Ive never played golf before and was invited to play a round with avid golfers

Glad you are declining because you would be miserable and the other golfers on the course would be miserable as well. If you want to pursue golf head to the range for a few months and then head to a par 3 course and try that. If you like it then head out and start playing after work and work your way up to the weekend. That's my advice.

It is a game that requires mastery of several different skills.

I doubt there are many people who could break 100 their first time out.

IF you go, play quickly. No one cares what you shoot.

Show up and keep up.
Pickup after 7 shots.

Don’t go politely decline

Go - have fun

Throw a little money around just for the helluva it

Buy the group some beer

You don’t have to play every hole

Pick up after 7

Let the guy know you have never played but you want to go and enjoy the beautiful day outside with friends

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I feel like I should politely decline. I know some people would think I'm insulting them for it, but I also feel I'd be throwing away $100 to walk around with them and make myself look a fool by not being able to hit a golf ball. I would drag the group down.

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This!

i would defriend them ... they are stupid to a degree that is unbearable for anyone ... and they are self centered ... you don't ask someone to play a round of golf if that person is not a golfer ... ride in the cart and hand out for a cart fee, that's fine ...

Are you playing your own ball or is this some type of scramble and they need a fourth. If its a scramble, which I hope is the case, go, have fun. If you are playing your own ball, politely excuse yourself. There's a big difference believe me.

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I feel like I should politely decline. I know some people would think I'm insulting them for it, but I also feel I'd be throwing away $100 to walk around with them and make myself look a fool by not being able to hit a golf ball. I would drag the group down.

Someone's taking me to a driving range tomorrow. Any chance I can be in any shape for it to not be a disaster Saturday if I do go? Anyone got good beginner videos or anything?

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Go and enjoy yourself. Buy a bunch of used balls. When you hit a bad shot don't even go look for it, just take a drop next to your partner and keep moving. When you get to 8 just pick up your ball and put it in your pocket and at that point pull the flagstick and hold it for the rest of the group. Don't waste a lot of time.

Avid golfers typically like teaching new people the game and growing it. Just watch and learn the game.

$100 to be outside with friends is a good day no matter how I shoot.

I definitely wouldn't want to drop $100 at a nice course if I literally can't hit the ball.

If it is a scramble for fun, there is nothing wrong with playing IMO. No one can expect someone who doesn't play golf not to be terrible

Pick the best golfer and say you are going to scramble with him.
This is exactly how I got into the game. Friend was getting married and wanted the groomsmen to play in the morning of the wedding. I went to range a few days before, then when we played, I would just pick up and hit from the best shot of the group. Had a ton of fun and was addicted from then on, been 10 years.