Tips
Seven things every new golfer should know before the first tee
You do not need a country club, a full set of clubs, or a perfect swing. You need a few good habits. Here are seven.
- Start with the short game. Putting, chipping and pitching make up a big share of every round. An hour on the practice green is worth more than a bucket at the range.
- Borrow or rent before you buy. Use a friend's old set or rent at the course. When you do buy, used clubs are fine, because the clubs matter far less than you think at the start.
- Play nine holes. Most courses offer nine-hole rates, and a nine is a better first round than a long, frustrating eighteen. Go at an off-peak time when the course is quieter.
- Keep pace. Be ready when it is your turn, limit practice swings, and pick up your ball when a hole is going badly. Many players pick up at double bogey, or at a number you set with your group, to keep things moving.
- Take care of the course. Fix your divots and ball marks, rake the bunker after you play out of it, and keep carts off the areas that are marked. It is the easiest way to show respect.
- Know the basics of etiquette. Stay quiet and still while others hit, do not step on someone's putting line, and call "fore" loudly if a ball is heading toward people.
- Dress for the course. Most courses expect a collared shirt and shorts or pants without rips, and many ban metal spikes, so wear spikeless golf shoes or clean sneakers. Check the course's dress code when you book.
One more thing
Ask the starter or the pro shop anything. They would rather answer a question than watch you guess, and a friendly question is the fastest way to get welcomed.
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