Rules Are Rules...Oh Really?

     One thing about the game of golf that is clear.  It has a lot of rules.  To a new golfer those rules can be a bit confusing and difficult. But let me ask you something. Are those rules set in stone?  Can we modify those rules and how the game is played to make the golfing experience more fun for new golfers. I think we can.  We can adjust the rules and the actual playing of the game to fit the skill level of the beginner. As a new golfer gets better at the game and their skills improve, the rules can be followed more closely.
     I published my blog yesterday and had a comment from Corky Hall.  She made the suggestion that the new golfer tee off from the forward tees. I was going to respond to your suggestion yesterday Corky, but for some reason Google+ wouldn't let me. I wanted to let you know that I would be covering that very subject in today's blog and I thank you for your feedback.
     What law says that you must tee off from a given set of tees? Most of the time I tee off from the regular tees, but sometimes depending on whom I am playing with tee off from the senior tees. My daughter tees off from the man's regular tees and always waxes my behind. Wherever you are in your golf skill level, it is OK to tee off from different tees. The hand of God will not come down and smite you. In fact, the players behind you may thank you and you will enjoy the game more. As your game gets better you can change your tee box.
     Do you even have to tee off from the tee box?  You don't have to. You can take the ball up to the 150 yard marker and tee from there. As your game gets better, go to the tee box. What's wrong with that?  The only thing I would suggest is that you let your playing partners know what you are doing. Play shots you are comfortable with.
    For now, why tee off or play the shot over the water hazard when you know the ball is going to go into the lake? You will get to that point, so make the game a little easier on yourself. By the way, there are many of us who still put the ball in the lake anyway, and we have been playing golf for a long time. That diver that dives lakes for balls has made a lot of money off me and I have been playing for a very long time.
     What about scoring? Do you have to play and count every stroke.  Think about this one. How about hitting the ball off the tee and giving yourself a certain number of strokes in the fairway.  When you are over that number, move your ball to the putting surface or near the putting surface and work on your short game. Give yourself maybe two strokes to get on the surface and four putts to put it into the hole. After the four putts, move on to the next hole.
     What about the ball you hit out of bounds?  Take a little time to find the ball and instead of counting the penalties, just drop the ball somewhere you have a shot that is near where the ball went out of bound and hit the next shot. Don't worry about the penalty, just play on.
     Learn the fundamentals of the game.  Learn how to hit the ball consistently and the rest of the game will come as you play and practice. As your skill level improves, you will want to play the game without any modifications.  Until then, you will want to enjoy the game and don't beat up on yourself.  The game can be tough enough. When you practice, learn and play you will get to the level you will want to be at. Don't forget to take some lessons as well.
     Don't forget to visit us at Golf Is For Everyone on our website http://golfisforeveryonemd.com.

I have been playing for 37 years and there is always something new to learn.