Save Golf? Part 4

     New golfers may be intimidated when they play on the course the first few times. There are a couple of ways to get around this frustration and embarrassment. with a couple of very simple solutions. We all remember when we started in the game.  My first 18 hole score was a whopping 152 and I have been playing the game for 47 years. You must keep everything in perspective because in golf you are never perfect.
     I have a question for you the new golfer.  Do you really want to beat yourself up by taking that 15 on the first hole? Its not necessary, you are not plying for one million dollars in The Masters for the championship.  You are learning the game.  Why not set a maximum stroke limit and then pick up?
      There are a number of ways you can set up stroke limits with the goal of eventually playing all shots as your game improves.  I will guarantee you that it will improve if you keep at it and as you play you won't get as frustrated.  You may not become a scratch golfer--I am an 18 handicapper and OK with that--but you will improve as you keep playing and take lessons. Hang in there, it will get better should you stick with it and study the game.
      How about telling yourself that when you tee off on number one, you will limit yourself to a certain number of strokes. When you have taken that many strokes you move on to the next hole. If your ball has been beaten to death twelve times on a hole, is that enough fun for that hole?  Don't feel bad about picking up and moving on--believe me I still take twelves on my card in tournaments but if I am not playing well on a hole I pick up when I'm not in a tournament.  When you have an established handicap you will learn about something called equitable stroke control. It is your friend. Equitable stroke control tells me I can only take a triple bogey on any hole.
     We who play the game know that there is more to the game than just a number on the card.  A hole is played by driving, fairway shot, chipping/pitching and then putting. All parts of the game come together to make up the score on that hole.  Why not limit the number of that particular shot, ie drive, fairway etc., on a hole.  In other words maybe drive the ball and if the ball goes not exactly where you want it, place the ball somewhere close to the fairway near your playing partners. Hit a couple of fairway shots and then place the ball near the green.  Try a two chips/pitches to get the ball on the green and then a couple of putts.  Set a limit on the number of shots.  I would say one drive, three fairway shots, two pitches and four putts.  After you have reached your limit on the particular shot, move on to the next type of shot. Eventually, you won't have to limit your shots and will be able to play the hole, taking each shot.   By the way, I still four putt greens and take high numbers on my card, so don't worry about your score at this point.
     I will let you in on a little secret.  There are holes on courses that I play that I have never mastered.  They are ether too long, require forced carries over water or gullies or whatever.  I don't fool with them.  I still try them, but sometimes I will hit my drive up to the water and know there is no way my ball is going to carry the lake or gully.  I take an old ball and throw it into the lake or gully, say "Oh well." and move on to the next hole. 
      What about water hazards and out of bounds you may ask.  Don't worry about that, just make sure you have enough balls. Should you go out of bounds or in a water hazard, first of all remember the safety of the fish in the hazard. Forgive yourself for hitting that fish on the head, tell it you are sorry and just move on.  Hit your next shot from somewhere around the hazard and tell the fish to look out. Don't count the penalty shot.
Do the same thing for out of bounds, but tell the homeowner you are sorry for breaking their window.
I'ts OK, you are learning. Remember, even professional golfers put balls out of bounds and in water hazards.
They are playing for money and have to count the strokes.  You are not and don't have to count the strokes right now.
     As a new golfer, you are learning the game.  As players of the game, we how have been playing for a long time want you.  It may not seem that way, but we do.  Don't beat yourself up, just learn the game and play it.  Over time you will get better.  There is NO perfect in golf.
      My golf website is almost complete.  There are a lot of things on it that you may find interesting. Take a look at it at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com. That's it for now, hit 'em long and straight! 

The ball has to carry a gully that is almost impossible to get over.  I tried and failed, threw my ball in and then moved on. I carded a triple--Thank you Equitable stroke control.