First time golfing - any tips?

[KSigkid]

Hi all,
So, I'm going golfing for the first time on Monday. It's something that I've wanted to do for quite a while, and would have done last summer if not for a broken hand.

Any tips for a first-time golfer? I'm fairly good at picking up sports quickly, but I'm also a bit too competitive at things, so I'm worried I'll just frustrate myself.

Any and all hints are welcome.

[ThetaDancer]

Hey!
Are you taking a lesson or just heading out for a round? Either way, have fun! It's a beautiful game.

I'll come back and post more later but off the top of my head, the number one thing I can think of is: have patience. It looks deceptively easy but it can be really difficult, and I tend to be competitive and frustrate myself, too, so I understand what you mean by that. If you can be patient and think of it as a chance to practice and learn, you'll enjoy the game a lot more.

[summer_gphib]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

Hey!
Are you taking a lesson or just heading out for a round? Either way, have fun! It's a beautiful game.

I'll come back and post more later but off the top of my head, the number one thing I can think of is: have patience. It looks deceptively easy but it can be really difficult, and I tend to be competitive and frustrate myself, too, so I understand what you mean by that. If you can be patient and think of it as a chance to practice and learn, you'll enjoy the game a lot more.

ditto! The game is VERY Frustrating, but a lot of fun. Remember to laugh when you make a stupid shot... because if you don't you'll throw your clubs or break them.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

Hey!
Are you taking a lesson or just heading out for a round? Either way, have fun! It's a beautiful game.

I'll come back and post more later but off the top of my head, the number one thing I can think of is: have patience. It looks deceptively easy but it can be really difficult, and I tend to be competitive and frustrate myself, too, so I understand what you mean by that. If you can be patient and think of it as a chance to practice and learn, you'll enjoy the game a lot more.

No lesson, I'm just playing. I was supposed to get lessons this summer, but the timing never worked out.

[aopirose]

1. Don't grip the club too tight. It really doesn't take that much force to hold it.
2. Keep your eye on the ball and follow through with a complete swing.
3. Have some cash on you for the beer cart. It's nice when they bring beverages to you.

[AGDee]

I would at least get to a driving range before then and hit a bucket of balls. Have you even done that before?

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I would at least get to a driving range before then and hit a bucket of balls. Have you even done that before?

That's one thing I have done - I've been to the driving range a bunch, so I'm at least comfortable with that aspect. I've also had the tiniest bit of instruction from a friend of mine on each of the clubs, so I'm at least familiar with them.

Thanks everyone thus far, the advice is great.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by aopirose

1. Don't grip the club too tight. It really doesn't take that much force to hold it.
2. Keep your eye on the ball and follow through with a complete swing.
3. Have some cash on you for the beer cart. It's nice when they bring beverages to you.

Make sure to tip the beer cart person

[srmom]

I was going to say, take an ice chest of beer, but others have already advised that. Golf is such a frustrating game, my suggestion would be to go completely easy on yourself, don't criticize your play because it's gonna su**. You can't just pick it up like some sports and if you are athletic and used to playing well, you might lose your mind (or your cool!!).

Go out to enjoy the beautiful course and the gorgeous day! Just don't worry about the golf part

Don't throw clubs in the water, toward the cart, or at other players!!

NO LIE - a friend of ours was out playing and got frustrated and threw the club at his bag in the back of the cart. The club ricocheted off the cart, broke, and the sharp broken end came flying back and impaled him in the calf!!! He had to be carried into the club where there was (thankfully) a doctor that could stop the bleeding, it had severed a major vein. He ended up having to have surgery and was in the hospital for a couple of days.

Boy, he'll never live that one down!!

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by srmom

I was going to say, take an ice chest of beer, but others have already advised that. Golf is such a frustrating game, my suggestion would be to go completely easy on yourself, don't criticize your play because it's gonna su**. You can't just pick it up like some sports and if you are athletic and used to playing well, you might lose your mind (or your cool!!).

This is one of my fears - as KSigRC can attest, while I'm by no means a great athlete, I can handle myself fairly well in a number of sports (i.e. I don't usually embarrass myself). I haven't tried a new sport in a long time, so I'll just have to get used to being terrible, at least for the short term (hopefully).

[PhiGam]

1. Don't swing too hard
2. Don't take advice from anyone who isn't really good (70's, under par, etc.)

[Elephant Walk]

Drink lots, so you can play shitty on the last nine and blame it on the alcohol.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Drink lots, so you can play shitty on the last nine and blame it on the alcohol.

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

[VandalSquirrel]

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.

[SWTXBelle]

Run.

Run while there is still time.