First Medal

[sneill]

Right guys the time has finally come. I joined my local club last October, got a starting handicap of 20 before Christmas, worked on the swing over the winter and was hitting decent rounds and was looking forward to my first season playing. However didn't quite go as planned thanks to my work. I was sent to Wales for best part of 6 months only getting about 36 hours at home at weekend and with a wife and small daughter. I havent played through the season so far. Ive managed 3 rounds in past week tho and am gonna enter medal either this week or next.

I have few questions though so as not to look the complete novice like I am.

1 Do I need to have good understanding of the rules?
2 My mate who I play with is away so is ok to just put my name on board with 1 of the 2 balls thats on?
3 Any useful hints or tips?

Ill let you all know how I get on?

 

[guest100718]

A knowledge of the most common rules is a good idea.

http://www.randa.org/en/Playing-Golf/Quick-Guide-to-the-Rules.aspx

 

[Evesdad]

Explain to your partners it's your first comp and I'm sure they'll take you under their wing, we've all been their. If unsure on a ruling ask. Hit a provisional if unsure. Have fun and relax.

 

[Siren]

I was very lucky in the fact that our pro at the time put me out with some really good guys in my first few comps who were totally understanding and very helpfull.

To this day they are still my preferred playing partners.

 

[sneill]

Thanks for advice guys. Wifes said I can play in this saturdays monthly medal so looks like it gonna be a quiet friday night

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Enjoy them and remember that a few nerves on the first tee is to be expected and most golfers get them. It's about not letting them affect you. If you have any rules questions ask before you do anything like picking or moving the ball if you're unsure. Aside from that play well, have fun and enjoy. The worse that will happen is a 0.1

 

[virtuocity]

+1 about telling your fellow competitors that you're competing in your first medal. They will most likely talk you through the whole process but don't expect any advice on shot or club selection- this is against the rules.

Have a read at the basic rules and have a look at what you need to fill out on the scorecard.

As for the game, enjoy it and do your very best to get a score on every hole- no N/Rs if you can avoid it.

First tee nerves get better all the time. My advice- take driver and smash it! Commit 100% to your shot. There's a good video by the meandmygolf guys about 1st tee nerves, give it a view.

Let us know how you get on- you may struggle to do so as it might be a blur!

Enjoy, good luck and enjoy- in that order!

 

[sneill]

Well played in 1st medal today and would like to forget most o it. Was over 100 and that was with 2 pars lol

 

[Basher]

Well played in 1st medal today and would like to forget most o it. Was over 100 and that was with 2 pars lol

Don't worry about the score, you've got your first round in.
My first round was a Stableford comp, scored 17 points! Nevertheless I enjoyed it.

You'll be ok on the next one!

 

[Smiffy]

As it's a medal I suggest that on any given shot, if there is a chance that you might struggle to find your ball, hit a provisional "just in case".
In a bounce game or stableford if you can't find your ball you can just forget about it and blob the hole.
In a medal, you're walking back to where you played your last shot, and this is why we sometimes get 5 hour plus rounds in medals.

 

[williamalex1]

Don't worry about your score it will vary as mine did 13 strokes worse than my midweek medal. But i still enjoyed the company and the odd good shot.
Worse thing that can happen is you go up .1, just remember the good shots and enjoy.:thup:

 

[sneill]

I hit few good ones already booked in for next medal on wednesday