So, you decided to play golf. Now, you need to learn the ins and outs of playing this particular sport. You need to understand the different gear, learn the correct position, know and practice the various techniques, and abide by the rules to start playing golf the right way. Read on to know a number of tips to help you get started on your golfing journey.
Find The Right Golf Clubs
If you search your local market for golf clubs, you might get confused by the different variants. At the time of writing, you can find five categories of clubs, which are:
- Woods
Woods are clubs with large heads, and these drivers don’t necessarily mean they come from timber. On the market, you can find woods that are made of wooden and metal materials.
Aside from their large heads, woods have the longest shafts among other club categories. Golfers use these clubs to deliver fast and powerful swings, which are ideal for long-range shots, like getting that hole-in-one on a par three hole.
- Irons
Irons tend to have numbered sets that usually range from three- to nine-iron. The pitching wedge is also part of the iron family.
These golf clubs also tend to have smaller heads in comparison with woods. Other communities call iron clubs as “blades” because of their designs. Iron golf clubs have thin widths from the front to back.
- Hybrids
Hybrid golf clubs are relatively new in the industry. Think of these clubs as a cross between an iron and a wood.
Some golfers tend to consider hybrids as “iron replacement clubs”. This is because these drivers are relatively more straightforward to use than irons, but offer less driving force than wood. Consider using a hybrid if you don’t want too much power in your shot, but don’t want to have a high risk of experiencing a slice.
- Wedges
Wedges can be a specific category of golf clubs, but they can also be part of a subset of irons. It’s because the clubheads of wedges have the same design as irons, albeit more angled for additional loft.
- Putters
Unlike other golf clubs, putters tend to have the broadest array of shapes and sizes. However, these clubs only serve one purpose: putting.
These golf clubs are used for the last strokes before the ball goes into the hall. Although several putters are available on the market, there’s no “right” or “wrong” variant. Instead, golfers need to find the right putter that fits their preferences.
Take the time to research the different golf clubs to add to your bag. Remember, you don’t need to bring any type of club for each game. Pick the right set to help ensure that you use the lowest number of shots possible per hole.
Buy Golf Balls
Many beginner golfers make the mistake of assuming that all golf balls are the same. Use the wrong ball, and you may find your shots going into hazards or flying out of bounds.
Consider essential factors when shopping around for the best set of golf balls. Some of these elements include:
- Price
When it comes to buying golf balls, the price can matter. Many manufacturers tend to use premium materials for their golf balls, making their products more effective in reducing mistakes in games.
For instance, premium multilayer balls tend to be superior to conventional models because of their excellent performance. These high-end golf balls tend to spin more on wedge shots because of their soft urethane cover.
Therefore, don’t be stingy in investing in the right golf balls. Otherwise, you might become frustrated at the course as your balls don’t land on ideal locations.
- The “Feel”
If you visit a local sports shop, ask the salesperson if you can test the “feel” of the golf balls. Different golf balls have different “feels” because of the way brands manufacture these items.
Some golf balls tend to feel soft, which may not be ideal for long-distance shots as wind resistance becomes a problem. Conversely, balls that are too heavy tend to fall quicker than others.
Research and numerous trials are essential to finding the best golf ball with the right “feel”.
- Spin
Golf ball spin can become a benefit or disadvantage, depending on specific conditions. If you don’t want more spin to the ball, there shouldn’t be much wind in the area. Consequently, a strong gust of wind might give the object more spin than intended.
Find a ball that can give you a balance in spins for excellent versatility. Aim to use a reliable launch monitor to help narrow your ball selection while thinking about the spin.
Practice Proper Position
Think of golf as an exercise wherein you need to use the correct form to reduce the occurrence of injuries, prevent mistakes, and lower the number of shots taken per hole. Remember, every golf player, regardless of skill level, should learn and follow a good setup. If you have a flawed stance, the chances are that you’re going to practice imperfect swings.
Also, you don’t need to be an expert at golf to practice proper positioning. Here are some quick and easy steps to help find the best golf stance.
- Think Like An Athlete (Even If You’re A Complete Beginner)
Golf is an athletic sport, albeit it doesn’t require quick bursts of energy. However, thinking like a non-athlete can set you up for failure.
By thinking like an athlete, even though you’re still a newbie in the field, you will become more aware of the body parts that need to move in order to execute the perfect shots.
An ideal golfing stance should have the following elements:
- Slightly bent knees
- Tilted upper body from the hips
- A straight line comes from the back of the right shoulder to the front of the knee
- Follow The Three-Step Posture Exercise
If you find it tough to do the correct striking posture, do the three-step posture exercise. This drill allows you to start and potentially perfect the right golfing position.
Start the exercise by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Stand straight while extending your arms, with the golf club parallel to the ground. Next, bend your knees slightly and drop your arms to drop while keeping the driver parallel to the ground.
The last and, perhaps, most vital step is to bend forward from the waist. You should achieve the right striking position when the clubhead touches the ground.
- Be Comfortable
Although many golfers find industry-standard poses hard to pull off, don’t let these conventional positions inhibit you from becoming comfortable with your shots. Before striking, take a deep breath to relax your muscles. Otherwise, the extra stiffness can result in errors.
Find A Teacher
You might find it challenging to learn everything about golf by yourself. If so, take golf lessons with a credible mentor.
A golf mentor will be your teacher, coach, supervisor, and friend. Find a mentor who has the following qualities:
- A sincere desire to share relevant information to help you perfect your golfing skills
- Active communication skills
- The ability to see opportunities for improvement and correct issues with empathy
- Flexibility as to the different teaching methods
- Respect for learners
Above all, your golf mentor should be willing to exert time and effort to ensure that you’re able to polish your golf skills, regardless of the number of stages you need to go through before you can become a good (or great) golfer.
Learn All The Shots
Newbie golfers may make the mistake of thinking that all golf shots are the same. However, learning the different shots is essential to becoming a better golfer.
Some of the shots you’ll use as a golfer include:
- Drive– a long-distance shot that tends to originate from the tee
- Approach– may refer to a second, third, or any succeeding shot
- Putt– the strike used with a putter, which golfers usually use this shot at the green
- Chip– a short shot that doesn’t use a full swing
- Punch– a strike with the ball relatively close to the ground
Challenge yourself by practicing each type of shot every single game if possible. In doing so, you can prepare for different scenarios during official tournaments (if you plan on joining one).
Staying Fit For Golf
An improper golfing form may stem from a poor athletic ability. Having said that, you should, still, aim to achieve and maintain excellent physical well-being to ensure that you can deliver excellent golfing performance. Otherwise, you might find it challenging to execute proper breathing techniques because you’re out of breath by the third hole.
Get in proper shape, and you can achieve full-body releases without hurting your body parts. Also, work on harnessing your cardiovascular health so you can go through complete nine- or 18-hole courses without becoming winded.
Conclusion
You should find the right golf clubs, use the correct golf balls, practice proper positioning, find an effective teacher, learn all the potential shots, and stay fit so you can start playing the sport correctly. Preparation might require a significant amount of time and effort, but you should be able to play at peak performance if you follow these tips.