[bluedog103]

I've only been playing for about 9 years and I definitely don't take this game seriously. If I did I would have quit a long time ago. Some days I'm not too bad, other days I'm really bad. No problem playing with newbies, no problem playing with women. It's all about having fun.

[glgene]

Newbies often have not heard of the "double par" scoring rule. That is, never take more than twice the strokes of the par score for any given hole. Example: If it's a par 3, stop taking swings after 6 total attempts. Just pick up your ball after swing (stroke) 6, and record a 6 on the scorecard.

Why the rule? To not slow up the foursomes behind you. Got to keep the game moving!

Some golfers take it a bit further. For example, on a par 5 hole, they max. out at 8 strokes. But that rule (or suggestion) doesn't always occur. But under no circumstance should amateurs ever take more than double a hole's par score...cause it ultimately delays your time to reach the 19th hole <g>.

[Miles42]

I am not great at the game but one thing I do with great consistency is have fun.

[jebartle]

The 75 yard driver, dribbles up on the green next to the pin AND on Ladies Day they are the biggest contributor to the winning team and they are the MOST fun to play with because they are even more amazed by their achievement....Love this game!

Originally Posted by Bonny

They pull out the driver for 75 yards

[Doro22]

Nice to see this has taken a more positive turn. It seemed yesterday that the comments were getting pretty snarky. As a former teacher of middle school & high school students, whenever a 'bully' was confronted about poor behavior the 'bully' always replied: "I was just playing wit him. Just having fun."
One thing that bothers my hubby & I on the course, is when putting they pick up & don't putt out when it is two feet from the hole. (Not talking about double par.)

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by Doro22

<shortened by alan>
One thing that bothers my hubby & I on the course, is when putting they pick up & don't putt out when it is two feet from the hole. (Not talking about double par.)

I am truly not being "snarky", I am curious over coffee. Assuming we do not have a match, why do you folks care if I pick up my two foot putt for par or bogey?

As far as the thread, I could not think of anything to add. Every time I thought of something, it occurred to me I know people that have played for years that still do that. I think Ed nailed it:

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

<shortened by alan> The best way to tell if a person is a beginner is that they really seem to enjoy playing!

They can hit one off the side of the club and it goes 2 feet to the right and they laugh. I think to myself, I hope they can keep that as they play better and better. I so wish I could emulate their joy for the game even in that moment...

[Taltarzac725]

New Golfer | PGA.com

There some articles about new golfers in this link.

I especially like this one. 61 Definitions and 34 Rules

[graciegirl]

Sometimes a new golfer arrives at a course in a muscle shirt.

[Steve & Deanna]

When we first started playing golf I was really intimidated seeing some of these people pull up with big brand name golf bags attached to their golf carts. I thought these guys must be really good....and then I saw the light. People up north have heard about TV and ask ' do you and your wife play golf' to which my standard answer is "We own golf clubs." We have lots and lots of fun golfing and we like to follow the rules.

[Steve & Deanna]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Sometimes a new golfer arrives at a course in a muscle shirt.

I usually show up in my Speedo and flip flops and the appropriate golf shirt.

[fred53]

"Double Par" is not a "rule" it's a suggestion to help speed up play.

I realize you jest, but proper shorts/trousers are required too, so speedos wouldn't be allowed...the flip-flops would. :-)

[DigitalGranny]

I'm so new to golf that I just pray I actually Hit the ball! I don't intend to ever hold anyone up, so please feel free to ask me if you want to play through! Some of us are just learning this game at this late age, so we can also enjoy some of the most beautiful land in the world --on golf courses!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by DigitalGranny

I'm so new to golf that I just pray I actually Hit the ball! I don't intend to ever hold anyone up, so please feel free to ask me if you want to play through! Some of us are just learning this game at this late age, so we can also enjoy some of the most beautiful land in the world --on golf courses!

And we are very glad you are. None on this is meant to discourage anyone. Enjoy yourself, it is wonderful to have all of these courses for a pittance. We live like Kings here. Don't we?

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by DigitalGranny

I'm so new to golf that I just pray I actually Hit the ball! I don't intend to ever hold anyone up, so please feel free to ask me if you want to play through! Some of us are just learning this game at this late age, so we can also enjoy some of the most beautiful land in the world --on golf courses!

I like your attitude, but unfortunately playing through is not a solution in most cases. In the villages the courses are generally booked solid, so if you let someone play through, the next group is likely to be right on top of you. The best advice is to just keep moving, don't spend a lot of time looking for wayward balls, pick up out of the sand after one failed attempt, and pick up at double par. Score or strict interpretation of the rules of golf don't matter in a recreational round, especially for a beginner. Keep moving, enjoy the round, go to the range occasionally, and pretty soon you will begin to hit the ball more consistently.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Hilton Head Rental

If someone else said this before I apologise. Great minds think alike. [don't you hate it when people say that]

You know you are a beginner if you:

never pick up putts because you like the way it sounds when the ball hits the bottom of the cup.

say, "That's One" when the ball falls off the tee.

tee it up in the fairway.

hit a house and look for the ball.

don't understand why after playing the game, once a week for six months you're not very good.

keep score without counting wiffs, penalty strokes, "gimme" putts or mulligans.

sincerely offer comfort, support and encouragement to others but get mad at yourself.

and finally

wear two pairs of sox just in case you get a hole in one.

I don't know about that meaning a newbie. I have been golfing for a lot of years and some of that list applies to me now and again LOL