The sport of golf has been popular for well over 500 years. Although the sport has advanced over time, it is basically still the same relaxed game. Read on to learn some tips to help you better your game, and beat your partners!

Before you spend a few hundred on a new set of clubs, ask a professional what sort of clubs might work for you. This is a good idea because a pro will be able to analyze your swing and stance to see what clubs are likely to improve your game the most.

Your body is important to golf. To really hit a golf ball far, you need to use your entire body instead of only your arms. When you swing the club, your body should always stay 100 percent behind your swing. By using your whole body, you have a better chance to get more distance and better accuracy.

You can improve your swing by using your entire body. Novice golfers think the power comes from the arms, but only using the arms can make weak and awkward swings. A much better way to get that coveted swing distance is to move your whole body as the club moves.

Keep focused on the next shot, forget those before it. Don’t carry with you the mental weight of your last shot, regardless of its success or failure; nor should you get distracted by the water hazard you are approaching. Fretting about mistakes will affect your swing; just forget about them and move on.

Prior to any golf shot, always check for the proper stance. Your position is usually an indicator of where the ball will go. If your slouch goes too far or even not far enough, then your ball isn’t going to get a lot of distance from your shot.

Good golfers are as smart and mentally healthy as they are fit. Try to take out any outside concerns and put your focus on your swing.

Make sure you have the proper grip when you are setting up to hit a shot. Try to make sure that the handle rests on the palm of your hand with your thumbs facing down. You two hands need to touch each other. To hit the golf ball further, try to choke up the club.

Whatever you do, avoid the thought that a golf stance must be uncomfortable to be successful. First, practice your body’s placement with the ball without having a club in hand. Flex you knees, bend a bit at the waist, and have you arms fall easily in front of your body. Have one hand grasp the other and hold it tightly. This is what a natural position is, so if you don’t feel comfortable with it, you are most likely overcompensating the position.

Make sure you don’t discourage yourself by golfing with people on a higher level than you. When you are new to golf, choose courses that are easy and play with others who are just beginning. Playing on difficult courses against elite players will crush your spirit and enthusiasm.

Perhaps one of the most important things to understand in the game of golf is that when the club strikes the ball, the club’s face must be perfectly square for maximum distance and accuracy. This will help ensure that the ball travels straight ahead. When you square up incorrectly and strike a drive, the ball will drift in various directions, growing further off target the more distance it has to cover. Find the proper way to hold your club so you can connect at a square angle.

Golf as a game has certainly stood the test of time. It’s now up to you to apply the knowledge when you get out there on the golf course.