28 duffer newbie

[Burr]

I'm 42 and started playing golf 3 months ago because a good friend knew it would do me good.
I joined as a member of his small local club and enter every Saturday competition. I only get to play 27 holes max through the week.
The vast majority of the folk I play with and share a pint or two are brilliant and give me tips or tell me to slow down.
Some not so much (and I don't blame them for not volunteering to play with the clubs worst player).
I think I'm improving and now get 3 or 4 par 3s & 4s.. and I love it!.. but then things happen like taking a rage 11 out of a bunker or clipping edge of club into scrubbery from the fairway and taking 6 to get out.
Anyone been in my shoes as a late starter beginning at a complete novice and not a very good one offer any tips?
I've got lessons booked but there's only one pro in our area and it's still 2 weeks away

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Well - you've got a few key things right from the start - you've decided to give golf a go; you've joined a small club; you've met fellow golfers; you've got lessons booked - and you are having fun.

Now just understand that as a complete newbie (your age is irrelevant) you have to learn to crawl before you walk - never mind run. It takes time and application. But if you accept that you are probably not going to be single figures for quite some time, then you will give yourself permission to struggle along as you improve - and with that permission you can really enjoy learning to play this most damnably difficult of games. The pleasure can be immense, but you have to give yourself time,

 

[Tashyboy]

Invest in a bunker lesson, seriously. When you have been shown how easy it is, your first up and down in two from a bunker will see a massive weight lifted off your shoulder.
Dont put any pressure on yourself. If you can get 3 or 4 pars in a round your not doin to bad.
away from the fact you are trying to get better, don't forget you are having a good laugh with your pals.

 

[Face breaker]

Yep, I feel yer pain buddy, good news is 'things can only get better' bad news is they'll probably get worse first !... :rofl:

The trick is not to take it to seriously, I tend to go out on my own a fair bit 'that way' you can make as many cock ups as you like and yer not ruining someone else's round, then when you get better and feel that yer able to hold yer own yer larfing...

 

[ScienceBoy]

You can pick up your ball at any point on a hole but keep scoring on the next.

In a stableford it's just a couple of points lost, in medal your now just playing for a handicap cut.

Never any need to score over 10 on a hole, that's just slow play.

 

[Imurg]

Don't forget to use penalty drops.
If you're in a bush or rough and can't swing properly, consider dropping within 2 club lengths ( not nearer the hole) and add a shot to your score.
It may get you out in the clear where it could take 2 or 3 swings to achieve the same...

 

[Face breaker]

Don't forget to use penalty drops.
If you're in a bush or rough and can't swing properly, consider dropping within 2 club lengths ( not nearer the hole) and add a shot to your score.
It may get you out in the clear where it could take 2 or 3 swings to achieve the same...

And don't be ashamed to knock it out sideways or even backwards if the need should arise (especially where bunkers or trees are concerned) better than just trying to blast yer way outta the s**t and ending up in an even bigger pile 'o' poop !... :thup:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Keep going. It will get better. If you hit a bad shot get back in play as quickly as you can. Use your strokes and realise that a par 4 is a par 5/6 depending on SI so you don't need to try and be making par. Even a net bogey isn't a disaster. If you struggle with bunkers a lesson will help. As others say, use penalty drops as well

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Don't forget to use penalty drops.
If you're in a bush or rough and can't swing properly, consider dropping within 2 club lengths ( not nearer the hole) and add a shot to your score.
It may get you out in the clear where it could take 2 or 3 swings to achieve the same...

And get to know the rules and not be afraid of using them - even when it seems that you are getting an 'unfair' outcome. On our par5 18th yesterday with a good score on the cards - I hit my tee shot slightly right and off the fairway into a small plantation. I was in the middle of it with only at best a 50 yd pitch out, and unable to reach green in three.

But my swing was impeded by a staked tree. So I took relief. And dropped in a position where another staked tree interfered with my swing. And so took another drop. And I ended up in the first cut rough now with a shot shot available (note that this is why young plantations are often defined as areas you can get relief from). I hit it to within lob wedge distance of green. Onto green - two putts and a par. And my best round for ages.

Now from where I was with no shot in the middle of trees looking at best at a 6 - more likely a 7 - I got a 5. Because I used the rules to my advantage. Don't be afraid of using them. But first you've got to know them, And this forum is the best place on the planet for getting advice and guidance on the rules of golf.