by: Tenna Gomez
If you’ve always been tempted to learn to play golf, but never managed to find the time, look no further. Every year, the sport has new converts with millions of wannabe golfers all over the country yearning to learn how to play. No matter your age, it’s never too late to pick up the game.
Golf Professionals available for lessons
There’s no better place to learn than Cobble Creek, in Montrose. This well-designed course features dramatic topography and glorious views along with the chance to experience a championship course. Of course, you don’t have to be a champion to play at the Cobble Creek Golf Club’s 18-hole, 6,983-yard, par-72 course. This valley course offers 360-degree views of the Grand Mesa and San Juan mountains for stunning scenery.
Teaching your children early to be great golfers!
Whether you’re an adult, or wanting to teach your child to play, there is much more to golf than just the score. When you learn how to play golf, you learn about integrity and honesty and communicating with others. You learn how to deal with people and how to conduct yourself when golfing. For the nitty-gritty of how to play, taking a few lessons is best. But etiquette is something that is also an essential part of golf. If you learn proper etiquette it will give you an advantage over some people who have been golfing for decades.
First, as with any game, consider safety. Golf clubs and golf balls can be dangerous if someone isn’t careful. There are two easy rules to help avoid injury. First, don’t take practice swings toward another person. Second, don’t swing your club when someone is walking around and, conversely, don’t walk around when someone is swinging a club.
Another golden rule of golf etiquette is keeping quiet. Concentration is key on the golf course and while it’s fine to congratulate a member of your group on a good shot, you still have to remember that others are playing.
Stay aware of the pace of the play, too. Novice golfers are often slower than those with more experience. There are a couple of way to pick up the pace of play and that includes taking only one practice swing for each shot, as well as planning your shot and which club you’ll use before it’s your turn.
Also, be aware of the group playing ahead of you and make sure not to hit into them. If you think there’s the slightest chance that your shot could reach the group ahead, and hit someone, wait. On the flip side, if your group is playing a little faster than the group ahead, you can ask to play through.
And then, there’s golf cart etiquette. Both motorized and pull carts can damage the golf course. Keep pull carts 10 to 15 yards of all tees and greens. And keep motorized carts on the cart path for the most part. They’ll wear down an area faster than a pull cart.
Cobble Creek, Colorado Golf Course
Of course, rounds of golf result in a bit of wear and tear to the course. It’s each golfers responsibility to repair the damage to keep the course in top condition.
A divot is the chunk of grass that often comes up when playing a shot off the fairway. It’s common to take a chunk of the grass up with the club head. To repair a divot, pick up the clump of grass and put it back in the spot it came from, lightly stepping on it to help it grow back.
A mark is made when a ball lands on the green. These can be repaired with a ball mark repair tool. If the ball goes into the sand trap or bunker, you should take the shortest route on the outside of the bunker to play it out. Then, use the rake that’s provided to rake over the shoe prints and club marks.
Just remember – when you’re on the golf course, treat it like it’s your own backyard. After each shot, make sure you leave the course in the same condition as you found it – or better.
