4 Beginner Golf Mistakes to Avoid — Especially the “Head Down” Myth

Starting out in golf means hearing a lot of advice - some great, some not so much. Let's sort out which tips actually help you improve.

One of the biggest myths out there? "Keep your head down."

It sounds simple, but it's one of the worst habits a beginner can develop - and it's just one of several common mistakes new golfers make. Let's break them down and talk about what to do instead.

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1. Grip Gone Wrong

Your grip is your only connection to the club, and most beginners get this wrong right out of the gate. Some hold it like a hockey stick, others with their hands completely out of sync.

Here's the fix:

Make sure your hands are close together and touching, with your lead hand (left for right-handers) slightly on top of the grip and your trail hand more underneath. This sets up your clubface squarely and helps you control your shots.

Don't overthink whether you interlock, overlap, or go ten-finger - just focus on rotational hand position first.

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2. Alignment Issues

A poor grip often leads to poor alignment. Many beginners naturally point their shoulders and hips left of the target line (for right-handed players), creating a swing path that cuts across the ball - a perfect recipe for slices.

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Instead, take a moment before every shot to square up.

✅ Shoulders parallel to your target line

✅ Hips slightly open, not pulled across

That small change can transform how the club moves around your body.

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3. The Sway Problem

When you start your backswing, it's easy to think you need to "shift" your body away from the ball. That leads to swaying your hips and shoulders - and inconsistent contact.

The truth? Good golfers rotate, not sway.

Keep the center of your chest and pelvis steady as you turn. Staying centered makes it much easier to return the club to the ball cleanly and create solid contact.

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4. The "Head Down" Myth

Lets set the record straight: Head down = limited rotation & poor contact.

When golfers try to hard to "keep their head down," they lock up their rotation. Their chest and head point at the ground, their swing slows down, and their contact suffers. Watch any tour pro - none of them finish their swing staring at the grass. Instead, their chest is tall, hips are facing the target,  and their eyes naturally follow the ball.

Try this instead:

As you swing through, let your hips move toward the target and your chest face upward. It'll feel freer, faster, and a whole lot smoother.

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The Bottom Line on Beginner Golf Mistakes

If you're just getting started in golf, our advice is focus on these four fundamentals:

• A solid, natural grip
• Proper body alignment
• Staying centered during your backswing
• A tall, balanced finish

Master these and you'll hit better, straighter shots faster - and you'll be miles ahead of most beginners.

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Ready to Fix Your Swing?

Book a Swing Evaluation and start improving your game with an expert GOLFTEC Coach today!

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Want to see these drills for yourself? Check out this YouTube video 👇