Getting into regular golf

[3-off-the-tee]

Evening all,

I’ve been playing golf casually on and off for probably the last 10 years and have always loved playing. Unfortunately my standard of play has always been pretty bad and whilst I’m pretty sure there is a very average golfer in me somewhere, I’ve never had the time/will to work at it for long enough to improve sufficiently.

My golfing friends are few and far between and the person I tend to play with most struggles to find time to play which means my current playing time is once a fortnight if I’m lucky.

Ideally I would like to join a club in the Notts area and would like to meet some new playing partners who I can play with regularly as I could realistically get out 3-4 times a week myself.

I really like the idea of attending roll up matches to meet new players but I am concerned that my standard of play would lead to me being a hindrance/burden on other players. Is this something that is likely to be an issue?
I don’t play slowly and consider myself to have good etiquette on the course but I’ve only ever shot under 100 once whilst I’ve been playing.

Any help/guidance on how I could get into the sport properly would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ScienceBoy]

Lesson packages with playing lessons are essential IMO, no better way to learn to play the game well.

 

[3-off-the-tee]

Lesson packages with playing lessons are essential IMO, no better way to learn to play the game well.

Thanks for the reply, I will take a look at these ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome along. My advice would be get lessons and get the basic right and then join a club. I am sure from memory there are a few on here from your neck of the woods who can give you advise on which are decent. Get your handicap cards sorted, find a club that has easy to join competitions and roll ups and fill your boots

 

[3-off-the-tee]

Welcome along. My advice would be get lessons and get the basic right and then join a club. I am sure from memory there are a few on here from your neck of the woods who can give you advise on which are decent. Get your handicap cards sorted, find a club that has easy to join competitions and roll ups and fill your boots

Thanks, I’ve had a PM already from a member at a course I know quite well so already have that option available to me.

I think I’ll take the plunge this month and get a decent course of lessons booked.

 

[Orikoru]

I really like the idea of attending roll up matches to meet new players but I am concerned that my standard of play would lead to me being a hindrance/burden on other players. Is this something that is likely to be an issue?
I don’t play slowly and consider myself to have good etiquette on the course but I’ve only ever shot under 100 once whilst I’ve been playing.

It really shouldn't be. Every club should have enough decent, welcoming players to give you a game. There might be one or two tossers but easily avoided in the long run. Golf is about the company first and foremost.

 

[3-off-the-tee]

It really shouldn't be. Every club should have enough decent, welcoming players to give you a game. There might be one or two tossers but easily avoided in the long run. Golf is about the company first and foremost.

Thanks for that. The chap I play with regularly is off 15 or so and we tend to get around the course quickly, whilst his overall score always eclipses mine there are often quite a few close/competitive holes. Unfortunately my bad holes are often 9s or 10s! ?

 

[jim8flog]

Playing regularly is one of the things that might help a lot to get your standard of play to improve.

Joining a club is a good way of meeting others to play with. Hopefully the club will have some sort of meet and greet and maybe some one who will get you in with a roll up group.

 

[3-off-the-tee]

Playing regularly is one of the things that might help a lot to get your standard of play to improve.

Joining a club is a good way of meeting others to play with. Hopefully the club will have some sort of meet and greet and maybe some one who will get you in with a roll up group.

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[BridgfordBlue]

Would love to know how you get on with this and where you’re thinking of playing. I’m in very much a similar situation to you and also from the Notts area. I normally play with friends where I previously lived in Leicestershire but it’s increasingly difficult finding the time to drive over and they’re able to meet up a lot more regularly than I can get over there.

Looking to join a club too but the one I had my eye on and played a couple of times recently seems to be full now (I live not far from
Bingham so there’s quite a few courses within easy reach. Ive not been a member of a club for thirty years though, since my early teens, and finding it quite daunting to join one on my own, particularly in the current circumstances. Looks like I left it too long that the ones that really interested me seem to be full now as well!).

I’d love to get into the full aspect of it, but it’s hard to judge more than the course and the welcome you get at the mo. I’m looking into lessons too, but again without knowing people to give recommendations, it is quite daunting!

Best of luck, like I said, would love to know how you get on and share advice.

 

[3-off-the-tee]

Would love to know how you get on with this and where you’re thinking of playing. I’m in very much a similar situation to you and also from the Notts area. I normally play with friends where I previously lived in Leicestershire but it’s increasingly difficult finding the time to drive over and they’re able to meet up a lot more regularly than I can get over there.

Looking to join a club too but the one I had my eye on and played a couple of times recently seems to be full now (I live not far from
Bingham so there’s quite a few courses within easy reach. Ive not been a member of a club for thirty years though, since my early teens, and finding it quite daunting to join one on my own, particularly in the current circumstances. Looks like I left it too long that the ones that really interested me seem to be full now as well!).

I’d love to get into the full aspect of it, but it’s hard to judge more than the course and the welcome you get at the mo. I’m looking into lessons too, but again without knowing people to give recommendations, it is quite daunting!

Best of luck, like I said, would love to know how you get on and share advice.

It definitely does sound like we are in similar situations. I’m North Notts area so looking at possibly joining Oakmere which I have played quite a bit and enjoy.

 

[Grant85]

Evening all,

I’ve been playing golf casually on and off for probably the last 10 years and have always loved playing. Unfortunately my standard of play has always been pretty bad and whilst I’m pretty sure there is a very average golfer in me somewhere, I’ve never had the time/will to work at it for long enough to improve sufficiently.

My golfing friends are few and far between and the person I tend to play with most struggles to find time to play which means my current playing time is once a fortnight if I’m lucky.

Ideally I would like to join a club in the Notts area and would like to meet some new playing partners who I can play with regularly as I could realistically get out 3-4 times a week myself.

I really like the idea of attending roll up matches to meet new players but I am concerned that my standard of play would lead to me being a hindrance/burden on other players. Is this something that is likely to be an issue?
I don’t play slowly and consider myself to have good etiquette on the course but I’ve only ever shot under 100 once whilst I’ve been playing.

Any help/guidance on how I could get into the sport properly would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi mate,

I found myself in a similar situation about 10 years ago. Keen to get started and play more, but not many mates were interested and those that were, we struggled to match diaries with available courses (Saturday mornings tended to not be an option for non-members)

I quite quickly realised, like you, I had to join somewhere in order to play regularly, as well as hopefully practice / improve.

My guidance would be to join somewhere that isn't too expensive and isn't a long or very difficult course. Sorry, I don't know your area - but this is what I ended up doing and I think it was a godsend as I'd probably have got totally fed up playing a 6,500 yard course and shooting 120+ every week. Something that's 5,000 yards or so should be a good test, not take too long to play and allow you to improve without being demoralised early on.

By joining a low / mid range place I reckon you will find there are more in the way of casual games and 'roll-ups' that can introduce you to semi-competitive friendly golf without going out in a medal every week. Of course these will be available at higher end venues, but in my experience the lower level clubs tend to have these in greater abundance. But it can be a bit of pot-luck and there's no guarantee the club you join will have something like this.

Some clubs you'll find these to be accessible, others they might be quite intimidating. But I guess you have to just go up on the tee or clubhouse and ask a group if you can join them, or make up a fourball. Best guidance would be to go to the course at the time you want to play and see who is hanging about and just introduce yourself. Usually you'll get into a 'sweep' where maybe a dozen guys all put £1 or £2 into a pot as prize money, and then they spend the rest of the day moaning about the winner. All in good fun.

In terms of improving, I made the huge mistake of just assuming I would improve with regular play and practice rounds. While this was the case, it was a very slow process and it took me years to get my handicap into the teens. In reality I should have budgeted for lessons early on. In the winter of 2013/14, I had 7 x 1 hour lessons at a local range and in the following year reduced my handicap from 24 to 17 - I also won a matchplay comp and was finalist in another.

I would say to try and get in somewhere this month, play a few rounds, hopefully get a handicap before the end of the season, or at least record a few rounds to identify strengths / weaknesses. Then hopefully you can commit to a few lessons over the winter and really get into golf next year.

 

[3-off-the-tee]

Hi mate,

I found myself in a similar situation about 10 years ago. Keen to get started and play more, but not many mates were interested and those that were, we struggled to match diaries with available courses (Saturday mornings tended to not be an option for non-members)

I quite quickly realised, like you, I had to join somewhere in order to play regularly, as well as hopefully practice / improve.

My guidance would be to join somewhere that isn't too expensive and isn't a long or very difficult course. Sorry, I don't know your area - but this is what I ended up doing and I think it was a godsend as I'd probably have got totally fed up playing a 6,500 yard course and shooting 120+ every week. Something that's 5,000 yards or so should be a good test, not take too long to play and allow you to improve without being demoralised early on.

By joining a low / mid range place I reckon you will find there are more in the way of casual games and 'roll-ups' that can introduce you to semi-competitive friendly golf without going out in a medal every week. Of course these will be available at higher end venues, but in my experience the lower level clubs tend to have these in greater abundance. But it can be a bit of pot-luck and there's no guarantee the club you join will have something like this.

Some clubs you'll find these to be accessible, others they might be quite intimidating. But I guess you have to just go up on the tee or clubhouse and ask a group if you can join them, or make up a fourball. Best guidance would be to go to the course at the time you want to play and see who is hanging about and just introduce yourself. Usually you'll get into a 'sweep' where maybe a dozen guys all put £1 or £2 into a pot as prize money, and then they spend the rest of the day moaning about the winner. All in good fun.

In terms of improving, I made the huge mistake of just assuming I would improve with regular play and practice rounds. While this was the case, it was a very slow process and it took me years to get my handicap into the teens. In reality I should have budgeted for lessons early on. In the winter of 2013/14, I had 7 x 1 hour lessons at a local range and in the following year reduced my handicap from 24 to 17 - I also won a matchplay comp and was finalist in another.

I would say to try and get in somewhere this month, play a few rounds, hopefully get a handicap before the end of the season, or at least record a few rounds to identify strengths / weaknesses. Then hopefully you can commit to a few lessons over the winter and really get into golf next year.

Thanks for taking the time to write this I really appreciate it.

I think your suggestion of lessons/practice through the colder months sounds like a great idea and it’s definitely something I will look at doing.
I know from when I’ve played previously I spent very little time practicing and instead just thought playing once or twice a week would make me better. What I found was I improved to a certain point but then hit a brick wall and the lack of progress then made me start playing worse!

Thanks again

 

[BridgfordBlue]

It definitely does sound like we are in similar situations. I’m North Notts area so looking at possibly joining Oakmere which I have played quite a bit and enjoy.

We’re incredibly similar then, that’s the one I like the look of most too!

 

[ScienceBoy]

The only way I get regular golf is an hour down the par 3, I live for that hour...

 

[3-off-the-tee]

We’re incredibly similar then, that’s the one I like the look of most too!

Drop me a line if you fancy a round then mate ?

 

[IanM]

No one minds a bad golfer....everyone minds a inconsiderate one.

And everyone was a beginner once. Ask for help re rules or etiquette if needed, and pick up when you can't score.

People are (mostly) nice... they will help.
Have fun.

 

[3-off-the-tee]

No one minds a bad golfer....everyone minds a inconsiderate one.

And everyone was a beginner once. Ask for help re rules or etiquette if needed, and pick up when you can't score.

People are (mostly) nice... they will help.
Have fun.

Thanks mate. I like to think I’m a fairly quick player and I’m quiet/respectful whilst people are playing their shots. Hopefully should be alright!

 

[BridgfordBlue]

Drop me a line if you fancy a round then mate ?

I definitely will, I’m away next week but will message after that. We’re not dissimilar in level either, I played admirals a few weeks ago and was very happy to shoot 98 (I lived up to your username a few times with that too )