How do you know when you're ready for the golf course?

PGA Professional Sarah Bennett on when’s the right time to tackle golf out on the course.

The replication of playing is very high on my agenda when coaching so, starting with the driver between tee markers and then hitting a hybrid or similar, and working in tandem with specific length holes. I may place the ball on an awkward lie or in a divot which obviously coaches the rules of golf and the how to factor these in.

No golfer is ever too early to play the game, a slight adjustment may be required to the length but we are here to 'play the game and not practise the game'. During the golf lessons I may try to let the player experiment with one club and moving the ball position to hit various shots, adjusting the backswing length and moving the hands up and down the handle to understand the creativity involved with one club. I will then provide a playing scenario relative to their experience level.

Those first steps are critical as it is the initial introduction to golf.

In terms of understanding the etiquette I'll point out a group while walking to the practice area and point out how they’re acting. My golf rule is never walk backwards, you should always be looking forward and that's great to help with the pace of play. It's the same with rules; I'll point out some out of bounds and when the flag is in or out, there's a lot that happens in golf for a beginner and you don't want anyone to feel like they are lacking in confidence in some of the game's nuances.

Those first few steps are so critical, we all remember our first nine or 18 holes and we want to make it as enjoyable and memorable as possible.