While many people think of the sport of golf as a strictly European or American pastime, the game has actually been played all over the world for many centuries. Today, the game itself has changed very little, yet more and more people are discovering how challenging and rewarding it can be. These tips will help you to get a head start on the green.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that you wear relaxing clothing that enables you to move freely. This is important because if any part of your swing is impeded by your clothing, you will not be in your best form. Make sure that it also is not too loose, so that you do not risk getting caught up in your shirt during your swing.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to always wear proper golf shoes when swinging your club. This is crucial because it helps you to hold your form during your swing. It is important also so that you maintain your footing while walking on a possibly slippery course.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to allow other faster players to play through if you or your group is playing considerably slower than them. This is considered to be normal golf etiquette and should be something that you look for no matter what course you are on.

When beginning to learn how to golf, focus on the drive. The drive will put you in a good position either for a putt, or a second shot then a putt. If you can’t get it close to the fairway on your drive, your drive needs work. Having a good drive can lower your score tremendously.

Add power to your swing by using your body, not your arms. Lean in to power your shot. Turn with the ball on the downswing. This lets you use the power of all of the muscles in your body to get a better shot, instead of being limited to just your arm muscles.

Remember that your grip on your golf club has a simple, direct impact on the way your ball flies. A grip that is too tight sends your ball off-course to the right. If your grip is too loose, expect to see your ball heading left. Fine-tune your grip pressure to get exactly the results you desire.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to not take it too seriously. Mistakes in golf are common, and laughing at yours will allow you to learn from them and stay relaxed.

When swinging the golf club, watch your left knee. Does it collapse toward the right knee? This is a common beginner mistake that affects balance. Try imagining your left knee going toward the target on the back swing. If you have trouble with that, imagine holding a basketball between your legs while you swing.

Now that you have learned some of the most basic tips and tricks for the game of golf, you can impress your fellow golfers with an interesting fact or a piece of useful advice. Remember these useful hints the next time that you prepare to tee off or sink a difficult putt.