This FAQ is designed for newcomers to golf and offers answers to lots of general questions. It is mainly focused on getting to know your clubs and some basics of the game.
The golf club is made up of three parts - grip, shaft and head. For the benefit of your game it is useful to understand the importance of each one.
The hand grip is covered with rubber, synthetic material or leather to help you gain a firm hold. The modern grip has seen lots of changes and the huge choice of grips today makes it easy to find something to suit you. Like all aspects of golf a little trial and error is required to find the right sort of grip for you.
The long tapered rod or tube which forms the length of your club is made up usually from steel or graphite or a combination of the two. The amount that the shaft will bend when placed under a load, ie your swing, is important and is known as the shaft flex. This stiffness is often categorised as L (Lady) S (Senior) R (Regular). A shaft that is too stiff will result in a loss of distance in the shot because the golfer is not strong enough to cause it to bend and whip the ball through. Alternatively a light and too bendy a shaft causes a loss of accuracy if your swing is too strong. Graphite shafts are light and can be swung fast. Performance shafts address specific needs such as the ability to hit the ball high. Club heads can be fitted with different shafts helping you to find the right combination for you.
Each head has one or two striking faces. Metal woods offered strength and lightness but titanium is now the norm due to higher strength to weight ratio and greater resistance to corrosion. Traditionally iron heads were forged and hammered into shape but they are now casted via a special technique which distributes the weight into the exterior of the club head. On off-centre strikes club heads are prone to twist. The less of a twist the greater the accuracy.
Because they used to be made of wood. Utility woods, fairway woods and drivers were once wooden although they sometimes had a metal soleplate or screws attached to the face to add substance. 'Metal woods' gained popularity in the late seventies when it became clear they added distance and control.
There are no rules to this. It's a matter of what is comfortable. You can ask friends for tips but classic grips include the Baseball Grip - a grip with all ten fingers on the club; and also the Interlocking Grip where the little finger of the right hand is hooked around the index finger of the left. That one is good enough for Tiger Woods.
Cleaning your clubs will ensure their longevity and also prevent dirt and other foreign bodies hindering your shot. Clean clubs regularly with a towel when you see a build up of dirt and sand and always clean them after rainy rounds to prevent the development of rust. Use soft brushes and soapy, warm water after your game. Wipe the grip during play using a damp cloth. Always dry clubs thoroughly after cleaning and store indoors in a dry room. Using headcovers is recommended.
The tee is a part of the course, a prepared teeing ground where you make your first hit for each hole. All courses have different sets of tees, up to seven in some cases, including forward, middle tees and championship tees at the back. The ones at the back offer the biggest yardages and are the hardest for the beginner. Remember you need to experiment and find the tee to suit you. If you are struggling then move forward. Don't push yourself and don't be ashamed to play within your limits it will make for a more enjoyable experience.
A tee is also a small wooden or plastic peg you stick in the teeing ground to hold the golf ball for your first shot. The height depends on the type of club used. Basically the longer the club, drivers being the longest, the wedges being the shortest then the higher the ball should be teed.
It varies. Usually three to four hours for 18 holes but at the end of the day it is dependant on the skill of the players, the numbers on the course, the numbers you are playing with and your urgency to get the game finished. Professionals playing for major money may understandably want to take their time. Etiquette suggests a round between friends should be kept moving, especially if others are waiting.
You need to experiment and learn to judge distances. Driving ranges are useful. With practice you will learn which clubs are best for you in a given situation for hitting those golf balls. This is part of the fun of golf. You will need to judge distance and weather conditions. For instance, into wind (heavier club) or hitting with the wind behind you (lighter club).
The sequential numbers for clubs in a set gives you a systematic idea of which clubs are required over different distances. The numbers relate to a regular distance or 'yardage' between each club. The lower the number the heavier the club - 3-iron, 4-iron etc. Usually each club offers 10-15 yards difference, eg a 3-iron will hit 10-15 yards more than a 4-iron.
A short set will suffice as basic golf equipment for most beginners and is usually recommended until you get to know the ropes. The main point of this is that until you improve to a certain standard when you can judge differences between clubs more accurately you don't need a bigger selection. Enjoy carrying less weight around! You mainly need a putter and a selection of golf irons to get started as well as golf shoes.
The essence of the game is probably clear by now if you are considering taking up golf - something to do with a ball going down hole. If you want to learn the rules of golf in full the official rules are maintained by the USGA and the R&A - The United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. You should be able to pick a copy of the rules up at your local club or sports shop or you can obtain one from the officiating bodies.
One important issue that makes golf unique is that it is largely played without a referee. Golf prioritises politeness, safety and sportsmanlike behaviour. Players should ensure other players are out of range before striking the ball. Players should respect quiet and not put other players of their game. Players should not stand on another player's line of putt or cast shadows in a line of put. Respect other golfers' concentration at all times.
All will become clear over time. But here are a few key terms to get you started.
A match is all square when it is drawn or tied, either players or teams having won the same number of holes. AS on your scorecard.
Hole played one stroke under par.
Hole played one stroke over par.
Short shots usually played close to and around the green. The ball going in the air first and then dropping to roll on the green.
Tee shot of great length usually done with a heavier club, a driver.
Hole played two strokes under par.
Short grass between tee and green.
Traditional warning shout when a ball might hit someone.
Grass area around the hole where you use your putter.
Bad shot when the ball curves dramatically to the left (when hit by a right handed player).
Clubs which combine straight hitting characteristics of irons with lower centre of gravity of woods. Commonly used for long shots from the rough.
Versatile clubs for shorter shots, usually approaching the green.
The expected path of the ball to the hole.
Professional average result, the standard score for a hole or a course.
Short shots using less than full swing aiming for greater accuracy near the hole.
Clubs with a variety of head shapes and often with a short shaft. Normally used for playing the ball on the green.
Playing from scratch indicates a player who has a handicap of zero.
Longer clubs with large spherical heads mostly used for long shots.
The golfer's twitch that sometimes occurs during putting leading to misdirected shots.
