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| Meta Title | 20 tips for new golfers picking up the game, courtesy of fellow golfers |
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| Boilerpipe Text | September 4, 2020
Golf can be an intimidating sport to begin playing. Let us veteran golfers help you out.
Getty Images
Droves of new golfers have been taking up the game in recent months, as golf establishes itself as the ideal
social-distancing sport for the modern era.
So, I put the question to members of our
How To Hit Every Shot Facebook group
, a free instruction group
that you can join yourself right here.
Here’s what they came back with:
1. Don’t become a range rat
This is actually great advice. Always remember that while the driving range is great practice,
don’t get too comfortable there.
Don’t be afraid to hit the course!
2. Taking lessons is worth the money
Equipment upgrades are great and necessary, but sometimes, rather than spending $100+ on yet another item, spending that money
on a lesson can pay big dividends
.
3. Start with chip shots
Starting with short chip shots, when you’re an ultra newcomer, can be helpful in learning the basic (and most important) foundation of the golf swing: Learning how to put the clubface on the golf ball.
4. Get familiar with basic etiquette
I’m not going an etiquette stickler. But it’s important to learn some of the
basic things. That way
, you won’t step in my line.
6. Get “fitted” for clubs
You don’t need to get fit right away, but once you start to get serious,
poorly-fit clubs
can cause long-term issues in your golf swing.
7. Keep your head down on putts
Get used to listening
to the ball go into the hole without necessarily looking up to see it drop.
9. Have a short memory
Bad shots will come. They’ll come often. That’s just golf. Don’t take them too seriously and don’t dwell on them. Get a few lessons.
10. Don’t bounce around coaches
Find a coach you like
, of course, but once you do, stick with them. Don’t go bouncing around looking for a quick fix.
12. Patience
There’ll be days when you play that will leave you wondering why you play at all. There’ll be times when you feel like you’re not improving. Golf is a strange game, but say patient and it will always reward you.
13. Don’t play hero ball
Hit the shot you know you can hit, not the one-in-10 shot that you are capable of hitting. Golf is a game of misses.
14. Always stay balanced
When you’re starting out, swaying back and forth in your golf swing will only make it harder to put the clubface on the ball. Stay
balanced during your swing,
and always make sure to stick your finish.
15. Pick up after eight strokes
Play golf however you want, but if you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid of picking after eight shots. Don’t feel obligated to finish every hole, just go out and have fun trying to hit good shots.
18. Never forget the fundamentals
Nailing down your setup
will fix issues in your golf swing before they even arise.
19. Play fast and don’t lose your temper
Most golfers don’t care how good you are at the game. You can be a great golfer
and
a fun golfer to play around with. Keep your temper under control and play fast. Then you’ll be a joy to play with.
20. Have fun
The most important one. It’s just a game; it’s supposed to be fun. Enjoy yourself, and enjoy the journey!
Luke Kerr-Dineen
Golf.com Contributor
Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. In his role he oversees the brand’s game improvement content spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.
An alumni of the International Junior Golf Academy and the University of South Carolina–Beaufort golf team, where he helped them to No. 1 in the national NAIA rankings, Luke moved to New York in 2012 to pursue his Masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University.
 His work has also appeared in USA Today, Golf Digest, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.
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# 20 tips for new golfers, from fellow golfers
By: [Luke Kerr-Dineen](https://golf.com/writers/lkd/)
September 4, 2020
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Golf can be an intimidating sport to begin playing. Let us veteran golfers help you out.
Getty Images
Droves of new golfers have been taking up the game in recent months, as golf establishes itself as the ideal [social-distancing sport for the modern era.](https://golf.com/instruction/social-distance-golf-course-mit-oxford-scientists/)
So, I put the question to members of our [How To Hit Every Shot Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/HowToHitEveryShot/permalink/599053327440665/), a free instruction group [that you can join yourself right here.](https://www.facebook.com/groups/HowToHitEveryShot/) Here’s what they came back with:
1\. Don’t become a range rat
2\. Taking lessons is worth the money
3\. Start with chip shots
4\. Get familiar with basic etiquette
5\. Master your grip
6\. Get “fitted” for clubs
7\. Keep your head down on putts
8\. Aim for the center of the green and not the flags
9\. Have a short memory
10\. Don’t bounce around coaches
11\. Find your tempo early
12\. Patience
13\. Don’t play hero ball
14\. Always stay balanced
15\. Pick up after eight strokes
16\. Tee it forward
17\. Find a book as a guide
18\. Never forget the fundamentals
19\. Play fast and don’t lose your temper
20\. Have fun

### 1\. Don’t become a range rat
This is actually great advice. Always remember that while the driving range is great practice, [don’t get too comfortable there.](https://golf.com/instruction/10-reasons-you-hit-ball-better-on-range/) Don’t be afraid to hit the course\!
### 2\. Taking lessons is worth the money
Equipment upgrades are great and necessary, but sometimes, rather than spending \$100+ on yet another item, spending that money [on a lesson can pay big dividends](https://golf.com/news/golf-magazines-top-100-teachers-in-america/).

### 3\. Start with chip shots
Starting with short chip shots, when you’re an ultra newcomer, can be helpful in learning the basic (and most important) foundation of the golf swing: Learning how to put the clubface on the golf ball.
### 4\. Get familiar with basic etiquette
I’m not going an etiquette stickler. But it’s important to learn some of the [basic things. That way](https://golf.com/instruction/rules/most-annoying-etiquette-mistakes/), you won’t step in my line.

### 5\. Master your grip
[Starting with a good grip,](https://golf.com/instruction/better-golf-club-grip-press-penny/) like you see above, is so important. [A bad grip](https://golf.com/contributor/tim-reilly/) can cause so many issues in your golf swing.
### 6\. Get “fitted” for clubs
You don’t need to get fit right away, but once you start to get serious, [poorly-fit clubs](https://golf.com/gear/best-50-clubfitters-north-america-directory/) can cause long-term issues in your golf swing.
### 7\. Keep your head down on putts
[Get used to listening](https://golf.com/instruction/putting/high-handicappers-short-putt-mistakes/) to the ball go into the hole without necessarily looking up to see it drop.

### 8\. Aim for the center of the green and not the flags
[It’s true for the pros](https://practical-golf.com/decade-scott-fawcett/), and it’s true for beginners, too.
### 9\. Have a short memory
Bad shots will come. They’ll come often. That’s just golf. Don’t take them too seriously and don’t dwell on them. Get a few lessons.
### 10\. Don’t bounce around coaches
[Find a coach you like](https://golf.com/news/golf-magazines-top-100-teachers-in-america/), of course, but once you do, stick with them. Don’t go bouncing around looking for a quick fix.

### 11\. Find your tempo early
Good tempo, aka the speed and rhythm with which you swing the golf club, can cover for a lot of ills early. Swinging fast is fine, [but as long as you’re always swinging smoothly.](https://golf.com/instruction/driving/orange-whip-golf-training-aid-tempo-swing-speed-buy/)
### 12\. Patience
There’ll be days when you play that will leave you wondering why you play at all. There’ll be times when you feel like you’re not improving. Golf is a strange game, but say patient and it will always reward you.
### 13\. Don’t play hero ball
Hit the shot you know you can hit, not the one-in-10 shot that you are capable of hitting. Golf is a game of misses.

### 14\. Always stay balanced
When you’re starting out, swaying back and forth in your golf swing will only make it harder to put the clubface on the ball. Stay [balanced during your swing,](https://golf.com/instruction/driving/add-power-learn-difference-swaying-stacking/) and always make sure to stick your finish.
### 15\. Pick up after eight strokes
Play golf however you want, but if you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid of picking after eight shots. Don’t feel obligated to finish every hole, just go out and have fun trying to hit good shots.
### 16\. Tee it forward
This is important for *all* golfers. [Most courses have a number of different tee boxes](https://golf.com/instruction/dont-get-peer-pressured-into-playing-the-wrong-tees/?_thumbnail_id=15415467). Play the right ones for your ability, and when you’re starting out, that means teeing it forward.
### 17\. Find a book as a guide
There are a ton of great ones; [here are a few of my favorites.](https://golf.com/instruction/these-are-my-favorite-golf-instruction-books-for-new-golfers/)

### 18\. Never forget the fundamentals
[Nailing down your setup](https://golf.com/instruction/perfect-golf-swing-balanced-setup/) will fix issues in your golf swing before they even arise.
### 19\. Play fast and don’t lose your temper
Most golfers don’t care how good you are at the game. You can be a great golfer *and* a fun golfer to play around with. Keep your temper under control and play fast. Then you’ll be a joy to play with.

### 20\. Have fun
The most important one. It’s just a game; it’s supposed to be fun. Enjoy yourself, and enjoy the journey\!
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#### Luke Kerr-Dineen
Golf.com Contributor
Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. In his role he oversees the brand’s game improvement content spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.
An alumni of the International Junior Golf Academy and the University of South Carolina–Beaufort golf team, where he helped them to No. 1 in the national NAIA rankings, Luke moved to New York in 2012 to pursue his Masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University. His work has also appeared in USA Today, Golf Digest, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.
- [Author Facebook Account](https://www.facebook.com/LKDGolf)
- [Author Twitter Account](https://www.twitter.com/LukeKerrDineen)
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| Readable Markdown | September 4, 2020

Golf can be an intimidating sport to begin playing. Let us veteran golfers help you out.
Getty Images
Droves of new golfers have been taking up the game in recent months, as golf establishes itself as the ideal [social-distancing sport for the modern era.](https://golf.com/instruction/social-distance-golf-course-mit-oxford-scientists/)
So, I put the question to members of our [How To Hit Every Shot Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/HowToHitEveryShot/permalink/599053327440665/), a free instruction group [that you can join yourself right here.](https://www.facebook.com/groups/HowToHitEveryShot/) Here’s what they came back with:

### 1\. Don’t become a range rat
This is actually great advice. Always remember that while the driving range is great practice, [don’t get too comfortable there.](https://golf.com/instruction/10-reasons-you-hit-ball-better-on-range/) Don’t be afraid to hit the course\!
### 2\. Taking lessons is worth the money
Equipment upgrades are great and necessary, but sometimes, rather than spending \$100+ on yet another item, spending that money [on a lesson can pay big dividends](https://golf.com/news/golf-magazines-top-100-teachers-in-america/).

### 3\. Start with chip shots
Starting with short chip shots, when you’re an ultra newcomer, can be helpful in learning the basic (and most important) foundation of the golf swing: Learning how to put the clubface on the golf ball.
### 4\. Get familiar with basic etiquette
I’m not going an etiquette stickler. But it’s important to learn some of the [basic things. That way](https://golf.com/instruction/rules/most-annoying-etiquette-mistakes/), you won’t step in my line.
### 6\. Get “fitted” for clubs
You don’t need to get fit right away, but once you start to get serious, [poorly-fit clubs](https://golf.com/gear/best-50-clubfitters-north-america-directory/) can cause long-term issues in your golf swing.
### 7\. Keep your head down on putts
[Get used to listening](https://golf.com/instruction/putting/high-handicappers-short-putt-mistakes/) to the ball go into the hole without necessarily looking up to see it drop.
### 9\. Have a short memory
Bad shots will come. They’ll come often. That’s just golf. Don’t take them too seriously and don’t dwell on them. Get a few lessons.
### 10\. Don’t bounce around coaches
[Find a coach you like](https://golf.com/news/golf-magazines-top-100-teachers-in-america/), of course, but once you do, stick with them. Don’t go bouncing around looking for a quick fix.
### 12\. Patience
There’ll be days when you play that will leave you wondering why you play at all. There’ll be times when you feel like you’re not improving. Golf is a strange game, but say patient and it will always reward you.
### 13\. Don’t play hero ball
Hit the shot you know you can hit, not the one-in-10 shot that you are capable of hitting. Golf is a game of misses.

### 14\. Always stay balanced
When you’re starting out, swaying back and forth in your golf swing will only make it harder to put the clubface on the ball. Stay [balanced during your swing,](https://golf.com/instruction/driving/add-power-learn-difference-swaying-stacking/) and always make sure to stick your finish.
### 15\. Pick up after eight strokes
Play golf however you want, but if you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid of picking after eight shots. Don’t feel obligated to finish every hole, just go out and have fun trying to hit good shots.

### 18\. Never forget the fundamentals
[Nailing down your setup](https://golf.com/instruction/perfect-golf-swing-balanced-setup/) will fix issues in your golf swing before they even arise.
### 19\. Play fast and don’t lose your temper
Most golfers don’t care how good you are at the game. You can be a great golfer *and* a fun golfer to play around with. Keep your temper under control and play fast. Then you’ll be a joy to play with.

### 20\. Have fun
The most important one. It’s just a game; it’s supposed to be fun. Enjoy yourself, and enjoy the journey\!

#### Luke Kerr-Dineen
Golf.com Contributor
Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. In his role he oversees the brand’s game improvement content spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.
An alumni of the International Junior Golf Academy and the University of South Carolina–Beaufort golf team, where he helped them to No. 1 in the national NAIA rankings, Luke moved to New York in 2012 to pursue his Masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University. His work has also appeared in USA Today, Golf Digest, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.
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| Unparsed URL | com,golf!/instruction/20-tips-for-new-golfers-from-fellow-golfers/ s443 |