Beginner Golf Checklist: 7 Must-Know Basics For New Golfers

Getting started in golf can be overwhelming. There’s no shortage of advice, swing thoughts and gadgets. If you’re new to the game, mastering a few key basics will help you make real progress faster. Here are seven must-know fundamentals every beginner should understand. Work through each of these to build a better foundation for your golf swing and your golf game.

A proper golf grip is non-negotiable

The grip is your only connection to the golf club. It happens to be one of the most boring areas of the game to practice but you have to spend some time on it. A bad grip causes all kinds of swing issues, especially with direction.

Here are some basics to keep in mind while mastering the grip:

• Lead hand (top hand): Grip runs through the fingers, not the palm. You should see two to three knuckles.
• Trail hand (bottom hand): Matches the lead hand with the palm facing the target.
• Use a simple “baseball” grip to start; overlapping and interlocking can come later.
• Avoid building your grip while the club is addressing the ball; get the grip right first, then set the club.

Stance width impacts your balance and your shot

Pay close attention to your stance width. Many beginners place their feet without paying much attention to the width, which can become a mistake. If your stance is too narrow, you won’t have the stability needed to hit consistent shots. If it’s too wide, you’ll have a hard time rotating.

• Short irons: Feet slightly narrower than shoulder-width.
• Driver: Feet just outside shoulder width.
• Your knees should be soft, not bent like a squat.
• Your weight should sit over the middle of your feet, not toes or heels.

Good posture = better contact

Most beginners stand too upright or slump. In the beginning, when everything feels awkward, it’s hard to get the perfect posture. Good posture creates space and freedom to swing.

• Hold the club out in front of you, arms straight.
• Tilt forward from the hips until the club reaches the ground.
• Add a small knee bend, just enough to be athletic, and relax the knees.
• Your arms should hang naturally under your shoulders.

Understand that the golf swing is an arc

At first, the golf swing can look like it’s a straight/back and straight/through motion but this isn’t the case. A proper golf swing moves on an arc around the body. The image below of the golf swing arc should be something you picture as you work on your game.

Backswing length doesn’t equal more distance

Swinging farther back won’t add yards; it often hurts your timing. The backswing should stop when your lead arm is parallel to the ground or just past that point. If you go too far past, you’ll lose control and have a hard time making clean contact.

For most players, extra distance comes from sequence and a square strike, not the length of the golf swing. Some beginners feel like they take a slight pause at the top of the swing to create awareness.

Low point comes after the ball

Here’s a big one that most beginners get wrong. The low point in the swing comes after the golf ball. Many beginners want to scoop the ball into the air and that’s a mistake. Great players take a divot after hitting their golf ball.

Hit the ball first, then the ground. You can use a towel or a line drill to practice getting this position correct and eliminating the thought that you need to force the ball into the air.

The clubface must rotate through impact

Now that we’ve got your posture, grip, stance and even swing plane managed, we have to look at the clubface. If you’re clubface is square, you’ll hit a straight shot; if it’s open or closed, the ball will go right or left.

However, the clubface does rotate through impact. If you force it to stay square, you may lose some distance.

• The clubface should rotate to match the arc of your swing.
• Through impact, the face should gradually close, not flip or stay wide open.
• A good checkpoint is having the clubface point behind you when the club is waist-high after contact; you’ll also notice your trail hand is rotated over your lead hand.

Final thoughts

If you’re overwhelmed by all the golf tips out there, this checklist is your starting point. Nail these basics and you’ll build a swing that’s repeatable, powerful and ready to grow. You don’t need perfection when you first get started. All you need a solid foundation.