Why should I consider starting to play golf?
Golf is a universal sport played in the fresh open air by any age group. You’ll also exercise and socialise in one - perfect! It gives you the chance to get out in nature, get away from your screen and the mundane duties of life and challenge yourself. The scoring system allows you to easily track how you are progressing as you get to grips with the skills involved. You will then start to get the “golf bug”: the urge to play again and again to beat your last score!
Socially, golf is perfect for enjoying with a group of mates and new friendships develop when you join a club or play with other beginners. At the end of a round of golf or time on the driving range whacking balls, often the bar beckons and there you can enjoy a well-deserved gin & tonic and time with friends mulling over the good, the bad, and the ugly!
What should I wear to play?
You will find clothes that you can wear for golf in your wardrobe. When choosing, think about comfort and the weather. A t-shirt, sweatshirt or hoodie teamed up with a pair of leggings, trousers or shorts will work well. For more inclement weather, a waterproof jacket could be worn. In winter you may choose to wear a beanie hat while in summer a cap is useful on sunny days. For footwear you just need some trainers. When you want to start looking more like a pro, Callaway Apparel have a great collection of clothing to choose from. Click here for more information.
What equipment do I need?
You do not need to splash out on golf equipment until you have tried out the game and are going to make a commitment to it. Some driving ranges and golf clubs rent out clubs, while if you are booked in for a golf lesson, they should be able to lend you clubs. When you do want to invest in a set, Callaway have a range of options from standard sets suitable for beginners to a custom fitting service tailoring the clubs to your exact needs, they even sell certified pre-owned clubs at discounted prices. Click here for more information.
Are there golf teachers who can show me the ropes?
Yes, most golf courses and driving ranges have golf coaches called PGA Professionals, they are qualified in helping those who want to take up the game. Most will offer individual, or group lessons so get your group of friends together and book it in the social calendar! If you just want to give it a go on your own before starting lessons, simply head to your local driving range and for less than £10 you will be able to get a basket of golf balls. Take these to one of the allocated bays and just start trying to hit the ball out into the field.
How do I find a place to play?
Slingsby are working with England Golf on this initiative but whether you’re living in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales or further afield there is support available to help you get started. All you need to do is find a golf club or driving range near you, contact the PGA Professional there and ask what opportunities they have for beginners.
With England Golf’s ‘Find and Play’ service you can use their filter to find a Get Into Golf club in England.
Click here to find a golf venue near you.
Practice Makes Perfect
During lockdown Fleur, Helen, Natalie and Bela have all been practicing hard at home. It is useful to have a putting mat that you can roll out in the living room or if you have the space, a hitting net. These items allow you to continue to hone your skills when you can’t make it to the course or range. Visit Forb Golf here for a great range.