| If you are reading this article, I assume that you are | | | | taking to give it, you can't turn a golf round into a |
| a beginning golfer and are looking for tips in order to | | | | lesson (unless that's the purpose). Try to listen |
| approach the game and really enjoy the experience. | | | | politely but try to stay consistent, especially if you've |
| Well I applaud the fact that you are choosing this | | | | been taking lessons and are trying to reinforce newly |
| direction because so many people begin playing the | | | | learned techniques. Sometimes you have to pretend |
| game and experience a high degree of frustration. In | | | | to do what the friend says to get them to leave you |
| this article I, a perpetual beginning golfer, will share | | | | alone so that you can get back to what you really |
| some important perspectives for you to think about | | | | want to do. Follow your own judgment and have fun |
| as you approach the game. Some will strike a cord | | | | along the way. |
| and some will not, just take it for what it's worth and | | | | PRACTICE |
| hopefully you will gain the knowledge to help enjoy | | | | The golf swing has a very unnatural feel to it and |
| the game as you increase your skill. | | | | therefore must be practiced in order to allow it to |
| LESSONS When I first started playing the game my | | | | begin to feel natural. As you learn more aspects of |
| wife provided lessons for me along with a set of | | | | the swing, practice is important to create muscle |
| beginner clubs. This was very helpful on one hand, | | | | memory around the swing. The challenge with |
| but ended up being a waste on the other hand. | | | | practice is that as a beginner it is very likely you will |
| Why? Not because she did anything wrong, she did | | | | practice incorrectly and actually reinforce the wrong |
| everything right. What happened was that I took the | | | | movements. Because of this danger, I think it's very |
| lessons, didn't practice outside of the lessons, and | | | | important to take lessons and practice the swing in |
| was too intimidated to venture onto a real golf | | | | small steps versus trying to master the entire swing |
| course. At the time I didn't have any friends that | | | | at once. Also training aids can help with this if you |
| played golf and therefore there was no one to help | | | | get the right ones. They provide feedback that helps |
| me with the etiquette (do's and don'ts of golf) and I | | | | you to know you are swinging or practicing correctly. |
| didn't want to make a fool of myself. In terms of | | | | Video is also very useful if you are a technology kind |
| lessons, I got the most out of lessons by applying a | | | | of person. I have done this before and found it very |
| combination of elements; One - read a few books, | | | | useful. By reviewing the video I learned that I was |
| looked at a few videos, began to understand the | | | | doing some pretty ugly things that I corrected early |
| lingo, and tried swings on my own. At this time I had | | | | before reinforcing it. |
| been playing for a few years so I had also gained | | | | OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS TO ENJOY |
| lots of experience on the golf course itself. In the | | | | Not a lot say here, I just learned over time that |
| end, when I took the lesson, I understood much | | | | although I enjoy the game of golf and the challenge |
| better what he was trying to convey and with | | | | of figuring the game out from a technique and |
| practice on and off the course, I was able to apply it | | | | strategy standpoint, I have found over time that I |
| and see a real difference in my game. | | | | love the setting of the game and the social aspect. |
| EQUIPMENT I started out with beginner clubs in my | | | | The setting is usually absolutely beautiful because |
| bag and played with these clubs for some time. For a | | | | your out in nature among trees, manicured lawns, |
| beginner I think this is fine because typically you | | | | and hopefully blue skies. As a beginner, I would |
| haven't acquired enough skill and knowledge to make | | | | literally make sure I had snakes and pops (or beer if |
| detailed club selections like the pros. I would suggest | | | | allowed) with me as I played. This made the game |
| starting out with some beginner clubs and over time | | | | into a picnic because my ball was all over the place at |
| add to the set as you find you need the additional | | | | that time. The social side is obvious. Being with |
| selection. Don't spend a ton of money on your newly | | | | friends or meeting new friends. Remember its more |
| added clubs, just go to the local second hand store | | | | than just hitting a ball around. |
| or discount chain and buy something from the bargain | | | | MONEY |
| bin. At this point your swing has more effect on the | | | | Golf can become very expensive because of the |
| game than your clubs, so save your money for now. | | | | lessons, equipment and greens feeds at the course. |
| As your game improves, you might upgrade your | | | | For this reason, as a beginner you must not let it get |
| driver and 3 wood first. This is because of the ego | | | | out of hand otherwise you'll find yourself spending |
| boost it gives you while you're playing. You get to hit | | | | lots of money for not a lot of enjoyment. And |
| the ball off the tee and potentially enjoy the thrill | | | | spending the money can actually diminish the |
| along with your friends. Eventually get yourself | | | | enjoyment you could have had. Try not to buy |
| another set, but remember, you're not a pro so | | | | expensive equipment as a beginner. Try to avoid high |
| second hand is fine unless spending the money is not | | | | dollar courses as a beginner. This may require passing |
| a problem for you. | | | | on invitations from more experienced or more |
| ADVICE FROM FRIENDS | | | | affluent friends. Try to avoid playing many times per |
| All of my friends have seen the golf channel, read | | | | week or limit it to 9 holes. Use the driving range to |
| books and magazines and been advised by other | | | | practice, not the golf course. Don't be afraid to pass |
| friends. When you play golf on the course, you will | | | | on golf outings that usually double the price of playing |
| be will a group of friends or a group of strangers | | | | unless the purpose of the outing has meaning for |
| that the course paired you up with. Either way, | | | | you personally. |
| because your skill level will be very obvious as you | | | | PRIORITY |
| slice, miss the ball, pick the wrong club, your | | | | Keep your priorities in line. Don't rob your family of |
| companions will not be able inevitably provide you | | | | your valuable time playing golf. In my personal |
| with more advice than you can absorb. Handling this is | | | | experience, golf became a bad word around the |
| a case by case situation. Advice on etiquette is | | | | house and looking back on it; I made some bad |
| valuable because you now learn how to proceed with | | | | priority calls. Make sure your family always feels |
| confidence on the course. Advice about technique | | | | valued above your golf game and try to play during |
| should be listened to and taken based on the skill of | | | | times when it doesn't conflict with family time. |
| the person giving and the length of time they're | | | | |