Direct and personal service
Golf4Holland is always ready to provide you with information and/or advice. On weekdays you can call us daily between 9 and 12 at 0343-724990 and you can always send an email to info@golf4holland.nl . Email messages will always be answered within 24 hours and if you indicate this, we will call you within 24 hours after receiving your request.
General information about golf
We said it before, golf is played on a golf course. Below we will tell you more about golf games, golf rules, golf clothing, golf equipment, golf accessories and much more. It is important to know that you can play golf the way you like it; competitively, for fun and/or as a lovely walk through a piece of beautiful nature. It is all possible and allowed.
Playing Formats
There are a lot of playing formats in golf. All playing formats can be divided into 2 main forms: matchplay and strokeplay. One can choose to play as an individual, as a team or both. As an individual your personal score counts for the end result, as a team your team's score counts for the end result and in a combination there are prizes for both individual and team performance. When calculating your result, your handicap can be taken into account; this will be your net result. If the handicap is not taken into account then this is the gross result.
Strokeplay
The primal form of wave is strokeplay. All strokes a player needs to play a round of golf count towards the score, including penalties. The player who needs the fewest strokes at the end of the round is the winner. If people with a handicap play, a player with a high handicap can still win from a player with a lower handicap. At the end of the round, the handicap is subtracted from the total score, and the net scores are compared. Winner is the player with the lowest net score.
Matchplay
Matchplay is an expression used in sports. Here one opponent plays against another. The winners then compete against each other according to that schedule, until there is only one winner in the end. This form of play enjoys a lot of popularity in golf. By opponent can be understood an individual player, a duo or even a team. It is also possible for two teams to play matchplay against each other. In that case, match play is played between them. The team with the most victories wins the match. This is in general the way in which the big country games are played in golf. Well-known matches are the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup and the Solheim Cup.
Matchplay Skins
In this format you need a minimum of two players, and each hole is scored as a match play, with the winner on that hole being the player with the lowest score (with or without handicap). However, if there is some kind of tie for first place, then nobody wins the hole (which is called: One Tie, All Tie). Normally, the skin for that hole is then added to the skin for the next hole, making those two skins worth. This continues until someone wins a hole, where all open skins are for that winner. At the end, the player with the most skins wins and an amount per skin is paid by the other players in the game equal to the difference in skins between them and the individual skins of their opponents.
Golf gear
Say, you want to start golf, what do you need? Golf may have an image of certain brand clothing, but that's not true. You can buy your golf supplies as expensive as you want. There are suppliers like Jumbo, Golf Plaza and Decathlon, but there are also plenty of second-hand ones on the internet. Still want to get acquainted with golf? Then check for a while whether you like it, before you buy more professional golf equipment. Or call Golf4Holland on 0343-724990 or send an email to info@golf4holland.nl for advice! Below are the basic necessities before you start on the golf course.
Golf clubs
One of the most important tools to practice the sport of golf is the golf club. Here we do not mean the club but the "stick" with which you hit the ball. It is best to have it measured and try some at a specialty shop. It's all about how your golf swing is, but also the construction of your body and your level of play. There are golf clubs made of steel and graphite, one is lighter, but is it easy to hit? The grips are also an important aspect of a golf club: the club must be good in the hand and not slip out of your hands during a swing. An important club is also the putter. The putter is used to make the puts on and around the green, where most points can be scored!
Golf ball
It is not possible to play without golf ball. There are quite a few requirements for a golf ball, such as weight and size.
A golf ball may not be heavier than 45.93 grams and the ball may not have a diameter smaller than 42.67 millimeters. Also, a ball must be well aligned and symmetrical. A ball should be measured just like a club: do you hit hard or less hard? Some balls are harder than others and some have more "feel" than others.
Golf clothing
Special golf shoes are essential. The twist you have to make, an average sports shoe can't handle that. In addition, there are spikes under the sole, so you have more grip in the grass. And you have to walk quite a lot during a game of golf, so they should also provide good support. Gloves are not especially necessary, but they are finer when playing golf. This way the teacher sees better if your grip is good and wearing golf gloves can be pleasant for your hands. With rainy weather, rain gloves can be a solution to maintain the best possible grip.
Tee's
Tee's needs you to put the ball higher so it's better to hit. Tee's come in different lengths. Depending on the club you are going to hit, you will need longer or shorter tee's, because the ball has to be placed higher or lower for that club.
Pitchfork
This is actually a tool that allows you to repair any prints on the green (the very short cut at the end of the hole, where the flag is also). If your ball falls on the green from the air, a small dent is created. The pitchfork is there to repair that dent. You are expected to do this yourself immediately to ensure that others do not suffer from your dent. By the way, such a dent is called "pitchmark". You will see many signs on golf courses with the friendly but urgent request to repair your pitchmarks.
Golf rules
Etiquette, or rules of conduct, are important in golf. There are several people walking on the course, the balls can hit very fast and very hard and the course needs to be well maintained. Safety is paramount on the course, but also respect for the course, the fellow players and the game are of paramount importance and of course enjoying golf. The most important rules of conduct on the course:
- Stay two meters away from someone who is going to hit.
- Shout 'FORE' when a ball flies towards the players.
- Stand and be still when a player strikes, so as not to disturb someone in concentration.
- Never stand on the green in anyone's field of vision or in another person's line of play.
- Play on as quickly as possible so as not to disturb others
- Put back tiles, rake the bunker and repair ptichmarks (dents on the green) when you see them.
- Adhere to the local rules that the club applies on the course (see reception and/or score card).
These are the most important rules to follow when it comes to rules of conduct. There are also golf rules that are updated each time by NGF - the Dutch Golf Federation. In order to find your way around the golf rules, NGF Regel exams are offered. You can practice these unlimited and free of charge on our site.
Questions about Golf?
Do you have any questions about Golf, the sport or membership? Feel free to contact us via the customer service. Our friendly experts know everything there is to know about golf and will provide you with direct and personal advice on lesson planning, the NGF rule exam and the NGF Handicap Registration. Mail to info@golf4holland.nl or call 0343-724990.
