How To Get Started in Golf: 11 Tips


So you want to start playing golf?  That is awesome! It is one amazing game that has brought a great level of fun, friendship and challenge to my life throughout the years.  I was fortunate to start playing golf at age 10 because I had a father that had just started playing the game.

Nowadays you see kids starting even earlier.  It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can always start the game, just be realistic with your expectations. Below we will provide 10 tips to get you started in the game of golf.

It truly is a game for all ages and all people.  Being outside in nature with friends playing and challenging yourself with golf can bring a great amount of joy and stress relief.  It is a great game for kids to learn to play at an early age as it teaches many life lessons and can help someone in the business world someday as well. 

It is a classy sport and being around the majority of the people in golf can help young men and women mature and understand interactions with others and being a good person.

If you have some fear about starting the game of golf, you have come to the right place for help.  We have completed a series of posts on helping those new to the game.

  • Find a Mentor
  • Take Some Lessons
  • Hit the Driving Range
  • Understand Golf Etiquette
  • Review the Golf Terms
  • Find a Golf Course
  • Find Some Equipment
  • Get a Comfortable Pair of Shoes
  • Get Better – Study the Swing
  • Training Options
  • Have Fun!

How To Get Started in Golf – Find a Mentor

Anytime we start something new, it is a great to have a mentor or someone to guide us through the process.  Chances are there is someone you know that loves the game of golf and this person might be great to answer some of the gernal questions you have and maybe even visit the driving range with you. 

It provides an extra level of comfort when we have someone that has been there and done that. It takes away the anxiety of doing something on the course that may make us look foolish. Start the game with the right mindset and do not be afraid of failure.  There is a high probability that you will struggle early on, but every time you are out at the range or on the course, take away the positives and build on those positives each time you play. We were all beginners at some point in our golfing journey. You are not alone. 

The good news is that at this point you probably have a great deal of improvement that can happen pretty fast depending on how much you jump right in and practice. Your mentor will help you with what driving range and courses are beginner friendly as you start your golf journey.

How To Get Started in Golf – Take Some Lessons

Getting started with the basics will get you going down the right path.  A local club pro can help you with the basics and get you headed in the right direction.  I would recommend buying a series of lessons to start, maybe a package of 3-5 where you can spend anywhere between 30-60 minute per session. 

The major key is to play or practice between lessons. You aren’t going to get better just from the lessons if you are not practicing. I believe the best online instructor for beginners is Shawn Clement, especially for those that have played other sports and have bene physically active in their life.

How To Get Started in Golf – Hit The Driving Range

After you sign up for lessons, hit the driving range several times between each lesson.  Make sure you are working on what the golf instructor has prescribed. A quality instructor should give you drills that you can practice between sessions.  Here is a link to the best drills we have utilized over the years, top 7 drills to utilize today

The driving range is a great place to experiment and test out what you have learned.  Think about it as your homework between lessons. If you are spending money on golf lessons, you want to make sure you are maximizing your investment.  Trust me, you will be thankful you followed this advice the first several times you play on an actual course. Some realistic goals at the driving range is getting the ball airborne and working on somewhat starting the ball along your intended line. 

Remember, swing within yourself and first work on solid contact.

How To Get Started in Golf – Understand Golf Etiquette

Golf is a sport that has many of those unwritten rules or guidelines.  There is where your mentor can help in the process of you starting the game as well.  We have a complete posts with 12 tips to help you understand golf etiquette. Check it out here. 

Don’t fret about the etiquette, but do give it a quick read to familiarize yourself with some basics of the game.  Golf is meant to be fun and not stressful, we want to eliminate that stress by providing as much information as possible.  There is nothing worse than spending 2 to 4 hours on a golf course wondering if you are doing any offensive.

How To Get Started in Golf – Review the Golf Terms

Golf also has a lot of crazy terms.  For example, eagle, birdie, par, bogey, mulligan, hazard, 3 putt, gimmie, etc.  Once again, do not stress. We provide a list of 47 golf terms every golfer should understand. You will learn these terms over time, but once again, give it a quick read and familiarize yourself.  Don’t be the person who is completely oblivious to the golf terms, but also don’t try to be a know it all when you are out on the course for the first several times.

How To Get Started in Golf – Find a Golf Course

Not all golf courses are created equal.  You will find a variation in difficulty as a result of sand traps, trees and water hazards.  You will also find courses that are various lengths and conditions. Ultimately, you will also find courses that have a wide range of greens fees.  I would recommend starting on the lower end course both from a distance perspective and the budget. You don’t want to spend $75 on your first round of golf at some very nice course. 

I would recommend a municipal course or something more in that 20-30 dollar range. Ask your mentor or another golf buddy to take you out for your first round during a non busy time. I might recommend 9 holes on a later Sunday afternoon in the summer.  The really serious golfers probably played early in the morning and the course will be less crowded. This will give you time to maybe hit a second tee shot and explore the game of golf a little more.

Remember, you should be able to play 9 holes in about 2 hours.  Keep this pace of play in mind as you are out there. Also, if a faster group comes up on you, there is no shame in allowing them to play through.

How To Get Started in Golf – Find a Golf Course

You may be able to start off by borrowing an old set from a friend or picking something up at a driving range, but ultimately you will want your own set of clubs.  There are some things to keep in mind. For drivers, I would recommend spending some money on a model that is 1 to 2 years old. You don’t need the latest and greatest right away, but you do want quality technology.

I would recommend Callaway, as they seem to be the easiest clubs to hit.  This driver is reasonably priced and would be a great starter driver, but will last you for several years even as you get better.

As far as irons, I would also recommend Callaways.  These irons are at a great price and are easy to get the ball in the air.

How To Get Started in Golf – Get a Comfortable Pair of Shoes

You want to keep your feet dry and feeling good.  There are so many great golf shoes options on the market now.  Check out our recommend golf shoes page, here.  We provide a high end and mid end with three options in both.  Check out what we recommend.

These are my current golf shoes. Extremely comfortable!

How To Get Started in Golf – Get Better, Study the Swing

You can become more and more familiar with the golf swing during your journey.  One of the great things about today’s golf world is the access to the best instructors in the world via youtube.  So many have provided a great level of free information on youtube and can get a great understanding and some drills to help you improve.  For beginners, once again I recommend Shawn Clement or Mike Malaska. These two instructors are great communicators with the ability to keep the game simple for golfers of all levels.  Here are some additinoal videos that I would recommend. One from Shawn Clement and one from Mike Malaska.

Shawn Clement – Beginners Series

Mike Malaska – How To Start Playing the Game

Once again, the quality of online instruction is incredible.  Something I wish I had access to as a youth golfer learning the game.  These instructors are excellent and have studied the swing for many years.

How To Get Started in Golf – Have Fun!

Golf is truly a journey.  Get on the journey and learn to love the game.  Start with the right mindset and understand your why for playing the game.  Is it to enjoy the outdoors? Or to spend time with family or friends? To challenge yourself mentally and physically?  To be able to go on golfing trips with buddies? To be able to do more business? Or maybe as something as playing in those fun scrambles each summer for fundraisers?  Whatever your reason is, understand and have realistic expectations.  

Training Options

We all want to hit the ball further. Whether you are a beginner or 20 year veteran, the SuperSpeed Training system can work for you!  I started SuperSpeed Training in the middle of October and have maintained about a 4-5 mph increase on my tee shots.  I hit 3 wood often and have increased from an average right around 95 mph to right around 98-99mph with the occasional 100 mph. 


Check out SuperSpeed Golf – Use code Golfjourney365 for a 10% discount!

Any Finally…

Here are two additional resources that can help you in your golf journey.  Once again, we are here to help. We want to see the game grow and for you to be able to learn from our experience and wisdom.  Golf is a game that can become addicting and provide a great deal of enjoyment with friends and family. It is truly a special game!  Are you ready to start your golf journey! Join us in getting better and loving the game!

How to Play Golf – A Complete Beginner’s Guide

How Golf is Played – A Complete Guide

Also visit our recommended products page for information on golf balls, swing aids and other products that will help you get started with this great game.

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