Golf for beginners: answers to frequently asked questions
We answer the most common questions for beginners
Golf in Mallorca: answers to questions that every beginner should know.
Golf in Mallorca has become one of the most fashionable sports of the moment. In fact, more and more beginners are coming to the golf course in Pollensa to enjoy a few holes. If you are one of them or you are simply attracted by the idea of practising it, pay attention. Here we are going to answer the most common questions asked by inexperienced golfers.
Golf in Pollensa: questions and answers for beginners.
Golf is a simpler sport than it seems. However, until you start playing, it can be difficult to understand. That's why here are some answers to questions that are sure to have crossed your mind:
How many holes does a golf course have? 18. At least, if we are talking about a professional one. Beginners tend to play shorter games.
When and where did golf begin? It is not entirely clear, but it is thought to have originated in Scotland in 1744. In that year the first players' association was formed. The following year the first rules of golf were written.
How big is a golf course? According to USGA (United States Golf Association) rules, 7000 yards, about 6400 metres. The surface must be outdoor grass.
What is the green? It is the area surrounding the hole. It is 550 square metres in size and is characterised by very short and thin grass so that the ball slides better.
And the par? The number of strokes set in advance to complete a hole. For example, if we talk about a par 3, we mean that it is a hole that professionals can complete in only 3 strokes. If more are used, the player is said to be over par. If less is required, under par.
How do you score in golf? The par for the hole is used as a reference in the stableford system, which is the standardised system. The player is awarded a number of points based on the number of strokes it takes to sink the ball. The following nomenclature is used: albatross or 3 under par (5 points), eagle or 2 under par (4 points), birdie or 1 under par (3 points), par (2 points), bogey or 1 over par (1 point) and double bogey or more (0 points).
A fantastic place to enjoy golf for beginners.
In short, playing golf in Mallorca is a real pleasure. Now that you are clear about the most important basic concepts of this sport, we encourage you to practice it at Golf Pollensa. It is an unbeatable experience.
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Golf enthusiasts in Mallorca should know that the short game involves two fundamental aspects, the technical and the mental. A good drive also requires good technique and concentration, but it is carried out from experience and trying to repeat almost always the same pattern. However, the short game has more variants and requires greater creativity, giving priority to greater technique and precision.Golf in Pollensa: keys to improve the short game
It is very important to improve your short game technique, as it depends to a large extent on whether you are under par or over par. Any distance below 100 yards from the green is considered a short game. To help you achieve the best results on your next visit to the golf course in Pollença, we have put together a list of valuable tips to help you improve your short game skills.Study the terrain: stopping to analyse the terrain between the ball and the hole is a basic aspect of the short game, as the greens often have slopes that we must take into account before making the shot.Correctly calculate the speed of the shot: it is common to make the mistake of hitting short wedge shots at a faster speed than necessary, which results in a loss of control of the ball. The different approach shots must be executed with the precision of a surgeon, without overdoing the speed of the stroke. So do not take the typical advice to accelerate when hitting the ball literally.Proper grip pressure: it is crucial that when we grip the club, we do it softly, but without losing firmness. If we determine softness on a scale of 1 to 10, try to aim for a grip between 4 and 5, which will relieve tension in the wrists and arms.Correct stance: Another common mistake is to hold the club at too high an end, which is counterproductive. To make good chips it is necessary for our hands to be a little closer to the ball, as we are looking for the most accurate shot possible. To this we must add the placement of our weight towards the supporting foot.Rotation of the body: both when making the pitch and the chip it is necessary to rotate the body forward while making the swing. That is to say, the chest and shoulders must rotate to give sufficient consistency to the stroke.Proper club selection, concentration and coordination are other key aspects of the short game. Golf in Mallorca is gaining more and more followers every day thanks to the excellent conditions of its golf courses. Don't hesitate to put these notions into practice to surprise other golfers. -
One of the services we provide the members of our golf course in Mallorca is the Junior Academy for children. As we are highly aware of the benefits of this sport for children, we want to give you some reasons to make golf your children’s favourite out-of-school activity.
Why enrol your children in a golf academy?
1. Fight against sedentary living by having your children play a sport in which they are permanently in contact with nature. This activity allows your children to learn to value the environment and conservation. The mere fact of taking care of the golf course by picking up any bit of paper or plastic on the ground is an important step in that learning process.
2. Golf is practically risk-free for your children, compared with other sports such as basketball, football, and tennis. The chances of suffering a serious injury are minimal since the child plays alone without physical contact with any other children.
3. A problem that our kids often have is impatience. By playing golf they will learn to be more patient and to deal with frustration since one of the main qualities of this sport is knowing how to manage shots and not lose patience over mistakes.
4. Golf is the perfect reason to spend more time with your children by sharing in something they like in a family setting. A weekend getaway to our golf course in Mallorca is ideal for bringing the family together which is something we sometimes overlook due to the stress in our daily lives.
For 5 year-olds and above, the Junior Academy at our golf course in Mallorca is intended for parents who want to provide their children with the chance to learn a highly beneficial sport.
Golf Pollensa academy works with Jamie Knight Golf Pro: a PGA professional player with a long experience offering private lessons in different golf courses in Mallorca.
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The first thing to keep in mind is that golf is a sport in which you need concentration, precision and coordination. Starting in this sport can be intimidating at first. So, if you're ready, here you have a few tips to start playing golf in the best way.
1. Sign up for classes
Learning on your own is a complicated task. The best way to start in this exciting sport is to take classes with a professional who knows how to tell you at all times how to improve your gestures and postures. Remember that in Pollensa Golf you can take classes with the best professionals.
2. Get the necessary equipment
At the beginning, it's enough if you rent the equipment. In Golf Pollença we can offer you the ones that you need. But if you're ready and want to get your own club equipment, we recommend that at first you only buy the basics to begin with.
3. Patience
At first, it's difficult to go directly to an 18-hole course. It's best to practice for a while before venturing on a long field. Another good option is to play a game of Pitch and Putt, a type of golf that is played in a field of reduced dimensions.
4. Warm up well
It's true that golf is not a rough sport, but during your practice many joints of the body move, so it never hurts to perform a good warm-up before you start playing.
5. Keep your feet on the ground
Surely you've seen more than one professional on TV making turns with their feet when making a swing. But if you are starting now, it's best to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground when hitting the ball, so you'll not lose sight of it.
6. Always with a glove
At the beginning, we hold the sticks with excessive force and this can cause blisters. So, before you start playing, take off the rings and put on a glove. You will appreciate it.
7. Do not despair
The beginnings can be hard. Don't expect to send the ball to 100 meters and direct the ball to where you want. You have to practice a lot and, even so, in golf there're more bad days than good ones. But the good ones are wonderful.
With these simple tips you're ready to start this exciting sport. We wait for you in Golf Pollensa!
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Playing golf in Mallorca is possible even in winter. In fact, there are hundreds of people who practice this sport in the coldest months of the year. However, the climate means that they have to follow a series of special tips and recommendations. Here we want to tell you what they are to encourage you to continue enjoying this activity during the cooler months.
What should you bear in mind when playing golf in Mallorca in winter?
The first piece of advice we are going to give you is to shorten your playing time. The cold and the hours of daylight available go against you, so it may be preferable to play only 9 holes instead of 18. Wear gloves that don't let you lose feeling when you hit the ball.
Apart from these two basic tips for playing golf in Pollensa during the winter, there are others that you should know:
- Be careful with the sun. Although it is less hot in December than in July, you can still get sunburnt if you have sensitive skin. Use sunscreen and sunglasses with UV filters.
- Wrap up properly. Wear technical clothing that helps you maintain your body heat without hindering your freedom of movement.
- The beating. Cold air is denser than hot air, which causes the ball to lose a lot of spin and speed in the air. Use an extra club if possible. Also, approaches (approach shots) should be taken lower than usual to maintain control. When using the putter, measure your strength very well. In winter the ball runs faster on the grass as the green is harder.
- Rain and wind. Neither of these elements is an impediment when it comes to playing. However, if it rains, it is advisable to wear waterproof clothing and gloves that will give you more grip on the club. Also, if it is windy, try to be as conservative as possible in your shots or your card may end up being a disaster.
Other recommendations for playing golf in Pollensa in winter
We must also stress the importance of stretching before playing. With the cold it will be more difficult to warm up and this increases the risk of injury. Don't forget to listen to your body's signals. Remember that when you play golf in winter, you have to make a greater effort. Get some extra energy with nuts and cereal bars.
In short, if you are passionate about this sport, there is nothing to stop you from playing golf in Mallorca during the winter. You just need to follow these tips to prevent injuries and adapt your game to the circumstances.