Tips for golfing at a new course

Playing a course you have never played before can be a big challenge for golfers of all abilities.

Here are a couple tips for you to do before you tee off:
1. Request a caddy (if they are available, I highly recommend taking one)
2. Ask for a yardage book in the golf shop.
3. Find a scorecard and look at the yardage from each set of tees and try to find a course yardage that will play in your range.
4. Look at the slope and rating also to help you to gauge the difficulty of the course.
5. Ask the starter or golf professional if there are yardage markers on the golf course and what they look like, most have 200, 150, and 100 yard yardage markers. They could be trees, or brightly colored disks in the ground.
6. If you don't have time to hit balls, try to roll a couple putts to familiarize yourself with the speed of the greens.

While playing the course, here are some tips:
1. Try to always find an intermediate target between you and your intended target. This could be a divot, a different colored piece of grass or a broken tee left behind by another player. This will help you with your alignment on the golf course. Once you have the target, line your club head up with it, then align your body parallel to the club head.
2. Lower your expectations for shooting your best score. You are playing a new course, you are going to hit the ball in places you shouldn't, and you will leave putts short or hammer them by the hole. Try to avoid frustration and enjoy your round.
3. Stay in your posture through impact. Most people tend to come out of their posture while hitting the ball because they are anxious to see where the shot is headed. This will cause many of your shots to be hit to the right and often off the toe of the club.
4. Finish your swing. You should try to see each shot land while holding your finish. A balanced finish can often be the result of a good swing.

And remember if you are a guest of a member at a private golf club:
1. Valet your car if it's offered.
2. Change your shoes in the locker room, not while sitting on your trunk.
3. Check in with the golf shop, the caddy master and the starter (if the club has these)
4. Follow all posted rules regarding cellphone use, etc.