Types of Golf Games

Like in basketball the are different types of games you can play like horse, the same applies for golf. In golf there are different ways and styles you can play. Each of these has its own specific rules that differ from traditional golf. You may find some of these to be more enjoyable than regular golf so I suggest you try them all.

• Match Play. This is the most common second to stroke play the original style of golf. In match play two players or teams play each hole as its own and by the end of the round whoever has won the most holes is the champion.
• Foursome. In this style of play, players team up and alternate who hits every shot. The first player its the tee then the next person on the team hits the second shot and so on. Foursome can be played with match or stroke rules (Marien).
• Four-ball. This is played similarly to foursome but instead of the players alternating they hit there own ball and keep the best score (Marien). This game can be used with match or stroke rules.
• Scramble. This game is played with teams. each player on the team hits a ball and then they collectively choose which spot is the best. From their they all hit again and continue the same process until the whole is done. The team with the best score at the end of the round wins. This can be used with match or stroke rules.

Marien, C. (n.d.). Types of Golf Competitions and Golf Scoring Systems. Golf Information. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from http://www.golf-information.info/types-of-competition.html

Golf Etiquette

In the game of golf it is important to make sure you are being kind and courteous to the golfers with you and others on the course. There is nothing more annoying than a golfer who is slow, mean, or ignorant. If you aren't mindful of what you are doing or how you are acting the people you are playing with probably wont invite you back to play. Its very important to make sure you are practicing good etiquette on the golf course. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Make sure you are playing at a good pace. It is important to keep a steady pace on the golf course. One of the worst things that can happen when playing golf is having impatient people behind you. If you play at a steady pace this wont happen. If you do end up with people behind you the courteous thing to do is let them play through and wait.
2. Watch out for the people around you. Make sure that there isn't anyone close enough to hit when you are swinging. Another good thing to do is yell fore if your ball is heading towards a group of people and make sure you shout loud enough to hear (weinman).
3. Wait your turn and know where to stand. This one will save you from getting hit and save you from being yelled at for messing up a shot. Be sure to not stand too close to someone about to swing the ball and make sure to be as quiet as possible so you don't ruin the player's concentration. 
4. Make sure to take care of the course. The sign of a good golfers is someone who takes care of the course whether they caused it or not. Making a golf course look good takes lots of hard work. So if you hit the ball in the sand be sure to rake up your foot prints and if you make a divot be sure to fill it with sand (Weinman).

Weinman, S. (n.d.). How To Play Golf: A Beginner's Guide From Golf Digest: Golf Digest.Golf Digest. Retrieved from http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/golf-beginners-tips

Interview #2

The next person I interviewed is another family member that is part of the business world. I asked him the same questions as the last interviewee so that you as the reader could compare and contrast the two and there preferences.

Q.How long have you been playing golf?
A.25 years or so.


Q.Which aspect of golf do you like the most?
A.The fact that it is primarily a “solo sport” and also the opportunity to hang out with good friends for 5 hours.

Q.Do you have a pre-swing routine? If so what is it?
A.Yes. I try to make sure that I align myself correctly and then do a partial takeaway (not a full practice swing). 

Q.What advice would you give to a beginner golfer?
A.Seek lessons or watch videos to develop good fundamentals.

Q.What part of the course is your favorite?
A.I like par 5s the best.

Q.Have you ever used golf to conduct business?
A.Yes, not as much lately though.

Q.How often do you play golf?
A.Unfortunately, not often enough. Maybe once every 3 or 4 months. I used to play twice a week. I was much better back then.

Q. What is one thing you cannot forget to bring golfing?
A.Your clubs. You can always buy balls or play in your running shoes. Hard to come up with extra cash to buy or rent clubs if you forget them.

Q.What is your strongest aspect of golf?
A.I don’t have many strong areas anymore. But I guess putting is pretty decent.

Q.When is your favorite time to go golfing?
A.I love to go in the Spring time, early in the morning.

Interview #1

I did an interview with a family member of mine and I asked him ten questions about his golfing experiences. The purpose of this interview is to get a feel for what an average golfer prefers and does on a golf course. Its important to see what other golfers are doing when they play. By doing this you can get ideas and find out what works for you and what doesn't.

Q. How long have you been playing golf?

A. 50 years

Q. Which aspect of golf do you like the most?

A. Driving

Q. Do you have a pre-swing ritual?

A. I step behind the ball and visualize where I want to hit it.

Q. What advice would you give to a beginner golfer?

A. Take some lessons from a good golf source.

Q. What part of the course is your favorite?

A. The Fairways.

Q. Have you ever used golf to conduct business?

A. Well, to witness to someone.

Q. How often do you play golf?

A. Not enough! 10 times a year average.

Q.What is one thing you cannot forget to bring golfing?

A. A good attitude.

Q. What is your strongest aspect of golf?

A. Getting out of the tee box.

Q. When is your favorite time to go golfing?

A. In the early mornings.

The Golf Bag

What to Expect by David Billings

When first starting out golf it is important that you remember to above all else respect the game and the other people who are playing it. Because only one person can hit their ball on a hole at any given time, it is polite and customary if you are taking too long to finish the hole to pick up your ball or let a smaller/faster group play through. If you do find yourself taking too long or get frustrated do not take it out on the course, pick up your ball and take a break, call it a day, or practice at either the driving range or putting/pitching greens. 

Golf is a simple game to learn but one that takes years to master so do not quit if you find yourself getting a lot of bogies etc.. Also it is customary to dress in nice clothing when golfing, even mandatory at some courses; usually a collared shirt and some khaki pants or shorts will be good enough for any course. 

Once you’re looking the part and out golfing remember to always fix your divots (the hole left in the ground from swinging the club too low). It may seem silly but it’s always a good rule of thumb to always try to leave the hole better than when you found it, if you see a unfilled divot filling it for the next round of golfers is just a good thing to do. The main things to take away from this for any beginner would be to take care of the course, respect the game and its players, behave and dress appropriately, and enjoy the game as you play it.

Knowing What to Do

Like any other game or sport, golf has a set of rules. These rules cover the basics of what to do on the course to what the player can carry. Players are expected to know the rules when playing and if a rule is broken by a player there are penalties that take away from your score. So in order to keep from collecting penalties, here are some basic rules to help get through a round.

1. Don't move the ball. The ball can only be picked up when it is on the putting green and even then the ball must be marked by a small coin or ball marker. The only time the ball can ever be picked up when its not on the green is if there is an obstruction like yardage marker.(Weinman)
2. Always play your own ball. If there is a lying there don't think free ball because it may be someone else's ball.(Weinman)
3. It is okay to play from another hole's fairway. As a beginner you are going to hit crazy shots that may end up on the fairway of another hole. If this happens make sure the ball is not out of bounds and make sure there are not any players playing that hole. If your ball is considered out of bounds then take a one stroke penalty and hit again.(Weinman)
4. Take only a short time to look for a ball. If your ball goes into the deep rough, don't spend more than five minutes to look for it. If the ball is not found, take a one stroke penalty and hit from the original spot.(Weinman) 
5. Play inside the course. Make sure to stay in inside the course. Out of bounds areas are marked by white lines or stakes. If your ball lands out of bounds take a one stroke penalty and hit from the original spot.(Weinman)  

Follow these basic rules and you will survive a round of golf.

Weinman, S. (n.d.). How To Play Golf: A Beginner's Guide From Golf Digest: Golf Digest.Golf Digest. Retrieved from http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/golf-beginners-tips