First ever round

[u/Diesel_ASFC]

So me and my Wife played our first ever round of golf yesterday. We were awful, despite going to the range or pitch and putt weekly for the last few months, but we absolutely loved it. It was a lovely 9 hole moorland club close to us. Anyhow, we've caught the bug and I'm currently sorting out memberships for both of us.

[u/jimbovt]

Take some lessons. You’ll be glad you did

[u/ThatLandscape6476]

It’s cool that you are learning with your wife.

[u/habs306]

Giver!

[u/JRskatr]

Nice! Enjoy the journey, it’s one of the toughest sports to master but so much fun ☺️

[u/Super_NowWhat]

Three things:

• in life you want to focus on being good first, and then in being fast. In golf, it is the opposite- no cares how well you play, but everyone cares how fast you play. Do not play slow
  
• no matter what happens, remember this: you’re not good enough to get mad.
  
• Play for a season or two before you invest in a private membership. The members won’t be super happy about playing begin an adult beginner

[u/sortiz1965 → u/Super_NowWhat]

I don’t necessarily agree with your third point. I’m a beginner and I have a membership at a club here. I’m trying to break 100 so I’m not god awful but I’m conscious about pace of play. Playing frequently enough to get better without a membership will get costly in a hurry. Plus a membership can get you deals on lessons with a club pro and free access to the practice range. The membership makes it economical for me to play and practice frequently.

If other members resent playing with a beginner, that’s their problem to deal with. People are generally cool; the assholes can go pound sand.

[u/Diesel_ASFC → u/Super_NowWhat]

I actually met a few of the members, and they were all really nice and chatty. We let a couple of groups through when they looked to be catching up to us, and the they stopped to have a quick chat. We took about 2 ½ hours to play 9 holes, so I'm not sure how that pace of play compares to most. We didn't spend time looking for lost balls on the couple of occasions they went into deep rough, we didn't take loads of practice swings, we didn't mark our balls on the green etc etc. Our pace was fast enough to keep ahead of the threesome behind us. 

[u/Splashy8 → u/Diesel_ASFC]

Just a heads up, this isn’t a sub about golf. It’s solely for rushing people and making sure that nobody is having fun. Just make sure that you begin your backswing when your wife starts her downswing. It’s your fault, not the 7 min tee sheets.

[u/Super_NowWhat → u/Diesel_ASFC]

Excellent
But the moment you step offside (slow play, or whatever) the pro will receive phone calls and emails. And then you will receive an official letter.

[u/New-Statistician919 → u/Super_NowWhat]

I think this response was thoughtful. I disagree with you on points one and three. No one wants to play behind a fivesome of loaded 30 year olds, peeing in the trees and searching for balls for what seems like hours. Each course should have an approximate length of time for a four/fivesome to complete the course posted somewhere. It is often generous and the pace of play can be quicker at times. However, if a group is on track to complete their round within the suggested time, they should not feel harassed. Forcing them to not briefly look for balls or think about a shot so that you can complete an 18 hole round in an “hour” is unfair. The greens fees they pay in conjunction with yours support the course you all play. You are essentially exploiting them so that you can play your super rounds and go on to your Saturday or work day. I am sorry if some of us enjoy spending a few, not a couple of hours outside. I think waiting until you are sure you would like to play a costly and time consuming sport is reasonable when considering buying club membership is reasonable. It also depends on what you mean by a club. If by club you mean a muni where you prepay your fees and have access to a practice range, etc. it is reasonable to figure out how much time you have to play and do the math. If you are joining a true private club, ask the club. Clubs need new members to survive, allow singles, provide lessons and a social component. New learners should avoid “clubs” where others feel they should wait to play until they can keep up.

Golf started out as a leisurely gentleman’s game. Thankfully it is slowly evolving into a game which women and people of all colors and walks of life can enjoy. It would be a shame to lose the leisurely component.

I am blessed. I am a couple of years in and remain terrible. I don’t play enough. I belong to an expensive private club and can afford it because I have a job that takes up much of my time. I enjoy being outside when I can. I pick up balls, and have lost dozens upon dozens of balls because I have not looked and skipped holes. I let people play through but only if there is a space ahead of me. But I will not be harassed. When I hear “shrink the game”, I hear a call to force the jerks out of the game. They can find a place where the can harass and be harassed by others like them.

[u/Randomist85]

Awesome! It’s so much more fun when you are learning with someone else.

[u/BeatNuhtz]

I’ve found out the range and course are way diifferent lol. But like one other person commented, take lessons. I did and it’s helped me

[u/Livingforabluezone]

Take beginner group lessons. You’ll meet new folks and learn the basic from tee to green.

[u/923kjd]

Congratulations! My wife is my favorite playing partner and playing together has provided years of great memories for us. I wish the same for you.