Top Beginner Mistakes That Sabotage New Golfers (And How to Fix Them)
Golf is hard enough without unforced errors. We break down the 9 most common ways beginners ruin their rounds—and the simple gear and habit changes that fix them instantly.
1. Hitting With Dirty Grooves
The Mistake: Thinking mud on the clubface doesn't matter. Dirt acts like grease, removing friction between the ball and the club. This kills backspin and causes the ball to "fly" uncontrollably over the green or slide right.
The Fix: Clean your club after every single shot. Don't wait until the end of the round. Use a magnetic towel that travels with you to the ball.
The Solution: Magna-Anchor™ Towel
The Scrub Pad removes dried mud instantly. Sticks to your iron head for fast access.
Shop Towel →2. Leaving Ball Marks on the Green
The Mistake: Walking away from a dent in the green. Unrepaired marks take weeks to heal and ruin putts for everyone else. It screams "I don't know golf etiquette."
The Fix: Always carry a divot tool. Repair your mark (and one other) by pushing the turf inward, never lifting up.
The Solution: 5-in-1 Divot Tool
Switchblade action prevents pocket rips. Includes a magnetic marker.
Shop Divot Tool →3. Teeing Up at Random Heights
The Mistake: Guessing how high to tee the ball. Teeing it too low causes tops; too high causes pop-ups. Consistency is impossible if your launch pad changes every hole.
The Fix: Use a marked or stepped tee system. Find the height that works for your driver and stick to it religiously.
The Solution: PureFlight™ Tees
Consistent height markings and low-resistance 4-prong head.
Shop Tees →4. Aiming at the Pin (Instead of the Center)
The Mistake: "Flag hunting." Beginners aim directly at the pin, even when it's tucked behind a bunker or water. This leads to short-sided misses and double bogeys.
The Fix: Aim for the center of the green every time. A 30-foot putt for birdie is better than a chip from the heavy rough.
5. Slow Play (Not Being Ready)
The Mistake: Waiting for your turn to *start* your routine. This adds 30-45 minutes to a round and annoys everyone.
The Fix: Play "Ready Golf." Get your yardage, pick your club, and be ready to hit the second the other player is done. Keep your essentials (rangefinder, towel) on a magnetic mount so you aren't digging in your bag.
The Solution: Magnetic Landing Pad
Keeps your rangefinder and towel ready to grab instantly.
Shop Landing Pad →6. Using High-Compression "Tour" Balls
The Mistake: Buying Pro V1s because Tiger plays them. Tour balls spin too much for beginners, turning a small fade into a massive slice.
The Fix: Play a low-compression "soft" ball. It feels better, flies straighter, and costs half as much.
7. Carrying Clutter in Your Pockets
The Mistake: Playing with keys, wallet, and loose change in your pocket. It's uncomfortable, distracting, and you might lose your car keys on the 4th fairway.
The Fix: Use a valuables pouch. Clip it to your bag. Keep your pockets empty except for one ball marker and a tee.
8. Trying to Hit the "Hero Shot"
The Mistake: Trying to hit a 1-in-100 shot through a tiny gap in the trees. You will hit the tree, and you will make a triple bogey.
The Fix: Take your medicine. Pitch out sideways to the fairway. You can still make a bogey or double, which is better than an 8.
9. Neglecting Grip Maintenance
The Mistake: Playing with slick, shiny grips. You have to squeeze harder to hold the club, which kills your swing speed and causes tension.
The Fix: Clean your grips with a damp towel after every round to remove sweat and oils. Replace them once a year.