Golf is a unique sport in that it is grounded in etiquette. From fairness to the obligation of players, golfers are expected to play by these guidelines. So what can you do to improve your golf experience while sticking to this code of honor? Here are some tips that will help.

If you’re just taking up the game of golf, invest in some professional lessons. Developing an accurate golf swing is extremely difficult to do on your own. A professional can tell you exactly what you’re doing wrong and what you’re doing right. Once you develop a golf swing, it’s hard to make changes. By taking lessons from a professional, you’ll get it right the first time.

Do not neglect the basic fundamentals of club grip when you experiment with changing your swing. Your thumbs should always point down when you grip your club, and your hands should touch each other. There are plenty of minute changes you can make to your grip, but do not abandon the core requirements of a good grip.

If you need to make a longer than normal bunker shot, try taking a nine iron instead of a sand wedge. By taking a nine iron you increase the distance you are able to carry the ball out of the sand and decrease the likelihood that you will skull the ball by taking a sand wedge and swinging too hard.

The knees remain slightly flexed throughout every part of a good golf swing. Golfers may feel a natural tendency to lock their legs at full extension in either the back-swing or the follow-through. These urges have to be suppressed for perfect form. Good golfers keep practicing until they can keep their knees bent throughout their swing.

Setting ambitious scoring goals can improve your golf performance. When you aim to shave an extra point or two off your score or dedicate yourself to improving your performance on a particular hole, you are setting challenges for yourself that you will strive to achieve subconsciously. You may not reach every lofty goal, but in reaching for them you will see better overall performance.

On any golf course you play repeatedly, there are likely holes you deal with better than others. Resist the temptation to take it easy on holes you are comfortable with; instead use them as opportunities to save strokes and build yourself a cushion you can use on the tougher holes you are less certain about.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that whenever you hit the ball your main goal is accuracy, with distance second. A ball that is hit short but that is on good line with a good second opportunity is far better than one hit further but in poor lie or with poor visibility to the green.

When you play golf, you want to play fair. It may be tempting to cheat, but a well-played game of golf is a much more enriching experience. These tips will help you get the most out of your golf game without resorting to sneaky tricks. The people you play won’t get angry when you beat them; they’ll be impressed.