Just one tip you'd pass on to a beginner...?

[sooper8]

I've hit balls in the past and tinkered around somewhat,played a few 9 holes but consider myself a novice and beginner...although I play many other sports pretty well but not competitively anymore.

So, if you could pass on just one (preferably simple) tip to a beginner like myself, what would it be?

(and I guess a number of you will say, 'get lessons' , and I understand why you'd say this - but can I ask that you pass on your words of wisdom instead...?)

Thanks in advance

[saevel25]

Look up a 5 key's instructor and take a lesson

[rehmwa]

One of 3 - flip a coin

Start investing as early as you can in your career.

Learn how to network.

Whatever your current marital status is now, don't change it.

[nevets88]

No, don't just get lessons. Get lessons from someone who really knows what he/she is doing. Find that person, golf is much easier, relatively.

[iceman777]

Don't let your hips sway on the backswing , turn them but don't sway

[Ernest Jones]

Don't stop to tie your shoes in a revolving door.

On the backswing try to point your lead shoulder at the ball.

[geauxforbroke]

Don't stand by a mud hole on the side of the road on a rainy day.

Enjoy the game. Don't get so wrapped up in improving that you start to hate the game. I would rather be a happy hacker than a pissed off scratch player.

[Golfingdad]

Cannot stress enough how important it is to have your weight forward at impact.  This accompanying drill: http://thesandtrap.com/t/35686/eriks-hips-forward-pre-set-drill-video/0_30#post_458570 will likely help you understand exactly what crisp and solid contact is suppsed to feel like.

Also, don't eat yellow snow.

[inthehole]

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... and let the club do the work - pure contact with a smooth swing will give far more distance and accuracy than trying to muscle the ball due to overswinging.   It's the hardest thing for beginners to do - everyone naturally thinks they have to swing hard to hit the ball a long ways.  Golf is about hitting a little white ball perfectly on the club face - which for all but the elite golfers rarely can be done when swinging truly hard

[arturo28mx]

Most of the power comes from the torso, not from the arms!

[David in FL]

There's nothing wrong with playing bad golf, quickly.

[geauxforbroke]

Most of the power comes from the torso, not from the arms!

[RayG]

Take up Tennis... Or... "Have Fun"

[Hammer 4]

Here's an odd one, while on the course...RELAX and have fun. getting mad at a bad shot only worsens your game.

[MS256]

Don't swing AT the ball from the top of the back swing. Let it fall and then let it rip.

[Ernest Jones]

Don't swing AT the ball from the top of the back swing. Let it fall and then let it rip.

That's a good one.

[Dave2512]

Start on a par 3 course.

[RPMPIRE]

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... and let the club do the work - pure contact with a smooth swing will give far more distance and accuracy than trying to muscle the ball due to overswinging.   It's the hardest thing for beginners to do - everyone naturally thinks they have to swing hard to hit the ball a long ways.  Golf is about hitting a little white ball perfectly on the club face - which for all but the elite golfers rarely can be done when swinging truly hard

This^^^ The instance you try to swing hard, you tense up and plenty of bad things happen.