Fore Play: A Beginner’s Guide to Golf

Golf is known as the business sport for a reason: There is no better activity to find out who somebody is, both in business and personally, than playing a round of golf with them. If you haven’t played for a long time, or don’t play at all, now may be the time to start — or start again. Here’s how to do it. The best way to get in the game is to hire a golf pro for just a few lessons. You need to learn how to grip, swing and generally get a “feel” for the club. Ask around for a recommendation, as opposed to searching for an instructor online or through the yellow pages.

Picking the right place to play is crucial. If you take on difficult courses before you’re ready, the game will seem impossible. Start off by going to a local driving range — you can hit a bucket of balls for less than $10 — where you can just get a feel for your clubs. Also don’t forget putting and chipping — those skills are almost half the game, although people mostly concentrate on the driving.

The first golf course I would recommend you try is an executive golf course, where all the holes are par 3, and where playing a round of golf will be quicker. Par 3 means that you should be able to drive the ball to the green (first shot) and put it in within two strokes. Many of these courses are public.

Once you feel comfortable with your golf, I recommend staying with a public course — these tend to be easier and cheaper than private and semi-private courses, though the waits can be longer and the courses not as pristine. A round of golf at a public course tends to range from $30 to $100. Private and semi-private courses typically start at $75 and can run well over $300. Remember, unless you are a member or invited by a member you cannot play on private courses. Semi-private courses give preference to members but will allow a non-member to play based on availability.

The following is a list of highly recommended courses to get you started in the tri-state area:

NEW JERSEY
Bergen Hills
660 RiverVale Rd, RiverVale
(201) 391-2300
Greens fees: Monday through Thursday, $79; Friday, $99; weekends and holidays, $109; golf cart included. Rates are typically lower before 7:30 a.m. or late afternoon (twilight rate). Less than 15 miles from Manhattan.

Knoll West
Knoll Rd, Parsippany
(973) 263- 7110
Weekdays, $40; weekends $55; cart not included. Lower rates for residents during off-peak hours. Good course, good value.
Ballyowen
105-137 Wheatsworth Rd, Hamburg
(973) 827-5996
Weekends, $135; Fridays, $120; weekdays, $100; cart included. Lower rates at off-peak times. Voted best public course in New Jersey by Golfweek, Zagat and New Jersey Monthly, among others. Not an easy course.

Bear Brook
527 Rte 94, Newton
(973) 383-2327
Weekends, $75; weekdays, $60. A nice course that has been recently renovated.

Black Bear
138 Route 23, Franklin
(973) 827-5996
Weekends, $85; Fridays, $75; weekdays, $50; cart included. A good value and easy to get to.

Wild Turkey
1 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston
(973) 827-5996
Weekends, $120; Fridays, $105; weekdays, $95. Wild Turkey is a very nice course and tends to be forgiving.

Architects
700 Strykers Rd, Phillipsburg
(908) 213-3080
Weekends and holidays, $110; Fridays, $95; weekdays, $85. Not an easy course, but unique because holes are patterned in different styles from 1885 to 1955.

NEW YORK
Westchester County

Silo Ridge Country Club, Amenia
(845) 373-9200
Weekends, $73; weekdays $53 Nice course, but challenging in a pastoral setting.

Garrison
2015 Rte 9, Garrison
(845) 424-3604
Weekdays, $65; Fri. Sat. Sun., $90. This is known as a challenging course with spectacular views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Highlands.

Rockland County
Blue Hill
285 Blue Hill Rd, Pearl River
(845) 735-2094
Weekends, $60; weekdays, $50; cart not included. Reduced rates for residents. Very popular course with locals because of the value.

New York Country Club
103 Brick Church Rd, New Hempstead
(845) 362-5800
Weekends, $135; weekdays, $110. Very nice course; not too far from Manhattan.

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