You?veseen it on TV and decided that golf looks more than a game which spoils a goodwalk! Friends who play the game seem totally absorbed by it and the social lifedoesn't look bad either. But how do you go about learning and joining a localclub near you.
There area lot of good tips on the English Golf Union website to help you understandwhat's involved and how to go about it. They say:
Joining a Club:
There are1920 affiliated golf courses throughout England that will suit all abilities.They are divided into different categories.
ProprietaryClubs: These clubs are owned by a proprietor or company welcome both membersand non-members.
MunicipleClubs: These courses are usually owned by the council and are ideal for golfersof all abilities.
Pay andPlay: These courses are ideal for flexible golfers who do not wish to becommitted to any one course.
PrivateMembers: These are some of the more established golf clubs of which many offeropportunities for member and non-members.
Thewebsite has an easy-to-use search facility to enable you to find your nearestgolf club.
Getting a Handicap:
Golf hasdeveloped an ingenious way of allowing people of different abilities to playwith and against each other. It involves applying a handicap to your grossscore ? the score after the removal of your handicap then becomes your nettscore.
Forexample, in a stroke play competition on an 18 hole course with the par being70, a player with a handicap of 10 must have 80 strokes to achieve a nett par,while a 20 handicap must have 90.
As yourgolfing ability develops, you may wish to obtain official recognition of this.
If youare a member of an EGU/EWGA affiliated golf club you will be able to achieve agolf club (CONGU) handicap, which is maintained by the individual golf club.
Yourlocal PGA professional coach is the best person to teach you, regardless ofyour ability. Thorpeness Golf Club offers Suffolk golf breaks that includeintensive and detailed golf lessons under playing professional Frank Hill. Thesecover all aspects of the game from bunker play to putting. With the added bonusof video teaching and the analysis facility of the ThorpenessGolfAcademy, you can impress your fellowgolfers with your improved game.
Round offyour day with a relaxed dinner, talking about your lesson, your experiences onthe Suffolk golf course or just the gorgeoussurroundings of wonderful Suffolk coast.
For youngenthusiasts there is junior coaching and also competitions to test their skilland progress. Suffolk golf events are organisedthroughout the year and more information can be obtained by either calling thegolf office on 01728 454351 or visiting the website.
KrisSmith has been living and writing about Suffolk for several years, So if youare looking for a golf club in Suffolk, either to learn, improve or play, takea look at Thorpeness Golf Club or Telephone 01728454351.
