I can't ever remember being asked for a handicap (or guestimate of handicap). Usually the starters will suggest if you're a handicap 0-8 use the back tees, 8-18 use the second set of tees and 18+ use the front tees. Some courses have more than 3 sets of tee boxes to use.
I've been paired up at times with people on their first round of golf, but as long as they don't spend too much time between shots it's never inconvenienced me or the following groups. I would say if you feel you are a real novice it's worth considering playing on Disney's Oak Trail course, which is a 9 hole "executive/family " walking course. It's a decent test of golf, only 9 holes so if you're struggling it's not going to take it out of you too much and it's often used by other novices so no one really cares how long you take ( but it's always a good idea to invite any group behind you to play through if you lose contact with the group ahead and are holding up those behind). There is also a nice 9 hole (all par 3s) course at Orange Lake country club that has 4 or 5 different tee boxes on each hole. If you're playing with a group of VERY mixed ability you can have the kids off one tee box, novices off another, ladies off another and any good golfers off the back tees (which make it quite challanging). The length of the holes vary from 100 yards to 250 depending on which tee boxes you use, it can even up the competition very easily.