Rice Lake Golf

Having Fun on the 19th Hole

 How many golfers do you know who get so uptight playing the game that they eventually wind up heaving their golf clubs right into the water hazard that ate about 1,000 premium golf balls?

 It’s rare, but it does happen.

 Most golfers understand that this is a sport where Saturday morning trash talk and 19th hole stories make the day’s mulligans and 5-putts all worth it.  If you’re new to the game, then you need to know that while most golfers take their score seriously, the minute they step into the clubhouse, also called the 19th hole, they unwind with tall tales and a little good-natured ribbing.

 The 19th hole is famous for being prone to bragging rights – “I couldn’t believe it when I landed on that par 5 in 2 and 1-putted!” Others exaggerate with such claims as, “That squirrel ran right up and grabbed my ball and took it up in the tree so I had to drop and take a shot.”

 It’s all a bunch of fun, food, and relaxation – and it adds about an hour or more onto your game, so be sure to prepare your spouse for your 19th hole shenanigans so they don’t expect you to walk in the door right when a 4-hour game should be over.

 The 19th hole can also provide some anxiety for those ending their game, since many are positioned on the course to overlook the 18th green.  You might encounter a crowd of onlookers and get the feeling you’re a Tiger Woods in the making.

 When you start your daily or weekly ritual of joining your foursome and other golfers in the clubhouse, try to keep it fun and light.  Some golfers don’t like being ribbed about their shortcomings, so until you get to know their personality, make some self-deprecating jokes and be the fall guy for the fun.

 The 19th hole is like a tea party for grown men and women.  It’s been dubbed “the easiest hole to play” because basically, you’re just unwinding and having fun.  You choose whether you’ll be bragging or griping about your last 18 holes.

 By the way, you might also find that the 19th hole (on some courses) is a temporary par 3 or 4 that gets opened up when another hole is having construction or landscaping done to it, but in most cases, it’s the bar in the clubhouse!

Gearing Up for Tournament Play

            While golf is a game where you can essentially play against yourself, battling to bring down your handicap with each round, it’s also a great sport to pit your talents against others.

            You don’t have to be good enough to qualify for the PGA or LPGA.  Amateur tournaments are great for players of almost every level.  Once you’re good enough to hit the ball every time (without whiffing it repeatedly), you ought to become comfortable with tournament play.

            Most local courses have some sort of amateur tournaments.  Some are for retirees on a Wednesday morning, for instance. Others are on weekends and open to everyone.  Some are specific for ladies.  In many cities, they also have junior tournaments.

            Depending on your level of play, you might even be good enough to play in the national amateur tournaments that preface a player’s turn into a fulltime professional PGA player.

            Playing in a tournament helps you learn how to play under pressure.  It’s much different from battling against your own friends in a foursome where you’re having fun and maybe placing a few bets here and there.

            You’ll sign up for a tournament and be placed with individuals you may or may not know – all at different skill levels.  The round isn’t just being played for bragging rights, but for the championship title, which often includes prizes.

            If you know you have a tournament coming up, then you’ll want to practice as much as possible before the date of the tournament.  Make sure get in practice for every club, not just your drivers. 

            If the tournament is on a course you’ve never played, try to sneak in a round or two so that you can make notes of the layout of the fairways, hazards, and other elements that might interfere with the perfect round.

            You might find that during tournament play, your stress level rises.  Some people freeze up when it’s official, so you may need to practice some stress reduction methods that help you stay calm on the teebox or when you’re 4 feet away and need to sink the putt for a winning birdie.

            Look around for different types of tournaments, such as scrambles or best ball play.  Sign up for a few different ones and then see which ones test your skills and provide you with the most enjoyment.