Beginner's Guide to Golf: How to Start Playing New to golf? This complete beginner's guide covers everything you need to know to start playing confidently. ## Why Golf? Benefits: - Great exercise (4-5 miles of walking per round) - Outdoor time in beautiful settings - Social activity (business networking, friends, family) - Lifelong sport (can play into your 80s+) - Mental challenge and stress relief The Cost Reality: - Green fees: $20-200+ depending on course - Starter club set: $200-500 (used) or $500-1,500 (new budget set) - Balls, tees, glove: $50-100 - Budget tip: Start with used clubs, public courses ## Essential Equipment for Beginners ### Golf Clubs (Start Simple) Minimum Set (7 clubs): - Driver (1 wood) - 3-wood or hybrid - 5-iron, 7-iron, 9-iron - Pitching wedge - Putter Don't buy: Full 14-club set immediately - you won't use them all Where to buy: - Used sporting goods stores (Play It Again Sports) - Golf course pro shops (trade-ins) - Online (eBay, Facebook Marketplace) ### Other Essentials - Golf balls: Start with cheap ones (you'll lose many!) - Tees: Wooden tees in various heights - Golf glove: Left hand (for right-handed golfers) - Golf bag: Stand bag or cart bag - Comfortable shoes: Athletic shoes OK at first ## Golf Basics - Rules You Must Know ### The Objective Get ball from tee to hole in fewest strokes possible. ### Fundamental Rules 1. Play the ball as it lies - Don't move it (except on tee box) - Play from where it lands 2. Tee box → Fairway → Green → Hole - Tee off from designated markers - Putt on the green only - Don't walk on others' putting lines 3. Furthest from hole plays first - On tee: honors (lowest score previous hole goes first) - On course: furthest always goes first - On green: furthest putts first 4. Keep up pace of play - Ready golf (don't always wait for furthest) - Limit practice swings to 1-2 - If a hole behind is waiting, let them play through 5. Scoring - Par: Expected strokes for hole (usually 3, 4, or 5) - Birdie: 1 under par - Bogey: 1 over par - Double bogey: 2 over par ## Your First Round - What to Expect ### Before You Go Take a lesson: - 1-3 lessons with pro ($50-100 each) - Learn grip, stance, swing basics - Worth every penny Practice at driving range: - Hit 50-100 balls - Focus on contact, not distance - Practice driver, irons, wedges Learn etiquette: - Quiet when others swing - Repair divots and ball marks - Rake bunkers after use ### During Your Round First Tee Nerves: - Everyone is nervous - You'll probably miss or top the ball - It's OK - happens to pros too Realistic Expectations: - Beginner score: 100-130 for 18 holes - You'll lose 6-12 balls - You'll have a few good shots (that's the addiction!) Time Management: - 18 holes = 4-5 hours - 9 holes = 2-2.5 hours - Start with 9 holes if possible ## Common Beginner Mistakes Equipment Errors: - [X] Buying expensive clubs immediately - [OK] Rent or buy used first Practice Mistakes: - [X] Swinging as hard as possible - [OK] Focus on smooth tempo and contact Course Errors: - [X] Playing from back tees (too hard!) - [OK] Play from forward tees (shorter, easier) Etiquette Fails: - [X] Slow play (searching for every lost ball) - [OK] Pick up ball after 8-10 strokes on a hole ## Golf Swing Basics ### The Grip Most important fundamental! - Left hand: Club in fingers, not palm - Right hand: Overlaps or interlocks with left - Pressure: Firm but not tight (5 out of 10) ### The Stance - Feet shoulder-width apart - Knees slightly bent - Weight on balls of feet - Arms hanging naturally ### The Swing Three Keys: 1. Backswing: Turn shoulders, keep left arm straight 2. Downswing: Shift weight to front foot 3. Follow-through: Belt buckle faces target Don't: - Lift head before impact - Swing too hard - Try to "scoop" ball up ## Where to Play as a Beginner ### Best Course Types Par-3 Courses: - All short holes (100-200 yards) - Less intimidating - Faster rounds - Great for learning Executive Courses: - Mix of par 3s and short par 4s - Good stepping stone - 2-3 hour rounds Public Courses: - Beginner-friendly - Lower green fees - Less pressure than private clubs ### Times to Play - Twilight rates: 2-3pm onward (cheapest) - Weekday mornings: Less crowded - Avoid weekends until confident ## Golf Terminology Every Beginner Needs Course Terms: - Tee box: Where you start each hole - Fairway: Short grass between tee and green - Rough: Longer grass alongside fairway - Bunker: Sand trap - Green: Very short grass around hole - Hazard: Water or bunker Scoring Terms: - Ace/Hole-in-one: Ball in hole from tee shot - Eagle: 2 under par - Albatross: 3 under par (very rare!) Slang: - Drive: Tee shot with driver - Approach: Shot toward green - Chip: Short shot onto green - Putt: Rolling ball on green - Mulligan: Do-over (not in official rules!) ## Practice Plan for First 3 Months Week 1-2: - 2-3 range sessions - Practice putting at home (carpet) - Watch instructional videos Week 3-4: - 1 lesson with pro - Apply lesson at range - First 9-hole round Month 2: - Play 9 holes 2x per week - 1 range session per week - Work on short game (chipping, putting) Month 3: - First 18-hole round - Join beginner group league - Set handicap goal ## Finding Golf Buddies Where to meet golfers: - Public course leagues (beginner divisions) - Golf apps (GolfMatch, 18Birdies) - Local golf Facebook groups - Work colleagues - Meetup.com golf groups Solo golf: - Courses pair you with others - Great way to meet people - Less pressure as beginner ## Cost-Saving Tips 1. Play twilight/sunset golf (40-60% off) 2. Walk instead of cart (saves $15-30) 3. Buy refurbished balls (mint used balls) 4. Get season pass at one course (break-even at 10-15 rounds) 5. Bring your own snacks (course food expensive) 6. Check Groupon for tee time deals ## When You're Ready to Improve Get fitted for clubs: - After 6+ months playing - When you have consistent swing - Properly fitted clubs make HUGE difference Take regular lessons: - 1 lesson per month - Stick with same instructor - Work on fundamentals Track your stats: - Use golf apps - Know your weaknesses - Practice what you're worst at Find beginner-friendly golf courses in our directory and start your golf journey today!