Joining a Pitch and Putt Club - 5 Things I Learned

1. Nobody is good to begin with!

This is the biggest point to highlight for me and its true, nobody is Rory McIlroy off of the first tee to begin with and if they're good from the start, they've played the game before! There are a couple of things that stick out in my memory and having the hindsight of a couple of years experience behind me I can look back and realize I shouldn't have felt so bad about it. The first is looking at others on the course teeing off and pitching onto greens whilst I was teeing off and shanking it 15-20meters to the right and feeling embarrassed about it! Now I realize that every person on the course was once that new member just starting out and has done exactly the same thing so I shouldn't have been so embarrassed as they can all empathize with it, the important thing is just to make sure that you shout "Fore" if its heading close by someone to warn them. The second was a time that I stood on the 16th tee box with 6 balls in my pocket and proceeded to shank every single one of them into the river! I had to walk off the course because I didn't have any balls left to finish the round. With hindsight I realize now that somedays really aren't your day and you can go back the following day and play amazingly, its part of the game even intermediate and senior players can be inconsistent. Don't let it get you too downbeat you will have your day too!

2. If you want help with your game, just ask.

Its a tricky game to master, there are players that have been playing most of their lives and they still haven't mastered it! I guess its part of the attraction of it, the quest to improve. It's difficult when you are starting in the game though, not knowing what you are doing right, what you are doing wrong or what your not doing that you should be? I learnt that there are so many nice people in the club that are always happy to help and offer advice if you need it, all you have to do is ask - don't struggle by yourself and fall out of love with the game. There are a lot of very experienced members that can always offer a few words of wisdom.  One of the things I love most about pitch and putt is the variation in techniques and I've learnt that this game is not about technique at all the only thing that matters is the result, how you get there is down to your own individuality.

3. Play in the club scrambles.

The club scrambles run throughout the year on a Sunday morning and when possible in the spring/summer months on a Thursday evening. They are a great way to learn and improve your game in a friendly setting. The format is straight forward where high handicaps (newer members would normally be in this category) are randomly drawn with a low handicap partner (More experienced player) In a scramble you both tee off and which ever ball is better you play, then you both putt or chip from the same position and the lowest score from your combined shots is taken. I found these a great way to learn from senior players and each different senior player that I played with gave me different pieces of advice that all helped me improve my game. It can be a bit daunting at first walking in and not knowing anybody but I found everyone incredibly friendly and welcoming and It's also a great way to get to know more members.

4. Attend some of the work sessions for the course.

Apart from the fact that these sessions are vital for the upkeep of the course because it is all voluntary work that keeps the course maintained. I found these sessions to be a great way of getting to know other members of the club in an environment where we aren't actually playing. Giving up an hour here and there more than paid for itself in the friendships made!

5. Fix your plug marks! 

This is possibly the most important of them all, it seems like such a minor thing but it makes a massive difference to maintaining the greens in good condition.  Did you know that if a pitch mark is repaired properly straight away it will recover in 24-36 hours. If it is not repaired properly or straight away it will take 3-6 weeks to recover!  Repair tools can be purchased easily for a few euros.  I have attached a you tube video below showing how to repair a pitch mark incase you aren't sure.

You can enjoy your membership however you wish, this is just my experience but remember above all else, enjoy the game and if you have any questions just ask. There are plenty of people in the club that are always happy to help!

Thanks for reading, Brian.