Need a Lesson?
Click here to search the directory.

Golf is a game of a lifetime. You hear that a lot.

“It’s never too late to start,” say your friends who golf. “Why don’t you join us Saturday?” For some reason, you decide it’s time. Now what? Should you really commit to playing with those guys when the only time 
you ever played was in that bachelor party outing four years ago? What will you use for clubs? What if you whiff (again)?

Like a lot of beginners, you want to play the game, but you feel intimidated by everything that goes with it. 
It’s hard to get over that hump so you can actually enjoy it. If you don’t play often, every shot may seem a struggle, and on top of that, you have to replace your divots, keep your cart at a 90 degree angle, play at a fair pace for everyone and remember how many times you hit it. Other expectations may include being supportive of others, not stepping in someone’s line, being quiet while someone’s getting ready to hit and keeping a cool head while taking another 12. Getting started the right way in a game of this nature can really help you find the fun in it.

That’s why I recommend beginners follow a few key steps to improve their play in a short period of time. When you have some knowledge of the game and what you want to accomplish, you can play with confidence. You will also have a good foundation on which to build additional skills.

Learn the Basics
Ok, you’ve heard this before. And you just don’t have the time. Or you don’t know anyone who says the 
same thing twice about how to hold the club. But, as a beginner, your primary goal should be to learn the basics: grip, stance, posture and alignment. Once you can repeatedly set up properly, learning the swing will come much easier. There’s a reason why all professionals look the same before they start the swing. Fundamentals. After that, there are swing variations, but overall much is the same. There are very few people in the world who have a bad setup and still hit the ball long and straight. To learn the basics you do need a little spare time and a qualified instructor. Consider taking a 30 minute introductory lesson with your local PGA/LPGA teaching professional.

Note: If you don’t have a chance to do this before an upcoming outing, try focusing on one aspect of the game you can really contribute: putting. In a scramble event, where the best shot out of a team of golfers is used, a beginner can potentially help out on the greens as much as the advanced player. When playing your own ball, you will save a lot of strokes by putting less than three times per hole.

Learn the Rules
Part of the intimidation of the game is in its seemingly endless and rather specific rules. On the Tour and in Pro-Ams, I’ve seen my share of rulings, everything from cart path relief to was it really out of bounds? Do the words provisional, lateral or ground under repair mean anything to you? Even regular players struggle a bit with rules interpretation, but nothing beats going to the source. I think the best way to learn the rules is to go to a golf shop and get a USGA Rules Book. Read the definitions in the beginning of the book. This will give you an overview of golf rules. Then look at some of the rules that would come into play for you. Some you might need to know now are: 

• How to proceed after hitting a ball out of bounds

• How to take relief from a hazard

• When you can touch your golf ball

At the end of the book are also suggestions about course etiquette. This helps when it comes to things like repairing ball marks and how to speed up play. After you have a grasp of the definitions and the basic rules, take the book with you when playing, and refer to it when unsure how to proceed. You can also ask your playing partners which rules apply and review the book together when certain situations come up. This demonstrates that you are committed to playing the game as it is supposed to be played. Knowledge of 
the rules adds to your confidence in getting around the course.

A Word About Equipment
When it comes to equipment for adults, anything will work for a beginner. However, women and juniors 
should stick to their respective clubs in the beginning. It is very difficult for a junior to learn the game using 
cut down clubs. Invest a small amount of money in a junior set. The child will not get as frustrated and may stick with the game for years to come. If you need to buy clubs to get started with, I suggest buying a used set either on the Internet or at a local golf shop. After your game improves you will then want to demo some clubs to find the right fit. Your teaching professional can assist you with this since he/she knows how you swing the club.

Take to the Course
After you’ve had lessons on the basics and spent a couple of months of hitting balls on the range, you’re ready to officially hit the course. A good time to go is late in the day. Play a few holes, but don’t try to keep score - just get used to hitting the ball. If you can find an “executive” golf course (shorter course) that is a good place to start, too. Playing in a scramble golf outing or two is a good way to expose yourself to on-course play. Playing a course by yourself affords you the opportunity to focus on hitting the ball and not 
be distracted by others watching you.

Your Handicap Can Wait
If you hear people talking about their handicaps and wonder what that’s all about, let it go for now. A handicap is formulated based on at least 10 18-hole rounds of golf. Players submit their scores for each round, indicating the stats of the course they played on (such as slope and rating), and the USGA figures out how many strokes to par they should get considering their scores. I don’t think a beginner should worry about a handicap. You really need to learn the game somewhat before you go out and try to score. I think you’ll experience more success if you go out on the course from time to time and just try to hit a few good shots. 
If you get into trouble, throw the ball back in the fairway and try again. So many beginners give up the game too quickly because they get too frustrated. Take your time; the scores will come. When you are able to complete a few rounds, following the rules of the game, you’re ready for a handicap.

The Next Level
Many beginners play infrequently and participate in the occasional outing. Taking it to the next level requires more of a commitment. If you want to play better golf, you do have to play more often. Like anything, improvement comes with lessons and practice. Hitting balls for a couple hours a week can make a huge difference in your ability to make contact with the ball during outings. Also, taking lessons will give you confidence that you have some idea of what you are doing. Developing a good short game can reduce your scores and make you more of a contributor in that next outing. Spend some time on a practice putting green and focus on hitting putts for distance. Rolling the ball all the way to the hole gives it the best chance of 
going in. Chipping can also be greatly improved with just a little practice.

I think a beginner becomes an intermediate level player when they can consistently hit the ball on the intended path. This means they keep the ball on the golf hole they are playing. They can manage on the greens without three (or four!) putting every hole, they have a basic understanding of etiquette, and they 
don’t whiff the ball…too often. Once you’re able to do those things consistently, you are no longer a 
beginner. And chances are, you can play with anyone, because you know the rules, practice good 
etiquette and for the most part, keep the ball in play.

Summary
Most people take up golf because someone else suggested they try it. Maybe a spouse, a child or a friend. Golf is truly a social game. Once you get passed your worries about making contact with the ball, you can appreciate the game’s many other facets. You can get involved in a league. You can sign up for that 
company outing. You can say “Sure!” when they ask you to join them on Saturday. You can play with confidence.

Some golfers have told me they just can’t seem to get better. No matter what they try, they struggle. This 
is very frustrating. Patience, of course, is the best advice I can give you. Seek help, but don’t let too many people give you advice. Pick one person, and let them be your guide, preferably a qualified PGA/LPGA professional. Don’t expect more out of yourself than humanly possible. There’s a reason that athletes find 
golf the hardest sport to master. Remember, there isn’t anyone who has ever played the game of golf and never missed a shot.

Elaine Crosby is a 16-year veteran of the LPGA Tournament Division and Founder & CEO of FINDaLESSON.com, a web site directory of 1,600 PGA/LPGA teaching professionals in 50 states.