Golf is a sport that can be played by all ages and skill levels, offering a lifetime of enjoyment and improvement. Played on picturesque courses, the game can be played alone or in groups, providing opportunities for scenic exercise (walking) and socializing.

A standard game consists of 18 holes, the objective is to complete all the holes with the least number of shots.

Nathan Washam of the Bay Area says that for beginners that are interested in taking a swing at golf, it’s important to understand the basics to getting started on the green.

Where to Start

Unlike most sports, golf requires a lot of specialty equipment–mostly in the form of clubs. There are different clubs made of different materials, each with a specific use. Golf balls, too, have various materials and constructions that affect how far they fly or roll, making ball choice just as important.

With club in hand, let’s move on to the course.

Expected Golf Etiquette

Golf is a game steeped in history, and the accompanying unwritten rules that go along with it. Golf etiquette includes:

Respecting Fellow Players

Waiting silently as golfers take their shot, and avoiding distracting movement.

Pace of Play

A round of golf takes four hours on average, and it’s respectful to plan shots ahead of time to avoid delaying others.

Safety First

Golf balls can be dangerous projectiles, so it’s customary for players to yell “fore” to warn others of an inbound golf ball.

In conjunction with its unwritten rules, golf also has its own lexicon.

Terminology

To understand what’s happening during a “round,” here are some words that are often heard on the course:

• Round: Playing all 18 (or 9) holes of golf
• Par: The number of swings expected for to sink a ball
• Green: The smooth area around the hole where putting takes place
• Putt: To hit the ball softly

The Fundamentals of Golf

The simplicity of the words could be deceiving, but many players pursue mastery of these fundamentals throughout their entire golf career.

Grip

The grip dictates how much power is transferred to the ball. The three popular grip styles are: overlapping, interlocking, and baseball.

Stance

A great golf stance makes each swing consistent, allowing the golfer to strike the ball as intended.

Swing

The golf swing is surprisingly more complicated than just whacking the ball. It has three key phases: the backswing, the downswing, and the follow-through.

Putt

To “putt” something means rolling the ball as opposed to making it fly, and requires precision.
After getting a handle on the basics and playing a few rounds, it’s good practice to track progress.

The Pursuit of Excellence

To make sure constant progress is made, keeping track of scores over several rounds is a good way to measure progress. In golf, there is something called a “handicap” which is the numerical score of a golfer’s ability–similar to “Elo” in other competitive sports.

Golf can be a lifelong journey, and keeping these tips in mind can make the path less rocky:

• Practice regularly
• Focus on the fundamentals
• Be patient, and most importantly…
• Have fun