Golf might be one of the most challenging games ever invented, but players often say it’s all worth it. Apart from preventing 40 different chronic illnesses and improving mental health, playing golf can help you live five years longer than those who don’t. According to a 2016 research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, golf has a tremendous effect on older players than younger ones. Golf aids balance and improves cardiovascular, muscle, metabolic and respiratory health. If you’re looking to start playing this incredibly beneficial sport, you might want to sit down and learn a few basics before making any moves. In this guide, you will learn some of the best winning tips for playing golf and everything you need to know about clubs.
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What You Need to Know About Clubs
You will definitely need the right equipment and gear to start, but that doesn’t mean breaking the bank. Instead, you want to focus on equipment that will help you improve your skills at the lowest cost.
Invest in Beginner Clubs
To do this, you need to be well-equipped with information before you begin shopping. Ideally, you can start with a sand wedge, driver, and putter and supplement them with a hybrid with 18 to 21, 6-iron and 8-iron, and a pitching wedge. These clubs are easy to use and cost-friendly.
Try Before You Buy
Even if you don’t have any idea what to expect, it’s always a prudent idea to try your club before buying. Find a large golf shop and ask to try the stiff flex shaft and 6-iron with regular flex. Between the two, one will likely capture your attention. You can start with that one, and once you’re able to make consistent contact, you can start finding equipment that will improve your skill.
Check for Beginner Clubs
Golf clubs are designed to meet specific golfers’ needs. Some are more suitable and easier to hit than others. You want a club that will address your challenges as a beginner, such as missing the ball or hitting too hard behind the ball. Go for drivers with at least 10 degrees of extra loft to help get the ball in the air. The loft also reduces sidespin, and helps your shots to fly straighter.
Tips to Help You Improve Your Skills at Golfing
Here are a few tips to help you improve your golfing skills.
Lessons are Always Worth it
When starting, it’s essential to understand all the rules, ideas, and tactics you need to know to improve your skills. It’s also obvious that you have plenty of questions that only a trainer can answer adequately. Lessons help you start in some positive direction rather than figuring things out independently, which can be time-consuming.
Work on the Grip
It’s very important to master the correct grip, as part of enhancing performance. You can practice holding the club in the correct position even when not playing. Every time the club is next to you, take it and hold it for a few seconds, and soon your hands will be attached to the correct position.
Swing at Less than 100%
It’s quite normal for beginners to try and swing as hard as possible when getting started in the game. In fact, many golfers still struggle with that habit despite being in the game for many years. Swinging too hard does more damage than good. Instead of focusing on swinging your body, you should concentrate on swinging your clubs at 80 or 90 percent. This level still allows you to produce enough head speed while also keeping you in balance.
Focus on the Details
Don’t be in a hurry to play the high levels and enjoy the challenges that come with every level. When you focus on advanced swing techniques, you’re likely to ignore or give little attention to basic details of the game, which will ultimately get you into trouble. Instead, take as much time as possible to completely master the swing basics. Some of the basics that you should consider mastering include:
- Grip: Make sure that you get a firm and comfortable connection between your hands and the club.
- Tempo: You want to swing your club comfortably, relaxed without feeling or appearing as if you’re in a hurry. To do this, you need to stop focusing only on the ball and focus on your movement.
- Stance: Working on your stance means creating a wide, stable, and solid balance and positioning your body in a comfortable athletic style.
Invest in Practice Materials
Like any other game, golfing requires lots of practice to perfect. To maximize your practice at home, you can get a home simulator that provides you with everything you need to get started in one convenient package. You can start by setting small goals and advance to bigger ones later. You also need golf package sets.
Use a Conservative Strategy
You must have researched and watched a few games on YouTube or TV before you decided to start. The experienced players you watched may have perfected their skills to hit great shots, and that doesn’t mean you will hit the same great shots when you start. Don’t be too aggressive, but focus on picking targets that provide you with a maximum margin for error. You don’t expect to be highly accurate during your first attempts, so avoid aiming at targets that require perfection.
Be Patient With Yourself
Golfing is not an easy game; it’s probably one of the many hobbies you will find most difficult. That means you’re going to make lots of mistakes as a beginner, but that shouldn’t worry you. Instead of getting too hard on yourself when you make poor shots, try to relax and go easy on yourself. You will make good shots as you learn the game. Part of being nice to yourself is having a good attitude and not getting frustrated after every bad shot.
Read also: How Golf Scooters and Boards Help Golfers Move Around Better