If you’re thinking about learning to play golf, now is a great time to start. But it can get overwhelming with so much information out there. This article will give you all the information you need to figure out where to practice golf and how to get better.
Where to Practice Golf
You don’t need to worry about rocking up to a fancy country club. All you need to get started is a few spare dollars, an hour of your time and a nearby golf facility like any of the ones below.
The Driving Range
The driving range is the perfect environment to try your hand at golf. Unlike the golf course, there’s no strict dress code, you don’t need to know the rules and you don’t need to buy any equipment. A rental set of clubs and a basket of balls will cost no more than a few bucks.
Driving ranges often operate around regular working hours, meaning that even if you work a busy 9-5 job you can go and practice in the evening at your local range.
Par 3 Courses
Par 3 courses sometimes called “pitch and putt courses” are a great way to make the transition from the driving range to a real golf course.
Par 3 courses usually consist of short holes between 50 and 200 yards. Plenty of these courses also offer club rentals, making them perfect if you’re not ready to commit to buying clubs yet.
These courses will give you a taste of what it’s like playing on a real golf course. It’s a great way to learn the rules of the game and get exposure to golf course etiquette.
Learn From Home
Golf net sales exploded in 2020, golf ball tracking technology is getting more affordable, and phones now do a great job of recording golf swings in slow motion. A stand for your phone, golf mat and a net is all you need to have a complete practice station at home.
If you want to get better at golf, you need to make it easier and more convenient to practice regularly. Practicing at home is one of the best ways to do this.
How To Improve At Golf
Once you know where you can go to practice golf, the next step is committing to improving your game. The challenge of getting better at golf is all part of the fun and as you improve you’ll find yourself enjoying the game more. Below we’ve detailed some of the best ways to improve at golf.
Golf Lessons
People often think “golf lessons are too expensive” or “I’ll get golf lessons when I’m better.” But if you build bad habits early on, it can take years to recover. Many beginners spend (and sometimes waste) a bunch of time trying to figure things out themselves.
This is fine if you want to gradually improve but if you want to get out of the beginner phase as quickly as possible, golf lessons are the way to go. Lessons can help you fast-track the initial learning phase and go from a beginner golfer to an accomplished one in no time.
Group Golf Lessons
Group lessons offer a different route for getting into golf. Rather than learning on your own, you’ll meet up with a group of beginner golfers for regular practice sessions. These are usually cheaper than individual lessons because the coach’s hourly fee is divided between the entire group. Group lessons are a fun way to learn the fundamentals of the game and get the chance to make friends with other beginner golfers.
Online Golf Lessons
Online golf lessons are the modern way to learn golf. Instead of paying for a full hour of your instructor’s time each time you meet, you can do shorter lessons when you need them. This makes online golf lessons more affordable than in-person lessons.
One benefit of online lessons is that you don’t need to schedule them in advance. When you’re ready, you send your golf swing and your coach will send you back detailed feedback for you to work on. You can learn at your own pace.
In addition, you will have a history of every golf lesson you’ve taken online so you can refer back to them whenever you are struggling.
Most importantly, with an online golf lesson, you have a coach on demand ready to answer your questions. If you are struggling after a round of golf, you don’t need to wait until your next scheduled lesson to talk to your coach. Apps like Skillest are like having a golf coach in your pocket whenever you need them.
Online Videos
Another common way people try to learn golf is by searching for videos online, for example on YouTube. The benefit of YouTube is that there is an endless amount of content to learn from. If you know exactly what you need to fix, YouTube can be a great way to search for that one issue and find videos that address it. But because there is an endless amount of content and most golfers are unable to self diagnose what they need to work on, YouTube can often send golfers down the wrong path.
There is one tried and true way to improve quickly at golf and that is to get frequent feedback from a coach. This helps you work on the most important thing that you need to get better. This is what works for the pros and the most serious golfers. Apps like Skillest now let the average amateur golfer also have the same experience at an affordable price.
Benefits of Golf Lessons for Beginners
- Learn proper technique before bad habits are ingrained in your swing.
- The quickest way to progress as a new player.
- Pros can identify which areas of your game to focus on for the fastest gains.
- You have a dedicated professional that can answer any questions you have.
- Pros can give you advice on equipment to help you save money in the long run.
Where Can Beginners Get Golf Lessons?
Beginner golfers should seek out lessons from a qualified professional. You can utilize your club pro for in-person lessons or for a more accessible way, you might consider online lessons through a platform such as Skillest.
The benefit of online lessons for beginners is that you can get access to some of the top coaches in the world no matter where you are.
If you have questions or concerns you don’t have to worry about waiting for your next lesson – you get access to a dedicated professional for tips and advice 7 days a week. If you’re interested in learning about our flexible and affordable lesson packages you can find out more here.
Practice Drills
Drills involve repeating the same task over and over to build familiarity and confidence in your game.
A famous drill would be Phil Mickelson’s putting drill, where he aims to hole 100 putts in a row moving around a 3-foot circle of the hole. If he misses a putt he has to start all over again.
This might sound tedious, but becoming robotic from this sort of range improves your game massively. When Phil is chipping or lag putting, he can aim for a 3-foot radius of the hole because he knows that once the ball gets there, he’s making the next putt.
Starting out your drills won’t be as extreme as this. However, this is a good example of how repetition and commitment to improvement directly translate to confidence and improving your golf.
If you’re not sure which type of drills can benefit your game it’s worth asking your golf coach, they will have hundreds of tried and tested drills to help you improve.
Training Aids
Training aids are a great tool for learning movement patterns and making them part of your golf swing. They offer direct feedback making them perfect for practicing when you’re alone.
A great example of a training aid for beginners are golf grips clubs, which teach you how to hold a club correctly. These are often just like a regular club but have slots that make sure your fingers are in the right position around the grip and they are also shorter so you can swing them indoors.
It’s worth taking a cautious approach as a beginner when you’re buying training aids. There are plenty of great ones out there, but many are a waste of money. Again, if you’re unsure about which training aids to use, ask your coach for a recommendation. If you don’t have a coach at least read the product reviews before committing to a purchase.
For more tips and advice on learning golf as a beginner check out our golf tips for beginners article.