How To Golf

By: Ryan Mac

Break Studios Contributing Writer

For both business and pleasure purposes, it may be a good idea to learn how to golf. Many business relationships have been solidified with a nice afternoon on the links. Knowing how to golf may impress your boss, but at the end of the day you should also know enough to shank a couple of shots so that he comes out on top and goes home happy.

Get the right equipment. While there are no rules for how many clubs you can have in a friendly round of golf, its always good to be well informed on how to properly golf. According to USGA rules, a PGA professional is allowed to carry 14 clubs in their bag. This typically equates to carrying a driver, 3-wood, 5-wood (or escape wood of some kind), 3 through 9 iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge, a loft wedge and a putter.
Hit the driving range. Take your entire set of clubs to the driving range and hit ten balls with each club. Average the distance of the ten shots for each club. This will give you a good idea of what club you will need for each shot when you are on the course with the boss. Something as simple as course management can convince him you know how to golf.
Take lessons from a pro. Even the best golfers in the world have a swing coach. If you find there is an aspect in your golf game that needs improvement, a lesson with your local club pro can help you learn how to get over the hitch in your game.
Learn the rules. Golf has a large number of rules to answer your questions in any situation on the golf course. If it is your first time golfing, consider carrying a USGA rules handbook (these are usually pocket sized) to reference in different situations, at least until you are comfortable on the course.
Study yardage markers. Studying yardage at the course you are playing can come in handy. Knowing how to golf is more than just hitting shots, it's knowing how to interact with other players on the golf course.
Etiquette is important. Countless unspoken rules exist on the golf course. Learning how to golf is not only about hitting the golf ball, but also how to interact with other players. The only way to get to know and understand them all is by playing with others and learning. Some of the more common forms of etiquette on the golf course include: not talking in another players backswing, helping your playing partner find his ball if he's having a difficult time, and not stepping in a golfers "line" on the putting surface prior to his putt.
Put it all together. At the end of the day playing golf is about your swing and knowing course information, but it is also quite a bit mental. Have you ever tried actively thinking about something else in the middle of your swing? It doesn't matter if you know how to golf extremely well at that point, you are most likely not going to hit a great shot. Putting it all together on the course includes analyzing the shot before you address the ball, choosing the right club for your situation and most importantly, pretending you didn't see your boss kick his ball from the rough out onto the fairway.