Playing with Strangers
You have finally developed a half decent swing. Your last Range session left you feeling confident about using your 3 Wood off the Tee. You managed to hit a few targets with your short Irons. It’s time to get out on the course, and put all of that practice to good use. You are probably about a 40 handicap. Not including Mulligans, and duffs. Still you’re confident that you can get through a Round of Golf on a short course with a few balls. You give your Golfing buddy a call.
It’s Time
You arrive at your local 18 Hole public course that’s only 3000 yards long. It has a practice putting Green, so you hit a few while waiting for your friend to arrive. You even manage to sink a couple mid-length putts. Your confidence is high. This is going to be a great day! Your friend arrives, and the two of you head into the club house to pay for your Round. You almost carry your clubs inside when your friend informs you that you aren’t allowed to. What? These clubs cost me a pretty penny! You realize that everyone else’s clubs are standing by the door as well so uncomfortably you do the same. With your Round tickets in hand, the two of you head over to the starter. “Good morning, great day for a Round” he says. What he says next will shatter your positive outlook for the day. “It’s pretty busy today, so I’ll be pairing you up”. Pairing us up! What does that mean? “You will be playing with those two people waiting by the first Tee” he tells us.
Oh shit no!
Your friend acts like nothing has happened. Obviously this has happened before. How could they not tell you that this was a possibility? Your heart starts racing. You suddenly are aware that your hands are a bit sweaty. So many possibilities of what could happen start swirling through your mind. What if I shank my first Tee shot? What am I going to do if I hit one in to the bunker? I’ve never practiced a shot out of a bunker. I haven’t been hitting my Wedges well. I was hoping to learn how to do it during the Round. I’m going to be holding everyone up. I should have gone to the Range yesterday to get my swing perfect.
Settle down
I went through this exact scenario, my second time out. There’s a common misconception that Golfers are intolerable jerks. What I’ve learned over the last two Seasons is that they are actually the opposite. Provided you know basic Golf etiquette. Read my Golf Etiquette Starting from Scratch SS-12 Most Golfers are happy to see new Players getting into the game. Quite a few of them actually gave me pointers during our Round together. Another common misconception made by Beginners is believing that every Golfer you come across is leaps and bounds better than you. What you need to remember is that Golf is a really difficult Game to master. I’ve played with Strangers that have been golfing for 10 years, and finished with a better score. Remember that this is only my Second full Season of Golf. The first thing I do whenever I get paired up is introduce myself, and inform my new playing partners that I’ve only been playing for 2 years. I let them know I’m serious about Golf though so my game isn’t terrible. Just don’t be surprised if I slice or duff a few. That little bit of information prepares them to have to play a little slower, or in some cases be surprised by my ability. Even if you are making terrible shots all day. As long as you are making an effort. There’s a very good chance that everyone you are playing with will support you.
