Lifestyle

Golf Beginners Guide: So You Want To Play Golf?!

Posted on May 12, 2017

I get it. Golf can seem terribly complicated and intimidating! So many rules, so many different kinds of clubs, so much grass! Then there’s the lingo: birdies, bogeys, bump-and-runs. Not to mention my dad, my dad and how much time he has spent the last 23 years of my life “practicing and perfecting his swing.” 23 years and you still don’t have it down?! But like all things in life, you have to start somewhere. Somewhere for me and my roomie Jeanine was in a private lesson with Adidas Golf.

Adidas HOOKED. US. UP. and they are about to HOOK YOU UP TOO! Get 20% off adidasgolf.com (whole site, not limited to women) with the promo code: AUSTIN20. Jeanine and I definitely looked the part. The shoes were our favorite part of the whole ensemble. As Jeanine and I begin our journey to becoming legit golfers, I thought I would share what we have learned thus far!

Take a private lesson: Adidas signed us for a private lesson at Brentwood Country Club with the Lead Pro Instructor, Tony Kot. We started on the driving range learning the basics, grip, alignment, and positioning. The good news about starting from the basics is you probably haven’t ingrained many bad habits, and you have tons of questions about what to do. Nothing beats starting out with some positive direction. Don’t just seek instruction when you’re struggling. It’s just as important to know what you’re doing right as what you’re doing wrong! My dad has taken me to driving range a time or two but working with a PGA professional was a totally different (and beneficial) experience since they’re the ones trained to teach the game to beginners like me.

Find the right teacher: Tony was the perfect fit for Jeanine and I. He took every concept and broke it down to the basics. Finding an instructor you trust can really speed your improvement! If you’re laid back, you might like a teacher with a low-key approach. If you’re a creative type, you might work best with someone who teaches with feels and images instead of angles and positions. Jeanine and I like to have fun, so we loved that Tony was a fun instructor with a positive attitude!

You only need a few clubs: You’re allowed to carry as many as 14 clubs in your bag (thanks Taylor Made for hooking me up with my amazing set!) but you won’t need nearly that many when you’re first learning! Instead, start with a driver, a putter, a sand wedge!

The more loft, the better: Opt for woods that have more loft. Why? The extra loft generally means it will be easier to get the ball in the air and also can reduce sidespin so shots fly straighter. At least starting out…

When in doubt, go back to basics: Golf can really get you thinking too much, I definitely get in my own head! Don’t get discouraged when you “woof” the ball or complete miss your target. (Eh, like I did 5 times in a row…) There’s a lot of information out there, and the most mind-numbing part can be the instruction. When in doubt just remember the basics of what you’ve learned!