Getting started with golf

Golfing is favorite pastime of many people around the globe. Businessmen especially like to play this game, as it offers a marvelous chance to talk and negotiate with their partners in between the holes. Also, they like to invite their employees to their games so that they would get a chance to talk to them and get to know them better. If you have been invited to a game of golf, this is your chance to shine. If you do not know much about golf, do not worry. There is some advice that you can follow and you will be set for your first game. Without further ado, here is what the professionals have to say to the beginners.

Taking the first steps

It is always the hardest to take the first step, but do not be afraid. Golf is a sport just like any other and you can learn to play it just like the others. What’s more, you need less physical ability to play golf than to play football, for example, which means that it is easier for people who are not exactly athletic (although you need to raise your athleticism level if you are to be a pro, but I doubt that that is your goal). The first steps in playing golf would be to watch a few videos of professionals and see how they do it. Also, find the rules on the Internet and memorize them. Reading about golf in general should be your starting point.

Getting the right clubs

I once had a chance of going to a golf course only to see a guy splashing around his golf bag with $3,000 worth of clubs inside. I thought to myself: “This guy definitely knows how to play!” Once he got to actually strike the ball, his shot wandered 80 yards away from the fairway. The next one did, as well, and another one after that. He quickly became the laughing stock of the course.

The thing is that many beginners (especially those loaded with money) tend to buy the most expensive clubs they can find, because they think that it will positively influence their game. DO NOT do this! The more expensive clubs are for experienced golfers who know what they are looking for.

What you should do is go to a store and ask for beginner clubs. These are made for beginners as to ease their shots and to help them hit the ball properly. No one will laugh at you if you have a less expensive set of clubs. They will laugh at you if you bring the expensive ones and not show anything for their worth.

Be patient

Perhaps, right now, you are edging to go to a course and fire your balls away, without any proper education. It’s just hitting the ball, right? Well, wrong. The game of golf, as simple as it may seem, has many intricacies that you have to get into before venturing onto the field. It is always advised to go practice at the driving range first for a few lessons, then work over the fundamentals and, finally, venture out on a 9-hole course, just to be sure. After all that, you can think about going the full 18 holes.

Beginners are very frustrating on the field, both to themselves and to people around them. They are frustrating to themselves because they are constantly missing shots and to others because they have to wait for beginners before they can play again and it can take a lot of time for someone who does not know what he or she is doing on the field to get going.

Seek professional tutoring

There are trained PGA Professionals that can assist you and guide you on your way to perfection. If you do not believe me, ask Tiger Woods. Even he still takes lessons from other professionals so that he could perfect his game – and they say that he is perfect. If he can do it, so can you. It might cost a bit, but, hey, it is much better to spend that money on lessons and training than on that brand new set of golf clubs that you have been eyeing even since before the first tip I gave you here.

How to choose which balls to buy

The biggest issue with the balls, says Thomas Wilson from Lost Golf Balls, is the fact that they get lost, especially if you are a beginner. They can wander into the forest, end up as water hazard or something completely random may happen to them. So, choose the balls according to your level of play. If you are a beginner, you will probably lose more balls, so go for the ones that cost $20 per dozen. This way, if you lose a few, it will not be such a budget strike. Also, think used – used golf balls are being sold, too, and should not be disregarded by beginners. You can buy these as 50-a-package, starting somewhere around $30, and going up as the quality increases.

The three fundamentals

Whenever you are in your training, be sure to never underestimate the three fundamentals of a good swing, which are: grip, stance and posture. You can ask your trainer to pay special attention to these while teaching you and you can also find many books and videos on the subject all across the Internet. Be sure to return to these often.

Practice

As with any sport, practice and consistency is important. You cannot expect to be fully ready after not having played for three months. To get the best results, you have to practice often. Make sure to head out to the course once a week (if you can afford the free time) or, at least, once every fortnight. If you do not have the time to do this, practice in your backyard. Put a few canisters on the ground and try to hit them with a wedge (which will improve your short shots) and create a hole in your TV room and try to put the ball in (which will, obviously, improve your putting abilities). When it comes to driving the ball, you will have to go to the course for practice.