First Time On The Green
If you are a novice golfer, and need direction to put your game on the right track, you require learning many things in earnest. For example, you need skills on how to hold the club properly. Your stance should be proper, and you must learn the correct swing to connect the golf ball to the driver. The best way to learn is to look for a competent PGA professional and take lessons individually or in a group. This will go a long way in letting you develop your golfing skills and to acquire techniques to make your game enjoyable.
You must learn slowly so that you get the best results. Do not just land up at the driving range, bring out your driver, and begin to swing. During the first session or at least half of the first session put all questions you have to your instructor and try to follow and understand the answers. You must also use this session to build up rapport and be at ease with each other.
In learning golf, your initial focus should be on putting. Putting is the best way to build a sound foundation for power control and most importantly let you learn to concentrate on the target. It will also help to build up your confidence to a very great extent as you find your putts going in the hole even from three or four feet. During the next phase, start practicing chipping and short pitch shots aimed at a particular target. By this, you will learn how to make solid contact with the ball and learn techniques to ensure your shots travel a long distance using very little power.
It is essential that you keep up with your practice, and try out techniques you learnt during the first session. Your instructor will need to quiz you, and clear your doubts on points related to any issues you may have encountered. It is essential that your instructor control your pace of learning at every stage. Overall, the first session means constant reviewing and repeating of basic golfing concepts. By the time you reach the end of the first session, you may have a putter and a number 9 iron and/or a PW for practicing. Being new to the game, you must always wait for some time before you buy yourself a complete set of clubs.
A couple of sessions later you may find yourself in a position to tackle the full swing. A good way is to start by swinging without a ball. Concentrate on fundamental issues like stance, grip, and brushing the ground using your golf club. Start slowly beginning with short swings; this will let you grasp the concept of the full swing. When you can hit the ball consistently, do it slowly and comfortably aiming at short targets.
Do not forget to do your homework for building stamina, agility, and strength. Go for specific exercise programs exclusively meant for golfers. These exercises strengthen your hands, wrists, and torso, and prove very helpful to your game.
Golf Terminology
If you have just begun to play golf and fail to understand its terminology, do not worry, as this article will help you to master all these important golf terms and open your mind to understand the game well.
Approach Shot-this shot helps you to position the ball on the green area.
Amateur-a golfer who plays at a competitive level, however not for cash prize is called as amateur. Only a professional can play golf tournament for cash prize money.
Address-before hitting the ball, the way a golfer positions his/her body is termed to address the ball.
Abnormal ground condition-if the golf ground is under repairs or has some water collected, then it is termed as abnormal ground condition.
Backswing-the opening part of the golf swing, which halts after the club stops moving from above your head to get set for the downswing position.
Backspin-it is a reverse spin of the golf ball towards the target.
Blade-it describes the head of the iron.
Caddie-these are people, who are employed to carry your golf clubs around the course and are also capable to offer an advice on the game.
Cart-it is either a small vehicle or a dolly, which players use to drive around the course to travel from one spot to another.
Cavity Back Iron-it is a typical type of an iron that has majority of club heads’ weight distributed around its perimeter. There is a large cavity at the back of the head that is helpful to reduce the mass in both the back of the head and center.
Club Face-the bottom part of the golf club is termed as clubface.
Driver-the longest club in the golf bag is known as driver. This clubs also gives you higher distance than any other club.
Draw-a shot that bends to the left side is called as draw.
Duff-it is used, when you miss a shot or spoil a shot.
Fat-when the clubface taps the ground before hitting the ball, it is called as fat.
Forecaddie-he is a person, who directs you about placing the ball. This person comes from an outside agency.
Iron-it is a club with metallic blade for the club head. Golfers have at least 8 to 10 irons that range from number 2- iron or sand wedge. Each iron offers different stroke on the ball.
Line of Play-it is a position, where the player wants his ball to stop after the stroke. The line of play can extend vertically upward from the ground, but may not get to go beyond the hole.
Penalty Stroke-this stroke is added to the score of the player or anything as per the rules of the game.
Stroke-the forward movement of the club made to strike the ball is called as stroke. The golfer needs to check the downswing, before the club head touches the ball or the stroke would not be considered.
Tee-a device used to place the ball off the ground is known as tee. This device is not more then 4 inches and is manufactured in a way that the line of play can be seen.
The above-mentioned terminologies will help you to get a basic idea about the game. Once you hit the ground, you would be an expert with these terms.