You may have been invited by a colleague to a round of golf or about to attend a conference to be held in a golf resort. Or perhaps you simply want to take up golfing as your new hobby. Whatever the reason, your wish to learn how to play golf will likely be a gainful pursuit if you follow these basic tips for beginners.
While the sight of a well-manicured golf course and the smartly-dressed golfers can intimidate someone who has never played golf before; in the game of golf, there is no reason to panic. Jitters are pretty normal for beginners. With a bit of research, you can swing that golf club or hit that golf ball for the first time without breaking a sweat. Read on for some tips before heading to your first ever round of golf:
Educate yourself.
You can start your golf journey by doing a bit of research about the game that originated in Scotland around the 1920’s. A background about golf’s history and information about the best golfers and golfing events will fuel your interest and increase your knowledge. For tips on playing the game, you can read golf articles, manuals or watch instructional videos.
Know the equipment and the rules.
You do not want to head on to a golf course clueless, so take time to learn the basics about the game itself. This means knowing the basic equipment needed and the rules.
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Golf equipment:
A complete golfer’s bag will typically have the following: golf gloves, tees, balls, and 14 clubs. Each of the 14 golf clubs have different names and functions. As a beginner, you will not be needing all 14 clubs. The basic golf clubs that you should have are the driver, putter, and irons. Golf equipment can be expensive, so renting is an option until you seriously decide to pursue golf.
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Basic Rules
- You cannot move or touch your ball, which means that you have to strike it where it exactly lies.
- Place a mark on your ball so you don’t mistake another golfer’s ball as your own.
- If you have to pick up the ball for any reason, do not forget to mark the spot where it was with a coin.
- While the game is ongoing, you cannot ask other players for advice. You can only seek help from your partner.
- Only strike the golf ball with the head of the club.
- Moving or hitting a rolling golf ball on the course is not allowed.
Find a good teacher.
Research may provide you with basic information to learn the ins and outs of the game, but practice is an absolute must if you want to avoid panicking during a live game. A friend who plays golf may provide you with basic tips, but if you have the means and resources, enrolling for golf lessons will go a long way.
Know your limits.
Golf is a sport that requires intense concentration and precision. These skills may take time to master, so a bit of practice will unlikely get you ready for a golf tournament. Take small steps by warming up with half swings and aiming for a short distance. An aggressive swing to reach a far goal on your first try will likely lead to a mistake.
Mind your etiquette.
You want to really feel at home on the golf course, so dress the part. Some golf courses require a dress code. The usual uniform includes collared shirts and khaki shorts or pants. You may also want to invest in golf shoes. Once you have your golfing outfit together be sure to act like a golfer with manners. You may be a beginner, but you should be ready to strike when it is your turn. Respect other players who are waiting for their turn as well. It is also nice to be ready with a tip to give to caddies and other staff who help you around the course.
The preparation and training to ensure the success of your first golf game may leave you stressed out. You may also find yourself self-conscious or worried about making mistakes. But in the end, do not forget that your ultimate goal is to have a good time. So just give it your best shot and enjoy the game!
