How to get started in Golf?
Golf is a great game: sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but highly addictive. Getting started in it is actually not so difficult, and hopefully this article can help you avoid some of the pitfalls and point you in the direction of a lifetime of fun.
The First Steps
The biggest mistake is players rushing out and buying a brand new set of shiny expensive golf clubs. While they are nice to look at you should keep in mind that today's golf equipment comes in great varieties to cater for different golfing types and abilities. Since you're just starting out you do not know which set fits you best. Just imagine the envious looks you get at the driving range or course when you show up with your $2000 set, and the subsequent laughter when you just 'hack away' - not worth the embarrassment! Some alternatives are: most Driving Ranges will have clubs for hire, so you can try out a few different ones. You can also borrow one or two clubs from a friend. The shortest iron (nine iron) or a wedge are the best clubs to start, practicing with it will give you the feeling of hitting the ball in the air and should be fairly straight forward.
As hard as it will be to contain yourself, don't even contemplate going anywhere near a golf course. Golf is technically quite demanding, and without at least some basic training you'll end up with a lot of frustration. You've seen the top players on TV loosing their cool in frustration, imagine how you will feel if not even a single shot goes where you want it to. Besides, the other people having to wait for you will not be happy. As a beginner to great game of golf, start off at a driving range, take at least two to three lessons, learn the fundamentals, progress to a 9 hole course and eventually venture out into the great unknown of an 18 hole golf course. Believe me, it will be a lot more fun for you and those around you when you follow this path.
Where to get lessons?
You will meet plenty of people at the range who will teach you the 'innermost secrets' of golf. Fact is that most of them have started playing not long before you. So the answer to the above question is: go to a Professional. As you have seen on TV, even the world's top players have a coach and take lessons. Golf Professionals are the only people qualified to teach you how to play the game. Lessons from a Pro will cost you money but will be the best investment you'll ever make. Taking the advise from the 'know-it-all' people at the range will likely screw-up your game at the very early stage, and it will take a long time to correct the faults later. Lessons from a Professional usual cost is about $35-45 per 30 min session, but you will get reductions for a per paid package of lessons.
- Don't waste your money on expensive clubs until you have reached a basic level of competency.
- Don't go near a Golf Course, again until you have reached a basic level.
- Get lessons from a professional.
- Learn the fundamentals
- Watch the pro's.
- Practice.
- Learn the rules and golf etiquette
- Small Bag > $3.00 (30 balls)
- Large Bag > $5.00 (60 balls)
- 2 Large Bags > $8.00 (120 balls)
- 1, 30 min. Session > $35.00
- 6, 30 min. Sessions > $175.00
- Each
- Includes Large Bag of Balls
Golf Instruction Programs - Improve your golf game at Sonny's Golf Range with affordable professional lessons. Whether you are looking to break a 100 or break par we can put on on the fast track to lower scores. Our Professional Staff can assist you with every aspect of your game from tee to green regardless of skill level.
Sonny Rodriguez-Golf Instructor
currently competes in some
Adams Professional Tour Series and
PGA Open Qualifiers
- Placed 4th at the Tiger Woods National Minority Golf Tournament in Florida and won a College Golf Scholarship
- Won Club Championship at King's Crossing Golf Club
- Won Club Championship at Pharaoh's Golf Club
- Hole In One...Pharaoh's Golf Club #15
- Hole In One... Tierra Santa Golf Club #8
- Won the Corpus Christi City Golf Match Play Championship, low qualifier with a 65
In The Bag....
- Driver > Cobra 400 SZ Tour 9 1/2 Degree
- 3 Wood > Titleist 906 F2 15 Degree
- Iron 2 - 6 > Mizuno MP - 60
- Iron 7 - P > Mizuno MP - 67
- Wedges 52 & 58 > Mizuno MP - R Series
- Putter > Heavy Putter B1 - M
- Balls > Sirxon Z - StarX
