Beginners Guide To Learning How To Play Golf

In every sport there is an instance of rules that when crossed, will result in some form of penalty for the guilty player or team. But in golf, the rules are different.

Although there are rules in place, more emphasis is placed upon the idea of proper golf etiquette. As they say, golf is a gentleman's game, and use of adequate golf etiquette, backs up this statement.

Golf etiquette is particularly important when playing on a professional golf course. If proper golf etiquette is not followed here you will run the risk of being banned from ever playing on that particular course ever again.

And golf etiquette is also important if you're playing with someone who you don't know that well, or a client for instance. It's a way of giving off a good impression if you know proper golf etiquette. If you fail to show good golf etiquette it can change a persons opinion of you.

So make sure you read on to know some basic golf etiquette guidelines that you can follow straight away.

Golf Etiquette For Safety

Let's start with golf safety related etiquette. Golf can be sometimes a dangerous sport. So following the rules for golf safety is very important. Being aware of those that are around you and only swinging when there is plenty of room around you is perhaps common sense to you, but for many it's forgotten.

You must not start the hole until the group in front you have completely cleared off the hole you are teeing from. You must never throw your clubs in anger anywhere on the golf course. In addition, if your course has golf carts, make sure you follow the golf cart guideline rules too.

Etiquette Towards Fellow Players

The next set of golf rules and etiquette you should follow is related to other players, and being respectful towards them.

To start off, you should always keep up a good pace between shots and always be ready to take your shot when your turn comes. If your pace drops and the golfers behind you begin to wait for you, you should let them play through the hole that you are on.

You should always repair any divots that may occur on your shots, and any ball marks made in the sand traps should be raked over before moving onto the next shot. These simple golf etiquette guidelines allow you and others to enjoy a more harmonious game.

On Course Golf Etiquette

The next set of golf rules are aimed towards a good standard of manners with regards to the course you're playing on. You should never talk during a persons swing, as this can be very distracting. You should also be aware of the shadow you are making on the putting green. It should always be out of the way of those that are putting.

You should never walk through a golfers putting line. It's always a lot better to walk around behind the golfer and the ball.

Always remember, proper golf etiquette is not demanded in a lot of cases, but that doesn't mean you should not abide by these un-written rules of the course. It is a gentleman's game, and respect is a gentleman's characteristic.

I have touched on the basics of golf etiquette here, you should go and read through more un-written golf etiquette rules at :

http://www.golfingvalley.com/beginners_section/golf_etiquette.html

Why is the golf grip so important?

The golf grip is the only way that you connect with the golf club itself.

The proper golf club grip allows you to control the position of the club face as your body turns in the swing to create power. Now, with the body rotating, your golf club must rotate in sync with it. So, your body must work with your club together as a team.

The use of the correct grip is important as it allows you to create both power and feel at the same time. One error when holding the club is holding it too much in the palm of your hands. This reduces wrist action, which is one of the main power sources in the golf swing.

Placing the club more in the fingers allows for more feel and more hinge in the wrists, which in turn creates more power in your shots.

One of the very common errors I see with beginner golfers is the weak lead hand on the grip (grip that is too much in the palm). Gripping a golf club like this produces a slice and a lack of power in the swing.

There are three primary golf grips

How should you grip a golf club? Well, there are three primary ways you can hold a golf club. You can use the Vardon grip, the ten finger grip, or the interlocking grip. The grip you choose depends entirely on your physical ability and attributes.

• The Vardon Overlap, sometimes called the Overlapping Grip, is the most common grip among great players. Harry Vardon popularized this grip around the turn of the 20th Century. This grip places the club in the fingers and is the grip most likely to be taught by golf instructors.



• The next most common grip is called the Interlock, or Interlocking. This grip is very popular on the LPGA Tour and has been used by many top male players including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
  
  This grip literally locks the hands together, but the golfer also runs the risk of having the handle stray into the palms of the hands. People with small hands, weak forearms and wrists, and beginners in many cases prefer this style of grip.



• The Ten Finger grip (sometimes called the Baseball Grip) is the least preferred grip among teachers. It does, however, have its advantages.
  
  Hall of Fame Member Beth Daniel, PGA Tour members Bob Estes and Dave Barr and Masters Champion Art Wall Jr. have all used the Ten Finger grip. Teachers often suggest this grip to beginners as it simplifies early instruction.
  
  People who experience joint pain, have arthritis or small, weak hands often benefit by using the Ten Finger grip.

Read more on how to grip a golf club.