Instruction

Beginner’s Survival Guide

Taking a buddy out for the first time? Send them this.

Patrons & Pros · October 2026

Everybody has a friend, a cousin or a coworker who keeps saying they want to try golf. This is the page for them. You do not need a country club, a full set of clubs, or a perfect swing. You need a few good habits, and the same ones will serve you at any level. Here are seven.

1. Start with the short game. Putting, chipping and pitching make up a big share of every round. An hour on the practice green is worth more than a bucket at the range.
2. Borrow or rent before you buy. Use a friend's old set or rent at the course. When you do buy, used clubs are fine, because the clubs matter far less than you think at the start.
3. Play nine holes. Most courses offer nine-hole rates, and a nine is a better first round than a long, frustrating eighteen. Go at an off-peak time when the course is quieter.
4. Keep pace. Be ready when it is your turn, limit practice swings, and pick up your ball when a hole is going badly. Many players pick up at double bogey, or at a number you set with your group, to keep things moving.
5. Take care of the course. Fix your divots and ball marks, rake the bunker after you play out of it, and keep carts off the areas that are marked. It is the easiest way to show respect.
6. Know the basics of etiquette. Stay quiet and still while others hit, do not step on someone's putting line, and call "fore" loudly if a ball is heading toward people.
7. Dress for the course. Most courses expect a collared shirt and shorts or pants without rips, and many ban metal spikes, so wear spikeless golf shoes or clean sneakers. Check the course's dress code when you book.

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