Thinking of getting into golf? Not sure where to start? Not a problem, as everyone is a beginner at some point.
The idea of starting golf might seem a bit daunting, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. As a beginner you shouldn’t worry about forking out over an expensive set of clubs straight away, or paying high membership fees for the local course.
Where to start?
Starting on an 18-hole course isn’t ideal, so it’s better to start of on the driving range, where you’ll find a wide variety of golfers in a similar situation to yourself. The range is a great place to practice your swing with a few different basic clubs such as a 9-iron or your driver.
If you don’t want to buy clubs initially, most golf clubs allow customers to rent a set, or even just one. This can help getting a feel for the sport, without ending up out of pocket. Aside from the driving range, there are pitching and putting greens which can help boost particular sections of the sport that you may feel need more work.
All clubs have their own resident professional player, who is always available for tuition if you feel that you’d like to progress further with your game and improve your handicap. An important thing to remember is not to be embarrassed when starting, as all golfers have been in the same situation as yourself, and may even be willing to give you a few tips and tricks.
Finding a course
Finding a local course is simple enough, if you haven’t spotted any whilst you’re out and about Google is a great source for information on golf courses. Reviews, comments and photos are guaranteed with searches, so you can get an idea of what you’d like before committing to the first course that comes to mind.
Municipal courses are often the best to start off on, as they often have a mixed bag of players ranging from beginners to professionals and are often cheaper to play at. The downside to this however, is overcrowding, so you’ve really got to choose the ideal time for a few swings.
Golf isn’t as leisurely as you might think, as it does require a decent level of fitness if you want to progress as a player. After all, you don’t see many fat professionals. Not only does the sport require involving your whole body when swinging, but the walking is great cardiovascular exercise. The great thing about this is you’ve enjoyed a round of golf, without noticing you’ve walked a fair distance — approximately 4 miles (or 6.5km) during a typical round) — up and down the fairways.
