Taking up Golf

If you see a golfer with a smooth, natural-looking swing, chances are that he or she took up the game as a child. So where does that leave us people who want to learn the game as adults? 

Most people have more fun doing activities when they do them well. Golf is no different. Anyone can hack their way around the course, but is that person feeling good about their experience? Probably not! Here are some ideas about taking up golf.

Before you do anything, think about if you want to commit the time, money, and effort to learn a game that most would agree is very difficult. If you decide to move forward find a teaching pro and begin with lessons. Let the pro help you figure out what clubs would be best for you to buy. Once you have your clubs, continue with lessons. It is very difficult even for very athletic people to master the different phases of the game without instruction. Most of the pros continue to take lessons throughout their careers. 

I would recommend starting out on some par three courses. These are shorter than regulation courses and are more forgiving. Go with someone who can help you learn golf etiquette and rules. You will be expected by other golfers on the course to know how to conduct yourself.

Have your pro set out a learning program for you with goals and methods. You must practice if you expect to get better. Most people end up at the driving range, and that is fine, but it is important to practice other parts of the game like pitching, chipping, and putting. 

My teaching pro, Clark Renner, calls golf, "chess on grass." Once you learn the fundamentals you can begin to savor the intellectual challenge the game provides. Though it may look dull on television, as a player, it never is!