Will additional lessons help?
How do I find out about leagues, outings and tournaments?
How do I start a league?
Do I need to upgrade my equipment?
What are the basic types of play?
What other kinds of games can I play?
Do I need a handicap?
Should I play the Red, White or Blue Tees?
How do I act like a golfer?
Do I have to play by the rules?
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Will additional lessons help?
Do you want to play better? If yes, then taking lessons from a PGA or LPGA
Professional should be an integral part of your game. Lessons will make you
play better and enhance your overall enjoyment of golf!
The impact formal instruction can have on your golf game:
- Become more consistent
- Hit drives straighter or further
- Short game and course management to improve your score
- Enhance you bunker play, shots from uneven lies, etc.
- Lessons tailored to address what you want to accomplish
Use the Play Golf America zip code search above to find programs near you. |
How do I find out about leagues, outings and tournaments?
- Use the Play Golf America zip code search above to find leagues or group events near you.
- Contact your local golf course and ask the PGA or LPGA Professional what leagues, events and tournaments are available.
- Check the bulletin boards and newsletters at local courses for news and information.
- Check with fellow employees to see if your company has a golf league. If not, take the lead and start one!
- Contact your local Regional/State Golf Association to learn about numerous competitions and events.
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How do I find out about leagues, outings and tournaments?
Check with your local PGA or LPGA Professional. Chances are there are others
at your course, club or place of employment who want to join a league. Post a
message at your course or job (bulletin board, newsletter) seeking others interested
in joining a league.
Once you have a base, work with your local PGA or LPGA Professional to reserve
starting times to accommodate your league.
- Will this be a weekly or monthly league?
- What day of the week can your league play? What time can you start?
- Can the course accommodate your league at these times?
- How many holes will you play? Many leagues play just 9 holes.
- What is the rate for each player?
- If one of your league players does not show, will you still be obligated to pay?
- Do players need to rent golf carts?
- Do you need to pay up front?
- How with the course handle rainouts?
- Can the course provide support for handicapping? Tracking league results?
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Do I need to upgrade my equipment?
As your game improves, you might want to upgrade your equipment.
That is, move from equipment designed for high handicap players to
equipment designed for middle and low handicap players.
Check out the Play Golf America Equipment page for additional information and resources.
Take advantage of the national promotion Free Fitting & Trade Up
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What are the basic types of play?
There are two basic kinds of play: Stroke Play and Match Play.
Stroke Play, also known as Medal Play, is a form of competition
based on the cumulative number of strokes taken over one round or
several rounds. Most professional tournaments are stroke-play events.
In Match Play, golfers compete hole by hole. The player with the most
holes won, wins the match.
For more details, see the PGA Summary of the Rules (below), or the USGA Rules of Golf.
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What other kinds of games can I play?
There are endless games you and your partners can play.
Bingle-Bangle-Bungle - One point is awarded to the player
who hits the green first. Another point is awarded to the player whose
ball is closest to the hole. A third point is given to the player
first in the hole.
Scramble, or Captain & Mate - Very popular format for
outings. The basic concept is everyone in a group tees off each hole. The
team picks the best shot and everyone in group plays from that spot. Repeat
this until the ball is holed.
Fairways & Greens - Ben Hogan liked this game. Each
player gets a point for hitting a fairway and a point for hitting a green in
regulation. The winner is determined on a per-point basis.
The PGA Manual of Golf has a complete section on a number of fun and different games you can play!
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Do I need a handicap?
A handicap is not mandatory to play the game, but it is necessary if you plan
on playing structured or casual competitive golf.
Thanks to handicaps, golfers of various abilities can compete on an equal
level. For example, at an average golf course, Samuel is a 5
handicap and Adam is a 16. Samuel is the better golfer, however,
by giving Adam 11 shots on 18-holes (16 minus 5), they can have a fair competition.
Check out the USGA’s web site for detailed information on its golf handicap system. |
Should I play the Red, White or Blue Tees?
Play from the tees that you are most comfortable with for your skill
level and don’t let your ego or playing partners influence your decision.
Most courses have at least four sets of tees, some as many as six,
so selecting the proper tees isn’t difficult. The forward tees are designated
for beginners and players with higher handicaps. The longest tees are designated
for low handicap and professional players.
Remember, golf is supposed to be a relaxing recreation, so choose the
tees that will allow you to have the most fun. |
How do I act like a golfer?
- Be courteous of the game and your fellow players.
- Know the course’s dress code. (i.e., can I wear short pants, non-collard shirts?)
- Does the course allow metal spikes.
- Be aware of your place of play. On average, an 18-hole round should take approximately 4 ½ hours.
To maintain pace of play, always be ready to play when it’s your turn, limit your
search for a lost ball for three minutes and record you score on the next tee.
Click here for Play Golf America’s Pace of Play Hints.
Remember, golf is a service industry. When playing a course that utilizes a bag drop,
it is customary to tip the attendant $1 for each bag handled. As you finish playing
and the staff cleans your clubs, it is customary to tip $1-$2 per bag.
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Do I have to play by the rules?
Yes! Golf is a game – so tee it up and have fun. Remember every game has its rules.
The Rules of Golf were written and interpreted by the U.S. Golf Association and
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. Golf is one of the few games
in the world in which the rules are enforced by the participants.
There are a few basic rules you need to know before playing the game. When in doubt
about a ruling, consult your local PGA Professional.
Visit the Play Golf America Rules & Etiquette page for additional information.
The PGA Summary of The Rules of Golf is an easy to use resource.
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