In Scotland-15th Century, the game of "gowf" was born. In 1744, the first rules of play were codified by the Company of Gentlemen Golfers, who were established in Edinburgh. And since then, the world has never been the same. Played in Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, South America, China, and, of course, Scotland; golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. Strangely enough, some universities even offer a golf major.
For the newbie just starting out, the game encompasses a world with a rich and diverse history, requires a potentially major investment of time and money, and a great amount physical and mental anguish. But hey, it's still fun!
A beginner begins by learning what NOT to do.
Initially, you'll want to rush out and spend all your money on greens fees, equipment, clothing, and lessons. Don't rush into that, you don't know the where, what, and how yet!
Understandably, you'll be excited about the game. It's something you can play all by yourself, with your family, and even with your boss. But playing golf well is difficult if you don't find out what you really need to know.
Start out taking baby steps; otherwise you get too serious too soon. Don't spend every waking hour on the range when you first start out. According to many pros, this is a recipe for disaster. Trying too hard in the beginning can cause you to develop bad habits that are hard to break. Although you don't want to be out there from dawn till dusk, spending time at the range can help you get your muscles going, while helping you figure out which clubs and balls you'd like to use.
To get started you need to find course, preferably an affordable one, and wear comfortable, loose-fit clothing. You can wait to spend the big bucks on golf clothes later. Borrow some clubs from a friend- a nine iron, wedge, and a #5 wood are good enough to get you going. You won't use the wedge at the driving range, but you will need it later at the practice area.
Watching others will help you find good stance, grip, and posture. Tee up, keep your eye on the ball while you swing, and give it a nice firm whack. It's okay if you miss a few, your just beginning. At this point, you're teaching your body the motion of what the swing feels like. Its learning what angles and impacts produces what kinds of flights.
When you start out on the putting green, stand 2 feet from the hole. When you're making 25 putts in a row consistently, move back six feet. Continue that until you are, no farther than, 20 feet from the hole. Remember that pros even miss at 2 feet sometimes.
Golf is about balance, concentration, and simple physics. Whether you're driving or putting, you should stand so that a light breeze wouldn't knock you over. Now that your first lesson is over, you can go relax-you deserve it!
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