Guide for Beginning Golfers

The “Putt” is the stroke or shot in golf once your ball has landed on the green. This shot calls for rolling the ball toward the flagstick or cup if the flag has already been removed and is normally made using the putter. The putter is the club which has the least loft and a relatively flat face. If you have followed parts one thru eight in “Playing Your First Golf Round” then you have progressed from making your first tee time reservation, arriving at the golf course, the first tee jitters, hitting your clubs and progressing down the fairway and finally reaching the green. Congratulations !

There are two key ingredients to making a good putt, Speed and Direction. Because the green usually slopes in different directions it is key to learn how to read the slope of the green. The five main different types of putts normally encountered are Uphill, Downhill, Left To Right, Right To Left and Straight. For an uphill putt the ball must be struck harder in order to make it up the incline slope. The opposite holds true for a downhill putt because the ball will have a tendency to accelerate down the slope depending on the severity of the decline of that slope. A left to right putt will do exactly what it says – go from left to right. This means that you will aim your ball toward a target or line left of the cup and the opposite holds true for a right to left putt. The amount of distance left or right again depends on the severity of the slope of the green. There are also double breaking putts and even triple, which are usually associated with longer putts on very undulating greens, but that is a discussion for another time. When first starting to putt I would advise to aim directly at the cup or flagstick and experiment to get a feel for both speed and direction. These two ingredients of putting are critical to ultimately scoring well at golf. More than half of the total strokes of a persons score are usually made on the putting green.

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In parts 1 thru 7 we discussed all aspects of a persons first golf round from the reservation of the tee time to arrival at the course and the first tee box jitters and you, hypothethically, have now advanced the ball to the greenside area. As noted in Part 7 you can chip the ball with your irons or wedges and get close if you have some green and an opening to the flag location to work with. If you are in front of a sand trap or have some other obstacle between you and your target it may call for another type of shot. I DO NOT proclaim to be a golf professional but I can impart knowledge to you that works for me after 30 plus years of playing, reading and experimenting with the different aspects, strategies and shots required to play the game of golf.

As stated earlier if there is an obstacle in the way of your approach, such as a sand trap or tree, it will require a different strategy which will depend on the distance from clearing the aforementioned obstacle to reaching the flag or hole location. The most important thing is to concentrate on the shot on hand and follow thru to a finished position. The strategy I use to get over an obstacle quickly is to set up with a higher lofted club such as the sand or lob wedge with the club nearer my left foot and laid open so the ball pops up faster than normal. The term laid open means the club face is approaching a flat position with the blade pointing upward in relation to your stance and the ground. I also break my wrists back sharply and quickly which also promotes height and less distance, which is not your goal for this type of shot. Remember to follow thru to a finished position or there is a good chance you will leave the shot short of your intended landing area. You can try this shot even if there is no obstacle in your way and get a feel for the line of ball flight you will achieve for future reference under actual conditons. How close you get to your target will be determined by the distance away and the amount of follow thru combined with the speed of your swing thru the ball at impact. Accuracy and distance will come with practice but the main goal is to get over the obstacle and onto the green and not in a sand trap, tree, water or other hazard that may lie in front of you. This is one of the tougher shots required in golf so if you master this one it will help your game and score tremendously. Next Part 9 – The Putt. Happy Golfing to all !

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In parts one thru five of “Scheduling and Playing your First Golf Round” we discussed scheduling your tee time, the first tee, hitting the ball in the fairway, some rules of etiquette, and approaching the green. The green, which as noted earlier is the tightly mowed area of grass that surrounds the flagstick and cup, is a most important area of the golf course because almost half of your golf score will be determined by how well you do with your chipping, putting and bunker or sand play on or around the green.

You have now hit your approach shot and you are on or near the green. The strategies utilized here will greatly effect how well you will score. If you are near the green and have a clear opening to the flag then you have a few options in your approach. You can either use a more lofted club such as a pitching, lob or sand wedge or you can utilize what is called the bump and run technique with a less lofted club such as the 7, 8, or 9 iron. The more lofted clubs are harder to hit and achieve consistent results with accuracy and nearness to the cup after the shot. The professional golfer will use this method and these clubs proficiently because of the hours of practice that he has put in to perfect the feel with each individual club. When you have reached a certain level of expertise then you will know which club will work the best for you under any given shot requirement. In my opinion the bump and run, especially for the beginning golfer, will give you the best odds for getting closer to the pin if you are on the fringe or have a clear approach to the flagstick. The key to a consistently successful shot here is practice as is the key with most any part of the game. The method I would recommend for the beginner is to set up your body and alignment as if you were going to putt, maybe a bit open to the hole ( which means your right shoulder will be slightly forward of alignment to your left – for right handed golfers and opposite for left handers ) and lean your weight toward your left side ( for right handed golfers – the right side for left handed golfers ), and set the ball slightly right of center toward your right foot ( again for right handed golfers ), close the clubface a bit and hit the ball as if you were hitting a putt but with a slightly more descending blow and be sure to follow thru about as far as you took the club back. Whether you use a 7, 8, or 9 iron will depend on distance and elevation of the green to the flag. If the green is sloping uphill you will want to use a less lofted club such as the 7 iron to ensure additional roll after the ball lands to get up the incline of the green nearer to the flag as the ball comes to a stop. If you have less green to work with or the green is sloping downhill you will want to use a more lofted club such as the 9 iron or pitching wedge so the ball will stop faster after it lands on the green. As stated earlier the proper club selection for you will only come with practice and playing time. One other tip I will offer that I found works well for me is to keep your head down until well after the ball is struck and allow minimal body movement as it is not required for this type of shot. The hips may rotate slightly open toward the target but that is about it. Practice, Practice, Practice will make perfect. Have fun and Happy Golfing to All ! Part 7 – Other greenside shots and The Putt.

For more golf tips and info visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com

In Part 4 of playing your first golf round I touched on the 1st tee jitters and some course courtesies or etiquette. After you have hit your ball on the 1st tee along with your fellow golfers the real game begins. I will continue to elaborate on some of the golf rules and etiquette of the game as we continue down the first fairway. Note : Etiquette is defined as the courtesies extended to your fellow golfers both in your group and on the golf course and to the golf course itself, ie; being quiet and standing to the side while another player is preparing to hit their shot, yelling fore if an errant shot is going off line and maybe toward another golfer, replacing a divot which is displaced during a golf shot, etc.. When all of the players have hit their tee shots you will go to the players ball who is furthest from the green on that particular hole first. The other players in the group or foursome, which is a common name for a group of golfers because the players are normally set up in groups of four, will stand off to the side out of the view of the player who is about to hit or address the ball. This will allow them to attain the maximum concentration without the distraction of someone off to the side talking or moving around , an important rule of golf course etiquette. You will all then proceed to hit your second shots in order of who is furthest from the green or away as referred to in golf lingo, while observing golf etiquette and no longer using a tee. The tee is the wooden or plastic accessory used to raise the ball to a desired height off the ground can only be used on the first shot on each golf hole. The subsequent shots must be played where they lie in adhering to the normal rules of golf. In inclement conditions , after rain or where there is standing water in the fairway or rough, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and placed so that a player is not unfairly penalized for abnormal conditions they may encounter on the course any particular day. There are also winter rules and ground under repair situations whereby you may remove and replace your ball in a new location, no closer to the hole, without penalty. When you become  proficient enough to play competitively or even join a golf club you must be careful to establish the rules and have everyone agree to the rules before you begin play or you may be called and penalized strokes or loss of a match because of an infraction of said rules.

When you approach your ball and prepare to hit your second shot make sure you remember to align your self to the target ahead. When the swing is executed properly many players will take a divot, which is a section of grass or turf and shoot it into the air as they complete their swing. Golf course etiquette dictates that the divot be replaced or a mixture of seed and fertilizer be poured into the spot where the divot was taken. Note: Many players, especially beginners will try to lift the ball with their club instead of hitting the ball with a descending blow which actually will cause the ball to rise up more proficiently, thus the reason the divot is taken. The correct swing for each person will come with practice under the guidance of a golf professional, whenever possible. A pro can help an individual attain a much more proficient swing in a much shorter amount of time than when self taught. You can learn yourself, as I did, but the reading and the experimentation process usually takes much longer than being taught by someone who knows how. After the second shot you will proceed to hit the ball until you reach the green , which is the tightly mowed area of grass around the flag stick or pin ( another name for the flag stick), whichever terminology you prefer. The ball will then be putted into the hole in the least amount of strokes possible, which will be discussed in Part 6.

The key to golf is to allow yourself to have fun and enjoy the game no matter what your skill level. Happy Golfing to all !

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It’s “Tee Time” – Your first time teeing up and preparing to play can be a bit unnerving if you let it. It is human nature to be a little nervous when you are trying something new for the first time and people are around watching you. I have to admit when I first started playing I felt the same way. After a while you realize that many players are also beginners and not much more experienced than you and they are also nervous when it is their turn to hit in front of their fellow golfers. After a short time you will overcome your fear of the first tee. If you are having trouble at the first tee you have some options. When my significant other started playing golf she was petrified to hit in front of anyone. I explained my dilemma to the starter on the course and he was able to schedule us on the back nine or 10th tee where there were fewer players, if any around. This was very helpful in easing her into the game and it allowed her, and I for that matter, to enjoy a more leisurely round and first golf experience. Soon she was an old pro and the first tee jitters were gone. Another tip is to schedule your tee time when the course is less crowded, normally late morning or early afternoon, depending on the golf course. If you choose this option then it is a good idea to speak with your local golf professional or starter so they may suggest the optimal time for you to play.

If no other options are available and you’re out there on the first tee ready to go try to remember a few things. Everyone has to start somewhere and I can guarantee that most beginners were no better than you when they started. If you miss the ball try once more and then pick up and drop your ball in the approximate area of the other players in your group, an unwritten rule of golf etiquette. Another tip when on the tee is to ”Relax”. I don’t mean to fall asleep over the ball, just take a deep breath and exhale slowly before you swing the club. Try to clear your mind of everything but the task at hand, hitting the golf ball and your swing.  Also, if you have taken lessons and practiced sufficiently you will feel more confident on the tee and have a better chance for a successful swing result. No matter how you do the first few times out you should not be discouraged. If you really want to play golf then you have to give yourself some time to get the knack. If you are sports oriented the game of golf usually, and let me emphasize usually, comes much easier than for those who have not played any sport before.

After teeing up your ball, pick an object a short distance in front of you that will align your ball with the intended target line of your landing area. Then set up your shoulders and chest parallel to that object and target line. This should increase your odds for a successful swing more so than just swinging the club at the ball without a target or goal in mind. Remember you are just beginning and as much as I love the game of golf it is not an easy game to master for most. It is a game however, that can be played and enjoyed by players of any skill level. So give golf a chance – “It is the game of a lifetime”. Happy Golfing !

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You have scheduled your tee time, arrived at the golf course, checked in with the Pro Shop and starter and are heading to the first tee – Congratulations ! You are ready for the game of a lifetime. Once you are at the first tee there are some rules of Etiquette that should be addressed here. There are different locations of teeing areas ( usually between 1 and 5 placements -check score card for locations of tee and total yardages) set up for players of different skill levels and abilities. The back tees are meant for the advanced player usually with an established handicap of between 1 and 7 and the total yardage is usually between approximately 6500 and 7000 yds. . The next tee box is normally for the experienced player who is between a 7 and 14 handicap and the total yardage is between 6200 and 6500 yds. The next tee location is for the average golfer and can range from 5800 to 6300 yds. and the markers are normally white. Some courses have tee boxes for senior players and then our favorite, the ladies tee location whose markers are normally red in color and are usually the shortest on the course. Not to take anything away from the ladies because many of them can play from the mens tees and can hit just as far and better than many of the male players. If a senior or female player is an experienced player they can choose any tee that is appropriate for their skill level. For a new player or beginner I would strongly recommend the white or senior tees for the men and the red tees for the women. It would allow you to play from a tee location that is reasonable for the new player, novice, beginner, etc. If you find you are scoring well right off the bat, then by all means move back to the next tee box for the next round. By scoring well I mean close to par or better and I personally don’t think many beginners will fall into this category in fact I wouldn’t even keep score for the first few rounds. Give your self some time and ease into the game. It will allow for a much more enjoyable experience and beginning of your journey into the “Wonderful World of Golf”.

Once you have selected your tee location you must defer to the other players who may be in your group and check if they are playing from the same location. If they are playing the tee locations further back then they will hit first, and if they are playing the shorter tee locations then they will hit after you. When a player is on the tee box preparing to hit, the other players should stand off to the side and out of view of the golfer and remain quiet until they have completed their swing. This is one of the rules of golf etiquette and an important one at that. You will better understand my emphasis on etiquette as you become more experienced with the game. Also the ball should be placed between the tee markers and either even with them or behind them away from the golf hole – one of the rules of golf. It is not so important initially but if you ever get into competitive golf you better have some knowledge of the basic rules or you may lose a tournament because your opponent may call you on an infraction of a rule you may not have been aware of. I wouldn’t worry about it right now just go out and play and enjoy yourself. Happy Golfing To All !

For more tips and golf info visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com and http://mddeagle1.golfbegin.hop.clickbank.net/

As noted in the previous writing, the assumption is being made that all of the proper preparation has been made in order to make your first golf round as enjoyable as possible for you and your fellow players. Some of the aforementioned preparatory measures for golf are worth repeating. For the sake of this writing we will assume you have purchased equipment, including proper golf attire, taken lessons or practiced sufficiently enough to play and acquired some knowledge about the Rules and Etiquette of Golf. That being said, I think you’re ready to play.

If you have access to a private golf course or Country Club through a relative, friend or colleague, etc. then by all means take advantage of the accessibility of a golf setting that is not available to many people, especially for their first golf round. Ask them to set up a tee time for you and request them to play with you or have someone accompany you who is available and willing to play with a beginner and who knows the rules and etiquette of golf. If you do not have access to a Private Club and you are scheduling the tee time yourself then I would suggest you stop by at the intended golf course and speak to the resident golf PGA professional and ask him his for his recommendation on when to play. You can also speak to the golf starter who is in charge of sending out the golfers at the appropriate time and place on the course. He can advise you as to when to play so you can enjoy the round without feeling pressured on every shot. Once you have scheduled your tee time the next step is the arrival at the golf course. You should figure to arrive at the course at least a half hour before your scheduled time in order to allow for check in and warm up, and especially if you would like to grab something to drink or eat before you play. As you enter the driveway to the course you will most likely see directional arrows to the Bag Drop. Follow the signs so you can unload your bag at the location nearest the course ( Bag Drop ) so you will not have to carry your bag once you park the car. After you drop your bag make sure to put your golf shoes on ( if you have golf shoes – recommended) and proceed to the club house and Pro Shop to register to play. You will then pay what is called Green Fees ( for either 9 or 18 holes – your preference ) and then proceed to the starter with your receipt so he can set you up to play. Sometime when the golf course is very crowded the starter may elect to start some groups on the back nine so be prepared for that possibility, especially if you are only playing nine holes. It is actually a good idea for a new golfer to play nine holes for his or her first few times out and you can then request that you be started on the 10th hole thereby allowing you this part of the course to yourself. When I first taught my significant other to play, the starters were most cooperative and sent us off regularly on the back nine so we would feel less pressured and we would not hold up the more advanced groups of players. The game of golf is meant to be played with a certain tempo and within a reasonable amount of time. If you are waiting on every hole then you lose your rhythm  and will not play as well as you may be capable of. This is an important part of golf etiquette which you will learn as you become more experienced with the game. Well, you’ve arrived at the golf course, dropped your golf bag at the Bag Drop, checked in with the Pro Shop and Starter, warmed up sufficiently and you’re now ready for “The First Tee” ?

Next – “Arriving At The First Tee”  Happy Golfing To All !

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How to know if you are really ready ? If you think you are ready to schedule your first round on the golf course let’s take a moment to review what you have done in preparation to play. Have you purchased your golf equipment and if so do you have a checklist of all the items you will need to play ? Golf Clubs, Bag, and Golf Balls being the most obvious, but divot repair tool, ball markers, tees and a scorecard and pencil will also be required in order to play. Actually the score card is only necessary as a reference for the distance from each tee location and golf rules for each hole as it is not critical to keep an actual score your first few times out. If you have already acquired some proficiency at the game and you can keep your score within double par or better then by all means mark your score. Although not required by the rules of golf, a golf glove and golf shoes are two pieces of equipment that I would highly recommend. They will add to your stability in gripping and swinging the golf club. Have you taken golf lessons or taught yourself and practiced sufficiently to be able to achieve enough distance and accuracy to keep up with the pace of play required by local rules and course etiquette ? Have you learned about the basic rules of golf and associated golf etiquette ? Have you asked someone to join you who has already played and is somewhat knowledgeable about how to play, golf rules, and golf etiquette ? If you have answered yes to the above then I would say that you are ready to play your first round of golf. One last item that I would like to address is proper golf attire. Most golf courses have a required dress code. I would recommend that you call ahead and find out the requirements so you don’t arrive at the course and be turned away or be asked to purchase a collared shirt and proper shorts or pants. Cut offs, jeans, tee shirts , tank tops, etc., are normally not considered proper attire for the golf course especially by Country Club Standards.

A few recommendations I would make for scheduling your first tee time are as follows: 1. As noted previously ask someone to join you that is familiar with the game and who knows the basic rules and golf etiquette. 2. If you know someone who belongs to a Country Club and can take advantage of it then ask them to schedule a time for you when the least crowded so you will fell less pressured and it will allow some additional time for you to play. If not, drop by your local municipal course and check with the starter or local golf professional to see when they would recommend that you play for the first time. Note: During the week and on weekends there ar certain times that the golf course can be very crowded and not a good time to play for the first time. In the afternoon around 2:00pm to 4:00pm the course play is usually less busy and a much better time to schedule your round. 3. As noted in previous writings the average time for a golf round for the average golf foursome is about 4 1/2 hours or 15 minutes per hole. Do your best to keep up with that pace of play. When you first start playing you may have a tendency to lose more balls on wayward shots and thus require more time to look for them, especially if you are playing a course with narrow tree lined fairways. Do not take more than 3 to 5 minutes looking for a lost ball and if you lose two or three in an a row and there is a group behind you, then just drop a ball with the rest of your group and keep the pace of play moving. This is the main reason for suggesting the tee time to be scheduled on off hours so it will be a more enjoyable experience for you and your fellow golfers. You will also be adhering to an important rule of golf etiquette by extending this courtesy to your fellow golfers. Happy Golfing To All !

Next Post – Arriving at the Golf Course, Green Fees, and the First Tee Shot. Stay Tuned !

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In past posts we have addressed some of the fundamentals of learning to play golf  ”The Right Way”. By this I mean that you have purchased or acquired your equipment, have received instruction from a golf professional, parent, sibling, friend, self taught etc. and have practiced sufficiently to prepare yourself to venture out to the golf course. Oh Yes, and you have acquired some knowledge of Golf Etiquette. Having accomplished all of the above you are finally ready to play. What comes next and how does one get started ?

I would like to spend some time in this writing, providing the new golfer with some useful information on selecting and arriving at a golf course for the first time. As noted above I will make the assumption that you have acquired sufficient knowledge on how to play, and acquired your clubs, bag and accessories and you’re ready to go. This is where one of the first rules of golf etiquette comes into play. Do not schedule your first tee time at the busiest times on the course. The best thing to do, if possible , is to ask a parent, relative or friend who is familiar with the game, to join you especially for the first few times playing. Another suggestion is to schedule your tee time after the prime times, usually mid to late afternoon and this way you will have the course to yourself and your group. You may only want to play nine holes until you get used to the requirements of the game, especially if the golf course offers a nine hole rate. It will provide a more relaxed introduction to the game until you learn the rules of golf, golf etiquette and how to move the ball effectively. If you have already acquired a proficiency at the game then by all means play the entire 18 holes at whatever time you so desire. One of the biggest violations of golf course etiquette is to schedule your first round and have no clue as to how to play or the courtesies involved with the game. That is why it is important to play the first few times with someone knowledgeable about golf and who can teach you the rules and the etiquette required to play properly. The main idea of playing this great sport is to make sure it is an enjoyable experience for all, which it will not be if you are waiting indefinitely on each hole and for each shot to be played. The average round of golf for a foursome takes approximately 4 1/2 hours or 15 minutes per hole as a rule of thumb. Once you become a seasoned player, the novice or new golfer who is unknowledgeable and discourteous to their fellow players will irk you more than you may think, especially if they take an inordinate amount of time with each shot. This is usually done by someone who has not  learned to play properly.

When a golfer first learns to play it can take some time before he or she can make solid contact with the ball to advance it with reasonable distance and accuracy toward the hole. As discussed in my previous posts but worth repeating; if you cannot make contact with the golf ball after a few swings then pick up the ball and drop near your fellow players and proceed to try again. Also if you have a lost ball in the woods, etc. do not take an excessive amount of time to find it. You can allow yourself a drop in an area where you are clear to play the ball toward the green or intended target because your score is not important at this stage of your game.

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