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What you are in for
Our very popular beginner course is specially designed for all those people who have not been exposed to golf and want to learn the game.
Calling all those corporate executives who are frequently invited to golf days but are forced to turn down invitations because they have not been exposed to golf. Or what about all those wives and girlfriends who become golfing widows once the golf season starts - why not join them?
By following the Virtual Pro program online or signing up for one of the beginner clinics at The River Club we hope to help you get interested in the game and to convert some of you to full time golfers! This beginner course covers a basic introduction into all aspects of the game - from putting to a full swing. It is a great way of introducing you to the basics of the game!
Week 1
Set of clubs
The game is played with a maximum of 14 clubs. Each club differs in length and in loft.
The standard set consists if:
- 3 woods
- 9 irons
- a putter
Clothing:
On the golf course:
- Collared shirts must be worn at all times
- No jeans or drawstring pants
- Shorts must be Bermuda length
- Socks must be predominately white
- Men have to wear tennis length socks
- Ladies can wear short socks
- Advertising must be kept to a minimum and "loud" branding will not be allowed
- Shoes must have no heels and must be either golf shoes or trainers
- Golf shoes should always have soft spikes and not metal spikes
The Driving Range:
- Generally, driving ranges are not as fussy as golf courses and clothes of any sort may be worn.
- Trainers or golf shoes must however be worn.
- No shoes with heels will be allowed.
- It would be to the advantage of the golfer to wear sports style clothing.
Week 2
Putting
Stance: Position the ball in the same place in your stance every time you putt.
Aim: The clubface must be square to the intended line of putt.
Grip: Make sure that both palms face each other when gripping the putter.
The outside of the left hand faces the intended line of putt.
Reading the green
The ball will always come from the high side of the hole. (Ball roles down hill)
The ball should always go past the hole to give the ball the opportunity to go into the hole.
Week 3
The running chip
Grip:
The normal grip is used. There are 3 types of grips:
- Hammer
- Interlocking
- Overlapping
Stance: Legs should be shoulder width apart with 60% of weight on left leg.
Your hands will be ahead of the ball.
Aim: Aim the clubface in the direction you would like the ball to land ± 1.5 m on the green. 
The ball will roll towards the hole.
Club selection: The swing stays the same and the club gets the ball to roll further.
If you use your 7 - iron, the ball will roll further because the club has less loft than a 9 - iron.
Week 4
Lofted chip
Stance: 60% of the body weight must be on the left leg.
Aim: Open the leading edge of the club to the right of your target and then align your feet and body slightly left of the target, therefore returning the clubface back to the target line.
Club selection: The best club to use is the Sand Wedge or the club with the highest degree of loft.
Technique: When playing this shot you must swing the club along the line of your feet and body. Finish with your club to the left of the target. (Do not swing towards the target. This will make the ball come out low and to the right)
Tip: Hit with a descending blow and do not try to lift it over the hazard.
Week 5
Bunker shots
Stance: Body weight must be on left leg 60%.
Aim: Open the clubface to the right and move your feet and body to the left of the target line to return the clubface back to the target line.
Club selection: The length of the bunker shot will determine the club selection, but a general rule of thumb in a greenside bunker is to use a sand wedge.
Technique: Swing the club on the line of your feet and body. Strike the sand with a descending "THUMP accelerating through the sand and finishing with the club high and to the left of the target.
Finish with your club to the left of the target. (Do not swing towards the target this will make the ball come out low and to the right)
Tip: If you are not confident with your bunker play take the shortest root out of the bunker. (You do not have to play to the flag)
Week 6
Pitching
Stance: The feet and body is aligned parallel to the target line.
Aim: Clubface is placed square to the target line.
Club selection: Pitching wedge is the club used when playing this shot.
Technique: Place +- 55% of weight on left leg. Swing the club about ¾ way back (depending on how far one needs to hit the shot) be positive through the ball with the same length follow through as the back swing.
Tip: Do not try and hit the ball to hard, as this will make the ball spin too much and cause the ball to balloon in the air.
Week 7
Weight transfer
To get the right feeling, do the next routine: Stand facing the ball with your left hand pointing towards the ball, imagine that there is someone standing on the right side, in line with your hip. Now, turn and shake his hand with your left hand. The weight should be on the inside of your right leg. (Not on the outside of your right leg.)
At this point place your right hand against your left hand and twist your body to the left and shake your right hand with someone on your left. The weight should be on your left leg.
Tip: Imagine you are dancing to music. Get the rhythm going, before concentrating on the details of the shot.
Week 8
Swing plane
Swing plane is the angle of the shaft to the ground at its address position. Turn your weight to the right and hinge your wrists at hip height. Completing the back swing rotate your hips back to the left and the club will return on the same plane.
Tip: By keeping the club on plane the club head will return square to the ball producing a relatively straight shot.
- Generally, driving ranges are not as fussy as golf courses and clothes of any sort may be worn.
- Trainers or golf shoes must however be worn.
- No shoes with heels will be allowed.
- It would be to the advantage of the golfer to wear sports style clothing.
