Golf for beginners – how to safely get started on the course

Golf may seem advanced from the outside, but it doesn't have to be difficult to get started. Here you will find an honest, step-by-step guide to golf for beginners – from choosing equipment to your first shots on the course.

We start from the beginning and explain everything at eye level, so you know exactly where to start, what you need, and how to learn the game in a safe and manageable way.

What is golf for beginners really?

In short, golf for beginners is about learning the very basic movements, rules, and habits. It's not about hitting far at the start – but about striking the ball consistently and understanding what you are doing right (and what you are not doing).

A good starting point is to focus on these five elements:

The grip – your only contact with the club.
Stance and balance – how you stand by the ball.
The swing – the movement through the ball.
Club selection – which type you use when.
Routines – small habits that provide calm and rhythm in your shots.

If you want to learn as quickly as possible, take a few hours with an instructor. It gives you a solid foundation and saves you a lot of frustration later. The first 5–10 lessons make a huge difference.

What golf equipment should a beginner choose?

When you start as a golf beginner, it is tempting to buy everything. But honestly – you don't need it all from day one. Here are the most important things to know:

Your first set of clubs

Start simple with 6–8 clubs – a so-called beginner set. It covers everything you need at the start:

Driver – for long shots from the tee. See the selection of drivers.
Fairway wood or hybrid – easier to hit than long irons.
A couple of irons (e.g., 6–9) – provides control and stability. Find irons under 2000 kr..
Wedge – for short shots and bunkers. See wedge & chipper.
Putter – used on the green. See putters.

A used set is often the smartest choice. You save money, get quality, and can easily replace parts when you know your game better. For example, see complete sets for beginners.

A small tip: choose regular or ladies flex, unless you have a very high swing speed. It gives you more forgiveness and better height on your shots (you can see examples here on driver flex variants).

The fundamental techniques – how to learn to swing

When you first understand what the body and the club should do together, golf becomes logical. Here are the most important basic steps:

Grip

Hold the club mostly in your fingers, not the palm of your hand. The grip should be firm but not cramped – like when you hold a bird that you shouldn’t let go of, but also shouldn’t squeeze.

Stance

Stand with slightly bent knees, and lean your upper body forward from the hips – not from the back. The ball should be in the middle of your stance for short irons and a bit forward for the longer ones.

The Swing

Start slowly. Think about tempo – not power.
Bring your shoulders and club back together, let your weight shift naturally to the back, and then turn your body towards the target.
It’s about rhythm and repetition – not muscles.

If you want to practice at home, you can use a simple net or impact bag – or take a few shots in the garden with old balls (preferably not aiming for the neighbor's windows).

Golf Balls, Bags, and Other Accessories

As a new player, you will lose many balls. Therefore: don’t buy the most expensive ones at the start. The usual price for beginner-friendly golf balls is between 5–10 DKK each. They fly a bit shorter than tour balls – but you will hardly notice any difference at the beginning.

Other small items that will help you get started:

Golf Bag – preferably a lightweight stand bag that you can take anywhere.
Golf Glove – significantly improves grip.
Tees, ball marker, and green tool – classic basic equipment.
Golf Shoes – important on wet surfaces.

If you already have old equipment lying around, consider selling used golf equipment and upgrading to something that better matches your level. With us, you can for example participate in our Trade-in event.

The Most Important Golf Rules and Etiquette

The rule book is thick – but there are only a few things you need to know from the start:

Play the ball as it lies, unless it is in a hazard or out of bounds.
Yell "fore" if a shot is off target. This means "watch out" for those in front of you.
Keep the pace. If someone is playing faster, let them through.
Repair your divots and rake the bunkers nicely after you.

What about clothing? On many public courses, regular sportswear is fine. Private clubs will often require polo shirts and long shorts. It’s all about respect for the place and the other players.

How to Improve – Week by Week

How quickly you learn golf depends on how regularly you practice. A realistic plan for beginners could be:

Period	Focus	Result
0–6 months	Basics: grip, stance, hit the ball	You complete a 9-hole round without panic
6–12 months	Stability and course management	You start hitting fairways and greens
1–2 years	Fine-tuning of short game and confidence	You break 100 and play with ease

A good tip: spend 40–50% of your training time on putting and chipping. It leads to significantly faster progress than solely focusing on long shots.

If you want inspiration for short shots, try a practice round with wedge and chipper – or practice on small targets in the garden.

Once the technique is in place, think strategy

Golf is not just about the shot – it's also about thinking smart along the way.

Play it safe: aim for the center of the fairway instead of the perfect dream shot.
Lay up: A shorter shot in the fairway is better than a long drive into the woods.
Know your distances: note how far each iron typically flies for you.

This brings calm and confidence, and you avoid many unnecessary mistakes.

The mental game and why it matters more than you think

Everyone misses shots. Even professionals. The difference between new and experienced players often lies in how they think afterward.

A good trick:
When you've hit a bad shot, give yourself 10 steps to be annoyed – and then let it go.
It helps you maintain focus and not ruin the next shot.

Create your own pre-shot routine. For example:

See the line.
Take one practice swing.
Take a breath.
Hit.

It sounds trivial, but it works. Golf rewards repetition and patience more than strength.

Get started without breaking the budget

A typical startup with used quality clubs costs about:

2,000–2,500 DKK for a good iron set
1,000–1,500 DKK for a driver
800–1,200 DKK for a fairway wood or hybrid
500–900 DKK for a putter
500–1,000 DKK for a bag, balls, and accessories

Total: around 4,000–6,000 DKK for everything you need – often well under half the price of new equipment. And you can upgrade the parts gradually.

However, you can get started with our beginner package for only 750 DKK.

Start off on the right foot

If you are completely new, start on a par-3 course. It takes 1–2 hours and provides peace to learn. Use fewer shots and have fun.

If you want to save money and do something good for the environment, start with used clubs. They are premium-equipment without the premium-price and everything is checked, so you know exactly what you get.

If you need help choosing, just write or call – we respond quickly. You can always contact us on Contact us page.

Ready to take the next shot?

Golf for beginners is not about hitting perfectly, but about getting out, enjoying the round, and learning step by step. Practice the basics, use budget-friendly equipment, and adjust gradually.

→ See the selection of beginner sets here: Beginner Package - start golfing for ONLY 750 DKK
→ Learn more about us: About WePlayAgain
→ Get tips in the shop: Used golf equipment at WePlayAgain

Don't forget – golf should be fun. The rest will follow.