Playing golf is a fun and relaxing hobby for most people, and a competitive sport for others. When learning to play golf, you should start by learning some basic rules and techniques for swinging the club to hit the golf ball. It's also useful to know how to get equipment and learn some proper etiquette while on the golf course so you can have fun with everyone you play with.
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Part 1 of 5: Learning the Basic Rules in Golf
Step 1. Learn the purpose of the game
In golf, the object of the game is to direct the ball from its starting point, called a "tee", onto the green (the grassy area around the hole) and toss it into the hole. The holes are marked with a flag, and you have to get the ball into the hole in the fewest possible number of strokes. “Hole” is not just a hole in the literal sense of the word, but also refers to the entire area from the tee to the green, where the actual hole is.
A standard golf course has 18 holes, or areas containing tees, greens, and holes marked with flags. There is also a small course, which only has 9 holes, and is perfect for beginners
Step 2. Play golf in the order of the holes
Each golf course is different in terms of structure and which holes to start and end play on. Each hole has a “tee off” area (where play begins), and a physical hole to end it. It's a good idea to bring a field map with you when you play, or go with a group with at least one person who understands the order of the courts.
Get a map of the course at the main golf course office, where you can check-in and rent equipment
Step 3. Play in turns in the group
To avoid confusion and prevent everyone from hitting the ball at the same time, find out when it's your turn. In general, the person who gets the best score on the previous hole, will tee off (punch the ball at the beginning of the game) in first place. The next turn is the person with the second best score, and the person with the worst playing (or having the highest score) gets the last turn.
After teeing off on each hole, the person with the ball furthest from the hole takes the first shot, then the person with the ball farthest second, and so on until everyone has hit the ball towards the hole
Step 4. Do not move the ball on the court
If a golf ball lands in an unwanted location (this is common with beginners), don't pick it up and move it as this is against the rules. You must hit the ball where it lands, unless blocked by a man-made object, such as a yardage marker or beer can.
- If you are in doubt whether objects near the ball fall into the barrier category, ask an experienced player about this.
- If the ball you hit goes out of bounds or goes into the water, you will receive a penalty of 1 stroke. Next, place the new ball where you hit it, and try again.
Step 5. Record the score you get for each hole
Each hole on a golf course has an ideal number of strokes that must be taken to get the golf ball into the hole, which is known as "Par". Each time you hit the ball will be counted as "1" (strike) in your score. Pars range between 3 and 5, and each hole on the golf course will be named "Par 3", "Par 4", or "Par 5".
- The score on each hole will be named according to the par made for that hole. For example, hitting 2 balls under par, or putting a golf ball into the hole with 3 strokes on a 5-par hole, is called "Eagle". Making 1 stroke under par is called " Birdie ", and making a stroke equal to par is called " Par ".
- Doing 1 stroke of the ball over par is called "Bogey". Making 2 strokes over par is called "Double Bogey", 3 strokes over par is called "Triple Bogey", and so on.
Step 6. Win the game by getting the lowest score at the end
When your group reaches the last hole, the person with the lowest overall score wins. To track your skills throughout the game, compare your score to the par for each hole. If you can hit the same number of strokes as par or under par, you have played very well.
In the beginning, it may be that the number of strokes you make will exceed par, especially on a difficult hole, namely par 5. This is normal. Your skills will improve after you practice a lot
Step 7. Try using a Par 3 pitch to start
A Par 3 course means that all holes on the course are Par 3 so the distance between the tee and the hole will be shorter than the standard course, which has a hole mix consisting of Par 3, 4 and 5. This type of course is perfect for beginners.
The total par for a course is the par sum of all the holes. In general, the number is 72 on a standard golf course, and the number will be smaller on smaller courses. A course with 9 holes and Par 3 will have a total of 18 par
Part 2 of 5: Setting Up the Swing
Step 1. Stand with your hips and knees slightly bent
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and your weight evenly distributed between the center of your feet, not on your heels or toes. Bend your knees slightly and lean forward, toward your hips so that the tip of the golf club touches the ground where you will hit the ball later.
- To get up properly, imagine a bowler standing before swinging the ball backwards for a throw: spread your weight evenly between your legs, leaning slightly forward at your hips.
- Turn your non-dominant side towards the target or hole. For example, if you are right-handed (non-handed), lift the golf club to the right, then swing it down, to the left so that the club hits the golf ball towards the left.
Step 2. Lift the golf club back, parallel to the ground
When lifting a stick, the sequence you have to do from the outside in is starting with the head of the stick, hands, arms, shoulders, and finally the hips. The dominant arm should always be near the side of the body, and as the hand passes over the dominant leg, the weight of the body should begin to shift to that leg.
When it is parallel to the ground, the golf club should be facing so that the rounded end is pointing upwards
Step 3. Lift the golf club up to 90 degrees
Continue shifting your weight to your dominant side, and bend your elbows to bring the stick up, 90 degrees from your arm, about parallel to the floor. The shoulders will rotate upwards, and the dominant hip will receive the heavier weight.
At this point, the end of the stick should be facing backwards in the direction opposite to the direction of the swing
Step 4. Rotate your shoulders to point the golf club up
Rotate your shoulders so that your non-dominant shoulder is under your chin, and the lateral muscles on your sides are stretched. This will move the stick until it is above your head by almost 180 degrees. The weight of the golf club will be transferred to the arms and hands, and the head of the club will point downwards.
- Imagine your hand is in the 1 o'clock position. This is the level of the hand's height from the ground.
- Dominant ankles and hips, along with the shoulders will feel like they are crashing down towards the ball.
Part 3 of 5: Hit the Ball
Step 1. Shift your body weight slightly to the other side as you swing the stick down
When the stick is swung down, the body weight should be shifted slightly in the direction of the swing. The elbow of the dominant hand will move in front of the dominant hip. However, keep your body in the center with the belt buckle facing the ball.
Keep your wrists hanging loose when you start lowering the golf club, to prevent the weight of the club from being thrown from above
Step 2. Straighten your body towards the target when the club hits the golf ball
When the stick hits the ball, your hips will continue to rotate so that the part of your body facing the target will be straight. Keep your head behind the ball when you hit the ball, and bend your dominant wrist.
Now, most of your body weight will shift to your non-dominant side, or the side of your body that is facing the target
Step 3. Extend both arms fully to follow up with the ball
Don't stop swinging after you hit the ball. Raise your arms and golf club until they are almost parallel to the ground towards the target. Since you'll be rotating your hips as you swing, your arms should move slightly inward and back toward your body.
- Your dominant knee should jerk inward, toward the straight knee as you shift your weight at the last moment, so that the gap between your legs will close.
- Follow-up appropriately, namely stopping the golf club below hand level. This indicates that you have successfully controlled your arm and wrist. The tip of the golf club head should point upwards.
Part 4 of 5: Getting Equipment
Step 1. Get the minimum number of golf clubs needed
You're allowed a maximum of 14 sticks in your bag, but really you only need a driver, putter, sand wedge, 6-iron stick, 8-iron stick, pitching wedge and hybrid when starting out. You can rent clubs at the golf course, or buy used or discounted golf clubs at sporting goods stores.
If you've never played golf before, try playing with someone who's willing to lend you a club, rent a club at the golf course, or visit a golf practice site to try out different types of golf clubs before you buy your own equipment
Step 2. Get a tee and a golf ball
The tee is easy to spot, with the brightly colored plastic or wood nail shape that I use to place the ball before you hit it early in the game. Golf balls are available in a variety of prices and qualities to choose from. If you've never played golf before, buy a cheap ball for around IDR 280 thousand per dozen.
- You can lose a lot of balls the first time you play golf. So, it's a good idea not to spend a lot of money on expensive balls.
- Some courts provide a ball that can be used. Contact the golf course office to find out if they provide golf balls.
- You can buy tees and golf balls at a sporting goods store.
Step 3. Purchase golf gloves and bags
It's important to wear golf gloves because your hands can blister after you make a few strokes. Gloves are also useful so that your hands can still grip the stick firmly even if you're sweating. Look for gloves that fit you at a sporting goods store.
For bags, you can use any bag as long as it's strong and can be used to carry sticks, balls, rain gear, drinking water, and/or snacks. Try visiting thrift stores, second-hand sales, or online sites that sell used equipment to find golf bags
Part 5 of 5: Playing Golf with Proper Etiquette
Step 1. Follow your group
While you don't need to rush to hit the ball or run towards it, it's important to always be ready to hit when it's your turn. Find out when it's your turn, and only try 1 or 2 swings before you actually hit the ball.
Golf is a social game so you are expected to have conversations with other people in the group. However, don't do this if it's the person's turn to hit the ball. Talking excessively when someone is about to hit the ball can distract him and result in a bad shot
Step 2. Shout Fore! " if the ball you hit goes to someone.
This is especially important if you are a beginner because your strokes may veer off in unexpected directions. Don't wait long to scream. If the ball hits someone, shout "Fore!" as loud as you can to get him to look up and get out of the way of the ball.
A flying golf ball can seriously injure someone if it hits the body. This action is important for safety and ethics in general
Step 3. Avoid standing in the path of the golf ball flying
When someone is about to hit a golf ball, stand a few feet away from him or her slightly back so as not to disturb him. Do not stand or walk in the path between the person and the target.
Stay alert to players outside the group who are also using the golf course. Balls from other players sometimes go into your hole. Don't touch the ball, and let the person pick it up himself
Step 4. Find the missing ball in just 3 minutes
If the ball is missing, find it in just about 3 minutes. Next, take a penalty of 1 stroke and make another shot at the same location when you hit the missing ball. Perform this shot by standing where you hit the missing ball, then "drop" the ball by holding it at shoulder height and releasing it to the ground.
