It doesn't take long to get into the game of golf. If you are playing for the first time, you might go to driving range to practice or take a lesson from an experienced friend or even a club pro. That should be enough to get you started. The first time you hit the ball solidly can have an addicting impact. You want to do it again and again. However, the key to enjoying golf is hitting the ball straight on a consistent basis.
Stance
Hitting the ball straight requires the proper stance. If you are a right-handed golfer, make sure your left shoulder is facing the target. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart. Play the ball about one ball width closer to your front foot than your back foot. Bend your knees so you can shift your weight easily from your back leg to your front leg.
Grip
Hitting the ball straight requires a solid grip. If you grip the club too loosely, the head of your golf club will move on impact when it hits the ball. If you grip it too tightly, you will lose distance and hooking the ball is likely. Grip the club at a "6" on a scale of 1 to 10. That's about the same as a firm handshake.
Balance
The golf swing should be smooth and rhythmic. After you step up to your ball, take your stance and grip the club properly, you must swing the club in a balanced fashion. You cannot do this if you attempt to swing the club as hard as you can. Some top pro golfers may appear to have a violent action to their swing, but most golfers have a smooth appearance to their swing. When your swing is balanced, you have a chance to hit the ball straight every time. Tell yourself to slow down when you step up to hit the ball.
Current Shot
Much of the game of golf is mental. You might think about the putt you just missed on the previous hole or the long tee shot on the par 5 that is coming up. That will hurt your chances of hitting a straight shot. You can't worry about previous shots or upcoming holes. The only shot you can control is the you have at the moment. Concentration on shaping that shot and hitting it accurately is vital if you want to hit the ball straight on a consistent basis.
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