Order, Order, Order

 

Work on the five fundamentals in order: grip, posture, pivot, hand/arm relationship, and then alignment. It’s important to be proficient in each area before you go on to the next. An error in any of the five fundamentals can throw off your entire golf swing.

Pictures and Video

Many golf instructors will video their students when they are swinging. This lets students see their problem areas in their golf swings. Even if you aren’t taking lessons, you can have someone take a video of you while you are practicing your swing, or you can set it up on a tripod and do it all by yourself. Many times, seeing your golf swing on video will quickly clarify your weak areas and pinpoint what you need to work on. Video is a very effective tool for beginning golfers who can’t figure out what they are doing wrong.

 

Which Club to Use?

Beginning golfers often are confused over golf clubs. They don’t know when to use what club. To put it simply, each golf club is made so it will affect the ball differently. Some clubs will make your ball go far, others will help you get out of a bunker or rough area, or help you get the ball into the hole.

The only way you’ll learn which club to use is to practice and to use educated guesses based on your previous practices. To begin, go to a driving range and start gauging how far your ball goes with different clubs. Over time you’ll be able to make good decisions about which club will suit your goal—and the yardage possibilities of each club will be second nature to you. 

To help take some of the mystery out of golf clubs you should know that the higher the club number, the more lift the club will have and the shaft will be shorter. These shorter clubs that have more “loft” will make balls go a shorter distance than a longer club that has less lift.

Suffice it to say, the low numbered clubs will have less loft and they are generally used for line drives. Higher numbered clubs that have more loft are used when you don’t want your ball to go too far.

As far as where you position the ball, it will depend on which club you are using. As a general rule, as the loft of the club decreases—and the club number goes down—you should place the ball father up into your stance and closer to your front foot. When hitting woods, you’ll want the ball position just inside where your left heel is located.

Let’s say you want to hit a low shot. In this case, you will want to move the ball back a bit further in your stance. If you want to hit a high shot, move the ball forward. 

Swinging Tips

• One of the most important things you can remember about golf is that it’s not really an arm and wrist game. The power in your swing will come from your legs and your trunk.
• You will have to ignore the natural feeling of wanting to look away from the ball when you begin to pull your club back. Keep your eye on the ball at all times during your swing. If you don’t, you increase the chance that you won’t make contact with it.
• Never turn your head, or look up, before your swing is complete to see where the ball goals. Don’t raise your head until you are certain you have made contact with the ball.
• Come up with something you say to yourself each and every time you step up to swing that will help you focus on the ball. Even something such as, “I’m really focusing on this ball” can help you focus.
• Your goal is to swing through the ball, not swing at the ball. Complete your stroke; don’t stop your stroke after you’ve made contact with the ball.
• Many golfers will drop their right shoulder after they’ve struck the ball. This is not good. A proficient golf swing does not stop after impact, it continues. Once you learn to swing through your stroke, so that your shoulder is past the ball and your left foot, you’ll see your distance increase.
• An exercise that will help teach you to swing through the ball is to place a tee in the ground about six to eight inches in front of the ball. Try to not only hit your ball, but also the tee in front of it.
• Don’t swing too hard at the ball. All a hard swing does is prove that you have strength, but accuracy is the name of the game. Going the distance comes from accurate swinging, not power shots.
• If you find yourself swinging too hard, it may be that you are too tense. If you relax a bit you’ll probably find that you won’t swing as hard. Putting your feet a bit closer together can also help reduce your power. After you’ve mastered the mechanics and accuracy of your swing, you can then hit the ball harder.
• To keep your center of gravity during your golf swing, keep your feet in the same position throughout your swing—in other words don’t take your feet entirely off the ground and place them back down. Also, when your club makes contact with your ball your feet should be firmly planted on the ground.
• Feel every part of your swing. If you notice that you are tensing up right before your club makes contact with the ball it can result in your balance being thrown off—which results in your club head not remaining in a straight line as it comes down. 
• If you are slicing your shots, you are not hitting with the center of your club. Practice your swing until you get proficient at centering the club head.
• It’s not crucial that your left arm stay absolutely straight throughout your backswing; you can bend it slightly, just make sure it’s straight when your club comes down and you strike the ball.
• If your practice swings are good and your real swings are off, the chances are high that you are failing to “feel” your swing when you step up to the ball. Beginning golfers often psych themselves up when they step up to the ball and they forget how to feel the swing because they are concentrating on where they want the ball to go, how hard they should hit the ball, etc. Try to approach your real shots with the same relaxation and awareness you experience with your practice swings.
• Avoid watching beginning golfers swing and try to watch as many good players as possible. You’d be surprised how what we see can become part of what we do. Imitation is often done unconsciously, so avoid focusing on how beginning golfers swing so those images aren’t in your mind.
• Avoid golf swing advice from beginning golfers.
• When you do practice, focus on what you’re doing. It’s better to spend 15 minutes of focused practice than an hour of goofing off. Also, take breaks when you need to. No one swings very well when they are frustrated or tired.  
• Avoid sunglasses as they can impair your depth perception. This is why you see so many professional golfers wearing hats or sun visors instead of sunglasses.
• A lighter grip will get your ball farther than a tight grip because a tight grip generally means the muscles are tense.

Remember that the golf course is the place to play golf, not practice or work on your golf fundamentals. Practice your fundamentals at driving ranges and at home.

There is a lot to learn about the rules of etiquette on the golf course and the more you play the more you will discover.

Golf etiquette/rules are not so much geared around being mannerly as they are geared around being respectful of your fellow golfers and doing things that ensure everyone in the area is safe.

Some of the more important rules of etiquette are as follows:

Never swing your club until you are certain it is safe to do so. Make sure all fellow golfers and spectators are safely out of the way. Also, make sure you are out of the path of a golfer’s swing.

Never swing and hit your ball until you are absolutely certain that golf groups ahead of you are out of the ball’s range.

Never talk or make noise when another golfer is swinging or putting.

The only time it is acceptable to holler or make noise on a golf course is when you see your ball, or another player’s ball, heading toward a person. If this occurs, you should yell “fore!” to alert the individual.

Keep golf carts on the golf paths and out of the grass and away from hazards.

Understand that most golf courses require a reservation to play. This is known as your “tee-time.” While it is possible to get away with not having a tee-time, assume you will need one, especially during busy golfing times. Generally, tee-times are made for groups of four. While it’s possible for two people to play a round of golf together and reserve a tee-time, the club may have you include a pair of other players to make the group equal four. You should arrive a bit early for your tee-time.

Beginning golfers who just want to practice on their own generally find that it’s better if they head to the course during less busy times, such as early in the morning or late in the evening. Not only does this help beginning golfers feel more at ease and comfortable, but it keeps more experienced golfers from being held up behind a beginner. The good news is that some courses give discounted green fees during these less busy times.

The order of play, or deciding who goes first, for a round of golf is generally decided by something casual like tossing a coin in the air. Some golfers will throw a tee in the air and whoever it points to when it lands will go first. This is repeated until the order of play is determined for all players.

After the first hole has been completed, the person who has the lowest score on the hole will go first at the next hole. This is called the “honor.” This is repeated with each consecutive hole. If two people are tied for the lowest shot on a hole, players will revert back to the previous hole’s lowest score to determine who has the honor of going first.

Playing out of turn and not honoring the “honor” can be overlooked if it’s a mistake. However, not showing honor to the player to whom it’s due, or groups deciding to forego the honor system altogether, can be penalized, or disqualified if they are playing in a tournament.  

Players are only allowed to tee off in the teeing area.

If a player has teed off outside of the teeing area, all of the strokes he has taken are counted, but he must tee off again in the teeing area.

A player who takes a tee shot outside of the teeing area and who completes the hole can be disqualified from the game.

It’s not required to use a tee when you are making your first shot at the teeing ground. However, most players do use a tee and beginners are encouraged to do so, too. Most golfers will place a tee between their first and second fingers and drive it into the ground with their thumbs. The height of the tee is based on preference, but most golfers will have it anywhere from one-quarter to one inch, and the longer the club that is used, the higher the tee generally should be, but, as stated, this is a personal decision.

 

For those of you who know little to nothing about golf, the game is unlike most other sports because it is played over a large area of land, which is aptly known as the golf course. The average golf course can cover 50 to 160+ acres. No two golf courses are the same and each will have its own design. Some golf courses are open to the general public while others are private. To golf on a private course you will have to become a member of the private course’s golf club—or you can play on the course when you are accompanied by one of the club’s members.

A golf course will generally have 9 or 18 holes and the holes are numbered. The holes must be played in order. You cannot play Hole One and then move to Hole Four. Also, when someone is referring to a “round of golf” they generally are talking about playing 18 holes of golf—even if they are playing on a course that only has 9 holes. Golfers playing on a 9 hole course will simply play the 9 holes twice. 

The goal of the game of golf is to be the player that gets his ball into each of the course’s cups—or holes—with the fewest number of strokes.

These cups are located on areas known as putting greens. The areas leading up to the putting greens include: the teeing area, the fairway, the rough, and the hazard areas.

The teeing area, the fairways, the rough, and the greens—will have different heights of grass on them. As you might suspect, the rough will be the areas on the golf course that have the highest grass on them, and the putting greens will be the areas on the golf course that have the shortest grass.

The hazard areas on golf courses are places you don’t want your ball to go. These areas may be small ponds, sand dunes, pits (sand bunkers), or even wooded areas, or areas with thick vegetation.

Each hole on a golf course will have a “par”—which is a number. This number tells golfers how many strikes a skilled golfer generally takes with his golf club to move the ball from the teeing area, down the fairway, to the putting green, and into the cup on the particular hole.

Golfers use the hole’s par as a guideline and they try to keep their strokes as close to par as possible.

Generally, the pars that you will run across on golf courses will be par-threes to par-fives. However, some par-six holes exist on some courses.

Pars for each hole are determined by the number of yards from the teeing off areas to the putting greens. Of course, special circumstances such as downhill areas, hazard area locations, and other factors affecting the ball are taken into account to determine pars.

The area for each hole where golfers make their first stroke toward the putting green is the teeing area.

The golfer’s goal with his tee shot is to get his ball as far up the fairway as possible. Depending on the hole and the golfer’s skill, it may be possible for a golfer’s tee shot to land directly on the putting green. If a golfer’s tee shot winds up in the cup, this is known as a hole in one. 

After the golfer’s tee shot, he can either ride a cart or walk to the location where his ball landed. From there, the golfer’s goal will be dependent on the ball’s location.

• His goal may be to get his ball farther up the fairway, or up to the putting green.
• His goal may be to get his ball out of a hazard or rough area and back onto the fairway or up onto the putting green. 
• If his tee shot landed the ball on the putting green, his goal will be to putt the ball into the cup.

After each hole the process is repeated at the next hole. After a round of golf, the golfer with the fewest shots is designated as the winner.

Scoring and Score Cards

As players play a round of golf they keep score on score cards. Keeping up with your golf score is really easy. Each stroke you take on a hole is counted, and at the completion of each hole you will write down the number of strokes you took to complete the hole. After the golf round is complete you will tally these numbers to get your golf score for the entire game. 

The golf course will give you your scorecard prior to a round of golf. Each course’s scorecard will be a bit different because it will contain information about the golf club, a map of the course layout, and the colors of the flags on the different holes. However, all scorecards will have the following information on them, no matter where you golf:

The club rules will be listed. Always read through the local rules of the club where you are golfing because in some instances it may list rules that over-ride the rules of golf. If a situation is not listed in the club rules, then the rules of golf apply.

Each hole will be listed by number. You will also see the length in yards for each hole listed for each tee type. These tee types generally include one for men and one for women. You will also see in this area a place that is listed as handicap. 

A signature area where you sign off on your score.

 

The reason there is a handicap listed is because golf is set up so that it allows people with different golfing abilities the opportunity to play with each other competitively. Good golfers will generally have no handicap, but beginning golfers will generally have a handicap.

 

Basically, a handicap is the number of strokes a player can get that is over and above what the par is for the course. For example, if a golfer’s handicap is 18, then he receives one shot per hole over and above the course’s par. You should talk to a professional at the club about getting your handicapped determined so you can play competitively with golfers who are more experienced.

After a round of golf is completed, players will tally up their strokes to see what they shot. In addition to golfers telling you what number they shot on a hole or course—such as a 75, 85, 95, or whatever their number may be—you may hear terms to describe a golfer’s outcome for a hole, or a game. Here is a guideline:

 

•  Triple Bogey: Three strokes over par
•  Double Bogey: Two strokes over par
•  Bogey: One stroke over par
•  Par: Equal to par
•  Birdie: One stroke under par
•  Eagle: Two strokes under par
• Albatross or Double Eagle: Three strokes under par
• Condor or Triple Eagle: Four strokes under par

 

Continuation of Rules of Etiquette

• Depending on the hole’s par, where you want your tee shot to go will vary. If you are playing a par 3 hole, your goal will be to land your ball on, or very near, the putting green. If you are playing a par 5, your goal will be to get your ball to land as far up the fairway toward the putting green as possible. 
• After each player has hit their tee shot, the game is advanced to the ball farthest from the hole—or you could say the ball closest to the teeing ground. This routine continues until the final ball is in the hole. 
• Once every player has their ball on the putting green, or is close enough to the putting green to see the cup, the flagstick can be removed from the hole. If one player is farther out, the flagstick can be replaced for his shot until he is closer to the hole.
• It’s acceptable for a player to request that another player hold the flagstick in the hole while they line up their putting shot. However, the flag must be removed as soon as the ball is struck.
• If a ball is putted and lands in a cup and it still has the flagstick in it, the player can be penalized two strokes.
• Replace the flagstick before you continue to the next hole.
• While a round of golf generally takes about 4 hours for walkers and less time for those riding carts, groups that have beginning golfers in them may take more time. If your group is holding up another group and they are continually waiting on your group, you should extend them the courtesy to “play through” – this means that you let them go ahead of you. This is golf etiquette and it’s rude to keep another group of players who have a quicker playing pace waiting.
• If you are in a group of 4 and a group of 2 is behind you, wave them on through as they will be slowed down by your larger group.
• Players are not allowed to touch or move their balls from their resting positions. Violating this rule will result in a one stroke penalty.
• If a ball moves on its own or because of outside interference that is not player related, there is no penalty.
• If another player accidentally moves another player’s ball, it can be replaced to its original spot without a penalty.
• If playing on a team, no players are allowed to move or touch their teammate’s ball. If they do, a one stroke penalty will be handed out.
• Players are not allowed to do anything to the area around their ball—such as flattening grass or lifting buried balls out of the sand—and they are not allowed to let anyone do this for them.
• Any player who pretends to make a practice swing in an attempt to rearrange the area surrounding the ball will be penalized.
• If a player’s ball becomes damaged to the point that it’s no longer fit for play, the ball can be replaced with another in the sight of opponents. This can only be done on the hole where the damage occurred and the replacement ball must be placed where the damaged ball was located. 
• If players lose their balls, or they go out of bounds and are not retrievable, players can take a one stroke penalty and play a new ball from the original spot that resulted in the ball being lost or going out of bounds. However, in addition to the one shot penalty, they must also count the original shot that resulted in the lost, or out of bounds, ball.
• If a player’s shot should tear up the grass, known as a divot, it should be repaired as best you can.
• Shots made from sandy bunker areas should be restored back to normal after a shot is complete.
• Never take too much time on the putting green after the hole is complete. After you’ve finished up, move along. You can mark your card after you are off the putting green.

These are just a few of the rules of etiquette that you should know and they can serve as a great foundation for beginning golfers. As more time passes and you play more often you’ll be in situations where you can learn more.

 

Continuation of Rules of Etiquette

• Depending on the hole’s par, where you want your tee shot to go will vary. If you are playing a par 3 hole, your goal will be to land your ball on, or very near, the putting green. If you are playing a par 5, your goal will be to get your ball to land as far up the fairway toward the putting green as possible. 
• After each player has hit their tee shot, the game is advanced to the ball farthest from the hole—or you could say the ball closest to the teeing ground. This routine continues until the final ball is in the hole. 
• Once every player has their ball on the putting green, or is close enough to the putting green to see the cup, the flagstick can be removed from the hole. If one player is farther out, the flagstick can be replaced for his shot until he is closer to the hole.
• It’s acceptable for a player to request that another player hold the flagstick in the hole while they line up their putting shot. However, the flag must be removed as soon as the ball is struck.
• If a ball is putted and lands in a cup and it still has the flagstick in it, the player can be penalized two strokes.
• Replace the flagstick before you continue to the next hole.
• While a round of golf generally takes about 4 hours for walkers and less time for those riding carts, groups that have beginning golfers in them may take more time. If your group is holding up another group and they are continually waiting on your group, you should extend them the courtesy to “play through” – this means that you let them go ahead of you. This is golf etiquette and it’s rude to keep another group of players who have a quicker playing pace waiting.
• If you are in a group of 4 and a group of 2 is behind you, wave them on through as they will be slowed down by your larger group.
• Players are not allowed to touch or move their balls from their resting positions. Violating this rule will result in a one stroke penalty.
• If a ball moves on its own or because of outside interference that is not player related, there is no penalty.
• If another player accidentally moves another player’s ball, it can be replaced to its original spot without a penalty.
• If playing on a team, no players are allowed to move or touch their teammate’s ball. If they do, a one stroke penalty will be handed out.
• Players are not allowed to do anything to the area around their ball—such as flattening grass or lifting buried balls out of the sand—and they are not allowed to let anyone do this for them.
• Any player who pretends to make a practice swing in an attempt to rearrange the area surrounding the ball will be penalized.
• If a player’s ball becomes damaged to the point that it’s no longer fit for play, the ball can be replaced with another in the sight of opponents. This can only be done on the hole where the damage occurred and the replacement ball must be placed where the damaged ball was located. 
• If players lose their balls, or they go out of bounds and are not retrievable, players can take a one stroke penalty and play a new ball from the original spot that resulted in the ball being lost or going out of bounds. However, in addition to the one shot penalty, they must also count the original shot that resulted in the lost, or out of bounds, ball.
• If a player’s shot should tear up the grass, known as a divot, it should be repaired as best you can.
• Shots made from sandy bunker areas should be restored back to normal after a shot is complete.
• Never take too much time on the putting green after the hole is complete. After you’ve finished up, move along. You can mark your card after you are off the putting green.

These are just a few of the rules of etiquette that you should know and they can serve as a great foundation for beginning golfers. As more time passes and you play more often you’ll be in situations where you can learn more.