STARTING THE GAME

If you have taken the decision to take up the game of golf for the first time, there will be certain questions you are asking yourself.

How do I get started without joining a club?
How do I join a club?
Will they let me in?
Will I be any good?

These are the normal questions that most people ask themselves when they first come up with the idea that they might like to play golf.

Most ladies will have been prompted into this decision by either knowing someone who plays golf, maybe your husband a friend or relative. Therefore advice is easy to come by. Many ladies however, will have decided that they would like to get 'a bit of exercise' or need to 'get out a bit more' or just want to try something different.

How do you go about getting started without joining a club?

The first thing is to find a driving range near you, buy a basket of balls and take a lesson. You may think that you are the worst player they have seen, but believe me you're not.

Every level of golfer from the very lowest handicap to the complete beginner can be found at the driving range, so you have nothing to fear of be embarassed about. After every scratch golfer was once in your position.

When you feel that you would like to progress it's time to think about joining a club.

How do I join a club?

Golf Clubs vary greatly in their facilities and formation.
There are membership clubs. Which are as the name announces owned (figurately speaking) by the members. These clubs regulate themselves and each member has an equal vote in the running and policy of the club. Any profits which the club may make at the end of the year are kept within the club.

There are other clubs which are Limited Companies. Generally speaking the club is run by a management committee which will be answerable to the owners. The members have very little say in the policy or actual running of the club. The profits are kept within the limited company.

You should make it your business to visit a number of clubs in your local area and check which facilities appeal to you. Do they have one course or two? Are the practice facilities good? Are the locker rooms up to standard? Are you looking for social activities? Etc., etc., etc.,

Check the cost. This will consist of a membership, or one off payment, (Sometimes this is suspended if a club is trying to increase its membership) and an annual fee.
The annual fee is paid every year at the same time

The Rules of Golf define the game and help to preserve its challenge.

In golf, the player is expected to play their game to the best of their abilities and play by the rules. Juniors should understand that the Rules of Golf are self-governing by the player/playing partners, i.e. the players must police themselves. This aspect of self-officiating is unique to golf.
Juniors need to be taught the rules of the game as this will help them develop and uphold the unique tradition and discipline associated with golf.

A Junior Style Summary of the Rules of Golf

Rule 1 - The Game
The holes on the course must be played in order (1 through 9, 10 through 18 or 1 through 18)
You must always play by the rules. You are not allowed to change them.

Rule 2 - Match Play
In match play, each hole is a separate contest. If you win the first hole, you are "one-up"; if you lose it, you are "one-down"; if you tie it, you are "all square." You have won the match when, for example, you are three-up and there are only two holes left to play.

Rule 3 - Stroke Play
In stroke play, the competitor with the lowest total score for the round (9 or 18 holes) is the winner
You must play the ball into the hole before starting the next hole. "No gimmes!"

Rules 4 & 5 - Clubs and the Ball
You may carry no more than 14 clubs
Normally, you may not change balls during the play of a hole. However, if you damage or cut your ball, you may change the ball after first asking your opponent or fellow competitor.

Rule 6 - Things a Player Should Do
Read the notices given to you by the tournament officials. Always use your proper handicap
Know your tee-time or starting time
Make sure you play your own ball (put a mark on the ball in case someone else is using an identical ball)
In stroke play, make sure your score for each hole is correct before you turn in your card. Keep playing unless there is lightning, you are ill or an official tells you to stop

Rule 7 - Practice
You may not hit a practice shot while playing a hole, or from any hazard. Note: always read the local rules about practice.

Rule 8 - Advice on How to Play
During a round, you may not ask anyone except your caddie or partner for advice on how to play. However, you may ask about rules or the position of hazards or the flagstick.

FOR MORE RULES OF GOLF, VISIT http://www.juniorgolfcoach.com