Golf FAQs for beginners - the essential golfclubs4cash guide to golf

At golfclubs4cash we’re selling second hand golf clubs to more and more people who are getting into golf for the very first time. It’s not altogether surprising given the many benefits of golf to people’s physical and mental health, and also their social life.

As with anything in life, if you’re new to something then it’s perfectly normal to have a long list of questions. It takes time to get to know a new hobby well - getting to know the rules, the jargon and golf etiquette for example, but we’re here with a shortcut that will get you onto the greens with confidence.

A great place to start is our beginners’ guide to golf, where we talk you through everything that you’ll need to consider when you’re getting ready for your first game. And of course, you’ll find our golf buyers’ guides are an essential read when you’re kitting yourself out with all the used golf clubs and equipment you’ll need in your golf bag.

But whether you’re a complete beginner, you’ve taken a break for a few years or you’re a seasoned player who’s just looking to brush up on your knowledge, our golf FAQs for beginners have everything you need to move on. And of course, if there is anything we haven’t covered that you think might be useful - let us know!

You’ll find that we have covered nearly every topic in far greater detail than we can here in our golf blogs and buyers’ guides. These FAQs keep things deliberately top-level and simple so that everything is easy to digest, but we’ve provided plenty of signposts throughout this article so you can dig into things at a deeper level as and when you’re ready to know more.

So… let’s dig into the most commonly asked questions about golf - and more importantly, answer them!

Golf equipment - beginners’ FAQ

You’ll need a few things to start playing golf, and we’ll go through the main ones in this section. The great news is that when you buy second hand golf equipment, you’ll not only be bagging yourself a bargain but you’ll also be able to try out different clubs and accessories economically - and you can sell them on again if they’re not the right fit for you. Check out some of the other advantages of buying preloved golf equipment online - there are loads of reasons why it’s a great idea for your pocket, and also the planet.

If your budget is tight, don’t be put off. Hiring clubs from your local club may be an option, or you could even ask a friend nicely if you can borrow their set while you’re getting a feel for the game.

How many golf clubs am I allowed? And where do I buy them?

You are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in your golf bag, and at golfclubs4cash we’ve got a huge range of second hand drivers, irons, putters, wedges and more - all at unbeatable prices. Our guide to the three most important clubs in your bag will help you narrow down your choices and learn more about the different types of clubs.

How do I look after my golf clubs?

Keeping your golf clubs in great condition will not only prolong the life of them, but also prevent you from spending too much on upgrading your clubs before you’re ready to. It’s really easy to perform basic maintenance on your clubs - check out our guide to golf club maintenance to find out more. At both our Edinburgh and Warrington stores, we offer golf equipment MOTs, regripping, shortening, extending and replacing shafts, loft and lie adjustments and shaft adaptor changes, breathing new life into second hand golf clubs. We also regularly share golf club maintenance tips on Instagram.

How do I get fitted for a golf club?

Golf clubs come in different sizes, so if you’re new to the game it’s a great idea to pop into your local golf club and try a selection out to see what feels most comfortable. At golfclubs4cash we offer a free fitting service, so call in and speak to one of our friendly PGA pros and we’ll help you find the perfect golf clubs for you.

Is it possible to play golf left-handed?

Yes! And guess what? We’ve written an entire buyers’ guide for left-handed golfers, because we believe golf should be accessible to all. Having said that, there are left-handers who still play right-handed, so whatever your preference… you do you.

Can you buy smaller golf clubs for children?

You certainly can - getting kids into golf is a great move and they’ll get a huge amount from learning to play as early as possible. We stock a wide range of second hand junior golf clubs to get them started.

How do I know if a golf club is genuine?

When you buy from a trusted retailer like golfclubs4cash, you’ll be able to do so safely in the knowledge that it’s 100% authentic, because we know how to spot a counterfeit golf club. We don’t advise buying second hand golf clubs privately, because to the untrained eye it can be difficult to tell the difference between a genuine golf club and a fake. 

Golf clothes - what should I wear on the golf course?

Each golf club tends to have its own dress code, but they all largely follow the same themes - go for smart clothing that’s suitable for a variety of weather conditions and you won’t go far wrong. Denim is almost always banned, so stay away from jeans (not least because they’re very uncomfortable if you get caught in the rain!). In terms of golf shoes, trainers are fine, but as you progress you’ll probably find that you’d prefer to wear dedicated golf shoes.

You’ll find our buyers’ guide to golf clothes and shoes really helpful, so check that out to find out more.

Do I need a golf bag, and if so what sort?

Yes, you’ll need a golf bag (imagine carrying 14 golf clubs without one!). There are several different types, but the main ones are stand bags or cart bags. Find out more about the different types of golf bags in our article which will talk you through the different features of each so you can choose the right one for you.

Accessories - what accessories will I need on the golf course?

You’ll need to carry a few things with you around the golf course - mainly for your own comfort. These can include a sunhat, sun cream and lots of water in the summer, a lightweight waterproof jacket in case it rains, and a towel for cleaning off your clubs when they get messy. You’ll also need a golf glove which will help you with your grip, a few spare balls and golf tees, and a ball marker to help you with your putting. Bear in mind that the average 18-hole golf course takes 4-5 hours to complete, so make sure you pack any other items that you think you might need along the way.

Golf technicalities and terminology - beginners’ FAQ

There are plenty of technicalities to get your head around when you get into golf, but the good news is that you’ll find yourself picking up on these quite naturally, the more you play. So don’t worry about the finer details too much - you can always ask your fellow golfers while you’re out playing with them. You’ll find they will love to share their knowledge with you, and they’ll understand that everybody has to start somewhere. To give you a head start, here are some of the main technicalities to understand.

How do I learn the rules of golf?

As with any sport, there are plenty of rules to abide by, and the more fluent you are in them, the more confident you will feel out on the course. You’ll find an exhaustive list of all of the rules of golf on England Golf’s website.

The best way to begin to familiarise yourself with golf rules is to learn about the handicapping system - that will give you a great overview of how golf is scored and what rules apply.

How do golf scores work?

A round of golf is scored around ‘par’. That’s too complicated to go into here, but all you really need to know is that each golf course has a par of between 70-72 shots, which is the number of shots that a professional golfer could be expected to complete the round in. You count the number of shots you take to complete a course, minus your handicap if you have one. You’ll find a link to our guide to golf handicaps in the next section below to learn more about golf scoring and the handicap system.

What is a golf handicap and how do I get one?

A handicap is a system in golf that ‘levels the playing field’ between experienced players and beginners. The better the player, the lower the handicap. If you’re a complete novice, then you don’t need to worry about playing off a handicap for the time being. Concentrate on practising your shots on the driving range and the practice putting green. When you’re ready to start playing on the golf course, check out our guide to golf handicaps - it’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting your handicap and what it means to you and your scoring as a player.

How do I learn all the different golf terminology?

Golf has its fair share of jargon, and while some meanings may be easier to guess, others can be a little more cryptic! At golfclubs4cash we’re passionate about removing barriers to golf wherever we see them, so we have developed an extensive list of golf terminology and jargon and explained what it all means in layman’s terms. So, brush up on that and you’ll understand a lot more of what people are saying on the golf course!

How do I learn about golf etiquette?

Often, people are worried that they will fall foul of golf etiquette by doing or saying the wrong thing. The important thing to remember is that golf is far more accessible and less stuffy than it used to be, so you needn’t worry about being banished from the course for getting it wrong! Having said that, it does help to build your confidence if you have a general understanding of what the etiquette is on a golf course. By now you’ll be spotting a theme… we’ve written an article about that! Check out our essential guide to golf etiquette and familiarise yourself with the dos and don’ts of golf.

What is loft and lie?

You’ll hear the terms ‘loft’ and ‘lie’ mentioned quite a lot in golf, and it can be confusing to understand when you’re a beginner. In the simplest terms, ‘loft’ is the angle that your club face has in relation to the shaft (the golf club handle). ‘Lie’ is the angle that’s created between the ground and the shaft. You may think that these are fairly insignificant numbers when you’re starting out, but as you progress and want to tweak and refine your game you’ll start to understand the importance of them. You can find out more about loft and lie, and watch an explainer video in our essential guide to loft and lie. 

How do I improve as a golfer?

So, you’ve been bitten by the bug, and you want more! There are plenty of ways to elevate your game, and it starts with watching and learning from the best. Check out world golf tournaments and celebrity pro-ams and see how the pros do it! You can also check out what’s in the bag of some of the top golfing professionals and take a few tips from their golf equipment choices.

Back at the golf club, you can practise and refine your golf swing on the driving range, and practise your short game (putting shots) on a practice putting green. It’s a great idea to engage a professional golf coach to help you make those small adjustments that deliver the big differences. It’ll only be a matter of time before your handicap comes tumbling down!

Can I play golf even if I’m not a member?

Different golf clubs have different rules, so give your local club a call and see if they welcome non-members. Most of the time, members are allowed to bring a friend - so speak nicely to your golf buddies and ask if you can accompany them on a round. Remember that you will need to be a member of a club if you want to get your handicap though, and there are plenty of other benefits to joining a golf club too.

Is there an alternative to an 18-hole golf course?

Yes! Many golf clubs offer a 9-hole option, for when you’re short on time or energy. Some are dedicated 9-hole golf courses (which you can always play round twice if you feel like continuing). Other options if you don’t fancy the full 18 holes but you still fancy hitting some balls are driving ranges where you can work on your swing, practice putting greens where you can refine your short game, and even golf simulators where you can use the power of technology to improve your game.

So, that’s everything you need to know about getting into golf, with plenty of links to other resources along the way. You can also follow our YouTube channel and Instagram to see golf club demos, spot bargains and grab top golfing tricks and tips from our seasoned golf pros.

Is there anything we haven’t covered in our golfing for beginners FAQ that you’d like to learn more about? Get in touch and let us know!