How to Play Golf as a Total Beginner

admin September 4, 2023September 7, 2023 0 Comments golf for beginners, golf how to play, golf tips for beginners, how to play golf, learning golf, start playing golf

If you’ve always wanted to learn the game of golf, you’ve come to the right place! This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know as a beginner – from the rules and etiquette to mastering essential golf skills. Golf- how to play it, you will find out with us.

Learning proper technique and golf fundamentals from the very start will set you up for success on the course. Use this as your complete instruction manual for picking up a golf club for the first time and becoming an educated player. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Golf Equipment Needed to Get Started

Before you head to the course, you’ll need to invest in some basic golf equipment. As a beginner, focus on picking up these golf essentials:

Golf Clubs

At minimum, you should have:

A driver for tee shots
A putter for the green
An iron like a 7-iron for approach shots
A wedge for short shots around the green
A hybrid club can also substitute other irons initially

Golf Balls and Tees

Buy a pack of basic golf balls to practice with
Tees are required for setting up tee shots

Golf Attire

Golf shirts or polos work well
Comfortable pants or shorts depending on weather
Golf shoes with soft spikes or sneakers

Golf Bag

Carry or push cart bag for transporting clubs
Pockets for balls, tees, gear

Other Accessories

Golf gloves for grip and preventing blisters
Ball markers for marking ball on green

Shop second-hand stores and online listings for affordable beginner club sets and bags. No need to spend a fortune as you’re getting started.

Is it worth to buy second hand best golf club brands?

Choosing the Best Golf Clubs for Beginners

As a beginner, focus on finding clubs that help you get the ball airborne and rolling properly. Some solid starter set options include:

Drivers

Callaway Strata, Wilson Profile, or Pinemeadow Driver
Oversized clubhead assists with hitting tee shots
Loft around 10-11 degrees for more height

Irons

Callaway Strata, Wilson Profile, or Top Flite iron sets
Cavity back designs are more forgiving on mishits
Include 7-iron through pitching wedge

Wedges

Wilson Harmonized Wedges or Pinemeadow Wedge
Higher loft (50-54 degrees) for short game shots
Added bounce helps lift ball from rough

Putters

Odyssey White Hot Putter or Pinemeadow Piper Putter
Heel-toe weighted for greater forgiveness
34-38” length, face insert for better feel

Don’t break the bank on expensive clubs when getting started. Focus on learning solid techniques before upgrading.

Golf Lingo and Terminology Explained

Golf comes with its own language full of unique terms and phrases. Here are some you’ll likely hear as a new golfer:

The Course

Fairway: Mowed grass area between tee and green
Rough: Taller grass lining the fairways
Green: Short grass area with the hole/flagstick
Tee box: Where you start a hole by placing a ball

Types of Shots

Drive: First tee shot hit with a driver
Iron/wedge: Shorter shots into greens
Chip: Short shot hit with a lofted wedge
Pitch: Slightly longer shot than chip with a wedge
Putt: Rolling the ball on the green into the hole

Scoring

Par: Expected number of strokes to complete a hole
Birdie: Completing a hole 1 stroke under par
Bogey: Completing a hole 1 stroke over par
Eagle: Completing a hole 2 strokes under par

There’s certainly more you’ll pick up, but this covers the very basics!

More Golf Terms Every Beginner Should Know

Here are some other common golf phrases you’ll likely hear:

Ace: Hitting a hole-in-one
Whiff: Missing the ball completely
Mulligan: Informal do-over shot
Worm-burner: Hitting shot too low along ground
Shank: Severe miss hitting ball off hosel
Duff: Poorly hit shot that doesn’t reach target
Break: Curve of a putt based on the lie/terrain
Penalty stroke: Stroke added for rule violation

Don’t get overwhelmed by all the lingo right away. Pick up terms naturally over time spent playing and watching golf.

Golf Rules and Etiquette as a Beginner

Understanding golf’s rules and proper etiquette is crucial. Here are some of the most important for beginners:

Counting Strokes

Count every stroke including misses, chunks, etc.
No “mulligans” or redo shots in golf
Learn how to properly take penalty drops

Playing Order

The player farthest from the hole hits first
Be ready to hit when it’s your turn

Pace of Play

Keep up with the group in front of you
Limit practice swings and pre-shot routines
Help others look for lost balls quickly

Safety

Yell “fore!” if your shot may hit someone
Don’t hit until player ahead is safely out of range

No Distractions

Remain quiet when others are hitting
Avoid standing in sight lines of a player’s shot

Mind your etiquette and play by the rules – you’ll avoid penalties while earning respect from fellow golfers.

Golf Course Warning Signs and Marker Guide

Here are some common course signs/markers to understand:

White stakes – Out-of-bounds area
Red stakes – Lateral water hazard
Yellow stakes – Water hazard
Blue stakes – Ground under repair
Green circles – Sprinkler heads
Red lines – Penalty areas
150 yard markers – Approximate to center of green
100 yard markers – Short approach to green
50 yard markers – Upcoming end of fairway

Pay attention to signage and avoid areas marked for penalty. Ask others if you are unsure.

Mastering the Full Golf Swing as a Beginner

The full swing with the driver and irons may seem intimidating, but follow these basics:

Proper Grip

Place lead hand lower down on the club
Trail hand grips above lead hand
Thumbs point down the middle of the back of club
Hold club mostly in fingers vs palms

Stance and Posture

Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly flexed
Bend at hips to tilt upper body forward
Keep head/eyes over the ball – don’t sway

Alignment

Square clubface to target at the address
Align feet, hips parallel left of the target
Check alignment with an intermediate target

Backswing

Keep arms connected and rotate shoulders
Don’t sway off the ball or lift the front heel
Hinge wrists fully at the top of the backswing

Downswing

Start transition by firing hips and dropping trail elbow
Swing down and through the ball smoothly
Release the club and extend arms after impact

Follow Through

Fully finish swing toward the target
Balance evenly on both feet
Avoid decelerating through impact

Use alignment sticks or rope for practice swings grooving key positions. The driving range is perfect for honing your full swing.

Drills to Improve Your Golf Swing

Here are some great practice drills for beginners:

Half swings controlling clubface and body motions
Exaggerated shoulder turn to create width in the backswing
Hit shots with feet together to improve balance and stability
Swing in front of a mirror to monitor position and motions
Swing with club across the chest to rehearse dropping into the slot on the downswing
Stack golf balls to learn shallowing swing before hitting one off the tee
Swing with a towel under both arms to prevent disconnects

Start slowly and master proper mechanics before trying to swing full speed. Grooving the motions outweighs raw power early on.

Mastering the Short Game – Chipping and Putting

Scoring well requires getting up and down around the greens. Here are some beginner chipping and putting basics:

Chipping

Use a lofted wedge to lift the ball quickly
Play the ball off your front foot with weight forward
Keep wrists firm and don’t break down
Swing the club like a putter and brush the grass

Putting

Get a comfortable bend from your hips and knees
Keep your eyes over the ball and align square to target
Grip end of the putter lightly like holding a bird
Roll the ball to get it started on your target line

Short Game Practice Drills

Toss a ball in the air and hit chips catching it on the fly
Roll putts into a cup or between markers to control distance

Practice from and around the greens to develop your touch. Master these fundamentals for lower scores.

Must-Have Training Aids for Golf Beginners

Here are some great practice aids for beginners working on fundamentals:

Swing Trainers

SKLZ Gold Flex Trainer – builds swing tempo and flexibility
Orange Whip Trainer – improves swing plane, lag, and balance
Impact Bag – for grooving straight, solid ball striking

Alignment Aids

PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer – improves aim and stroke
Putting Mirror – monitors setup consistency
Eyeline Golf Alignment Sticks – verifies alignments

Contact Trainers

Impact Tape – shows location of clubface contact on ball
Golf Impact Labels – instant feedback on strike quality
Foam Practice Balls – allows full swing without damage

Investing in a few aids speeds up skill development in key areas versus trial and error.

Common Golf Mistakes to Avoid as a Beginner

While mistakes will happen, be aware of these common beginner pitfalls:

Gripping the club too tightly – causes tension and sliced shots
Taking too many practice swings – takes extra time, messes with the rhythm
Rushing putts – better to take your time aiming
Poor posture – stay balanced don’t dip your head or sway
Ignoring grip type – get one suited for your hand size
Not keeping score properly – record every stroke to track progress
Frustrated reactions – Have patience, golf takes time to learn
Trying to crush the ball – focus on good contact before distance

We’ve all been there too! Identify your weak points and work at improving them each round.

How to Break Bad Golf Habits

Once a flaw in your swing or game sneaks in, it can be challenging to fix. Here are some tips:

Ask a pro to diagnose flaws early before they become ingrained
Film your swing to compare it against proper mechanics
Feel exaggerated motions slowly to get back on the plane
Eliminate swing thoughts that contribute to mistakes
Use training aids like impact tape to reinforce proper technique
Focus on one fix at a time without overload
Be patient – breaking habits takes lots of reps

Don’t get discouraged if you hit setbacks correcting swing flaws or mental mistakes. Stick with the process.

Getting Started With Golf- how to play it

While not mandatory, taking golf lessons can greatly accelerate your learning as a beginner.

Benefits of Lessons

A PGA pro watches your swing and provides instant feedback
Learn proper technique from the start instead of ingraining bad habits
Faster improvement in ball striking, shots, and scoring
Customized drills tailored to your skill level and body type

What to Expect

Review of grip, setup, alignment and posture
Fundamental swing positions and motions
Personalized swing tips to correct any faults
Applying lesson takeaways at the driving range

Search for highly reviewed local instructors. Take a few lessons to begin building a strong foundation.

Questions to Ask at Your First Golf Lesson

Come prepared to your first lesson with questions like:

What are the most important fundamentals to focus on first?
What swing faults do you see that I should address?
Which training aids do you recommend for my skill level?
How often should I take lessons as a beginner?
What should I practice most between lessons?
How can I tell if I’m making progress week-to-week?
What part of my game should I prioritize first?

Asking targeted questions ensures you get the most out of instruction time and leave with a practice plan.

Next Steps After Your First Few Golf Rounds

As you complete those first few golf rounds, don’t get discouraged if it feels awkward. Stick with it and continue working on:

Grooving your pre-shot routine and golf setup
Building more consistent ball striking
Learning to control distance with each club
Improving alignment and aim through practice
Shoring up weaknesses whether driving, approach shots, chipping or putting
Playing more rounds and recording scores honestly

Golf is a game of a lifetime. With proper instruction and practice, you’ll start seeing rapid improvement in no time. Enjoy the journey!

How to Find Other Beginner Golfers to Play With

Starting out, it helps to golf with others around your ability level. Places to meet fellow beginners:

Golf lessons – bond with classmates
Driving ranges – talk to others practicing nearby
Golf forums – introduce yourself as a new golfer
Local golf clubs – join beginner golf leagues and events
Golf apps – connect to meet up for casual rounds
Work colleagues – ask around if any play recreationally

Having comrades along the journey makes learning more fun while building new friendships.

Hopefully, this guide has removed some mystery about getting started with this fun, challenging game. What aspect of learning golf are you most excited about? Let us know!