The Basics of Golf

Golf has been around for hundreds of years. It was first recorded in Edinburgh, Scotland around the middle of the thirteenth century. The basic equipment for golf consists of clubs, balls, cleats, and tees, all of which you can purchase at any sporting goods store. If you are a beginner, you would do better to buy a limited arrangement of clubs. They can be very expensive, and you need to be sure this game is for you.

There are eighteen total holes on a golf course, and you can use up to fourteen different clubs to play the game. Clubs consist of woods, or drivers, putters, wedges and irons. Each hole is begun from a tee and the ball will be played from there, towards the hole. Each hole has what is called “par,” which refers to the amount of strokes of the club it should take to get the ball into the hole. If you go over par by one stroke, you will record that hole as a “bogey.” If you go over by two strokes, that will be called a “double bogey.” However, if you make it to the hole one stroke under par, you will receive a “birdie.” Two strokes under par is called an “eagle.” Of course if you make the hole in one stroke it is called a “hole in one,” however, these are extremely rare.

In the most basic terms, the object of the game is to have the fewest number of strokes once the game is over. Whichever player has the fewest will be the winner. Golf is a highly skilled game that can take years of practice to master. It is an excellent form of exercise and a great way to be outdoors and to socialize.