Wouldn't it be great if you could learn how to play golf from a single article like this? If that is what you were hoping for I am afraid you will be disappointed!

If you could learn how to play golf from a simple article like this there wouldn't be a million magazines, hundreds of thousands of golf coaches and several industries all chasing your dollars as they strive to teach you how to play golf. Sometime I wonder if they really want us to learn how to play golf because if they were successful they would all be out of business!

In this article I intend to give you a few tips that will convince you that learning how to play golf is not as important as just playing the game and enjoying it.

How to play golf - what not to do.

1. Don't get too hung up on emulating the pros - there really is only one Tiger Woods, or one Rory McIlroy. It is important to understand that millions of people play golf and only a very small percentage are extremely good at it. There are literally hundreds of thousands of very good golfers that cannot make a living out of playing the game. Why am I telling you this? Because I believe that far too many of us strive to be better than we can ever hope to be. We simply do not have the time to spend on a game that is essentially a recreational sport to us. 2. Selecting golf clubs can be a major headache. My advice is to grab a set - even borrow one - to see if you enjoy the game. When you learn how to play golf (and possibly for a few years after as your handicap improves) the swing you start with likely will be inconsistent and an average set of clubs will be more than adequate. Don't get too hung up on the newest and latest technology. This can come later as (and if) you really get into the game. 3. Don't expect to master this game from the "get go." It doesn't matter what other sports you have played - golf is different and at times you may be frustrated that the scrawny little kid (or the big fat guy) down the road who cannot even catch a rugby ball, swing a baseball bat or throw a cricket ball can hit the ball further than you with far less effort - it is going to happen so get used to it!

How to play golf - what you should do.

1. Practice on and around the green to start. If I was learning how to play golf again, with the knowledge I now have, I would spend a lot more time messing around on or near a practice green. But I know you won't because it does not seem as much fun as smashing balls on the range or actually playing. Just bear in mind that if you really want to learn how to play golf well you need to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. The hole is on the green - not the fairway! 2. Just go out and play. Learn to hit the ball with those funny shaped clubs. Then when you are getting the club on to the ball you can think about ....... 3. Taking a lesson or two. I am a firm believer in the correct basics and there is no better time to get these right than when you set out to learn to play golf. If there is one thing we can learn from the pros and other top players it is that they have a repetitive and consistent golf swing. The guys that really make it to the top are the ones who have really good basics with a smooth tempo and effortless swing. 4. If you cannot afford lessons there are hundreds of books, both in hard copy and e-books, as well as magazines and TV programs that can help with teaching you how to play golf. This is true for all levels of golfers. 5. If you are fortunate enough to still be at school or college you may even be able to take the sport up at this level and learn for free. Your parents will tell you not to sacrifice your classes to learn how to play golf - some may disagree with this advice!

I guess at the end of the day what I am saying is don't sweat the small stuff when it comes to learning how to play golf - there will be time enough for that as you strive to improve - and you will always be trying to improve, everyone does!

I would encourage everyone to learn how to play golf because it is such a great game, is played by a special breed of people and can be played forever.

Just don't expect to learn how to play golf from a single article or lesson as the journey is a life long, and evolving one!