Which club to use?

If you decide to tee off with a wood, it is better to use a 3 or 5 wood rather than a driver to start with. They have a shorter shaft which makes control of the shot a bit easier, and more loft which creates more backspin on the ball and which gets it in the air more quickly.

This will reduce the change of a hook or slice and encourage straight shots. Only use the driver (1wood) when you are confident with these clubs.

The same applies to irons. Clubs with shorter shafts and more loft (6 iron - 5 wood) are easier to hit with, than clubs with long shafts and less lofts (2iron - 5 iron), so when learning the shorter clubs hit the ball higher and straighter.

Before you go out on the course

When you are confident enough to go out on the course it's a good idea to choose a course that is relatively easy compared to the big championship courses.

Length. Holes are shorter so you are more likely to get on the green in fewer shots, - a better score will boost enthusiasm and confidence

Less hazards. This means fewer lost ball and therefore you can concentrate on enjoying the game.

Other Learners. You are more likely to be surrounded by golfers who are learning. You won’t be holding up more experienced players which will cause less frustration for everybody

These courses are generally not in as good conditions a championship courses. You are less likely to cause too much damage to teeing areas and greens.

Finding a suitable course
Check the yellow pages and ring a few courses in your area - ask which days during the week social groups play. Ask what the par of the course is (Generally courses with a lower par are shorter and easier). Also ask the price of Green fees.

Putting is also something you should learn before heading out on the course. Basically keep you body legs and head as still as possible and rock you shoulders and arms in one motion back and through. Practice how hard you need to hit the ball to go different distances. You can do this at home on the carpet.

Before starting your round you must check with the pro shop that you can play and pay for your round.

Most courses have a dress code. Normally you have to wear a collared polo shirt slacks or shorts and golf shoes or flat soled sneakers.

Most golf courses have a practice putting green. Before starting your round, home a few putts. This will give you an idea of how the greens are 'running' as the putting green should be consistent with the rest of the course.

Be careful..

Before hitting off check that any players on the fairway are out of range. Inother words they are beyond the distance of your best shot! If you do hit your ball towards another person, it’s common knowledge that the cry is "FORE". This basically means "Look out"

If you are playing with friends make sure they stand far enough away so you won’t hit them with the club during your swing.

Playing the round

Once you have hit your ball and your playing partners have also hit, proceed directly to you ball - unless it is in the line of your partner's shot.

Generally after each hit the person farthest from the hole hits first. When it is your turn to hit, repeat the same shot as your tee shot. If the green is with reach, select a club that you are sure will hit that distance.

Most courses have a marker that shows 150 meters to the green. How far you hit each club can be measured at the primary range before playing.

Course conditions

You have to take into account the conditions you are playing in.

If you are hitting downwind you will hit the ball further so take a club less. If you are hitting into the wind you will hit the ball shorter so take an extra club. If you are on an upslope this adds loft to the club and hits the ball higher so hit an extra club. On a downslope this delofts the club so take a club less than you normally would for the distance you have.

If it is raining the grips on your clubs will get wet. If you hit the ball hard the club will slip so take two extra clubs over normal and don’t hit the ball as hard.

If you manage to hit the green, check the spot where the ball landed. If the ball left a mark (called a pitch mark) us a tee or buy a 'pitch marker repairer' to prise in the edges, and pat it down with our putter. Also if you take a divot on the fairway make sure that you replace the turf you dug up. Most courses have buckets of sand to fill in any holes you make.

If you hit a bunker use the sand wedge in your set. It's designed to get the ball out of the sand. You can’t touch the sand before you hit the ball. Aim to hit the sand 1 inch behind the ball and hit quite hard,

When you putt check the line that you think the ball will follow to get it the home. If you are not sure look for water, eg a creek or pond as this is a low point and the greens are designed to drain into them. Also if you hit from a slope to the green, chances are the green falls the same way as the slope! You can pick your ball up on the putting green to clean it but you must make sure that you mark the position of the ball with a coin before picking it up.

Check where the next tee is and leave your clubs on the side of the green closest to the next tee. When you get the ball in the hole and pick it out, count your score as you are walking to the next tee and write it down when you get there.

Lost balls

If you hit your ball into trouble you can look for it but without holding up other players.

The rules allow 5 minutes but you have to call on following players.

Slow play

The most frustrating thing on a gold course for experienced players is slow play. If you do lose a ball, just place another near where you lost it, count 1 shot penalty and keep going. If the people behind you are getting frustrated it's easier to let them play through your group. If you rush yourself you won’t enjoy the game and will make more mistakes.

If you decide to join a club at some stage you will be given a book of rules of golf. Read this to get a sound knowledge of the rules, but while learning, don’t worry about them too much.

Mot of all golf is about enjoying yourself and gaining experience. You will improve, so be patient. Good luck.