How To Learn To Play Golf
Learning how to play golf is like learning how to control your worst cravings. When you sit down and want to eat the unhealthy option or an unhealthy amount of something but you know you should opt for the clean version? That’s golf. In yoga when you feel like your version of the stretch is probably better because it feels more natural, when in reality you’re just doing it wrong? That’s golf. The key is to simplify everything as much as you can.
Simplifying golf is not as simple as it seems so here’s a few good first steps to take if you want to start learning the game of golf. First things first, equipment. You want to make sure you have some things you can use to learn before you try to learn. Clubs being the right fit for you (or at least close to it) is super important when you are learning golf. Having a golf club in your hands that is too light or too heavy, or too stiff or too flexible then the chances are you won’t be able to swing them as well. Finding a club or a couple of clubs to start practicing with that match up with your size and strength is the first step to success in your golf game. Finding out what you should be swinging is easy, you can go to any golf store and ask them for recommendations. They’ll probably ask you how long you have been golfing and if you have a brand preference. Just let them know you want to learn the game and need some clubs to start with, they’ll usually point you in a pretty good direction. Next you’ll need a glove. If you are right handed you need a glove for your left hand, and vice versa. I know, it seems backwards and counterintuitive… welcome to golf! Next you’ll need some comfortable workout style or golf style clothes to wear to practice in, just something you can swing in comfortably. Try to avoid sweatpants jeans and tank tops when you can though. That’s a start right there! With all of that in hand you are ready to head to the range and practice.
Next step, the actual practicing! I would recommend taking a lesson when you are just starting, it can be frustrating to try to figure it out by yourself from scratch so look for an instructor that fits your needs and your schedule and take 30 minutes to just hear what they think. Golf can be mentally grueling if you let it become a monster, but with the right guidance in front of you it is a managable beast to tame. Once you have taken your first lesson hit the range a time or two and just try your best to remember everything you learned (and try not to be frustrated when you can’t). Once you feel like you have used your best efforts up on the range by your lonesome, head back to your instructor and see what they think of your progress.
From that point on they will set you up with a practice schedule and recommend some more equipment to take your game to the next level. That’s really it! Remember, keep it simple. There are enough variables that make golf complicated, so don’t let your mind add to that list. Take it one step at a time and once you get yourself started you won’t ever walk away from it.
