A Few Tips and Suggestions to a golf beginner

A Few Tips and Suggestions to Help You Get Started

Golf can be an exciting sport to take up - it's not easy to master, and can be expensive. Here are some tips for helping you get off on the right foot:

Choosing Your First Set of Clubs

There's a phrase experienced golfers use to describe newbies who look like they have game... but don't: "He’s got a $1,000 bag and a $10 game."

That creative phrase holds a kernel of truth - you shouldn't spend tons of money on golf until you know how to play it. Golf is an expensive game. You'll have plenty of time down the cart path to buy top-notch clubs.

As a beginner, though, it's in your best interest to be thrifty. Manufacturers such as Taylotmade,Callaway,Mizuno or Titleist and many others make quality golf sets that can be had for less than $150. Big-box retailers - Wal-Mart, Kmart and others - often carry bargain club sets.

Another option: garage sales or yard sales. Don't knock it - many experienced golfers buy a new set on a yearly basis, so you might get a great deal on a set that cost somebody else many hundreds of dollars.See:Before You Buy Golf Lessons

Where to Practice

At the driving range, of course, where you can hit a bucket of balls and nobody (except you) will care if most of your shots are terrible. Most driving ranges also have practice putting greens. Some also feature practice chipping areas and sand bunkers.

Use a Mirror is another option to practice your swing, although you obviously don't want to be hitting real golf balls. And then there’s the living room - made to order for putting practice.

Where to Play

Par-3 courses are good choices for beginners. These are generally nine holes, all short par-3s. Executive courses are also shorter than full-sized 18-hole courses.

If you want to try 18 holes on a full-sized course, ask some golfers you know for recommendations. You want courses that are not too lengthy and that don’t have much sand or water. You want a wide open, easy course.

Many beginners don't like to play with a lot of people watching, so ask about crowds, too. Find a course that doesn’t receive a ton of play.

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