| Golf is a game of inches, you might have heard | | | | against the par of the course to determine his |
| that term before but the theory of golf is equally | | | | her handicap. |
| important as the mechanics of the game. | | | | The match play formula is a game during which |
| Knowing about the basics is even more important | | | | two players compete with each other. In other |
| while deciding upon whether to purchase the | | | | words, your score per hole depends on the other |
| equipment, especially the golf clubs, or go for the | | | | player's score. |
| rentals. For the beginners one little advice would | | | | Clubs |
| not be out of place here, go for the golf clubs | | | | Golf clubs are used to hit a golf ball. They basically |
| available on rent as they are very expensive to | | | | fall into three broad categories namely |
| purchase and takes some time to getting used to. | | | | Woods: Earlier they used to have wooden heads, |
| So let's start knowing about the Golf. | | | | hence the name, and are used to propel the ball |
| Golf Course | | | | for long distances from a tee or fairway. They |
| First thing that one encounters is the golf course. | | | | have varying degrees of loft (angle of club face |
| A course is made up of a series of holes, each | | | | relative to vertical). Now these come with titanium |
| comprising of a teeing area, fairway, rough and | | | | or composite heads. |
| other hazards, and the green with the pin and cup. | | | | - Irons: Originally with metal heads also with |
| A typical golf course consists of eighteen holes, | | | | varying degrees of loft. |
| but many have only nine. | | | | - Putter: they are used to propel the ball short |
| Hole | | | | distances along the ground with optimum |
| Holing a ball consists of hitting a ball from a tee on | | | | accuracy, usually on the putting green. |
| the teeing box and once the ball comes to rest, | | | | While the variation of clubs can differ greatly |
| striking it again and again until the ball goes into | | | | between golfers, a set can have no more than 14 |
| the hole. A hole is classified by its par, the number | | | | clubs and generally consists of three woods, two |
| of strokes a skilled golfer should require to | | | | wedges, a putter, and eight irons (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, |
| complete play to the hole. | | | | and 9 irons, plus a pitching wedge.) |
| Traditionally, a golf hole is either a par-three, -four | | | | Clubs can either be purchased or are available on |
| or -five, though some par-six holes exist, but are | | | | rent. To repeat, beginners are better off with |
| not usually found on golf courses. | | | | rented out clubs not only because they are costly |
| The par of a hole is determined by the | | | | but companies like provides the facility of |
| tee-to-green distance. But these distances are not | | | | insurance against any wear and tear (which is |
| absolute rules in themselves. There can be | | | | unavoidable for beginners.) |
| variations depending upon the prevailing rules and | | | | So far as the rules are concerned, the rules of |
| practices. | | | | golf are internationally standardized and are jointly |
| Handicap | | | | governed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of |
| A handicap is basically rating of an amateur | | | | St Andrews and the United States Golf |
| golfer's ability to play golf over 18 holes. The 2 | | | | Association. In addition to the officially printed |
| main formulas used in the game are stroke play | | | | rules, golfers also follow a set of guidelines called |
| (also known as brutto or medal) and match play. | | | | Golf Etiquette. |
| In the Stroke play formula an individual competes | | | | |