5 Things To Know Before Your First Round Of Golf

Golf is hard, we know. It’s even harder to get into if you don’t know some of those unspoken rules and traditions that govern a round of golf. We all start somewhere, why not here with this list of more in-depth practical advice that goes beyond just what to wear on the course? (but FYI, it's best to call the course ahead of time if you have questions on attire🤔)

Prepare to delve into some unexpected questions (complete with answers!) that will guide you through your first golfing journey, so you can walk the golf walk with confidence and avoid any rookie mistakes along the way!

1. Am I “Golf Course Ready”?
2. What should I expect upon arrival to the course?
3. What golf tees do I play from?
4. What about scoring my golf round?
5. Can I just play my own game? (+ Ideas to Play Your First Round)

Am I “Golf Course Ready”? 

You are golf course ready if you can confidently check off all items in the list below:

• Can you make contact with the ball at least 75% of the time? 
• Do you know your way around your own golf bag and gear (or are prepared to rent clubs)? For example, do you know what club to use and when or at what distance or situation?
• Have you brushed up golf etiquette knowledge, basic rules and common golf terminology?
• Basic understanding of how to be respectful during your round and knowing the rules for Pace of Play? For instance, do you know you can (and should) let a group "play through" the hole if you're slowing them down? Alternatively, you can also modify how you play your first round to keep up with pace of play, see the ideas at the end of this post.
• Do you know golf safety guidelines, like when to call "FORE!" if you accidentally hit into the group ahead of you? Also where to stand when other players are swinging? Or knowing to keep an eye out for course maintenance staff that might be working nearby.
• Do you have a positive attitude? Are you open to learning and having a good time?

What should I expect upon arrival to the course? 

Here are some before you arrive at the golf course, “good to knows”:

• Arrive early enough to warm-up (~45 minutes before) or to grab a pre-round snack (~90 minutes before). But remember, you’ll want to check in with the golf shop at least 20 minutes before your tee time at the very minimum.
• Upon arrival, some courses have a dedicated place to drop your bag off near the parking lot, at others you’re expected to carry your bag yourself.  Riding in a golf cart? Some golfers prefer to leave their bag in their car and swing around with the cart after they check in.
• Keep in mind that most courses request you don’t bring your clubs into the actual building with you, that might get you the odd stare. It's also a good call to clean your shoes before entering the building as a courtesy, you’ll likely see ground-mounted shoe brushes outside the doors for this exact purpose.
• Check in at the golf shop with your name, tee time, and anyone else you might be playing with, and they’ll let you know the next steps. Some courses have a Starter you'll report to (designated staff on the first tee, monitoring the timing of groups teeing off). Go to the first tee at your designated time or when the golf shop instructs you to do so. Be ready to play.
• If you find yourself playing solo or with just one partner, don't be surprised if the golf shop pairs you up with another single or twosome to create a foursome. It's a common practice in golf to optimize the pace of play and make the most out of the course's capacity. Embrace the opportunity to meet new people, share some laughs, and maybe even pick up a few tips or tricks along the way. Who knows, you might end up making some new golfing buddies for future rounds!
• Caring for the course during your round:
  • Be sure to observe local rules. If you're riding in a golf cart, be sure to ask if the course is observing “cart path only” policy or the “90-degree rule”. This rule is where you only drive the golf cart onto the fairways to go to your ball, 90 degrees straight out from the designated golf cart path. This is especially helpful when the course is wet, as maintaining the integrity of the fairways is of utmost importance. Check out this reddit thread, or when in doubt, ask or follow those who seem in the know. 
  • Do you know how to replace a divot or fix a ball mark? A quick YouTube how-to might help, or if you’re feeling social, ask a pro!!
  • Don’t forget to rake the sand bunkers after hitting out of them too! Goal is to take care of the course so it stays in great playing condition.

What golf tees (distance) do I play from?

• To start off, it's highly recommended to choose a golf course that caters to beginners, offering wider fairways, shorter holes and less undulating greens like shorter Par-3 or executive courses. Looking for one? Check out our post on recently course-rated short courses to find a great beginner course in your area.
• We all don’t start from the tips (way back tees) at Pebble Beach or Bandon Dunes! Don’t feel pressured to play from the same tees as your more seasoned golfing partners. Select your best tees based on how far you hit your 7-iron. This ensures you’re playing the course as designed/intended and so that you can enjoy your round sans any frustrations 🤬. 
• TL;DR? See the table below for a rough recommendation or use USGA's Best Course Length Calculator!

• For example: according to the above table, if you hit your 7-iron 95 yards, it's recommended that you play the Green tees at Poppy Hills Golf Course since the total course length (denoted on the scorecard below) is 4,173 yards.

What about scoring my golf round? 

Here are a few things to consider when scoring your round: 

• Do you know the maximum number of shots you can take per hole, based on your handicap and the net double bogey rule? For players with a handicap of 20-29, the general guideline is to limit your Max Score to 8 shots.
• It's okay to only count the shots you make contact with.
• Forget about lost balls! Drop another ball and just keep playing. Don’t worry about carding those for now. 
• Finally, feel free to not keep score at all! Just be cognizant of how long you take on each hole.

Can I just play my own game? (+ Ideas to Play Your First Round)

It’s okay to pre-determine how you want to play your round. Simply inform your playing partners that this is your inaugural round, and they will be more than willing to accommodate your preferences. Just be sure that your play isn’t disruptive to their round.

Some perfectly acceptable first round ideas include:

• Enlisting a group to play a Scramble.  This is a fun team format where the group takes one score per hole. Each player tees off, then the best drive is taken and everyone plays the shot from there. Play continues like this until the hole is complete.
• Playing 100 yards in on each hole.
• Moving your ball to avoid hazards like water features, sand bunkers, or anywhere you have to carry a long distance.
• Teeing it up in the middle of the fairway on longer Par-5’s (~200 yards out from the green).
• Playing from your partner’s shot(s).
• Starting with five shots per hole: 1 tee shot, 1 fairway shot, 1 chip and 2 putts. We loved this suggestion from Women on Course!
• Using the same club the entire round (except for putting).

Just like entering a crowded gym for the first time (or returning after the New Year's rush), playing your first round of golf can feel like all eyes are on you, analyzing your every swing. However, rest assured that every golfer out there is primarily focused on their own game, not yours.

Hopefully this list helps ease that pre-round anxiety that only starting a new hobby like golf can trigger. Be sure to pass along these valuable insights to fellow beginners in your golfing circle to help them feel more at ease when stepping onto the course for the first time.

Share this blog post with a golf friend before their first round of golf!

What did we miss? Sound off in the comments below!