Golf Basics

Before you rush out and spend substantial amount on your own clubs and other golf equipment, invest some money in a lesson or two.

The lessons with the right instructor will get you started on correct grip, stance, posture (the essentials!), swing mechanics and exercises, as well as proper equipment selection.

Start with putting practice, and a few weekends on the driving range. After a few weeks move up to nine holes. Do some of the basic exercises, while you learn the rules and etiquette.

Clubs

There are three basic categories of golf clubs: woods, irons, and putters. Woods are used to hit farthest, irons intermediate distances, and putters for up close. The lower the club number, the farther the ball travels. On average when used correctly, a 1 wood whacks a ball about 170 yards or more, a 5 iron about 100 yards, a 9 iron about 60.

Putters are used to push the ball a few feet to a few yards across a much smoother grass area (the green). Pitching and sand wedges are special, sharply angled clubs for chipping up steep hills or out of sand traps. You should get clubs with grips that are neither so small the club twists in your hands on impact, nor so large that you can’t wrap your fingers around it.

Starting grip

The proper grip is vital in golf. There are a few different kinds, but the most common, for right handed people, is the one where the index finger of the left hand hooks the pinky of the right.

For proper alignment “check the V’s” - the angle between your thumb and forefinger on each hand. These should point between your chin and back shoulder. Ensure that when looking down, you can see the first two knuckles of your left hand and a “V” formed between the thumb and forefinger pointing toward your right shoulder. With the right hand, have the “V” pointing toward your chin or slightly to the right shoulder.

Swing

Start at address with a 9 iron. This is a term for standing near, and being ready to hit the ball. Take a few practice swings keeping your heels about shoulder width apart. You need to hit the ball squarely in the middle of the club left to right, but slightly up from the bottom.

Take a firm grip and balance stance. Don’t crush the club nor dance on your toes. Try to keep the swing in one plane (a flat surface). Think of swinging alongside the top of a round table tilted on end and curve with the table edge. Follow through after making contact with the ball. Keep the ball in the center of your field of vision.

Rules

The official rules of golf, like any other game, are many and complex. The simple version is this: tee up, hit the ball toward the flag. Try to get the ball in the hole the flag is in. When you get close, take the flag out! The fewest strokes over the course of all holes wins. Hit your own ball and count every stroke.

Etiquette

Don’t endanger another player by standing too close when you or they swing. Don’t make excessive noise when someone is hitting. Avoid holding up players behind or with you. When you lose your ball, let them “play through”.

Replace “divots” (chunks of earth and grass you dug up by using the golf club) and fix other damage you may have made. Be courteous to those around you - golf is one of the few games where civilized behavior is enforced.

For the novice, golf can be enjoyed from the start. There’s an inexhaustible supply of information about the physics and physiology of swing mechanics, grip, stance, and other aspects.

One of the most successful golfers, Tiger Woods, has been practicing and playing the game from a young age and even he still takes lessons. When starting out there’s a large amount of knowledge to absorb and physical movement to practice right at the outset. Don’t get overwhelmed, however, and remember to have fun!