Learning to play golf can feel like stepping into a new world — one filled with strange vocabulary, confusing mechanics, and the humbling realization that this “gentleman's game” isn’t so gentle on beginners.
If you’ve recently picked up the game or are thinking about it, you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Many beginners face the same struggles in their first few months — not because they’re not athletic or capable, but because golf requires a very specific kind of learning and patience.
Let’s talk about what those early struggles are, and how to make real progress.
The Unconscious Incompetence Phase: You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
In motor learning science, the earliest phase of learning a new skill is called “Unconscious Incompetence.” This means you’re unaware of what you’re doing wrong — and your brain doesn’t yet know how to correct it.
Golf feels especially difficult in this phase because it’s a highly unnatural movement for most people. Swinging a club with power and precision requires coordination, balance, timing, and body awareness — and those don’t show up overnight.
This is where the right kind of instruction makes all the difference. Without guidance, you may spend months reinforcing bad habits simply because your brain hasn’t developed the right movement patterns yet.
Too Many Cooks (and Tips) in the Kitchen
Every beginner has experienced it: you’re on the range, struggling to make solid contact, and someone nearby offers a well-meaning tip like:
- “Keep your head down.”
- “You’re swinging too fast.”
- “Just let the club do the work.”
These clichés might sound helpful, but they often cause more confusion than clarity — especially when they’re not tailored to your skill level.
At the beginner stage, too many tips lead to paralysis by analysis. You don’t need 20 swing thoughts. You need one or two simple, targeted fundamentals — and time to let your body internalize them.
That’s why it’s so important to follow a structured learning plan that builds your swing the right way from the ground up.
My solution? Stick to the Fundamentals (Even When It’s Boring).
It’s tempting to jump ahead. You see players shaping shots, working the ball, and hitting driver off the tee with confidence — and you want to get there now but,
golf rewards patience and mastery of the basics.
Until you own the fundamentals, there’s no point moving to more advanced techniques. Solid grip, posture, alignment, and swing sequence are the building blocks of a repeatable swing.
In my CGD Learning System (Complete Golf Development), every beginner starts with a strong foundation. It’s not flashy, but it’s how real, lasting improvement happens.
The “L-to-L Drill”: My Go-To Starting Point for Beginners
One of the cornerstone drills I teach to beginners is the
L-to-L Drill — and it’s something I return to with students at every skill level.
Here’s why:
The L-to-L drill helps you:
Learn proper wrist hinge and release
- Feel the correct swing plane
- Build tempo and sequencing naturally
- Train solid contact without overthinking mechanics
- By swinging from an “L” position in the backswing to an “L” in the follow-through, you develop a functional, athletic motion that mirrors the essential DNA of the full golf swing — without the chaos of trying to do too much at once.
Ready to Build a Real Golf Swing?
If you're serious about learning the game the right way — with structure, clarity, and confidence — I offer a
Beginner 5-Lesson Package for just $400.
This is designed specifically for golfers in the early learning phases. We focus on the fundamentals, break through frustrating misconceptions, and give you the tools to start seeing progress immediately.
➡️ Book your beginner package here: https://www.markrippygolf.com/golf-lessonswww.markrippygolf.com/golf-lessons www.markrippygolf.com/golf-lessons
All lessons include radar-based analysis and personalized video swing reviews. Irene Golf & Country Club members receive a discounted rate.
Golf doesn’t have to be frustrating. With the right instruction and a focus on the fundamentals, you’ll go from confused to confident — one swing at a time.