Tips for the non-golfer to get you saying “Yes” to the corporate golf day.
So, you’ve been invited to yet another corporate golf day, but instead of saying no, this time you want to say yes.
This article is going to give you all my fantastic tips and tricks for getting you to that corporate golf day in style, and with no regret. It’s for the men and women who are not golfers but don’t want to feel excluded from the golf day anymore!
Now, I know what you are thinking by the looks of the photo of me in my golf gear…. “What advice can she give us? She looks like a professional golfer (aka “a pro”)”. Well, let me tell you my readers, I am far from a “pro”. Read on to find out how you too can look like a professional golfer even if a 3-year-old can hit further than you.
Tip 1 - Say yes. I know it seems like a simple one, but until you say that three letter word, you’re not attending. There is no backing out once you’ve said “yes”.
Tip 2 - Get the appropriate kit (clothing). This will probably start with your work branded polo and cap or visor. If you don’t have these, then any collared shirt will do. Probably not cool to wear your akubra or straw hat. Next, you are going to need a pair of knee length shorts or a skort. These cannot be denim, as golf courses have strict dress requirements. Amazon is a good place to start.
If you really want to look the part, then you are going to have to get yourself a glove. Be sure to make a point of dramatically putting it on at the golf club to show that you know your stuff. Now, your golf glove goes on the non-dominant hand (if you are right-handed then you get a left-handed glove) but that doesn’t matter too much if you are just looking the part. Now to be clear, it is important to get a golf glove, you can’t wear your skiing gloves or gardening gloves… a rubber glove might be good if you want to make someone laugh. As for shoes and socks, whatever you have is oaky but if you can borrow golf shoes you are going to really impress. If not, some white sneakers will be fine.
Tip 3 - Learn golf etiquette. This is possibly going to be the most important tip I give you. If you speak while another golfer is taking a shot, take too long finding your ball in the rough, or take the buggy out of permitted areas, it’s quite likely you will find yourself surrounded by some pretty unhappy golfers. Don’t forgot to rake the bunker and tend to the flag! Here is a link to Golf Australia’s etiquette but you should check with the club you are attending prior to, and make sure you have memorised it all.
Tip 4 - Learn the lingo. Now with golf, there is quite a bit of lingo, and to be honest, I am still catching up in this department. You certainly don’t need to know all of it and I have never heard some of the words used on the course. So, here are some of the essentials; Birdie, One Under, Chip in, In the Rough, Bunker, Happy Gilmore Fore! You should also know the difference between your sticks: Wedge, Driver, Wood, Hybrid, Iron and Putter. Now, I’m not going to tell you what they all mean or how and when to use them, but suggest you do a quick google search to learn what you need to.
Tip 5 - Do some practice shots at home or go to the driving range. You could even try out golf on Nintendo Switch Sports, it’s surprising what you will learn from playing computer games. As my dad always told me, remember to bend your knees, keep your feet shoulder-width apart and grounded, and keep your head down. Then just hope for the best.
Tip 6 - Only play in an Ambrose style game and preferably a charity game. An Ambrose is teams of 2 or 4. The beauty about these games is that everyone hits the ball off the tee, but then you only use the one that goes the furthest. Then everyone else in your team picks up their ball and places it back down where the best shot is and then you all hit the second shot from there. It’s a bit more detailed than that, but it takes the pressure off you as a non-golfer and makes the day a lot more fun. It’s even better if it is also a charity game where you can “buy” things to improve your score, e.g., “Throw Shots” (being able to throw your ball instead of using your golf club), and the money goes towards a great cause.
Tip 7 - Choose your group carefully. If you are a non-golfer then you are going to have a big handicap, and I hate to say it but if you are female that is even higher. So, what that means is that if you are with 3 other good golfers (say handicaps of 10 and under) then they will “carry you” and appreciate your handicap. I don’t recommend having 2 non-golfers in the same team.
Now I don’t like to brag, well actually I do, but back in 2016 at Hamilton Island, I did win a golf game and I even have a trophy to prove it. I am still basking in the glory of that game. It was a charity day and I played with 3 excellent golfers. It was a lot of fun as a non-golfer so I am glad I said “yes”.
Hopefully these tips will get you saying yes to that Corporate Golf Day, and who knows you may even bring home a prize as well as a new client or contact.