Take Small Bites
 by Mary E. Porter
Editor of Tee Time Magazine
New golfers need to forget what the recommended par is for a hole. If you don’t you will become discouraged very quickly when learning the game. New golfers should calculate their own “personal par” for a hole and as their game improves, the “personal par” will decrease. I recommend adding two to four strokes onto the par when beginning. If you haven’t sunk your ball into the cup by the time you’ve hit two times par, you should pick up your ball and move onto the next hole. Mark an X on your score. This will indicate that you picked up your ball and moved on. Divide the length of the hole up into little pieces.
For example, on a 345 yard par 4 hole, a new golfer should divide the hole up into four shots to reach the green. If a beginner golfer tries to reach the green in two, then he or she is trying to kill the ball. This can be deadly! Take smaller bites and reach the green in three or four shots, then two putt for a bogie or double bogie. This is a respectible score for beginners and intermediate golfers.
Remember the following steps and you will take just the right bite sizes for your level of play:
- 1. When you tee off, make sure the tee box is aligned in the direction where you want your ball to land. Know approximately how far you can hit the ball so you don’t attempt to go over a water hazard if the distance to reach the other side is further than you can hit. If possible, hit around the hazard.
- 2. NEW GOLFERS - If your lie isn’t good, place your ball up on a fluffy mound of grass to help you get under the ball. Aim away from trouble and for the middle of the fairway. If you are behind a tree or bush, pick your ball up and place it in an open area. You are a beginner! When you progress you’ll play the ball as it lies, but for now give yourself a break.
- 3. Look at the green and aim your ball towards the green and the least amount of trouble near the green. If there’s a sand bunker on the right, aim your shot to the left of the flag.
- 4. Before you hit onto the green, imagine that there’s a hoola-hoop around the hole and aim for it.
- 5. If your ball is on the green and a long distance from the cup, try to get your ball within a three foot radius of the hole.
Remember, playing golf is not about who can hit the ball the farthest distance with one swoosh of the club, it’s about accuracy and placing the ball in the correct position for your next shot given the level of experience you have. I know quite a few people who can drive 250-300 yards off the tee... right into the woods on the right. If they find their ball, it will often take them two strokes to get out safely. We usually both end up on the green in four.
Golf is a game of a lifetime. In the beginning be kind to yourself until you train your mind and body to the motion and thoughts needed to be consistent. Take little bites and enjoy the 18 hole menu.
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