Golf is as complicated as others claim it to be, and you can either trust them or find out for yourself.
In most cases, we usually settle for the latter and then find ourselves on the golf course wondering why we aren’t playing like how you see them on TV.
Golf might seem like the sissiest of all sports, but this guide will show you why it’s probably the most humbling of them all.
If, of course, you haven’t already found out for yourself.
Now, there are many things that you must understand before you get involved with something that might “drive” you insane.
Not to deter you but to help you avoid the craziness that most new golfers encounter.
So, before you pick up that driver thinking you’re going to be like Tiger Woods or Bryson DeChambeau, let’s go over some of the things you will encounter
Understand these simple tips, and you will enjoy the game of golf that much more.
Try to go out there like some tough guy, and you’ll see how much something so simple as golf can break you down.
So, before you make any decisions, here are some things you should know about golf.
Things You Should Know About Golf
If you are considering the idea of playing golf, I don’t want you to go out there saying no one told you.
If you talk to any golfer, they will all tell you the same exact thing.
Whether they are on the PGA Tour or they play it recreationally, we all go through the same things.
So, here are some things you should know about golf so you don’t try to blame anyone for your decision.
1. Golf is Not Easy
I know when you see Tiger Woods hit a golf ball, it gets you thinking that you can do that immediately.
It can’t be that hard to hit a ball with a stick, right?
Well, it is a lot harder than you think.
In the 39 years of life that I’ve been given, nothing has drained me more than the sport of golf.
I have a very decent arm when it comes to throwing a football and baseball, and I can shoot a pretty good jump shot as well. I picked up soccer a couple of years ago, and I even did well there too.
Then comes golf.
The one sport that has got me working harder than anything else I’ve ever done.
If it’s not my driver that I’m working on, it’s my putting.
If it’s not those, then it’s my irons and chipping.
And just when I feel like I’m mastering something, there’s something else that decides to give me problems.
Golf is not as easy as it seems, and I’m sure every other golfer out there can vouch. You’re going to need some serious commitment and willingness to learn, or you might just quit.
2. Golf Tutorials Might Make Things Worse
We definitely had an advantage over golfers 20 years ago.
Forget about trying to figure things out on your own, and forget about spending hundreds of dollars on a coach.
Thanks to this thing called the internet, we have access to all kinds of YouTube tutorials.
However, as a new golfer, things can become very complicated and confusing if you’re not careful.
You follow what one “pro,” says, and you practice that technique for about a month.
You soon learn that it’s not quite working for you.
Then you find another video, follow what that dude says, and end up back to feeling like you’re a complete newb again.
Everyone is different, and the same thing goes for you.
What works for one person might not work for another.
With golf, you will see that everyone has a different approach to things.
What you see on TV will not be what you see at the driving range and on the golf course.
With that being said, go about golfing tutorials with a grain of salt.
Give it a try but don’t feel that you need to stick to it just because someone on YouTube recommended it.
3. You Are Not Tiger Woods
As a new golfer, you want to go out there and do things as a regular human would.
Sometimes you have that natural swing, and sometimes you could use some help.
In golf or any sport, things should always be natural.
The way you hold a club, the way you swing it, and everything else that requires you to physically do something.
The worst thing you can do as a beginner is to try to be like your favorite golfer.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t copy what they do but go about things in a way that is natural for you.
Whatever the case may be, do things your way and then resort to some advice later.
Doing this will help you develop that natural feeling, which will only require a few tweaks here and there.
Try to follow what someone says early on in your golf adventure, and you’ll see that things will feel very unnatural.
The worst part about it all is that you can also get hurt.
So do things naturally first and then seek advice from YouTube later.
You never know, you might just have that natural golf swing that doesn’t need to be changed.
4. Golf is Not Cheap
The fact that golf is expensive has probably crossed your ears in the past, and that’s because, well, it is.
Is it the golf clubs?
Maybe it’s the cost of playing at a golf course?
How about it’s every single thing that is involved with the sport?
That about sums up why golf is so darn expensive.
Imagine taking that brand new, all-white Titleist ProV1 golf ball that costs almost $4 and hitting it right into the water.
Now, imagine doing that on your next shot and the rest of the course.
2 boxes and almost $100 later, you’re out of balls and resorting to a used ball that just so happens to be in your bag.
Yup, that alone will eat at your wallet.
So, if you have heard that golf is expensive, it really is.
As a golf newb, get a decent set of clubs, and lots of used golf balls, and hit the cheapest course out there.
Once you get better (hopefully), then you can think about buying some premium golf equipment.
For now, anything will work.
5. Golf is Time Consuming
If you think you’re going to be a pro in a month or even a year, you might want to think again.
Golf is beyond complicated, and will take a really long time before you can even start enjoying the game.
So guess what that means for you?
It means lots and lots of time being dedicated to you becoming a better golfer.
It means lots and lots of time learning how to drive the ball further, hit your irons better, and putt better to keep your score down.
All of this will require you to set time aside for golf, and trust me, it’s going to take lots and lots of time.
6. Golf Can Be Stressful
Golf is a finesse sport and looks very relaxing on TV.
The way the golfers hit and putt a ball, all the way to how beautiful a golf course is, can have us thinking this is our way to relieve stress.
It can and should do the job, but if you’re new to the game, it can have you pulling your hair out.
Learning how to play golf and understanding the rules is one thing.
Now, trying to get the ball to do what you want it to do is a different ballgame.
As I mentioned earlier, it is going to take tons of practice and lots of dedication, and patience.
If you don’t possess such qualities, then you’re going to have a hard time not being stressed.
Refrain from throwing and breaking clubs, or you’ll only stress yourself out even more.
I mean, what did the club do to you anyway?
7. Golf Is Humbling
When you first think about playing golf (especially you muscle heads), you want to get a driver and smack that ball into outer space.
That’s what you think until you see how hard it is to hit a golf ball straight.
It’s even worse when you see some young dude that weighs as much as your right leg hitting the ball 300+ yards.
Only then will you quit trying to impress everyone with your amazing strength.
Then you’ll get to chipping and putting, which requires even less muscle.
Golf will humble the cockiest of people in this world.
It will put you in your place faster than your wife can.
But in the end, it’s all worth it.
You’ll forget about driving the ball for miles, and you’ll spend more time trying to hit fairways.
That’s part of the process and one that I’m sure you’ll appreciate.
Conclusion – Play Golf Anyway
Golf is amazing, and you’ll love everything about it.
Regardless of how challenging and expensive things will be, you’ll find the satisfaction that comes with the most humbling sport in the world.
I hope these tips will help you gain a better understanding of what golf is all about, and I hope you pick up a golf set and never put it down.
There’s a lot to learn and know, but it will be worth every single penny.
If you have any experience or tips with beginner golf, please do share them in the comments section below.
Until next time, keep those scores down and always strive to improve your game.
