Golf Preparedness

Are you prepared to play?

So, you have your clubs, you’ve taken some beginner golf lessons, and you’ve even been schooled on what to wear on the golf course and now comes the time to play the game.

As a beginner golfer you will want to ensure that you are prepared for your first real game of golf. In golf there are so many things to know and understand that will come to you as you learn the game. However, there are some basic items that can be used to get you from your car to the first hole to begin your journey.

Here are some brief tips to get you started:

Plan It:

· 18 holes of golf takes about 4 hours to play. Plan your time accordingly.

· Contact the golf course and register for a designated tee time.

· Cart vs. Walking: You can reserve a cart (check to find out what is available). Whenever you can, no matter how tiring it might seem, walk instead of riding in a golf cart is better exercise. A seven-mile walk with clubs on your back might seem daunting now, but it will get easier the more you do it. And if you're worried your golf bag is too heavy, try a golf club bag with a pop-up stand.

· Eat - The best foods to eat for a round of golf are lean protein (such as chicken or turkey) and complex carbohydrates (such as all-bran cereal or a banana). You should eat before the round and again at the turn, or on the back nine, to maintain energy and concentration. And drink lots and lots of water. If you're urine is not clear in color, you are likely dehydrated.

Arrival:

· Arrive a half hour prior to your appointment. This will give you plenty of time to park, remove your equipment from the car and check in.

Check In:

· If you’ve already paid, go to the attendant with your receipt (they are usually posted near where the carts are) and check in (15 minutes in advance is good).

· Depending on how busy the golf course is you may be coupled with other players. In my experience this was the best thing that happened to my husband and me. We were always fortunate enough to be coupled with players whose skillset was far greater than ours and we learned quite a bit from them. Also, don’t be afraid to share with them that you are a beginner. You will find that a lot of people welcome this, and they enjoy sharing their knowledge with you.

At Hole #1:

· Tee off - It is a gentleman’s agreement as to who tee’s off first.

Tee off wherever you feel comfortable. The colors are there to differentiate golfer skill level. Ultimately, it is up to you.

· Keeping score – You decide! As a beginner myself, we chose not to keep score. I wanted to stay focused on enjoying and learning the game. If you find that you can’t sink the ball into the hole at or near Par, don’t worry about it, you’re still learning. Just remember to let the next player have a turn and move on to the next hole.

· Keep pace - although 18 holes will take at least 4 hours, that allows a group of four thirteen minutes per hole of play, just under 3 minutes per person. Be mindful that there are players behind you, and you need to keep pace. A golf marshal usually makes round to remind players to keep pace if they start to fall behind timewise.

· Keep a towel handy to wipe off your clubs and balls. There are ball washing stations along the way for this use. This cleansing makes for good contact between balls and clubs.

Remember, golf is a relaxing and fun game. At every outing you will learn more and play better. Be safe out there and enjoy!