Whether you are a professional golfer, or a completely beginner, it does not matter. The sport presents challenges and entertainment for players at all skill levels. Before you get started, take a look at this selection of tips for making your golf game what you have always dreamed.

It’s always best to walk the golf course, instead of using a golf cart to get around. Golfers who walk significantly increase their physical exertion and, therefore, the health benefits they enjoy from golfing. The constant movement of walking while golfing will keep your muscles warm.

Use your entire body to power your golf swing. Beginners believe that the strength in their swing comes solely from the arms, but the truth is that using only your arms will give you a very weak shot. The ideal approach is to craft a swing that utilizes all your muscles in one fluid motion.

An easy exercise, a “toe-wiggling” exercise, can show golf stance faults. If it is too difficult to prepare a swing while moving the toes around, it means the golfer is too far in leaning towards the ball. Make sure your weight is on the balls of your feet to give yourself the proper stance.

Sweet Spot

Each golf club is made with a “sweet spot,” which is the exact location on the club that provides you the most accuracy and distance if you strike the ball at that point. To locate the sweet spot on each club, take your clubs to the driving range for some practice, and remember, you need to hit the golf ball at the lowest point in your downswing.

Address the ball by having your left hand in front of it when you putt. Attempt to maintain the position for the duration of your swing. The ball will not jump off when contact occurs and you will be able to hold your stroke more efficiently.

Learning to keep score is a very useful skill as it pertains to golf. Your average score gives you an idea of whether you are a D-rank player or an S-rank player. Each time the ball is hit, it is counted as one stroke. The number of strokes you take to land the ball into a targeted hole will determine your score for that hole. So, you want to basically get the fewest amount of strokes as you possibly can.

Grip your golf club in a neutral fashion. A grip that is overly tight will pull your shot rightwards. Inversely, holding your club loosely will cause the ball to go left. By watching the way your shots go, you can start to fix your grip.

Carry a snack which is high in protein on the course with you. Golf is a game both physically and mentally exhausting. The extra protein and calories from your snack will keep your mind sharp and help fend off muscle fatigue, keeping you going all the way through 18 holes.

During your drive, the back of your front foot should line up with the ball. During any other swing, the golf ball should be almost dead center between your feet when you swing. Only have the ball off center when it lays on a slope.

Before you pay for a previously-owned club, check out the head. Clubs that are older can have nicks and worn out grooves, or a shiny spot. This wear means less action from the grooves in the club that are designed to give you the best chance for distance and accuracy.

Make sure that you are holding your golf club correctly before you swing. The handle of it should be resting in you palms with both of your thumbs pointing downward. Do not keep your hands separate. They must maintain contact throughout the swing. Choke up higher on the club to hit farther.

Now that you have taken the initiative to learn something new about the sport of golf, you can impress your golfing buddies (or that gorgeous pro shop attendant) with the information you’ve just picked up. Look for new ways to apply these skills to your current game, to make the game even more challenging and engaging.