Basic Golfing Tips for Beginners: 3

The term ‘the long game’ refers to your drives (shots off the tee) and fairway shots; that is every shot except the shots you make to actually get onto the green.

Since each hole has a different difficulty level, different par and distinctive hazards, telling you to use your driver on every tee would blatantly be quite wrong.

But don’t worry about it. This is something that you will have to learn with experience as you learn the various types shot you need to make, which will vary according to the club, the placement of the ball and your own personal style of swing.

As a rule of thumb, the lower the number of the club, the longer and lower your ball will travel through the air. For example, a 4-iron will make the ball travel on a long and low trajectory and will most likely roll when it hits the ground, whereas a 9-iron will give the ball much more loft and it will go less distance both in the air and over the ground.

Don’t the professionals on the television make it look easy? They whack the ball long and straight time after time after time and never slice the ball sending it a sickly eight or nine feet or miss the ball altogether.

Driving is very important to the game, and many hours spent at the driving range will help improve your distance. Experiment with the same club to see what works for you if you move the ball forward or backward in your stance. Take a lesson, if possible, and learn the proper swing from the beginning.

You need to get to grips with ‘the long game’ as it will ensure that you get to the green in fewer strokes, which will keep your score level and frustration level down. Bear in mind that it takes a long time to learn to be consistent and also always remember: you’re supposed to be having a good time!