How to Take Up Golf

So you want to take up golf?

Good idea! Golf is a fun, social, healthy,challenging,popular and relaxing outoor sport--and that can't be said for playing darts in the pub.

So why not go for it ?

The first thing you need in order to take up the great game of golf is a set of golf clubs.

Golf clubs range roughly from one-hundred and fifty dollars at discount stores such as Kmart and Target, to about four-hundered and fifty at your local pro shop or online reseller, and all the way up to $1000.oo from major golf manufacturers like PING and Callaway.

First of course, it is a good idea to see how much you enjoy golf before you invest in an expensive set. If you start out with a good but reasonably priced set, you won't feel stressed by the amount of money you have laid out for your new-found sport.

You need something to carry your clubs and other accessories. As with clubs, golf bags come in a variety of styles and prices; a simple, low-cost bag is sufficient.

Look for a ball with a surlyn cover; they are the most durable. For the beginner, the brand of golf ball will not make an important difference. Prices range from fifteen dollars to forty, per dozen.

Golf shoes are not necessary, but many golfers prefer to wear special golf shoes because the tread and spikes can help prevent your feet from slipping when you swing at the ball.

If you do buy golf shoes, look for a pair with 'soft spikes' or with no spikes at all; many courses are now banning the use of traditional metal spikes. Golf shoes are available at department stores such as Wal-mart and golf course pro shops.

There's a reason Tiger Woods and the other tour professionals have such good scores:

They hit the ball properly!

Duh?

By watching them play, on TV or live, you can learn fundamentals of the game.

Most courses and many driving ranges have qualified professionals who can teach you the basics of the golf swing.

Ask friends for recommendations of a good golf instructor or watch an instructor at a nearby course to find someone whose style puts you at ease.

Most have rates for single lessons and for a series of 5-6 lessons; a series of lessons will help make you more comfortable and more confident over the golf ball. Group lessons, where the instructor teaches several people at once, will cost less but also will provide less individual attention.

Your instructor will provide you with drills to help you improve your game.

To take full advantage of the instructions, you will need to practice the skills learned in your lessons. Twice a week between lessons, visit a local golf course or driving range and hit a bucket of balls.

The cost should be $3-$5 per bucket. At-home devices such as a driving net, chipping net and putting green can allow you to practice at home.

You can find a driving range under "Golf" in your local Yellow Pages.

Like most games, golf has its own 'unofficial rules' to help make the experience enjoyable for every member of your foursome.

Some of those unofficial rules include not stepping on someone else's putting line, not talking during someone else's swing and playing 'ready golf.' Many golf Web sites have a section about etiquette on the course, including the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy site.

Or just ask your playing partners.

Rulebooks are available from most golf course pro shops and from most golf specialty stores for a small cost, or you can buy 'The Official Rules of Golf' or 'Golf Rules In Pictures' from Amazon.com or another bookstore.

Or you can visit the U.S. Golf Association. Having a copy of the rulebook in your golf bag can help you resolve issues on the course.

Check your phone book for a long list of public courses where you can play.

Call ahead to ask questions about the course and schedule a tee time. Ask the course representative about the difficulty of the course and the skill required to play it.

If you see an online course listing, check the slope and rating, which measure the difficulty of a golf course. A course of average difficulty has a slope of 113. You'll want to look for an easier course, or a shorter executive course, to play until you feel comfortable with the more challenging courses.