Golf 101 Pointers

If you’ve never played the game of golf, you’re missing out. It’s a fun sport to get into, even just as a spectator. Playing the game as a beginner, however, can be a daunting thought. How do you hold a golf club, how do you choose which club to use, how are you supposed to aim a tiny ball at a hole that you can’t even see from where you’re at? We’ve got some answers to help you step out on the green with confidence.

Before you go to a golf course and attempt a round of golf, consider a practice range first. A practice range will allow you to get familiar with your clubs and your stance while keeping it low pressure.

When holding a golf club, you want to bend from your hips, place your lead shoulder under your chin on the backswing and move your chest and hips to face the target as you finish your swing. This sound much more complicated than it is. However, if you are a beginner, it’s wise to invest in a few lessons to make sure you have the right stance, grip, and swing.

As you go to swing, you need to have the right club for the right shot. Chipping and putting are great shots to practice first. For these, you’ll use a putter. For long shots, including strokes from the teeing ground, a driver is used. When making a shot from the fairway and making a tee shot on short holes, irons are used. Irons are numbered, so as the number of an iron goes up, the length of the shaft decreases and the loft increases. Finally, in a set of golf clubs, you’ll notice different wedges. From a pitching wedge and gap wedge to a sand wedge and lob wedge, these clubs are used for shorter shots into greens, for playing out of sand bunkers, and for pitches around greens.

At the range, practice different shots with different clubs. Wear a glove to protect your hand and invest in golf attire.

Learning the basics on the practice range will prepare you for your next task, the golf course.

Before you head out for a round of golf, make sure you brush up on basic rules and etiquette—respecting the players in front of and behind you, taking care of the course, marking your ball, never touching someone else’s, etc.