"So You
Want To Play Golf?"
ByTim Peightal, PGA Professional
The best advise that I could give anyone wishing
to play the greatest game of all is this :
Part I:
I would suggest you go to a range and just begin
to hit some golf balls mimicking what you think you saw on TV
or what you believe you witnessed your friends doing. Let your
own athleticism take you as far as it can. If you still have the
need for more punishment, find a facility that offers clinics
and supplies clubs. Inquire and make sure the class sizes are
small. Between 2 and 5 people is plenty for your first formal
introduction to the game. It also insures that you will get some
individual attention. You may want to take a series of these clinics.
They can be very informative and inexpensive. At this point you
may want to get a rule book and see what kind of rules govern
this insane game. It will also give you some insight as to what
you are getting yourself into.
If the bug has bitten you and the game gets into
your blood the next step should be to find someone that you consider
a really loyal friend that already plays the game and plead your
case as to your probable addiction and talk them into taking you
to a local club for a round of certain bliss. I would suggest
a par 3 or a course that is not to busy and one that is golfer
friendly. (This is where you have to have complete trust in your
so-called friend.) While playing ask your friend questions about
certain things like:
why you probably have to take a cart,
why they parked the cart where they did,.
fixing ball marks,
the proper way of marking your ball.
These are all things that pertain to helping understand how to
get yourself around the golf course.
If you are still convinced that this is a wonderful
game then I would begin to get serious about it. Find out what
golf professional in your area has the reputation for being an
excellent instructor and has the patience of Job. See if you hit
it off and understand their concepts of the game. If so, sign
up for a series of lessons and make a commitment to set aside
some time to begin practicing. It's not enough just to take lessons
you must apply what you are learning. Remember to be patient with
yourself as well as with the golf professional. You must practice
to get better but its very important that you are practicing using
the right information.
For this reason I make my final suggestion. Make
sure to see a P.G.A. professional because their goal is to make
this game as enjoyable for as many people as possible.
Part II:
So now that you've made the commitment to play
golf here are some suggestions on what to do next. It would be
very helpful for you to develop a good practice routine. Plan
your time wisely. Let's say you have five hours a week to devote
to practicing. You should spend at least 60% of that time on the
short game, which is chipping, pitching,sand bunker work and putting.
This is the area that will allow you to shoot lower scores. Also
you will have more success in hitting good shots which will build
you confidence. This is the scoring area and no matter what level
of skill you achieve in golf it will always be of great benefit
to be efficient around the greens.
The other 40% of your time should be divided
between the Tee shot and the fairway shots. Golf is one of the
those games that should be taught form the hole back to the tee,
but most of us don't do it that way. If you go to any golf course
or practice facility you will see the majority of the people whaling
away at drivers. Don't fall into this trap. Yes it is true, you
need to be able to drive the ball in play and with some length
but ultimately you score with the wedge and the putter.
Feel is a big part of the game also and I believe
it is easier to develop feel working on the short shots. The swing
is softer and slower so you get more feed back. You hit more solid
shots and you can carry this feel over into the long game. During
a round of golf you probably won't hit every shot perfect or hit
every green in regulation so you will have to rely or your shot
game for help. Learn it and practice it right from the beginning
and you will never be sorry.
Even the tour players who are the best players
in the world rely on their short game to score. I think that is
what sets them apart. They seem to have the uncanny ability to
turn a 5 into a 4 instead of turning it into a 6. Although you
may never reach their level of ability from tee to green we all
can certainly learn to chip,pitch,put and SCORE!!!!
Part III:
Ok, so now your addicted to the game, it happens
quite easily. How do you get comfortable playing with other people.
Well, most seasoned golfers have compassion for
the plight of the newly afflicted player. Most of the time they
will be eager to play with you and to encourage you. They will
also want to impart their wisdom upon you. This is always well
intentioned but not always good for you. At this stage of your
golfing career it is easy to get confused, so you'll have to listen
politely and decide what fits you and what doesn't. Tell them
you are taking lessons from a golf professional and that may be
all the input you can handle for now. Its easy for a new golfer
to try and digest to many suggestions, stick with the professional.
Most new players are a little apprehensive about
playing with people whom they think play well. If you learn to
get yourself around the course quickly and are aware of the rules
to some degree they won't mind playing with you regardless of
the score. Slow play seems to the one thing that gets everyone
on the course upset. You can avoid this misery by being aware
of what's going on and be ready to play when its your turn.
Don't worry about how well the other people are
playing, just enjoy yourself and try and learn something about
managing your way around the course every time you play. It will
get easier each time out. Stick to your practice routine but remember
you have to practice but have to play also. The playing is just
as important to your improvement. That's the measure of the effort
you put into practice.
Remember - golf is a game and it has got to be
fun, before you will ever get better.
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