Thinking about starting golf can feel overwhelming, but getting out on the course is easier than you think. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to get started, covering the essential gear, the fundamentals of the swing, and where to take your first swings. You'll have a clear, simple plan to go from curious beginner to confident golfer.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get started in golf. Forget the shiny, expensive full sets you see in pro shops. Your initial focus should be on acquiring just enough equipment to learn the game without breaking the bank.
A full set of golf clubs has 14 clubs, but you absolutely do not need that many when you are just starting. In fact, learning with fewer clubs can make the game simpler and more enjoyable. Here are your best options:
Just like with clubs, don't overspend here. As a beginner, you will lose golf balls. It's a rite of passage. Buy affordable, durable balls, often sold in bulk or as "refurbished" or "recycled balls". You are looking for value, not the high-performance ball a tour pro uses.
You’ll also need wooden or plastic tees for hitting your driver, and a bag to carry everything. A lightweight "stand bag" is ideal, as it's easy to carry and has legs that pop out to keep it propped up on the course or at the range.
With gear in hand, it's time to find a place to hit some balls. Your first instinct might be to book a tee time at the fanciest course nearby, but that’s not the best place to begin.
The driving range is your best friend when you're brand new. It's a low-pressure environment where the only goal is to learn the motion of the swing. You can buy a bucket of balls and hit them without worrying about finding them or holding anyone up. Spend your first few sessions here getting a feel for the clubs and building a basic, repeatable motion.
After you feel comfortable making contact at the range, you’re ready for the course. But don't jump to the championship 18-hole layout just yet.
The key is to manage your expectations. Your first few rounds are not about shooting a low score, they're about learning, having fun, and getting comfortable on the course.
Alright, let’s talk about the swing itself. This is where many beginners get tripped up by trying to do too much. The goal isn't a "perfect" swing, it's a simple, repeatable motion that produces a solid result. We’re going to cover the three most important parts: the grip, stance, and swing.
Your grip is your only connection to the club, making it the steering wheel for your shots. While it might feel weird at first, a good grip makes everything else easier.
First, we’ll start in a neutral position. If you are a right-handed player, your left hand should act as your “steering wheel”. When you place your left hand on the club, you should be able to look down and see the first two knuckles. The V-shape formed by your thumb and index finger should point toward your right shoulder.
Next, bring in your right hand. Your top right-hand palm should cover your left thumb. For your bottom right fingers, many players find the interlock (where the right pinky finger links with the left index finger) or the overlap (where the right pinky rests on top of the left index finger) to be the most stable. Try both and see what feels most natural and secure. Don't squeeze the life out of the club, hold it with firm, secure pressure, but keep your arms and wrists relaxed.
Good posture puts you in an athletic position to make a powerful, balanced swing. To get into the right setup position, try using just your irons, setting up to them with a healthy bend from your hips, as if you were about to sit in a high barstool. Your weight should be evenly balanced, and your arms should hang straight down from your shoulders naturally and relaxed.
This is where proper club width is super important, especially if you want your turns and hip rotations to make sense. We recommend you start with your feet shoulder-width apart for iron shots to provide a stable base.
Start with a proper ball position. Experiment with using a wedge or mid-iron and then gradually progress to using a driver. Proper balance is critical, so as a rule of thumb, play the ball centered with your chest or slightly to the lead side. For your 3-wood or driver, position the ball a little forward, near your lead heel.
The essence of the golf swing is a simple turn. It’s not a violent, arm-driven thrash at the ball. The idea is to rotate your body.
Part of feeling comfortable on the course is knowing the unwritten rules. They're mostly about safety, speed, and respect for the course itself.
Getting into golf is an exciting process, built on finding the right gear for your budget, starting in a low-pressure environment, learning a simple swing motion, and being respectful of the game and other players. Taking it one step at a time helps turn what could seem complicated into an enjoyable and rewarding pursuit.
As you move from the range to the course, you'll naturally have questions during a round or when trying to figure out which skill to practice next. We designed Caddie AI to be the perfect on-demand coach for this journey. You can ask anything from "what's the best club for a 120-yard shot?" to "how do I play from a tough fairway bunker?" It offers instant, judgment-free advice to help when you are unsure, simplifying your choices on the course so you can swing with confidence and keep improving.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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