Playing with beginners

[Lydo]

I'm playing a round with 2 absolute beginners tomorrow afternoon. One guy who's only played about 5 rounds in total (the last time being 3 years ago) and the other who's playing for the very first time on a course.

Any tips on how to make it enjoyable for them and at the same time being able to have a wee side bet for a bit of banter as well. Probably do something like the 2 losers get the winner a drink afterwards it.

I'm not the greatest player myself (18) but I was thinking of giving them 1 stroke on par 3s and 2 strokes on the 4s and 5s.

Any ideas?

 

[351DRIVER]

tbh i think you just have to go play golf, there cannot really be a competitive element in it, when they can barely contact the ball and have no idea if they will shoot 11 on the first or 6

Just enjoy the game... place a bet against them making a par perhaps?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I have done a wee comp around the putting before. Keeps everyone going to the green. Maybe prize for lowest total number of putts; or maybe prize for highest number of two putts or better. Even the newest players have a fair idea about putting, but maybe you give the newest player a putting handicap of say 12 and the other one of 6 - take them on the putting green beforehand to see how good or bad they are then decide?

 

[Lydo]

I have done a wee comp around the putting before. Keeps everyone going to the green. Maybe prize for lowest total number of putts; or maybe prize for highest number of two putts or better. Even the newest players have a fair idea about putting, but maybe you give the newest player a putting handicap of say 12 and the other one of 6 - take them on the putting green beforehand to see how good or bad they are then decide?

Thanks this is actually a good shout. We're a competitive group and its only for a couple of quid, it will be a good laugh if we can have a wee bet on it.

 

[351DRIVER]

Putting idea is a good one

 

[HankMarvin]

Rather you than me, I would give it a wide berth but as you play off 18 I am sure there wont be much difference to your round so just go out and try to enjoy it. Who knows you might even win :cheers:

 

[ScienceBoy]

Let them get on with it, help them keep pace and etiquette.

Shots out the rough are pointless to get them back on the fairway. 3 shots max in a bunker etc.

Putting wise, twice as far through as you go back. Helps beginners every time.

 

[Fish]

Rather you than me, I would give it a wide berth but as you play off 18 I am sure there wont be much difference to your round so just go out and try to enjoy it. Who knows you might even win :cheers:

😂 This is quite tame for you, I'd have thought you'd have said to stay away from the course or go about 6pm when everyone's gone home or get down the range and have a comp to see how far you can all hit the ball 😜

Lydo, enjoy the day, and help them enjoy it.

 

[LIG]

Let them get on with it, help them keep pace and etiquette.

Shots out the rough are pointless to get them back on the fairway. 3 shots max in a bunker etc.

+1 :thup:

...especially if they often miss/mis hit the ball anyway.

Bunkers - a mate of mine was allowed to place his ball on the edge of the green for a penalty shot when he first started. Carried on doing that for about 5-6 years iirc.

Whatever you do, you must keep score, so that after a few rounds you can decide what handicap each should play off.

Most of all, keep it fun.:fore:

 

[Pin-seeker]

Just pray that neither of them beat you.

 

[mashleyR7]

When I was a beginner there was only one format I knew and cared about, strokes. How many shots it took me to get round or the ball in each hole. I didn't know about rules, formats, handicaps or anything else. When I went to play I just counted how many times I hit the ball. Then after a few years of this, when I started to hit the ball a bit more consistently I started to learn the game.
If they are true beginners then just help them round the course with pace of play and decent etiquette. I'm sure they'll appreciate this more than confusing them with, points and additional game rules.

 

[HankMarvin]

 This is quite tame for you, I'd have thought you'd have said to stay away from the course or go about 6pm when everyone's gone home or get down the range and have a comp to see how far you can all hit the ball 

Lydo, enjoy the day, and help them enjoy it.

To be fair you have raised a good few points

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Personally I'd just go and play and worry more about getting them round and ensuring they don't hold anyone up behind. Let them make mistakes and just let them enjoy it