I recently played my first round of 9 holes since high school (I’m 29 now). I did a week-long golf camp when I was a teenager, so I have some of the basics down but I still had to let 3 groups play through over those 9 holes. I would say I make respectable contact with the ball 70% of the time?
I know a week isn’t long enough to actually get good, but I’m in crisis mode. Everybody told me I’d be a fool to pass on the invite, but I don’t know how I can participate without making everybody else miserable.
If you knew you were going to be playing 2 full days of golf with some clown, what do you MOST wish they would/could do? What would they likely do/not do that would drive you nuts? Both skill-wise and socially? What should I educate myself on so as not to make a grand display of my ignorance?
by ScumbagGina
25 Comments
Just suck quickly. Know when to pick up, know when to stop looking for a ball you’re never going to find. Basically just don’t be slow. Also just have fun. you won’t be the only shitty golfer on the course
Everything there is to know about course etiquette and charisma cause the golf swing isn’t gonna do it
If you’re cool and keep up with pace then everything will be fine. Nobody cares if you’re not as good
Convince one of the guys or all to scramble with you. It allows you to pitch in without your bad shots putting you in worse spots.
You can’t muscle a golf course
This dude is a legend and this is one of my favorite videos of his for developing a solid swing. You’ve got the same type of swing he actually addresses in this video!
https://youtu.be/v8rcrWeHeHM?si=T89n4EJwRgP_c-wy
This will help unlock the basics of what we’re all trying to achieve in a golf swing and it should help make it feel much easier.
Play bad fast and buy everyone some rounds.
Don’t take a million practice swings. You’ll want to – don’t. Focus on having a good time and bringing the vibes. You won’t suddenly become great at golf but you can have fun!
Make of game of it play the whole course from 150yds in and let the fellas bet the over under on every hole. Its gonna be a great time don’t take it serious have a some drinks enjoy not being at work👍
Get your buddies drunk so they dont notice
Honestly not enough time to make a significant difference so I say, just have fun and do not take it too serious. Nobody likes golfing with a high handicapper that gets mad he isn’t hitting tour shots.
The fact that you got invited, and then you are asking here how not to make it miserable for others, probably suggests you’ll be just fine. Smile a lot, shrug off the bad ones, pick up here and there and they’ll enjoy having you with.
Swing less hard.
Looks to me like you need a pinch hitter. I’m available
I would practice putting & chipping everyday before & or after work. It will make a difference…. Short game.
One thing that helps is to not get mad. I think deep down, it’s a coping mechanism. Even if you aren’t aware of it, you’re throwing a fit because you think that if you act mad, other people will think you normally hit those shots good.
Nobody wants to play with someone throwing a fit.
Bring lots of extra balls. Don’t spend time looking for the ones you put in the woods or bushes. Just take a drop and keep it moving. If your partners are good, they will be happy to not have to wait on you every shot while you search the woods.
And for the love of god don’t get mad while you’re out there – you aren’t good (me neither) and certainly not good enough to get upset at a bad shot.
Generally, if you can keep your strokes to no more than +3 on a hole (pick up after that) and you are fun to be around, you’ll be fine.
I would work on heavy deadlifts bench and squats before the trip to help you hit further
If it is possible to get a last second lesson from a coach at a local golf course, that is what I’d recommend. You clearly have a pretty fast swing but definitely need some help with your form. Correcting your form is hard to do without someone in person helping you. Socially, just don’t talk during someone’s backswing, other than that, any ‘golf etiquette’ mistakes that you make won’t really matter if your friends all know that you’re basically a beginner.
My buddy’s swing looks just like this and he’s a blast to play with.
Do: Buy a shitload of cheap balls and don’t hold everyone up looking for them. It’s fine to pick up a hole. Buy/bring some bevvys. Ask them how you can help not drag them down.
Don’t: Ask them to play as a scramble. Talk during anyone’s back swing. Hang out right in their peripherals or stand casting a shadow right in their putting line. Get angry about sucking…”you’re not good enough to be mad about it”.
You’re all gonna have a great time man don’t sweat it too much
be quick and be the vibes guy, youll be fine
There’s nothing that can be done bro. Just play quick and have fun.
Be the funny guy who cracks jokes and beers.
Turn more and hold for a second or two. Be nice to the ball. Don’t try to swing real hard. Be smoooooth. That should be your swing thought. But bring the vibes. Laugh! Don’t get mad and throw tantrums. Expect to suck. If you go outta bounds, drop next to your buddy that hit a good shot. Drink a beer for me! Have a blast.
Practice making contact, not hitting it far. Shorten your backswing and slow down until you can make decent contact, then just stick with that swing for now.
If it’s a week away, change nothing, any swing tips or changes will mess you up in the short term
Work on striking and watching where the ball goes .
Then look into course Management if you slice tee up on the right side of the tea box and aim for the left side rough and vice versa.
If you’re chipping socks putt where possible.
Do not use any 60° or difficult to hit wedges .
Practice your putting.