The prospect of taking up golf may seem daunting, but the sport is surprisingly accessible and accommodating to newcomers. Golf courses typically provide a welcoming atmosphere for beginners, offering introductory lessons and practice areas where novices can hone their skills in a supportive environment.
Golf’s handicap system allows players of different skill levels to compete on an equal footing, fostering a sense of camaraderie and inclusivity. With a basic set of clubs, a willingness to learn, and the enjoyment of spending time outdoors, anyone can embark on the rewarding journey of playing golf, experiencing the physical and mental benefits that come with this timeless sport.
Below we have outlined the basics and hopefully give you a series of helpful tips and advice for you to start enjoying golf.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on golf clubs
It’s a total myth that you need to spend hundreds of pounds on a set of golf clubs to start having fun and playing golf. For the majority of new players a basic set of clubs should set you back around £50 – £120. Pending on your height an average set of iron length is 37 inches, for taller players you need to look for those additional inches to ensure your swing is correct.
Look for cavity back irons with graphite shafts as these are the most forgiving irons and put the weight behind the club head so there is more force directly behind the ball. Avoid blades at all points as these are specifically made for a low handicap players and you simply won’t get any instant gains from choosing these clubs.
Look for a full set from 3 iron to PW, take a look specifically at the 6 and 7 irons as this will give you a good indication of the wear and tear of the set as these are usually the most used irons. You can get clubs re-gripped but if you are starting out you definitely don’t then want the additional expense of a full regrip.
You can pick up a driver from approx £30 and again you don’t need a new or recent driver, the difference between a 10 year old driver and the latest model realistically is only about 30 yards for a pro golfer.
Click here to view our guide to buying 2nd hand golf clubs
The driving range is the best place to start as a beginner
Courses can be expensive to play when you first start out, so the driving range is a great place to start your journey. There are some fantastic golf driving ranges across Yorkshire, with some having state of the art swing trackers where you can connect your mobile phone to track your scores.
The key to the driving range is to hone in your swing and style. Always look to plan your visit to the range, don’t just turn up and hit balls. There are plenty of great drills and exercises your can undertake to master the art of golf.
One of the biggest tasks to undertake whilst at the golf course is to master your swing in a controlled and safe environment, Starting with your 7 iron and moving through your irons leaving the big driver till last is the key. Distance or power is NOT the key to unlocking golf, an 80% swing is best which in turn will allow you to perfect accuracy and precision.
Click here to view our guide for the top drills for the driving range
The online golfing community can be a great help
The very best advice that we can give here at Which Golf Course is to get lessons from a PGA pro as there is nothing better than a face to face lesson with a pro. Companies will sell a new club or swing aid to help improve or add distance to your game but in reality buying yourself a set of lessons over a brand new driver is way better.
If you already have lessons or you simply can’t afford them, there are some great online social media accounts that will aide and assist you in your golf journey. These are broken down from comedy accounts who take a light hearted look at golf, YouTubers who sit and discuss news, rules etc equipment reviews that help you to find both new and old equipment and then and probably the most popular are the tipsters who will show you great advice on elements such as how to fix a hook or a slice, the internet is literally full of good golfing content.
To help you start click here for our top ten YouTube accounts to follow and click here to find 20 top Instagram accounts.
Golf technology is a total game changer
The golfing world is littered with technology and gadgets and it can be daunting wondering which new gadget is worthwhile.
The one piece of tech we would strongly suggest you purchase is a golf smart watch. A good second hand smart watch will set you back around £100 but this will help you gain valuable insights on the course. A decent smart watch will help to show your yardage for each hole, course hazards and with some watches will even suggest what golf club to choose from and act like a virtual caddie.
There are also some watches that will also track your data where you can download the statistics on their third party applications, this is perfect for giving this data back to a golf coach who can review and help you to pin point any weaknesses or areas for improvement.
Learn the rules to fit in on the course
Yes, there are course rules and basic course etiquette is an absolute must to be accepted around any course. This isn’t talking about the old fashioned snobbery of Golf but the basic rules of play, where you can and can’t place your bags and how you conduct yourself whilst on the course.
The golf community is incredibly forgiving when it comes to playing on the course in-front or behind beginners as we have all been there. All you need to do is stick to the basic do’s and dont’s and you will be totally fine.
In case you don’t know the basic rules simply click here to view the top 10 golf etiquette rules
When you feel ready get on the course
There isn’t a better feeling or challenge than actually being on a course, you can stand on the range and perfect hitting the ball 200 yards dead center again and again, but the challenge of the ball on the tee or even sat on the fairway can never be replicated.
Build your confidence, grasp the game’s rules, and secure your tee time. For beginners, opting for a 9-hole course or a shorter 18-hole option is advisable. This provides a challenging experience without overwhelming difficulty.
Choose a course with expansive fairways, minimal hazards, and a relatively flat terrain. Such courses are ideal for high handicappers, offering a more forgiving environment compared to others.
Anticipate losing numerous balls, navigating zig-zag situations, and finding yourself out of bounds frequently. Frustration may ensue, but also expect those moments of brilliance, like a remarkable drive or sinking an improbable putt from 20 yards away. These extraordinary shots will keep you motivated to improve and eagerly return for more rounds.
