What to teach somebody during their first round

[rob_golf1]

So I'm taking the other halfs brother for 9 holes on Saturday morning. He's been smashing his way through range balls since September and I thought he might get more out of a swift round.

My question is, how much info/knowledge do I provide him with by the end of the 9 holes on Saturday. As a youngster I was always taught the correct way to behave and play golf by my Dad. I'll certainly be introducing the other halfs bro to;

• Not walking on the line of a putt
• No talking whilst the other player is taking a shot
• Some of the fairly basic rules; OOB, water hazards

But is there anything else I should look to include during our 9 holes?

 

[351DRIVER]

I took a pal out for his first ever 9 holes a few years ago... he scored 69 btw, assuming it is just the two of you, you need to tell him nothing and just take it as it comes.

It is hardly going to be serious, he stands on your line during putting, mention it, he MAY not even need told having watched golf etc so no point going out there with a list, wait until it is obvious something needs mentioned then mention it.

 

[Tashyboy]

I took a pal out for his first ever 9 holes a few years ago... he scored 69 btw, assuming it is just the two of you, you need to tell him nothing and just take it as it comes.

It is hardly going to be serious, he stands on your line during putting, mention it, he MAY not even need told having watched golf etc so no point going out there with a list, wait until it is obvious something needs mentioned then mention it.

As above, if it's his first ever round he will be as nervous as hell. Leave owt til the 19th or if he asks.

 

[fundy]

let him be on his first game, let him have fun, address some of those issues a little further down the line

 

[Norrin Radd]

the only thing i would tell him is "DONT LICK YOUR BALLS"

 

[clubchamp98]

Tell him how good his good shots are
Just let him play.

we all learn the rules by breaking them and being told what we did and why we should try to not do it again.

Bugs me when you see A holes harassing learner drivers ,golfers can be like that.

 

[davemc1]

Shout mashed potato at point of impact on his first shot 😁

 

[Oddsocks]

Any times for pace of play.

Where to leave your bag when on the green/tee, watching your ball and trying to speed up finding it, being ready to play when it's his turn.

He's a virgin, learn them young!

 

[Craigg]

Make sure his shoes are clean

 

[garyinderry]

Safety of the course.

From getting hit by the ball or a swinging club for them and others around them.

 

[Capella]

Just set a good example and let things develop naturally. I think it is nicer if you explain the things you are doing ("I am taking the long way round here, so that I don't have to step on the line of your putt") then to dump a load of stuff he must and must not do onto him beforehand. He's going to be stressed enough as it is. The most important thing for him to learn is that experienced players hit embarrassingly bad shots as well, every round, so make sure you throw some in yourself . Keep an eye out when he is taking his shots so that he does not endanger anyone and be ready to shout "fore" for him if things go wrong.

 

[Hobbit]

Don't overload him with all the things that come to regular players naturally. Let him have fun. Keep coaching and advice to a minimum - that's for the practice ground. "Hands off as much as possible, hands on when necessary."

 

[Robobum]

Absolutely nothing, unless he asks.

Try to pick a quiet time and just encourage, laugh and have fun.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Give him a rule book now and tell him you will be quizzing him for 30 mins before you tee off. And loser pays for the drinks :thup:

 

[hairball_89]

Hardest shot on the course is the first on the first. Anything after that is a doddle.

As has been said though - if he watches golf on the tele he'll probably have a fair idea of when to be quiet and when to yell "GET IN THE HOLE" or "UUUU SSSSS A UUUUU SSSS A". Things about pace of play - looking for your partners ball, bag at the side of the green nearest to the next tee etc are easy ones. Most of it is probably only stuff that you'll need to mention once.

 

[Matty6]

I was in your brother-in-law's shoes last year. During my first few rounds with guys at the club I just asked them to point out anything I did wrong as we were going around. I think the key is to not overload him with information and help him enjoy the experience.

 

[londonlewis]

I took up golf in my late 20s and played my first round at a 9 hole course with a mate. He didn't tell me anything and that was fine with me.
A couple of weeks later we played a full 18 and the only thing he needed to tell me was about stepping on his line.

You learn as you go along, typically from making mistakes. If he falls in love with the game, he's going to be interested in understanding the intricacies of the sport. If he doesn't he in unlikely to be interested in playing again. So I wouldn't bombard him with too much info to start off with.