Golf tips: start right and improve faster
New golfers improve fastest by learning a repeatable setup (grip, posture, ball position), fixing the slice early, practicing with short, focused drills, and taking a few lessons from a qualified coach. Start with our 15 things to know before your first round.
Golf is hard at first because tiny changes at address become big misses 200 yards away. The good news is that most early problems come from a handful of fundamentals: how you hold the club, how you stand, where the ball sits in your stance, and which way the clubface points at impact. This hub collects our instruction guides in a sensible order. Start with the beginner checklist so your first rounds are fun rather than stressful, then work on the slice, which is the most common miss for new and mid-handicap players. Our swing basics guide gives you drills you can do at a range or at home in ten-minute sessions, and our lessons guide explains how to find a coach, what group, private and simulator lessons are good for, and how many sessions you really need. None of this replaces a coach watching your swing, but it will make every lesson and range bucket go further.
All golf tips guides
Golf tips for beginners: 15 things to know before your first round
Golf tips for beginners: 15 things to know before your first round, from what clubs to bring and tee choice to scoring, etiquette and pace.
How to stop slicing the golf ball
How to stop slicing the golf ball: what causes a slice (open clubface, out-to-in path), grip and setup fixes, three drills and equipment that helps.
How to improve your golf swing: a beginner's guide with drills
Golf swing basics for beginners: grip, posture, ball position and tempo, plus home and range drills you can do in 10 minutes.
How to choose golf lessons (and how many you need)
How to choose golf lessons: group vs private vs simulator vs online lessons, what to ask a coach, how many lessons you need and how to find a PGA coach.
Frequently asked questions
What should a beginner golfer practice first?
Grip, posture and short-game contact. Chipping and putting make up a large share of strokes for new players, and solid setup fundamentals make full swings easier to learn.
How long does it take to get decent at golf?
It varies widely. Many adults who practice weekly and take a few lessons can play a round without slowing the group within a season; breaking 100 often takes longer.
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