Beginner’s Golf Guide
Beginner’s Golf Guide: Infographic
When you are first learning golf, there is a lot to take in that can be overwhelming. In addition to learning the skills you need to play the sport, you also have to learn a host of terms that may not be intuitive (what the heck is a mulligan, anyway?). Here is a helpful infographic to answer some of the most common questions that beginner golfers have.
What is Par in Golf?
“Par” is the expected number of strokes that a good golfer will need to complete a given hole. Each hole will have its own par number. For example, if you see a par-4 hole, that means that an expert golfer would need 4 strokes to get their ball in the hole.
What do Bogey, Birdie, Eagle, and Albatross Mean in Golf?
A BOGEY is a score of 1-over par on a single hole.
AN EAGLE is a score of 2-under par on a single hole.
AN ALBATROSS is a score of 3-under par on a single hole, which is extremely rare.
What is a Handicap in Golf?
A handicap is a number that represents a given golfer’s average golf skills, based on previous scores. Your handicap number is how many strokes over par you play on average. For example, a golfer with a handicap of 6 usually finishes a game 6 over par. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer.
What is a Mulligan?
A mulligan is when a golfer hits a bad tee shot and chooses to do it over. Mulligans are common practice in informal rounds of golf and do not incur a penalty. However, mulligans are not allowed in competitive play.
Why and When Do You Yell “Fore”?
The point of yelling “fore” is to warn other golfers on the course to be careful not to get hit by your ball. You should always yell “fore” if you are not sure where your ball will land and think it might end up near other golfers.
What is a Slice vs. a Hook?
A slice and a hook are both shots that curve too far, the difference between them is simply which way they curve. For a right-handed golfer, a slice is a shot that curves too far to the right and a hook is a shot that curves too much to the left. For a left-handed golfer, the directions are reversed.
What Hand Does the Glove Go on?
You’ve probably noticed that golfers tend to wear just one glove, but you may not be sure why or which hand you should wear your glove on. Golfers usually wear their glove on their non-dominant hand. This is so that the dominant, gloveless hand can have a better feel for the club while the gloved, non-dominant hand provides a great grip.
What is the Best Golf Ball for Beginners?
Beginner golfers do best when they use low compression golf balls. This is because low compression golf balls will give you more distance off the tee and a higher spin rate than higher compression balls. They have a soft feel, which makes them easier to control for beginners who are not yet very skilled.
Conclusion:
Learning a new skill is a fun challenge that can turn into a life-long passion. Even if you are feeling overwhelmed with golf as you first get started, the more you learn about the sport and get comfortable with the basics, the more you’ll enjoy it and the better your game will be. Start by learning the info presented above and you’ll feel ready to mingle with the old pros on the course.
