First golf game ever coming up in 1.5 weeks! Need tips!

[Quietus]

I do not know yet if I'll regret my decision but I ended up signing up for a round of golf with coworkers. Would have been fine if it wasn't my first ever round of golf. While the mood is expected to be very light and involve barely any competitiveness, I'd rather not embarrass myself. I've had a couple of coaching sessions and hit the driving range occasionally. I think my swing is decent for someone new to the game but definitely not long or consistent enough to score well.

My main concerns are not being able to hit long enough and the difference hitting on a fairway vs hitting in the range. My 7i is around 140-150 on a good straight shot, but can be very random. My driver probably doesn't even break 200. 

To be honest, I'll be happy even if I score 30 over par but I'm not sure if that's even realistic. 

Any tips so I don't embarrass myself and not delay the pace of the game "that" bad? Should I just play off the red tees?

[lailake]

Hi, I think you should just stop worrying about embarrassing yourself. Like you said the mood is very light, so why don't you just enjoy a nice day out? Also enjoy that you're on the course with other players and they can help you with your game. And if really something you consider embarrassing happens, just take it with humour. Lots of people who play golf for years still suck at it, so it's kind of impossible you'll be good at it. 

[PaddyMac]

I did something similar, just started last year and played in work society day a few months later.  My 2 cents worth ..the one thing I could pass on from my own experience is play your most comfortable/reliable club as much as you can. I made the mistake of putting my first driver shot OB in the carpark in front of my co-workers which was funny at the time, but did my confidence no good for the rest of the round. My tempo changed ( got quicker) I started to focus on my bad shots more which left me worse off and I didn't have a good day from there, so

Be realistic about your ability, (tell your playing partner that your new to the game, will try your best but your not Tiger Woods. No vanity Handicapping)

Stay on the fairway as much as you can ( Tee off with your longest most reliable club could be a wood/hybrid or 7i, it is better to stay short and on the fairway hitting more often, than long and OB constantly dropping shots and making you/them more frustrated)

Play safe/conservative shots from any trouble you get into just to get back onto fairway ( no point in going for a gap in the trees 10 feet wide when you missed a whole fairway to end up where you are)

Most important.. remember golf etiquette. ( Leave your bag the side of the green your due to play next tee shot of ..Do not walk across their putting line... Remove the flag... mark your ball.. watch your shadow is not obstructing them.. )

Be sportsman like, enjoy your day and your fellow players won't care how bad you shoot ... trust me.

[Piz]

Don't feel like you've got to swing extra hard just because you are on a golf course.  A 400 yard hole can be reached, easily, in three 133 yard shots.  A 500 yard hole can be reached in three 167 yard shots.  Hit a ball 150 yards forty times and you've covered 6000 yards.  You don't have to match more experienced players shot for shot; just dump it down there as best you can and then repeat the process.

[David in FL]

Is it an organized work event, part of an annual meeting or some such thing?

If so, it's likely to be a scramble.  That means that everyone hits from the tee, then the team captain (don't worry, it won't be you!  ) chooses the best ball out of all of them and everyone then plays from that spot.  Play continues like that all the way around the course.  That's a great format for your first round, because you don't have any pressure to keep up.  Just do your best, keep your cool, and have fun!