Just like (mostly) every other sport, you can't play golf on your own. Let’s say you want to play softball. Try playing it:
A. By yourself
B. Without any guidance or structure to help play your best.
While it's technically an individual sport, it isn't meant to be played alone. Here are six tips on how to make golf an enjoyable pastime for years to come:
1. Don't Play Alone
Unless you’re out there grinding it out to go pro or you just don’t like people (hopefully not the latter), finding a golf home is key to making it a lifelong game. When you join a club, you’re not only connecting with golfers just like you, you’ll experience golf through travel, be able to dip your toes into the world of competition, or just discover casual play opportunities with new people. Whatever strikes your fancy.
Looking for a new golf home? Find yours here.
2. Don't Be Intimidated
Believe it or not, the average golfer is right around the same level as you. Odds are, you’re not going to run into Tiger Woods at your local golf course. And no matter how much people tend to ACT like Tiger Woods – they aren’t. Trust us. Confidence is key to enjoying golf everywhere you go and having a Handicap Index helps immensely with leveling out the playing field. So, whenever there is that rare chance you come across a DI college golfer at a club outing, you’ve got strokes to help you out.
3. Avoid the Six-Hour Round
Playing ready golf is key for you and everyone else to have a good time. Spending a lifetime over the ball, letting the weight of the earth creep over your shoulders and eventually causing an unpleasant shot isn’t helping anybody. Golf is hard, but if you play your own game and erase expectations, you’re on the road to golf bliss.
4. Get With The Times
Even if you don’t want to admit it, everyone wants to be up with the trends and in the know. Subscribing to golf newsletters is helpful when it comes to learning about upcoming events near you. Not to mention, with all the golf hacks and game improvement videos, you’ll be a golf goddess in no time.
5. Come Prepared
Just like “look good, feel good,” There should totally be a saying, “feel good, play good.” In any situation in life, including golf, you should never go all-in empty handed. You’re out there for four to five hours (it better not be six, as seen above,) so you’ve gotta come prepared with snacks and water – but don’t forget sun protection!
6. Measure Your Success
We’ll admit it, we don’t mind a high handicap. That just means more strokes for us! But, in the fair chance that you’re actually looking to improve your game and those swing tip videos are paying dividends, it’s fun to see progress measured in some way. Posting scores and maintaining an accurate Handicap through the GHIN platform is a really cool way to see your game improve – or it’s a strong reminder to hit the range when your Index is going the wrong way.
Need to get your Handicap Index? Get yours here!
RESOURCES
