Beginners Syndrome

Beginners Syndrome




If you have just begun to play golf then you may become overwhelmed by the infinite number of terms that are being spoken in this sport. It may sound as though you are studying another foreign language when you hear all the terms and jargon that come with the sport. On one hand, it is true that you would have to learn such lingo. On the other hand, it is just normal that you can't learn everything overnight.

In order to learn how to play golf, the best way for doing so is to start experiencing it. As the saying goes, 'experience is the best teacher.' Even if you read tons of books that contain every term in the world of golf, it is likely that you will soon forget them. The most important thing you should do is to find a golf course. By heading there, you will discover everything that you may have not known about golfing. In addition, you can also look for somebody that may provide a tutorial service to show you how to play golf.

To simplify everything, here are some simple tips that you should remember when you decide to learn how to play golf:

  • Find a golf course
  • Enroll in golf tutorial courses
  • Take notes on whatever you are studying
  • Start your research on how to play golf
  • Use your notes as reference to your research
  • Invest in some basic golf clubs
  • Practice as often as you can
  • Play with some veteran golfers

These steps may sound like common sense, but they have mostly been forgotten by many people. If you use these steps then it will be a whole lot easier for you to learn how to play this great game.

It is no secret that theory and practice are indispensable with each other. The reason why beginners get intimidated with the complexity of playing golf is because these simple steps are often overlooked.

Golf is not only about its rules and its system but also about real action and physical movement. It entails the actual use of different golf clubs in different areas of a golf course. Apparently, beginner's syndrome only happens when one hasn't actually practiced playing the game. Indeed, it takes theory and practice together to learn golf.

When learning golf, it is recommended you explore as many different golf courses as possible to learn and apply strategies for all kinds of situations. You may begin to search on the internet and browse a golf course finder to find a place to play. In this way, you will not get confined with limited approaches in learning the game. You don't have to visit all golf courses but it is much better to have enough exposure with the top golf courses in America if you want to improve your skills.

For beginners, here is a short list of what golf is all about:

  • It is about you
  • It is about the equipment you use
  • It is about who you play with
  • It is about how you learn it
  • It is about how you play it
  • It is also about where you play it

When you search for golf courses using a golf course finder, you should take note of the above considerations. Of course, it is also important to learn the rules, the system and the mechanics of playing golf. Even with this, you should never forget all the simple and common steps entailing the game before you jump into mastering its knowledge base. Nevertheless, learning the basics of golf is still the most important step of all.

Learning the Basics of Golf

Learning the Basics of Golf




Learning the basics of golf is not really difficult for you to do. It only takes time before you really get to the level where you can see yourself playing on a full golf course. In the beginning, you will have to spend time practicing on a driving range before stepping onto a full golf course. The top golf courses in America have better driving range areas where beginners and even veteran golfers can practice their strokes to develop different sets of skills needed to play golf professionally.

As you improve, you may begin with a shorter course such as an executive golf course where the distance between the tee area and the hole is only around 250 yards. This will enable you to apply what you have developed in a driving range and experience the game with less difficulty. You can find public golf courses like these in a variety of spots. In the long run, you may try looking for an exclusive membership to a much more difficult golf course.

While developing your skills on short golf courses, you can increase your knowledge in reading some primers and written instructions on how to play golf. A golf course guide will help you understand some more advanced techniques that you can also develop through practice. By reading more instructional materials, it will become easier for you to practice and develop your skills. And through practice, it makes it easier for you to understand the techniques behind the game.

Meanwhile, you can always take private lessons from a veteran golfer. Some veteran players offer golf lesson programs but it may cost you around $100 an hour to learn from them. If you wish to save money, you can join some golf clinics that are currently being offered in some golf courses. Usually, golf clinics are conducted by one or two golf instructors. This option will only cost you around $20 per hour and most sessions are done weekly depending on the schedule of each golf course.

There are lots of ways to learn how to play like a pro. One of the most effective ways is to keep on asking people who already know how to play the game. This is the most economical way of learning from others. All you have to do is to socialize and get in touch with the people who have been playing golf for quite some time. With this, you can discover different styles and strategies that you may apply in the course of improving your skills. Watching how others play will give you a lot of insights on how you should also play on your own. Afterward, you can develop your own strategies after watching them. This is why some sport fanatics who idolize a superstar may likely become superstars themselves. Who knows? You could be the next Tiger Woods if you work hard enough.

On the other hand, whatever you learn from asking people and watching others play must still be put into practice. The more you spend time practicing, the more likely you are to become what you want to be. In some golf courses, it may be disappointing when many people are playing. Although you can watch others play, you can hardly find time to play and practice for yourself. However, you can ask the golf course operators about the usual times when fewer people are playing so that you can take advantage of such a time to freely practice without having any feeling that another player is waiting for you to finish.

Golf Etiquette

Golf Etiquette




In playing golf, there are many things that you must observe at all times. Though they are no longer parts of the rules, they are very important for keeping the order of the game. These sets of behaviors that are to be observed belong to a class of rules that is known as golf etiquette. Golf etiquette is not different from any other type of etiquette we have known to exist. All types of etiquette are based on the principle of respecting others in order to be respected. In golf, players should observe some behaviors that are important in keeping the integrity of the game. In general, golf etiquette must be included in every golf course guide.

During the game, players should not make any noise, especially when any of them is about make a shot, so as not to create a distraction. Unquestionably, it is not right to distract the opponent. Even golf carts should not be running at the wrong time. Golf carts should also be at the right place while someone is concentrating on the shot he is about to make. What would you feel if someone was destroying your momentum by distracting you with unnecessary noise? You should observe the same modicum of respect for your opponent.

When you are too slow in your game, it is just proper to give way to the next player to pass. There is no problem if you play a little bit faster without any significant delay, but causing other players to wait because of your own problem is unfair for them. It is not different when you are in their situation. If you have already hit the ball and you think the ball is lost then you should not be forced to look around for it. Let the next player take his turn. In other words, you should not cause any delay.

Walking on the path between your opponent's ball and the hole is not proper etiquette. It may damage the path and may cause the ball to not get into the hole. This behavior can be seen as a form of cheating. When someone takes his turn to shoot, everybody must stand still and away from the player. Even the act of standing behind a player that is about to hit the ball must be avoided. Do not engage in actions that can cause opponents to make mistakes.

You must also make sure that your club will not hit the ground, sand or water when hitting the ball. This is especially important when you're preparing to hit the ball. It is not an official rule but it should be done to prevent others from thinking that you are cheating. Of course, everybody will surely react when your club touches the ground before you hit the ball. On the contrary, it is not your fault if your club accidentally touches it.

Golf etiquette is not just used to avoid cheating. It is also there to ensure the safety of everyone. Everybody should stay away when a player is making a shot to make sure that nobody will ever get hit. But the most significant reason why golf etiquette is important is to promote respect to one another. Having this measure of respecting others, golf has become the symbol of building good relationships with other people. Aside from that, it promotes integrity. Therefore, this is not just a solitary game. Golf is also a game that is social in nature.

Golf Course Components

Golf Course Components




Before you click on a golf course locator to look for the best golf courses in USA, you must first be familiar with the key parts of every golf course. These are the specific areas which have certain functions in the game. They do not exist by chance. In fact, they are designed to determine the rules of playing golf. A golf course will never be a golf course without them. Otherwise, it will not be called a golf course but a simple piece of land. In other words, a big part of learning golf entails learning how these components work.

Here are the component parts of a golf course:

  • Teeing Area
  • Fairway
  • Rough
  • Hazard
  • Putting Green
  • Par
  • Bunker
  • Pin
  • Hole
  • Driving range

The teeing area is where the game begins. This surface is a bit higher than the fairways but it is similar to the putting green in terms of the grass surface. It is where a player begins on a hole and will be where the player goes to hit the ball towards the direction of the hole. In this area, a player can put the ball on the ground or on a tee which is around four inches in height.

The fairway is the largest green surface that surrounds and connects other components such as the teeing area and the putting green. It is the area of a golf course where the ball usually falls from the tee area towards the putting green. It is usually easier to hit a ball on this surface.

The rough is the area that surrounds the fairway. It is called the rough because of its challenging surface with the grass higher than that of the fairway. In this area, it is very difficult to hit a ball. This area is located between the fairway and the out of bounds zone and encircles the outside portion of the golf course.

On the other hand, a hazard is a place inside a golf course that contains water or sand. This is the most difficult area to hit a ball in. It is where all golfers are afraid to hit the ball into. Once the ball goes to hazard, it may seem to be the end of the game for the player. This is the area where a club is prohibited to touch the ground, the sand or the water. The type of hazard that contains sand is called a bunker and its surface is usually lower than the surface of the fairway.

The putting green is a smooth surface that surrounds the hole. In this area, a small putter may be used to move the ball towards the hole. Out here, the grass is trimmed smoothly, thus making it the easiest place to hit the ball on.

The par refers to the key number of strokes that you should use on a hole. You can find holes that have a par from 3 to 6. Normally, a par 3 hole will be the shortest one with some par 3 holes being as long as 250 yards from the tee area to the hole.

The hole, or cup, is the end point of every golf stage. It is surrounded by the putting green and is the main goal of the game. Meanwhile, the pin is simply the flag stick standing in the middle of the hole.

The driving range is a separate area that is different from the rest of the golf course. This area is designed to be used as a training ground for beginners. It is simply composed of a tee area, the fairway and the hole. As compared to a regular golf course, the driving range is much shorter and limited and only a few types of clubs are used.

Choosing a Good Course To Play On

Choosing a Good Course To Play On




When you are familiar with the component parts of every golf course then you can easily find one that is to your liking. It is true that the act of visiting as many golf courses as you can will give you more exposure and solid experience as a golf player. However, in reality, it may not be practical for you to go to loads of places. Golf course hopping is like traveling from one high-end beach resort to another. Consequently, it is still best to start with a single golf course that can really help you grow to become a pro.

Finding the right golf course among the many USA golf courses out there is a challenge. However, the internet may help you to search for the right one according to your needs and preferences. With the help of a golf course locator, you are just a click away from finding the best golf courses in USA.

In choosing the right golf course to play, there are two types of golf courses that you should take into consideration - public courses and private courses. Public courses are owned by the government and are open for public use without any significant cost. On the other hand, private courses are owned by private individuals or companies and are available only to a limited number of people. Since they are private, the cost of joining them is quite significant. Nevertheless, private courses offer better amenities and facilities than what public courses have.

There are many things to consider when choosing the right golf course to play on. If you wish to save money, public courses will do you better. But if you wish to enjoy a lot of useful features then you should consider joining a private golf club. Alongside that, you may choose a golf course of interest to you as long as it provides what you need. If you only need to look for a tutorial program then it won't matter what type of golf course it will be. What is important is that it serves your purpose.

Almost all golf courses have their own driving range areas where you can practice on to improve your skills. The only thing you need to know is the best time to be there. In a crowded golf course, it is impossible to freely practice alone. People who are next to you will give you so much pressure to finish your game quickly. Therefore, practicing at the right time is crucial. The right golf course to choose from must also have the best time to offer to you. Aside from that, it should also have the available tutorial services that you need.

Of course, private golf courses can offer the best times and the best tutorial lessons. They can even offer the best experiences for playing the game. A private course will be great if you are fine with investing money in playing on one.

Playing golf is fun and fulfilling. For some people it is boring. Still, more and more people around the country are beginning to play golf. This is why more and more golf courses are being built as time goes by. USA golf courses are filled with new faces everyday. As a result, competition among golf courses has increased and is changing the way people choose the right ones for them.

In a nutshell, finding a golf course should always be the first important step to learn golf and choosing the right one among the many that are open is the key to start playing like a pro. Learning golf does not have to be complicated nor difficult to do. It must be simple and feasible.