Go play. You've already played a couple of holes with an instructor. You probably already have an idea of how far your clubs hit the ball... use that and build upon it in the course. Have fun!
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I am going to take a bit of a different approach.
If you're quite familiar with the rules of golf, and understand that pace of play can be adhered to by any skill level, I say go and let the guys know you're just starting, but will do everything you can to keep up and respect them while they are hitting.
On the other side, this is their opportunity to enjoy the game. If you're new to golf AND to the rules, I'd strongly encourage you find someone you're familiar with who can take you on the course and help you both with the skill aspect of golf as well as the etiquette side.
I'm not trying to be a bummer, I just think it's important to be considerate of your fellow golfers. I've had great experiences with first time golfers who are cognizant of the rules and etiquette of the game, and I've had absolutely horrendous experiences with people who are oblivious to the simple common courtesies of play -- And I couldn't even be mad at them because they simply didn't know what was appropriate while I was playing my ball.
I think it's awesome you're getting into golf, and I hope your journey is an extremely enjoyable one -- I just encourage you to understand the rules and relatively simple considerations of the game before you step on the course with people you aren't familiar with (if you haven't already). The USGA app does a fairly nice job of clarifying simple nuances, but a quick google search could yield even better.
My instructor has emphasized etiquette. In fact, he made me read two books in between lessons 1 and 2.
I'm least up-to-date on golf cart etiquette as I prefer to walk to get maximum fitness benefit from golfing. If I go today, it will be in the cart, though as this course has rules about using a cart toward their end of the day.
Go do it. Just explain to whomever you're paired with it's your first round, but you won't slow them up because you'll pick up.
If at any point you feel like they're waiting on you, just pick the ball up, carry it to the green, drop it somewhere and putt. The important thing is to pick up early enough. If you're hitting your 5th shot on the hole and they're hitting their second, you've waited too long. Who cares if you only hit two shots before picking up and are not even halfway to the hole? You're still getting the chance to hit some shots, putt some and learn how to play the game.
Also, be sure to let them know you'd like them to point out any etiquette mistakes you make and pay attention if they do.
Finally, should you get unlucky and get a rare non-understanding group , don't let that color your opinion of golf or playing with strangers. Ninety-nine percent of my rounds with strangers are nothing but enjoyable. Just chalk it up to bad luck and try again.
I did, indeed, go out yesterday.
The starter was going to pair me with a guy who was in town on business from San Francisco. He seemed really nice. When I told him this was my first time on a course, he said he was hoping to get through the round pretty fast and he'd just play ahead. So I was out on my own.
Just behind me was a twosome that were part of a league. They teed off right behind me and I offered to let them play through or join me as they were obviously much better. (As I stepped off the green, tapping in my putt on my sixth hit on a par four, they drove their first ball just shy of the green.) They opted to play through. I felt a little anxious and rough having someone pass me already on hole 1.
So I played alone, but I still had a good time. I caught up with a father-son duo on hole 6. They offered to let me play through as they were really slow and dad was teaching his son a bit on the course. With no one in view for a few holes behind me, I opted to slow down myself and not pass. It was a great decision. I knew I had plenty of time because they were quite slow, which meant that there was no rush for me. I took my time and hit better shots.
In retrospect, I think I played too fast and over swung anytime I found myself in a bad spot. Too many of my iron shots were not hit well. A few of my shots off tee weren't hit well either, but most did OK. My putting was solid. Even when across the green, I often could get to the hole with a single putt.
The 9 holes took me about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. I did no damage to the course. (Aside from a few divots that I made sure to replace) I didn't seem to piss anyone off. My score was terrible. I almost don't want to admit to it, but I hit a 68 on 9 holes. I mostly hit straight, though, so that's positive.
I can't wait to get out there again. And I realize now how ineffective my driving range sessions have been. I will have a totally different approach when I go back to the range tomorrow.
I did, indeed, go out yesterday.
The starter was going to pair me with a guy who was in town on business from San Francisco. He seemed really nice. When I told him this was my first time on a course, he said he was hoping to get through the round pretty fast and he'd just play ahead. So I was out on my own.
Just behind me was a twosome that were part of a league. They teed off right behind me and I offered to let them play through or join me as they were obviously much better. (As I stepped off the green, tapping in my putt on my sixth hit on a par four, they drove their first ball just shy of the green.) They opted to play through. I felt a little anxious and rough having someone pass me already on hole 1.
So I played alone, but I still had a good time. I caught up with a father-son duo on hole 6. They offered to let me play through as they were really slow and dad was teaching his son a bit on the course. With no one in view for a few holes behind me, I opted to slow down myself and not pass. It was a great decision. I knew I had plenty of time because they were quite slow, which meant that there was no rush for me. I took my time and hit better shots.
In retrospect, I think I played too fast and over swung anytime I found myself in a bad spot. Too many of my iron shots were not hit well. A few of my shots off tee weren't hit well either, but most did OK. My putting was solid. Even when across the green, I often could get to the hole with a single putt.
The 9 holes took me about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. I did no damage to the course. (Aside from a few divots that I made sure to replace) I didn't seem to piss anyone off. My score was terrible. I almost don't want to admit to it, but I hit a 68 on 9 holes. I mostly hit straight, though, so that's positive.
I can't wait to get out there again. And I realize now how ineffective my driving range sessions have been. I will have a totally different approach when I go back to the range tomorrow.
I did, indeed, go out yesterday.
The starter was going to pair me with a guy who was in town on business from San Francisco. He seemed really nice. When I told him this was my first time on a course, he said he was hoping to get through the round pretty fast and he'd just play ahead. So I was out on my own.
Just behind me was a twosome that were part of a league. They teed off right behind me and I offered to let them play through or join me as they were obviously much better. (As I stepped off the green, tapping in my putt on my sixth hit on a par four, they drove their first ball just shy of the green.) They opted to play through. I felt a little anxious and rough having someone pass me already on hole 1.
So I played alone, but I still had a good time. I caught up with a father-son duo on hole 6. They offered to let me play through as they were really slow and dad was teaching his son a bit on the course. With no one in view for a few holes behind me, I opted to slow down myself and not pass. It was a great decision. I knew I had plenty of time because they were quite slow, which meant that there was no rush for me. I took my time and hit better shots.
In retrospect, I think I played too fast and over swung anytime I found myself in a bad spot. Too many of my iron shots were not hit well. A few of my shots off tee weren't hit well either, but most did OK. My putting was solid. Even when across the green, I often could get to the hole with a single putt.
The 9 holes took me about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. I did no damage to the course. (Aside from a few divots that I made sure to replace) I didn't seem to piss anyone off. My score was terrible. I almost don't want to admit to it, but I hit a 68 on 9 holes. I mostly hit straight, though, so that's positive.
I can't wait to get out there again. And I realize now how ineffective my driving range sessions have been. I will have a totally different approach when I go back to the range tomorrow.