How to Make Your Rounds of Golf Even More Fun

By: Derek Clements | Fri 09 Jun 2023

WE ALL agree that golf is meant to be fun, right? In saying that, you would be hard-pushed to believe it when you watch or experience at first hand the antics of some club golfers.

I cannot possibly be the only person who has ended up sharing 18 holes with people who throw clubs, lose their temper, blame everybody but themselves for bad shots, play the round in silence, reluctantly shake hands at the end of the round and even storm off without joining the rest of you in the clubhouse.

I just don’t get it.

When we go out to play in fourballs, which remains by far the most popular format in club golf, we almost always tend to follow the same matchplay format. The only time we usually use a scorecard is when when we play in individual medal or stableford competitions.

But I have a few ideas for ways that you and your mates can spice things up, while having a bit of fun.

Driving Range

Before you go out to play, head for the driving range. Apart from anything else, it makes sense to warm up. But don’t just go out and aimlessly hit golf balls. Challenge each other. Take three shots each at the 100-yard marker, at the 150-yard marker, at the 200-yard marker - and put a little something on who gets closest.

Then wander out to the practice green and do the same thing from the practice bunker - three shots each, pick a target and nearest to it wins.

And finish it off with a putting challenge.

Longest Drive

When you get out on the course, pick a hole that sets up best for the longest drive. Choose a hole with a wide fairway, open your shoulders and give it some welly. Again, put something on it. It doesn’t have to be money. It could be a shiny new golf ball or a pint of beer.

Nearest The Pin

Pick a par three in advance. The challenge is a simple one - nearest the pin wins. If you all miss the green you can then make it closest to the hole with your recovery shot or nominate another par three.

Golf More Fun

Straightest Drive

There will always be a hole that represents a proper challenge from the tee. Challenge yourself and your mates to hit the straightest drive on that hole. The golfer who finishes closest to the middle of the fairway collects the spoils.

Joint Stableford

We almost always play straight matchplay, but why not change it up? You and your partner take on your mates in either an aggregate stableford over 18 holes or a better-ball stableford. The great thing with stableford, of course, is that you can live with the odd disaster.

Joint Medal

Why not make every single shot count? You and your partner record your score on every hole, as do your opponents. Add it all up at the end, take off your handicaps and the lowest nett aggregate score doesn’t have to buy the drinks

Mulligans

Before you go out, agree on a number of Mulligans - and be sure to use them when it counts most.

The Wrong Way Around

If you are all right-handers, stick a left-handed club in the bag and, at a designated hole, every player attempts to hit a shot - the person who hits it furthest wins.

Trouble Shots

Pick a hole where the green is surrounded by thick rough. Play it as normal and when you have finished, drop the ball in the rough and each player attempts a pitch shot. Nearest the hole wins. If you do this, make sure nobody is waiting in the fairway behind you.

Venues

Don’t keep playing your home course. Do a bit of research, have a look at the Golfshake course review guide and visit some courses you and your mates haven’t played before.

Mix It Up

Why do you always play with the same four ball? Why not mix it up occasionally by playing with three golfers from your club that you don’t know particularly well?

Club Societies

When you think of a golf society you automatically believe that you need to get a group together to visit another course. Instead, why not speak to like-minded people at your own club and agree to get together on a set day every week? Find somebody who is willing to run the show and every time somebody wins they get their handicap cut by a shot. Trust me, this will quickly guarantee that everybody gets a shot at winning. At the end of each year, they start playing off their club handicap again. As a seven-handicapper, I joined a Tuesday club and ended up playing off +1 one year. If nothing else, it focuses the mind. Everybody used to hand over £2 every week - £1 would go towards the weekly prize pot, the other £1 would be put to one side for an end-of-year awards night. It was great fun.