My first 18

[Tenn-Driver]

From reading some of the threads here, I realize that we have some very good players here, maybe even future pro's..???
I hope this thread doesn't bore you..... too much. LOL


Today I played my first 18 holes Houston TX. With some amazement I made some interesting shots that were firsts for me.

First let me say that this course had a SLOPE of 113 (learned something new today).
For the second time I par'd 4 holes and boggied 3 and made a 28' putt

Ok, I know this isn't great, but this is my 1st time playing 18 holes and on this course.
One of my par 3's... I tee'd off within 14' of the flag, Sure wish I could had gotten a birdie..

2 of my par 4's... I was on the green on 2 strokes and the ball landed withing 4' of the hole, but again I just couldn't sink the ball and had to settle for par.

There was a few other holes I should have par'd but the ball... well lets just say it was like it had a iron core and there was a large magnet on the other side of the green.
You touched the ball and it just went on and on and on and on..... Geeez I thought I was playing on grass .

I did have this great tee off.
The ball took off like it was shot out of a rifle barrel......... right into the pond... sigh
Fortunately that was the only casualty of the day.

On the 10th hole I hooked to the edge of the woods. While looking for my lost ball, I find this ball hidden under some leaves that has "HELP !!!" written on it... I had a good laugh at this and rescued the ball which is safe in my bag as we speak. I soon found my ball and proceeded to take my 4 iron and launch the ball right into a tree that set the ball back in the woods. Not being discouraged I tried it again only to hit another tree that sent my ball a good 30' deeper in the woods. I took a stroke and moved the ball to the edge of the grass and finished with a 7.

Then there was the 12th hole, It was shaped like and upside down "J", more like a fish hook around a pond. Playing it safe, I hit around the pond only to hit the ball 6' on the other side of a barbed wire fence where I ripped my shirt in 2 places.... note to self; must buy a extendable ball fetching stick.

Over all I had fun, made some real ugly shots and made some that would have impressed some of you guys... LOL

BTW, I finished the day with a 100

I'm seeing that I'm getting my distance, but my accuracy really stinks. I just haven't figured how to control my ball.
I suppose this comes in time ???

[Sandpiper3]

I suppose this comes in time ???

This game comes in time, and patience. Keep you wits about you while all others are losing theirs. Thats all u need to remember.

[ezra76]

Welcome to golf. Don't worry too much about scores, just go out and have fun. Practice, play, throw in a few lessons if you'd like. The difficulty of this game is what makes it so great.

[HighTopFade]

Sounds like a great start. That's all it takes to jumpstart this obsession.

[demon]

good score for your first 18. When i was 6 for my first 18 hole course I shot a 113 and they stopped keeping score for me after 13 holes. You will get better in time and soon enough be in the 90's.

[limpalong]

Originally Posted by Tenn-Driver

Today I played my first 18 holes Houston TX.

Welcom to the great game of golf. As you continue with this game, you will develop an appreciation for it. This game will take money from your house and food budget as you want/need the next best thing in your bag. This game will rip the heart right out of your chest as you turn an eagle putt into a double bogey. This game will stretch your patience and then snap it and the recoil will take the breath from your lungs. This is a mean, evil, non-forgiving witch of a game!

This is a game that you will anticipate your next round for days. This is a game that you will replay your good shots for weeks. This is a game that will make you laugh, cry, brag to people you don't know, and curse inanimate objects. Are you still sure you want to continue????

As you take up this game, please take every opportunity to learn proper etiquette and an appreciation for the traditions of the game. Respect your fellow players. Fix ball marks... not only your own... pick up the occasional item of trash. Leave the course better than you found it!

Welcome!!!! You're one of a large fraternity that encompasses the globe. We appreciate you being one of us. Let the fun begin!

[Tenn-Driver]

Limpalong sez... This is a game that you will anticipate your next round for days. This is a game that you will replay your good shots for weeks. This is a game that will make you laugh, cry, brag to people you don't know, and curse inanimate objects. Are you still sure you want to continue????

I own and operate my own trucking company hauling machinery, equipment and oversize loads since 1996... Challenge is my middle name... LOL

I totally agree with you when it comes to every bit of discription you made in your quote.
I have played (8) 9 holes but never a full 18. I have to admit I was pretty darn tired when I finished playing and sore this morning.

Although they were sold out at this particular course, I think I'm going to begin collecting "Course Balls" from different courses I play arounf the country.
I think playing different courses will help me adapt my playing style, once I develope one... LOL
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demon...
good score for your first 18. When i was 6 for my first 18 hole course I shot a 113 and they stopped keeping score for me after 13 holes. You will get better in time and soon enough be in the 90's.

90's..? My goal is to hit in the 80's ... LOL


My question is how you guys "Feel" your shots ?
How do you shape your shots ?

[demon]

Originally Posted by Tenn-Driver

My question is how you guys "Feel" your shots ?
How do you shape your shots ?

not sure whe you mean by feel but I shape almost every shot since it seems easier to hit a shaped shot than it is a perfectly straight one for me.

The key to shot shaping is to set-up your feet and shoulders down the line where you want your ball to start then point your clubface the direction you want the ball to end up. Make sure you practice this at the range first and just take a nice normal swing.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Tenn-Driver

My question is how you guys "Feel" your shots ?
How do you shape your shots ?

I think most players have a natural curve to their shots that has nothing to do with a plan, just how the ball goes with their most comfortable swing. Really good players can counteract that natural tendency and work the ball the other way when they need to, but not always perfectly. I have a natural fade, and I just don't try to mess with it. I'm not good enough to shape a draw on command, and so I just don't mess with it. I know how a draw is supposed to happen, but it just doesn't seem to work for me. I play for my fade, and when I get crossed up, it usually just goes straight.

I'm not sure that feel is something that can really be described in any useful way. With time and experience, your body and hands just learn what is normal for you, and what a good shot feels like. Then you also know by feel what you have done when you hit a bad one. In the short game, feel is just what you develop from playing and practicing. I can stand over a putt and just feel the stroke I need to hit the ball to the hole. I can't possibly describe it though.... it's just there.

[JEFF4i]

Welcome to the addiction. If I counted how many strokes I took my first round I'd run out of numbers.

Any questions just post here, good lot of people and a great abundance of information(and bs).