Top 5: Toughest things for a new golfer to master

The great game of golf is enjoyed (for some the more appropriate word might be endured) by millions of people but it is one of the trickiest sports to master.

Many people, myself included, take years to reach a decent standard (I have yet to reach any standard) and fail time after time to lower their handicap.

There are many aspects to get your head round when taking up golf for the first time.

It isn’t like football where learning to kick a ball and knowing the offside rule are essentially the key elements of the game.

Golf requires patience, a lot of hard work and a willingness to keep learning in order to make any inroads to improving your game.

Here are five things that any new golfer will find a challenge when taking up the sport.

5. Grip

How to grip your club may seem like a simple thing to get your head round but achieving a solid grip is something that requires a fair bit of work.

There is the tough choice between the overlap and interlock method, or even the baseball grip.

When you have settled on one, getting your fingers and thumbs in the right place are the basics that need to be correct in order to become a good golfer.

I am still tweaking my grip and asking for advice from friends and colleagues as I search for ways to improve my game.

4. Judgement of shots

The right club selection is a skill that requires a player to know his or her game inside out.

Knowing how far you can hit the ball with each club, judging the distance and taking into account factors such as wind, pin positions and hazards are all key to achieving a better score.

But don’t feel too down if you struggle to hit the green consistently, some of the world’s best players often misjudge their shots.

3. Swing

Perfecting your swing is an ongoing battle for many players. There are a variety of instructional videos offering tips on what a good swing should look like.

Everyone has their own style and if it works for you then there is no need to change, even if someone is telling you that you are doing it wrong.

Altering the swing is one of the first things people look at when something is going wrong. I recently changed my swing and it has done wonders to my game. Well, when I top the ball it now goes slightly further than the ladies’ tee”¦most of the time.

2. Clubs

Knowing what clubs to buy and analysing the specifications can be a daunting task.

Getting yourself to a fitting centre is definitely worth the time and expense because picking out a set of clubs by yourself is a bit of a stab in the dark.

Being a simple man, when people start taking about loft, adjustable weights, flex and various shafts my mind goes blank and I make a hasty exit from the conversation.

1. Rules

Rifling through pages of a golf rules book feels too much like homework to me. I know I should do it but I keep putting it off in the hope that it will take care of itself.

I know the basics but lazily rely on others I am playing with to help me with some of the more obscure rules.

People who break the rules, or are maybe just unaware of them, are often the bane of a serious golfer’s existence, so getting to grips with them quickly is a good way to avoid becoming the unpopular player at your course.