I've been invited to go golfing. Help!!

[Spaldeen]

So I was invited by a coworker to go golfing either this weekend or next. I know some of the basic about it from checking out some websites like the PGA, but I figured I would drop in here for some hints and tips.

How long does a round of 18 holes take to play? I think it's just me and this guy and maybe one other person.

It's going to be kind of chilly. I'm not in the best of shape (I have some extra padding). Am I going to sweat like a pig?

As a general rule, can you rent clubs? Do you bring your own balls?

I'm probably not thinking of some things I should ask, as I've never played before so I don't know to ask!

Any DUers out there have any tips?

[rug]

1. Be gracious if he offers to clean your balls.

[pinboy3niner]

2. Yeah, newbies sometimes can get a little testy about that

[BlueJazz]

3. You've NEVER played? I'd try to, at least, get in a round before you go out with your...

...coworker. Maybe there is a friend of a friend that could show you a few things. I played for strictly business purposes. Wouldn't touch it now.

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. I've played 18 holes in under 3 hours

But that was by myself and the first one out in the morning.

If there is a foursome and one or more are inexperienced, it could take twice as long.

No, you won't sweat, especially if you all are riding carts.

Yes, most golf courses have rental clubs available and yes, you are going to have to buy golf balls. Go to Target or a sporting goods store and buy a box of 15. usually a lot cheaper than buying them at the proshop, though sometimes proshops will run really good sales. Buy yourself a good golf glove as well. If you are normally right handed, you will need one for your left hand, as this is the hand that has the solid grip on the club. The opposite is true for lefties.

Start watching YouTube vids NOW! You can learn a lot from watching how others swing a golf club.

Here's a good start;
http://m.

Perfecting the golf swing can be a lifelong pursuit and golf is a game that will both infuriate you and give you immense satisfaction, often on the same hole!

An old joke;

Why do they call Golf, Golf?

Because "Fuck" and "Shit" were taken!

[elleng]

6. HAHAHAHA!

Took a lesson, years ago, when vacationing with my folks. My mother was with me during the lesson. Next day went out with Dad so started to implement some of the stuff teacher had told me. Dad said 'NO, that's NOT the way it's done.' I threw the club on the ground and left, and had times been different, I might have said Fuck and Shit!

Never played again.

[A HERETIC I AM]

11. Time to pick it up again!~

Go on! Your dad won't be there! And now that you're a grownup, you can say anything you want!

[Lochloosa]

9. He'll need 18 balls.

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. Depending on the course, he could need more!

There is a course near my moms old place in Englewood, FL that I swear has magnets in the trees! A good portion of the fairways are cut through old slash pine and palmetto woods and if you aren't dead straight......

I'm no slouch, but I lost like 8 on the first ten holes at that course!

[Wounded Bear]

19. I used to do practice runs...

where I didn't keep score, I just counted how many balls it took me to finish 9 holes. I usually didn't do 18.

[LiberalElite]

5. I've only played miniature golf - and I love this Honeymooner episode

[WinkyDink]

13. "Hello, Ball!"

[chrisa]

7. Maybe hit the driving range a few times before going.

18 holes takes about 4 or 5 hours, depending on if anyone else is playing, if you're using carts (recommended if you're not in good shape), and what pace your group plays at.

Buy these things (preferably beforehand at a sports store):
- A few packs of golf balls. You'll lose a few. The type of ball doesn't matter, just get some cheap ones.
- Tees. You put the ball on the tee for your drive (first shot). The red (front) tees are women's, and the tees behind that are men's. Just see where your coworker puts his and do the same. Try to put the ball high enough so that your club won't hit the ground, but low enough so that you won't hit a sky shot.

I'd recommend playing an easier course at first.

Try going to a driving range, where you can get a bucket of practice balls and hit them. You can probably rent clubs there too. Most likely you can at the course too, but I've never done it. I would call and ask before hand so that you don't end up with no clubs.

Golf club types and their distances (scroll down for a chart)
http://golf.about.com/od/beginners/fl/Golf-Club-Distances.htm

Btw., if you're going to go many times, you can probably get lessons at either a golf course or driving range. They have 'pros' there that give them, or at least that's how it is here.

[Lochloosa]

8. Ok from a real golfer. Call ahead about renting clubs.

Most decent golf courses have them. If you tell them ahead of time they might even feel sorry for you and let you use a set for free.

You are going to suck. Face it.

Try to go to a driving range ahead of the big day. Tell them what your up against. They will help you for a beer.

Remember. 60% of you shots are from 100 yds or closer. Practice those. Half are putts. Really practice those.

Drive for show. Putt for dough.

[A HERETIC I AM]

12. "From a real golfer"

Rather full of ourselves, aren't we?


What do you think I am? A damned duffmeister? Or the rest of the people on this thread just don't know as much as you about the game?


What a load of Sheeeeit.

[WinkyDink]

14. Take a couple lessons from the club pro, at least to get your grip and swing established. He'll

answer your other questions.

And keep your head down!

[MADem]

15. Play Best Ball, talk trash, and don't keep score.

Best Ball is when you all hit, and then you play from where the best ball ended up. Game goes fast and it's fun as all hell. Plus, everyone gets a best ball every so often, so everyone feels like a winner.

If you're playing with jerks who "care" about golf, though, you can't do that. I refuse to play with those sorts.

I never rented clubs--maybe you can borrow some from a friend?

Will you walk or have a cart? If you have a cart, you'll get plenty of exercise doing 12 oz. curls.

[jmowreader]

16. Learn how to hit a golf ball before you go on the course

[Skittles]

17. it is REALLY boring

OMG I would rather watch paint dry

[cyberswede]

21. Word. nt

[Skittles]

27. NOW WATCH THIS CYBERSWDE

I'm going to.....put the little ball into the little hole......and then I am going to walk.....to do it again.....and again.....and again........I could feel my hair growing I tell you

[cyberswede]

30. ...doesn't take much upstairs, evidently

[UncleYoder]

18. You need to find a swing.

To play golf you need a repeatable swing. If you can strike the ball the same way each time, you will be able to get around. Leave learning how to fade and draw and all that other stuff for when you take lessons. Learn to hit the ball square and in the middle of the club face.

One trick I was taught is to take a 7 or 8 iron. Put a dime on the carpet. Using a 1/3 to 1/2 swing, practice picking the dime off the carpet with a smooth swing. I used to hit them into the back of a stuffed chair but a blanket would work too.

Focus on hitting the coin in the middle of the club face and keeping the face square at impact.

This helps you to learn where the bottom of your swing is. You can't take a divot so you are sweeping the coin off the carpet. You can't hitch your swing or you will miss the coin entirely. Requires you to focus on a very small target. Then when you go to hit a golf ball, it looks 10 times as big.

(edited to add)

Most of golf is putting and your short (less than 50 yards in) game. This helps to develop a feel for those touch shots around the green.

Drive for show, putt for dough.

[orleans]

20. DON'T GO!!!!! n/t

[cyberswede]

22. LOL - that was my exact first thought.

[Sanity Claws]

23. Ed Norton says you have to address the ball

So remember to say,
"Hello Ball" and doff your hat.

[Fla Dem]

24. If you have never played golf or swung a club and connected with the little white ball, then

Last edited Fri Nov 14, 2014, 02:37 PM - Edit history (1)

you do not belong on a golf course. Seriously, I'm being kind. You will embarrass yourself and feel uncomfortable. While at first your golf buddies will get a kick out of your inexperience, by the 4th hole you will become an annoyance. Did you tell the person who invited you that you'd never played? If so what was his/her reaction. Are they good people who will tolerate a newbie on the course, or are they impatient? Why did they invite you? Are these co-workers your friends? Friends, I might give it a go, but if it's your boss or someone you want to impress, I would have respectfully declined the invite.

Eighteen holes will take at least 3 hours, probably closer to 4. If it's windy and cold, it will be a miserable 4 -5 hours. How much will it cost you? Green fees, cart fees, golf club rentals; could easily cost you $200 to play. Is it a public course or private course? Private course will be much more expensive. If you are as inexperienced as you say you are, you will need at least a dozen balls. You will lose the balls in the woods, high grass and water. Do not spend lots of time looking for them, it slows the game down. No one likes standing around on a cold windy golf course while someone searches for their ball.

At least try to get out to a driving range before you go to see if you can even hit the ball. Maybe you're a natural and will beat the pants off of them... Good luck.

[UncleYoder]

25. Reall good advice.

Learning to play golf is a very trying experience.

Ideally you should start by going to the driving range and have somebody help you get set up properly.

Your first round should be on a par 3 course, where you leave the woods in the bag.

But since you've been invited and want to go. And there is a chance that I'll be standing behind you, here's some newbie tips.

Hit the seven iron off the tee. It's a very easy club to smack the ball around 125-150 yards. Go find the ball and hit it again with the 7.

Pros play it where it lies. You play "winter rules". Roll the ball around until it's sitting up nice on a tuff of grass. If it's under a tree or bush, nudge it back out to where you can take a full swing. (no need to count that stroke)

If for some reason you you are having trouble getting the ball on the green (worm burners, sky balls, "army golf" (left-right-left), a seagull grabs it) once you have taken par times 2 + 1 stokes. (so a 9 on a par 4 or an 11 on a par 5) pick up your ball, put it in your pocket and drive to the green. Write an X on your scorecard for that hole.

Once you're on the green, take three putts and pick up the ball. If it went in the hole before you could putt 3 times GREAT! make a note on your scorecard. Remember only take 3 putts.

Always buy the first round. Newbies are an enormous pain for everybody else but we all had to start somewhere, sometime.

[benld74]

26. Go out and get wasted! HAve fun! Make really bad shots. It will be your alst trime so

who the heck cares? I once shot a 72 the last time i played golf, on a non hole course. I had haldf the course stopping to watch what I would do on the next hole!

[KamaAina]

28. This thread has potential!

Maybe you could go to Olive Garden for the "19th hole". Or get chased off the course by a pit bull.

[Shrek]

29. Robin Williams has a few answers for you

NSFW

[Spaldeen]

31. Thanks for the advice, guys!

It's a social outing, nothing serious like having my boss with or any big wigs. You guys are hilarious, though!

I think I will just jump in feet first, and try to have a good time!