Playing Golf For The Beginner and AmateurPlaying Golf This page and its related pages contain information that is very important for the beginning golfer. It will be of interest to any amateur golfer. To enjoy playing golf, you need to understand that there are various factors that will affect your game. There are four variables:
The one fixed factor is the Rules of Golf (and golf etiquette). Even if you are a member of a club and playing golf at that club all the time, its conditions can vary every time you play it. Perhaps the fairway hasn't been cut recently (or perhaps it has). Maybe the fairways or the greens are being watered. Perhaps the weather has turned hot and dry and the rough is not so severe anymore. You need to play the course as you find it. The weather, of course, can vary widely unless your course is in a part of the world where the weather changes little. As an amateur, you know that your skill level, physical condition, and mental attitude can vary between one day and the next. Indeed, for most of us, we are the most variable factor of all! With the current state of equipment development, there are fewer difference among the various options. Certainly for the average amateur, our play would be largely unaffected by changing to different manufacturers' clubs, or balls, other things remaining the same. By that I mean that you go through a proper fitting of the new clubs and that you use a ball that is appropriate for you. Groups There are four different-sized groups that could be playing golf. These are:
Most courses will not permit groups of more than four. Larger groups tend to play more slowly than normal foursomes, and this would cause an unacceptable disruption in play. They also discourage singletons during a busy period, as this would reduce the number of foursomes, although some clubs will place you with a threesome. Types of games There are two distinctive types of games played in golf. The first is called Stroke or Medal Play. The second is called Match Play. The main difference is in the scoring method. In stroke play, the winner is the player who has the lowest number of strokes over the game. In match play, the winner is the player who wins the most holes over the game. In North America, stroke play is most often used. Stroke or Medal Play In stroke play, all players play the designated number of holes for the competition. This could be 18 for a single game, or 36, 54, or 72, such as you will see in PGA tournaments. At the end of the final game, the winner will be the player with the overall lowest score. Match Play In match play, which generally is for 18 holes, players contend one hole at a time. The player with the lowest score at the end of the hole, wins that hole. If that hole had been the first hole than the winner would be "1-up". If the hole is tied then the hole is "halved" (no player can count the hole) and the players are "all square" for the match. "All square" means that both players (or teams) are tied. The running score of the game is usually given in terms of the leading player. For example one player will be said to be "2-up", and this means that he has won two more holes than his opponent. A term that may be applied to one player (or a team) is "dormie". This means that the number of holes remaining is equal to the number of holes that the player or team is up. Thus the player or team needs only to win another hole to win the match. The final score is often given as a measure of the score of the leading player along with the number of holes remaining to be played. Thus you may see or hear that someone won "3 and 2", which means that they were ahead by 3 holes with only 2 holes remaining to be played. Thus the match does not need to be finished and the leader is the winner. Comment Strategy Many of us amateurs just want to tee it up and rip it as far as we can. However, this approach can sometimes get us into difficulties. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to think about what we are doing before we get into trouble, rather than trying to extricate ourselves from a bad situation. In other words we need to think about the strategy of playing golf! If you are playing golf on your home course, you will know what the course is like and generally, the best way to play it. However, if you are playing a strange course you do not know what to expect. Some courses will provide you with a hole by hole illustration of what is on the course - creeks, bunkers, and other hazards. Use them! If they provide nothing then perhaps you should not be too bold. Play conservatively and don't smash a long drive over that hill and into the creek that is just beyond it. Some courses have small drawings of the holes on the tee so that you have some idea of the layout. Take a systematic approach to your golf. Use whatever information is available before you hit. As you are looking over your next hit, look at the layout of the hole ahead. Is it straight or is it a dogleg? Which way is the wind blowing and how strongly (throw up a clump of dried grass)? Are there trees protecting the probable flight of your ball or must you allow for the wind effect? If you know where the hazards are, will you be able to clear them or should you lay up? Take advantage of your strengths. If there is a dogleg left, and you are an accurate hitter, but not long enough to reach the turn, then hit your ball along the right side so that you can at least get a piece of the corner. If the dogleg is close and severe, do not try to fly the corner unless you can hit the ball really high and long. Use a shorter club and place the ball opposite the turn at the corner. Do not be afraid to lay up if you are not sure about flying a hazard. Put your ball at your favorite distance for a wedge shot and then put it close! There are electronic devices for measuring your distance from the hole. They can be extremely useful if you have trouble estimating distance. Of course, most courses have markings in the fairway to help. Having a plan for each hole is worth several shots over the game. Realizing that playing golf is as much an exercise in strategy as in ball striking will help you save strokes. Notes On Etiquette The etiquette of playing golf is critical for enjoyment of the game. Although there are no penalties for breaches of etiquette, both the spirit of the game as well as its enjoyment would be lessened without it. The following pages include the key aspects of etiquette as they apply generally and specifically to each of the parts of the course. Notes On Rules There are 34 separate rules governing actions while playing golf or activities that support the game. Some of these rules have become relatively complicated over the years and it is a good practice to obtain and read The Rules of Golf. While it is critical to be aware of the rules for competitions, you should always follow them during your normal day to day play. As well as the official rules there are Local Rules which govern play at that specific course. These are often shown on the local score card. The following pages include references to some of the most common rules that might apply during play
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