It can be hard to learn how to golf, whether you want to take on a new challenge, make it a lifelong hobby, or just keep up with your coworkers.
From someone who played golf in college at the Division I level, this is the best place to start.
The two places you can start are:
- In-person lessons
- Online golf instruction
The first option may cost more, but it is the fastest way to begin. Even though the second one is less expensive, it can be hard to get started because you’ll have so many questions!
How do I find in-person golf lessons?
It can be hard to find in-person golf lessons because you have to think about a few things:
- How good the teacher is
- How much lessons cost
- Getting close to your house
I believe that the best way to find lessons close to you is to go to a few different golf courses and driving fields and ask them about their lesson plans in person. There are a lot of great golf teachers that you won’t be able to find online because most of them don’t have good online presences.
For a novice, how much would it cost to take golf lessons?
Golf lessons typically cost between $75 and $150 per hour, with the average cost falling somewhere around the middle. To put this into perspective, a teacher will typically provide classes once per week, which results in a monthly cost of between $300 to $600.
You might also consider taking group golf lessons if you are interested in saving some money. Group golf lessons are typically a little less expensive than individual lessons, and they also provide the additional benefit of having a small group of other beginners to learn with.
There are several instances in which you might come across group classes that are presented by an instructor and are titled “Basics of Golf for Adults – Group Lesson” or something comparable. These will often cost between half and one-fourth of the price of a one-on-one instruction in person. An in-person, group instruction package (which includes several weeks of lessons) will typically cost between $100 and $300. This is the general range of prices. The average cost of this is less than fifty dollars for each lesson!
How to find golf instructors at your local golf course
Nearly every golf course will have at least two teaching professionals:
- PGA Head Professional
- PGA Assistant Professional
These professionals hold PGA certificates and are typically in charge of not just the instructional programs at that golf course, but also ensuring that the course operates smoothly. In addition, they are responsible for doing the course’s maintenance.
You will be able to purchase individual classes or lesson packages from either of these providers in 95% of the cases.
All that is required of you is to walk into the pro shop and inquire about the various lesson packages that they have available. Utilizing this method is a very frequent technique to locate a fantastic instructor in your area.
Will I be able to take lessons at a country club?
Some of the most qualified instructors are those who are in charge of golf instruction at private country clubs. A number of country clubs do not permit members of the general public to attend and take instruction, although there are several that do.
Calling the pro shop at the country club and inquiring about whether or not they provide golf lessons to the general public is your best chance in this situation.
How to find golf instructors at a driving range
Although it is not as frequent, it is possible that you have a driving range that is located close to your home and that is equipped with PGA teaching pros on staff.
In order to run their coaching business, these professionals will rent space at the driving range and use that facility for their business.
I am a former golfer who competed at the university level, and I find that my personal swing instructor is at a driving range in my area.
What is the recommended number of golf lessons for a beginner?
There is no real need to ever quit taking lessons, provided that you are able to pay them and that you are enjoying the instructor that you are working with. Because your swing is always changing as a golfer, and because it is easy to develop poor habits if you are not monitoring your swing, even experienced golfers take lessons on a daily or weekly basis. This is because your swing is continuously growing.
People who are merely seeking for a “quickstart” can consider purchasing a “lesson package” from a local golf coach. This is something that I would recommend to you. This is something that the majority of instructors provide, and it typically lasts for a few months. It is possible that this will allow you to save some money and provide you with the “jumpstart” that you require as a newbie. Due to the fact that the initial few months of learning golf may be extremely difficult, having someone to guide you through the process is of great benefit.
As soon as you begin to feel a little bit more at ease, you will be able to stop taking as many lessons and begin practicing on your own at the driving range or course for independent driving.
How to get online lessons to learn golf
For free, you can learn how to play golf on many websites, including this one.
Online golf lessons can be one of the best ways to learn, but they work best for players who are self-motivated and want to get better without much help.
Here are some things on my site that will help you begin your trip!
How do I practice my golf game?
There are three common places you can practice your game.
- Playing at a golf course
- Practicing at a driving range
- Practicing indoors on either a simulator or a DIY practice area
How do I play on a golf course?
When you are just starting out as a novice, it is generally recommended that you spend at least a few weeks at a driving range before you step foot on the actual course. This is primarily because when you are playing on a course, you will most likely be playing at the same time as other golfers, and they will expect you to maintain a good “pace of play” (on average, a single hole should not take you more than fifteen minutes to complete).
As a result of the fact that this might be a significant amount of pressure for novice golfers who are attempting to learn the golf swing, I believe that beginning lessons at a driving range is your best bet.
It is appropriate to play your first round of golf if you have reached a point where you are hitting the ball with a bit more consistency.
A “tee time” is a fancy way of saying “reservation” in the world of golf, and in order to accomplish this, you will need to be able to make one. You can make a reservation for a tee time online; but, if you are just starting out, I would suggest calling the golf course and inquiring about the times that are available and the cost of making the reservation.
The fact that you are unable to make a reservation for a tee time at a private country club without first becoming a member is an essential point to emphasize. It’s possible that some people will find this to be self-evident, but I thought I’d bring it up just in case. A course’s website, or even simply the course’s name, ought should be able to tell you if the course is open to the public or closed to the public. The term “Country Club” is typically included in the name of private clubs in some capacity.
How should I go about exercising at a driving range?
If you don’t live in the middle of nowhere, there are probably a few public driving fields close by where you can work on your golf swing. Different driving courses will charge different amounts of money for a bucket of golf balls. The prices range from $5 to $20.
A lot of public golf courses have driving fields where you can work on your game. Most of the time, a driving range that isn’t connected to a golf course will be cheaper. However, practicing at the driving range on a golf course can be nice because most of them have a practice putting hole nearby that you can use to improve your putting.
How do I practice indoors?
Indoor practice might be challenging and is not my preferred approach; but, if you reside in a chilly location, you might not have any other choice except to practice indoors.
The good news is that the majority of major cities will have a few establishments that provide golf simulators. These simulators may be a great place to practice because they provide a semi-realistic feel of playing on a real golf course without the inconvenience of having to contend with the chilly weather.
On the off chance that you are looking for more effective techniques to practice indoors, I have published a few pieces that might be of assistance to you.
Hi, I’m Sarah Thompson, a passionate player and writer from the United States. I’ve been immersed in the world of golf for over 15 years, playing in amateur events and refining my skills on the green. At 40, I mix my love for the sport with my writing, creating pieces that aim to help golfers of all levels improve their game and find joy in every swing.