Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Newbie Golf Rules

By Dan Easterling

Golf has become a very popular game over the last forty or so years. Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Tiger Woods are all champions that have landed in the public consciousness. Courses like Pinehurst, Augusta National and the Blue Monster at Doral are all familiar to us.

Golf has become popular for several reasons. Being outside is fun. You get a whole body workout. You can network with friends or business associates. Finally, the game will continue to challenge you.

Your score, over time, should indicate improvement, and this brings you back to game time and time again.

Here is a very basic lesson in golf for the person who has no clue about the game.

Golf is played on an eighteen-hole course; each hole has its "par", which is the number of tee shots (drives), fairway shots, chips (short hits as you approach the green), and putts.

Par is based on the yardage and the hazards of the hole. Range of pars can be from 3 to 6. If you hole the cup in five shots on a par five hole, you "made par." If you stroked the ball six times, it's called a bogie, if you sunk it in four, it's a birdie.

Hazards exist. These include Bodies of water, sand traps, and trees. They are strategically laced to make the hole more challenging. Beginners should seek to find easier courses that have fewer hazards.

Score is kept by each player, writing down the number of total shots stroked at each hole. When play ceases, each person adds their scores. The lowest total score wins.

Taking the game seriously at first is a serious hazard. It takes a long time to acquire game skills; even though the professionals make it look so easy.

Maybe taking lessons before first playing is a good idea; it will help basic skills and assure you get off to a good start.

Golf is a game much revered and much hated. In the beginning, the point is to have fun and enjoy learning while realizing that getting that score down to where you want it may be a lifetime goal.

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