I am a huge advocate of making sure the game of golf is fun. I have Women’s Beginner Clinics where I preach tee up the golf ball everywhere you go, fairway, rough, tee box. The game is hard for adults to learn and why should we make it harder than it must be? The same is true for Juniors. A youngster wants the golf ball in the air. It goes farther, it looks cool, and it is fun. So, tee it up everywhere you go and lets see how much fun we can have.

At one point in my life, I was competitive with golf. I am also a PGA Class A Member and love the history and traditions of this game. So, I am often asked how one gets better, outside of the obvious answer of play and practice. This is a true question that is asked by people who are dedicated to being the best golfer they can be, not a beginning player interested in fun only (though they were probably there at one point), or a nine-year-old who is on the borderline of overly frustrated.

The answer is simple: play real golf. Play by the rules, play the ball as it lies and the golf course as you find it. Too many players play golf casually. Again, I am speaking to those outside of the above beginners groups. Too many players give themselves putts, don’t truly follow out of bounds, do not know the rules of bunker play; in short, they do not play real golf. What happens is this: a person becomes a nine handicap and then, when the tournament season rolls around, they must play real golf. The out of bounds drive is counted, the three missed six footers add up and the paper nine handicap player shoots 92 or 93. Frustration builds up and amount of fun goes down, as do the number of rounds played.

Honestly assess your golf game. See what you really shoot. Play by the rules and when you genuinely see improvement, which you will, you can take pride in being a nine handicap, for real, not on paper.

I do not want to sound as if everyone is not playing real golf, but if you are one of those that is not, let me leave you with this: playing real golf will make you fall in love with the game of golf and all the mysteries associated with it. It will also allow you to truly compete and have fun anywhere you play.

Rich Conwell is the General Manager & PGA Head Golf Professional at Wheeling Country Club and can be reached with questions or comments at rconwell@wheelingcountryclub.com or 304-232-2000.