The Beginner's Guide to Golfing

If you're new to golf, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. There are so many different types of golf clubs, not to mention the "lingo" – bogeys, birdies and the like that it can be difficult for a beginner to wrap their head around, which is why we've developed this beginner's guide to golfing to help you on your way.

The Clubs

To begin with, it's more important that you practice, practice and practice some more, learning your craft before you invest a ton of money in a set of clubs that isn't right for you. It's more important that you learn how to handle golf clubs and how to putt and swing. Once you've done that, you can have a play around with a few sets of clubs to find out which works best for you. Remember, expensive clubs aren't necessarily better than a cheaper set.

The Lingo

So what does all of that lingo really mean? There are literally thousands of golfing terms and you'll only get to grips with them when you start playing. As for the basics: birdie means one less than par for any/all holes and a bogey one more than par. A shag bag is not what you'd think it is – in fact, it's a container used to transport golf balls, while a waggle is the movement of the player before he takes his shot.

The Game

The aim of the game – as you probably know – is to get your golf ball to the flag in the fewest number of strokes possible. The more, the higher your score and the worse you'll do. If you can get it to the flag in just one stroke, it's called an ace. If you get stuck in the sand, also known as the "beach" or in the bushes and have to chip your way out, you'll likely lose, as you'll have to use a lot of strokes to get your ball out and back into play.

The Stance

The best strokes happen when you're relaxed and not overthinking what you're doing. The more you overthink, the more tense you'll be and the worse your stroke. Relax, settle into a comfortable stance, move your hands into a comfortable grip, check your posture and then make the swing. Keep it loose and relaxed and success will be yours!

The Lessons

If you're completely new to golf, one of the best things that you can do regardless of your age is to get golf lessons. Instead of trying to learn with the help of an "experienced" friend or at the range, if you get lessons, you won't have the opportunity to build up bad habits that'll end up having to be broken. It's important to ask for help even when you're not a beginner, too – there's no point floundering when you could be playing a rather good game of golf if you'd just had a little extra direction.

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