Being able to play golf is a skill that anyone can learn. If you are willing to put in the time and dedication, you too can be playing the game of your dreams in no time. However, if you are new to golf or are just starting out, there are several things that you should keep in mind while trying to master this challenging game. Here are some common mistakes people make when they start playing golf.
1) Trying too hard
Many beginners tend to try way too hard at their first few rounds of golf – perhaps because it’s an unfamiliar game with many nuances, or maybe because they want to impress other players on the course. Whatever reason may exist for them wanting to do well, one is clear: trying TOO hard makes it difficult to play well.
2) Not practicing enough
Practice is important for any sport, really. Without practice, no matter how much talent one may have, they will not be able to achieve success at their game of choice (unless they are one of those rare naturally talented individuals who do not actually require the time spent practicing). Golf is no different; by not putting in enough practice you can easily find your scores increasing rather than decreasing over time. Your timing and form will suffer as you make more mistakes due to lack of familiarity with what you should be doing on the field. Too little practice makes perfect execution very unlikely!
3) Trying to go too fast
Speed is a huge key factor when playing golf. However, it is also a very volatile one. Speed needs to be consistent if you want to score well, but swing too quickly and your timing will suffer greatly. If you’re trying to play fast but failing miserably at it, don’t worry – just try going a little slower next time – you’ll have better control that way.
4) Having unrealistic expectations
The best golfers in the world are still only human – they make mistakes almost every time they go out there to play. If you expect perfection from yourself right off the bat, you are setting yourself up for disappointment down the road – do not think or expect that you’ll get it perfect or anything close to being so on your first few tries playing the game! Instead of trying to do too much, you should focus on doing the simple things well. This will make it easier for you to improve your scores and your swing in a reasonable amount of time.
5) Not taking care of your equipment
Your equipment is a very important part of playing a good game – it’s what connects you to the ground and gives you the power needed to deliver that perfect shot! If some piece of your gear breaks, however, replacing it can be expensive. Make sure that everything is always in working order before going out on the field, and don’t forget about disinfecting anything shared between players such as clubs and gloves/balls!
