Are you a novice golfer? If you are new to golf and intimidated by your options, do not stress! It is normal to feel this way but you can find out below how to fix this. This article will present effective and easy tips for playing golf, so, read on.

A good golf tip to help with your swing is to coordinate the movements of your body with your swing. Novice golfers think the power comes from the arms, but only using the arms can make weak and awkward swings. A much better way to get that coveted swing distance is to move your whole body as the club moves.

Be certain to keep a pure mental focus and concentration on your next stroke. Thinking about a previous success or mistake, or worrying about the next hole, will make you lose your concentration on the shot you need to make right now. Worrying about previous mistakes will mess up your swing, so move on.

When addressing each putt, it is important to have your hands slightly ahead of the line between your head and the ball. You also want to do your best to maintain this position and form while you swing your club. You will have more control over the club and direction of the ball.

For this reason, stretch before you play and drink plenty of water. Taking care of your body can add to your golfing success.

Use a light, neutral grasp on all of your best golf clubs. A grip that is overly tight will pull your shot rightwards. However, if a golf club held too loose the shot will veer to the left. If you have the right grip, you can control the direction your ball will go in.

During your drive, the back of your front foot should line up with the ball. The golf ball must be central and in between your feet during your swings. The exception for aligning the ball at a center point between your feet is when you're making a shot from a slope.

Inspect the head of any golf club you intend to buy. If the club has a worn, shiny spot near its center, it has been overused by its previous owner. You won't be able to hit the ball appropriately with a worn out club head.

Make certain that you have a proper grip on your club prior to swinging. Your thumbs will be pointing downwards, and the handle will fit right in your palms. Your hands should be touching. Slide your hands up on the handle before swinging to increase the distance you hit the ball.

Keeping the ball in same position regardless of the shot type is important. This will keep your stance consistent, and help ingrain it. Shift your trailing foot forward while maintaining your ball position when you want to increase your loft. This helps you with proper club selection, regardless of where you find yourself on the fairway.

It is important to always ensure that you have adopted the proper stance. You can find out if you have a good stance with a simple test: try tapping your toes while avoiding moving your feet. If you can tap your toes after trying hard enough, you have a good stance. If you feel that striking the ball is very hard, then you may be leaning into the ball too much. If it seems too easy, you are leaning too far away from the ball.

Avoid tensing up before you address the ball. This is a common mistake among golfers, and it can greatly weaken your game. Stay relaxed and loose, but make sure you hit the ball with all your strength. Don't let your muscles stiffen up!

Pay attention to what's going on while other golfers in your party are taking their shots. You must be prepared to play as soon as it is your turn. Many times, there will be other groups behind you waiting to take their turns, and they can't do that if you are dawdling.

You need to get as much practice as you can swinging your golf club. If you can get a simulation machine or borrow one, use it to help you practice. Practicing your swing can help better your game, so keep swinging.

Knowing the differences between your clubs is the key to becoming a good golfer. Getting the ball where it should go on the golf course depends upon understanding when to use which club. Make sure you know what wedges, irons, woods, and putters are and when to use them. Using a wrong club for a wrong situation can be very bad.

One of the more common golf problems is the slice, but practice makes perfect. Slicing is cause by the club hitting the ball incorrectly and sending it to the right. Your knees, shoulders and hips should all be parallel with the target line. Only move with the force of your hands and arms when you make the actual stroke, rather than the weight of your body or pivoting shoulders.

Prior to driving your first ball from the tee at a club you haven't been to before, familiarize yourself with the course. Knowing every nook and cranny of a course can vastly improve your score.

Landing in a sand trap is always frustrating, but you should still be mindful of how you leave it. Rake the spot after swinging in the trap. If you don't rake, the bunker will have both club divots and your footprints, which are really bad lies for future players. Leaving these situations behind you is a serious breach of golfing etiquette. Once you hit the ball out of the sand trap, make sure you rake the sand and smooth it out for the next golfer.

Although some people consider golf to be extremely complicated, it is not! Golf is as competitive or as relaxing as you want it to be. You should go out and play some golf now that you have more of a grasp on the sport!