Take a shot SPORT
Thinking of playing golf? We take a light-hearted look at courses, the basic rules and, of course, the all-important etiquette.
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here are a wealth of courses out there, all with their own specially designed fairways, greens, bunkers and hazards, not to mention the rough! Standing on the first tee, staring down the fairway, it can be hard to imagine how many strokes it is going to take before you actually get to the green, the soft, plush area surrounding the hole. You may land in a sand-filled bunker, finish up in a stream or pond, veer off into the fringe or, worse, end up in the rough hunting for your ball in long grass and trees. At the green it is not as easy as it looks to putt the ball into the hole as there are cambers, gradients, the lay of the grass and your own nerves to overcome first.
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However, before you even pick up a club, whether it be a driver or putter, there are a few things to think about.
COURSES If you are just starting out, the last thing you need is a course that beats you! It can be overwhelming to take on an 18-hole golf course straight away so it is worth considering a smaller 9-hole venue. For many, where their friends play can be a deciding factor, with welcome advice about drainage, where it is too flat, or if the green is too slow or too fast. As you progress in the game these all become very important factors. Each course is designed differently
with interesting challenges such as bunkers and water hazards. Ideally you want it to be varied too with long, short and straight holes as part of the play. If the gradient is too steep or the course design is too difficult you may not be able to actually make the shots with your existing skill level so think carefully about the type of game you are looking for and which clubs you will need. In addition, some courses dictate the direction of play, whilst others allow you to change it up and play a different route. How often do you want to play and how much are you able to plan ahead is the next big question. Do you have to book a tee (a game) in advance or is flexible
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