Starting something new is always tough, and golf is no different. Many people end up loving the game for life, but it can take a long time before it really feels fun. The good news is that these beginner golf tips focus on the habits that help you get better faster, avoid frustration, and feel more confident early on. Here are five key tips to help new golfers build a solid foundation and enjoy the game right from the start.
Tip #1: Spend at Least Half Your Practice Time on the Short Game
If there’s one habit that separates improving golfers from struggling ones, this is it.
The short game includes everything inside 100 yards: putting, chipping, pitching, and wedge shots. While beginners often focus heavily on driving the ball farther, most strokes are lost and gained around the green.
Practicing your short game:
- Lowers scores faster than long-game practice
- Builds confidence under pressure
- Improves feel and touch, which transfer to full swings
Ask any experienced golfer and they will agree: shots inside 100 yards are key to success. Good short-game skills make golf much more enjoyable, even when your long game is not going well.
Tip #2: Start Tracking Your Golf Statistics Early
Tracking statistics might seem unnecessary when you’re just trying to hit the ball well, but starting early actually gives you an advantage.
Basic stats such as:
- Fairways hit
- Greens in regulation (GIR)
- Putts per round
- Scrambling percentage
- Sand save percentage
help beginners understand where strokes are being lost.
Tracking stats allows you to:
- Identify what you should practice
- See progress even when scores don’t reflect it
- Avoid guessing what’s holding your game back
Even simple scorecard notes can reveal patterns that speed up improvement.
Tip #3: Use Corded Golf Grips for Better Control
Golf grips are often overlooked by beginners, but they play a major role in consistency.
Many soft or tacky grips feel great in the store, but they wear out quickly or get slippery in rain and humidity. This can cause poor control or, even worse, make you lose the club during your swing.
Corded grips, often labeled as “all-weather” grips, offer:
- Better traction in wet or sweaty conditions
- Longer durability
- More consistent feel over time
They might cost more at first, but good cord grips can last for years and work well in any weather.
Tip #4: Organize Your Golf Bag Like an Experienced Player
This won’t lower your score, but it will help you feel more confident and ready to play.
There is a standard way golfers organize their bags:
- Woods and driver at the top
- Long irons and hybrids next
- Short irons and wedges at the bottom
Proper organization:
- Makes club selection faster
- Prevents unnecessary wear on shafts
- Helps you look more comfortable on the course
- And yes, taking off iron headcovers is part of learning the game.
Tip #5: Don’t Rely on Feel; Use Video to Learn Your Swing
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is relying solely on feel.
What you think your swing looks like is often very different from reality. Video removes guesswork and shows exactly what your body is doing.
Using video helps you:
- Understand your swing mechanics faster
- Make changes more efficiently
- Maintain improvements over time
Even when you’re not actively changing your swing, occasional video check-ins are valuable for maintaining consistency.
Final Thoughts
Golf is a long-term journey, and improvement takes time. But beginners who use these tips and focus on the right basics—like short game practice, simple stats, good equipment, smart habits, and honest feedback—give themselves a big advantage. Start with these five tips, be patient, and enjoy the process. The game becomes much more rewarding when your progress feels intentional instead of random.