Newbie Golf Rules
Golf popularity has increased tremendously over the past forty five years. Champions like Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Tiger Woods have emerged, While courses like Pinehurst, Augusta National and the Blue Monster at Doral have entered the public psyche.
Golf has become popular for several reasons. It’s the opportunity to be outside, to get a good whole body workout, network with friends or business colleagues at a leisurely pace, and to play a game that you can never perfect.
Your score, over time, should indicate improvement, and this brings you back to game time and time again.
Here is a very basic lesson in golf for the person who has no clue about the game.
Golf is played on an eighteen-hole course; each hole has its “par”, which is the number of tee shots (drives), fairway shots, chips (short hits as you approach the green), and putts.
Par is based on the yardage and the hazards of the hole. Range of pars can be from 3 to 6. If you hole the cup in five shots on a par five hole, you “made par.” If you stroked the ball six times, it’s called a bogie, if you sunk it in four, it’s a birdie.
Hazards exist. These include Bodies of water, sand traps, and trees. They are strategically placed to make the hole more challenging. Beginners should seek to find easier courses that have fewer hazards.
Score is kept by each player, writing down the number of total shots stroked at each hole. When play ceases, each person adds their scores. The lowest total score wins.
Beginning golfers should not take themselves too seriously. Many times it takes a while to get good at golf. You are building a totally different skill set. Professionals have great skills because they have talent and have practiced time and time again.
Lesson taking at the beginning is a good idea. It will help you create a proper swing and a good start.
Remember, that it’s just a game. The point is to have fun. Keep your perspective–the worst day of golf is better than the best day of work!