Basic Golf Techniques You Must Master Before Playing

Playing golf isn't as easy as it seems; it requires precise technique and accuracy to win. Even the slightest mistake can have fatal consequences. For example, incorrect hand position or body rotation can result in a shot that misses the target.

A common problem for beginners is jumping straight into the game without understanding the basic techniques. As a result, their shots become erratic. However, with patience, golf techniques are quite easy to learn on your own. Read this article to the end if you want to understand the basic techniques of golf.

How Important is it to Understand Golf Playing Techniques?

It's important, very important. Even if you don't become a professional right away, at least your playing style isn't embarrassing. After all, golf is synonymous with upper-class sports, meaning many golfers come from well-off families.

Golf is also often used as a means of networking and even business prospects. If that's your goal in playing golf, then mastering the basic techniques is essential. When you look confident swinging a golf club, your playing partners will respect you.

Also Read: Guide to Playing Golf from Basic to Advanced

On the sporting side, solid technique will make it easier for you to control your game and focus on winning. Mastering basic golf techniques also correlates with self-confidence and helps reduce the risk of injury. So, stop playing golf haphazardly. Start learning the basic techniques now!

Golf Club Grip Technique

Just like badminton or table tennis, there's a technique to holding a golf club. The way you hold a golf club affects both your comfort and the outcome of your shot. To help you understand better, here are some ways to hold a golf club and their functions.

1. Overlapping Grip

The overlapping grip is the most common golf grip technique used by adult players. This grip is suitable for adults because it provides good stability and control, especially during high-speed swings.

Holding a golf club with an overlapping grip will help reduce excessive hand movement and maintain consistency in the club face. This grip will produce a draw shot.

How to implement overlapping grip is:

1. You hold the grip with your top hand.

2. The lower hand enters and joins with the little finger on top.

3. Try to keep your grip strong but relaxed.

2. Interlocking Grip

The interlocking grip is a way of holding a golf club by locking the pinky finger of your lower hand into the gap between your index and middle fingers of your upper hand. This grip is popular because it feels more integrated and doesn't slip off easily during the swing.

For those with small hands or relatively short fingers, this grip technique is usually more comfortable than a split grip, as both hands are more connected. With more locked hands, stick control is usually more stable, especially at impact.

Also Read: Sabi Golf Bag Review: Premium Feel, No-Drama Price

3. Baseball Grip

The baseball grip is a way of holding a golf club with all fingers on the grip, like holding a baseball bat. This grip doesn't require locking or overlapping fingers.

This is the easiest option for beginners because you only need to hold the stick steadily, then focus on learning hand position, swing, and timing without worrying about complicated grip techniques.

What is the correct body position when you want to swing?

1. Foot position & balance : open your feet shoulder-width apart (or slightly wider), your weight is balanced in the middle of your feet, your heels remain in contact, and your body feels stable (not leaning too far forward or backward).

2. Knee & hip position : knees slightly bent, hips “hinge” (push back) enough so you can bend down without rounding your back; make sure your knees are not locked and remain comfortable to move.

3. Back & shoulder position : neutral back (not hunched), active core, relaxed but “ready” shoulders (not up to the ears), and chest open enough to allow for more freedom of movement.

4. Distance from the ball : stand close enough so that you can reach the ball without having to bend too far; ideally, your arms should be comfortably within reach, your head should be level, and you should still be able to swing without feeling “pulled” or losing your balance.

Also Read: Beginners Must Know! This is the term for a shot in golf

Basic Swing Technique for Beginners

1. Back Swing

The backswing is the initial phase of your swing, determining the direction and quality of your shot. The focus is on proper shoulder rotation, while smoothly transferring your weight to your back leg to prepare your body for power production during the forward swing.

If your back swing is too fast, too far, or your weight doesn't shift with control, your swing will usually become unstable and your shot will easily miss.

How to do a Back Swing:

• Start from a balanced stance: feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, core engaged.

• Hold the equipment (club/bat/racket according to the sport) with a comfortable grip, arms relaxed.

• Slowly roll your shoulders back while keeping your chest open and your back neutral.

• Let your hips rotate slightly, but don't let your body tilt or bend too much.

• Gradually shift your weight to your back foot, keeping your back heel planted.

• Keep your head and gaze steady.

• Stop in a comfortable and controlled back swing position, then get ready to enter the forward swing.

2. Down Swing

The downswing is a crucial phase that determines how clean your shot is. The key to this swing technique is timing and smooth hip rotation so that power comes from the body, not just the hands.

If your hips rotate too quickly or too late, the club will be off-track and you'll easily miss contact. The ideal club path is to descend with control, remain stable, and aim at the ball with a consistent club face—not "slashing" from the outside or lifting your head first.

Also Read: 7 Must-Have Golf Equipment for Maximum Play

How to do a Down Swing:

• Start from a balanced top swing position (weight is stable, chest is not too bent).

• Start the downswing from the hips: rotate your hips toward the target with control, rather than directly “pulling” the club with your hands.

• Feel the weight of the stick descend as your body rotates; your hands and arms are simply guiding, not the primary source of power.

• Keep your elbows close to your body and your wrists steady (avoid sudden movements).

• Make sure the stick's path down towards the ball is consistent (avoid “flaring” outwards or “cutting” too sharply).

• As you approach impact, keep your body turned and your head relatively stable for more precise contact.

• Practice slowly first for consistency of path, then increase the speed once the movement feels neat.

3. Follow Through

Follow-through is the phase after the ball is struck, and it's crucial for beginners because it determines two things: final balance and shot direction. If your follow-through is correct, your body will stop in a stable position, and your swing path will remain straight and aligned with the target.

But if your follow-through isn't good, it can easily cause the ball to deviate and make it difficult for you to be consistent.

How to do Follow Through:

• After impact, continue the swing naturally, do not stop suddenly.

• Keep your chest facing the target, don't rush to open your body to the side.

• Make sure your weight shifts steadily to your front foot.

• Let the hand and the swing stick/weapon rise along the same path, not forced to rotate.

• End with a balanced position: body upright, shoulders relaxed, and you can hold the position for 1 - 2 seconds without swaying.

• Evaluation: if you often wobble, it means your weight transfer or core control is still not neat.

Basic Punching Techniques You Must Master

1. Drive Shot

A drive is a basic golf shot used for long distances from the tee, usually when you want to start the hole with the ball as far away as possible to make the next shot easier.

The goal is to produce a straight, consistent ball with optimal distance. A good drive is born from a good setup, controlled body rotation, and clean ball contact.

Also Read: Consider These Things Before Buying Golf Clubs

How to do Drive:

• Use the driver and hit a shot from the tee.

• Position the ball in front so that contact occurs when the club is rising.

• Feet shoulder width apart, body weight balanced, knees slightly bent.

• The shoulders are slightly “tilted” to help the swing up at impact.

• Hold the grip with sufficient pressure, hands relaxed.

• Smooth backswing, rotate shoulders and hips sufficiently, stay stable.

• When downswing, start from the hips then the shoulders, then the hands follow.

• At impact, focus on hitting the ball first with the club face square, then continue with a full follow-through.

• Evaluate the results: if the ball often slices/hooks, check your grip, alignment, and tempo again before adding power.

2. Iron Shot

The Iron Shot is a mid-range punching technique that focuses not just on speed, but also on solidity and stability. It's typically used when you're close enough to clearly hit the target.

To perform this punching technique, there must still be room to rotate the hips and send power from the bottom to the top.

How to do an Iron Shot:

• Place the ball directly between your feet. Golf Digest recommends this position to ensure consistent contact.

• Press your hands slightly forward (forward press) until your hands are in front of the ball at address.

• Keep a little more weight on the front foot (around 55 - 60%) to help the shot go down.

• Hit the ball with a downward movement (hit down). Make sure the club head hits the ball first before it hits the ground.

• Make sure the divot is after the ball, not before.

• Complete the swing until your chest is fully facing the target to maintain balance.

3. Chip Shot

A chip shot is a short shot usually made from an area near the green with the aim of making the ball launch low, rise slightly, and then roll more towards the hole.

This technique is a must to master because it is often used when you need a quick rescue from close range and you want stable distance control.

How to Chip Shot:

• Use a wedge or short iron (like an 8- or 9-iron) depending on how far you want the ball to roll. Golf.com recommends using a lower-lofted club if the green is large.

• Stand with your feet very close together and your body position slightly open facing the target.

• Place the ball on the inside of the back foot to ensure clean contact.

• Place about 70% of your body weight on your front foot. Maintain this position and don't shift your weight during the swing.

• Lean the stick forward so that your hands are in front of the ball.

• Use shoulder and arm movements similar to a pendulum putter. Avoid excessive wrist use.

• Ensure sharp contact with the ball and finish with a short, controlled movement.

4. Putting Shot

Putting is a fundamental stroke technique you must master because it's where you secure your score. The main focus is ball control, so you need to read the direction and slope, manage your power to stop the ball close or in, and maintain a steady stroke.

Also Read: Golf Practice Guide for Beginners to Be More Confident

How to Do a Putting Shot:

• Use a comfortable grip to minimize wrist movement.

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your eyes directly over the ball so you can accurately see a straight line to the hole.

• Place the ball slightly in front of the midpoint of the foot to produce a smoother roll.

• Swing the putter using your shoulders and arms, not your hands. Imagine your shoulders and arms forming a triangle that moves in unison like a clock pendulum.

• Keep the tempo consistent. The length of the backswing should be the same as the length of the forwardswing.

• Keep your head down and don't rush to see the ball go in. Make sure your head stays still until the ball has truly traveled far.

• Before hitting, look at the slope of the grass from behind the ball to determine the direction of the turn (break).

So, when do you want to start practicing, Svargans?

In golf, fundamental technique determines the quality of your game. If your foundation is flawed, the ball can go all over the place, even with great force. Focus your initial practice on the most important aspects: directional control, contact consistency, and movement rhythm.

Start by learning a comfortable and stable grip, then develop a balanced posture, and then move on to a well-paced swing. Regular and consistent practice is far more important than chasing power.

Because golf is a game of accuracy and repetition. If you practice 15-30 minutes several times a week with proper technique, you'll usually progress faster than if you practice hard but infrequently. Don't forget strength training , too, to reduce your risk of injury!