The Links at Greenfield Plantation (Bradenton, FL)

Thanks to my friend and ever-patient

golf partner Paul who dragged me out to the links in Christmas Eve. Turned out to be a perfect day to golf.

Lots of wildlife out on the course today, too. The little 7’ gator was too busy sunning himself to stop our game.

No critiques of my swing, please...

Cadet vs. Regular Golf Gloves: Learning the lingo

There’s a lot I still have to learn about golf.  Playing the game is important, but also, I need to learn the terminology. When talking with other golfers, I’ll hear terms that I’m still unfamiliar with.

Today it’s “cadet vs, regular golf gloves. I needed to buy a couple and had no idea of the difference.

In short, if glove is labeled with the term "cadet," it is shaped differently than a regular golf glove. Regular gloves are designed for golfers who have proportional hands, while cadet golf gloves are designed in men's sizes for golfers who have relatively short fingers coupled with wide palms. When placed side-by-side with a regular golf glove, the cadet glove is wider and shorter. That’s it.

Next, I’ll go over some other terms that are often used on the course.

Don’t get stuck in a rut! Try new things...

My main goal of golfing is to have fun, and so far, I enjoy the game immensely. I credit that feeling to a couple things: I don’t stress about the game (I’ve yet to keep score) and I focus on enjoying the moment: I don’t continually check my phone, I don’t think about work, etc.

So far, I’ve either golfed by myself or with one other person and I’ve only played 3 different courses. As well, I’m 2 lessons into a 6-week golf class and I’m intent on improving my game.

And those are the points I’d like, to discuss: 1. Enjoying the game by letting the stress go, 2. Mixing it up by playing with different people at different courses, and 3. Constantly improving your game by learning. New, different and better techniques.

I heard something interesting at a golf class recently: Two “students” told the instructor they’d been playing between 10-25 years and hadn’t improved....they were still crappy golfers! As a matter of fact, the gentleman who’d been playing for 25 years had never taken a lesson in his life.  He stated he was tired of being the worse player in his group and wanted to do something about it.  The instructor, as understanding as he could be, stated that it would be easier for a new player to learn good habits than for a longtime player to break bad habits. Ouch.

And I guess that’s what I’m trying to do...learn good habits from the get-go.

I found several nearby golf lesson options on Groupon and selected one that appeared to fit my needs.  It’s a 6-week course that meets for an hour every Saturday morning. So far, we’ve learned grip, stance and swing. The main thing, says the instructor—a guy who’s been playing 60 years—is muscle memory: A player must learn the proper techniques and then force the body to learn them via repetition. Although the weekly class lasts only an hour, students are tasked with lots of homework; we must practice what we’ve learned at home...an investment of less than 5 minutes a day.  And so far, I think I’m getting it.

And I guess that’s what I’m trying to say here.  Any caveman can go out and swing a club at a ball. And chances are, he’ll hit it every once in a while. But I want consistency.  I want to hit the ball long, high and straight. Every time. If you’re reading this, you understand what a great feeling it is to hit that one, truly great shot! How do you think that’ll feel when you hit like all the time? It’ll be much more enjoyable, right? Right!

For now, I remain a member of the CGA—the Crappy Golfer’s Association. But I know that as a novice, I’m enjoying the experience as I gradually improve my game.

I hope you’re enjoying the game and improving, too.

I hope to see you out on the links!

Courses I’ve played (south Tampa)

Here’s a list of the courses I’ve played so far:


Apollo Beach Golf and Sea Club
Buffalo Creek Golf Course, Palmetto 
Freedom Fairways, Sun City
River Strand Golf and Country Club, Estuary/Sanctuary courses
Sandpiper Golf Club, Sun City
Stoney brook Golf Club at Heritage Barbour
Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, Riverview
Terra Ceia Bay Golf and Tennis Club, Palmetto
The Palms Golf Club at Forest Lakes, Sarasota 

I haven’t been playing long, so I have yet to try many different courses. I started at River Strand, playing only 9 holes. Nice little course. My buddy lives here so it was only $6 a person.

https://www.riverstrandgolf.com/-golf-overview 

A friend and I just tried Summerfield Crossings in Riverview. A well laid out course that incorporates natural water features. Lots of trees and foliage and water make it pleasin to play. Older gas carts and no GPS, but very friendly people. GolfNow had an 11:45 tee time for about $22 each.

https://summerfieldgc.com/course/

I’ve played 18 holes at Stoneybrook twice. This can be tricky with all of the sand traps and water hazards.


https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/21512-stoneybrook-golf-club/ 

 I’ve golfed 18 holes at Freedom Fairways twice; once with a friend and once solo. It’s nearby and very laid back. Usually $25 for 18 but there's a $14 summer special...including a cart!

 http://www.floridagolf.com/courses/sun-city-center/freedom-fairways/

 


Terra Ceia Golf and Country Club

https://www.terraceiabaycc.com/

Forest Lake Golf Club

https://www.golfnow.com/courses/1046013-forest-lake-golf-club-details

GOLF FOR DUMMIES CHEAT SHEET

Here’s a good CHEAT SHEET I found in the “GOLF FOR DUMMIES” book series: Even if you’re new to golf, you can still look and act like you know what you’re doing. Making sure you have the right equipment in your bag and making intelligent decisions about which club to use can get you off to a great start. Offer to keep score and propose a couple of fun bets, and you can really impress your fellow golfers, no matter how long they’ve been playing the game.  KNOWING WHICH GOLF CLUB TO USE FOR WHICH GOLF SHOT The sheer variety of golf clubs you need can be overwhelming; after you have all the clubs you need and you hit the golf course, how do you know which club to use for each shot? The following table gives you a quick guide to the kinds of clubs in your bag and the shots you take with them. Club What It’s For Driver Teeing off — and very occasionally hitting from a good lie in the fairway Hybrid club Getting shots of 150+ yards airborne 2- to 9-iron Hitting toward the green, usually from 120–190 yards away — use low-numbered irons for longer shots, high-numbered irons for shorter shots Wedges Hitting short, high shots from near the green or from sand bunkers Putter Rolling the ball into the hole after it’s on the green (or occasionally from just off the green) ESSENTIAL ITEMS YOU NEED IN YOUR GOLF BAG Golf bags aren’t just for holding clubs; like any sport, golf requires other essential equipment and helpful items that make your game a little easier. Here are the essentials for stocking your golf bag: * At least six balls; * A few wooden tees; * A couple of gloves (at least one for your non prominent hand); * A rain suit; * A pitch-mark repair tool (divot tool); * Small coins (preferably foreign) to mark your ball on the green * A pencil * Sunscreen * A small pouch for your wallet, money clip, loose change, car keys, rings, and cellphone (which is turned off) * Spare towels: For yourself and for your clubs/balls UNDERSTANDING GOLF SCORING LANGUAGE Golf has its own language, and its scoring lingo can be especially puzzling to understand. If understanding golf scores seems like a foreign language, the following table of golf scoring terms can help you feel right at home on the course.  Scoring Term What It Means Ace Hole in one; Albatross/double eagle Three strokes under par on a hole; Eagle Two strokes under par on a hole; Birdie One stroke under par on a hole; Par Score a good player would expect to make on a hole or round; Bogey One stroke over par on a hole Double bogey Two strokes over par on a hole. HOW TO SCORE GOLF PENALTY SHOTS Penalty shots (and their effects on the score) are an unfortunate part of golf for most golfers. Scoring golf penalty shots can be confusing, so the following table helps you adjust your score and shoot on. Penalty How to Score and Continue Play Out-of-bounds Two-stroke penalty (the stroke you hit plus one penalty stroke). Drop a ball where you last shot from and continue play. Whiff Count each time you swing in an effort to hit the ball. Unplayable lies One-stroke penalty. Drop the ball (no nearer the hole) within two club lengths of the original spot; drop the ball as far back as you want, keeping the original spot between you and the hole; or return to the point from which you hit the previous shot. Water hazard (yellow stakes) One-stroke penalty. Play a ball from its original position. Play from as close as possible to the spot from which you played the previous shot. Or drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the spot where you drop the ball, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard you drop it. Alternately, play the ball as it lies without grounding the club for no penalty. Lateral water hazard (red stakes) One-stroke penalty. Play a ball from its original position. Drop a ball outside the hazard within two club lengths of where the ball last crossed the margin of the lateral water hazard (but no nearer the hole), or within two club lengths from a point on the opposite edge of the water hazard equidistant from the hole. Alternately, play the ball as it lies without grounding the club for no penalty.

First things first: Before the basics...

Why are you considering golf? Does it really appeal to you or are you being pressured into it by friends or office interests? Regardless of the reason, I want to offer you this bit of advice that will help you enjoy the game: “Enjoy the game.” It seems simple enough, doesn’t it? But I assure you, it’s not. Whether you’re just starting or have been playing a while, I want you to start enjoying the game. That means stop stressing about your stance and swings and club selection...that will all come with time (and possibly lessons). The most important thing you can do to best enjoy this game is to really like being out on the course, doing your best and having fun. Leave competition to the stress monkeys. OK, with the most important piece of advice out of the way, let’s play! Find a friend who golfs and join him or her for an easy 9-round game. Make sure that this is a relaxing “get to know the game” round. Try to schedule the round at a time that’s not busy so you won’t be pressured by players behind you. Before you begin at the1st hole, try to spend some time with a bucket of balls at the driving range —- where you can just smash balls downrange or into the water. That exercise will loosen you up and help adjust your grip, stance and swing. You can use any club you’d like here...try them all. There are three main ways to move from hole to hole during a game: An electric cart (usually provided by the course), walking with a wheeled pull cart or the old fashioned way of just walking with your bag on your shoulder. I prefer the first method... Forget keeping score! Just focus on the basics (stance and swing) and golf club use (what’s a 9 iron?). Ask your partner which club would be the best for each shot, and why. You can rent or borrow almost any required gear, but you’ll likely need a collared shirt (check the course dress code as denim, sandals and t-shirts are usually not allowed). Take your time. Focus on the outdoor experience not the technicalities —- that’ll all come later. Plan to lose a few balls...that’s just part of the game, especially for beginners. Don’t spend too long looking for lost balls as it holds up the game. Regulation rules usually provide for a 5-minute search...I suggest spending less than half that time. Let your playing partner know that you may take 3 or more tries at each tee. That’s more than acceptable. Don’t overdo it the first or second time out. If you’re tired or just plain frustrated, call it a day. Don’t force yourself to play all 9 or 18 holes if you’re not feeling it. This part of the experience is all about testing the waters...to see if this game is for you. When the game is over, head to the clubhouse and have a cold drink. That’s a perfect place to discuss the game and critique yourself and get helpful hints from your partner and other golfers. NEXT UP: So...you kinda like this golfing thing? Let’s look at terminology and equipment.

Do you really wanna golf?

I’ve started this blog to track my golf progress and to interact with others who may or may not want to get out on the greens. I’ve put off golfing for decades and finally gave it a try...only to find that it’s actually quite enjoyable.

So, with 4 rounds under down, I remain...The Reluctant Golfer. The main point of this blog will be to document my golf game. And I’d also like to document helpful points that I wish I would’ve known when I first started...such as definitions, equipment, clothing, apps, lessons, course etiquette, etc. I’m learning a lot real fast...but it sure would’ve been great to have that info beforehand. So come along if you dare...duffers, hackers and scratch golfers are all welcome!