A beginner’s guide · Enniscorthy Golf Club
New to Golf?
Golf can seem full of unfamiliar words and unwritten rules. This simple guide will help you know where to start, what to expect and how to enjoy your first steps into the game.
Where do I begin?
There is more than one way to start
You do not need to understand everything before you arrive. Choose the option that sounds most like you and we will help with the rest.
I have never played
Our Get Into Golf programme offers coaching, supported practice and a friendly introduction alongside other beginners.
Discover Get Into Golf →I am ready to join
Explore the available membership options and learn about practice, competitions and the club community.
Explore Membership →I want to try the course
Book a round, arrive in good time and speak to the Pro Shop team if you need help before you tee off.
Plan Your Round →Get Into Golf is the club’s structured beginner programme. New to Golf? is this permanent help page for programme participants, new members and anyone playing or visiting for the first time.
Ways to play and score
What format am I playing?
Golf competitions use one of two main formats: Stroke Play or Match Play. The other names explain how scores are counted or how partners play together. Select an option below to see how it works.
Stroke Play
In regular stroke play, every stroke and penalty stroke counts. Your scores for all holes are added together, and a handicap may be applied to produce a nett score.
Your first visit
Before you tee off
A little preparation will help you feel relaxed, look after the course and be ready to play when your tee time arrives.
When you arrive
- Arrive around 20 minutes before your start time
- Check in at the Pro Shop
- Collect your scorecard and ask any questions
- Be ready at the first tee a few minutes early
- Let your playing partners know you are new
At the first hole
- Collect one of the sandbags provided at the first hole
- Always carry the sandbag with you during your round
- Use the sand to fill divot marks where necessary
- Make sure your group is ready to play at the booked time
- Play from the correct tee markers for the day
Golf words explained
A quick beginner’s dictionary
These are some of the words you will hear most often around the course.
Handicaps
How many shots do I receive?
A handicap helps golfers of different abilities enjoy a fair game together. Use our Enniscorthy-only calculator to find your course handicap and see where your shots fall across all 18 holes.
The essentials
Good etiquette in five simple habits
Golf etiquette is mainly about safety, consideration and leaving the course in good condition for the next person.
Stay safe
Never play until the group ahead is safely out of range. Shout “Fore!” immediately if a ball may endanger someone.
Keep moving
Be ready when it is your turn and keep up with the group ahead. Pick up in Stableford when you can no longer score.
Care for the course
Carry a sandbag, fill or replace divots where appropriate, repair pitch marks and rake bunkers after use.
Respect others
Remain still and quiet while someone is playing and avoid standing too close to them.
Ask questions
Nobody expects a beginner to know everything. Your playing partners and the Pro Shop team will be happy to help.
Read the full guide
See the club’s complete guidance on clothing, safety, pace of play and care of the course.
Dress Code & Etiquette →Leave it better than you found it
How to care for the course
Small actions from every golfer make an enormous difference. Repairing marks properly helps the course recover quickly and keeps it enjoyable for the groups following behind.
1
Repair a pitch mark
A pitch mark is the dent a ball can leave when it lands on the green.
- Insert a pitch-mark repairer just outside the edge of the mark.
- Gently push the surrounding turf inward towards the centre.
- Repeat from several sides, then lightly tap the surface flat with your putter.
Do not lift the middle upwards—this can tear the roots and slow recovery.
2
Fill or replace a divot
A divot is the piece of turf displaced when a shot is played from the fairway. Always carry one of the sandbags provided at the first hole.
- If the displaced turf is intact, replace it neatly and press it down firmly with your shoe.
- Where necessary, fill the divot mark with the sand provided.
- Add only enough sand to bring the mark level with the surrounding turf, then smooth it gently.
Please return the sandbag after your round so it is ready for the next golfer.
3
Rake a bunker
Leave the sand smooth and ready for the next golfer.
- Enter and leave from the lowest practical side of the bunker.
- Rake over your footprints, club marks and the area where the ball landed.
- Leave the rake where directed by the club.
A smooth, even finish gives the next player a fair lie.
Everyone starts somewhere
You do not have to know everything before you begin
Whether you want to join a beginner programme, practise at the range or ask a simple question, we would be delighted to help you take the next step.
