In many respects, golf is a sport for a lifetime. Because it’s less taxing on the body than other sports, many players can continue playing well into their senior years. Also, it’s a sport that can always be bettered via repeated practice throughout one’s life.
Everyone has to start somewhere, and the sooner a novice begins golf instruction, the sooner they will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to become a proficient player.
If you take just a few online golf lessons with the right instructor, you can see considerable improvement after just a few sessions.
But how long does it take to become proficient at golf, and what skills should you aim to acquire in your first lessons? We’ll examine in detail beginner golf classes and cover all of these aspects.
When Starting, How Many Times Do You Recommend Taking a Lesson?
Consider taking anything from three to five lessons as a beginner to ensure you’re learning the game properly. You can save money by purchasing a package of introductory classes offered by an instructor.
Moreover, you don’t necessarily have to practice in the most expensive golf clubs out there. You can always make use of online resources and spend some time at the practice range.
You need more than just one lesson to understand the game adequately. It would be too challenging to comprehend and retain the knowledge during a day-long lesson if you booked one to enhance your performance.
Try to get at least three of them if you can. Spending the money on four to five lessons could give you the head start you need to put the fundamentals you gained in the initial three classes into practice.
During the First Few Classes, What Can a Beginner Expect To Learn?
There is a lot of ground to cover during the initial golf lessons. You may feel overwhelmed at first, but if you put in some work between classes, you’ll be able to absorb the information better and apply it. In your first golf sessions, your instructor is likely to cover (but not be limited to) the following topics:
1. Golf and Equipment
Everyone should begin by learning the basics of golf, including the game’s history, the essential rules, the types of players, and perhaps even some of the best players of all time.
Many students come into formal instruction without prior knowledge of golf, which could help them quickly advance.
You should also learn which clubs work best for driving, chipping, and putting, among other shots. If you start with this introduction, you’ll never again have to guess which club to reach for based on the shot you need to take.
2. Handling and Stance
Learning how to hold the club correctly is the first practical skill.
Having a firm grasp on the club will allow you to generate more force and control your swing, generating more momentum and propelling the ball further. However, securing a firm grasp isn’t as simple as it may appear.
Golfers often mistake gripping the club too loosely or, more commonly, too tightly.
It would be best if you first stood in the address position to strike the ball; this position is your stance. The club should be positioned immediately behind the ball. Maintaining this posture throughout your swing is crucial.
3. Position and Alignment of the Ball
The success of your stroke is heavily influenced by where the ball is concerning your stance. By striking the ball in an ideal position, as determined by alignment, you can propel it in the desired direction.
The aspects mentioned above are necessary building blocks before attempting to swing at a ball.
4. Movement and Direction
The plane of your swing is your club’s path in the air as you move it toward the ball to create the necessary clubhead speed. There’s a chance the plane could be steep or shallow.
Your power comes from the motions of backswing and takeaway, transition and downswing, and weight transfer and shoulder turn. As the club moves away from the ball, that action is known as the takeaway and marks the start of the backswing.
The next step is to start your downswing toward the ball, transitioning into a powerful stance. The last step is to shift your weight and rotate your shoulder to unleash the ball’s full potential.
Bottom Line
Your instructor will review the fundamentals of balance and tempo, which will significantly enhance your ability to hit the ball consistently. Golf lessons are important for every beginner in their journey toward being a pro.