Level 1 Golf Fundamentals Guide
Welcome to your foundation in golf! This guide is designed to support your journey as a new or returning golfer. Whether you're reviewing key concepts or learning them for the first time, keep this handy to reinforce great habits and enjoy steady improvement.
Grip
A proper grip is the foundation of every great swing.
Styles: Choose one that feels secure and comfortable:
Ten-finger (baseball) – Great for beginners and juniors.
Interlock – Popular among players with smaller hands.
Overlap (Vardon) – Preferred by many experienced players.
Grip Pressure: Imagine holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out—firm but not tight.
Hand Position: Neutral grip with the Vs of your hands pointing between your chin and right shoulder (for right-handed golfers).
Hold More in Fingers: Avoid palming the club. Fingers provide better control and feel.
Posture
Setup impacts everything that follows.
Hip Hinge: Bend from the hips, not the waist.
Knees: Slight flex—athletic, balanced.
Foot Position: Flare the front foot a few degrees outward to promote easier hip rotation.
Spine Tilt: Maintain a straight but relaxed spine angle.
Arms: Hang naturally from your shoulders.
Alignment
Aim your clubface at the target first, then align your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line (like train tracks).
Swing Progression
1/4 Swing (Chip Shot Basics)
Short back and through.
Minimal wrist hinge.
Focus on solid contact and control.
1/2 Swing (Pitch Shot Feel)
Club shaft parallel to the ground at the top.
Maintain target line and body alignment.
Good for developing distance control.
3/4 Swing ("L-to-L")
Create an “L” in backswing and follow-through with wrists and elbows.
Use thoracic (upper back) rotation to build torque and power.
Full Swing
Use your body’s momentum.
Sequence: Lower body initiates downswing, followed by torso, arms, then club.
Maintain balance and rhythm.
Ball Position & Vision
Ball Position:
Short Irons: Center of stance.
Mid-Irons: Slightly forward of center.
Driver: Inside of lead heel.
Eyes on Ball: Keep your eyes focused on the back of the ball until after impact.
Tempo & Rhythm
Smooth swings generate better contact and consistency. Think “1…2” (backswing…downswing).
Putting Fundamentals
Grip
Use a comfortable grip (reverse overlap is common).
Both thumbs should point down the shaft.
Posture
Eyes over or slightly inside the ball.
Shoulders relaxed, arms hang naturally.
Alignment
Aim the putter face first, then align feet and shoulders square to target.
What Makes a Putt Break?
Undulation (Slopes): The ball will break downhill.
Grain: On Bermuda grass, the grain can push the ball in the direction the grass grows.
Wind: Wind can affect longer putts, especially on fast greens.
Putting Drills
Gate Drill: Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head. Putt through the gate to improve your stroke path.
Clock Drill: Place balls around the hole at 3 feet. Putt each in succession—great for pressure practice.
Distance Control Ladder: Putt to different targets to develop feel and rhythm.
FAQs for Level 1 Golfers
Q: How do I hit higher shots?
A: Your clubs have loft on them and when you strike the ball solid, the loft of the club will cause the ball to go up, the way the clubface interacts with the ball, and the resulting backspin imparted on the ball will all contribute to loft. You could also use a club with more loft, position the ball slightly forward, and ensure you swing through with good wrist hinge and a full finish. Go to the bottom of this page for a more detailed explanation that is sure to help you understand how to hit the ball higher.
Q: Why do I top the ball?
A: Often caused by lifting your head, early extension, or not staying in posture. Focus on hitting down on the ball with a steady head. Grip pressure can sometimes cause topped shots so lighten up!
Q: How do I hit longer shots?
A: Solid contact + good swing sequence + full extension = distance. Use your whole body, not just your arms.
Q: Where does distance come from?
A: Clubhead speed generated through a combination of rotation, timing, and proper sequencing from the ground up.
Q: Why does my ball curve?
A: The ball curves due to clubface angle at impact and the path of your swing. Face left of path = draw/hook. Face right of path = fade/slice.
Q: How do I make it curve intentionally?
A: Adjust grip, stance, and swing path:
Open face + outside-in path = fade.
Closed face + inside-out path = draw.
Q: What’s the importance of attitude?
A: Stay patient, positive, and curious. Learning golf takes time and a good mindset helps you grow faster and enjoy the game more.
Q: How should I practice as a new golfer?
A:
Use the 50/25/25 rule: 50% short game, 25% full swing, 25% putting.
Practice with purpose—always have a goal.
Play games or challenges to make it fun and measurable.
Let the journey begin! Golf is a game for a lifetime—enjoy the process, celebrate the small wins, and keep swinging with purpose.
Visuals Coming Your Way:
Grip
Three hand grip styles (Ten-Finger, Interlock, Overlap)
Neutral grip hand placement (Vs pointing right shoulder)
Grip pressure scale (light to firm)
Finger vs. palm grip comparison
Posture
Proper golf posture (side view showing hip hinge, knee flex)
Common posture mistakes (rounded back, too upright)
Foot flare diagram
Alignment
"Train Track" alignment graphic
Target line vs body line setup
Swing Progression
1/4 Swing (chip shot setup and finish)
1/2 Swing (club parallel to ground in backswing)
3/4 Swing (L-to-L with wrist/arm angles and torso rotation)
Full Swing (sequence of motion: lower body > torso > arms > club)
Ball Position
Short iron, mid-iron, and driver ball positions relative to stance
Eyes on Ball
Visual of head position through impact
Rhythm & Tempo
Backswing and downswing timing visual (“1-2” count)
Putting
Grip styles (reverse overlap), ten finger,thumbs straight down, left hand low
Proper posture over putt
Putting alignment (eyes over ball, face square)
Putting Break Factors
Green slopes with arrows
Grain direction on Bermuda
Wind effect diagram
Putting Drills
Gate Drill (tee setup)
Clock Drill (ball positions around cup)
Ladder Drill (distances and targets)
Loft and Angle of Attack:
The loft of the club (the angle of the clubface) is crucial. A greater loft, achieved by hitting down on the ball and striking the ground immediately after, creates a higher launch angle and a more elevated trajectory.
Clubface Interaction:
The way the clubface interacts with the ball at impact determines the amount and direction of spin. A square clubface at impact generally imparts backspin, which contributes to lift and trajectory.
Backspin and Lift:
Backspin, the rotation of the ball in the air, creates lift. The rough surface of the golf ball interacts with the air, causing a change in air pressure above and below the ball. This pressure differential generates lift, pushing the ball upwards.
Weight Shift and Body Mechanics:
A proper weight shift towards the front foot during the swing helps to ensure a downward strike on the ball, contributing to a higher launch and more lift.
Other Factors:
The speed of the clubhead at impact and the player's stance and posture also play a role in determining the trajectory and lift of the golf ball.