Your complete beginner's guide to golf
Everything a new golfer needs — from the basics of the rules to how to develop a great game.
By John Parkinson · PGA ProfessionalA–Z of golf terminology
Golf has its own language. Filter by letter or browse them all.
A hole-in-one. Getting the ball in the cup with a single shot from the tee. Very rare.
Three shots under par on a hole. Extraordinarily rare — even for professional golfers. Also called a double eagle.
Completing a hole in one shot under par. A great result for any golfer.
One shot over par on a hole. Very common for beginners — nothing to be ashamed of.
A sand-filled hazard on the course. You play out of it — you cannot remove the ball.
A person who carries your bag and advises on club selection, distances, and strategy.
A short, low shot played close to the green, designed to roll the ball toward the hole.
The chunk of turf displaced when you hit an iron shot. Always replace or fill with sand.
A controlled shot that curves gently from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Two shots under par on a hole. Rare and very exciting.
A controlled shot that curves gently from left to right (for a right-handed golfer).
The short-mown grass between the tee and the green. Aim to land here off the tee.
The pole in the hole that marks where you're aiming. Also called the pin.
The very smooth, short-cut grass area where the hole (cup) is located. You putt here.
How you hold the club. One of the most important fundamentals in the game.
A number that represents your playing ability. Lower is better. It lets players of different levels compete fairly.
Same as an ace. Getting the ball in the cup from the tee in one shot. Tradition says you buy drinks for everyone.
A club with a flat metal head used for approach shots. Numbered 3–9, higher numbers = shorter distance.
Where and how your ball is sitting on the ground. A good lie means easier to hit; a bad lie means harder.
An informal do-over shot. Not allowed in official play but common in casual rounds.
Beyond the white stakes at the edge of the course. A penalty applies — stroke and distance.
The expected number of shots to complete a hole. Usually 3, 4, or 5 depending on hole length.
A medium-height shot played toward the green, designed to stop quickly on landing.
A second ball played when your first might be lost or out of bounds, to save time.
A rolling shot played on the green using a putter. The final step to finishing each hole.
The longer grass either side of the fairway. Harder to hit from, and you get less distance.
A points-based scoring format. You earn points based on how many shots you take per hole.
Count every shot across the whole round. Lowest total score wins.
A small peg you place the ball on for your first shot on each hole. Also refers to the tee box area.
When you decide your ball is in a position too difficult to play. You can take relief with a one-shot penalty.
A lake, river, or stream on the course. Red or yellow stakes indicate the penalty area type.
The largest club in your bag. Used for maximum distance off the tee. The driver is a 1-wood.
The distance to the hole or a target, measured in yards. Course markers and GPS devices show yardage.
5 essential rules every golfer needs
These are the situations you will encounter. Know what to do — and keep the round moving.
Out of bounds
If your ball lands beyond the white stakes (or white lines) marking the boundary of the course, it is out of bounds. You cannot play the ball from there.
What to do: Go back to where you played the original shot and play again from there. You add one penalty stroke, so you are now playing your third shot from the original spot. This is called stroke and distance.
Red penalty area (water)
Red stakes mark a lateral water hazard — usually a pond, ditch, or stream. You have three options.
Option 1: Play the ball as it lies (unlikely in water).
Option 2: Go back to where you played from and replay.
Option 3 (most common): Drop within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the red line, no closer to the hole.
Yellow penalty area (water)
Yellow stakes mark a standard penalty area — usually a lake directly in front of you. You have two options.
Option 1: Go back to where you played from and replay.
Option 2: Drop behind the hazard on a line from the hole through where the ball entered.
Key difference from red: you cannot drop to the side — only back on the line or from the original spot.
Lost ball
You have 3 minutes to search for your ball. If you cannot find it, it is declared lost. You must go back to where you played from and play again.
The smart move: If you think your ball might be lost, always play a provisional ball before you go forward to search. This saves walking back and keeps the round moving for everyone.
Unplayable lie
Anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area), you can declare your ball unplayable if you cannot or do not want to play it. Only you can make this decision.
You then have three options — all with a one-stroke penalty:
Option 1: Go back to where you last played from and replay.
Option 2: Drop within two club-lengths of where the ball lies, no closer to the hole.
Option 3: Drop behind the ball on a line from the hole, going back as far as you like.
Often the smartest choice when stuck behind a tree or in a deep bush.
Tips for speed of play
Slow play is one of the most common frustrations in golf. Follow these habits and you will always be welcome on the course.
Be ready to play
When it is your turn, be ready. Choose your club while others are playing, not after you arrive at your ball.
Play provisional balls
If your ball might be lost or out of bounds, always play a provisional. This avoids a long walk back and keeps everyone moving.
Limit your search
You have 3 minutes to search for a lost ball. Do not hold up the group behind. If not found quickly, take the drop and move on.
Leave the green promptly
Once the hole is finished, mark your scorecard at the next tee — not on the green. This keeps the flow going for everyone.
Play "ready golf"
In casual rounds, whoever is ready plays next — not strictly furthest from the hole. Strict honour applies in competitions only.
Know the benchmark times
A standard 9-hole round takes around 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes. A full 18-hole round should be between 4 and 4.5 hours. If you are running over, pick up the pace.
Pick up when you've had enough
If you have taken too many shots on a hole, pick up your ball and move on. There is no shame in it — it keeps the round moving and is the considerate thing to do for everyone on the course.
Let faster groups through
If a group behind you is waiting regularly, wave them through at the next opportunity. It is not a sign of weakness — it is good golf etiquette and makes the round more enjoyable for everyone.
Be aware of who is around you
Always know who is ahead and who is behind you on the course. If there is a big gap to the group in front, you are too slow. If the group behind is close, consider letting them through. Stay connected to the rhythm of the whole course.
How Stableford scoring works
Stableford is used in most club competitions in Sweden. Instead of counting every shot, you score points per hole. More points is better.
| Result on the hole | Score vs par | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Albatross (3 under par) | −3 | 5 |
| Eagle (2 under par) | −2 | 4 |
| Birdie (1 under par) | −1 | 3 |
| Par (level) | 0 | 2 |
| Bogey (1 over par) | +1 | 1 |
| Double bogey (2 over par) | +2 | 0 |
| Triple bogey or worse | +3 or more | 0 |
Your handicap works in your favour
Your handicap gives you extra shots on the harder holes. For example, if you have a handicap of 18, you get one extra shot on every hole — meaning you score a point with a bogey instead of needing a par. A score of 36 points is par for a handicap golfer. Anything above 36 is a good round.
Understanding your handicap
A handicap is simply a number that represents your current ability. It lets golfers of all levels compete fairly against each other on any course.
The basic idea
Your handicap tells you how many shots above par you are expected to score on an average day. A handicap of 18 means you are expected to make one bogey per hole. A handicap of 0 (scratch) means you are expected to play to par. The lower your handicap, the better you play.
How your shots are spread across 18 holes
Your handicap shots are given on the hardest holes first. Every course has a "stroke index" (SI) — a ranking of each hole from 1 (hardest) to 18 (easiest). Your shots are allocated in SI order.
Handicap 54
You receive 3 shots on every hole. On a par 4, you play it as a par 7. A triple bogey scores 2 Stableford points. Focus on enjoying the round — the shots come down quickly.
Handicap 36
You receive 2 shots on every hole. On a par 4, you play it as a par 6. A double bogey scores 2 Stableford points. A bogey scores 3 points. You are building real consistency.
Handicap 18
You receive 1 shot on every hole. A bogey scores 2 Stableford points — the same as par without a handicap. Par gives you 3 points. A very competitive level for recreational golf.
Real example — handicap 38
Handicap 38 is like handicap 36 — you get 2 shots on every hole — but with 1 extra shot on the 2 most difficult holes (stroke index 1 and 2).
On most holes (SI 3–18): 2 shots. A double bogey scores 2 points, a bogey scores 3 points.
On the 2 hardest holes (SI 1 and SI 2): 3 shots. A triple bogey scores 2 points, a double bogey scores 3 points, a bogey scores 4 points.
A score of 36 points is your target — that means you played to your handicap. Anything above is a good day.
Golf etiquette
Golf has traditions and an unwritten code of conduct. Learn these and you will fit in anywhere in the world.
Silence during the swing
Never talk, move, or make noise when another player is about to hit. Stand still and wait until they have completed their shot.
Repair the course
Replace your divots on the fairway, repair pitch marks on the green with a pitch mark repairer, and rake bunkers smooth after you play from them.
Dress code
Most clubs require a collared shirt and smart trousers or shorts. Jeans and football shirts are typically not permitted. When in doubt, dress smart.
Honour system
Golf is one of the only sports where you call penalties on yourself. Honesty is fundamental. Count every stroke — including the ones you would rather forget.
The 19th hole
The clubhouse bar after the round. A tradition of sharing a drink, discussing the round, and enjoying the company of those you played with.
Respect the flag
Do not stand on another player's putting line (the path from their ball to the hole). Be careful not to step on it even when tending the flag.
Keep your shadow off the line
When someone is putting, make sure your shadow is not falling across their ball or line. It can be very distracting.
Hole-in-one tradition
If you score a hole-in-one, tradition says you buy drinks for everyone in the clubhouse. A small price for a remarkable achievement.
Swing examples to study
Every great swing is different — but all share fundamental principles. These are the best examples to watch and learn from.
Ben Hogan
TechniqueThe gold standard for iron play. Study his hip rotation, flat left wrist at impact, and incredible consistency. His 1957 instructional book is still considered essential reading.
Tiger Woods (2000)
Power + controlAt his peak, Tiger combined extraordinary power with surgical accuracy. His 2000 swing is widely considered the most complete in history. Notice his lag, his footwork, and his aggressive release.
Annika Sörenstam
Women's gameRotational power done perfectly. Her famous move of pointing her eyes at the target through impact became a teaching reference worldwide. Proof that technique beats brute force.
Rory McIlroy
Modern powerThe best modern example of how to generate distance without losing control. His hip clearance and swing speed are extraordinary, but the fundamentals are sound enough for any golfer to study.
How to improve and develop a great golf game
Improvement in golf is not about talent — it is about consistency, repetition, and the right approach. Follow these four principles and you will make real progress.
Play and practise regularly
For your first three months, commit to a simple rhythm: one round on the course, one practice session. Repeat. Every week without exception.
The round gives you real-game experience — pressure, decision-making, and learning to score. The practice session lets you work on what went wrong. One without the other is half the work. Three months of this builds more than a year of occasional play.
Occasional lessons — then train, practise, repeat
A lesson gives you something specific to work on. But the lesson itself is just the starting point. The real improvement happens in the training sessions that follow — when you take what you were taught and ingrain it through repetition.
Take a lesson. Train the change. Practise until it feels natural. Then play. Then come back for the next lesson. This loop — lesson → train → practise → play → repeat — is how golfers genuinely improve at every level.
Watch golf, visualise, find a model swing
Your brain learns from watching as well as doing. Find one player whose swing you admire and watch it every week. Study how they stand, how they move, how they finish. Then close your eyes and see yourself doing the same thing before you practise.
Visualisation is not mystical — it is how your nervous system rehearses movement. The best players in the world do it on every shot. Start doing it on the range and you will transfer that habit to the course faster than you think.
Winter swing plan — use the off season wisely
The Swedish winter is not a break from golf. It is your biggest opportunity. When the course is quiet and the pressure is off, this is the perfect time to do the technical work that is hard to do mid-season.
Join me for a structured 6 or 12-week winter training plan at JP Golf Academy. We work on the fundamentals — grip, posture, swing path, impact — so that when summer arrives, you are playing the best golf of your life. Put the technical work in during winter. Play freely in summer.
Ready to build your game this winter?
6 and 12-week training plans available at JP Golf Academy, Stannum GK, Gråbo. Limited places each season — book early to secure your spot.