Playing my first 18 holes tomorrow

[Doon frae Troon]

Played this morning and there was a 3 ball in front of me and instead of letting me through they asked if i would like to join them. It was so much fun, no scoring just relaxed game. Two of the guys were older and one said he was a 3 handicap OMG every shot he hit was great. Not a single bad shot all day, guess thats whys hes 3 handicap. was totally different experience playing today and i really enjoyed it. Usually im just focus focus focus on score and i do enjoy trying to get me score down but its also good to have a laugh.

Well done and great progress.
As I said earlier do not focus entirely on your scores to judge your improvement.
I have had beginners who were making very good progress lose heart as they start believing that they are not getting any better because they are not scoring any better.
It is a long journey, you are doing exceptionally well and your scoring pattern shows that you have it in you to be pretty good. Not losing a ball in 18 holes and nothing worse than an eight is brilliant for the time you have been playing.
Watch out for the inevitable bad days and don't beat yourself up about them.

Spend time studying the rules and do not be afraid to ask more experienced players advice.
There is nothing club golfers enjoy more than tripping up and coming new golfers on their lack of knowledge of the rules.

 

[Looney lefty]

After the first 18 holes it gives you a score to beat and for me thats what i love. Always trying to get a personal best. Good luck on your first 18 and let us know how you score mate

well I went out this morning and played my first full 18 holes (only ever done either 9 or 18 on a par 3 course). Disastrous pretty much sums it up, even though it was very windy and had some rain thrown in. Went round in 138 (first 9 = 72 back 9 = 66)

 

[MrGrumtastic]

well I went out this morning and played my first full 18 holes (only ever done either 9 or 18 on a par 3 course). Disastrous pretty much sums it up, even though it was very windy and had some rain thrown in. Went round in 138 (first 9 = 72 back 9 = 66)

Well, at least now you've got a target to beat next time out!

 

[Looney lefty]

Well, at least now you've got a target to beat next time out!

Oh certainly room to improve 🤣

 

[126849660]

A

 

[sunshine]

well I went out this morning and played my first full 18 holes (only ever done either 9 or 18 on a par 3 course). Disastrous pretty much sums it up, even though it was very windy and had some rain thrown in. Went round in 138 (first 9 = 72 back 9 = 66)

Don't worry about it mate. A full size course can be unforgiving and demoralising for a new golfer. I'd suggest you stick to shorter courses until you feel confident you can knock a good 20 shots off that score, then slowly build up to tougher / longer courses. You'll find it much more fun that way... and golf is supposed to be fun!

 

[Crow]

well I went out this morning and played my first full 18 holes (only ever done either 9 or 18 on a par 3 course). Disastrous pretty much sums it up, even though it was very windy and had some rain thrown in. Went round in 138 (first 9 = 72 back 9 = 66)

That's fairly typical, I think I scored 151 the first round I played.

 

[Looney lefty]

Don't worry about it mate. A full size course can be unforgiving and demoralising for a new golfer. I'd suggest you stick to shorter courses until you feel confident you can knock a good 20 shots off that score, then slowly build up to tougher / longer courses. You'll find it much more fun that way... and golf is supposed to be fun!

cheers mate, don’t get me wrong, I fully enjoyed it - well apart for the strong wind and odd spells of rain. I know that I should’ve been playing my own game but felt I had to keep up with the 2 other I was playing with. One thing I noticed straight away was I didn’t feel that comfortable with them watching me - hopefully that will go away with time.[/QUOTE]

 

[IanM]

Played this morning and there was a 3 ball in front of me and instead of letting me through they asked if i would like to join them. It was so much fun, no scoring just relaxed game. Two of the guys were older and one said he was a 3 handicap OMG every shot he hit was great. Not a single bad shot all day, guess thats whys hes 3 handicap. was totally different experience playing today and i really enjoyed it. Usually im just focus focus focus on score and i do enjoy trying to get me score down but its also good to have a laugh.

....I am one of several one here really pleased you posted this. Golf has many forms, there's a time and a place for each.

Your original comments suggest you might pack it in when your scores plateaued or slumped.

...next, even enjoying a round where you played badly, because the course is so beautiful!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Cheers mate,

cheers mate, don’t get me wrong, I fully enjoyed it - well apart for the strong wind and odd spells of rain. I know that I should’ve been playing my own game but felt I had to keep up with the 2 other I was playing with. One thing I noticed straight away was I didn’t feel that comfortable with them watching me - hopefully that will go away with time.

Wind and rain can challenge even a seasoned player so for your first time on a full size course was tough. You need to have a decent pace of play (or let those behind through) but you shouldn't feel like you're rushing so may be worth a word in the ear of your mates. Also, don't worry about others looking at you. Just focus on the shot in hand and not worry about what others are thinking before or after the shot.

 

[Looney lefty]

Wind and rain can challenge even a seasoned player so for your first time on a full size course was tough. You need to have a decent pace of play (or let those behind through) but you shouldn't feel like you're rushing so may be worth a word in the ear of your mates. Also, don't worry about others looking at you. Just focus on the shot in hand and not worry about what others are thinking before or after the shot.

The pace of play wasn’t the problem, it was more trying to match their shots. I’ve never really hit a hybrid before but on a number of holes, saw them use it for their 2nd shot so felt i also had to use it (plus trying to make up for not hitting it as far as them). I think the looking at me thing was more being worried about getting judged if I mess up - it’s the same at the range, I will always look for an empty bay completely out of the way

 

[126849660]

A

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The pace of play wasn’t the problem, it was more trying to match their shots. I’ve never really hit a hybrid before but on a number of holes, saw them use it for their 2nd shot so felt i also had to use it (plus trying to make up for not hitting it as far as them). I think the looking at me thing was more being worried about getting judged if I mess up - it’s the same at the range, I will always look for an empty bay completely out of the way

Very hard in your first game. It feels as though there's a million and one things going on. What you need to do (range over the winter perhaps) is find out how far your clubs go for you. Just because your mates are hitting a hybrid or a 6 iron or whatever it is doesn't mean you have to. Also, if they are accomplished (or at least more advanced) and are hitting a hybrid, there is nothing to stop you hitting a seven iron and then a nine iron (and probably a safer strategy) to get the ball the same distance and probably closer to the green