Learning to Play Golf

Probably the biggest mistake that people make in learning to play golf is that they run out and buy a bunch of shiny new clubs and equipment before learning the fundamentals. The stuff is expensive and while it may look good, most people don’t have a clue about what to do with the equipment once they own it. The result is it ends up in some corner of the house, unused, money have been wasted.

Rent or Borrow a Club or Two

Before dropping a couple of grand on clubs, you need to find out what kind of clubs you need in the first place. Clubs come in all lengths, all types of flex and there are many, many grips. If you’re tall, you don’t want short clubs, by the same token if you’re short you don’t want long clubs either. Grips on the club can affect how you swing. Too small or two large and your swing won’t work either. Go to the driving range and ask the pro to help you out on selection. Rent a club or two and learn how to swing. That will give you an indication of what kind of equipment you need. It won’t happen right away. The point is to get comfortable first.

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When to Buy

Once you get reasonably comfortable with the type of rented gear, then buying your own is the next step. Go to a pro shop and ask about the second hand clubs. Golfers are like everybody else; they like the shiny new stuff and are always trading up to bigger and better when they really don’t have to. A set of second hand clubs are great for getting started. Many of the second hand sets are practically new anyway because their owners ran out and bought the wrong kind of clubs when they first started playing.

Garage sales and second hand stores or Salvation Army resale shops are also great places to look for slightly used golf clubs.

Golf Balls 

Now in your dreams, you’re probably already playing like Tiger or Phil or Vijay, but the reality of the situation is quite different. When you first start learning to play golf, you’re going to go through lots and lots of golf balls, so don’t run out and buy Tiger’s balls, they cost too much and besides, he gets them for free. Buy less expensive balls until you get the hang of your game. Recycled golf balls only cost a fraction of the new ones, so be contented to play with the recycled ones for a while.

Lessons or On the Course

As tempting as it might be to drive to the course and go, it is really better to get a few lessons first on course etiquette as well as what to do and when. Golf courses can be a pretty daunting experience the first several times you attempt to play them.  So start off at a driving range to learn the fundamentals first. Then progress to a nine hole, par 3 practice course. Nine holes on a regular course should come next. Only after you’re comfortable playing nine should you begin to think of playing 18 holes. 

Click Here for the Ultimate Golfing Guide