Golf for Beginners

Golf for Beginners

There is more to golf than simply putting a ball into a hole. Golf involves strength, strategy, determination and patience. If you have never played the game before, here is a quick guide to the rules of the game, golf etiquette, basic golf terms, and how you can get started.

Rules of the Game
Before you set foot on a golf course, it is important to know the basic rules of the game. Below is a list of a few of the basic rules of golf. To see the United States Golf Association’s complete list of rules, click here.

The holes on the course must be played in order.
You can only carry a maximum of 14 clubs.
In match play, each hole is a separate contest. If you win the first hole, you are “one-up.”
In stroke play, the competitor with the lowest total score for the round is the winner.
You can’t change your ball during the play of a hole. If your ball is damaged you must ask your opponent first before changing it.
Make sure your score is correct before turning in your card.
Always use your proper handicap.
You can’t hit a practice shot while playing a hole. Be sure to read the local rules about practice.
The player who has the lowest score on a hole has the right to play his or her ball first on the next hole (this is called the “honor”).
While playing a hole, the player whose ball is furthest away from the hole plays first.
You must play the ball as it lies – you can’t move it to a better spot.
You must strike the ball fairly with the head of the club. Do not push, scrape or rake the ball.
If your ball is touching the green, it is on the green.
If your ball is on the green, do not putt with the flagstick in the hole – either take it out or ask another player to hold it.
If you or your partner moves either of your balls on purpose or accidentally, you must add a penalty stroke to your score, replace and play it. If someone or something moves your ball other than you or your partner, there is no penalty, but you must replace it. If the ball is moved by wind or water, you must play it as it lies.
If you are going to lift your ball under a rule and the rule requires that the ball be replaced, you must put a ball-marker behind the ball before you lift it.
A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies beyond the inside line of objects such as white stakes or a fence or wall that marks the playing area.
If your ball is lost or out of bounds, you much add a penalty stroke to your score and play another ball from where you played your last shot.

Golf Etiquette
Proper golf etiquette is also very important when playing. Following these simple guidelines will not only make your golfing experience better, but you will also gain the respect of other players.

Be patient and respect other players on the course.
Do not shout or yell. Normal speaking or conversation is okay.
Arrive on time to your tee-off time.
Don’t make any practice swings in the tee-off zone.
Don’t stand too close behind, near or in front of any other golfers.
Be very quiet when another player is making his or her shot.
Keep moving – always be prepared to play your ball in order to avoid any delay in the game. Leave the tee immediately after you make your shot.
Don’t drive your carts over tee-off areas, greens or through sand bunkers.

Basic Golf Terms

Here is a list of a few basic golf terms from the PGA golf glossary to help you learn a little bit more about the game. To view the complete list of words and terms you should know, click here

Ace: A hole made in one stroke (also known as a hole in one).
Backswing: The motion that involves the club and every element of the body in taking the club away from the ball and setting it in position at the top of the backswing from which the club can be delivered to the ball at impact.
Backspin: The rotational movement or spin of the ball produced by contact with the clubface. The greater the backspin, the higher the ball will fly and the more it will spin, and therefore stop or even spin backwards on impact with the turf.
Birdie: A score of one under par on a hole.
Bogey: A score of one over par on a hole.
Break: The amount a putt will curve to the side because of the slope, grain and wind that affect the movement of the ball.
Bunker: A hollow made of sand, grass, or both that exists as an obstacle and, in some cases, a hazard.
Caddie: A person hired to carry clubs and provide other assistance.
Carry: The distance a ball will fly in the air.
Carryover: When a hole is tied in a match and the bet is carried over to the next hole.
Chip shot: A short approach of low trajectory usually hit from near the green.
Coil: The turning of the body during the backswing.
Double Bogey: A score of two over par on a hole.
Double Eagle: A score of three under par on a hole.
Downswing: The swing forward from the top of the backswing.
Driving Range: Another term for a practice area. Also known as a golf range, practice range or learning center.
Eagle: A score of two-under-par on a hole.
Fade: A shot that flies slightly from left to right.
Fly: The distance the ball carries, or a shot that carries over the intended target.
Follow-through: That part of the swing that occurs after the ball has been struck.
Forward Swing: The downward motion of the hands, arms and club from the top of the backswing to impact.
Groove: A description of a swing that consistently follows the same path, time after time.
Hitter: A player who favors a forceful, aggressive style of swing – the swing is based on sheer power.
Hook: A shot that curves sharply from right to left for right-handed players.
Hosel: The part of the iron that connects with the shaft.
Lag: A shot (usually a pitch, chip or putt) designed to finish short of the target.
Level-Par: A term describing a score of even par.
Lie: As it relates to the ball, the position of the ball when it has come to rest. As it relates to the club, it is the angle the hosel of the iron makes with the rest of the iron head.
Line: The intended path of the ball, usually referred to in the context of putting.
Loft: The degree of angle on the clubface, with the least loft on a putter and the most on a sand wedge.
Long Irons: The irons numbered one through four.
Loop: The shape of the swing when the backswing and forward swing are in different planes.
Match play: A competition played with each hole being a separate contest. The team or player winning the most holes, rather than having the lowest score, is the winner.
Middle or Mid-irons: The irons numbered five through seven.
Off-Green Putting: When a player elects to putt from off the green rather than chip.
Par: The score an accomplished player is expected to make on a hole – either a three, four or five.
Rap: To hit a putt with a short, firm stroke.
Reading the Green (or Putt): The entire process involved in judging the break and path of a putt.
Short Irons: The eight and nine irons and the pitching wedge. The sand wedge is considered a scoring or specialty club.
Slice: A ball that curves from left to right to a greater degree than a fade.
Stroke play: A competition in which the total number of strokes for one round, or a pre-determined number of rounds, determines the winner.
Swing Center: A point, usually near the base of the neck and the top of the spine, around which the arms and upper body rotate during the swing.
Swinger: A player whose swing is based on timing and rhythm.
Tee Box: The area where players tee to start a hole.
Tier: A rise or level in a green or tee.

Getting Started

If you’ve never picked up a set of clubs, nor set foot on a golf course, don’t worry – you still have plenty of time to learn how to golf! As a beginner, you should spend time at a driving range; take four to five lessons and learn all of the basic fundamentals of golf before playing on a course. Beginners should also always start with nine-hole courses before venturing out to 18-hole courses.

According to PGA Tour Instructor Tom Ward, almost anyone can learn to play an enjoyable game of golf, regardless of age and natural abilities. The quickest and most effective way to playing well is through study and practice.

Ward says there are five basic body actions necessary to learn in order to become a solid golfer:

Foot action: Although your hands are the only body part that has contact with the club, your feet are the only body part connected to the ground. Having proper stance will give you a solid foundation. There are three difference stances in golf – each will vary by player:

Square: Both feet are equal distance from the line of flight (the imaginary line between the ball and target). This stance is very basic and helps with control.
Closed: The left foot is closer to the line of flight than the right foot. This stance is used when drawing or hooking the ball.
Open: The left foot is farther away from the line of flight than the right foot. This stance is best for fading or slicing the ball to the right of the target.

When getting ready to hit the ball, your feet should be placed at the same width as your shoulders. As you go for the swing, roll the inside of your left foot towards the inside of your right foot.

Leg & knee action: The legs and knees work together to support the foot action. Once your feet are firmly planted, flex your knees a bit. The knees should remain flexed throughout the entire swing. Be sure to never let your weight shift to the outside of your right leg, or let your right leg buckle.
Hip & shoulder action: Turning your shoulders during your back swing sets up the plane of your swing. Keeping your hips restricted slightly will prepare you for the downswing. The left shoulder should turn down and under your chin against your right hip/leg.
Arm Action: Arms should be in unison with your hip and shoulder movement to complete your powerfully-controlled back swing.
Hand & wrist action: Bad wrist action accounts for 90 percent of bad shots. Grip is extremely important. Keep your left wrist flat in relation to the back of the left forearm and the back of the left hand. The most important thing to remember is to let the swing come naturally – don’t force it – or else it will turn into a throwing motion instead of a swinging motion.

Sources: Golf Link, LearnAboutGolf.com, PGA, United States Golf Association