A True Beginner's Guide to Golf

Looking to take up golf and unsure where to start? Wilson's experts have compiled the ultimate list of beginner tips to help you hit the course with confidence.

Golf is a particular sport and one that players just starting out can often find intimidating. Between the early morning tee times and the unofficial dress codes, just picking up a club is nerve-wracking for most newcomers. That’s why we’ve put together this beginner’s guide to golf to equip you with all the knowledge you need to take on (and conquer!) a new sport.

Learn Some Golf Lingo

Like any sport, golf is full of terminology. Learn the following scoring terms to bring yourself up to par.

• Stroke/Shot: Any swing with a club that's intended to hit the golf ball
• Par: The number of strokes an expert player is expected to make for a given hole or a group of holes (usually 9 or 18)
• Birdie: One stroke under par on an individual hole
• Eagle: Two strokes under par on an individual hole
• Ace/Hole-in-One: Getting the ball in the hole (cup) in only one stroke
• Bogey: One stroke over par on an individual hole
• Double Bogey: Two strokes over par on an individual hole

Essential Golf Equipment

Before you hit the course, you need equipment! As a beginner golfer, you'll want to have the following gear when you show up on the course to help make the most of your tee time.

Golf Clubs: You're allowed to carry a maximum of 14 clubs on the course, but most beginners won't need that many. At minimum, your golf bag should include a driver, an iron set, a sand wedge, and a putter. You can buy these individually or invest in a set of clubs. Wilson also offers complete golf club sets that include every club you'll need to address any situation on the course.

Golf Balls: It may surprise you to learn that choosing the right golf ball plays an important role in your game. The best golf balls for beginners vary depending on your skill level and your goals on the course.

A Glove: A good glove will provide you with added grip on your swing and help prevent blisters. The best golf gloves for beginners are durable and breathable to keep your palms from getting sweaty and interfering with your swing. Shop our collection of gloves to find the best fit for you.

A Hat: To protect your skin from the UV rays and keep the glare from the sun from messing up your shot, you’ll want to wear a hat on the course. Look for something breathable and snug-fitting that will stay put during your swing. Wilson offers a great assortment of hats that appeal to any golfer’s taste, from visors to bucket hats to classic caps.

A Towel: Never underestimate the importance of a golf towel! Used to clean clubs between hits and balls between holes, your golf towel could be the thing standing between you and a bogey. When the grooves in your clubs and golf balls become caked with mud or grass, it impacts the spin and accuracy of the ball. Check out the Wilson Tour Towel and save your spin!

Appropriate Attire: Apparel is another important factor in a game of golf. Wilson's new golf apparel helps you look like a pro, even if you’re not playing like one just yet.

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Golf Club Characteristics

Each golf club serves a particular purpose in the game. When you’re getting started, it helps to learn the characteristics and usages of each club to ensure you're playing each hole with the correct one.

• Driver: The driver is the biggest club and is designed to hit your first shot on longer holes. On average, drivers tend to range from 9 - 13 degrees or 12 - 15 degrees of loft. Anything fewer than 10.5 degrees is harder to hit for beginners.
• Fairway Woods: Fairway woods are also used for long shots, though not as long as drivers. They have the largest heads and longest shafts. A driver is technically a 1-wood. The most common fairway wood is a 3-wood which allows for more control and versatility than a driver.
• Hybrids: Hybirds are the newest category of golf clubs. They are usually a cross between a wood and an iron. They are numbered like irons and typically used in place of long irons such as drivers and woods because it's easier to shoot a higher shot with them.
• Irons: Irons are used to hit approach shots off the ground towards the green. They have angled faces and provide more control in comparison to the driver. Their numbers are scaled from 3-iron to 9-iron. As the number goes up, the degree of loft increases while the lenght of the shaft decreases.
• Wedges: Wedges are the highest lofted golf clubs. They are used for shorter shots and chips and allow for more accuracy. They are a subset or irons but the clubheads are more severely angled.
• Putter: These are designed to roll the ball on the green and the nearby areas. Ranging between 1 - 3 degrees of loft, putters are specifically designed to roll the ball smoothly to the hole.

Golf Etiquette

Golf has many unspoken rules. Commit these to memory and you’ll look like a pro the first time you walk out onto the green.

• Show up early for your tee time
• Avoid throwing clubs and showing excess emotions
• Stay behind the hitter. It is extremely dangerous to walk in front
• Be still and quiet while another player is hitting
• Keep pace with the group in front of you

Dress For Success

Though there is no official dress code for a game of golf, there are a few guidelines that will ensure your comfort and aid in your play.

• Always dress comfortably in breathable clothes that allow for movement.
• The material of your clothes should take into account the weather and climate of the course. Cotton is great for cooler courses while warmer and more humid locations call for a sweat-wicking material.
• Some clubs enforce a dress code. It’s best to research the course before your tee time.

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Practice Makes Progress

Once you’ve got the basics down, you may find it helpful to practice at the driving range before playing a round on a course. If you are a true beginner, it might also be useful up to read up on how to correctly hold a golf club and pick up some tips from the Wilson Advisory Staff pros. Even seasoned golfers hit the range every once in a while to warm up and work on their swing before their tee times. Check out Richard Mansell's three easy steps on how to improve your putting stroke.

As your game progresses, keep in mind that everyone was once a beginner on the course. Putting in the work can only lead to better results. And most importantly, remember that this is supposed to be fun! Golf is, afterall, a game!

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