How To Play Golf

How to Play Golf: the Basics by Andre Sanchez

For any beginner wanting to learn how to play golf, the basics are relatively simple to understand. It is once these have been mastered that the various aspects of the game that make the difference between the average, the good and the great can be considered.
So what are these basics that you must learn before you can begin to understand how to play the game of golf properly? The objective of the game is simple enough: to hit a ball from the tee into the hole in as few shots as possible for, usually, eighteen holes in a round of golf. It is the way in which this is achieved, and the selection of tools with which to achieve it, that distinguishes the difference in ability between players.

First the tools. You are allowed a maximum of 14 golf clubs in your bag at the start of any competition game. You have three distinctly different types of club: the woods which are for long distance shots, the irons which can be for any distance less than the very longest of shots, but with which you have more control that with the woods, and the putter which is designed for the last shots needed to putt the ball on the putting green into the hole.
The woods range from the driver, which is used for long shots from the tee, upwards, and some even play with a 7 wood. The average player will use a driver, and probably a 1, 2 and 3 wood. The irons consist of the long irons 1 thru 3, the mid irons, 4 thru 7, and the short irons, 8, 9 an up to the sand wedge. The average distance for a 1 iron is about 210 yards, 175 yards for a 4 iron and about 100 yards for a 9 iron. A pitching wedge and sand iron are used for shorter distances.

The best way to practice is to use three irons ; either three odds or three evens; then swing the same with each and determine how long you hit them. In that way you can get an idea of the correct club to play from whatever distance you estimate yourself from your target. Then use three more and do the same thing, until eventually you have a good idea what club you should use to drive specific distances. The reason for sticking to all odd or all even is that there is a greater loft, and hence distance, between them and it easier to distinguish real distance from difference in the strength of your swing.

Once you can use your clubs to a reasonable degree of proficiency, you can concentrate on the tactics of the game. You might think that golf needs few tactics, but in fact each hole can be played in a number of different ways. You can try to drive the ball as hard and as far as you can, but that might get you into trouble with obstacles or hazards such as sand traps, trees and bushes, or lakes. You can then decide to either play short of these hazards, leaving yourself a better shot next time, or to try to clear them.

Your choice of club for specific shots will not always be based on distance. You will generally have less control over a shot using a wood that with an iron. Incidentally, the term wood is used because these long distance clubs were at one time made from wood, but are now made from any material including titanium. However, their design, and the length of the shaft, renders them long but less accurate, and sometimes you might decide that a one iron is a better club for a specific shot that a two or three wood. Much depends on whether or not you need good accuracy as well as distance.

You also have to learn how to play out of bunkers or sand traps. That is a skill in itself, and can often be worth a shot or two each round. If that doesn't sound much, just consider the difference four shots could make at the end of one of the majors. It is likely that your ability to understand what you can do with each club in terms of accuracy and distance is the most important golfing skill you will develop. Once you have mastered that of course, your ability to reach the higher echelons of the game will depend much on your swing consistency and your fitness for golf, and that is what you will have to work on next, once you understand the difference between your clubs.

The development of a consistently good swing is very important. The top professional players all have a consistent swing, and you will have work long and hard on developing yours if you have the desire to reach the top in golf. You should be able to pick up any club and know within about ten feet where it will land. It is the direction that counts, and the way you approach each hole. Your ability to spin the ball in any direction will determine whether or not you can play round a tree for a better next shot, or play into a dogleg so that you have a clear shot at the hole.
These are the finer points of the game that you will have to learn once you have a consistent grip, grooved swing and understand your clubs. However, before you reach that level of understanding of the game, you will have to learn how to play golf starting with the basics, and learning the difference between your clubs and how to swing consistently the same each time are your first tasks.


About the Author
How to Play Golf: the Basics was originally published at http://www.golfplayernow.com