Beginner Golf - How to Play Golf Concepts

By Nicholas Bielawski

Are you a beginner golfer? Do you want to know how to play golf? If so, then we need to go over what you know (or think you know) about golf.

Let's start with a simple concept. This occurs before you even grip or swing a club. What you are thinking regarding how to play golf or swinging a club is giving you very little chance of striking the ball well.

Most beginner golfers have the concept of 'lifting the ball up' to get it in the air. This is one of the single most destructive swing concepts in golf. Let's go over a few things first. Each club is specifically built with loft or upward angle on the face. This club specification is designed to elevate the ball without you having to help it. This feature, designed with the grooves and the aerodynamic ability of the ball will provide the flight you require.

Sometimes just a change in thought pattern can achieve a better result. Combining a thought with a better movement pattern can really accelerate the improvement.

Have you ever watched golf on tv? Have you noticed the divots that players take on all iron shots? This occurs because the player has struck down on the ball and used the loft of the club correctly. Yes, in golf down equals up!

Here's how you do it

In the backswing, you should rotate your body into your trail hip ensuring that your trail foot stays stable on the ground. In the downswing you should shift your weight by lightly bumping your lead hip towards the target and rotating your hips. This should place a majority of your weight on the lead leg. Most players who are trying to lift the ball in the air have their weight on the back foot at impact and have both feet flat on the ground well into the follow through.

This moves the low point of the swing behind the ball which means that you will either hit the ground behind the ball and lose massive distance or miss the ground altogether and hit the top of the ball. This topped shot flies really low and again loses valuable distance.

At impact you need your hands slightly ahead of the ball with your lead wrist flat and your right wrist bent. I advise that you check this in a mirror and practice from inside a doorway where you can rest the shaft of the club on the wall. This wall exercise will give you the feel for where your hands are at impact.

The next exercise I advise is to practice a 'line drill,' draw a long line with a piece of chalk, marking paint or simply draw a line in a sandy or dirt area. With your feet placed either side of the line practice swinging the club and striking the front part of the line (target side). We are looking to make a divot the size of a dollar bill. Too big a divot and energy is lost, too little means there is not enough force going down to compress the ball. If you can do this 3 times in a row then you are ready to place a ball down. Simply make the same swing and the ball will get in the way of the downward strike and go into the air.

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