This tip comes from Robert Speirs:
- Learn the Basic Fundamentals Grip, stance, and setup will make this game a lot easier to learn. Once you understand the basics, the rest will come quite easily. Don’t worry about swing plane, launch angle, clubhead speed, or anything else. Just worry about getting set up in a good stance, with a proper grip, and accelerate through the ball. The rest will fall into place.
- Learn to Putt and Chip the Dots Off It The nicest thing about putting is that there are a million ways to do it and nobody can say a darn thing so long as you get the ball in the hole. There are some simple basics – squaring the clubface, accelerating through the ball – but there’s lots of room for style within those rules.
The nicest thing about putting is that you can do it at just about any time. Challenge players to putting and chipping costs. Keep a roll of quarters in your bag and you’ll be surprised how often you’ll beat golfers that are much better than you, but pick up what you can from them. Chip frequently and vary the kinds of shots – low spinners, high flops, downhill, uphill. Tie the two together into chip-and-putt contests.
- Learn to Bomb It You can learn how to hit the ball straight when you’re older. When you’re young, learn to bomb it. Jack Nicklaus went at the ball hard, and he later figured out how to keep it straight. It’s much harder to add distance when you’re older than to add accuracy, so flail away. Besides, playing out of all those trees will teach you to be creative in playing recovery shots.
- Learn the Rules and Follow Them If you’re not following the rules, you’re not playing golf. You’re playing some other game. As often as not, the rules help you. Players who know the rules get free drops when entitled and don’t waste shots doing stupid things. Besides, not following the rules leads to incorrect scoring, and scoring is one of the barometers you’ll use to measure your progerss.
- It’s Not About the Equipment It’s not important to have the latest and greatest gear. Many an hold-timer will gladly whip you with clubs that are 20 years old. Pick up a set of Titleist 962s and wear them out, then save your pennies for something fitted when your skill level warrants it, and even then, your first real purchase should be a putter. Then some wedges that suit your game.
- Play Golf When You Want If you’d rather play basketball one day, play basketball. You should never feel like you have to play golf. Play when you want.
- Dress Well Don’t show up in ratty jean cut-offs and t-shirts. Golf is a game of respect – respect for nature, yourself, and your opponents. Respect yourself and the others around you by dressing well. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars, but a nice pair of khaki Dockers and a collared shirt or two go a long way.
- Wear Sunscreen Golf is a lifetime sport, but it’s more enjoyable if your lifetime lasts more than 28 years.
- Play with Better Players Play with them as frequently as you can. If you can keep up, they won’t mind. Don’t be shy about asking, and don’t play only other juniors. You’ll learn lots of good habits playing with better players, so pay attention.
- Take Advice with a Bucket of Salt Not every piece of advice will help you. Learn what kind of tips work for you and follow them. Thank those giving tips, but if it’s not right, let it slide in one ear and out the other.
- Play in Tournaments It will teach you to be calm under pressure, to step up when needed, and to take responsibility. These traits will help you in golf and in life. Plus, playing in tournaments is hella fun, and sometimes you can win some nifty stuff.