Tips for a newbie golfer?

[Nicodemus Phaulkon]

Oh yeah, once the pro gives you lessons, practice, even if only once per week, but practice what he taught you. Practice thoughts are best focused on 'what to do' rather than what not to do. <=== Read that again. Don't take it up without lessons from a professional, and don't 'accept tips from friends' unless they are very low handicappers or went to college on a golf scholarship . .

Other have touched on letting others "play through", maintaining some decorum on the course, reading the actual posted rules, etc etc. All very good. Not unlike reading the FAQ and Etiquette of the Lurker Lounge before posting, neh?

*looks at several idiots currently present who feel that's not necessary*

ANYWAY, the one true thing I have to offer as advice on etiquette is this: Do not offer advice on the golf course. EVER. NEVER, EVER, EVER. If someone in your group is making mistakes, doing something obviously wrong... what have you; keep your mouth shut. If said person actually turns around to you and says "What's going wrong?" or "What do you see?" or "WTF?", THEN you can feel free to offer your insight. Someone who feels it's their right to comment on my every move soon finds themselves in a very cold box.

Golf is a very personal game, to me. It's a contest against yourself. As Occhi said: "...on the long road to recovering my best handicap, an 11." It's a desire to better your own score, more than anything. Partners come and go, opponents come and go; your handicap remains with you round after round after round. Your handicap is your true opponent.