Every golfer who currently plays the game, including those at the top like Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, have started somewhere. All the PGA and European Tour players have been a beginner at some stage of their life. Therefore, it does not matter what age you are when you decide to pick up a golf club for the first time, as everyone is a beginner once in their lifetime. However, being a beginner can be tough, there is no hiding from that but there are things you can do and avoid, to make the process much easier.
Firstly, make sure your golf clubs fit you properly. Do not head to the sports shop or browse online and pick the first set of clubs which take your fancy. It does not cost anything to go to a golf store and pick up a few golf clubs and see how they feel. You can get the advice of knowledgeable staff in the club shop of your local golf club and make sure the clubs you purchase are a perfect fit for you and your game.
Having purchased a set of clubs you should keep them in the best possible condition. The grooves on the face of the club are there to apply spin to the ball and if you do not keep them clean, you will find your ball lands without any spin. Shot technique or a problem with the ball can also lead to it landing without any spin but one of the most common factors is a build-up of dirt in the club face. Clean the grooves of your club after every shot. At first, you will constantly have to remind yourself to do it but after a while, it will become second nature and you will be cleaning the face of your golf clubs without even thinking about it.
When learning to play golf, there are so many different opinions out there, it can be a minefield when trying to teach yourself. Therefore, if you can afford it, you should take a few lessons with a professional at your local golf club, which will get you off on the right track. If you have a small budget and cannot afford lessons, why not ask around your family and friends? The key is to stick to one approach and not to alternate between different methods you have found online or in books.
As a beginner, use the driving range for practice, not the golf course. Yes, the driving range is not the most exciting place to spend your time and you would much rather be out on the course but it’s not all about using the driver. You should be using your irons and practicing your short game, judging how far you can hit each club and really working on your technique. The hard hours of practice in the driving range, will make you determined to play a good round when you step onto the golf course.
Finally, do not try and hit the ball too hard. This is a common mistake by beginners, who want to hit the longest drive possible on every par-4 or par-5. Often, swinging the club harder means a loss of distance, due to a lack of technique and balance in the shot. Do not make this mistake and concentrate on getting the technique right first, before attempting to add more power.
