PLAY A GAME.
Yes, we know that golf itself is a great sport. But why not spice it up a bit by playing a game that makes things more interesting. There are some great games like Bingo Bango Bongo, best ball or even match games. Whichever style of play you choose, just be aware that you may never want to go back to playing regular golf again.
LET SOME CLUBS STAY AT HOME.
This is interesting and can be frustrating for some golfers. Next time you go out to play, try removing a few clubs from your bag (try leaving your 5, 7 and 9 irons in the car). A limited bag forces you to think differently about how you handle the court and will challenge you to think creatively. You may actually find that you develop some new skills that can help you in your regular rounds as well, which is always a plus.
MATCH GAME IS PREFERRED.
Here's a little tip that will speed up your rounds - switch to match play. In match play, each hole becomes its own separate battle and if you play with people who are honest about their handicaps, the lead can very easily change 4 or 5 times in a match. Instead of an 18-hole marathon, you now have 18 holes that are equally important. An added bonus is that since you are likely to pass holes from time to time, your pace of play will speed up and that is definitely a good thing.
FORM TEAMS.
Although golf is fundamentally an individual sport, something magical happens when you form a team. The concept of having someone to rely on and someone to help take care of when you fall apart adds a whole new level of interest and fun to the game. Team bestball is a format that works very well for most four-man teams. The beauty is that while you get to play your own ball, you also have a teammate to help you reach victory.
CREATE YOUR OWN RULES.
Some may hate us for this one, but we'll take the risk. When you're playing a relaxed round of golf, there's no reason you need to stick to the rule book. Why not invent some of your own rules? "Fluffing" your ball may be encouraged.
TURN ON THE MUSIC.
Playing loud music from the golf cart may not appeal to more traditional golfers, but adding some background music to your round is an instant mood lifter. When music is played, people immediately become more relaxed, which is not only good for your game, but also for your social life. There are some great little Bluetooth speakers on the market that are perfect for golf and if needed your smartphone will work just fine too.
PUT SOME MONEY ON THE GAME.
Let's just make one thing clear, we do not advocate high stakes gambling. But if you are inclined to make a small bet on the side, it will definitely make your round more interesting. The best thing about it all is that it doesn't have to be high stakes to be fun. Bet one crown per hole for match play or let the loser buy a round after the match. Whatever the stakes are, make sure the whole group is comfortable with it and then go out and dominate!
TEE IT FORWARD.
The tee it forward concept is an idea strongly promoted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and also by Austad's owner and CEO, Dave Austad. It's always tempting to play from the "back tee" to see how you'd fare against the big boys, but our view is that you'll have a much more entertaining round if you move up to a closer tee. Think about it - when you hit from the tee, you'll have a closer, easier second shot, which means you'll have a better chance of hitting more greens in regulation and have more short putts for par or birdie. As an added bonus, you can also likely complete your round faster.
DRESS IN A NEW WAY.
You know that pair of khaki pants and blue polo shirt that you wear every round? It is time for a change. Why not go to your local golf shop ( preferably 2Gringos ) and get yourself a new outfit. In fact, the better you feel, the better you will play. If you really want to embrace the concept, have your group show up in the craziest outfits they can find. You might get some unwelcome looks, but the memories of that round will stay with you much longer.
PLAY FEWER HOLES.
You might not know this, but it is not a requirement to play all 18 holes. Sometimes you might be in a hurry or just not in the mood to play the entire course. There is no shame in playing only 9 or 12 holes. The upside is that you still get to enjoy time on the golf course, but you've freed up several hours to do other things, like spending time with your kids or catching up on that "to-do" list that's been hanging on the fridge for weeks .
STOP COUNTING POINTS.
Yep, we said it. Stop. Count. Point. Just go out there and hit the ball and have fun with your friends. Use the time on the court to catch up and appreciate great shots. You probably don't want to play every round without counting, but why not sometimes just go out and enjoy the sunshine, your friends and this great sport we call golf?