto X   Wedges: :vokey:  50Β°, 54Β°, 60Β° 
Putter: :odyssey:  2-Ball Ten Arm Lock        Ball: :titleist: ProV 1

 

 

 

 

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Posted

I'm glad you've decided, for whatever motivation or reason, to change your ways. Here are a few bullet points to remember:

1. Look like a golfer- don't show up looking like a slob or unkempt. Act like a golfer. You are not at a football game, you are participating in a gentleman's game- act like a gentleman.

2. Never stand remotely close to where someone is hitting. Try to avoid being in there line of sight or peripheral vision any time they are swinging a club or putting. If you find you are standing where you are visible, remain motionless.

3. Don't make a noise while someone is playing any shot.

4. If you disturb the earth on a golf course, fix it. Tee's, fairways, and greens- If you make a mark, fix the mark.

5. If someone gets a better score than you on a hole, they get to hit before you on the next hole. If someone is further away from you on the green, they get to putt before you. If your boss has ANY putt inside 3'- give it to him. J/K

6. Never walk in the line of someones putt. It is really rude to leave your footprints or spike marks where someone has to putt through them.

I'm sure there are more, but if you follow these rules, nobody will call you incompetent on the course. Playing the game in a courteous way from this point out will help to atone for previous stupidity on the course. HAVE FUN.

In The Bag
Ping Rapture 10.5* Aldila Proto 65-S
Sonartec SS 3.5 19* 5W Fuji Tour Platform Stiff
Mizuno MP-30 3-PW
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 54.10*, 60.04*Odyssey White Hot 2 BallTitleist Pro V1x

Posted

That above is great advice.

One additional note though. There is a point on a hole where you may consider picking up your ball and "sitting" the hole out.

Nothing more irritating than some scenes I've watched at ProAM tournys. In particular, one amature is calling for a rules official cause after he sliced his drive, tried to pitch out - but into a bush - hacked at that, now wants to know if there is enough casual water where his ball lies in four, that he can get relief, all the while holding up the Pro in the group from putting for bird.

So, if you are heading for a rather large score on a hole, you may consider picking up if you are getting a vibe from the other players.

Some players are very understanding of the beginner and will patiently wait for you to complete that 6 hour round of golf. They probably won't ask you back though!

Good luck, have fun, and DON'T LOSE YOUR TEMPER! AT OUR LEVEL, WE REALLY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE MAD AT POOR SHOTS!!! and they may have you out there as a character exam - not a skills test . . .

J.P.

Bridgestone J33 10.5* Fujikura Rombax w
Bridgestone J33 15* Fujikura Zcom tw74
Tour Edge XCG 18* 3 hybrid Mizuno MP30 4-PW DG S300Vokey SM 52 bent 51Vokey Spin Milled 56 & 60Cameron Newport BchBridgestone B330s


Posted
If you haven't cared enough about fixing divots or ball marks or other forms of etiquette, then I'm guessing you haven't cared much about your golf swing either.

Therefore, while you are right to be concerned about the etiquette portion of this equation, I hope you don't think you are going to be able to pull off some grand deception just by learning a few of the more important social protocols.

Your partners are going to realize very quickly that you don't play much golf. One of the best things you can do at this point is pick out the one person in your foursome who you trust the most and confide your neophyte status and emphasize your determination to play the game right and not detract from the others' experience.

Otherwise, if you try to fool everybody you will end up being the only fool left. And that is more likely to detrimentally affect your job status than whatever actual infractions you may commit.
A Mixed Bag

Driver 320Ti, 10.5 R, stock graphite
Ovation 3W, Aldila 65R graphite
Dunlop DDH 5W Edge CFT Hybrid 3-iron, #3 graphite CFT irons 4 - E wedge, #3 graphite Apex Edge F wedge 60 degree LW Bobby Grace M5K putter Laddie X A3

Posted
Good to hear you're starting to get a bit more serious about the game, even if it is only due to the pressure of having to play with people from work.

Some very good advice in the other posts so I won't repeat it. Just go with the flow and let the others take the lead. You might want to announce that you are a new golfer and as such will be picking up after 8 strokes so you don't slow the group down.

Most of all, have fun!

β€œYou don't have the game you played last year or last week. You only have today's game. It may be far from your best, but that's all you've got. Harden your heart and make the best of it.”

~ Walter Hagen


Posted
Geeze guys. This guy just admitted he knew nothing about golf and you're going to jump down his throat? Why don't we off some constructive criticism and positive advice?

Jeff

10.5Β° Callaway FT-iZ Tour

18Β°, 20Β°, 23Β° Adams Idea Pro Prototype Hybrid

4-9 Titleist 690.CB
48Β° Titleist Vokey Tour Nickel
54Β°, 58Β° Titleist Vokey Tour Oil Can

Scotty Cameron NP2, 33"

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Posted
I agree with offering constructive criticism and advice. I was in his shoes about a year and a half ago. I knew the basic concepts of the game from an athletic point of view, but not the little intricasies of etiquette, rules, play, etc. I was invited out by friends at work to play. I knew how to hit a baseball far, and I swung just like I was hitting a baseball far.

Just like no one's handicap started at zero, not all golfers knew every little facet of the game from the onset. I guess my advice, from a fellow beginner, would be to talk to your friends before the tee time to try and get to know their style of play and how they prefer to enjoy their round. They'll appreciate it if they're a fast or slower player and you can keep their comfortable pace. In the process, you'll learn a few things from them and, together with what you can research on your own, you'll see the game in a different light and you'll start to develop a greater appreciation.

My other advice would be to bring plenty enough golf balls. As it went with me, I ran out on the 16th hole. Oh, and just smile and laugh when you hear the joke about someone building a Wal-Mart between your ball and theirs.

Scott Sandlin
ROLL TIDE!

Driver: Taylormade R7 425 10.5 deg, Stiff
Fairway: Taylormade R7 Steel 13 deg, Wilson Deep Red II Distance 18 deg, StiffIrons: Titleist 735.cm 3-PW, DG S300, +1.5", +4 deg upWedge: Titleist Vokey SM 53 deg and 59 degPutter: Scotty Cameron Santa Fe 33"Ball: Titleist...


Posted
  muskegman said:
Geeze guys. This guy just admitted he knew nothing about golf and you're going to jump down his throat? Why don't we off some

I did give him some positive advise. But the bottom line is if this opportunity to play with his boss had not arisen then he would have happily gone on with his present mode of misconduct. I work at a public golf course and I see first hand what happens when idiots don't take care of the course. And unfortunately chances are if he didn't care before he will probably slip back into his old ways once the round with his boss is finished. The thing is he did not want this advice because he was sorry and wanted to change, he just wanted to get ahead.

Danny    In my :ping: Hoofer Tour golf bag on my :clicgear: 8.0 Cart

Driver:   :pxg: 0311 Gen 5  X-Stiff.                        Irons:  :callaway: 4-PW APEX TCB Irons 
3 Wood: :callaway: Mavrik SZ Rogue X-Stiff                            Nippon Pro Modus 130 X-Stiff
3 Hybrid: :callaway: Mavrik Pro KBS Tour Proto X   Wedges: :vokey:  50Β°, 54Β°, 60Β° 
Putter: :odyssey:  2-Ball Ten Arm Lock        Ball: :titleist: ProV 1

 

 

 

 

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Posted
Just tell your boss you have the shanks and cannot play with him
most golfers are so scared of the shanks they would rather put hot pins in their eyes than play or talk with you.

Posted
There has been some great advice given so far here is what I would tell you:

Look the part, but don't go over the top. Wear a nice polo tucked into plain kahki shorts or pants. Real golf shoes w/o metal spikes and a glove.

Follow the others lead. Watch where they stand when others are hitting. Let them lead the conversation and don't be overly talkative or you will end up talking over someone swinging.

Watch your ball. There is nothing more annoying than waiting while someone hunts balls all day. If your ball goes in the water and you don't see it right away, let it drown. Same thing with the trees. Find a landmark where your ball enters the woods. It will prevent "I think it went in here."

Keep up with the pace of play. Being a bad golfer is fine, just don't be a slow golfer. Don't take excessive practice swings.

You won't be able to hide your high handicap for long so don't bother trying to. Don't say things like "I never hit it this bad" or "I can't believe I sliced." They will see right through it. Don't get pissed at yourself for bad play. They know you are not Tiger Woods. You are going to suck.

You should brush up on some of the side bets/games that are played on the course. You are probably going to lose most of them, but you don't want to be the guy that screws up the foursomes side bets by not playing unless the stakes are just too high. This link helped me learn the basics of a few games before an outing I went on.

http://golf.about.com/cs/beginnersgu...tinggames.html

Most of all try to have fun. It's a great game that you can play forever.
Driver: 9.5Β° 905R Stiff Aldila NV 65
3 Wood: 15.Β° Pro Trajectory 906F4 Stiff Aldila VS Proto Blue
Hybrid: 19.0Β° 503 H Stiff Dynamic Gold S400
Hybrid: 21.0Β° Edge C.F.T. Ti Stiff Aldila NVS
Irons: 775cb 4-GW w/S300 Sand Wedge: Vokey 58Β° Puttter: Laguna Mid-Slant Pro PlatinumBall: ProV1Bag: Li...

Note: This thread is 6824 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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