This game drives me nuts...and I love it!

[JMMARICH]

I have only been playing golf for a few months. Went to Philadelphia for a bachelor party and played at Dancing Rabbit (BTW, NEVER play there in the winter if it has rained. Drainage is nonexistant) with my buddies. They are all scratch golfers. I ended up losing so many balls that I walked back to the clubhouse around 11 because I was slowing them down so much. I was REALLY frustrated at myself and the game. Decided to take a breather for 2 weeks and not practice.

Got a wild hair Saturday to go play 9. Got there and felt really intimidated as I am waiting in the 20+ person line to tee off and really stressing that first shot. Ended up being sent to the front with a 3 man group. Very friendly group and I decide to just have fun.

I ended up shooting my first real par (I know, no biggie for most) and didn't have to pickup (8) a single time. This was also a first time for me. Ended up playing back 9 with them as well and had the time of my life.

God I love this game!

--Josh

[gogolfing]

Ain't it great. That's the right attitude to have; it will drive you nuts at times, but that's what makes it so addictive. You have those few shots you pull off exactly as planned that keep you coming back, and keep you working to get consistently better. It really is the whole process of it, not just that score after 18 holes. Glad to hear you're hooked

[klaymon]

Parring a hole is an awesome feeling. I usually get one per round (although one time I had 4 in one round). I've putted for birdie twice in the same round once. I got so giddy just thinking I had the chance. I didn't make them, but it was cool anyway. Welcome to what is possibly the most addictive sport ever.

[lamebums]

Making par or better, no matter how or where it's done, is always a satisfying feeling. At least in theory, if you made 18 of them all day long, hey, you're good at the game. So you know you have the potential, it's out there somewhere - something that just keeps us all coming back. (Or we're all clinically insane....but hey, that's golf... )

[walk18]

20+ people waitintg to tee off? wow! I might have left.. Saturdays can be busy though.

[Timothy D Watson]

It took me hitting 100 balls every or every other day for two weeks to just hit the ball most of the time (not miss) when I begun. I am not naturally athletic in the smallest degree. It takes a great deal of studying, practice, and quality insight from others for me to keep my game respectable by other frequent swingers.

I am glad for you, JMMARICH. I did not dare go out on a real course the first year. It was all driving ranges and my net at home back then. You are better than I was a few months after starting.

Golf drives me nuts too. Nuts in a good way!

[roadrunner]

Right after 17 where I made a double bogey from the middle of the fairway, I make a really nice birdie from the rough, over a bunker, 15 footer in the center of the cup on 18. "Okay, I am playing tomorrow"

[Dent]

Good attitude to start out with. "Just have fun" Thats what beginner golfers tend not to do. They are so convinced on getting better they forget about the fun in the game. It's great to hear your accomplishments on your Second round of golf.

Keep on practising and you'll get better in no time!

[tm22721]

The 80/20 rule seems to apply to almost everything. It only takes 20% of the effort to get 80% of the results and it takes 80% of the effort to get the remaining 20%.

If only 12% of your shots are mis-hits, your score goes from 85 to 95.

To get rid of those mis-hits will take four times as much effort !! It's called quitting your day job.