Tips on Learning to Play Golf

In golf, unlike in other sports, the lowest score wins. A typical golf course has 18 holes, and the golfer must tee the ball up for each hole and then hit the ball into the hole, which is marked by a flagged pin, in as few as strokes as possible. Different types of clubs are used depending on the distance from the ball to the hole. Learning to play golf can be fun with a few easy-to-learn tips.

Back Tips

Injuries are a part of any sport, but taking a few precautions while playing golf will help to prevent back injuries. When taking your clubs from the trunk of your vehicle, bend your body at the legs and keep your back straight. Keep a normal curve in your back when addressing the ball with a club, and keep the knees slightly bent. Bending should be done at the hip joints when swinging the club to hit the ball.

Golf Club Tips

Hold off on purchasing an expensive set of golf clubs until you become familiar with your style of play and the type of swing you have. You could rent clubs in the interim, or buy a half-set of clubs, which typically includes two drivers, the odd-numbered irons, a wedge and a putter. Ask the pro shop at a golf course if they have loaner clubs so you can get a feel for the different kinds of clubs available.

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Game Tips

Before playing a round of golf at the golf course, visit a driving range, which will also typically have a putting green for practice. Take a bucket of balls to the range and practice hitting the ball with different drivers and irons. Try to get a feel for the distance that each club will hit the ball for your particular swing. Then take some balls to the putting green. Put balls at various locations off the green and practice chipping the ball onto the green with a wedge or nine-iron. Then use your putter to practice putting the ball. After you've gotten comfortable with swinging the various clubs in your arsenal, go to a golf course and play a round. Continue to practice and play rounds, keeping track of your progress on lowering your total golf score.

References

1. Golf : How to Get Started
2. Jim McLellan: Forget Everything You Know
3. Golfing and Low Back Pain