Golf Instruction for Beginners

Many beginning golfers get frustrated soon after they start playing. They go directly to an 18-hole course and get embarrassed after their shots keep going over to other fairways, get lost in the trees, or dribble 10 feet in front of the tee. Golf involves fundamentals, especially in the grip, stance and posture. To get the most enjoyment from the game a beginning golfer should start slow and learn these fundamentals thoroughly before attempting to play a complete round on a golf course.

Instructions

    • 1

      Go to a golf pro shop and ask about proper used golf clubs for your size. They can help you determine the length of clubs for your body design. Start with used clubs that you can purchase at the golf shop. You can also go to a driving range and ask to borrow or rent clubs to practice hitting.

    • 2

      Start practicing golf on a driving range, not on a golf course. Focus on hitting the ball straight instead of hitting for distance.

    • 3

      Practice the proper way to grip a golf club. Place the left hand for a right-handed player around the top of the club handle with the pad of your hand over the top of the handle. Gently squeeze with only the bottom three fingers. Do not hold the club too tight. Rest the thumb lightly on the top of the handle. Your finger tips should be close to your hand but not touching. Keep your left wrist on top of the grip of the club. Wrap the right fingers underneath the club shaft in front of your left hand, with the small finger of your right hand overlapping the pointing finger of the left hand. Apply light pressure with only the middle two fingers of the right hand. Rest the right palm snugly behind the left palm and the right thumb on top of the left thumb. Reverse these steps for a left-handed golfer.

    • 4

      Tee the golf ball for drives so almost half of the ball rests above the top of the driver head when it lies next to the tee. This will better ensure a drive with proper height and distance. In your stance position, the ball should be just inside your front heel. This also helps provide more launch for the drive.

    • 5

      Relax your muscles when swinging on any golf shot. Many beginners think to hit the ball hard they have to strain and swing hard as possible. Tight muscles make slower shots. Relaxed muscles swing quicker and with more power.

    • 6

      Start practicing golf with just a few clubs. Focus on the driver or wood, a couple of irons, pitching wedge and putter. Practice hitting shots with each of these clubs other than the putter at a driving range. Many beginners only want to hit with the driver. Focus on the other clubs. Practice putting on putting greens if driving ranges have those available.