Don't be afraid to look like a new golfer
As a new golfer, it’s important to be comfortable with the idea that you are going to swing and miss, you’re going to top the golf ball, you’re going to hit bad shots, and you’re probably going to embarrass yourself – and that’s okay. Everyone has to start somewhere and your golf journey is no different.
If you do feel self-conscious about playing in front of others, especially in the early days, consider taking time to visit a local driving range or small par 3 course. Both of these options will allow you to build your confidence in a more casual and less time-pressured environment than a full 18-hole golf course.
Top tip: Invest in lessons from a certified PGA professional if you can afford them. Whilst they may seem expensive, the cost is well worth it if it saves you from having to correct bad swing habits once they’ve become second nature. If you’re unsure about in-person lessons, why not consider taking online lessons through Skillest?
Fun first, perfection second
There’s no denying it, golf can be an incredibly frustrating game, but you must try to enjoy it. Most golfers take the sport up as an enjoyable hobby and not to become the next Rory McIlroy or Tiger Woods.
Golf really is a fantastic way to socialise with friends and family. It allows you to connect with people, enjoy some friendly competition, and have a laugh, all of which are just some of the many health benefits of playing golf.
Putting pressure on yourself to hit the perfect shot will only lead to increased frustration and reduced enjoyment. Instead of worrying about playing the round of your life every time you tee it up, focus on just enjoying the company of others and the lovely surroundings of the golf course. The more you enjoy your round, the more relaxed you’ll be and in turn, the better you’ll perform.
Top tip: Take a moment to reflect after you’ve finished playing and write down 5 things that you enjoyed about your round of golf.
Finding fairways is a must
One of the most common mistakes many new and experienced golfers make is always pulling the driver out of the bag for tee shots on par 4 or 5s. Due to its low loft and longer shaft length, the driver is one of the hardest clubs to hit in the bag, yet it’s the go-to club for most players when standing on the tee. If you want to give yourself a chance to play better golf and shoot lower scores, you need to find the fairway off the tee.
If you’re struggling to hit the ball or are all over the place, instead of immediately opting for your driver, consider taking a more lofted club like a 6 or 7 iron for your tee shots. Granted it won’t go as far but you’ll have a greater chance of finding the fairway and keeping the ball in play, and your next shot is always going to be easier from the fairway than from the bushes. Obviously, if the fairway is wide and you’re feeling confident then give the driver a go but for the most part, an iron off the tee as a new golfer is a sensible approach.
Top tip: Use a device like the Shot Scope V5 golf watch to track your shots and view personalised statistics like fairway and green success rates, average club distances, putting stats and much more to help you improve.
Rome wasn't built in a day
As the old saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and neither will your golf game be. Unlike a video game, the sport of golf cannot ever be completed, but with hard work, practise and patience, you can become an accomplished golfer. In my experience, it’s important not to become discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
Improving your golf game will take dedication and consistent effort, and just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, this wonderful game will be quick to remind you that there is work to be done. With golf, though, you really do get out of it what you put in. If you are prepared to go to the driving or practise range, work on your putting and put the hours in, you’ll be sure to see some positive results sooner than later.
Top tip: Every good shot, every fairway or green found and every putt sunk is a cause for celebration. Acknowledge your progress and enjoy the small victories along the way. Doing so will help you stay motivated and keep improving.
Fork out for a fitting
One of the biggest, if not the biggest mistakes I have made when it comes to golf was to buy standard rather than custom-fitted golf clubs. I never thought I was good enough to get fitted by a professional club fitter but I couldn’t have been more wrong. In fact, when I did eventually pay for a club fitting (around £50 (often deductible if buying clubs from the fitter)) a few years ago, I discovered that the set of clubs I had bought from eBay and had been using for over 8 years was 2 inches too long and 1 degree upright. Granted, I did manage to become a single-figure handicap golfer with an ill-fitting set but I can’t help but wonder just how much better I could have been with a properly fitted set.
The truth is, getting properly fitted for golf clubs is one of the best investments you can make as it will help you find clubs that match your swing, leading to improved accuracy and distance. It might cost you a few hundred pounds more than buying a second-hand set but not only will you benefit from the latest technology but will be playing with a set specifically tailored to your needs.
Top tip: In addition to custom-fitted golf clubs, I’m a firm believer that every golfer should own a laser rangefinder distance-measuring device, irrespective of experience or ability. Contrary to popular belief, rangefinders don’t have to be expensive as you can see from my list of the 10 best budget laser rangefinders under £150 on Amazon.
Play with used golf balls
As you’ve probably already gathered, golf can be quite an expensive hobby, especially when you take into account the cost of green fees, memberships and equipment. The good news, however, is that there are some pieces of equipment that you can make savings on. As a new golfer, the likelihood is that you are going to lose golf balls, so instead of buying and playing with brand new balls, consider buying used golf balls, also known as ‘lake balls’.
To learn more about the benefits of playing with used golf balls, watch my why more amateur golfers should be using lake golf balls video.
Top tip: Buying used golf balls from a company such as Mail Order Golf (use code ‘ANDYSGOLFBLOG‘ to save 10%) can help save you up to 80% compared to new balls. As well as the cost saving, you’ll also be able to shop a wide range of makes, models and colours.
So those are just some of my top tips for those of you who are new to the game of golf. If you’re interested in learning how to improve your focus during on the golf course, check out my 10 tips to beat golf fatigue article. Finally, if like me you’re getting on a bit and need to warm up before playing, this article I wrote on the best exercises to help golfers warm up and prevent injury should help ensure you’re properly prepared to tee it up next time you head to the golf course.
If there are any tips you’d like to share with new golfers then feel free to share them in the Comments section below and good luck on your golf adventure!
