How to get started in golf

Living in the Lowcountry, it can sometimes feel like everyone plays golf except you. Maybe you’ve been to a driving range with a friend or significant other who offered you tips — including the dreaded “keep your head down.” Often, these tips don’t make the game any easier to understand.

Here’s a better suggestion: start with a golf clinic or an individual lesson from a certified golf professional.

Look for someone who is an LPGA or PGA teaching professional. Call a few instructors and make sure you’re comfortable with their teaching style. Ask what kind of teaching aids they use during lessons. A good instructor will also help fit you with the proper equipment based on your height, physical ability and athletic background.

After you take a few lessons, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Your progress can help determine the best people to play with. It’s also essential to learn basic rules and golf etiquette before heading out to a course.

Here are a few things to know before you play your first round:

• Starting times, or tee times, are made in advance. Call the pro shop to ask about their policy.
• Ask about the course’s dress code.
• Always arrive 30 to 45 minutes early.
• Tip the cart attendant if they help get your clubs out of your car.
• After paying your green fee, head to the driving range to warm up.

• Finish your warm-up on the practice putting green.

Once on the course, play “ready golf” — be prepared to hit when it’s your turn and limit yourself to one practice swing. It’s essential to keep pace (keep up) with the group ahead of you.

For beginners, consider playing a “scramble” with your group. In this format, everyone hits a tee shot, then plays from the best-positioned ball, continuing this pattern – even on the putts - through the hole.

Another approach is to start each par-4 or par-5 hole from the 150-yard marker and play from there until you can consistently score a five. Once you reach that goal, move back to the 200-yard marker. Eventually, you’ll be ready to tee off from the forward tees.

Keep playing regularly and take additional lessons to improve. It may take a year or more before you start playing for score. At that point, you’ll want to establish a handicap so you can participate in fun tournaments and charity events.

Consider joining a social league to meet other players of similar skill levels. Golf should be enjoyable — and it’s more fun when you’re playing well.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com