How To Play Golf For The First Time On The Course?
Like the first love and the first kiss the first time on the course is something no golfer would ever forget. There is no burden of expectations, everything is new and interesting. But, there is one important point you should keep in mind – be prepared to play your first round. What does ‘prepared’ mean? Let’s find out.
- Prior to stepping on the course deepen your understanding of the golf course. This would take the form of you visiting the official website to learn about the course. What do golfers who have previously played have to say about the course? Find out the dimensions and properties of each hole, and know the signature hole of the course, etc.
- When you arrive at the course take few minutes to study the layout of the course and the score card. You can check out the layout of each hole with bunkers, hazards, greens, etc. on the website as stated previously, but if the layout isn’t given in the website get a layout booklet at the course.
- Before you start your first round you need to get into the groove. Carry a bucket of 20-30 balls and practice few swing to relax the shoulders and back muscles. Don’t try anything fancy, just practice your swing with the driver, middle iron, and wedge club.
- Putting is not an easy skill to master, so don’ worry if you don’t perform well on the greens. Consider your first round an opportunity to practice the putt strokes. Initially, practice short putts and as you play, increase the distance of the putt.
- You’re new to the game so keep aside your ego and play from the tees that you find comfortable. Leave the back tees to the more experienced players.
- Since it’s your first time on the course don’t try anything out of the box, you still have a lot to learn. Adopt a conservative approach and try to finish each hole with a bogey.
- Prior to playing a hole study the slope of the fairway. You won’t find any information about the fairway slope on the layout booklet; hence take a few minutes surveying the area before teeing off.
- Similarly, before playing the putt read the green. Greens that are surrounded by water hazards or creeks behave differently than greens that are not guarded by bunkers or obstacles. Walk on the green to study how a rolling ball will behave on that surface.