Beginner Basics

The first thing developing golfers need to learn is, this game is about getting the ball in the hole in the fewest number of strokes, not hitting 300-yard drives or launching high-flying iron shots into the greens. The club that finishes off every hole is the putter, and usually with a short putt. In this video, Will Robins shows you how to make those makeable putts—every time.

Whether you’re a beginner or an established golfer, you’re often a different person on the course then you were on the range. This is likely because you’re getting too technical, trying to make perfect golf swings. Here, Will Robins explains how to avoid that unrealistic mind-set by swinging freely and doing what all good players do: Stick the finish.

Even for the best players in the world, hitting the green from 200 yards or more isn’t easy. Beginners might hit the green 1 out of 10 times from long range, with the other nine shots resulting in tough recoveries. In this video, Will Robins discusses how to play these shots safely to avoid big numbers on your scorecard.

If you’re a new golfer, you probably waste shots in one of the simplest—and most common—situations: in the fairway right in front of the green. This is likely because you’re overcomplicating an easy chip shot, so you end up chunking or blading it. In this segment, Will Robins walks you through how to handle these shots to score better, not worse.

One of the easy shots that beginners tend to make one of the hardest is the greenside bunker shot—and it’s all because of nerves. Many golfers see their ball roll into a bunker and immediately think they’re overmatched, which all but guarantees a bad shot. Will Robins demonstrates how to beat back those nerves and become a competent bunker player.

Unless you’re a really good player, long putting comes into play on almost every hole. Chances are, you won’t be chipping to tap-in range or hitting your approach shots inside 10 feet. So getting your long putts close to the hole is the No. 1 way to avoid three-putting. In this video, Will Robins shows how to get good from long range.

Many golfers, even golf experts, will have you believe this is a mental game, but you won’t hear that in this video. Will Robins argues that golf is emotional, not mental. It’s an exercise in imperfection, and it can cause confusion, frustration and anger. The road to better golf is a state of being rather than thinking. Here’s how to tap your emotions when you play.

Crushing a driver off the tee is always satisfying, but for developing golfers, the big stick brings trouble into play more often than not. Lofted fairway woods and hybrids are safer choices until you get more confident in your swing. In this video, Will Robins explains why getting the ball in play—not maximizing distance—should be your primary goal.