That's right! Fore!Less is actually more in golf.A score of 72 is better than a score 102.It's easy to keep score in golf -- hit the ball, find it, hit it again, and add up all shots at the end.There are a few things you should know before you start playing golf.See the first step to get started.
Step 1: You can get a scorecard.
A round of golf is played.You should record your scorecard after each hole.Without a scorecard, even experienced golfers can miss a shot.Track the scores of the other players in your group.Your opponent is usually responsible for keeping track of your opponent's score.After every round, you have to look over your opponent's card, sign or initial it, and agree that he has written down your score correctly.You have to do this at the end of the round.If your opponent makes a mistake that makes your score worse than it should be, you have to take the blame.One person is in charge of keeping score for all of the players before the game starts.
Step 2: Count every attempt to hit the ball.
Most of the time a golfer will make contact with the ball.If he/she attempts to hit the ball and whiffs, it still counts as a shot.If you accidentally hit the ball in a practice swing, it doesn't count.It counts as a stroke if you take a swing at the ball.There will be a number of strokes listed under "Par".The average amount of strokes it will take to get the ball in the hole.Your score can be viewed as 1-over if the par is 3 and you make a 4.Your score is 15-over if the par is 80 and you finish the course with a 95.You don't have to know them to keep score, but you should know that a bogey is one over par, and an eagle is two under par.Some players decide that they can't take any more strokes than a double bogey or 2 points over par.
Step 3: You should know your penalties.
Penalties cost you points.You want your score to be as low as possible, and the penalties drive them up.If you hit a ball in the water, drop a new ball and take a 1-stroke penalty.If you hit the ball out of bounds, re-hit from the original location and take a 2-stroke penalty.You can take a 2-stroke penalty if you lose a ball.
Step 4: Add up your points.
For a cumulative total, add up your scores from each hole.Double check it.One of your competitors will keep your official score.You have to sign your scorecard to make it official.The player with the least points wins the game.Some players add up the points every 9 holes so that they don't have to do too many calculations at the end and can settle disputes more easily.
Step 5: Know your handicap.
You'll have a handicap if you've played at least ten rounds of golf on the same course.A handicap takes into account your previous scores throughout the same previous round of golf, and you can play the game while keeping your handicap in mind.The goal is to do better than before.The Stableford method can be used if you want to get fancy with the handicap.A number of net points is what you get per hole in this scoring method.You get 2 points if your net score is equal to the par, and 1 point if you hit one over par.If you hit 2 under par with an eagle, you get 4 points.The player with the most points is the winner.
Step 6: The holes should be scored as "holes up" or "hole down".
This is a great way to play for beginners, and you don't have to be very careful about keeping track of everything.All you have to do is win holes.If your score on the first hole was 5 and your opponent's score was 3, you are now one hole ahead of them.
Step 7: If necessary, Concede a hole.
If you're having an impossible time getting the ball into a hole during a certain round and would rather save your energy and sanity, then you can give up that hole and move on to the next.There is a clean start in the next hole.
Step 8: Keep track of who won each hole.
Write down the names of the winners of each hole after every round.If you're down for that round, write + if you have a hole for it.You can write "AS" under the hole if you and your opponent got the same amount of strokes.
Step 9: When one player has more holes up than there are remaining, the game is over.
One match can be four and three.One player will win after being four holes ahead with only three holes to play, since the other player won't have the chance to win back any holes.
Step 10: Don't worry about how many shots you're taking.
It's more important to focus on getting the ball in the hole if you're a beginner.You will be more focused on falling into a rhythm than overanalyzing your game.As you get more advanced, you can make room for improvement by marking down your shots.