| For any beginner wanting to learn how to play | | | | can, but that might get you into trouble with |
| golf, the basics are relatively simple to understand. | | | | obstacles or hazards such as sand traps, trees |
| It is once these have been mastered that the | | | | and bushes, or lakes. You can then decide to |
| various aspects of the game that make the | | | | either play short of these hazards, leaving |
| difference between the average, the good and | | | | yourself a better shot next time, or to try to |
| the great can be considered. | | | | clear them. |
| So what are these basics that you must learn | | | | Your choice of club for specific shots will not |
| before you can begin to understand how to play | | | | always be based on distance. You will generally |
| the game of golf properly? The objective of the | | | | have less control over a shot using a wood that |
| game is simple enough: to hit a ball from the tee | | | | with an iron. Incidentally, the term 'wood' is used |
| into the hole in as few shots as possible for, | | | | because these long distance clubs were at one |
| usually, eighteen holes in a round of golf. It is the | | | | time made from wood, but are now made from |
| way in which this is achieved, and the selection of | | | | any material including titanium. However, their |
| tools with which to achieve it, that distinguishes | | | | design, and the length of the shaft, renders them |
| the difference in ability between players. | | | | long but less accurate, and sometimes you might |
| First the tools. You are allowed a maximum of 14 | | | | decide that a one iron is a better club for a |
| golf clubs in your bag at the start of any | | | | specific shot that a two or three wood. Much |
| competition game. You have three distinctly | | | | depends on whether or not you need good |
| different types of club: the woods which are for | | | | accuracy as well as distance. |
| long distance shots, the irons which can be for | | | | You also have to learn how to play out of |
| any distance less than the very longest of shots, | | | | bunkers or sand traps. That is a skill in itself, and |
| but with which you have more control that with | | | | can often be worth a shot or two each round. If |
| the woods, and the putter which is designed for | | | | that doesn't sound much, just consider the |
| the last shots needed to putt the ball on the | | | | difference four shots could make at the end of |
| putting green into the hole. | | | | one of the majors. It is likely that your ability to |
| The woods range from the driver, which is used | | | | understand what you can do with each club in |
| for long shots from the tee, upwards, and some | | | | terms of accuracy and distance is the most |
| even play with a 7 wood. The average player will | | | | important golfing skill you will develop. Once you |
| use a driver, and probably a 1, 2 and 3 wood. The | | | | have mastered that of course, your ability to |
| irons consist of the long irons - 1 thru 3, the mid | | | | reach the higher echelons of the game will depend |
| irons, 4 thru 7, and the short irons, 8, 9 an up to | | | | much on your swing consistency and your fitness |
| the sand wedge. The average distance for a 1 | | | | for golf, and that is what you will have to work |
| iron is about 210 yards, 175 yards for a 4 iron | | | | on next, once you understand the difference |
| and about 100 yards for a 9 iron. A pitching | | | | between your clubs. |
| wedge and sand iron are used for shorter | | | | The development of a consistently good swing is |
| distances. | | | | very important. The top professional players all |
| The best way to practice is to use three irons - | | | | have a consistent swing, and you will have work |
| either three odds or three evens - then swing the | | | | long and hard on developing yours if you have the |
| same with each and determine how long you hit | | | | desire to reach the top in golf. You should be able |
| them. In that way you can get an idea of the | | | | to pick up any club and know within about ten |
| correct club to play from whatever distance you | | | | feet where it will land. It is the direction that |
| estimate yourself from your target. Then use | | | | counts, and the way you approach each hole. |
| three more and do the same thing, until eventually | | | | Your ability to spin the ball in any direction will |
| you have a good idea what club you should use | | | | determine whether or not you can play round a |
| to drive specific distances. The reason for sticking | | | | tree for a better next shot, or play into a dogleg |
| to all odd or all even is that there is a greater loft, | | | | so that you have a clear shot at the hole. |
| and hence distance, between them and it easier | | | | These are the finer points of the game that you |
| to distinguish real distance from difference in the | | | | will have to learn once you have a consistent grip, |
| strength of your swing. | | | | grooved swing and understand your clubs. |
| Once you can use your clubs to a reasonable | | | | However, before you reach that level of |
| degree of proficiency, you can concentrate on | | | | understanding of the game, you will have to learn |
| the tactics of the game. You might think that golf | | | | how to play golf starting with the basics, and |
| needs few tactics, but in fact each hole can be | | | | learning the difference between your clubs and |
| played in a number of different ways. You can | | | | how to swing consistently the same each time |
| try to drive the ball as hard and as far as you | | | | are your first tasks. |