A BEGINNER’S

GUIDE TO GOLF

#GETINTOGOLF
ENGLANDGOLF.ORG
 Contents
Welcome 3
What to wear 4
What’s in the bag? 5-7
Pathway into golf 8-9
Benefits of golf 10-11
Setting up your swing 12-21
Top tips to improve your golf 22-23
Learn the lingo 24-27
Competition formats 28-29
Etiquette, rules and handicapping 30-32 Welcome
Everyone welcome 33
This beginner’s guide has been designed to
Who to speak to at the club 34 provide key information for someone new
Club contacts 35 coming into the sport.

England Golf have put together everything you

need to know from the basics of what to wear
and include in a golf bag, setting up your swing
to learning the lingo and top tips to improve
your game.

2 3
 What to wear
CLOTHING
Wear comfortable clothing,
thin layers are ideal, you
can add or remove layers
depending on the weather.
FOOTWEAR
Flat soled shoes like trainers
are ideal and if you decide to
take up golf, consider buying
a pair of golf shoes.
Good shoes will breathe,
repel water and give you
comfort on the course.
WATERPROOFS
Golf is played in all weathers
so waterproofs are also very
useful to wear in the wind
and cold, they can be used
WATERPROOF
for other activities and not just
golf – so a worthy investment!
4 5
What’s in the bag?
You don’t need to buy a full
set of clubs to begin with.
Here are FOUR key clubs that
will get you round the golf
course when you first start.
1 THE WOODS
These are the longest clubs in the
bag and designed to hit the ball the
furthest. The woods are made up of:
DRIVER – this is the longest club in
the bag and used at the start of a
hole such as a par 4 or par 5 to hit
the golf ball a long way down the
fairway.
FAIRWAY WOODS – these can
be a 3 wood, 5 wood, 7 wood or
rescue and are designed to hit
the golf ball from the fairway to
the green over longer distances.
Scan the QR code to
take you to the video
 TEE
2 IRONS
A tee is used only on the tee box so is only used for
These start generally from a 3 iron and go up to
the first shot on each hole. Use a longer tee if you are
a 9 iron. The lower the number on the iron the
hitting a longer club (driver or wood) and a shorter tee
longer the shaft and ability to create more speed
if you are hitting a shorter club (iron).
to hit the ball further. The higher number irons
have more tilt/loft and are designed to hit the BALL MARKER
ball higher in the air, but for a shorter distance. Placed behind the golf ball when on the green. Used
if your ball needs to be cleaned or if your ball is in the
way of someone else’s ball obstructing their putt.
3 WEDGES
PITCH MARKER REPAIRER
These clubs are used when the golf ball hasn’t
Used to repair any indentations (pitch marks) that
quite made it to the green. These are shorter
your ball makes when it lands on the green. This helps
clubs with a lot of loft and won’t go as far as the
keep the greens nice and flat for everyone to putt on.
irons. These clubs are designed for shorter shots
higher in the air to maybe get over a bank or
PENCIL AND SCORECARD
bunker and to get the ball to stop quickly on the
Used for keeping score when playing a round of golf.
green.
GLOVE
Helps to grip better onto the club. Used on top hand
when gripping onto the club.
4 PUTTER
This is a flat faced club designed to roll the golf
ball along the green and into the hole. Scan this code to
watch a video about
golf clubs and
golfing equipment.

6 7
 Pathway into golf
As a beginner golfer, it is useful to understand the
pathway and options available from having an initial
taster session through to becoming a club member.
Below is a proposed pathway of steps that a golf club
may provide to support new golfers
1 BEGINNER SESSIONS/COURSES
Learn the basics of the game.
2 GETTING OUT ON THE COURSE
Take beginners on to the course and
introduce them to others of the same level.
6 GET A HANDICAP
Encourage members to support and engage
with new players so that they may obtain a
handicap.
iGOLF A golfer can also obtain a Handicap
Index® through iGolf. This subscription service from
England Golf is open to all non-club members and
provides a way to track your progress.
SCAN for more
information about
iGolf

3 START PLAYING WITH FRIENDS

Give beginners access to the course by letting
them pay to play a few holes so that they get the 7 ACTIVE MEMBER
feeling of the game and enjoy being out on the Playing regularly with the golf section,
course with their friends. through a variety of social and competitive
opportunities.
4 FURTHER LESSONS FROM
Scan to search for
A PGA PROFESSIONAL
To help improve and enjoy the game. clubs that offer
beginner’s sessions
in your area.
5 JOIN THE CLUB
Introductory membership, get involved with
the club, meet like minded people to play with.

8 9
 Benefits of golf
Golf is just what the doctor
ordered - friendship,
fresh air and exercise,
golf has it all

KEEPS YOU GAME FOR ALL REDUCE STRESS CONNECTS YOU

ACTIVE With its winning LEVELS WITH PEOPLE
You can walk between combination of exercise Outdoor exercise in a Golf is a social sport
four and five miles and social interaction - green space can help and can help build
per round, burning up golf is the perfect game reduce stress levels, strong connections.
to 2,000 calories and from age 8 to 80. The enhance mood and With plenty of time for
achieve the 150 minutes unique handicap system even improve your conversation and fun,
of exercise a week means everybody can self-esteem. golf is the perfect way
recommended by play together, either to make new friends or
the NHS. socially or competitively. grow closer bonds
with people you
already know.

10 11
 SETTING UP YOUR SWING
THE FOUR THINGS TO
CHECK BEFORE YOU
SWING

GA S P
= GRIP = AIM = STANCE = POSTURE

12 13
 SETTING UP YOUR SWING

Grip
This is a term used
to explain how the
golfer holds a club.

Remember:
FLAG
HAND
HIGH
for a great grip.

Pictures based on a
right-handed player.

1 2 3
Place the hand furthest Point to the flag with Slide the bottom hand
away from the target at the hand closest to the up so both hands touch.
the bottom of the grip. target and place this hand
towards the top of the grip
(flag hand highest on grip).
Scan the QR code to
take you to the video.
14 15
 SETTING UP YOUR SWING

Aim
Aim refers to the
correct positioning
to aim your ball at
the target.

Remember:
PERFECT
THE
PARALLEL
Create two parallel lines
like a railway track.

1 2
Aim your clubface Take your stance ensuring your feet are aiming
towards the target. parallel to the target line.
This creates two parallel lines like a railway track
between your clubface and your feet.

Scan the QR code to

take you to the video.
16 17
 SETTING UP YOUR SWING

Stance
Stance describes
how far apart or
close together the
feet are.

Remember:
DO THE
TWO
STEP
In sport footwork is
key. In golf we like
to do the two step.

1 2 3
Place your feet opposite Take a medium step With your feet shoulder
the ball with the ball in towards the target with width apart and the ball
the middle of your feet. your front foot. Take a in the middle of your feet
medium step away from you can draw a triangle
the target with your between your feet and
Scan the QR code to back foot. the ball.
take you to the video.
18 19
 SETTING UP YOUR SWING

Posture
Posture describes
how to position
and tilt your body
in the right way.
Remember:
BELT
BUCKLE
TO THE
BALL
for a powerful posture.

1 2 3
Stand nice and tall with Tilt forward from your Soften your knees to
the club at waist height. hips as if you are peering allow the clubhead to
over a balcony ensuring rest on the ground
your belt buckle points behind the ball.
down towards the ball.
Scan the QR code to
take you to the video.
20 21
 Top tips to improve GOLF TIPS
your golf FOR DRIVING
Find out how to hit better
and longer drives by making
Whether you’re a beginner or an small changes to your tee
experienced golf club member, there is height, body position and
swing.
always room to improve your game and
shave a few shots from your handicap.
GOLF TIPS
We’ve spoken to our England Golf performance
FOR STRIKING
coaches and PGA Professionals across England to THE BALL
ask them for the best tips for improving your golf. Find out how focusing on your
body position and your weight
transfer can help you strike the
ball cleaner off the fairway.

GOLF TIPS
FOR CHIPPING
GOLF TIPS
Find out more about how
changes to body position,
FOR FIXING
ball position and swing
A SLICE
movement can impact Find out how small changes
your chipping accuracy. to your grip, swing path and
alignment can help you hit
more fairways.

22 23
 Learn the lingo AREAS ON THE COURSE
Many sports have their own PENALTY AREA
vocabulary and golf is TEE BOX ROUGH Any sea, lake, pond,
no exception. The starting Taller grass river, ditch, surface
point for a that lines drainage ditch or
We have put together the hole. the fairway. other marked area
most commonly used golf on the course (doesn’t
have to contain water)
phrases, so you can be – defined by yellow or
completely prepared the red stakes or lines.
next time you hit the green. Scan the QR code to
take you to the video.

HOLE SCORING
PAR The allocated number of strokes (shots)
given to each hole and to the full round.
Holes on the golf course consist of a
mixture of Par 3’s, Par 4’s and Par 5’s.
This indicates the number of shots it
should take to complete the hole.
FAIRWAY
BIRDIE Scoring one under par on a hole. The well mown
grass from tee
EAGLE Scoring two under par on a hole. to green.

ALBATROSS Scoring three under par on a hole.

BOGEY Scoring one over par on a hole. OUT OF BOUNDS
When your ball goes
HOLE IN When the player gets their ball in the over a boundary of
ONE the course. These are
hole from the tee shot. often defined by GREEN
white stakes or lines. The putting surface on a hole.

‘The lower the score the bigger the bird!’

24 25
 Learn the lingo
TYPES OF SHOTS
AIR SHOT When you try to hit the ball and miss.
DRAW A shot which curves gently from right to
left and finishes at the intended target
when played by a right-handed player.
It’s the opposite for left-handers.
FADE A shot which curves gently from left to
right and finishes on the intended target,
when played by a right-handed player.
It’s the opposite for left-handers.
HOOK A shot which curves sharply right to left
and finishes to the left of the intended
target, when played by a right-handed
player. It’s the opposite for left-handers.
SLICE A shot which curves sharply left to right
and finishes right of the intended target
when played by a right-handed player.
It’s the opposite for left-handers.
OTHER TERMS
FORE If you think your ball is about to hit
someone you shout “Fore”. Shouting
“Fore left” or “Fore right” is a way of saying
“watch out!”
26
GROSS
SCORE
Total number of strokes, including
penalty strokes, that a player takes
during a round or on a hole.
HANDICAP An allowance of shots allocated to each
INDEX® player based on their ability.
The value that is calculated from scores
submitted. This is how a player tracks
their progress and is consistent with how
all golfers will be measured around the
world.
Score acceptable for Handicap purposes -
must be played over a measured and
rated tee set following the rules of
golf in an acceptable format of play, with
the score being witnessed and attested.
LOST BALL When you can’t find your ball within
three minutes of starting to look for it.
MARKER/ Someone appointed to record your score.
ATTESTER
NET SCORE Is a calculation of the gross score minus
the handicap strokes of the golfer.
PROVISIONAL Another ball that is played when you
think your ball might have gone out of
bounds or might be lost. This needs to
be played from the same spot you last
played the ball from.
READY GOLF Is a commonly used term which indicates
that players should play when they are
ready and it is safe to do so.
27
 Competition formats
You can play golf in so many different types of formats,
the most common include:
FOURSOMES* Golfers play in pairs and take alternate MATCH PLAY* Head-to-head golf. Each hole is treated
shots to complete the hole. One player will as a separate competition and players can
commence play from odd numbered holes either win, halve or lose a hole. The winner
and the other will commence from even is determined by the number of holes won.
numbered holes.

MEDAL OR Each shot is counted and added up at the

GREENSOMES* Similar to foursomes except both players STROKE
tee off at each hole before choosing which PLAY
ball to play. For the rest of the hole they
take alternate shots.
end of the round. If it’s a handicap
competition the golfer plays using their
playing handicap.

STABLEFORD A point-scoring system depending on the

shots taken on each hole. This is a very
popular format because one or two bad
holes do not rule out a good overall score.

TEXAS Texas Scramble is a popular team format

SCRAMBLE* in golf. Each player in a group tees off.
The best of these shots is then chosen to
be used for the next shot. Each member
of the team hits their shot from that spot.
This continues until you finish the hole.

*Formats of play indicated are not acceptable for handicap purposes.

28 29
 Etiquette, Rules and THE R&A RULES
Handicapping SKOOL
Have a look at the R&A Rules
Etiquette is a mixture of common sense, courtesy Skool videos aimed at junior
and means showing consideration to other golfers golfers wanting to learn more
and the course. about the Rules of Golf.
As a beginner, you can expect to make mistakes –
that’s how we learn! An example of good etiquette as a
beginner golfer would be, letting the group in front of
you be out of sight and no longer in range to be hit by HANDICAPPING
a shot before taking your shot. A handicap is a system used
Remember that other beginners will make mistakes in golf to allow golfers of all
too – so treat them with the same understanding abilities to compete on a
you would hope to receive yourself. fair and equal basis. In 2020
England Golf adopted the
REMEMBER World Handicap System™ Scan for Handicapping
There are many rules of the game but the basic (WHS). and/or Course
principle is simple: play the ball as it lies and play Rating™ info.
the course as you find it. There are two ways a golfer
can obtain a Handicap Index®
under the WHS™. Either
BASIC RULES VIDEOS as a member of a golf club
Test your knowledge on the affiliated to England Golf or
rules of golf by watching by joining iGolf, a subscription
these four short videos with service open to non-club
different scenarios on the course. members.
Scan for iGolf info.

30 31
 The Rules of Golf have developed over more than
250 years and are written and revised by the game’s Everyone welcome
governing bodies, The R&A and the United States
Golf Association. We want everyone to love the game
of golf. Beginner activities are accessible
and open to all.
Scan this QR code to download
the FREE R&A APP:
To hear from existing
RULES OF GOLF APP golfers with a disability,
FOR APPLE check out the videos on
DEVICES our YouTube channel.
Scan the code for
further information.

Scan this QR code to download

the FREE R&A APP:

RULES OF GOLF APP

FOR ANDROID
DEVICES

R&A GUIDE TO THE

RULES OF GOLF
The R&A has released a new
‘Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf’
video to help beginner golfers
become familiar with the
basics of the rules.

32 33
 Who to speak Club contacts
to at the club ROLE

The
ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Secretary/Club
NAME & CONTACT

Secretary/ Manager is normally

As a new golfer, making the transition from the driving a paid member of staff
range to the golf course can be difficult but generally clubs Club who is responsible for
offer support by providing mentors or ‘buddies’ to help you
Manager the day to day running
of the golf club. If you
get settled. This person may be an existing member who have any general queries
may also volunteer at the club to support and assist with then this person is always
new golfers and/or members. a good starting point.

Go along to sessions that the club has arranged for ‘new

ROLE ROLE DESCRIPTION NAME & CONTACT
members’, these are usually fun, social occasions to make
new members feel at ease and can link you with a ‘point PGA The PGA Professional
of contact’ in the club. This person can help you with any Professional usually runs the golf
queries as you’re getting started. shop and delivers
coaching. They may
also represent the club
It is also worth noting other key points of contact at the in competitions and
club you may come across when you first start learning. offer golfing advice to
Details of these roles can be found on the next page. members on rules and
competitions etc.

We’re so happy you’ve started your get into golf journey. ROLE ROLE DESCRIPTION NAME & CONTACT
Why not share it with us on our social channels and
First point of contact
don’t forget to visit our webpage. Club for any welfare issues or
Welfare safeguarding concerns
Officer – these could be about
yourself or anyone else
at the club. The Club
Welfare Officer has an
#GETINTOGOLF enhanced DBS (police
ENGLANDGOLF.ORG records) check and is
trained to deliver
their role.
34 35