May 2023

Having these four realistic goals for a first-time golfer helps temper your expectations on the golf course, allowing you to have as much fun as possible. Of all the sports to try for the first time, golf has to be near the top of the list of the most anxie- ty-fueled sports to participate in. It won’t take a toll on your body nearly as much as other sports, but the pressure of others waiting on you will make it feel like the walls are closing in. Setting four realistic goals for a first-time golfer helps put things in perspective and keeps your nerves at bay. 1) Find Your Club Since it’s your first time stepping on a golf course, you may not know the difference between a 5-iron and a pitching wedge. But as you contin- ue to play, you will realize that you will hit some clubs better than others. You can figure this out beforehand at the driving range or, better yet, at a golf simulator because it gives detailed infor- mation about your swing. Lean on that club as much as you possibly can. No rules prohibit you from using a specific club in a particular situation, although hitting a putt with an iron isn’t in your best interests. If you can’t hit your driver straight but continuously hit straight pitching wedge shots over 100 yards, then inch toward the pin 100 yards at a time. 2) Don’t Whiff One of the most embarrassing things that can happen to you on a golf course is swinging your hardest and whiffing as if it was a splitter from Shohei Ohtani. Whiffing on a stationary ball will make you want to bury your head in the sand to hide your shame, so always try to hit the ball. Even if you shank, slice, pull, or duff your shot, it’s a small victory every time the ball gets closer to the pin. Keep your head down and your eye on the ball, and don’t look up until you make flush contact with your little dimpled ball. 3) Avoid Three-Putts You’ll quickly realize that how far you hit the ball is only a fraction of the reason behind your score. In actuality, most strokes on your score- card will come from within 50 yards, particular- ly with your work on the green. Your playing partner may scorch soaring drives off the tee, but their short game is lacking, lead- ing to double bogeys that should be pars be- cause of the dreaded three-putt. While putting and reading a green takes talent and impeccable muscle memory, the worst golfer in the world could still be a pretty good putter. Being a ma- gician with a flat stick is particularly beneficial if you’re in a work outing scramble with co-work- ers. Let them work hard to get the hole so you can confidently close it. 4) Finish Your Round and Plan for More It might be five hours before you sink your putt on the eighteenth hole to put a bow on your round, but finishing 18 holes is an accomplish- ment. You should be proud that you got on the course, had fun, and made plans for your next go-around. You don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on golf clubs only to go once. These four realistic goals for a first-time golf- er have little to do with lowering your score or figuring out your handicap. The primary goal of any newbie should be to have fun and relax, so parring your first hole will have to wait until next time. 9