As you dive into the world of golf and realize what an impact this simple game can have on your life, you want to hit the ground running as fast as possible. You want to speed up the learning curve – and get through those early struggles quickly so you can get to the fun part: shooting low scores.

Now, hear us out – we’d argue the fun part is actually in the beginning. This is when you’re experiencing everything for the first time. Y first round, your first bogey, your first par, your first green in regulation, your first birdie, your first time breaking 100, etc… there are a lot of firsts to be had in the early days! 

And, it’s also when you see the quickest progression. Nevertheless, you want to get good fast – and who can blame you? We’d be lying if we said the game isn’t more fun the better you get. So – what is the best way to learn how to play golf well? 

As a golfer who has only been playing for two years and is still continuing to learn how to play golf, I spent the first year of my career teaching myself. Then I got a professional lesson after joining a country club. Do I wish I had gotten lessons sooner? 100%. I’ll explain why later. First – a common question I see other new golfers asking is, can I teach myself to play golf? I want to address that.

Can I Teach Myself to Play Golf?

Absolutely. But, is it the best way to learn how to play golf? Not for everyone. There are obvious advantages to teaching yourself to play golf. You save money, first of all. Professional lessons aren’t cheap. But you also get to learn at your own pace. 

Just be aware, teaching yourself how to play golf will have a longer learning curve. And, you’re running the risk of engraining bad habits which can be tough to break later on. For example, I spent the first year of my golf career learning on my own before getting lessons. I had to take a huge step back in my golf game as we fixed these issues – which could have been avoided by getting lessons in the first place and starting with a good foundation. 

So, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of professional lessons for yourself. We’ll touch on that later on. Just know that you don’t have to shell out for lessons right away if you want to experience the game on your own first. You can pick up the basics by watching YouTube videos, reading articles on our site, and getting advice from friends that play the game. 

How Long Does it Take the Average Person to Learn to Play Golf?

This is a tricky question – because the timeline for how long it takes you to learn to play golf will vary from the next person. One major factor is natural athleticism or experience with sports. The golf swing is tricky. It requires a combination of mobility, strength, hand-eye coordination, balance, and tempo. Thus, those who are naturally athletic will pick it up faster. 

For example, I played hockey – and while my swing was an atrocity early on, I was able to pick the movement up much quicker than my wife who doesn’t have an athletic bone in her body. Baseball players, hockey players, and tennis players already have solid rotational skills, hand-eye coordination, and other advantages that lend themselves well to the golf swing.

Similarly, those who grew up playing sports also have some level of understanding of the mental aspect of sports. This will prove invaluable as you hit roadblocks early on. 

Another factor that affect how long it takes you to learn how to play golf is your commitment level. If you’re serious about picking up golf, you’ll spend hours a day taking in educational resources to improve your game. You’ll also be more willing to shell out for lessons early on to jumpstart the learning experience. You’ll also visit the range multiple times a week putting to practice what you’ve learned. 

All of this is to say, you can learn golf as quickly as you’d like. I’d say after two years of dedication to the game (I am an example of what was just described above – I was all in from the start and continue to be), I’m still learning to play golf. I’ve shot 79, which I think is pretty damn impressive for someone who had never picked up a golf club 2 years ago. 

On the other hand, my buddy who started around the same time as me (and who actually had played a bit growing up) still struggles to break 100 regularly. The point is, you can learn as fast as you’re willing to learn. And to set yourself up for success, you want to know – what is the best way to learn how to play golf? 

What is the Best Way to Learn How to Play Golf?

We’re going to break down this discussion into two sections: professional lessons vs learning to play golf on your own. From there, you can break it down further based on the types of lessons you get and where you can go to start learning how to golf.

Professional Lessons vs Learning to Play Golf On Your Own

We’ve touched on it a bit, but the big tradeoff between professional lessons and learning to play golf on your own is a comparison of cost savings vs time savings. Are golf lessons worth it for beginners? Absolutely.

Getting a lesson from the start essentially teleports you 6-12 months up in the timeline compared to where you’d be if you tried to learn the game entirely on your own with online resources. 

You won’t have to take a step back in your game to remove bad habits and start fresh, either. I was consistently shooting in the mid-90s. When I got my first lesson, the changes we made to my grip and swing sent me back to shooting in the low hundreds. Super frustrating – but necessary, as it was key to helping me push through the hurdle of breaking 90.

Our opinion is the golf lessons cost is undoubtedly worth it – it’s just a matter of if you can justify the cost or not. And that’s something only you can answer for yourself.  Learn more in our guides to how many golf lessons you need and the cost to golf.

In-Person Lessons vs Online Lessons

If you do decide to get lessons, you can take one of two approaches. You can get in person lessons from a local professional or find an online coach to work with. 

In rural areas where you may be forced to travel for in person lessons, there is an obvious advantage to online lessons: convenience. They are also more affordable. With that said, you can’t really replicate the experience of in-person lessons – no matter how hard online coaches try to convince you (or perhaps themselves). 

These virtual lessons lack the hands-on touch. You may not receive immediate feedback on your techniques, as the instructor may not be able to observe you in real time. And of course, the quality of online lessons can vary widely. You may need to try several instructors or platforms before finding the right fit.

In-person lessons are superior – no doubt about it. But if you’re looking for an online coach, there are platforms out there that can help you connect with one. Just reach out to us if you’d like a recommendation.

Where Can You Learn How to Play Golf On Your Own?

Now, what is the best way to learn how to play golf on your own? YouTube is typically your best bet. We’ve seen some great short-form content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok as well, but it’s easier to curate the right instructional information on YouTube as you can search exactly what you’re looking for. Here are a few great channels that can help you with learning how to golf:

• Chris Ryan Golf
• Rick Shiels Golf
• Peter Finch Golf

So, What is the Best Way to Learn How to Play Golf? The Verdict

So, what is the best way to play golf of all the options described above? Our opinion is that starting with lessons right from the start is the way to go. The degree to which a pro can help you when starting at square one is astounding. You’ll go into your first time on the range with way more confidence knowing how to hold a club and swing it. 

Getting out there and trying to do it yourself is totally feasible – I’m living proof of that. But, if I could go back in time, I’d get professional lessons sooner. I’d have saved myself a lot of golf balls and started enjoying the game a lot earlier. But I must admit – some of my most cherished golf experiences were those first few trips with the boys where I was shooting in the 120s!

Tips for Learning How to Golf: Speed Up the Process While Making it More Enjoyable

In the end, it doesn’t matter how you learn the game as long as you’re making progress towards your goals. With that said, here are some tips on learning how to play golf if you’re a complete beginner.

Learn the Basics Online

At the very least, you can learn the basics of how to start golfing online. Our introductory resource is the most comprehensive guide online – you’ll learn the most basic terminology, how to hold a club, etiquette, and more. From there, you can dive into some educational resources on YouTube.

Get Professional Lessons From the Start

Once you are ready to start this journey, we encourage you to connect with a professional in your area. Just look up local golf courses or driving ranges in your area. You can give them a call or email inquiring about lessons. 

If you don’t have any luck with that, look up lessons near you – you’ll find platforms online that connects you with nearby coaches. And if all else fails and you’re unable to get lessons, online lessons are the next best thing. 

Spend Time at the Range Getting Reps in

One big mistake I made was taking what I learned in my first lesson and going straight to the first tee box at my country club. The new grip and swing resulted in my worst round in months. It didn’t make any sense – and I was incredibly discouraged.

What I should have done was stay on the range and work out the kinks. I needed to retrain my muscles on the proper grip and movement patterns for initiating and executing the golf swing. At the end of the day, the goal is to train your body to swing the club without any sort of thought. The best way to do that? Swing the golf club a lot! 

I recommend using a 7-iron for your training. Don’t waste your time trying to perfect your driver – use a mid-range club with more control.  

Or, Get an At-Home Setup 

Want to save money and ensure you practice more? You can get a mat and a net and hit balls in your backyard or garage. These can be a bit sketchy and you don’t want to damage your property (or your neighbors’), so make sure you invest in quality netting and set it up correctly in a safe area. Then, you can dedicate 10-20 minutes a day to working on your swing without leaving the house. 

Give Your Training Purpose With Drills

Your training needs a purpose – whether you’re at home or on the range. Record videos and assess where you are missing the mark. You should have drills you perform to train your technique. 

The specific drills you do will be dependent on what you’re working on. Here are a few to get you started in the right direction if you’ve forgone lessons:

• The One-Arm Drill: This drill involves swinging the club using only one arm. This helps you feel the weight of the club and develop a sense of balance in your swing.
• The Slow Swing Drill: This drill involves taking slow, deliberate swings to focus on the technique and timing of your swing. You can start slow and gradually increase your speed as you get more comfortable.
• The Balance Drill: This drill involves hitting balls while maintaining your balance. You can start by hitting balls with your feet together, and then progress to hitting balls with your feet wider apart.
• The Hinged Wrist Drill: This drill involves hinging your wrist at the top of the backswing, and then keeping it in this position as you make your downswing. This helps you develop a smooth, efficient swing.
• The Weight Shift Drill: This drill involves shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot as you make your downswing. This helps you develop a proper weight shift and improve your power and accuracy.
• The Impact Position Drill: This drill involves hitting balls and focusing on the position of your hands and clubface at impact. This helps you develop a proper impact position and increase your consistency.

Remember to start slow, focus on your technique, and gradually increase your speed and power as you get more comfortable with the drills. Also, it’s important to seek the advice of a professional instructor to ensure that you’re performing the drills correctly and not developing any bad habits.

Invest in Training Aids

Training aids are tools and devices designed to help golfers improve specific aspects of their swing. They can be incredibly useful for refining your technique on the range and helping you develop good habits. Here are a few popular training aids that can help you perfect your golf swing:

• Alignment Sticks: These are simple, lightweight sticks that you can place on the ground to help you align your body and club properly. They can be particularly helpful for ensuring that your feet, hips, and shoulders are in the right position at address.
• Impact Bags: These bags are filled with sand or another material and placed on the ground to help you focus on the proper impact position. When you hit the bags, you can feel and hear the impact, which can help you develop the proper swing sequence and impact position.
• Swing Trainers: These are devices that attach to your club or grip and provide feedback on your swing. Some swing trainers are designed to help you maintain the correct wrist hinge, while others can help you improve your tempo and balance.
• Launch Monitors: These devices use sensors and algorithms to measure the speed, spin, and trajectory of your shots. They can provide you with valuable data and feedback on your swing, which can help you identify areas for improvement and make more informed adjustments. If you’re setting up your own home range, it’s a great investment. Otherwise, you won’t need one of these – they’re a bit overkill.
• Weighted Clubs: These are clubs that have been modified to include weights or other elements to help you develop specific aspects of your swing. For example, weighted drivers can help you build more speed and power, while heavier irons can help you develop a more consistent swing path.

Play Your First Few Rounds at Par 3 Courses

Eventually, you’ll need to take what you’ve learned and head to the course. After all, the best way to learn how to play golf is just that – playing golf!

Once you feel confident in your swing and you want to put it to the test, we encourage you to begin at a par 3 course. At least, that’s what we did. There are a few reasons this is a good place to start. 

First, it’s more laidback. You won’t feel as anxious or stressed out about what others are thinking – most of the people at these courses are either newbies or super casual. Either way, you will feel more relaxed in these types of courses. 

They end to be easier, too. And you don’t have to worry about your longer clubs, which are notoriously harder to get the hang of. You’ll get your confidence up with your irons and wedges, which will translate well to the next step: playing an 18-hole course.  

Get Out on an 18-Hole Course Regularly to Put it to the Test

This is the fun part – and the moment you’ve no doubt been anciently awaiting. There’s no set-in-stone timeline as to when you should play your first 18-hole round. We did it about a month after swinging a golf club for the first time. We hit the driving range maybe 5 times and played 2-3 rounds at a par 3 course before being thrust into a very difficult mountain course near Sacramento: Apple Mountain. We might have shot a 130 that day.

And yet, it’s an experience we’ll never forget. Spending a day on the course enjoying a few drinks with the boys, laughing, as we all learned the game together. Only two of the five members in our crew (yep – a fivesome for my first go) had any real experience golfing. The rest of us learned as we went, and it was an absolute blast. 

We left more eager than ever to continue progressing and learning the game. A few years later, that same passion still burns.

Final Thoughts on the Best Way to Learn How to Play Golf

Now that you know the best way to learn how to play golf, it’s time to take action on what we’ve talked about today. Assuming you’ve already got the best starter golf clubs and clothing, find an instructor near you and get the basics down. From there, you can practice, practice, and practice some more – until you feel confident enough to venture out to a local course and put it to the test. 

We hope you enjoy the game as much as we do!