Another newb here, played first par 3 course today!

gir2 · May 23, 2007

Haha, before I get to the course though, I'm not only new here, but pretty much new to the game as well. I played for a few months when I was around 16, and now at 24 am getting back into the game. It's good to be back. Now, I've only been hacking it at the range for about a month. I'm just learning with an incomplete set of hand me down dunlops. I'll upgrade later.

So anyhow, today I got brave and went to this par 3 executive course. Overall it was fantastic to be out playing again. The course had 2 par 4's which was great. While I had a good time my playing was pretty bad. For example, I walked on as a single, came out the clubhouse, and there was a 4some in front who said I could go first since I was a single, and they liked to play "smooth". Great, I hadn't stepped foot on a course in years, and here were 4 people watching me tee off my 7 iron. Haha, I know, they probably didn't pay me any attention, but I felt like I might as well have been teeing up at the masters or something. Since the driving range was somewhere over by the full length 18 hole course, I hadn't bothered to hit any practice balls, and just thought - swing easy - just like the range. Then - topped shank - about 15 yds. Haha. Second shot - wham - over the green by like 30yds. Once I got it on the green I just wanted to hole it out so as not to hold up play. I later realized I was actually playing rather quickly trying to make sure I didn't play slow.

Anyhow, second tee shot, 9 iron - kerplunk, in the water. There goes any idea I had of being on the PGA. LOL. Well, while putting on the second green, I started to relax once I looked back and realized the group behind me I thought were going to be pros were hacking it up not much better than me.

On 3 and therafter I largely calmed and got my game under control and hit a few greens and actually some good drives on the par 4's. Putting was the worst of all. Chipping was better than I thought it would be. I was way too concerned initially with pace of play, as I was actually playing faster than the majority. I started playing 2-3 balls on some holes so as not to rush the group in front of me.

After nine holes, I just had to play again, I would have played 27 if it hadn't started to crowd up with the folks coming after work.

Anyhow, just thought some of you might get a kick out of a hacker's first day on a course. Overall it was great. Wish I could play everyday. Oh yea, there's nothing like the 19th hole afterwards. :tongue:

bluetrane · May 23, 2007

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm guessing people who live in snowy parts of the world can relate. I for one, who hacks around the first few weeks (or months) on the golf course, feel your pain and or joy. Nothing like the 50 yard slice to start off the season! :tongue: hahaha.

:rofl: Mmmmm... beeeeeeeer.

Good luck.

villa · May 23, 2007

Thanks for the story mate and welcome to the greatest site in the world :tongue:

You're problem now is that not only will you have to deal with your addiction for the game, but also your addiction to this site as well!

Couldn't agree more though, the 19th hole is the best place to be regardless of how you've played.

Keep Swinging!

The Big Schwag · May 23, 2007

Sounds alot like me, played one year as a teenager then didn't pick the game up until 12 years later, you will get lots of tips from different people and here are mine and they worked best for me I went from a hacker to a 15 handicap in 2 seasons, and going down

1) find a good pro who will work with what you got and start taking lessons (the $500 driver will not make you straighter off the tee but a couple of good lessons will. I learned this one the hard way)

2) get properly fit for your clubs

3) have fun, this is the best game ever

iCollector · May 23, 2007

Ain't it great! I hated golf for most of my life, and now I'm adicted. I now play more than the guys who bugged me to give it a try. I remember my first forays out on the course! Pretty much the same, and I still get the first tee jitters - badly! I'll never forget my first 18 holes, the Friday during the 06 US Open, at Whitney Farms, Monroe CT. I had a blast, lost lots of balls.... I'd ask my friend what are we hitting on the next hole - most of the time he'd say driver - oh well - there goes another ball....

Hope you stick with it - misery loves company! I guess non-golfers just don't get it!