| want to learn to play golf? Great! In this article I | | | | move onto the next hole. |
| intend to take you on a tour of a typical golf | | | | Sounds easy doesn't it, well there are a few |
| course and to give you a general overview on | | | | other things you need to be aware of. |
| how the game of golf is played. | | | | Around the course you will come across a |
| A round of golf is usually played on an 18 hole golf | | | | number of obstacles that have been created by |
| course. However, there are some golf courses | | | | the course designers to make your game of golf |
| that may only be 9 holes. | | | | a bit more challenging and memorable. |
| The players elect to play either 9 holes or 18 | | | | The first obstacle is called the "Sand Bunker". This |
| holes. If you are a beginner, I suggest you start | | | | is an area of the course that resembles a sand |
| playing 9 holes as it allows you to get the feel for | | | | pit, but they are not as much fun. The Sand |
| the game within a respectable time frame. | | | | Bunker is usually in a sunken area of the course |
| The aim of golf is to hit a golf ball with a golf club | | | | and can have high sides to make it harder for |
| and get the ball into a hole with the least number | | | | you to hit the ball out. If the player hits their ball in |
| of shots (called "strokes"). The person that gets | | | | a sand bunker, they will need to hit their ball out |
| around the golf course in the least number of | | | | of it. |
| strokes wins. | | | | The second obstacle is the "Water Hazard". A |
| Each hole has a "Par", this tells the player the | | | | water hazard can be a small stream, a pond, or a |
| average amount of strokes it should take them | | | | lake. The water hazard brings the psychology of |
| to get their ball into the hole. | | | | golf into play, and some player swear the water |
| Players hit off from the Teeing ground, most | | | | hazard has a magnetic pull that magically attracts |
| players call it the "Tee". The player will use a golf | | | | their golf ball toward them. |
| ball tee to raise their ball to the height of their | | | | If the ball lands in a water hazard, most players |
| liking and then they use a golf club to hit the ball. | | | | will recover their ball and drop it as close as |
| Their goal is to hit the ball as far up the Fairway | | | | possible on the bank. If the player elects to do |
| as possible. The Fairway is usually mown grass, | | | | this they add a penalty of 1 to their score. |
| but may still be uneven. | | | | The third obstacle are man made hazards, these |
| Each Player then takes their turn to "Tee off". | | | | can be immovable objects such as light posts or |
| The players will then go find their golf balls. The | | | | benches, or they can be movable items such as |
| player who hit their ball the shortest distance will | | | | rakes, hoses or golf carts. |
| then hit their ball up the fairway aiming to get it | | | | If a player comes across a man made hazard |
| on the "green" | | | | they can elect to move the hazard, but they are |
| The golf green is an area of the course that is | | | | not allowed to move their golf ball. If the golf ball |
| smooth and has very short neatly mown grass. | | | | is moved then a penalty shot of 1 is added to the |
| However, the green will usually have a slope on it | | | | players score. |
| to make it harder! Somewhere on the green is a | | | | The fourth obstacle are natural hazards, these |
| hole with a flag sticking out of it. This is your | | | | can be leaves, twigs, sticks, or stones. The player |
| target. | | | | can move these natural hazards, but they are not |
| Once the golf ball is on the green, the player will | | | | allowed to move their golf ball. If the golf ball is |
| wait their turn and then putt the ball toward the | | | | moved a penalty shot of 1 is added to their |
| hole aiming to get the ball in the hole. Putting | | | | score. |
| means to hit the ball along the ground. The player | | | | Every golf course has a clearly marked boundary. |
| with the ball the furthest from the hole will usually | | | | If the player hits their ball "out of bounds" they |
| go first. | | | | must take the shot again from its original location. |
| When the player is lining up their shot another | | | | A penalty shot of 1 is added to their score. |
| player will usually hold the flag stick. This is so the | | | | This article has given you a basic understanding of |
| player taking the shot can line it up with the flag. | | | | the golf course and how a game of golf is played. |
| Once the player has hit the ball, the second player | | | | But, the only real way you will get to know the |
| will remove the flag. | | | | game is to play it, so get out there and enjoy it. |
| Once all players have managed to get their golf | | | | Happy Golfing! |
| ball in the hole, they record their scores and | | | | |