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Scheduling Your First Tee Time and Playing Your 1st Golf Round

You have scheduled your tee time, arrived at the golf course, checked in with the Pro Shop and starter and are heading to the first tee - Congratulations ! You are ready for the game of a lifetime. Once you are at the first tee there are some rules of Etiquette that should be addressed here. There are different locations of teeing areas ( usually between 1 and 5 placements -check score card for locations of tee and total yardages) set up for players of different skill levels and abilities. The back tees are meant for the advanced player usually with an established handicap of between 1 and 7 and the total yardage is usually between approximately 6500 and 7000 yds. . The next tee box is normally for the experienced player who is between a 7 and 14 handicap and the total yardage is between 6200 and 6500 yds.

The next tee location is for the average golfer and can range from 5800 to 6300 yds. and the markers are normally white. Some courses have tee boxes for senior players and then our favorite, the ladies tee location whose markers are normally red in color and are usually the shortest on the course. Not to take anything away from the ladies because many of them can play from the mens tees and can hit just as far and better than many of the male players. If a senior or female player is an experienced player they can choose any tee that is appropriate for their skill level. For a new player or beginner I would strongly recommend the white or senior tees for the men and the red tees for the women.

It would allow you to play from a tee location that is reasonable for the new player, novice, beginner, etc. If you find you are scoring well right off the bat, then by all means move back to the next tee box for the next round. By scoring well I mean close to par or better and I personally don?t think many beginners will fall into this category in fact I wouldn?t even keep score for the first few rounds. Give your self some time and ease into the game. It will allow for a much more enjoyable experience and beginning of your journey into the ?Wonderful World of Golf?.

Once you have selected your tee location you must defer to the other players who may be in your group and check if they are playing from the same location. If they are playing the tee locations further back then they will hit first, and if they are playing the shorter tee locations then they will hit after you. When a player is on the tee box preparing to hit, the other players should stand off to the side and out of view of the golfer and remain quiet until they have completed their swing. This is one of the rules of golf etiquette and an important one at that.

You will better understand my emphasis on etiquette as you become more experienced with the game. Also the ball should be placed between the tee markers and either even with them or behind them away from the golf hole - one of the rules of golf. It is not so important initially but if you ever get into competitive golf you better have some knowledge of the basic rules or you may lose a tournament because your opponent may call you on an infraction of a rule you may not have been aware of. I wouldn?t worry about it right now just go out and play and enjoy yourself. Happy Golfing To All !

My name is Mike and I grew up in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. I started playing golf when I sustained a severe hamstring injury about 30 years ago. I have been enjoying golf ever since and have never looked back. For more valuable tips and golf info go to http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com