Beginner and Novice Players
Getting into the game of golf can be a fun and rewarding journey! Starting off on the right foot is crucial. You don't have to play amazing golf to enjoy yourself, but hitting good shots more consistently is more fun and will make you want to play even more. I can help you prioritize and improve the areas that REALLY create matter.
1.
Good contact and airborne!
2.
Different clubs - different situations
3.
Short game and putting basics
4.
Finding the right clubs for you
5.
Get comfortable on the course
Even before a new golfer is worried about their score, they want to "just hit the ball!" Your first few lessons will likely be focused on the most important fundamentals to help you hit the ball solid and get it airborne. Sure, these fundamentals will probably include your setup and grip, but there are other very simple swing concepts that can be introduced early that will help you in the short and long term. Often, but by no means a rule, I will start you with a club like a 7 or 8 iron that is a medium length club. This allows you to have some control but also see some distance on your shots. And yes, I have clubs for you to use to start out!
Once you start to gain confidence with a swing that will allow you to practice good fundamentals and see some results, we can start to work on different clubs for different shots.
- The driver is a great club jump into early. Not only do you use it on most holes, but it's helpful to be able to tee it up.
- You don't need to master every club. You just want to gain confidence with at least once you can hit consistently. For example, a hybrid club (mix between an iron and fairway wood), can give you a mixture of distance and height and isn't as long as the "woods" which can make it easier to hit.
- This is also a good time to practice half swings with a more lofted club like a "Sand Wedge" or "Pitching Wedge". These clubs will help the ball go higher and stop on the green as you get closer to the hole. Half swings are great to practice because you can work on good mechanics without over swinging.
Short game and putting basics:
Learning shots around the green becomes especially important when you want to start keeping score. Even experienced golfers can string a few good shots together and then throw away the chance of a good score on a hole because they mess up close to the green. To start out, you just need to gain an understanding of how to get a short shot on the green most of the time and have be able to work towards getting the ball in the hole in 2 or 3 putts. A couple lessons each on putting and chipping will give you the technique and strategies to start practicing on your own.
Finding the right clubs for you:
Do I need to get my clubs fit?: It's always great if you can get a properly fit set of clubs, but not mandatory.
- The most important part is to get them the right length. If you are markedly taller or shorter than an average man or woman then getting the length adjusted is helpful. But you can adjust old clubs to right size as well as ordering new ones.
- Another factor that can easily be adjusted is getting the size of the grips, where you hold the club, correct.
- The last piece of importance is the flex of the shafts. Most women should stick with "ladies" flex. Taller or stronger women can easily use a graphite "senior" flex. Beginner men have more variance in the shaft they need.
Do I need to start with a whole set?: NO! Having one club to start practicing with, usually a 7 iron is fine, can get you by for a while. Below are the clubs you would would need to add to a 7 iron or basic set of irons as you work towards getting on the course. 5 or 6 clubs can get the job done.
- Driver
- 4 or 5 hybrid and/or a 5 or 7 wood
- Sand Wedge and or Pitching Wedge
- Putter
- Bag
Do I need new clubs?: NO! Here are a list of great options to start with.
- BEST: Custom set of new clubs by a fitter who is experienced. Let's talk more about this.
- 2ND BEST: Custom set of used clubs with the help of an experienced fitter
- VERY GOOD:: A "box set" of clubs that all come together. This is a great way to save money and you can just get the clubs you really need. Beware, there is usually a performance difference based on price, so error toward the middle to higher price point clubs. Callaway is always a great option for these sets.
- VERY GOOD: A good way to save money and just get the clubs you need is to piece together quality used clubs. Used clubs that aren't more than 5 years old are going to be very close to the performance level of new clubs. The trick is that you need someone experienced to help you through this. 2nd Swing is a good place that has a lot of clubs to try. Ask me more about this if you like.
Get comfortable on the course:
You have a suitable set of clubs and have learned the basics. You have spent some time with lessons and practice where it's time to give it a shot and have some fun. I can take you on the course and go through the entire process such as checking in, etiquette, different lies on the course, etc. Below are some helpful hints for your first few times out.
- The other golfers are much more concerned about themselves, they aren't judging you:)
- Give yourself good lies as you go around the course and even tee the ball up if you like.
- Pick up at anytime and put yourself closer to the green....even tee your first shot up from the fairway as even the forward/ladies tees can be too long for even experienced golfers. This is not bad etiquette.
- Feel free to skip a hole to relax and have a snack or cocktail:)
