Playing golf in the Hampton's is always an experience, you never know who you will meet, or what will happen during your round. I remember the first time I played golf. My twosome was paired up with another twosome,two complete strangers. After my tee shot on the first hole went off the first fairway,I have no idea...landing somewhere in the trees on between Hole 1 and Hole 2, one of the other golfers asked me if I had a handicap. At this point I thought that he was joking, well he was not. The rest of the round went fairly well,shooting a 105 the first time I ever played golf. It was at this moment I questioned the player who asked me if I had a handicap, well my only handicap was that this was my first round of golf, playing aside a wise-guy.
Learning the rules, the lingo, and the language of golf is crucial at best. This obviously separates the beginner from someone just experiencing a bad day on the links. Since my first experience playing this game of golf, I learned a few things that I want to share with you. Remember that this is all taking place on a nice golf course in the Hamptons. NY. where everyone is an expert....Ha,Ha,Ha !
When the golf pro tells you to address the ball, do not take out your sharpie and write "To The Hole" on the ball. This will be a big mistake for the rest of your lesson. I have found that most golf pros, or club pros do not have the best mind set for the beginner.
Here are some key points that I learned very quickly when I started playing on a regular basis: 1.Do not walk through the parking lot with your golf shoes on when the temperature is above 85 degrees. 2. Never insist that your spouse should play golf with you. 3. This will lead to a couple of scenarios: A. When he or she plays really poorly, complains for 4 hours and ruins your whole day. B. He or she plays really well, and offers you advice on how to play better golf, and this certainly will ruin your day. This next one I read in a book: A double bogey is not a strong drink from the movie Casablanca. It means two over par. And not a bad score at all for the beginner. If there is a name for it it's a good score. There is no name for a 15.
Some terms and experiences learned early on playing golf. A divot is a lump of grass that flies up from where the golf ball used to be. A damn-it is a lump of grass that flies up in your face as you hit two feet behind the ball. A slice is a ball that curve to the right. A bad slice is a ball that lands behind you. A chip is not something left behind by a foraging cow. That's a flap. A chip is a carefully choreographed half-swing that often goes further than your first drive. Heavy rough is the area along the edge of the fairway just before your ball is legally out of bounds. A good rule to remember...If the guy beside you is barbecuing, you're probably out of bounds. A tough lie has double meanings. It's when you have to come up with an excuse...for the tenth time...as to why it took six hours to play nine holes and why your breath smells like chips and beer. It also refers to a difficult spot to have to hit your ball from. For instance, the base of a tree, or the upper branches from the same tree your ball is laying at the base of. And finally, Club Rules imply that you are not penalized by foreign objects on the fairway. Therefore, if you knock out a tourist with your drive, you are allowed to move your ball one club's length form the body.
Now that you understand some of the basics,you should be able to better appreciate the game. And, you can focus on some of the more intriguing idiosyncrasies of golf, like if it's completely made out of metal,why do they call it a three wood ?
Thank God that this wonderful game exists, and that you have the ability to play it !
Special Thanks to: Ernie Whitman
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