A beginner's guide to playing golf

It is well recorded that golf has enjoyed a boom since the pandemic. Lots of people chose to return to the game but the most encouraging thing was the number of new converts who decided to give our sport a go for the first time.

Most of those individuals will now be addicts. There will be others out there still pondering whether or not they should take the plunge. Joining a new golf club can be an intimidating experience but how does an absolute beginner go about getting into golf?

Consult Your Friends

Have a chat with your circle of friends. The chances are high that somebody you know will already be a golfer. Ask them if they will take you to a practice ground or field and show you the basics. Do not be disheartened if your early efforts are not what you might have hoped for. Golf is an unusual sport in that it is one of the few where you are hitting a target that doesn’t move. Sports such as football, cricket and tennis are reactive - the ball comes towards you and you don’t have time to think. Exactly the opposite is the case with golf. It is important to try to relax when hitting a golf ball. As a beginner, learn how to hold the club properly and swing within yourself. When you strike the ball perfectly (and you will) you will know that this is the sport for you.

Buy Second-Hand Clubs

There is a perception that golf can be expensive for beginners but that need not be the case. Why would you go out and spend thousands of pounds on a set of clubs from the outset? In the unlikely event that it turns out you hate the game you are going to either be stuck with something you don’t want or have to take a heavy financial loss when you have to sell them. There are LOTS of second-hand sets out there and lots of places to buy them. You could try eBay, Vinted or one of the dozens of websites who specialise in used equipment - these include Affordable Golf, GolfClubs4Cash, Golfbidder, Nearly New Clubs. You don’t have to start off with a full set either - why not explore a beginner’s half-set? There will be plenty of time later on to join the rest of us in trying to seek out the latest drivers, fairways woods, irons, wedges and putters. 

Use Lake Balls

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

If you are just starting out, it is a harsh reality that you are going to lose golf balls. Lots of them, probably. So please don’t fork out huge sums of money on top-of-the-range golf balls. It could end up costing you a fortune. Buy yourself some lake balls. Most golf shops sell them. If you head to your local golf club the chances are that there will be a huge bucket in the pro’s shop full of used golf balls. They will be plenty good enough in the early stages.

Get Lessons

How serious do you want to be? If you want to play this great game properly then you need to realise that you cannot do it unless you have a good grasp on the basic fundamentals - that includes things like the way you grip the club and the way you address the ball. If you start off by ingraining bad habits then you could be stuck with them forever. So before that happens, seek out a club professional and book a series of lessons aimed at beginners. You can do this on a one-to-one basis but there are also group lessons aimed specifically at beginners. Trust me when I tell you that you should not be learning the basics from a friend with a 24 handicap. Teaching professionals know what they are talking about.

Go to The Driving Range

So you have had your first lesson. What do you do next? You seek out your nearest driving range, get yourself a bucket of 100 balls and you practice what you have been taught. Any pro worth his salt will have given you a checklist - ensure you have this with you and that you follow it. If the driving range has a Trackman system you should use it - it will give you an idea how far the ball travels when you hit it properly (or not)! Keep a note of whether you have a tendency to hook or slice the ball - and report that back to the pro when you go for your next lesson. Make sure you practice with all the clubs in your bag. When you have completed your 100 balls, seek out the practice green. As a beginner you need to learn the importance of becoming a decent putter and getting a feel for distance and how hard you need to strike the ball. You might just turn out to be a natural. One thing is for sure - this is an area of the game where practice can make something approaching perfection.

Play Municipal Golf Courses

You have your clubs, you have your golf balls and everything else you need. By the way, if you are buying waterproofs, golf shoes and an umbrella I would strongly advise you to ensure that they are fit for purpose, and that may mean having to shell out a little bit more than you might want. In golf, as in everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Cheap shoes won’t last long, cheap waterproofs will let the water in and cheap umbrellas will collapse at the first sign of wind. Sorry, now where was I? Oh yes, I remember…

Having got yourself equipped, had some some lessons and spent hours on the driving range, you will probably want to try out your new skills on something we call a golf course. Be sensible - you do not want to be playing the Old Course at St Andrews or Royal Birkdale just yet. Track down your nearest municipal course. You will find that 18 holes will not break the bank and that there you will meet countless like-minded people, almost all of whom will be able to relate to what you are currently going through. 

Learn The Rules

Before you go anywhere near a golf course I would urge every beginner to learn the basic rules of the game and to try to understand our sport’s etiquette. When you hit a drive into trouble, put down a provisional ball. According to the rules, you are allowed three minutes to look for a golf ball. If you are aware of the group behind you waiting to play because you are holding them up, invite them to play through. You will quickly learn that slow play is the scourge of the sport at all levels, whether it be on the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, the LPGA Tour or your local municipal layout. Learn where you can take a drop under penalty. Remember to rake bunkers, Please get yourself a tool that will allow you to repair pitchmarks on the greens.

Get a Handicap

Getting a handicap will allow you to play against golfers of all standards. There is a common misconception that you need to be a member of a golf club in order to get yourself a handicap. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here at Golfshake you can track your scores and get yourself a handicap - it is an invaluable tool because it will allow you to track your progress. If you decide to join a golf club that’s when you can start submitting cards to get yourself an official handicap.

Should You Join a Golf Club?

There will come a point when you have to ask yourself if you want to join a golf club. If you plan to play all year round then I would suggest that it is a no-brainer. Joining a club will offer you superb value for money - and most clubs allow you to pay your annual subscription on a monthly basis. Be wary of clubs that ask you for a joining fee. But if you want to pick and choose when and where you wish to play there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a nomadic golfer. Want to know where you can play in your area? Just check out our extensive course guide.

Related Content

10 of The Best Golf Tips For Beginners

How to Get Someone You Know Into Golf