Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - Practice

 The best way to improve your comfort level on the golf course after working with your mentor / instructor is practice. Your practice sessions should be more than just hitting a bucket of golf balls. Have a goal in mind before starting your practice session. You may want to work on a grip, stance, or alignment issue. You may also want to improve your comfort level with a particular club or resolve a recurring  problem with your swing. The practice tee is the ideal environment to experiment and improve. Listed below are some suggestions for a practice routine:

• Focus on a desired landing area for each shot
• Check your grip, alignment and stance before each shot
• Begin each session by hitting 5-10 shots with your pitching wedge to help establish the rhythm and timing of your swing
• Work with the 8 iron to improve the accuracy of your short game over 100 yards
• Concentrate on accuracy and distance with the 6-5-4 irons
• Do not hit more than 10 shots with the driver. There is a tendency among beginners to develop bad swing habits by over working the driver at practice

Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - Mentor / Instructor

 One of the best ways to gain confidence and a comfort level with the game of golf is to work with a mentor and or professional instructor. I have been approached by several people in places where I have worked with a simple request, " Can you help me get on the golf course?" Their request was not to learn to be a weekend golfer. Their intention was to feel confident and comfortable enough with the game to invite a client, prospect or associate to play a round of golf. 

My approach was simple. I would take the individual to the local golf course or driving range to hit golf balls. I would first help them with the fundamentals of the golf swing. I would correct their swing mechanics as they hit their shots. After 2 weeks of this exercise I would take them out to play 9 holes of golf. During the time I was with them on the course I would stress etiquette and pace of play. After playing 72 holes in that environment the individual was usually comfortable and confident enough to invite an associate, client or prospect to play a round of golf.

If you choose to work with a mentor and or professional instructor these fundamentals should be included:

• Proper grip, stance and alignment
• Swing tempo
• Fundamentals of the short game
• Putting technique including how to read a green
• Sand bunker shots
• Proper club selection
• Rules and etiquette
• Pace of play

Business Golf - Play Fast - Enjoy More

Nothing ruins a round of golf more than waiting. Nobody wants to spend 5-6 hours to play 18 holes of golf. Nobody wants to play a round of golf with a person who doesn't know or understand the etiquette of the game. Listed below are some tips to speed up the game and make it more enjoyable.

• Always have a tee time before going to the golf course.
• Check in with the starter 10 - 20 minutes before your scheduled tee time
• Have your group in the tee area 5 minutes before the tee time 
• At least one person in the group should be familiar with the layout of the golf course
• Avoid the back tees
• No mulligans anywhere
• Follow the flight of each shot and mark it with an object in the landing area
• Observe the 3 minute limit for finding a golf ball
• Be prepared to hit your next shot once you locate your golf ball
• One practice swing
• Hit a provisional shot from the tee area before searching for a ball that may be out of bounds
• Establish a maximum shot limit
• Line up a putt once
• Establish the distance for conceding a putt
• Don't provide a golf lesson during the round
• Know and follow golf etiquette  

Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - Etiquette On the Green

 After hitting your ball onto the green there are several items which should be attended to before hitting your first putt:

• Identify your ball on the green
• Repair any ball marks your shot may have made 
• Place a marker behind the ball 
• Lift and clean the ball 
• Do not walk in the path of another players ball
• The player with the longest distance to to the hole will putt first. The player with the shortest distance to the hole will putt last.
• If your ball marker interferes with the path to the hole of another player you will be requested to move your marker
• To properly relocate the marker on the green; line up your putter with an object and move the marker 1-2 putter lengths in the direction of the object
• Replace the ball marker in it's original spot on the green
• Attend the flagstick if requested by another player
• Be respectful of your playing partners. No walking or talking while a player is putting.

Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - Fairway Etiquette

 After hitting your first shot on any hole you will proceed to walk toward the part of the golf course called the fairway. Listed below is a checklist of items to follow while your group is in the fairway:

• Locate and identify your golf ball 
• If  necessary assist any member in the group with locating their golf ball
• The allotted time for searching for a golf ball is 3 minutes. If a player in your group would like more time, allow the players immediately behind your group to play ahead 
• The player having the most distance to the hole for their 2nd shot will hit first. The player having the least distance to the hole will hit last.
• Do not walk ahead of any players who are waiting to hit their 2nd shot
• Allow the group that is currently playing the hole to clear the green before hitting your 2nd shot
• If your 2nd shot is from a sand trap, rake and smooth the sand trap after hitting the shot
• Repair and replace any divots

Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - First Tee Etiquette

 The time on the first tee is primarily used for getting acquainted and setting the ground rules for the match. Listed below is an etiquette check list for the first tee:

• Arrive at the first tee at least 7-10 minutes before your scheduled tee time
• Check your group in with the starter
• Introduce yourself to the other players in the group
• Introduce yourself to your caddy
• Determine the hitting order for the group
• Identify the brand and number of the golf ball for each player
• Discuss the rules for the match
• Do not talk or move while a player is addressing and hitting the ball
• Follow the flight and landing of each player's shot

Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - Etiquette - Pre Match Check List (2)

 These items should be completed at the golf course before going to the first tee:

• Arrive at the golf course at least 30-45 minutes before your scheduled tee time
• Check your group in with the starter/club pro
• Review the covid protocols with the club pro
• Make certain that adequate lock room accommodations have been provided
• Confirm the carts/caddies for your group
• Confirm any lunch/dinner reservations
• Provide adequate time for your group on the practice areas
• Review the local rules of the golf course with the group

Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - Etiquette - Pre Match Checklist

 If you are the individual organizing the business round of golf listed below is a checklist of items which should be completed before the round:

• Choose a golf course with a medium degree of difficulty that is easily accessible to all golfers who will be invited for the round.
• Confirm with the golf course the availability of the date and time you would like to play the round of golf.
• Confirm with the golf course that carts and/or caddies will be available on the date of the match.
• Confirm with the golf course the availability of rain dates.
• Confirm with the golf course the covid protocols which are in place.
• Contact the golfers who will be playing the round with you at least 2 weeks before the match to confirm their availability.
• Adjust the date and time of the match as necessary.
• Be certain that you have a detailed knowledge of the golf course being played so that you can assist the guests who have not had the opportunity to play the course prior to the match.

Business Golf - Tips for the Beginner - Don't Be Intimidated

 I've worked with many people who told me that they were invited to play a round of golf with an associate, client or prospect but declined the invitation. Their main reason for declining the invitation was their fear of embarrassing themselves on the golf course. I always tried to put the person at ease by explaining to them that during a business round of golf their form and score were irrelevant. I would emphasize to the individual that their success during a business round of golf was dependent on two factors. The first and most important factor was how well they understood and followed the required etiquette for a business round of golf. The second determining factor was maintaining the same pace of play as the other members of the group.

I was taught the importance of golf etiquette early on as a caddy at a local country club. The on the job training included being sent out with a senior caddy to learn the fundamentals of the game with a particular emphasis on etiquette. If a new caddy received an unsatisfactory report they would be prohibited from carrying a bag for 2 days. That period of time was spent with the caddymaster relearning the importance of golf etiquette and how it related to the success of the caddy. 

When I first started playing the game of golf I was comfortable with playing at a leisurely pace with  other people new to the game. I was taught the importance of pace when I first asked my Dad and Uncle to join them in a round of golf. Their retort to my simple request was, " If you want to play with us you have to play fast." I began to enjoy the game more and improved my skill level by playing at a faster pace.

The next few posts will contain tips for proper golf etiquette and playing at a faster pace.