WELLNESS

A Beginner’s Golf Guide

Over the years, golf has become a favorite sport among many ultra-high net worth individuals and with so many incredibly amazing golf courses in the world, traveling and golf seem to go hand-in-hand.

Luxury travelers who have been thinking about grabbing an iron and testing out the sport, may do well to have a few tips tucked into their golf bags when it comes to things to know about this challenging game.

With that, we have put some tips together for you to make the game more enjoyable if you are a fledgling golfer:

Having the Right Equipment

Start off straight away using the proper equipment. Playing with unforgiving clubs or blade iron sets could make the going much tougher. Think about equipment in terms of clubs, balls and shafts. The clubs you use should be designed for beginners so they match your abilities. These clubs are lightweight and easier to hit a straight and far shot. Playing with hybrids or a 7-wood will come later when you are more experienced.

Here are some of the best irons for beginners:

• Cleveland Launcher XL
• Cleveland Launcher XL Halo
• Callaway Rogue ST Max OS
• Mizumo JPX 921 Hot Metal
• Cobra F-Max Airspeed
• Callaway Strata Golf Set
• Wilson Golf SGI Set

Shafts

The shafts of the clubs are equally as important and should also be lightweight. Heavier shafts will kill the distance. Make sure the shaft allows you to swing swiftly. As a beginner, you might benefit from a graphite shaft. As your game becomes better, you can test out different shaft weights and flexes to maximize your shots.

Golf Balls

No matter what level of golfer you are, you want to be sure to use the right type of ball. As a beginner, you want from which you’ll get more distance, rather than spin. As your game evolves and you are shooting lower scores, you could try out a softer ball to help with spins using a shorter club. Not all golf balls are created equal – they have different compression rates and new golfers do well with softer balls to offset their lower swing speeds.

Keep the Fundamentals in Mind

Of course you want to play as well as you can from the outset, but always remember to pay attention to things like your setup well before you go to hit the ball. The world’s best players are constantly paying heed to their setups since even the smallest error could lead to a swing that’s off.

The Right Stance

All good golfers know stance means a great deal. Make sure:

• Your feet are shoulder width apart
• Your knees are bent in an athletic position
• Your lead foot is flared out slightly to more easily clear your hips on the downswing

When your clubs are longer – as with a driver or fairway wood – your stance should be widened. So, the longer the club, the wider your stance should be to create that essential full-shoulder turn on the backswing.

Posture

A great golfer has stellar posture. Your back should be flat, hips tilted, knees bent and head slightly back when you’re addressing the ball. This posture will help you maintain a consistent swing and help you to avoid injuries.

Get a Grip on Your Grip

Your grip needs to match your swing. When you are just beginning to play the game, you might try a neutral to strong grip. Don’t make the mistake of having a too weak grip since it will kill the distance. It’s better to have a strong grip, than a flimsy one. As you become more adept with your swing, you can weaken or strengthen your grip.

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Alignment Matters

Aim square at the target. Become more aware of your alignment and make adjustments whether you find you’re aimed too far right or too far left. You want to develop good habits from the start, so before changing your swing, check your aim. You are likely to hit a better shot when you’re as square as possible to the target.

Use the Driving Range

You will develop a great tempo when you practice. Tempo is the elapsed time of a golf swing – from backswing to follow-through. The right swing tempo is a ration of 3:1. In other words, if your backswing takes three seconds, your downswing should take one second. Tempo is so important and there are many online golf channels that address it. There are also gadgets you can buy like the Orange Whip, voted the number one training and teaching aid on PGA and LPGA tours.

Stay Calm

Getting angry at yourself is not going to help your game. So, you hit a bad shot. Do better next time. You’re not the only golfer ever to make a faux pas. Laugh it off and focus on the next shot. After all, you’re a beginner, so you’re going to make off shots. It’s how anyone learns a new sport or game. When you lose your cool, you’re apt to make even more off shots. Let go of the tension and make the game and learning enjoyable.

Learn to Love Your Driver

By now, as a beginner you know you want to focus on distance more than anything. Inexperienced golfers have a love-hate relationship with the driver since it’s the club that can expose most swing flaws. Just try to hit it long. If you do, you can use shorter clubs on the green like wedges and of course, your putter, ultimately.

Golf Swing Lessons

If you’re brand new to the game, enlisting a pro for some lessons is a great idea. There are swing coaches available who will help you to develop good habits from the outset. Swing coaches can help with your stance, your posture and work with your chipping and pitching skills. You’ll be a solid golfer if you develop positive habits from the beginning.

Play as Much as You Can

Spend more time at golf courses and try out different ones. You can learn more playing with friends on a course than at a driving range just working on your swing. It’s only by playing the game that you will get real life experiences.

Enjoy Every Moment on the Course

You lead a busy life and when you take time out to try out something you might really enjoy, it’s important to savor every moment. Approach your time on the course with gratitude and appreciation for the sport. You will come to love the game more and it will also rub off on your golfing buddies. You are sure to want to play again and again when you adopt this mindset.

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