A Quick Guide For Golf Beginners: How To Get Started

So you want to get started in golfing. It looks like an intimidating sport, but get a head start in the needed skills, equipment, and golfing venue and you’re all set to enjoy the adventure. Here’s a mini guide for golf beginners.

For starters, here’s a quick history of golf. It can be traced back to China thousands of years ago, although the modern, 18-hole version today actually began in Scotland back in the 1400s. The first documented mention of the sport was its banning by Parliament in 1457, as it was deemed distracting to people undergoing military training. Golf was the ancient term for “club,” which means the game essentially translates to “club.”

Image source: Pixabay.com 

When discovering golf for the first time, it’s important to know about clubs. Focus on finding the kind of equipment that will help develop those skills with minimal expense. Prioritize learning, not buying the best clubs. That said, you may carry as many as 14 clubs in your bag, but if you’re a newbie you can start with a driver, a putter, a sand wedge, and supplement those items with a 6-iron, 8-iron, pitching wedge, and a fairway word or hybrid offering 18-21 degrees of loft. Eliminate the guesswork and try clubs before buying them.

There are important golf terms to memorize as well, such as golf tee, fairway, the green, the rough, hazard, bunker, and stroke. There’s also scoring terminology, including ace, eagle, birdie, par, bogey, double bogey, and triple bogey. Acquaint yourself with these and the rules of the game.

Image source: Pixabay.com 

Seek out the help of a golfer friend or a seasoned hobbyist in order to avoid the confusion and overwhelming feeling that many new golfers probably have. There are numerous tips to heed, such as taking dead aim, creating a solid stance, and developing the perfect posture. Making friends with your grip is also crucial – practice holding the club in the correct position even when not playing golf. Don’t forget to have fun and build wonderful memories!

David Baer is currently studying at the University of Minnesota majoring in biology. On weekends, he enjoys going out with friends, golfing, fishing, and playing tennis. Learn more on this page.

Top Fishing Lakes In Minnesota

With Minnesota being the land of 10,000 lakes, it’s immediately a prime fishing spot.  But with so many areas to choose from and with so many people visiting the state for game fishing, it can be quite difficult for first-timers to find the best ones.  Hereunder is a list of the ideal locales for catching those famed pikes, walleyes, and various trophy fish.

White Bear Lake

White Bear Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.  It is located northeast of the Twin Cities and promises anglers a shot at catching a plethora of fish, from the black bullhead, bluegill, and largemouth bass to the muskie, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Image source: outdoorsfirst.com

Lake Waconia

The term “Waconia” comes from the Sioux and means “fountain” or “spring.”  This lake is located in Carver County and is 3,080 acres wide.  It’s a great area for catching largemouth bass, walleye, and panfish.

Lake of the Woods

Lying on the borders of Ontario, Canada, this 70-mile wide lake is a world-class fishing spot for anglers keen on catching walleye, muskie, smallmouth bass, and even espying Minnesota’s largest fish, the Lake Sturgeon.

Mille Lacs

This large and relatively shallow lake is a great fishing destination for catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and the northern pike.  It is located near Garrison, about 100 miles north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. What’s up, everyone. 

Image source: millelacssmallmouthalliance.com

My name is David Baer, a student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Biology. When I’m not busy with my schoolwork, I like to go fishing or playing golf, especially during the weekends. For similar reads, visit this page.