From the Range to the Course
First of all, I’m so excited that you are reading this and starting to think about transitioning to play golf on the golf course! It’s so much more fun than going to the driving range, but the first few times can be really challenging. Because of that, I’ve made a list of things you can do to ease into it!
Starting to play golf on the actual golf course is different than going to the driving range. You now you have to put all the skills together you learned about in the clinics: driving, fairway shots, irons, pitching, chipping and putting. Your ball might even end up in the sand bunker! This is why golf is more challenging than bowling because for each shot everything changes and you have to make a new decision on what club to use and where to try to hit to.
When I talk to new golfers, they say they feel pressure to perform because there are other people around who they perceive are watching them. I don’t know how true that is- in my experience most golfers are very much concerned about their own game. I don’t have a lot to offer apart from that the more times you play, it will get better. Remember that everyone had to get started somewhere!
Here are a few ways you can make your first experience on the course a little easier on yourself.
#1 Ask a friend to ride along.
If you have never set foot on a course before and you have friends who play, ask if you can ride along to observe. It might be a small fee to be in the cart, but you will learn a lot about how an actual game is played. Watching expert players on TV will not give you this experience!
#2 Make sure your skills are up for the challenge.
Lots of people ask me how they will know when they are ready to play. I think that if you can hit the ball about 100 yards (with roll) on the driving range you are ready to test your skills on the course.
#3 Lower your expectations.
If you hit it one way on the driving range, expect to hit it a little worse on the course. Why?
- there’s lots of distractions on the course (where to go, who’s turn it is to hit, where the next hole is etc.)
- there will be other golfers playing ahead and behind you
- the ground is not level most of the time and you have to deal with bunkers and penalty areas
- you also have to deal with lots of decisions (what club to hit and where to aim)
For your first time, I suggest your only goal is to experience the game and how it’s played, rather than focusing on performance.
#4 Reduce the amount of clubs you bring.
If you have a set of 10-14 clubs, take half of them out of the bag. Keep the putter, SW ( or PW) 9-iron, 7-iron, a hybrid and the driver. That way you have less options and will have less decision fatigue at the end of the round.
#5 Play a shorter course.
These shorter courses are usually called Par 3 courses or Executive courses. In the East Bay Area, Buchanan Golf Course in Concord or Diablo Hills Golf Course in Walnut Creek would be great options. Both are walkable.
#6 If you don’t have access to a shorter course, here’s a few ideas to avoid frustration and actually finish a few holes:
-Start every hole (except Par 3s) from the fairway about 50, 75 or 100 yards away from the green depending on your confidence level. You will be able to improve your skills so much faster starting closer and moving further away as you improve.
- tee off and if you don’t hit it as far as your friends, pick up your ball and play from where your friend is hitting their second (or even third) shot. That way it won’t be such a slog to get to the green on the longer holes.
-most holes have a post or rock that is 150 yards away from the middle of the green. Start from there on every hole except the par 3s.
- if you are taking your kid for the first time, have them start from 25 yards. That way they are hitting the same club and the same yardage each time. If they score a 4, they made par!
#7 Play in the late afternoon.
The rate is lower, there’s usually less players playing and the pace of play is generally slower. I used to play in the late afternoon/evenings all the time after my dad came home from work- it was the best.
I’m rooting for you and if I can help in any way please let me know!
If you found this article useful, please comment below or send me a message and let me know what you think!
Thanks so much for reading.