Learning how to golf can undoubtedly be a challenging task. Even if you've played other sports throughout your life, golf is different. For example, in soccer, it's easy to go out on the field and kick a ball around without any prior experience, even if you're not very good. With a little luck, you might even score a goal. In golf, however, very few players can step onto the course for the first time and make par (except, of course, Alex Ovechkin, who once got a hole-in-one; but that's extreme luck). Bottom line: it’s going to take some practice and a lot of determination. Take a look at some of these tips, and try not to make the same mistakes as many before you. Some common errors that beginners make include:
1.) Trying to crush the ball
Many new golfers approach the tee box thinking, “I have got to hit this ball as far as I can!” Don’t make that mistake! If you take the biggest, most powerful swing you can, I’ll bet two things: one, the ball probably won't go straight, and two, it won't travel nearly as far as it would have if you had taken a swing with half the power. If the swing is kept nice and relaxed, your club will stay on the proper swing path, and your swing will have much more rhythm. If you have a problem with trying to overpower the ball, step up to the tee box and think “nice easy swing.” Also, it may help to take a three-quarters length swing. On the takeaway, only go back three-quarters as far as you normally would.
2.) "Scooping" the ball
When hitting iron and chip shots, you might think that in order for the ball to go in the air, the club must hit up on the ball. Many beginners attempt to help the ball into the air by "scooping" it. In reality, hitting DOWN on the ball, not up, is what actually carries the ball into the air. The loft of the clubface will do this for you if you just hit down on the ball. To hit down on it, your hands should be ahead of the clubface when contact is made with the ball. The club should also hit the ball first and the ground second.
3.) "Going for it"
Imagine, you are on a par 5. You hit a nice drive straight down the middle. You are 200 yards from the green, but there is a pond surrounding the green. You can SOMETIMES hit an accurate shot 200 yards. What do you do? Lay-up, or go for it? Beginner golfers lose so many strokes when trying to "go for it." It’s so tempting. “If I make it on the green, I'll have an eagle putt!” But that’s being greedy. The smart choice to make, if you are not confident in hitting the green, is to lay up! In the situation I just described, if you lay up and hit the green on your 3rd shot, there is still a good chance for a birdie, and an even greater chance for a par. Don’t get greedy; play it safe, because there is nothing wrong with a par.
Topics related to the article:
- Callaway Lady’s X-22 Irons + FT-IQ Driver
- Jbe’ Kruger mentions Golf Clubs For Sale
- Mizuno MX200 Irons Golf Clubs For Sale48
- Cleveland Launcher Fairway Wood 2009
- Mizuno MX200 Irons
- Cleveland Launcher Fairway Wood 200948