There’s a reason why golf is a beloved game; it offers a unique combination of physical activity, mental challenge, socialization, and relaxation, all while being steeped in tradition and history. Plus, it’s a viable career choice. No matter why you play the game, learning the rules and strategies, even golf slang, makes playing even better.
Here are 3 ways to increase your knowledge of golfing rules and strategies.
Get a Copy of the Rules of Golf
If you haven’t already, a good place to start is to read the Rules of Golf, which is a joint publication of official rules for golf that are used by players around the world by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A).
Available online or in print, the book covers a range of regularly updated topics, including:
- The game of golf and its equipment
- Definitions of key terms used in the rules
- The player and player’s responsibilities
- The general penalty and the rules of golf etiquette
- The committee and its responsibilities
Read Golf Books and Articles
Besides the Rules of Golf, there are tons of not just books but articles written about golf rules and strategies.
When deciding what to read, you want to prioritize books and articles written by professional golfers, coaches, and instructors. Reading about the strategies of such experienced golfers is an effective way to learn tips, tricks, and nuances of the game. Start with a simple Google search using specific search terms like “golfing books by pro players” or “articles by golf instructors.”
You can also look at golfing websites, and follow pro players and instructors on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. They sometimes share links to their articles or books on their profiles.
Watch Professional Tournaments
After reading, it’s a good idea to see it all in practice. Primarily because although professional golfers follow the same rules as amateur players, they typically face more complex situations on the course. Seeing how they navigate these situations and apply the rules will give you a better understanding of how to apply the rules in your own game. Also, the rules of golf are constantly changing, and this way you can see how new rules are being applied in real time.
Plus professional golf tournaments have expert commentators who have keen insights and analysis of the players’ performances. They sometimes even explain different strategies and techniques used by the players and what better way to get additional knowledge and understanding of the game?
Many professional golf tournaments are televised, most are available for online streaming, and you can even follow professional golfers and golfing organizations on social media platforms for clips and highlights of popular tournaments.
By increasing your knowledge of golf rules and strategies, you can improve your performance on the course and enjoy the game even more. Keep in mind that golf is a lifelong learning experience, and there is always more to discover and explore about the sport.