Go Shop Golf > Golf Tips For Beginners

In addition to pure enjoyment, the game of golf offers several benefits for its participants. As a form of weight bearing exercise, it is excellent for preventing bone degeneration and produces lean muscle. Playing golf in the sunshine also stimulates the body to produce of Vitamin D, important for a strong skeleton. Golf also provides a good cardiovascular workout, lowering cholesterol and burning up about 300 calories an hour.

Golf Tips for Beginners

The Golf Grip

A good golf grip should feel comfortable, allowing full control of your club and generating maximum power from the swing. There are 3 golf grips and the most appropriate will depend on the size of your hands. With the "Baseball" grip the hands are closely butted together, but there is no interconnection between them. The "Overlap" grip has the right little finger resting between the first two fingers of the left hand. The "Interlock" grip is similar, but the right little finger is criss-crossed with the left index finger.

The Golf Stance

A good golf stance is balanced with the weight on the balls of the feet, which should be roughly shoulder width apart, with the knees slightly flexed. The club should rest level on the ground, with the clubface square to the target. When using a driver the ball should be positioned inside the left heel; for long irons and fairway wood it should be just forward of centre and central for short irons.

The Golf Swing

The golf swing is comprises 3 components; backswing; downswing and follow-through. In the backswing, it is important that the clubface and the back of your left hand remain facing front throughout. In the downswing, the angle of the club shaft and left forearm should remain constant as the club moves towards impact. The last stage is the follow-through. It is vital to hit "through" rather than "at" the ball, the ball being struck because it is in the path of the club, rather than being deliberately aimed at.

Chipping

Many golfers make chipping a more difficult task than it should be. In many cases, players will choose a lofted club for chipping, resulting in the clubface sliding under the ball and just popping it up in the air. A better idea is to opt for a less lofted club, such as an 8-iron. Pressing the hands forward, ahead of the clubhead is vital to good chipping. This reduces the loft of the club, allowing the ball to release and roll smoothly on hitting the green. It also promotes a descending blow into the back of the ball, reducing the temptation to "scoop" the ball into the air.

Putting

A good putting stance is narrower than that for a full swing, with the feet placed about hip width apart. The ball position needs to be roughly central, allowing the clubhead to be kept square at impact and encouraging a good follow-through. A very light version of the standard golf grip allows for straightforward swinging of the clubhead along the target line. Striking the ball accurately towards the target is accomplished by accelerating the clubhead through the point of balance and "fine tuning" the basics until this acceleration occurs along the intended line, with the clubface square to it.

Golf Etiquette

Golf etiquette is a tremendously important aspect of the game. It concerns safety and courtesy on and around the golf course. Golf requires intense concentration and a player driving from the tee or attempting to hole a putt will be distracted if anyone is talking or moving about on the tee or green. Beginners are advised to study the section on etiquette in the "Rules of Golf," published by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and available free at several outlets.

Appropriate Golf Clothing

Appropriate golf apparel for a man is a collared shirt with sleeves. The dress code for ladies is a little more relaxed and sleeveless tops are acceptable. If shorts are worn, these should be of knee length and men should also wear long socks. Proper golf shoes are generally required.