Golf is a difficult sport to learn.
The game of golf can be frustrating for beginners because it’s not intuitive and there are many rules.
Golf also seems more difficult because players have to remember an insane amount of rules while playing.
From tee-off lines, hazard lines, friendly versus unfriendly terrain and out-of-bounds fences to the rules of golf that you have to follow throughout – there’s no shortage of things that can trip you up!
This article will teach you the basics of golf, including how to play, what equipment you need, and some tips on how to improve your game.
Golf can be frustrating for beginners. They have to learn the basics, like how to hold the club, take their stance, and swing. and hopefully hit the ball.
It’s a lot of information to process!
Don’t be surprised if you miss the ball entirely on your very first shot, which is called an AIR SHOT and most golfers will have experienced this and a few probably still do this even after playing for many years.
In addition, golf doesn’t give you any clues about what your next move should be. If you’re on the course and don’t know what to do, it can be hard to figure out what to do next.
Some people might think that because golf is so technical, it would be difficult for someone who is not athletic or coordinated to learn how to play.
Golf also has the reputation as being an expensive sport with memberships that require significant investment in time and money.
The truth is-golfers come from all walks of life.
There are great golf tips available that can help you improve your game quickly.
Let’s get started with the basics!
What does a golfer need to play?
A golfer needs a few things – an athletic body is not necessary .
Every time I hear of a beginner golfer who quits because of their “lack of athletic ability” I cringe.
It’s true that if you’re trying to play competitively, there are some things you need to work on physically, especially if your goal is to improve your handicap.
But the truth about golf is that virtually anyone can play
Below are listed the items necessary for playing a round of golf:
Golf Clubs
A bag with at least 14 clubs, including drivers, irons, wedges and putter. Most bags also include additional clubs for specialty shots like a 60 degree wedge or lob wedge; ·
The different types of clubs available: ·
Drivers are the biggest, longest and most powerful of all golf clubs. They’re also the most difficult type of club to use because they are longer and you’re stood further away from the ball.
A driver is usually used on longer holes. If you can hit it consistently over 200 yards then you will likely be able to play most holes without too much trouble
The putter is what most people think of when they picture a golf club. It’s used only on the green and it is your main tool to help make strokes that will get you into the cup; ·
Golf balls
You’re definitely going to want to buy some balls. You are going to lose them and wear them out the more you play.
There are tons of options available and if you need any help choosing what;s right for you, check out the awesome work by MyGolfSpy in their ball test for 2021
A scorecard and pencils
As you play your round of golf you will record how many strokes you took on each hole.
The scorecard keeps track of this information so that players can compare their scores with other golfers when they’re finished playing.
What to wear on the golf course?
Although there are some official regulations for what you wear while playing, these are often club specific, most people don’t want to walk around the course and feel too restricted when they play.
If you have ever seen pictures of professional golfers, you’ll notice that they’re all wearing pants and shirts with collars.
Golfers wear spikes or cleats that have an iron sole for traction. This helps give them greater stability and control when they swing or walk the course; ·
Some people like to wear baseball caps, but this is optional as well.
How hard is it to play golf?
In some ways, golf is a lot harder than other sports.
The average golfer has to master different types of shots from many different places on the course.
Depending on the course they’re playing at, they may have to walk up and down hills which can be hard work the first few times you do this.
How expensive is golf?
Are there any low-cost options for beginners?
The biggest expense in playing golf seems to be buying the right equipment.
A good set of clubs will usually cost at least $1000 and you’ll need balls, tees, clothes etc. it soon adds up.
At the very least, you can get started with a few used clubs from your local department store or flea market.
You may also want to buy some shoes that can handle walking on the course for several hours, plus outfits (pants/shirts) that are appropriate for the golf course.
Like most sports, practicing with a good instructor will help you save strokes but it isn’t cheap either.
New golfers can also benefit from learning about golf techinques like grip, posture, stance and many others that will help them hit more consistently.
How does golf compare to other sports in terms of difficulty?
While it takes a lot of time and practice to play golf well, your body can get pretty sore while doing so!
Many new players will experience back pain, shoulder aches and other injuries during their first few rounds.
The most common injury is golfer’s elbow or epicondylitis, which causes pain around the outside of the elbow.
This can be caused by gripping too firmly with the forearms as you swing and it can even be noticed just from walking if you haven’t kept your grip relaxed throughout;
How do I save money on this sport?
The best way to get started in golf without spending tons of cash is by renting equipment for your first few rounds.
This will at least give you some time to see if it’s worth investing any kind of money into right away. You can also look for cheap used equipment online or from shops in your area;
Another thing new players should think about when getting started is the cost of their lessons.
While it would be nice to receive all free lessons, those at least $50 per hour or more – not to mention the many per year you may need in order to see any results.
If young players want to save money, they can look into ways of learning the fundamentals of golf like grip, posture and stance on their own through books, online videos and other free resources;
What is the level of competition like in golf?
If you’re playing this sport for fun then it won’t matter what kind of scores you get and where your skill ranking falls – all that matters will be how much you enjoy playing.
Some people even play just to socialize with their friends or for relaxation purposes.
You can also join club groups or similar organizations in order to meet up with other local players on a weekly basis;
If you want to be ranked among the best, however, or want more serious competition, there are several ways to do so! The PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) organizes tournaments all around the world that have professional players competing against each other.
What is my strength as a player?
If you’re a naturally athletic person then you’ll likely be able to swing at the golf ball incredibly hard in comparison with your average beginner.
You’ll also be able to react better when it comes to hitting longer shots, hitting the correct areas on a green and being aware of where all of the different kinds of hazards are located;
If you’re more of an analytical person, however, or if you learn by watching others do things first instead of trying them out for yourself – then your strong point may be strategy or course management
You can think through shots much better than most beginners and this will give you a distinct advantage over time.
What is my weakness as a player?
When it comes down to it, everyone starts out as a beginner. In order to see some real progress, your weak point is going to be physical conditioning.
It takes time for the body to get used to swinging at and hitting balls consistently so you’ll need practice! Your greatest weakness will also be having trouble keeping up with all of the different rules.
They may seem like common sense but they can trip you up when it comes down to making decisions while playing, especially when there are other people around who might have conflicting opinions;
How much time do I need in order to play?
Time constraints depend on whether or not you’re a serious golfer or just want this as a casual sport activity. If you just want some recreational fun, then an hour here and there will suffice.
If you have more serious ambition , however, that’s when it gets really demanding – especially if you’re trying to improve your rankings and compete with others at the same time.
On average, though, a beginner should expect to spend four or more hours on a course each time they play.
Golf is not one of the most physically demanding sports to learn. But it can take a lot out of your legs, especially when walking around 18 holes!
Why do people play golf?
While there are quite a few different reasons why people enjoy the game of golf, it boils down to this: it’s simply an enjoyable way to spend time with family and friends while getting some exercise out in nature.
If you’re playing this sport for fun then it won’t matter what kind of scores you get and where your skill ranking falls – all that matters will be how much you enjoy playing.