So You Think You Want To Start Playing Golf? Here’s How to Get Started…
Let me start by saying – these are my opinions in having gone through these very same things myself. This is also for people who realize that they are NOT going to go Pro, but would like to eventually be genuinely good at a game that they realize they are rapidly starting to love. It can seem intimidating at first but here is my lil’ two cents on a down to earth approach to getting started.
Equipment
This was some of the best advice I got out of the gate (Thank you Mr. Connie)! I would NOT suggest going out right away and dropping a few racks on a set – for a NUMBER of reasons. There are plenty of reliable places (2nd Swing, Global Golf, even Facebook Marketplace), where you can buy gently or heavily used sets for the low. If you want a new set (I went this approach) get a starter set. Why? When you get a “real” set, you really should be fitted, and a lot of things need to be consistent beforehand, and that takes time to develop. At the outset, you lose stuff, damage stuff, and you don’t want to do that with your good set (we’ve all left an iron out there on a hole at the start of it all). You also might, after chucking your billionth ball into the water decide you HATE golf annnnd you’ll be glad you didn’t drop close to 2K on a top-of-the-line driver, iron set, wedges and putter. Of course if you want golf gear, either for the course or golf street wear – hop into the store and check out the apparel.
Start at the Range, but don’t wait too long to get to a Course
Start at the range to get comfortable with your swing, but don’t be afraid to try the course once you feel somewhat confident hitting the ball consistently. If you’re constantly hitting the wall or equipment in the bay or right beside you – it liiiikely isn’t time to get out there on the course. BUT - If you’re hitting pretty well (the balls don’t need to be straight on every.single.shot) take your chances on the course. Go during the week, during the middle of the day, when it isn’t too busy and you won’t feel rushed and just play. Pick up the ball if you haven’t made it to the hole after you’ve gone double the par of the hole. For example, if it’s a Par 3 hole, and you haven’t holed the ball by the time you’ve hit the ball 6 times, pick it up and move onto the next hole. I’ve taken out a few people that only hit the Driving Range a few times and they did just fine on a Municipal 9-Hole Course. If you’re lucky enough to have a really chill Executive Course like I have near me (Mitchell’s Golf Complex), that is even better. There are no tee times and everyone there is very relaxed.
Find a Coach and Take Lessons
I think people are mostly trying to be helpful, but you can get a decent amount of bad advice when you’re just starting out. I’ll never forget it, I had a guy come up to me while I was hitting my 3 wood off the tee and say – “The only thing you should ever hit off a tee is the Driver!” That is NOT true. Watch any PGA\LPGA game and you will see the Pros using whatever they want off the tee. YES, the tee is Mostly used with the Driver, but you can hit anything you want off the tee. You can only use a tee from the tee box. I had to unlearn a lot of bad habits I had – and I wish I would have gotten lessons sooner. Having a coached improved my game dramatically, I went from losing every game – to not and even coming in on top from time to time.
Enjoy the Journey…
Learning how to play golf, golf for beginners, whatever way you put it, it’ll be a journey. As you get started on your journey, remember it’s all part of the fun. You’ll have GREAT shots\games, and those will be the things that keep you coming back. You’ll have shots\games where you’ll want to throw your clubs (I’ve seen this firsthand out on the course and it’s hilarious). If you remember even the pros have bad days, you’ll be straight.
“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.” – Bobby Jones
With Love,
Kelli a.k.a. The Golf Lush
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