Want to get into golf but don’t know how to get started? We’re here to help. Charlotte shares five tips to taking up the game.
Sunday is the last day of Women & Girls Golf Week; a week to recognise and celebrate female golf and support new women and girls as they take up the game.
All week, we’ve been shining a light on golf’s most inspiring women, sharing important stories and raising awareness of the game’s positive impact on women’s health.
So, armed with all that information and inspiration, today’s article is all about how to actually get into golf. Because knowing where to start is often the biggest hurdle.
Five tips for getting into golf
1. Ask your local club or driving range about group lessons
Most places run weekly coaching sessions for women and girls. Sessions are aimed at beginners so they’re a great way to get started if you’re new to the game. They’re always really relaxed and you’ll get to meet new people as you cover the basics of golf.
2. Start with a few holes at a time
When you’re ready to tackle the golf course, start with a few holes at a time. It’s a completely different experience playing on the course rather than the driving range, so ease yourself in gently. Build yourself up to playing nine holes, then 18, so you feel comfortable on the course.
3. Don’t worry about other people
Trust me when I say this: No one cares how you play. It doesn’t matter how good you are at golf, because everyone is focused on their own game.
So if you feel like everyone’s watching and judging you for hitting a bad shot, I can promise you they’re not.
As long as you can play at a reasonable pace and keep up with the group in front, that is honestly all that anyone cares about.
4. Don’t be put off by bad shots
Everyone – even the best players in the world – hits bad shots. So don’t be put off by balls that go awry.
The more you worry about the last shot, the worse the next one is likely to be. So cut yourself some slack and move on.
5. Have fun
This is the most important part: have fun. Try not to get hung up on how well you hit the ball or how quickly you’re improving. But always take golf for what it is: A game.
Whether you want to get into golf to meet new people, spend more time outdoors or just stay fit and healthy, you can do all of that regardless of how well you actually play.
And you’ll quickly find that the more you relax and enjoy the process, the better the game gets.
Interested in finding out more, then the following links may be helpful:
- Find a golf lesson in your area (UK) with The PGA's - Find a Golf Lesson
- England Golf - Get into golf
- Wales Golf - New2Golf
- Golf Ireland - View their Beginner's Guide
Looking for more like this? Catch up on all of our Women & Girls Golf Week articles in our features section.