How to start playing golf?

Beginner’s Golf Guide: How to Get Started

Golfing can be a delightful pastime, but if you have never played golf before, it may seem like a lot to learn and tackle before you can compete with individuals who have been playing for years. So, how do you get started learning the game without getting discouraged? In this guide, we will discuss how to start playing golf so that you can take on the challenge and make the game one of your favorite pastimes.

Get Out There and Play

When you are interested in a new hobby, do you tend to put it off? Procrastination is one of the main issues that will stop you from learning the game of golf, so regardless of whether you have the right gear or the right skills, get out there and at least try. The best way to learn is to go to a driving range. This allows you to practice your swing without actually putting the ball into the hole. At first, your swings may be less than perfect, but if you never swing the club, they will never improve.

One of the benefits of practicing at a driving range is that they often have clubs that you can use. You may need to rent the club for the day, but many ranges will offer the use of a club when you purchase a bucket full of balls. Of course, these clubs are not going to be top of the line drivers, but you don’t need that when you are learning. If you have friends that play golf, you can also consider asking them if you can borrow their clubs to go to the range. Chances are that they will lend you the clubs or even offer to go with you. If you insist on having your own clubs, buy one or two to get started. Ideally, you are going to want a driver to get started, especially so you can practice at a local driving range.

Begin Acquiring Your Own Golf Gear

After you make several trips to the driving range, and you have decided that you enjoy playing golf, it is time to start getting some of your own gear so that you can make your way to a golf course. The first thing that you will want to invest in is more clubs. A full set of golf clubs includes a driver, an iron set, wedges, fairway woods, and a putter. It will be essential to have a variety of clubs so that you can take any type of shot, regardless of whether your ball is on the green or in the sand. Make sure to look into the different club options that are available to you because even though you are getting your own gear, you do not need a top of the line set of clubs that will be costly when you are still learning the game.

In addition to clubs, you will also want to have balls and tees so that you are always prepared for your game. You will also need to have a golf bag that you can use to carry your equipment. If you plan on renting an electronic golf cart any time you play on a course, or you have a friend who owns a golf cart that you can use, you will not have to worry about purchasing your own at this point. However, if you are going to heft your golf bag around the links, you may also want to consider a push or pull cart.

Learn the Rules of the Game

Now that you have the gear that you need for a good game of golf, it is imperative that you learn the rules of the game so that you are able to keep up on the green. The rulebook for this game is quite large, so when you start out, especially with friends, it is important to learn while you are on the course by asking questions and taking in what you see others doing. If you feel that you need guidance while you are on the course, you can even keep a guide in your golf bag that you can use as a reference any time that you have a question.

To help you feel more comfortable during your first game, here are a few basics:

  • Your first swing will be the one that counts; there are no redoes in this game, so your score will reflex your performance.
  • When you tee off, your tee must be positioned behind the markers.
  • You are not permitted to touch the sand in a sand trap with your club. If you rest your club on the sand before you take your shot, you will be given a penalty. You can hit the sand on your actual shot, but not before.
  • You should never touch the ball unless it is on the green. In this game, you must play it where it lands, so if your ball is in tall grass or sand, you must figure out how to make a shot that will get it back on the green.
  • On the green, the person furthest from the hole always goes first.
  • Never hit another player’s ball. If you accidentally hit another player’s ball thinking that it is yours, you will receive a penalty.
  • If you hit your ball into an area with a red stake, you can drop another ball within two club lengths of the stake. This is often because there is a pond nearby, and your ball has most likely gone into the water. You will suffer a penalty, but you can continue to play with a new ball. A white stake means that you have shot out of bounds, so you can retake the shot, but you will gain a penalty.

Golfing in not only about perfecting your swing and knowing the rules of the game; it is a gentlemen’s sport, so there are certain rules of etiquette that you should follow as well so that you can make friends on the course instead of enemies. Some of these rules include:

  • Never walk between another player’s ball and the hole.
  • Always take the time to rake a sand trap if you golfed in it.
  • Keep the noise to a minimum when another golfer is concentrating on their swing.
  • If your ball left a mark on the green, fix it.
  • If a golfer has lost their ball, help them locate it.
  • If your golf game is a bit on the slow side, and you are keeping others from playing their game, allow them to go in front of you.

Make an Effort to Improve Your Game

With some of the basic rules under your belt, the most important thing to do is to practice. They say that practice makes perfect, and in the game of golf, this is often true. When you play your first round of golf, you may be nervous, which may be evident in your swing, but if you continue making trips to the driving range, your long game will improve significantly. Most golf courses are the busiest on the weekend, so if you would like to practice a full game without much of a crowd, a weekday afternoon may be the best option.

Not all courses are designed the same, which means that one may be more difficult than another. Try checking out golf courses in your area to see which ones are best for your skill level. You may even want to consider practicing at a golf course that has less than 18 holes. In fact, many who are new to the game prefer a three-hole course so that they can practice on the same few holes. This will allow you to learn the swing that you need to reach the green, and it can easily be applied to new holes as you build your confidence in your swing.

In addition to practicing on the course, you can take the time to read up on different golfing journals or blogs so that you can learn more about the different types of clubs, the different kinds of swings and hand grips that you can use, and other ways to improve your game. If you are golfing with individuals who have some experience on the course, watch their game to see if there is anything that they are doing that will improve your game. Take some golf lessons; an instructor will be able to watch your technique and tell you what you are doing wrong, what you are doing right, and how to improve.

Improve your golf swing

Improve your golf swing
infographic credit: thefastlearners.com

Final Thoughts

The most important thing to remember when you are learning how to start playing golf is to have fun. You will be playing the game with three to five other people, so you want to be able to enjoy your time on the course together, especially considering that an 18-hole course will take more than four hours to complete. get inspired how to get into golf.

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