Greens, Tees, and Carts: A Beginners Guide to the World of Golf

Perhaps you have driven past a course or two and wondered what it is like to play the game of golf. Maybe you have played the putt-putt version and thought about trying the "real thing." Understanding and perfecting this game is something that even professionals work on every week, but with a little time and effort you can begin enjoying leisurely afternoons at your local course.

Golf can be a very exclusive game. Private courses require a fee (and sometimes other prerequisites) for membership and also charge a fee for each round you play. The prestige of private courses is unrivaled, and they come replete with a luxurious clubhouse. Public courses are just that: open to the public. Anyone who is willing to pay the greens fee (the cost for 1 round) is welcome to play at public courses. Just about every course has an expected level of dress and decorum. Typically, a collared shirt (or equivalent for women) is respectable dress for the course.

In order to play a round of golf, you will need to secure a tee time. This can be done by calling the clubhouse, and for the best times you will want to call a day or two ahead of time. It is important to be prompt when it is your turn to tee off, as things are timed carefully on the course. You may also want to secure a motorized cart to use while you are at the course. While the walk can be refreshing, riding in a cart can be a welcome relief on a hot day or at the end of a long week.

Scoring in the game is based on the number of shots it takes for you to get your ball into the hole. Par is the expected number of shots that it should take, and for most courses the par is set at 72. Since hitting par is expected, shooting under par is considered an exceptional round. If you ever watch professionals on TV, you will notice that the announcers will state if a player is over or under par. This lets you know how they have been playing as a whole throughout the game.

You may be wondering if this exclusive game is only for men. If you believe the adage that golf stands for "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden" you are mistaken. Some private clubs are exclusive and do exclude women, but the game itself is not just for the men. Many women have become successful professional players and enjoy all that the game has to offer.