6 Tips for Getting Into Golf
Golf is one of the world's most popular sports, but it’s not the easiest to get into. You may assume that it’s simple at first glance, but there’s a reason why many of the world’s best golfers are older. That’s because they had to practice for years to get where they are today.
Don't let this discourage you, however. The game is getting younger and there are tons of tools that will allow you to get better much faster than you used to. With that being said, you still need to start on a solid foundation and avoid some of the mistakes some beginner golfers make. Here are a few tips beginners who want to get into the game should follow.
Learn as Much about the Game as You Can
Before you start playing golf, you need to study it as much as you can. Start with the rules then look at some tournaments. Check out some examples of legendary performances like Tiger Woods 2000 at St Andrews, Old Course) . This will give you an idea of what’s possible and some of the techniques some of the pros use. You might not be able to use them right away but knowing about them as early as possible will allow you to integrate these techniques faster.
Get the Proper Equipment
You cannot start golfing without the right gear, but you don’t need to get a full set of clubs at the beginning. There is no need for it because you won’t be able to use all the clubs to their full capacity anyway. If you’re a beginner, then you won’t swing hard enough to see the difference between a 5-iron and a 6-iron, for instance.
Beginners can get away with a half set or a two-third set if they want. All you need is a putter, a three, five, seven, and nine iron, and a three and five wood. That's it. This will be more than enough for your current range.
Another thing you have to be very careful with when buying clubs at the beginning is the material and the flex. The length of your clubs will also be very important.
If you're between 5"8 and 6"3, then you should be fine with standard size clubs. But, if you're an outlier, you might have to get them custom-fitted for you. This will cost more, but you'll have no choice if you want to perform properly.
When it comes to materials, go for steel for your irons and graphite for your woods. Also, go for regular flex instead of a stiff flex as shafts with a stiff flex require more force to get distance and most beginners lack the force and accuracy at the beginning.
Great Proper Clothing
Clothing is also very important for golfers. If you’re not dressed properly, you won’t feel comfortable on the greens and you won't have the proper base or grip if you don’t invest in the right shoes.
If you’re looking for great golf clothes, visit a specialist retailer like Function 18. They have one of the widest selections of premium golf clothes anywhere online and they offer virtually every brand there is. They are a great place if you’re looking for great shoes, tops, protective gear, and more.
Get Some Classes
It's impossible to really get good at golf without an instructor, especially at the beginning, so you will have to look at golf lessons if you're serious about becoming a golfer. A lot of players are tempted to buy every single new piece of gear they see so they can improve their game, but it would be much better to hire a good instructor or pay for some specialized lessons to improve specific parts of your game.
Get Yourself a Simulator
We also suggest that you get a nice golf simulator if you feel like golfing is something you want to do seriously. You can get a cheap setup with a launch monitor and net. A setup like this will allow you to hit balls in your basement, garage, or any suitable space, and track the trajectory and distance of the ball on a second screen.
Or you could go all out and get a projector and a screen with a cage. This will give you a more realistic result, but it will cost more. It is worth it if you want to take your game to the next level, however.
Don’t Get Stuck on One Aspect
Yes, having a good swing is a very important part of golf, but don’t get hung up on that. Some people start falling in love with the range once they get good at swinging and never really let their game evolve. You have to practice things like bunker shots too, as you’ll see a lot of those when playing.
If you want to practice your bunker shots from everywhere, we would suggest that you get something like a pocket bunker. The pocket bunker is shaped like a half-ball with legs under it. The goal is to hit the legs as you would the bottom part of a ball in a bunker. It will replicate the trajectory of a bunker hit very well and will make you feel much more comfortable when you actually have to get out of a bunker.
You also have to spend a lot of time working on your putting at the beginning. Putting is much tougher than a lot of beginners think and sometimes takes players a lifetime to master it. So, get yourself a nice putting mat that you can set to different configurations and practice often. Playing mini golf can also help you figure out things like slopes and elevation, so you could get some practice that way as well.
Getting into golf can seem intimidating and golf is a tough sport, but once you get over the initial hump, you should start feeling comfortable. From then on, it’s all about getting some hours in and analyzing your game so you can make the adjustments needed.
