How to Start Playing Golf

So you've been bitten by the golfing bug. Maybe you saw Tiger Woods grind out the U.S. Open title, or perhaps it was the play of Lorena Ochoa that inspired you. Maybe you just got sick and tired of hearing your brother brag every time he played a round of golf. Whatever the reason, it's now your turn. If you've gone to the driving range and gotten the satisfaction of hitting the ball straight and true a few times, it's now time to learn the game of golf.

Step 1: Learn about all the clubs in your bag. There are three "woods" in your bag, a misnomer because these long-hitting clubs are metal and no longer made of wood. Use the driver or 3-wood off the tee and use the 5-wood from the short grass of the fairway on long par-5 holes. You will also have 3-, 5-, 7-, 8- and 9-irons in your bag. The lower the number of the club, the longer you should be able to hit the ball. A 3-iron is a good club to use from the fairway when you are at least 180 yards from the hole. A 5-iron may be used from 150 to 160 yards, or from the rough or longer grass. The 7-iron is a versatile club that is good from 140 yards or more but can also be used to create "bump-and-run" shots that bounce and roll a long distance. The 8- and 9-irons, along with the pitching wedge, are good clubs when you are near the green and want to set up a decent putting opportunity. The sand iron is for use when you are in the bunker next to the green. Finally, you will use a putter when your ball sits on the green and you want to stroke it into the hole.

Step 2: Get the ball into the air by hitting down on it. A big mistake of most new golfers is to swing up at the ball so it will fly long and high. Swinging up at the ball will lead to less distance and a poor swing. If you are swinging any club other than your driver or putter, you will want to have a slight down slope to your swing. That will allow the tilted angle of the clubhead's face to do the job. The angle of the clubhead—known as the club's loft—will simultaneously compress and spin the ball to produce distance and accuracy.

Step 3: Contact the ball with the clubhead's sweet spot. This is the spot in the center of the club face. Do not stress if you can't consistently do this right away. Many of today's clubs will help you compensate if you are a little bit off in your accuracy. Make impact with the ball when club head is square. This means you should be facing your target—such as the green or a spot on the fairway—and your body should turn in that direction after you make contact with the ball.

Step 4: Do not swing hard at the ball. Maybe you've seen the impressive distance that Tiger Woods or Sergio Garcia can hit the ball, but you don't have to swing as hard as you can to drive the ball a long way. Distance is determined by club head speed at impact. This is done by getting your body behind your swing and turning your hips as the clubhead gets through the ball.

Step 5: Breathe regularly when you line up to putt the ball. This is simple advice but you might be surprised to know how many golfers hold their breath or alter their breathing just because they are going to hit a 12-foot putt. While you want your head and body still when you putt the ball toward the hole, regular breathing will help you deliver your natural stroke, which should be similar to a metronome. You are taking the putter an equal distance back and then forward to create the smoothest putt possible.

Go to the driving range and play as many practice rounds as possible in order to get comfortable with your equipment and the sport. When you go to the driving range, don't just hit the ball as far as you can. Take your clubs and learn their capabilities by trying to duplicate your swing on every stroke. The sooner you can do this, the more confidence you will develop in your swing.