Golf is a very popular sport, but it can be overwhelming for beginners. Since every golf game involves technique and strategy, you need to consider your clubs, the angle of your swing, your golf grip, and wind resistance when you are playing golf. Golfers require a quiet environment for playing because golf requires a lot of concentration and focus, especially if you want to make the most out of your golf lessons and make the jump from an amateur golfer level to a master level.
Picking Your Golf Clubs
One of the many overwhelming things to consider for beginner golfers is selecting their clubs. There are many brands, weights, and styles of clubs to choose from. Recreational golfers usually find it difficult to find the best golf clubs on the first try, so identifying the best clubs for a successful game of golf is usually a matter of trial and error.
Woods
Woods are the category of golf clubs with the largest heads and longest shafts. These types of clubs are good for:
- Swinging quickly
- Shooting long distance
An example of a wood that most people recognize right off the bat is the driver.
Irons
Irons have smaller heads and are numbered. Unlike woods, irons usually have solid heads. These types of clubs are good for:
- Short distance shots
- Any shot less than 200 ft away from the green
The further from the green you are, the lighter the iron you should use, and the closer you are to the green, the heavier the iron you should use.
Wedges
Wedges are a type of iron that is more angled to allow more loft on your club. Wedges are ideal for:
- Very short shots to the green
- Getting your ball out of the sandpit
- Any very short distance shots
Putters
The putter is only used for putting on greens. They come in a huge variety of weights and sizes and most are personalized for the person golfing. These types of clubs are best for:
- Knocking the ball into the hole
- Putting on greens
- Final strokes
Those are the basics you need to know as a beginner when you go out to purchase golf clubs. When purchasing your putter for the first time it is best to do so in person, so that you can get a feel for what weight and size would work best for you.
Picking your Golf Balls
The other thing to consider when you are purchasing your first set of golf materials is deciding which golf balls are right for you. As a beginner, you are likely to lose a lot of golf balls, so it would be best to purchase a larger quantity of cheaper balls.
- Start by buying many cheap golf balls for your first few outings
- When you notice you are losing fewer and fewer balls, feel free to invest in more expensive balls
- The better you get at golf and the fewer balls you use, the more expensive you should go when purchasing golf balls
For an easy way to manage your golf balls and improve your practice regimen, you should take a look at The Stacker and Fore-n-One. Both golf accessories have been designed to help golfers count their balls at a glance while adding elegance and class to the game. Replace your traditional golf ball buckets with a golf pyramid or the Fore-n-One and you will know exactly how many balls you have left while adding a note of sophistication to your golf experience.
Start Playing
Before you go out and buy a yearly membership to a golf club, hit up a driving range first. This will allow you to improve your practice swing without the pressure of holding up golfers around you. Make the most of your practice time. When you feel comfortable in the practice range, you can go ahead and invest in a membership.
Driving Ranges
Driving ranges are places for golfers to practice their swing. There aren’t any holes to shoot into, but this is a great option for recreational golfers who want to:
- Learn how to hold their clubs
- Improve their golf swing and ball speed
- Get a feel for their golf clubs
- Get a feel for how wind resistance affects their swing
- Learn how to look where their ball lands
Backyard Practice
For practicing short shots, practicing in the backyard is ideal. A practice green is a good option for beginners because it can help them get a more realistic feel of the game. Practicing short shots is great for:
- Getting to know your putter
- Improving launch angle
- Learning how to put on the green
When to Go to the Golf Course
Going straight to the golf course isn’t ideal for beginners. You shouldn’t play on the golf course your first time picking up an iron. Practice plenty at home and out on the range before going to a golf course. Endless bad shots are to be expected but with the right guidance and perseverance, you will get there. Here is how you know if you’re ready for the golf course.
- You’re comfortable holding your golf clubs
- You have noticed improvement at the driving range
- You’ve practiced your short distance shots
- You feel comfortable spotting your golf balls on the range
Tips for Your First Time at a Golf Course
When you decide you have enough practice and are ready to face the challenge of a golf course, keep these things in mind:
- Your first trip to the golf course will feel more comfortable if you bring a more experienced player with you.
- Don’t make yourself do an 18-hole course for your first time. You should start with a 9-hole course and work your way up to 18 holes over time.
- If you start to feel frustrated, do not force yourself to continue. Doing this can burn you out on the sport quickly. You’re free to leave the golf course whenever you want.
Avoid Making Enemies on the Golf Course
There are certain social rules to consider your first few times out on the golf course. Following these rules will prevent you from making enemies on the golf course as a newbie.
- Don’t hold up the line. You are new and may not be confident yet, but you should still only take a couple of practice swings before you take your shot. People do not like to be kept waiting.
- Wait for others to wrap up their turn. Even though you shouldn’t personally be taking a long time to shoot your shot, you also shouldn’t pressure other golfers to hurry with their shot either.
- Don’t litter or take your cart into areas where it shouldn’t be. Golf courses work hard to keep the landscape looking clean. They don’t want your garbage everywhere or tire tracks from your golf cart everywhere. When in a golf cart, always follow the path.
- If you see your ball heading towards other golfers, yell “fore” to give the golfers a heads- up and avoid injuring someone.
Conclusion
These are all the basics to keep in mind as a new golfer. Get your practice in, be considerate of other golfers, and pick out the right clubs and balls that work for you.
