If you’re like me and a recreational golfer out to have fun, enjoy some friends or family and like being in the great outdoors, following all the crazy detailed rules of golf can make it seem daunting. I’m not trying to win individual tournaments or make the tour. I want to have an enjoyable day, hit some good shots and mostly have fun.
The below topics can help. These are all things I do on most rounds I play.
Embrace mulligans and other improvements
Even the pros make bad shots sometimes. Allow yourself a few mulligans every round. I try not to take any but if I do happen to shank one or hit one that doesn’t travel real far I will allow myself to “hit another one”. I tell my playing partners the same thing. We are out enjoying a practice round of golf, what’s the harm in hitting another?
Now, there are limitations here in my opinion. You shouldn’t redo a shot if it’s going to slow the pace of play in your group and effect other groups. Most of the time, playing here in Colorado these days we play on crowded courses that we end up waiting to hit on a lot of shots. So if you’re waiting anyway there is no harm. Also, if no one is behind you it doesn’t hurt either.
Also, it’s OK to improve you lie a little bit. End up in a divot or hole that could make your shot more difficult? Just move your ball out of the problem to help yourself have a more successful shot. Now if you’re playing for money or something don’t but if your just out having fun who cares. Behind a tree, move it over a little. Horrible at fairway bunkers, gosh I am, pull it out and put it in the fairway. In some deep rough, move you ball to a slightly better lie.
All of these improvements can help you enjoy your round a little more.
Choose the right course or tee box
Playing a very difficult golf course when you have a higher handicap can be very frustrating. Difficult courses require some additional precision with shots and not having that precision can make the round painful.
Start out playing a par 3 course or an executive course. Par 3’s are usually easier and a quick round of golf. Par 3’s can help you work on your short game which is important. Executive courses are slightly shorter too and once again you get to work on your short game.
Don’t be afraid to move up to a closer tee box either. Courses are going to different set-ups now and most no longer have a ladies tee. The courses will most likely tell you which tee box is ideal for you based on your handicap. There is no shame in moving up tee boxes even if others in your group are using boxes behind yours. Reminder, the goal here is to make golf more fun, not less. Also it helps keep up the speed of play.
If you do some research on golf you will see some golfers talk about using the very front tee boxes first and shooting well before moving back to a further tee box. Everyone is different so do what works best for you but there are several ways to play the different types of tee boxes.
A little apprehensive or embarrassed about playing a shorter distance tee box? Play a back one on the first hole if your worried about people seeing what you are doing. The jump up to the one you want to play going forward. No one will notice on the tee boxes away from the clubhouse.
Play Scramble or Best Ball
These formats involve playing as a team and selecting the best shot from each player for each stroke. It reduces the pressure on individual players and can lead to more exciting outcomes.
Hit a ball out of bounds or just loose one all together. Just go up and drop one near the same spot or even next to a fellow player. See who can hit the next shot closer to the hole or who can hit it best.
Don’t keep track of your stokes
For some golfers, just the stress of keeping score and trying to shoot par is enough to stress someone out. If this is you, just don’t keep count. Especially if your a new player. Wait a little bit until you feel more comfortable about playing before actually keeping track. This step alone can really help make the game more fun.
Conclusion
Remember, our goal here is just to make golf more fun. This is the best way to get started at golf without getting too serious at first. Unless your trying to get a golf scholarship or become a pro, the best way to get out and golf is to make the experience as fun ass possible.
The above items are just a couple of ways to make golf the most fun it can be. Don’t take it or yourself too serious and you’ll have many happy rounds in your future.
Comments or questions about this post? Leave a message below and I’ll get back to you soon.