“IT’S OKAY” TO PLAY GOLF FOR FUN
GUILTLESS WAYS TO MAKE GOLF MORE FUN WHILE LEARNING
1. It’s okay to not keep score.
2. It’s okay to play from the shortest tees or start at the 150 yard marker.
3. It’s okay to give yourself a better lie by rolling the ball around a little. It’s okay to tee the ball up anywhere when you are first learning.
4. It’s okay to only count swings when you make contact with the ball.
5. It’s okay to throw the ball out of a bunker after one try.
6. It’s okay to forget about a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. It’s okay to drop a ball where you think it might be…or where you wanted it to be.
7. It’s okay to play a scramble with your group…scrambles are very popular.
8. It’s okay to just chip and putt on a hole when you feel like it.
9. It’s okay to pick up in the middle of the hole and enjoy the outdoors and scenery.
10. It’s okay to skip a hole if you need to take a break.
11. It’s okay to play less than 9 or 18‐holes and call it a round of golf.
12. It’s okay to move your ball away from trees, rocks or very hilly lies.
13. It’s okay to hit the same club for the entire round, while using a putter on the putting green.
14. It’s okay to play golf in your sneakers. Be comfortable!
15. It’s okay to get enthusiastic! (High fives, fist pumps and big smiles are encouraged)
16. It’s okay to talk on the golf course…enjoy a nice conversation or tell a few jokes.
17. It’s okay to bring your kids to the course, whether they are 5 or 35.
18. It’s okay to PLAY GOLF JUST FOR FUN!
READY GOLF HINTS
QUICK TIPS TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE READY TO PLAY AND KEEP THE GAME MOVING ALONG.
The following are easy things you can do, so when it is your turn, you are ready to play. If it speeds up play and is safe to do, give it a try. Each hole should be played in 10-13 minutes.
1. Be thinking about your next shot while others are playing – read the green, grab your club, take a practice swing in a safe location.
2. Prepare for the next shot by having your equipment ready (glove on, tees, ball marker, etc.)
3. You can tee off in any order you’d like – whoever’s ready goes first.
4. You don’t have to be the furthest away to hit (as long as it’s safe.)
5. Go directly to your own ball, even if it’s a little ahead, (as long as it’s safe.)
6. Carry a few clubs with you - ex. Take your chipping club AND your putter with you.
7. If you ride in a cart, you can always walk to your ball (may even have to walk back sometimes.)
8. You may putt‐out by continuous putting on the green (you don’t have to mark the ball and wait – especially on short putts.)
9. On the green, don’t feel like you have to always mark your ball – (only if it’s in the way of another player.)
10. When you finish the hole, please clear the green area immediately so the next group can hit. You can talk about the hole on the way to the next tee and fill out your scorecard while other golfers are teeing off on the next hole.
There may be times when you are encouraged to follow golf etiquette more closely (in outings, events or social tournament) but when learning to play the game and to keep it fun, utilize these Ready Golf Hints.
Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.
Common Golf Terms
Ace: You are said to make an 'ace' when you sink your ball in one shot on a hole
Address: The way that a golfer positions his or her body immediately before hitting the ball. Every golfer has his or her own unique address.
Best Ball: A golf game in which the better score from a 2-person team is counted.
Birdie: You are said to make a 'birdie' when you sink your ball in one less shot than the par for a specific hole. For instance, if the hole is a par 4 and you sink your ball in only 3 shots then you have made a birdie.
Bogey: You are said to make a 'bogey' when you sink your ball in one more shot than the par for a specific hole. For instance, if the hole is a par 4 and you sink your ball in 5 shots then you have made a bogey.
Bunker: A bunker is a hazard area which is filled with sand in his usually sited near the green or on the fairway.
Chip: The chip is a shot that is normally played from just off the green. This shot will usually pop up slightly over the longer grass to then roll for the majority of the distance like a putt on the putting green.
Divot: A divot is a small piece of turf which is removed by your golf club when you hit a ball. Divots should be repaired (replaced) as a matter of basic golf course etiquette.
Dogleg: A 'dogleg' refers to the curved pathway (right or left) of the hole from the tee to the cup.
Draw: A draw describes a shot which bends slightly right to left (for right handed golfers, left to right for left handed golfers).
Eagle: You are said to make an 'eagle' when you sink your ball in two less shots than the par for a specific hole. For instance, if the hole is a par 5 and you sink your ball in only 3 shots then you have made an eagle. You can also 'eagle' a par 3 hole but, in this case, you are said to have made an 'ace'.
Fade: A fade is a shot which bends slightly from the left to right (for right-handed golfers, right to left for left handed golfers).
Fat: A fat shot occurs whenever your clubface strikes the ground too soon before hitting the ball.
Fore: The word 'fore' is shouted loudly as a warning signal when a ball is hit and heading in the direction of another player. When heard on the golf course, it is a good idea to stop, duck and cover your head.
Handicap: A handicap is a system of adjustment to the score system so that golfers of different skill levels can compete with one another without the better players dominating the game.
Hazard: Hazards are area of the golf course (typically sand and water) which are designed to make life difficult for players.
Hook: A hook shot is a shot which severely bends from right to left (for right-handed golfers, left to right for left handed golfers).
Par: The designated number of shots the given hole is designed to be shot in.
Scramble: A team format where 2 or more golfers hit a shot from the same position and the best shot is selected out of the team until the ball is holed. (not to be confused with best ball format).
Thin: When a shot is struck above the bottom of the golf ball (closer to the equator of the ball with the bottom of the club face)
You don't need golf clubs to get started.
Though it's important to check with your particular golf course to see if they have a specific dress code, here are some tips to help you find the right golf attire for your next swing on the greens.
The foundation of almost all golf attire is a smart pair of khakis. They are versatile, look professional, and go with just about everything.
Also, make sure they aren't too long. The hem should sit just on top of your shoes. Anything longer will begin to bunch around your ankle.
If the day is hot and you've decided to wear shorts to the golf course, make sure they hit just above your kneecap. Anything longer looks sloppy and anything shorter is often seen as inappropriate.
And leave the cargo shorts at home. They don't look professional and many private golf courses restrict them from their dress code.
Golf shoes with soft spikes will provide comfort while also giving you traction on the course, especially if you're playing a full 18-holes. A good fitting pair of shoes will also stabilize your swing.
Sneakers and tennis shoes are generally not allowed on many golf courses.
Oversized clothing looks sloppy and can get in the way of your swing. Wearing trim, sharp looking golf attire not only looks more professional, it gives you better movement and range of motion to swing freely.
You don't want your socks to become a nuisance or look unsightly. Be sure to wear socks that come just up to the ankle. Anything higher can look sloppy, not to mention they can start to slide down and become uncomfortable as the game plays on.
Another staple in any golfer's wardrobe is the collared polo shirt. Many of them come in fabrics that allow breathability on hot days, allowing you to stay cooler.
Most non-collared shirts are simply not allowed on golf courses. They tend to look too casual and sloppy.
Baseball-style caps and visors are the most appropriate golf attire for golfing head-wear. They are able to keep the sun out of your eyes without being too distracting.
Straw hats have been made popular by golfer Ben Hogan and are also allowed on most golf courses.
The proper golf attire will not only help you look like a golfing pro on the course, it can help you to improve your game as well. Contact us at the Golf Club of the Everglades to schedule a your next tee time or plan a golf outing with friends!
Yes there is an overwhelming amount of information to cover
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