New to the game of golf? Curious about golf and looking to learn more about it? Then you have come to the right place.
We have all started off at one point questioning if golf might be a great sport to take up. You probably hear others talking about it or have driven past a golf course and wondered what it would be like to enjoy the outdoors like playing a round of golf. It is a great social time for many golfers as well.
We will provide answers to many of the commonly asked questions by people looking to pick up the game of golf as a hobby. People start at many different ages. Some are fortunate to start at a young age, but there are many that pick the game up at different stages of life.
Don’t be discouraged by the late start and I encourage you to learn more about it. With this post we will help you with the following:
- The game of golf and the purpose – How Golf is Played
- The essential rules of golf – 10Rules
- What and how clubs are used – 14 Clubs
- How to get started
Here at golfjourney365.com we have written other articles that might help you out as well.
How to Play Golf: A Beginners Guide
Golf Etiquette: A Beginners Guide
Golf Terms: 47 Terms Every Golfer Should Know
How Golf Is Played?
Ok, let’s start with the basics. The goal is to get the ball into the hole is the fewest amount of shots possible. The ultimate is to make a hole in one, which typically only happens on a par 3 and might not ever occur in a golfer’s career even for some of the best golfers out there.
Golf is played on either a 9 hole course or an 18 hole course. There are wide ranges of courses from municipal/public courses, to privately owned courses open to the public to country clubs or semi private golf course. The majority of the courses are 18 holes, but you will find the occasional 9 hole course. My first round of golf, at the age of 10, was played on a 9 hole course that is a municipal course run by a city.
On each course you will typically find holes that are either a par 3, a par 4, or a par 5 hole. The par is the number of shots it should take for the golfer to get the ball in the hole. Now for the beginning golfer, the chances of making a par on a par 4 or 5 is pretty low. As you start the game, getting the ball in the air and advancing it straight will serve you well.
So the first shot is considered the “tee shot” or the first shot of the hole. Each hole as a teeing ground with markers of different colors. Typically, these colors will be red (the shortest), white (middle) and the blue (longeest) – these tees will create different distances for the level of golfer.
I would recommend the first time golfer playing from the shortest set of tees that a course offers. The goal for the first round is to experience some success and have simple goals like hitting the ball in the air and advancing the ball down the fairway. Most people will use a Driver (1 wood) or a 3 Wood to hit the ball off the tee. The first shot of each hole is the only time you are supposed to use a tee according to the rules of golf.
From the first tee box, the goal is to hit a shot out into the fairway and try to advance the ball. The goal of the second shot is to either continue to advance the ball down the fairway or to hit it on the green. The green is where the hole and the flag are located. Depending on the total distance of the hole, you may be able to reach this on the 2nd shot or it make take you 5 or 6 shots depending on the lengths of the hole and your skill level.
Once the ball is on the green, it is time to use the putter. You will want to hit the ball with the putter and have it roll into the hole. On average, most golfers will take anywhere from 1-3 putts to get the ball into the hole.
Now that every golfer has holed the ball, the group moves onto the next hole and hits their first shot or otherwise known as the tee shot to start the next hole. On a par 3, you may use a club less than a driver if the hole is shorter and can be reached with an iron.
You will continue this routine until you have completed the 9 holes or 18 holes. I would recommend for your first round starting off with 9 holes. It may take some considerable time to complete the 9 holes and could take up to 4-6 hours to complete 18 holes.
Essential Rules for The Game of Golf – 10 Rules
The rulebook for golf is quite lengthy, the purpose here is to teach some of the basic rules of golf to help you better understand the game and to start off your golfing journey.
- Teeing the Ball Up: The rules of golf say that you can only use a tee on the first shot of each hole. You must also play within the tee markers, but can go back from the tee markers up to two club lengths of your longest club. If you are struggling to get the ball in the air or are with a younger golfer, sometimes it’s not a bad idea to tee the ball up on any shot not on the green. This will help the beginner golfer experience some success with getting the ball in the air.
- Moving the Ball: According to the rules after the tee shot, the next time you can touch the golf ball with your hands is on the green. You can make with a quarter, dime or penny or something of similar size, pick your ball up and clean it off. Everywhere else on the course, you are to play the ball as it lies on the ground. Once again, for a beginner fluffing the ball up to give yourself a better lie might help you enjoy that first round of golf more.
- The Flag/The Pin: You can now putt with the flag/pin still in the hole. The old rules did not allow the ball to hit the flag if the shot was struck from the green.
- Who’s Turn to Hit: The rules of golf call for the person furthest from the hole to hit the next shot or if on the tee box the person who had the lower scores has the “honors” or the right to hit first. Sometimes golfers will play “ready golf” which means if you are ready to hit and nobody is in danger, go ahead and hit.
- 14 Clubs: The maximum number of golf clubs one is officially allowed to carry in their bag.
- Out of Bounds: Most courses are marked on the perimeter by white stakes or a fence. If your ball lays outside the white markers or the fence, you are not allowed to hit from that spot and must go back to the previous location. Sometimes, especially in the beginning, you may consider just dropping at your point of entry.
- Hazards: Are marked by red or yellow stakes. You can play the ball from a hazard, although sometimes you might be able to because of water or other obstacles. A sand trap is also considered a habit. One additional rule if you are hitting the ball from a hazard is that you cannot “ground” your club behind the ball. This means as you prepare to hit the shot, you cannot touch the ground behind the ball prior to start your swing. If you end up in a hazard it is a penalty stroke and you should drop the ball 2 club lengths from the hazard
- Cart Path Relief: If your ball ends up on a cart path, you are allowed to drop one club length from the art path. This is a free drop and does not cost you a penalty stroke.
- Unplayable Lie: If you’re lie is really bad or behind a tree, you are allowed to take an unplayable lie and drop the ball up to two club lengths, but no closer to the hole. This will cost you one penalty stroke, but in the end might save you a shot if you are stuck up against a tree or in a really bad spot.
- Drop: When dropping the ball, you are supposed to drop your ball from the height of your knee. This is a newer rule, a change from dropping from your hand with your arm extended straight out parallel to the ground.
What and how many clubs are used – 14 Clubs
By rule a golfer may carry up to 14 clubs. It is against the rules to carry more and penalty strokes are incurred for every hole where a golfer has more than 14 clubs in his or her bag, whether it was intentional or not. So what clubs do most golfers used.
- Driver (8-12 degrees)
- 3 Wood (13-16 degrees)
- 5 Wood or Hybrid (19-23 degrees)
- 3 Iron – 9 Iron (increments of 4 degrees)
- Pitching Wedge (48 Degrees)
- Sand Wedge (54 degrees)
- Low Edge (60 degrees)
- Putter
There is not a set rule that you have to carry a specific club. Above is the general layout of an average golf bag. Some golfers may choose to carry another wedge or or replace their 3 iron with another higher lofted hybrid. Some seniors golfers may carry up to 3-5 hybrids and only carry a 7 iron on up for their irons.
How To Get Started with the Game of Golf?
I would highly recommend finding someone that golfs on a regular basis and go to the driving range several times with them. Maybe borrow some golf clubs from a friend until you are sure that you might enjoy the game of golf. There are some beginner sets that you can buy, once you want to head to the course.
Another option is to go ahead and sign up for a lesson. You want to ensure that you are starting the game off right and have some of the basics.
Once you have had a lesson or two and have been the driving range 5-10 times, it might be time to head to the course. Start off with your expectations low and try to have fun. Trust me, it will be difficult, so set small goals for yourself. For example, 1 putt at least 1 green. Hit 1 good drive. Hit 1 good fairway shot and of course keep a good attitude. Golf can be difficult, but you can see yourself grow quickly if you stick with it and get the right help.
Some Other Frequently Asked Questions About How Golf Is Played
How far does each club go?
This will vary depending on your club speed which is influenced by your overall strength, size, and age. Also, how clean of contact do you make. For the average male, that is around 35 years old with an average swing speed you can expect the following:
- Driver – 220-260 yards
- 3 Wood – 200-240 yards
- Hybrid – 180-220 yards
- 4 Iron – 180-205 yards
- I5 iron – 170-190 yards
- 6 iron – 160-180 yards
- 7 iron 150-170 yards
- 8 iron 140-160 yards
- 9 iron 130-150 yards
- PW 115-135 yards
- SW – 75-105 yards
- LW – 5-85 yards
- Putter – Used on the Green or Fringe
These will vary dramatically depending on many factors. I have played rounds of golf with the former D1 baseball player in college that has a high swing speed, but only connects on one driver a round, but it does 300. But the contact struggles on the other shots and might average 225 off the tee. Stay with it and if you are looking to gain more swing speed – consider these tips. https://golfjourney365.com/how-to-increase-golf-swing-speed-5-tips/
What will I shoot in my first round?
My guess is that you will probably not break 100, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t break 100 shortly. We have a guide, linked above, that will provide some tips to breaking 100 and then follow up with a guide on how to break 90 and then 80. We are here to help you in your journey. Once you have played so many rounds, we encourage you to check out around our site as we provide reviews on different swing coaches and provide the tips that have worked for us over the years.
What are the fundamentals of golf?
You will hear people talk about the grip, alignment, posture, etc., but we believe the three fundamentals of golf consist of the following:
- The ability to hit the ground in the same spot frequently
- The ability to swing with enough speed to play the course
- The ability to control the curve of the shot.
Different instructors can help with these different fundamentals. Here is a review of our top 5 online golf instructors.
Should I walk or take a cart?
It depends what kind of shape you are in. Golf in its truest form is amazing when you can walk the course, but there are factors such as time, your physical condition. Maybe for the first round ride the cart. Some basics include keeping the cart off of the tee box and greens and at least 30 yards from each green.
How long will the average round take?
For an 18 hole round of golf, the average round should take 4-5 hours. It can be played in as little as 2.5 hours and sometimes, unfortunately, up to 6 hours.
Who should I play my first round with?
Someone who has played golf before that can guide you, help you and give you the occasional pointer. This person should help you try to relax and enjoy the game.
Which Online Golf Instructor is best for a beginner?
I would recommend Shawn Clement. I believe he can be great for beginner due to him utilizng the natural motions that many of us do on a daily basis. He has a great personality, and both high quantity and quality of free videos on youtube.
What are the major benefits of playing golf?
Golf is a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. The game can provide an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, stay physically active, enjoy the social interactions, do business, provide a physical challenge, and provide a mental challenge. Ultimately, the golf is played by different people for different reasons. Personally, I enjoy the physical and mental challenge and the time spent with people I enjoy being around. I have met some interesting people on the golf course during my 28 years plus playing the game.
What’s Next
Let’s get started! Let’s find some clubs, get to the driving range, hit some shots and sign up for a lesson! Golf is one of the most amazing games one can take up. A game that can be enjoyed late into life. It provides many business connections, family time and overall a healthy way to enjoy life. It brings about a great physical and mental challenge and bring valuable time that you can spend with others.
