Golfing is one of the most popular sports in the world, but it’s also one of the most difficult to learn. This is because golf requires specific skills and techniques that are tough to master on your own. But if you’re willing to put in some time and effort, teaching yourself how to play golf can be a rewarding experience.
You don’t need to be born with natural golfing talent in order to play this popular sport. You can actually teach yourself golf with the right instruction, practice and patience. It may take some time and effort, but eventually, you’ll get the hang of it and be able to enjoy a round or two.
I have started my golf journey two years ago and, to be honest, I was not that good at it. I had to learn many things by myself, but after two years of practice, I have improved and so can you! My goal with this article is to motivate people who are just starting out to give golf a chance.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Golf is a great game, but it’s not just a game you’re born knowing how to play. You can’t spring out of bed and shoot an 85, no matter how much you might think so. There is a little bit of learning involved here, which can be intimidating if you’ve never played before.
Don’t worry, though. It’s actually quite easy to learn how to play golf – and even easier to teach yourself this fun pastime. Before you know it, you’ll be on the golf course with your family and friends.
There are some basics to this game that you should know before you start.
- First of all, be aware that you’ll need certain supplies to play golf. You’ll need a set of clubs, golf balls, and some tees. A glove might help as well.
- You’ll also need to know the appropriate attire for your course, so be sure to check that out before you show up.
- Patience is the key and will make or break your golf game. It’s going to take time and practice before you start shooting good scores, but if you stick with it and show dedication the reward will be well worth it.
- Good course management is the key to playing good golf – and that means understanding wind, distance, terrain, and other factors before you play.
How to Practice the Basics
The fundamentals of golf are not complicated, but they can be tough to learn. In order to teach yourself the important basics of this game, you’re going to have to do some practicing.
So where should you practice? Well, the backyard will work in a pinch, but it’s not the best place to practice. Realistically, the best way to practice at first is by joining a local golf course or driving range and hitting into nets or mats. The downside to using a range or course is that it can be expensive and practicing there can keep you from learning the skills that you need to play well.
You will find that playing alone in your backyard isn’t the best idea. While it’s possible to teach yourself golf by practicing alone, you’ll improve faster if you practice with a friend or colleague. You can play matches, see who has the best score for the month or even work on improving certain shots together.
Should You Take Lessons as A Beginner?
Without a doubt, you should take lessons when getting started with golf. There is a lot to learn about this sport and, yes, you can teach yourself some of it, but the process is going to take a lot of time and effort.
A reputable instructor can help you learn the basics fast and then develop the right practice habits that you need to improve. You will find that learning with a golf instructor is enjoyable and easier than trying to learn all this on your own.
I actually regret not taking lessons when I first started out. It took me a long time to learn what you can teach yourself in an hour or two with the right golf professional. Sometimes it is best to throw in the towel and admit that you’re not great at everything. Be willing to take lessons from a professional and you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration, time, and effort.
It Takes Time to Learn Golf
I’m not going to sugarcoat this for you – it will take time and effort to learn how to play golf and you won’t be playing like a pro anytime soon. As with most things in life, the more you put into learning golf, the more you’ll get out of it. It takes time and dedication, but in the end, it’s a rewarding sport.
If you take lessons and practice often enough, you can easily learn to play golf in a year or two. This game is not easy, but with the right practice and determination, you’ll be on your way to having fun with friends on the golf course. In fact, you might find that you learn faster and enjoy your time at the practice range more if you take lessons.
While it is not easy to become a professional golfer, it’s definitely possible to learn the basics and have some fun on the course. Even if you’re just playing for fun, doing the work and practicing the right way will pay off in the long run.
Stay Motivated and Have Fun
This is the key to success in the sport of golf. It’s easy to get discouraged and give up when you’re just starting out, but if you stick with it and have fun, it gets easier with each swing. Of course, there will be times when you hit a bad shot, but don’t let it ruin your experience. Try to remember the good ones and look at it as a learning experience.
As you get better, pick up your pace and play with people who are more advanced than you. Not only you will get a chance to learn from them and get better faster, you’ll also be more motivated by the challenge.
When you’re just starting out, it’s important not to get too bogged down with the little details. Keep it fun and don’t get disappointed, the most important thing right now is to enjoy the experience. Before you know it, your golfing skills will improve and you’ll be hitting the green with ease.
How to Teach Yourself Golf
There are several ways you can learn how to play golf and go about teaching yourself golf. With so many resources available it is possible for you to teach yourself the majority of things you need to know.
What really helped me to understand the fundamentals of golf were video tutorials. I also had some lessons with a qualified instructor to cover the more difficult parts that I didn’t understand. However, a lot of what I know today is through reading and practicing in my spare time.
Golf Professionals that I have been following and are worth checking out:
- Alex Elliot Golf
- Rick Shiels PGA Golf
- Matt Fryer Golf
- Peter Finch Golf
- James Robinson Golf
- Me and My Golf
- Paige Spiranac
Having been playing for two years now I still feel like there is so much to learn. It’s a frustrating sport but when you have a good day it makes it all worthwhile. My aim is to continue learning about the game for as long as possible.
Practice and Patience Are Key
Whether it is driving range, golf club, or practicing putting in front of your TV at home, you need to practice if you want to learn how to play golf. You don’t have to go out and buy a lot of equipment in order for you to be able to play the sport. However, I would recommend finding a local driving range so that you can get used to hitting a ball before trying it out on a golf course.
If you are like me, addicted to golf, you will find yourself practicing air swings more than hitting real balls. And it is okay to do this as often as you’d like, but I would recommend at least once a week to hit some range balls. I sometimes find myself practicing air shots at work, at the grocery store, or at a friend’s house.
There really is no right or wrong way to practice golf, as long as you are practicing and working on your game. I would recommend shooting a video of your swing so that you can see if there is anything off about it. Sometimes things look perfect from an outsider’s perspective, but not from the player’s perspective.
Just make sure you don’t over-practice and strain your muscles or cause some other injury while doing so.
Get out There and Play!
There is not much else to say here other than go out there and play! Once the basics of golf are embedded in your head you will find the game much easier and more fun to play. However, I recommend going out with a friend who already knows how to play if it’s your first time. Make sure you wear proper shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and other clothing items. You don’t want to get sick from being outside in the sun too long or from wearing the wrong clothes.
If you are not very confident about your golf skills, reserve a tee time or play 9 holes so that you have the chance to relax and have some fun out on the course. It’s okay if you don’t shoot a great score your first couple of rounds, it’s all part of learning how to play. If you keep practicing, keep listening to your instructor, and continue practicing the game will become easier.
Who knows? You might even turn into a professional golfer or golf analyst one day!
Common Mistakes First Time Golfers Make
Don’t worry we all have been there. Finding yourself making these mistakes can be a little embarrassing.
Worrying About Your Score
This is the biggest mistake you could make on the course. Forget about scoring until you have grasped how to hold and swing a club properly. It is vital that while learning how to play golf, you focus on developing the correct technique rather than your score.
Not Watching Your Ball
Give yourself time to walk around the course, if you rush you will forget about where you are or what shot it is that you are playing next. Give yourself time to enjoy the view and learn the lay of the land. An important tip for first-time players; keep your head down until the ball has been hit!
Not Using the Proper Technique
Don’t try to copy a friend or LPGA player, they have been playing for years and you need to learn from scratch. Every swing will be different depending on many factors including height, strength and flexibility so don’t try to copy exactly what someone else is doing.
Not Understanding the Rules
Don’t be embarrassed to ask about the rules and etiquette of golf. Visit a professional and they will be able to advise you on proper dress codes, course behavior and local customs.
Not Playing with The Right Equipment
Start out with rental clubs or borrow from a friend. You need time to learn how to use your clubs, you can buy new ones once you feel confident enough to take your game further.
Not Playing Often Enough
Golf is a game of repetition so the more often you play, the faster you will improve. Start with two or three times per week and build up to four or five if possible. Practice is key, but having fun is the most important part!
Not Making Practice Swings
This helps to show you the correct distance the club should travel back and through in order to hit your shot. Watch out for other golfers when practicing.
Swinging Too Hard at The Ball
Remember that this game requires finesse, not brute force. When you swing hard, your clubhead speed increases dramatically, but so does the risk of a loss of control and direction.
Not Setting up Correctly
Your feet should be perpendicular to the target line with the weight equally distributed between both legs. Your knees should also be slightly flexed at the address. These set-up positions will help you during the swing and make it easier to hit your shots straight.
Final Thoughts
Although it may seem daunting, learning how to play golf can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only will you get to enjoy the game with friends and family, but it can also be a great way to stay active. Not to mention that it’s a lot easier than you might think.
Anybody can take up the game and get pretty good at it if they’re willing to put in the work and effort. The tips outlined above should provide you with a good foundation for getting started and learning the ropes of the game. Once you’re ready to go, it will be time to get out there and play! Good luck.
