Everything you need to know about taking up golf from the editors of Golf Digest
We get it. Golf can seem terribly complicated to the uninitiated. So many rules, so many different kinds of clubs. And then there's the lingo: birdies, bogeys, bump-and-runs. At Golf Digest, this may be the language we speak every day, but we also know it's a language that can scare prospective golfers off before they ever pick up a club.
That's where this online beginner's guide comes in. To those who know nothing about golf, our goal is to shepherd you through this uncertainty. What kind of clubs do you need? How do you practice? When do you know that you're ready for the golf course? The way we see it, the only dumb questions about getting started in golf are the ones you're afraid to ask, or worse, the ones for which you can't find an answer. The whole point of this guide is to make sure that last part is no longer a problem. —Sam Weinman
No doubt, the right equipment always helps, but it's not as if you'll need to empty your savings account to get started. Instead, focus on finding the sort of equipment that will allow you to develop your imperfect skills with minimal expense. There'll be plenty of time to go after the latest, hot products on the market (and when you do, make sure you start your search with one of our top 100 clubfitters, but at the beginning, make learning -- and not buying -- your priority.
-- Mike Stachura, Senior Editor of Equipment
4. Take advantage of clubs made for beginners: Some types of clubs are easier to hit than others. For one thing, you're better off with hybrids instead of 3-, 4-, and 5-irons. And irons with wider soles (the bottom part of an iron) will alleviate the tendency for the club to stick in the ground when you hit too far behind the ball. Also, with more weight concentrated in the sole, the iron's center of gravity will be lower and this will help shots launch on a higher trajectory. Generally, a more forgiving iron will feature a sole that measures about the width of two fingers (from front edge to back). If an iron's sole measures less than one finger width, you only should be playing it if you're paid to do so. To find the right iron for you, browse through the super game improvement irons on our Hot List
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5. Choose the right ball: Buy balls on a sliding scale based on how many you lose in a round. If you've never played before or lose two sleeves or more a round, buy balls that cost around $20 a dozen (if you can't decide between one brand over another, try putting a few to see how they feel coming off the putter face). When you cut the number of lost balls back to maybe three to five balls a round, buy balls that cost less than $30 a dozen. Only if you're losing less than a sleeve a round should you consider the $40 a dozen balls. For a complete rundown of golf balls, see our ball Hot List.
The hardest part about golf can be getting started. Ask yourself a few questions. First, why do you want to play? Is it for work or social reasons? Maybe then you need only some basic instruction and patient friends. Perhaps you're looking to jump in headfirst in hopes of getting better fast. If so, there's plenty of top-level instruction out there. Next, how much are you willing to put into it? That goes for time and the money. Point is, there's a huge difference between wanting to ride around and have some laughs and being a serious player. Do some soul-searching, and start to develop your plan.
-- Peter Morrice, Senior Editor of Instruction
1. Take lessons right away: The bad news when you're just starting out is you don't know much about golf. The good news? You don't know much about golf. You probably haven't ingrained many bad habits, and you have tons of questions about what to do. Nothing beats starting out with some positive direction. And don't just seek instruction when you're struggling. It's just as important to know what you're doing right as what you're doing wrong. Your golf buddies might sometimes have a good tip for you, but it's better to seek out a PGA professional since they're the ones trained to teach the game to someone like yourself. To find a great instructor near you, check out Golf Digest's Best Teachers In Your State. Since May is PGA Free Lesson Month, look here to see where you can get a free 10-minute lesson.
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5. Find the right teacher: Finding an instructor you trust can really speed your improvement. Of course you want your teacher to be knowledgeable and committed to helping you, but just as important is finding a good personality fit. If you're laid back, you might like a teacher with a low-key approach. If you're a creative type, you might work best with someone who teaches with feels and images instead of angles and positions. The point is, you want to be comfortable and enjoy the experience. You'll learn best when you feel free to ask what you think are stupid questions and when you're not afraid to fall down a few times.
There are parts of golf that will elude you your entire life, but certain fundamentals are essential. You have to be able to hit a driver off the tee with a fair amount of confidence. You have to be able to hit an iron off the ground, and get out of a greenside bunker. You have to know a few basic short shots around the green, and be able to keep your cool when things get ugly. Start with the tips below, and check out Golf Digest's game-improvement program, Make Me Better. It's easy to use, packed with great information, and it's free.
-- Peter Morrice, Senior Editor of Instruction
1. Know when to chip and when to pitch: When you have a short shot to the green, you're going to hit either a chip or a pitch. What's the difference between the two? A chip shot stays low and runs along the ground, and a pitch flies higher and doesn't roll as much. Use a chip when you don't have to carry the ball over an obstacle, like deep rough or a bunker, and you have a lot of green between you and the hole. Use a pitch when you have to carry over something or need to stop the ball faster. The extra height on a pitch shot causes the ball to land softer and stop faster. For more on these shots, check out this video on greenside fundamentals.
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First, tee the ball nice and high. Second, take the club back smoothly and make a full body turn, getting your back to face the target. Third, swing through the ball; just let it get in the way of the clubhead through impact. Last, hold your finish. If you can finish in balance, you've swung at a speed you can control.
5. Lost your way? Go back to chipping: Learning golf can at times be overwhelming. When you feel frustrated, go back to hitting short chip shots. The chipping swing is the basis of the entire swing; it's the full swing in miniature. And with the chipping motion being so short and slow, you can more easily understand what's happening. To play a chip, position the ball back in your stance, put more weight on your left foot, and swing equal lengths back and through without hinging your wrists on either side. Once you get a feel for the chip, swing a little longer by hinging the club upward with your wrists and letting your weight shift back and through. In no time you'll build a feel for the full swing. For more, read Hank Haney's tips on the chipping technique.
So now that you've got some clubs and you've learned the basics of the golf swing, you're thinking about testing yourself on an actual golf course. Great, but it's not as if you should step right onto the same course the pros play. If you want to make sure your early experiences on the golf course are positive ones, it's best to know your limitations, then build yourself up. Here's what to keep in mind.
-- Peter Finch, Senior Editor, Special Projects; and Matt Ginella, Senior Editor, Travel
Congratulations! You've been invited out for a round of golf by a friend or a family member or (gulp) maybe even your boss. You're excited, but you're also petrified you might embarrass yourself because you're not quite sure of the protocol either on or off the course. Golf etiquette may seem complicated, and in truth, there's plenty you'll learn the more you play. But if you start with the following five points, you'll be fine. And remember, if you're still not sure of something, there's nothing wrong with asking.
-- E. Michael Johnson, Senior Editor, Golf World
5. Know where to stand: Golf may seem like a genteel sport, but keep in mind it is played with blunt objects. If golfers seem obsessive about where people are standing, it's because they don't want anyone to get hurt. They also don't want anything interfering with their concentration on a shot. A good rule of thumb is to stand to the side and slightly behind the ball several yards away. If a player is in a bunker, stay alert and stand well off to the side. Those shots come out fast and can go anywhere. On the green, try to stay out of the line of sight of the person putting. Further, when walking on the green be aware of the line from other player's balls and the hole and don't step in those lines.
Yes, it's true, the Rules of Golf is 182 pages long and understanding many of the game's 34 rules is important. But don't worry. Most golfers, including those guys who turned their noses up at playing with a newcomer like you, have very little knowledge of how to play the game correctly. You'd be surprised by how many golfers just make rules up as they go, so don't fret if you're not sure about what's OK and what's a violation. Just remember these key points and you'll do fine for now.
--* Ron Kaspriske, Golf Digest Rules Editor*
5. Play within the golf course: If you ever hit a shot out-of-bounds (white stakes or lines), you have to replay a shot from as close as possible to where you just hit and add a stroke penalty to your score. So, for instance, if you teed off and hit a shot out of bounds, take a stroke penalty and play your third shot again from the tee.
There's a reason why you can't accelerate through the ball like a touring pro and it's not because you weren't handed a golf club in your crib. A key component to making an efficient, powerful and correct golf swing is having a body that's able to do it. Strong hip muscles, flexible hamstrings and a stable back are just a few reasons why tour pros are tour pros and most of the rest of us are, well, not. If you want to play well, and play this game for the rest of your life, you have to exercise and pay specific attention to the muscles that will allow you to do it. Start with these areas and you'll be in great "golf shape" in no time.
-- Ron Kaspriske, Golf Digest Fitness Editor
1. Walk, don't ride: Whenever you can, no matter how tiring it might seem, walk instead of riding in a golf cart. And carry your clubs when you can. A seven-mile walk with clubs on your back might seem daunting now, but it will get easier the more you do it. And if you're worried your golf bag is too heavy, our golf bag Hot List features several great lightweight bags with pop-up stands
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5. Put it on ice: If you're sore after a round, ice is OK to reduce swelling, but only apply to the sore area for 15 minutes per hour, max. In the morning, apply heat (a warm shower will help) or heat wraps and consider taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin or naproxen sodium before playing. But do so only with a doctor's blessing since the masking of pain can lead to further injury.
Learning how to play may be the most important part of becoming a golfer, but not to be overlooked is knowing what to wear. Your attire matters for a variety of reasons: because most golf courses enforce some kind of dress code (some stricter than others); because you'll be spending at least four hours outdoors; and because, frankly, who doesn't want to look sharp? With that in mind, we provide five pointers to make sure you're outfitted right for the course.
-- Marty Hackel, Golf Digest Style Editor
5. Apply sunblock: A must-have accessory for all golfers. You'll need to apply sunblock 30 minutes before your round and again at the turn, since the SPF in sunblock wears off after a couple of hours. (See our skin cancer guide here). Look for a sunblock with an SPF of at least 30. Also, try spray sunblocks when you reapply during your round, since you can apply it without making your hands slippery, and don't forget to apply a lip balm with SPF.
The legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones once said, "There's golf and then there's tournament golf, and neither one resembles the other." If you're signed up to play in an organized golf event or outing for the first time, don't let those words unnerve you. All Jones meant is that standing over shots that matter is an experience far richer than just hacking around with buddies. It's fun to feel butterflies in your stomach, to feel your hands shake. Even if you shoot a million, what follows are five points to help you look like you've played tournament golf before.
-- Max Adler, Staff Writer, Golf Digest