How to become a golfer.

For many, including myself, golf was something passed on to us at a very young age from one or both of our parents. For others, however, it is something learned at a different stage in life, possibly to enhance one's enjoyment of life, or as way to enjoy more social or business connections. At any rate, when it comes to becoming a new golfer, there are some simple things that will make the experience easier and more enjoyable. Here are some points to consider.

1. Find a teacher- For some, this may mean calling around to find a PGA teaching pro, while for others, it may be a friend, family member of acquaintance assigned the task. One thing to note is to make sure that the person teaching you understands the dynamics of the golf swing. For those willing to spend a few dollars, a local teaching pro will cost anywhere from $50 per lesson to thousands of dollars for high profile teachers. A local PGA certified teaching pro will suffice for most people looking to get started. One issue of importance is that your money will be well spent by getting a series of lessons in a row. Getting just one or two lessons is like going to a trade school and never graduating. I suggest at least 5 lessons in a row, one every week for five weeks. That will truly accelerate the learning curve and have you learning the right way.

For others who may not be willing to invest so much in learning the game, there are several books, learning guides and videos available to teach you. You may also have a friend or family member there to help. Try to always have someone there to watch what you are doing during the learning process. Even better, record your swing in motion in real time. This may easily done using a cell phone video camera if you bring a friend along. You will then be able to compare what you learn from your learning materials with your actual swing, and make adjustments that way. One website I've found to have helpful videos is the Peak Performance Golf Swing site. Having this information at my fingertips would have made me a better golfer than I am today.This is a well known website that provides comprehensive learning tools that any golfer can use. To get more information, go to http://www.peakperformancegolfswing.com.

2. Get the right equipment.- The best players in the world will tell you that in golf, you want to take advantage of any help you can get. This can be help from the rules, the golf course, or equipment. When most players start, they usually buy a starter set, which is usually very cheap (no more than a couple hundred dollars). This is basically a really cheap set of clubs meant for those looking to just try out the game, see if they like it, then upgrade in the future. These sets are great for this purpose, and serve many beginners well in this way. In my 5+ years involved in the golf equipment and accessories business, I have found that for some, started sets are a hindrance. They place very little emphasis on the engineering aspects of manufacturing a golf club (hence their very low prices) and because they usually come in one flex (regular men's or women's), they are either too stiff, or too flexible for the player. A shaft that is too flexible usually results in crooked shots and one that is too stiff makes it difficult to get the ball airborne, and will result in the player "over swinging" (swinging too hard).

One alternative to a starter set is buying a used set with the right specifications. Others may opt have a few clubs built so they may learn to swing before actually playing on the golf course. Most of your larger golf retailers offer custom clubs and free fitting. With custom clubs, you can get as little as one club made, all the way to an entire set. This may be a great way for you to get started without investing too much money into an entire set, or spending a couple hundred dollars on a started set that does not fit your swing. However, keep in mind that for some, starter sets work just fine, there's just no way to know until you buy them as they are packed in a box that usually can only be opened until after being purchased.

3. Understand the game before hitting the links- There is hitting a golf ball, then there is playing golf. As you've probably heard, golf is a very mental game.Once you know how to hit the golf ball, your learning curve will be greatly improved if you understand the game. When you get on the golf course for your first few rounds, you may wonder why all the good swings you practiced vanished. Its all part of the process of learning how to play golf. The golf course will challenge you with different lies, wind conditions, sand traps, tree lines and water hazards. These are the challenges that makes the game so intriguing and difficult to master even for the best players in the world. This part is like learning to ride a bicycle, you gain confidence by trying new techniques and succeeding. Learn how to hit the ball from different lies and in different conditions before going to the golf course. For example, when you have a downhill lie, put more of your weight on the forward foot, and make sure your shoulders are parallel with the slope. Something like this can only be learned on a golf course while actually playing. In a nutshell, find as many resources that teach you how to play on the actual golf course after you have learned how to swing the club.

With these three steps, you'll be on your way to learning what takes a lot of people years to master in a fraction of the time. Happy golfing!!!