Conference 7.286::golf

    I hope you have fun at Rockland. Rockland is a par 3 course, so
    practice alot of iron shots and pitch and rolls.
    
    	Some tips for a beginner are:
    
    	1. Always let faster groups play through, if you have a open
    	   hole in front of you.   
    	2. Play a game of "hit when ready" don't take turns to hit,
           walk up and hit your shot when you are ready.
    	3. Try to get setup and swing quickly. Practicing out on the
           course is not the time. Do all your practice at the driving
    	   range. So by going thursday and friday you are already on
    	   the right track....
    	4. Rake sand traps.  etc.
    
    Golf is a very relaxing sport, "but" sometimes you will feel
    differently. Speedy play helps everyone have a fun day...
    
    	Hope you do well... Good luck!
    
    	Walt
    		            
    

  I also agree with the previous reply.  When my wife started out we had
  two rules:

	1. Miss 'em quick - If she was having problems the time to get
           a quick lesson was not in the middle of a hole.  We would
           work on the problem at the next tee.

	2. We would let faster groups play through so relax and don't
           feel too hurried.

I can't remember if you mentioned what time of day you were playing.  May
I suggest after noon.  Most of the golf fanatics golf in the morning (the
real fanatics golf again in the afternoon).  Generally courses are a little
less crowded and you will feel less hurried in the afternoon.

    
    Sorry, but I have to disagree with the hit when ready idea.
    Nobody, especially beginners have complete control of where the
    ball is going to go all of the time.  Make sure that when you play
    nobody is in front of you when you hit the ball.  I have seen balls
    go almost 90 degree off their intended course. The rule should be
    that the person farthest from the pin should be the next to hit.
    As long as your playing fast enough that there isn't an open hole
    in front of you, your playing fast enough.  If you are having problems
    keeping up, let the group behind you play through.  Remember, golf
    is suppose to be fun and relaxing, not a race.  I guarantee that
    its allot more fun if nobody gets hit by a ball.  Although I have
    never been hit by a ball, I have a brother who got six stiches
    from a tee shot that went off at a 45 degree angle from the intended
    flight path.  
    
    Have Fun
    Steve 

    	Reply .3
    
    	I understand your concern... to "hit when ready"(HWR) isn't always
    	automatic. CLoseness of fellow players is definitely a time 
        to wait for safe distance. I still feel it's possible to execute 
        HWR without such disasterous results as happened to your brother.
        I only feel it's right to play HWR when neccessary to speed
        up, should you start falling behind the group in front. Usually
    	in groups I play with, the foursome is quite spread out, with
    	enough room, should a really poor shot happen, to allert the
    	others. Something should be done to speed up play... but I do
    	agree, that personal injury shouldn't be the price to pay. If
    	used only to speed up , after spending time looking for a lost
    	ball... and using proper caution, I think it would really help
    	the game.
    
    	Walt
      
           

    re: .3 and .4
    
    Maybe it would be better advice to say "be ready to hit when it's
    your turn".  The rule of the ball furthest from the hole being hit
    first should be followed.  But, if not in the line of fire,  other
    players should be near their ball, have selected their club and
    be ready to hit when they are "away".  Also, only one or two
    practice swings, please.  When on the green,  line up your putt
    while someone else is putting.
    
    You shouldn't feel as though you have to rush around the course,
    as this isn't much fun.  Just try not to dawdle and wander around.
    
    Two South Shore driving ranges which are open:
    
       McGolf (formerly Joe Lynche's) in Dedham (near the intersection
       of Rtes. 1 and 109).
    
       Ponkapoag GC (near the intersection of Rtes. 128 and 138
    
    If you need directions, call me at (617)377-4750.
    
    Have fun!
    
    Dan
    

I read in one of the golf magazines sometime last year:

A very busy California public course, to give as many golfers as 
possible the opportunity to play, allows fivesomes and even sixsomes, 
but strictly enforces a HWR rule. The average time for an 18 hole 
round: 4 hours! You have to get up a 3:00 in the morning to get a 4 
hour round in at Stow!

Obviously common sense rules as well; you don't hit when someone is 
potentially in the line of flight. This club didn't provide statistics 
on the killed and injured, but I would venture to guess the fatalities 
are few--otherwise they wouldn't keep up the practice.

The rule "furthest away hits first" is designed for competitive 
purposes, not safety. If public courses used more HWR (along with good 
common sense) they wouldn't have their abysmal record of slow play.

    A good philiosophy.  It is encouraged out here in Phoenix at the
    muni courses.  Does it work?  Took 5 1/2 hours Sunday.  No ranger
    in sight or nothing.  Very discouraging.  Can't wait till it hits
    110 degrees and the courses other than munis are empty.  3 1/2
    hours to play.  (The courses are nearly empty then.)_

       D�j� vu -- and she still hasn't played her first round!
       
   318    GORT::MACKINNON     5-JUL-1988     3  HELP FOR A BEGINNER
   322  BPOV03::MACKINNON     6-JUL-1988     2  western mass weekend packages
   334  BPOV08::MACKINNON    15-JUL-1988     6  beginner set of clubs
   336  BPOV08::MACKINNON    15-JUL-1988     3  Golf Gloves which hand???
   340  BPOV09::MACKINNON    18-JUL-1988     0  Allegra women's clubs
   341  BPOV07::MACKINNON    19-JUL-1988     1  Billy Max's: need directions
   360  BPOV06::MACKINNON    10-AUG-1988     8  golf catalogs wanted
   407  BPOV04::MACKINNON    29-SEP-1988     2  Place for winter lessons?
   493  BPOV02::MACKINNON     6-JAN-1989     3  indoor golf: framingham motor inn
   549  GIAMEM::MACKINNON    13-MAR-1989     5  Hillsborough NH: any courses available?

       --Mr Topaz       

    Nice piece of detective work!!!!!!!!!!!!

    
    
    Mr Topaz,
    
    Reason for not playing yet ===  series of hand operations!!
    
    Still working on the problem, but now in a better position
    to use the wrist.  I didn't think it was fair to go out
    and waste peoples time because I was in a position to hold
    them up.  But it also gave me alot of time to observe the
    game and I also used the time to ask questions.  
    
    Michele

    Michele.
    	Sorry bout the hand, whilest your'e recovering pick up the book,
    "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons". It was done in concert with Sports
    Illustrated, I read this every year and continue to pick up little
    hints. The one thing that you want to be carefull of is starting
    out with bad habits. If you really get bitten by the game, try to
    find a club pro who gives lessions. This will add to the long term
    enjoyment of the game as the one thing you will learn is frustration,
    practice and lessions will limit this.
    	Quick hint for fast and pleasurable play, if your out of the
    hole (whereas your'e playing a par 3 and lying 5 and still not on
    the green, pick up and be content to watch and learn. 
    	Good luck and speedy recovery-
    
    Cam