There are few sports so classy as golf: it’s no wonder you want to start playing! It’s a game with many benefits, including good exercise, relaxation and time spent admiring the UK’s many amazing golf courses.
When you begin to play golf, its many aspects can seem complicated, from the rules and scores to the insider jargon.
So, just what do you need to know to get off to a good start?
Get the right clubs
Golf bags can carry as many as 14 clubs. As a new beginner, you’ll only need half of those. The essentials are:
- A driver
- A putter
- Sand wedge
You can supplement these with at least one of a 6-iron, 8-iron and pitching wedge.
Don’t rush into buying equipment
Your new clubs don’t have to be expensive. As a starter, you have the luxury of not needing world-class equipment. Find discounted or used clubs to get yourself going, then buy the fancier gear when you’ve built some momentum.
Before buying, go to a large store or driving range and ask to try both regular-flex and stiff-flex shafts. Remember which feels best for you – that’s the type you’re going to buy for all your new clubs.
Choose the right ball
Many beginners don’t realise that the type of ball you play with matters.
However, this isn’t just about performance but also cost. Until you can consistently keep most of your balls when playing a game of golf, it’s smarter for you to buy cheap balls.
As your skills and experience improve, it will make more sense for you to go for the better-performing but more expensive variants to give yourself a competitive edge.
Find a good teacher
Far from being a problem, having no previous experience playing golf can actually be an advantage. It means you have no bad habits and maximum potential to learn good ones.
Golf is a subtle sport and it’s unlikely that you’re going to crack the code by yourself. That’s why it’s a wise idea to get some lessons when you start, to point you in the right direction. Many ranges and courses offer lessons for beginners but, if you’d prefer, you could find a golf tutor online.
Manage your finances
Just how expensive golf can be is surprising, even despite its general identification with wealth. With clubs and clothing, lessons and more, you might find yourself in a muddle when balancing your new hobby with your other financial responsibilities.
It’s extremely important that you budget and be careful with your money. This will be easier if you take on board the advice throughout this post on how to be a thrifty golfer.
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