Embarrassing questions from a club newbie

[shun_naka]

Hi all,

Considering joining my local club which I've posted about on here in the last few days and just have some really basic questions about golf clubs

How do they work at the weekends? I've seen them post regularly about medals etc on Saturdays - does this mean you can't play on a Saturday unless it's in a competition? (I wouldn't feel confident about playing competitively)

I've just moved to the area so I'd like to use it to meet other people - is there a way you can be put in a random 3/4 ball to play?

What is how do I do and how does it work?

 

[IanM]

It varies from club to club, so no one uniform answer.

Speak to the club, explain you're new to the area and if they're worth joining, they will tell you all you need to know.

What club is it,? Chances are someone on here will know it or be a member!

 

[timd77]

Each club will be different but many will have comps in the morning only so it’s worth checking. The 2 courses I’ve been a member at have had weekend comps running all day and sometimes morning only, I guess it depends on the size of the membership, how many are active and the format of the comp.

How did I do (HDID) is just a website/app for booking tee times, recording scores and results etc. Intelligent golf (IG) is another similar one.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Some clubs will do competitions, some will do roll ups where you can be drawn with different players.

Might be worth having a chat with the pro, they might do group lessons and that’s a great way to meet other people.

Most competitions will be over by lunchtime, so that’s the time to hit the course, afternoons can be quite quiet , join in the comps when you feel ready ?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Just because we have comps going on doesn't stop you playing...the choice to enter a comp or not is yours. With us (under nomral conditions) its turn up, wait your turn and go, If you want to enter the comp on the day thats up to you, but not entering it isn't a barrier from playing.

 

[pendodave]

What happens at ours is that we will have between 4 and 6 comps a month at weekends, some on Sunday, some on Saturday. On non comp weekend days there are swindles (informal group friendly comps) which welcome all comers and are randomly drawn. You'd get plenty of sociable golf. (Though not happening right now due to covid).
As noted above though - every club is different, you'll need to ask.

 

[jim8flog]

Where I play there are one or two competitions a month on Saturdays.

To get a morning tee time you would generally have to be entering the competition. If you book the tee slot in advance via the web the entry is automatic. Bookings can be done on the day via the pro shop or office without entering the comp.

We also have a 9 hole course where entering the comp is optional.

On non comp Saturdays every member gets the same opportunity to book a tee time, booking opens up at 8pm 8 days in advance and by 8.01 all the morning slots have gone.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome along. No right or wrong answer and clubs all operate differently. Some clubs run competitions that are hugely popular and so tee times may be set aside until early-mid afternoon which isn't an issue at this time of year but may cause an issue if you want to play in the winter (unless you improve or feel you can join in). Some clubs operate weekend roll ups (sometimes called things like swindles or greedies). Again depending on the club, some may be very cliquey and hard to break into but hopefully, like my club, all are open to all and are very accommodating especially to new members.

Again some clubs are very good at introducing new members to the fold and they'll find you someone to play with initially and hopefully those playing partners will introduce you to a few of their mates and so it grows. If the club operates a tee booking time system, why not simply bung your name down. Most club members at most clubs are friendly and welcoming and so they'll help you out. Start by having a chat with the office or the club pro (who may also be able to help source you a game)

 

[williamalex1]

What club are you thinking of,Im not too far away in Uddingston I might know it and be able to help.

 

[Grant85]

Hi all,

Considering joining my local club which I've posted about on here in the last few days and just have some really basic questions about golf clubs

How do they work at the weekends? I've seen them post regularly about medals etc on Saturdays - does this mean you can't play on a Saturday unless it's in a competition? (I wouldn't feel confident about playing competitively)

I've just moved to the area so I'd like to use it to meet other people - is there a way you can be put in a random 3/4 ball to play?

What is how do I do and how does it work?

Generally speaking, most Saturdays will have competitions on. Usually these will run till mid afternoon and likely you'll be able to play late afternoon or early evening outside of the competition.

Usually there will be 1 Saturday a month with no big competition. This will likely be an alternate medal (i.e. people can choose to play, but it's not compulsory) and you can go out and play a casual game if you want.

My advice is once you get in, get a handicap and get involved in some competitions. If for no other reason, then it means you can play Saturdays.
You will get a handicap by handing in 3 cards marked & signed by another club member.
Usually, 2 of these can be in casual games (off the yellow tees) where you can play any time of the week and one will need to be on a competition day off the whites.

If you don't know anyone, then I'd say best advice is to turn up at a time you like playing and ask about. You'll find that most of the time people will be very accommodating, especially if they realise you are new and trying to get a handicap. And hopefully if they are not they will be polite enough and you can wait and ask some others.

If your club uses BRS, then quite easy to perhaps pair up with other singles and 2 balls to get people to mark your cards etc or just to get a game with other players.

 

[shun_naka]

Thanks for the replies.
went down to the club today and it looks like Saturday is competition day with sunday 9-11am overspill

So I’ll need to play some casual games with others to get 3 signed scorecards and get my handicap (probably be 28!)

How do competitions actually work? Do you need to be decent to play?

 

[backwoodsman]

Thanks for the replies.
went down to the club today and it looks like Saturday is competition day with sunday 9-11am overspill

So I’ll need to play some casual games with others to get 3 signed scorecards and get my handicap (probably be 28!)

How do competitions actually work? Do you need to be decent to play?

To enter a competition, you'll need to have a competition handicap - which means (for now) you'll have had to submit your three initial cards for assessment. After that though, no, you generally dont need to be "good" - that's why we have handicaps. Some prestigious competitions in the club might have a handicap limit - but that's likely to be very few.

 

[patricks148]

i would ask the clubs you are thinking of joining are there groups to join and intergration initiatives (new member meet ups) to find playing partners

 

[timd77]

Thanks for the replies.
went down to the club today and it looks like Saturday is competition day with sunday 9-11am overspill

So I’ll need to play some casual games with others to get 3 signed scorecards and get my handicap (probably be 28!)

How do competitions actually work? Do you need to be decent to play?

When I first joined a club and didn’t have a handicap, I played in the comps but just couldn’t win. Your playing partners will mark your card and after 3 comps you’ll have your handicap. Good way of meeting people and gets you used to competing without the full pressure! Not sure if all clubs allow that?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Thanks for the replies.
went down to the club today and it looks like Saturday is competition day with sunday 9-11am overspill

So I’ll need to play some casual games with others to get 3 signed scorecards and get my handicap (probably be 28!)

How do competitions actually work? Do you need to be decent to play?

Think Backwoodsman has pretty much covered it. Once you get your handicap, get stuck in. Don't worry about being nervous, that's common and if you are unsure of the rules there is a some great apps that give you the basics but ask, especially before touching your ball. I also recommend getting a copy of the rule book as sadly some people you'll play with will tell you a ruling and how to proceed, and swear blind it's right, and you'll find with experience they're wrong and were misinformed somewhere down the line and have been getting it wrong. It may be better to start with a stableford where you have the option to pick up if you have a bad hole without ruining your round, whereas a medal round needs you to complete each hole (and it'll be a No Return or NR if you don't).

Either way, get the cards done asap and then the choice of when to enter is all yours

 

[shun_naka]

Thanks everyone.

This sounds daft, but as someone who is relatively new and will be a hacker, will current members not be annoyed if I tailgate a round they’re booked in so I can get them to sign my card, so I can get a handicap?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Thanks everyone.

This sounds daft, but as someone who is relatively new and will be a hacker, will current members not be annoyed if I tailgate a round they’re booked in so I can get them to sign my card, so I can get a handicap?

Why not ask in the pro shop or office if there are any players around that would be keen to help

 

[shun_naka]

Why not ask in the pro shop or office if there are any players around that would be keen to help

I asked the captain today who showed me around the course. He said there would be loads but the majority would be playing when I’m working (i work 9-5). Said there will be others and not To worry
Just can imagine say 3 mates going out together, I book alongside on the brs system and they’d be like ‘who’s this numpty Completely missing the ball on his swing?!’

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

I asked the captain today who showed me around the course. He said there would be loads but the majority would be playing when I’m working (i work 9-5). Said there will be others and not To worry
Just can imagine say 3 mates going out together, I book alongside on the brs system and they’d be like ‘who’s this numpty Completely missing the ball on his swing?!’

I thought about this, not just for newbies but it would be quite nice if you could mark it as green or red if you're happy for others to join - obviously no choice if course is full.

On comps, at clubs I've been before they were three balls so if a gap just book in and everyone was happy.

Only other option is to book an early spot say on the weekend as a one ball and see if others sign up to join you. Expect they will on competition day and then you don't feel like imposing - or if you can add guest name then perhaps write any other players welcome (?).

 

[backwoodsman]

Thanks everyone.

This sounds daft, but as someone who is relatively new and will be a hacker, will current members not be annoyed if I tailgate a round they’re booked in so I can get them to sign my card, so I can get a handicap?

Short answer - nope. They wont be annoyed (or to be more accurate, most people at most clubs wont be). Just be honest on the first tee. Say you're new and not very experienced &/or not very good. Most folk will happy enough to help you through your first few games. After all, everyone was in that position at some time.