Taking Your First Swing

Written by: Collier Simpson. Graphics by Laura garcía.

How to Make Golf Less Intimidating as a Beginner

We all have an image in our head when we think of golf. For most, it’s spending too much money, white men in collared shirts, pristine landscaping, stuffy rules and drinking beer at 8 a.m. However, if you can make it past all that and actually onto a golf course, you might find that the sport has a lot to offer players of any skill level.

Setting up at the tee box only to take your first swing and miss that tiny stationary ball by a mile can be defeating. Many call it quits right there and pack it up. I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way, that you don’t need to snap your club over your leg or throw it into the water feature. Here are a few simple tips to get started.

Don’t get scammed by expensive clubs, you’re not that good yet

When walking into a golf store for the first time, many people see the staggering array of clubs lining the walls and racks and may be tempted by the stylish and aggressive marketing of the newest models. Posters throw around buzzwords like “game improvement,” “forged faces” and “increased distance.” As a first-timer, your only focus should be on what feels comfortable and fits your price range.

If you’re on the fence about committing to a set of clubs, most courses offer rental sets for your first outing. When you do decide to purchase your own, here’s what Gordon Gnann, head professional at Bacon Park Golf Course, has to say: “Buy anything that you can swing, and once you find some consistency in your swing, you need to go get fit for clubs.”

Your first set might not be as glamorous as the top-of-the-line models, but the benefits advertised on those thousand-dollar sets don’t matter if you can’t hit the ball in the first place.

Find the right course for you

The easiest way to find golf courses in your area is through the GolfNow app. While GolfNow might not show you all of the private or membership-only courses, that’s actually a good thing, you don’t want to be playing there anyway. Many of those places embrace tradition hard and will immediately make you uncomfortable and, quite frankly, unwelcome.

First, find a course within your price range. Courses that offer $30 to $40 rounds are a good start. While this might not be the most beautiful or prestigious course, it just needs to be good enough that you don’t find it frustrating to play.

Second, look for a place that’s welcoming to new players. Most of the time, the cheaper courses are the best option, as the more expensive ones are less likely to cater to beginners.

Walk, don’t ride

I know what you’re thinking: Half the fun of golf is driving the golf cart around. Although fun, you’ll get a much more rounded experience by walking a course. You’ll also save money, as many courses charge upward of $60 just for the cart alone.

The task may seem daunting, carrying your bag and walking four miles or so, the average length of a golf course, but why not get your steps in while enjoying a pleasant stroll through a beautifully landscaped course? Other than some extra exercise, walking allows you to get a better look at your next shot.

In a study on the benefits of walking versus riding by the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, players who walked not only showed better mental concentration but also shot lower scores.

Ultimately, do what’s most comfortable and enjoyable for you. But if you’re up for a little walk, ditching the cart can prove to be a game changer.

Forget the scorecard

There’s no better way to add unnecessary stress and frustration to your game than keeping score. This may be difficult for many, like myself, who are deeply competitive and want to see improvement with every swing. But the truth is, when you’re learning the basics, your score doesn’t matter. What matters most is your swing.

Even if you need several do-overs at the tee box, that’s OK. You don’t need to tally up a high score just to make yourself feel bad after a round.

Rinse and repeat

As golf pro Gnann says, “Golf is hard.” But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and worth the challenge. The No. 1 thing you can do to improve in any field is practice, practice, practice.

For someone starting out in golf, the key is to always keep it fun, whatever that means for you. Walking or riding, keeping score or not, checking out new sets of clubs or browsing the used section. Whatever keeps the game enjoyable for you is the right way to play.