It'll definitely help - actually, it's good you did that, as it'll make it go way better. However, most people's range time is dedicated to full swings with a limited number of "pet" clubs or shots - most people don't spend enough time on the green or practicing "real" shots. You're in a better position than most people, but one thing to take out of your first round is to learn the things you need to improve upon.

It'll be "a little rough" at worst - I'm hoping you picked an easy, laid-back course, as that helps immensely. Just remember to keep pace with the people in front of you and not to get frustrated - it's a hard sport to learn as an adult, but you'll get better even as the round progresses.

actually, drinking relaxes me to the point to where I don't care and therefore don't try so hard, and I end up doing a lot better on the back 9 than I did before I started drinking :p

Practice putting, it makes a difference and you can do it at home or on the putting green.

Follow through, don't hit the ball and stop like croquet.

Check the dress code, though you probably have appropriate clothing and know how to handle yourself some courses are very particular.

Bring rain gear, umbrella, wind shirt, whatever; conversely, put on sunscreen if it is hot and sunny.

Run.

Run while there is still time. :)

Rent the movie, happy gilmore!:D

Golf is one of the greatest games but the most frustraiting damn game you will ever attempt!

On your cart, (do not walk) have your clubs with lots of balls, and a cooler of beer!

Just figure that golf is communing with nature! You will see a lot of it the first time you play! Oh, do not forget a ball retreiver! It is a a must!:D

I always tell first timers that it is a good idea to invest in some lessons before they play to the point that they’ve developed bad habits. It’s a lot easier to teach someone how to swing then it is to fix a swing.

Hi all - thanks again for all the advice. To make a long story short, it was a fun, although at times frustrating, day. I was much better with my irons than I thought I'd be, but my driving and putting was subpar. I'm definitely investing in lessons, and may get a package of lessons as an early Christmas present.

It was a lot of fun, and I'll be extremely sore tomorrow - 18 holes of golf really took a lot out of me.

I'm surprised that, as important as golf is in the corporate world, they don't teach it in law school!

Haha, seriously. I've heard from a bunch of the 3Ls that they essentially took golf lessons as an extra "class," and made an investment in them as a part of their education.

It's not a bad idea; the last thing you want to do on an outing with a client is embarrass yourself.

Despite the frustration, I really enjoyed myself, and now I'm very eager to take lessons.

I wouldn't worry too much - almost every lawyer I've played with has sucked.

Yeah - after the ribbing I got originally, almost everyone in my office admitted they aren't very good. The managing attorney of the office is apparently a fantastic golfer (close to a scratch golfer), and my boss is pretty good, but besides that, no one is breaking course records out there.

Plus, most attorneys who have enough time to make it onto the course often enough to stay good are either a.) crappy to the point where they're putting in a short week (the "Of Counsel" corollary) or b.) so far up the partner totem that I can't afford to gamble with them anyway, so it's kind of a self-selection thing.

The Phi Alpha Delta group (why do they call themselves PAD, and not FAD? makes me crazy) at UI had a golf clinic last spring for law students. I'm taking a course through the University, for credit, and almost everyone is a business major (mostly undergrads), and mostly male. My former was way into golf so he got me playing, and now I take the class so I can practice with other people who aren't great.

Very true - I can't wait to start lessons; even if I can't play much my first few years of practice.

I'm kind of surprised none of the groups at the law school don't sponsor something golf-related. There are a ton of courses around here; you can't go too far in the state without running across a course.