Check The Attitude

     In the game of golf, attitude is very important. When you play the game you must maintain a positive attitude for 18 holes or a span of four and a half hours. It is impossible to stay in positive attitude mode for that amount of time, but you can if you keep in sight that above all you are having fun. Today I am not talking about playing the game and keeping a positive attitude throughout your round, I want to talk about experienced golfers and their attitudes towards new players.
     I have a question for you golfers who have been playing the game for a very long time. What is your attitude toward bringing new golfers into the game and having them out on the course? How do you treat them?  Do you consider them a nuisance? Have you been behind a group of "newbies" or played with a "newbie" and got frustrated at their slow play and less than mastery of the game? Did you harbor a great disdain for them being on the course and cussed them out in your mind?  You can admit to it.  We all have done it, haven't we. I know I have a time or two.
     This is not a horror blog but I want you to do something for me right now.  I want you to think back to the time when you first decided to learn how to play golf. What was it like?  Pretty scary and intimidating, I would guess. I want you to look back and see yourself when you first started the game and feel those emotions. That's what a "newbie" is feeling, a little intimidated to say the least. Remember, you were there once too.
      One more thing to think about is that "newbie" is the future of the game and you have a responsibility to nurture him or her. We need to welcome them to the game and make sure they grow.  There is a lot to learn about this game and golfers are lifelong learners.  That is one of the exciting things about the game we play.  There is so much to learn and you can never be perfect. Those who are new to the game are family, not outsiders. We need to teach them and mentor them.  Let's not greet them with a hearty "Get the heck off my golf course.  I don't want you here!" attitude.
       So, let's all look at ourselves as experienced golfers and feel what it was like. Let's be available to help them get better and enjoy the game. We have that responsibility.