Golf is never easy, especially as a beginner, but we’re here to help. We’ve gathered advice from some of the best Top 100 Teachers, Tour players, and social media instruction stars to help you get the most out of your game as a newcomer to golf. Here are 11 fantastic tips for every beginning player.
1/ Swing with an Anti-Slice Grip
If you slice, it’s probably because you’re not closing the clubface fast enough through the hitting zone. To improve your ability to deliver a square clubface, make practice swings with your hands split apart on the grip. Hold the club in its normal position with your gloved hand, then slide your lower hand down to where the grip meets the shaft. This separation makes it easier to square the face through impact and keep the handle pointing at your belly button as the clubhead slings out toward the ball.
Pro tip: Brush the grass aggressively to practice this feel.
2/ 3 Steps to Perfect Posture
How you set up over the ball greatly influences how well you hit it.
To correctly prep your posture, stand with a club pressed against your thighs. Bend forward from your hips while slightly flexing your knees. If you do this without hunching your back, your arms will hang straight down. Grip the handle with your glove hand and check that it’s at roughly a 45-degree angle to your forearm. Once you’ve taken hold with your gloved hand, add the other. This will ensure you’re in perfect setup posture.
3/ Get Square at the Start
Shots often go wayward because of a misaligned clubface at address. Place an alignment stick just outside the golf ball to create a 90-degree angle with the target line. As you set up, align the leading edge of the club with the stick, then pull it back to its regular position. This simple method ensures the face is square every time.
4/ Check Your Putter Path
Line up your putter just inside a baseboard. Make your stroke. If you hit the board, there’s something wrong with your path. The goal is to miss the board by using a straight or arcing stroke.
By implementing these tips, beginners can improve their golf game significantly, gaining consistency, accuracy, and confidence on the course.