3 Ways To Learn The Game of Golf

Robert Partain

Golf is the greatest game on earth. It's both exhilirating and frustrating and it has an ancient history that most other sports cannot even pretend to match. But unlike many sports it's not the sort of game that you want to learn on your own. Yes, you can go out your first time and swing a club at a ball, and some people will master the game that way. But for the most part, it takes some kind of guidance from someone who already knows the game to get you on your feet.

With that in mind, there are three basic ways to learn the wonderful game of golf.

Hire a pro. If your budget allows it, you can hire a pro to teach you one-on-one just about everything you need to know. He or she can teach you the proper stance, grip, swing, and a myriad of other things that will get you on your way to playing solo. Hiring a pro isn't as hard as it sounds. Visit a golf course and just ask them if they have a pro who teaches. If they don't, ask the pro shop people if they can recommend someone. Chances are they can.

Take golf lessons. With this option you will join a class of other students and all be taught by one or two pros. This is usually very affordable because the cost is split up by several people rather than borne by one. This is a great way to find new friends and (hopefully) players at your skill level that you can play with later. One drawback is that you don't get the individual time that you would with a one-on-one instructor, but it is still a very good option.

Lastly, you can ask a friend or relative who plays already to take you under his or her wing. In many cases, this is the best way to learn. You play with someone who (hopefully) doesn't mind spending time with you and showing you the ropes. On the downside, you might find yourself being taught "bad" lessons or habits that you will need to break or relearn later. It's a good idea to pick the best player in the family to teach you.

Once you've learned the basics of the proper swing and club selection, you can spend time on the driving range or the practice green and learn a lot there. The one thing to remember is that almost all players need a good amount of time to get all the mechanics down before they start shooting well. Don't be too hard on yourself. Most importantly, have fun.

About the author:

Robert Partain has been an avid golfer for over 40 years. He publishes a golf blog that is updated 4 times a week with golf training tips, techniques, and information.

Golf News


golf - Google News PGA Tour Commissioner Finchem to appear on Golf Channel tonight - Examiner.com LIVENEWS.com.au PGA Tour Commissioner Finchem to appear on Golf Channel tonight Examiner.com - 2 hours ago by Greg Henry, Denver Golf Examiner PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem will be interviewed on The Grey Goose 19th Hole on the Golf Channel at 6 tonight (with ... Golf: Fiji's Vijay Singh to... How Can a GPS Help Your Golf Game? Ask Garmin - PC Magazine How Can a GPS Help Your Golf Game? Ask Garmin PC Magazine - 5 hours ago The only thing caddies have to do is carry the bag. by Craig Ellison LAS VEGAS?If you want to slice a few strokes off of your golf game, Garmin's new ... Garmin® Goes Golfing with Approach? G5, New Touchscreen GPS Device .... Disc golf referendum might face legal question - MSNBC Disc golf referendum might face legal question MSNBC - 2 hours ago CHICO -- A referendum seeking to keep disc golf courses in upper Bidwell Park faces a legal issue that could potentially allow the Chico City Council to ... City Council Changes Mind About Disc Golf Newstalk1290 KPAY City Council Vo... Golf-Recovering Seve targets return as Royal Trophy captain - Reuters.uk RTE.ie Golf-Recovering Seve targets return as Royal Trophy captain Reuters.uk, UK - 8 hours ago BANGKOK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Seve Ballesteros is planning to return to golf next year as captain of Europe's Royal Trophy team after starting rehabilitation ... Olazabal: European skipper SkySport... Carbriwalk buys Mobile golf vacation firm - Bizjournals.com Carbriwalk buys Mobile golf vacation firm Bizjournals.com, NC - Jan 6, 2009 The Fairways, founded in 1990 in Mobile, sells golf vacations in North America. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The company will be rebranded ... Business Briefing Press-Register - al.com all 4 news articl... Thibodaux teens arrested for damaging golf course with carts - WWL Thibodaux teens arrested for damaging golf course with carts WWL, LA - 5 hours ago Golf carts were taken and used to damage the course and greens. After causing damage to the course, the suspects stuck three of the carts in a mud hole. ... Teens arrested for golf course damage Daily Comet all ... Spain & Portugal -- Golf and the good-life - PGA Tour Spain & Portugal -- Golf and the good-life PGA Tour, FL - 6 hours ago By David Brice, Golf International Inc No matter how addicted any golfer might be to The Royal & Ancient Game, it's a sure bet that golf is only one of many ... Add two more jewels to The Iberian Peninsula's... Daily walk rewards father and son with treasures - Seattle Times Daily walk rewards father and son with treasures Seattle Times, United States - 49 minutes ago That includes cans, bottles, a golf bag pull cart, a silver necklace and lots and lots of golf balls, collected at nearby Cherry Island Golf Course. ... New Non-Stop Flights for Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations - Golf Vacation Insider Golf Vacation Insider New Non-Stop Flights for Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations Golf Vacation Insider, NJ - 5 hours ago By Craig Better \| Given the small airport there, it's not always easy to fly non-stop when taking Myrtle Beach golf vacations, and based on the unreliable ... Golf Vacations ... Dead body found near Pismo Beach State Golf Course - San Luis Obispo Tribune Dead body found near Pismo Beach State Golf Course San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA - 1 hour ago A man was found dead this morning in front of the Pismo Beach State Golf Course and Sheriff?s deputies are calling the death suspicious. ... Body discovered on the Pismo Beach State Golf Course KSBY all...