Introduction to Golf • Beginner Level
Golf Initiation: Hitting Your First Balls
Some friends invited you to hit a few balls during a practice session. Little do you know, you’re about to catch the golf bug. How does it work? What should you wear? How long does it last?
For your first golf experience, simply wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You’ll enjoy about an hour of practice, followed by half an hour of debriefing over a drink.
The driving range is where golfers sharpen their skills to perform better on the course. To hit your first balls, start with a 9-iron. This club is relatively short and angled toward the sky, making it easier to launch your first balls into the air.
You’ll also have more fun using a tee during your golf initiation. A tee is a small plastic support that elevates the ball, making it easier to hit. Be sure to warm up properly before starting—it’s guaranteed that golf will awaken muscles you didn’t know you had!
If it works and your balls begin to soar through the air like fireworks, it’s time to try hitting them directly off the ground without the tee.
That’s when the real fun begins!
Playing Independently Under the Watchful Eye of a Golf Instructor
There it is—we warned you! You’ve hit your first balls and most likely caught the golf bug!
The symptoms: you want to come back, enjoy the fresh air, and continue your golf initiation. You’re eager to recreate that indescribable, thrilling sensation of hitting the ball perfectly in the center of the clubface!
How to Play Golf Independently
It’s simple: head to the nearest golf course, purchase a practice card, grab a bucket of balls from the machine, and you’re good to go! You’ll have 60 golf balls at your disposal for pure enjoyment. You can even buy a tee and borrow a 9-iron at the front desk.
You might also consider taking beginner golf lessons with an experienced instructor.
The key here is to refine your ability to hit the ball in the center of the clubface. It’s completely normal to alternate between tops (when the ball is hit above its equator) and duffs (when the club hits the ground first, losing speed before making contact with the ball).
Once your shots start flying even a little, don’t forget to aim for specific targets. It’s easy to get caught up in the mechanics of the game while waiting for your best shots to happen.
However, trust the wisdom of a seasoned golf instructor: focusing on sending the ball toward a specific target you’ve chosen in advance is a crucial ingredient for success!
Satisfied clients with my golf lessons!
More than 3000 people have taken my golf lessons in Versailles and the surrounding area
I’m starting golf and I’m lucky to have Julien as a teacher.
He is very educational, he breaks down gestures very well with comparisons that are always clear and vivid.
He is kind and always positive!
Thanks to Julien, I feel the progress thanks to his wise advice. I recommend him to you!!!
Charles Court
November 2023
Having started playing golf in Jardy in group lessons six months ago, I have the pleasure of having Julien as a teacher.
Julien is very friendly, passionate about his job. He follows each of his students carefully, is always listening and looking for the most suitable teaching method, his advice is clear and directly applicable.
In addition to the pleasure of finding him in class, I was able to see a rapid and very satisfactory progression in my playing.
Thanks to Julien and the whole team.
Patrick Morin
June 2023
I have been playing golf for 2 months now and since Julien took charge of my learning I have made enormous progress.
Julien is someone who is very professional and passionate about his job. He is a great teacher and andragogue and knows how to adapt his advice according to the level and weaknesses of each person by constantly renewing his exercises.
If you want to learn golf, I strongly advise you to take lessons with him. Thank you again sir and congratulations for your professionalism.
Oudoumanessah Yaseen
July 2022
You too would like to progress by leaps and bounds
with golf lessons near Versailles?
Golf Initiation: Your First Course
Playing Your First Course with a Golf Instructor
The true essence of the game is revealed on the course.
Beginner golfers often make a big mistake when they stick to the driving range.
You might think, “Later, when I’m better or when I’ve mastered the right technique, I’ll play my first round on the course.”
In reality, you’re wasting a lot of time. Worse, you’re depriving yourself of the best part of the game!
Ask your golf instructor or friends to take you to a 9-hole course. Each game includes up to 4 players, and you’ll have 10 to 15 minutes to play each hole.
Make the most of it by hitting the ball as soon as you can. If you miss your shot, don’t worry—just play your next shot from the spot where one of your playing partners landed their ball.
It’s a fun and relaxed way to play, and you’ll get plenty of opportunities to hit the ball!
Golf Initiation on the Course
On the course, you’ll also have the chance to practice shots around the green as well as putting.
The key here is to experience the game on the course. This gives immediate meaning to practicing golf and helps you understand what to train for and why.
It’s only on the course that you can truly test whether what you’ve learned and understood actually works.
Finally, the course is where the full strategic dimension of the game comes to life. During your first rounds, make the simplest choices that give you the highest chance of success.
Your Goal:
Aim to complete the hole in three strokes more than PAR (the golfer’s reference score) as indicated at the start of the hole.
Do You Want to Improve Your Golf Skills?
- By leveraging skills you've gained in other disciplines?
- Through a practical, multi-faceted approach that delivers immediate results?
My beginner golf lessons are made for you!
The Basics of Progress in Golf
Avoiding Bad Habits
You’ve played at least once on the course, enjoyed the experience, and now want to improve. This is the time when your golf training should be as practical and straightforward as possible.
It won’t be easy, as everyone you meet at the driving range will likely want to share one of their “golf secrets.”
As you’ve probably realized, your attention is limited. You won’t be able to apply all the advice, even those given with the best of intentions.
Furthermore, these technical tips from friends, or the latest video you found online, will rarely be the right solution for you at this moment—even if the information itself is accurate.
My advice to avoid developing bad habits: try the technical advice you receive or find on a few balls, and if it doesn’t work, move on.
Beginner Golf Lessons with Julien Simon, Golf Instructor
A Golf Instructor to Succeed in Your Golf Initiation
The best way to succeed in your golf initiation is to find a good golf instructor and attend regular beginner lessons. This will save you valuable time and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Your comfort is a great indicator of how well you’re managing your balance, posture, and intensity. During your training sessions, try to maintain this comfort as much as possible.
Focus on simple fundamentals such as:
- Hitting the ball,
- Making contact with the ground,
- Increasing your swing speed,
- Aiming at a target,
- Reaching a specific area.
The most important ingredient for progress during your golf initiation is enjoyment!
Make sure to train in conditions where you can achieve a high success rate with balls that fly well.
In Summary
A successful golf initiation includes:
- Enjoyment;
- Beginner golf lessons to progress quickly;
- An experienced instructor with engaging and fun techniques.