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Golf Beginner Guide 4
Golf Beginner Guide 4
GOLF WAS FEATURED IN THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES IN 1900 AND 1904,
BUT NOT AGAIN UNTIL 2016’S RIO OLYMPIC GAMES IN BRAZIL.
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T H E F U N D A M E N TA L S O F G O L F
The two guiding principles behind the Rules of Golf are to play the ball
as it lies and to play the course as you find it. In its simplest form, golf
is about playing the ball from teeing area to the hole by hitting it with a
golf club, and not otherwise touching the ball. A fundamental challenge
of the sport is to deal with whatever position your ball comes to rest in –
whether good or bad. While there are some necessary exceptions (such as
obstructions and other abnormal course conditions), the essential nature
of golf means these must remain exceptions rather than the norm.
Unlike sports with a standardized court, field, or pool dimensions, golf
courses come in all shapes and styles. The Old Course in St. Andrews, the
world’s oldest course, was once 22 holes, but later shortened to 18. Today,
most golf courses are 18 holes but there are many 9-hole courses, and
even some that are an unusual number like 6 or 12. Golf courses can be
found in deserts, along oceans, and in forests. It’s played on all types of
grasses and climates. The only truly uniform thing about a golf course is
the size of the hole: 4 ¼ inches in diameter.
Unit of Measure
Golf courses in North America and many other parts
of the world are measured in yards. Many courses
abroad are measured in meters.
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GOLF EQUIPMENT
A Putter Irons
This is the “flatstick” club that you use on and around A club with a flat-faced, solid metal head. A full
the putting green. They come in a variety of different iron set is typically a 4-PW (8 clubs). Golfers can
styles from mallets to weighted to blades. The most customize how many irons vs. fairway metals they
important thing is finding one with the proper length would like to keep in their bag.
that lets you naturally hang your arms for a smooth
stroke.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THE BIGGEST OR STRONGEST GOLFER TO HIT THE BALL THE
FARTHEST. HAND-EYE COORDINATION AND FLEXIBILITY ARE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO
THE GOLF SWING. RORY MCILROY, ONE OF THE LONGEST DRIVERS ON THE PGA TOUR
EACH YEAR, IS ONLY 5’10” AND 160 POUNDS! 3
D R E S S E D T O P L AY
Golf glove
Distance measuring device
A glove provides a tackier grip on the
Once your golf game improves to the
club and can also protect your hand from
point where you have consistency in
blisters.
how far you hit your respective clubs,
a distance measuring device will come
Golf hat
in handy to tell you how far away you
It’s usually sunny when you play golf. A
are. Many courses also mark sprinkler
hat can protect your face from the sun and
heads on the course with yardage to
also keep sweat off your eyes.
the center of the green or install 100,
150 and 200-yard plates in the fairway.
Smartphone golf apps also offer GPS
capability.
Many families play golf because it’s one of the safest sports for all ages.
But the threat of moving balls and clubs along in an outdoor environment
means you should always be aware of these potential hazards.
IN 2014, LUCY LI BECAME THE YOUNGEST TO EVER QUALIFY FOR THE U.S. WOMEN’S
OPEN AT AGE 11.
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GOLF ETIQUETTE 101
Over the last few centuries, golf has cultivated its very own culture,
language and mannerisms. It’s true, golfers can sound and act pretty
crazy! The phrase “Golf etiquette” means having proper manners with your
playing partners during a round and treating the course properly during
your round.
Here are a few basic etiquette items to be aware of that will make you look
like a seasoned pro on the golf course.
Standing in the line of sight of another golfer on the putting green is distracting, both in front of them and
behind them. Stand off to the side instead. Be mindful of your shadow as well.
Maintaining a steady pace of play is important regardless of your ability. Always try to be at your ball and ready
to hit when it’s your turn. If you are having a rough hole and it is not a competition, it is okay to pick up your
ball and move on to the next tee to not hold up the group.
If your playing partners hit a ball into the rough or trees, it is customary to help them look for the ball for the
allotted three minutes.
Always leave a golf course in better shape than you found it. Replace divots, rake bunkers, fix ball marks made
on the green and cause no unnecessary damage to the course.
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GOLF TERMS EXPLAINED
ALBATROSS A score of three under par, also known FLAGSTICK A movable pole that is placed in the
as a double eagle. This is the hardest score in golf, hole to show players where the hole is. Players may
much rarer than a hole-in-one. take it out before their shots if they would like.
ALIGNMENT The position of a player’s stance and GROUND UNDER REPAIR A marked section of
body relative to the ball and target. the course where the ground is unfit for play. Players
may take free relief from this area.
AWAY After the tee shot, the order of play is
determined by the player farthest from the hold, who LOFT The angle between a club’s shaft and clubface.
is “away.” Higher loft causes the ball to go higher and generally
shorter.
BALL MARKER A small, flat object, usually circular,
that can be used on the putting green to mark your LOOSE IMPEDIMENT Any unattached natural
ball so you can pick it up to clean it or move it out of objects like stones, sticks, and leaves. Golfers may
the way of another player. move these without penalty so long as the ball does
not move.
BIRDIE A score one less than par.
OUT OF BOUNDS All areas outside the boundary
PAR The score an expert golfer would be expected to edge of the course. All areas inside that edge are in
make on a given hole under ordinary conditions. bounds.
BOGEY A score one more than par. PENALTY AREA A designated area you can move
from with a one-stroke penalty if your ball comes to
EAGLE A score two less than par.
rest there.
BUNKER A specially prepared area of sand on the
PUTTING GREEN The area on the hole the player is
course.
playing that Is specially prepared for putting.
CADDIE Someone who helps a player by carrying
TEE An object used to raise a ball above the ground to
clubs and giving advice.
play it from the teeing area. It must be no longer than 4
DIVOT A piece of turf that is cut out of the ground inches (101.6 mm).
after swinging. Should always be replaced by the
TEEING AREA The area the player must play from
golfer.
in starting the hole, defined by two tee markers.
DOGLEG A type of hole design that curves left or
right from the fairway into the green.
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W AY S T O P L AY
A Handicap Index provides you with a measure of your playing ability. The lower your handicap,
the better golfer you are. It can be used to track your performance (or see how much you are
improving!), as well as to create a fair game with your friends and other golfers with different
abilities. It is easy to get a Handicap Index. If there is a course that you play often, get in touch
with the golf shop. Chances are, you can get set up on the same day. In addition, the Allied Golf
Association (AGA) in your area can provide you some options. A list of AGAs can be found at
usga.org/aga. Once you have a Handicap Index, remember to post your scores so that your
handicap accurately represents your game. There are multiple ways to post scores for handicap
purposes, including through a mobile app. To learn more about handicapping, visit usga.org/whs.
R&A
Founded in 1754 in St. Andrews, Scotland, The R&A (Royal & Ancient) is the international governing body of the
sport and partnered with the USGA to create the World Handicap System and a modernized, global Rules of Golf in
2019.
Youth on Course
A national organization that partners with 1,400 partner golf courses to provide $5 tee times to youth players,
plus provide more opportunities ranging from career prep to leadership and scholarship programs.
US Kids Golf
Organization dedicated to making equipment ideal for children and supports coaching, tournaments and golf
setups for courses that accommodate children.
75% OF THE GOLF COURSES IN AMERICA ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND THE
AVERAGE GREEN FEE (FOR ADULTS) IS ABOUT $38.
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