| More and more people every year get bitten by | | | | club, I like to have people start with middle iron |
| the golf bug. Golf's popularity continues to rise | | | | (usually a 6 or 7 iron). In my opinion, the middle |
| year after year. With more and more people | | | | iron is the best club to begin learning the golf |
| becoming interested in golf, more and more | | | | swing. With a six iron, for example, the ball |
| people are taking their first steps in wanting to | | | | placement is in the middle of your stance. This |
| learn how to play the game. | | | | means that as you progress to higher and lower |
| And the great thing is - it is people of all age | | | | irons you will have a benchmark to work from. |
| groups, genders, race and social strata. I have | | | | Also down the road, if you swing begins to |
| really been enjoying working with every type of | | | | trouble you, I usually suggest that you get back |
| golfer. | | | | to your basic neutral position club of the six iron |
| The first aspect of the game of golf that I talk | | | | and get your rhythm and timing back. |
| with about a person or group of people that are | | | | If you are just beginning, you must understand |
| just beginning to take up the game is that learning | | | | that the longer the shaft on the club, the longer it |
| to play golf is going to take some time and much | | | | is going to take you to consistently and |
| patience. In fact, the patience part never goes | | | | accurately hit the golf ball. It's just the physics. I |
| away in this great game! | | | | see way too many beginners want to rush to |
| The second aspect (or at least real close to it) | | | | justice and hit the driver and they never learn the |
| that I speak with beginning golfers about is | | | | proper swing. Always learn, tune, and groove |
| practice; and the amount you spend with quality | | | | your swing with a middle iron. Then work to keep |
| practice time will get you to the point in your | | | | that mindset as you climb the ladder of your |
| game you want to be. | | | | clubs. |
| Everyone has different ambitions and | | | | From you middle iron placement your longer |
| expectations as to how far they want to take | | | | shafted clubs will find your ball placement more |
| their game. Whether it's just a spouse who wants | | | | toward your front foot's instep; while your |
| to learn enough of the game and the golf swing | | | | shorter irons will have the ball work more toward |
| to enjoy an afternoon with their significant other, | | | | the back foot's instep. |
| or someone who one day wishes to play | | | | But before you do any of this, make sure you |
| competitively, the game of golf can | | | | start with your foundation. Make sure that when |
| accommodate. But, it's fundamentals and practice | | | | you speak with your teaching professional you let |
| that will get you to your goal. | | | | them know that you want to spend time with |
| At its core of the game of golf is the golf swing. | | | | and make sure you understand the concepts of |
| Your golf swing. How you start out learning the | | | | the grip, stance, alignment, and posture. This will |
| mechanics of the golf swing is crucial. Don't skip | | | | ensure that you don't build a house of cards with |
| the basics! Learn some fundamentals before you | | | | your golf swing that will always be tumbling apart. |
| even begin to tackle the swing. | | | | Once you get past your first couple of lessons of |
| The grip, the stance, the setup to the ball, and | | | | working on the foundations, don't forget them. |
| your posture, is the foundation from which you | | | | Always, always, always, be cognizant of your grip, |
| must learn the golf swing. If you don't spend the | | | | stance, alignment, and posture even as you begin |
| time early on ingraining these aspects into your | | | | developing your golf swing. Be sure to incorporate |
| physical psyche, you'll not (if ever) consistently | | | | a quick check of these before you engage your |
| strike the golf ball. So, make sure when you are | | | | swing. |
| working with your instructor, you don't just start | | | | And finally, we come full circle. Be patient with |
| whacking at balls. Make sure you build the proper | | | | yourself and spend time practicing. If you do, you'll |
| foundation with the aforementioned elements. | | | | realize the wonderful rewards that the game of |
| When you do progress to actually swinging the | | | | golf returns in a much sooner fashion. |