Golf is seen by many people as a rather tame and fairly easy game, but for those who actually play golf, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While playing a round of Sunday golf can be a relaxing way to spend the day, it is certainly not easy, and it requires a high level of skill and precision. The following five tips will help you get started off on the right foot and avoid a few common newbie mistakes.
1. Practice First
Before you rush out to purchase a gleaming set of new golf clubs, remember that as a beginner you probably have no idea what will work for you. If you haven’t already played a fair amount of practice games, there is no way you or anyone else can know which clubs and equipment will best cater to your personal needs. Most golf clubs have equipment for hire, which allows you take some lessons and get a feel for the game before you shell out thousands of dollars on a new golf set. If you do have your heart set on purchasing your own clubs, keep in mind that a shorter iron (like the nine iron) or a wedge, is the best type of practice club for a beginner.
2. Grip, Stance and Posture
These are three things that are very important for a beginner to master. When starting out, it is important to learn to keep a proper grip on your golf club and maintain the right stance and posture. Although you may not think that the way you hold your golf club or stand will affect your swing, these three things are the fundamentals of golf. If you don’t have these down, you will not be able to progress. Practice holding your golf club and standing correctly with the help of a friend or instructor.
3. Foot, Knee and Leg Action
The way you plant your feet greatly influences the power and accuracy of your swing. How you plant your feet will also influence the position of your knees and legs, so everything is connected. When you move to swing, everything should be synchronized; your legs must be planted firmly, while your knees should be slightly flexed. When you swing, you will keep your knees flexed and roll your left foot back, while keeping your right leg braced. This is not as complicated as it may sound, but as a beginner you cannot skip this step.
4. Hips, Shoulders, Hands and Wrists.
Although it looks fairly simply when you see a professional take a swing, there is actually a lot of technique behind it. A good golf swing involves using your entire body, which includes your hips, shoulders, hands and wrists. Your hips should move naturally along with your feet and leg movements while your shoulders will turn when you swing back. Practicing the basics of a swing can be done at home before you even venture onto a golf course.
5. Develop Your Own Style
Once you have the basics of the golf swing down, you can start to figure out what works best for you. While the basics are the same for everyone, no two golf swings are ever exactly the same. You shouldn’t try to imitate someone else’s swing because your size, shape and body build is different. Finding your own personal style of swing is important if you want to continue to improve.
This is a guest article from Daniel P – a self-confessed golf addict from Wish.co.uk. Find out more about their golfing gift experiences.
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