How to Get Back Into Golf After a Break

Life gets in the way. Work, family, injuries, moving house - there are a hundred reasons why golfers step away from the game. But the itch to play again never quite goes away, does it?

If you're thinking about getting back out there, here's how to do it without frustration, injury, or spending a fortune on new gear you don't need yet.

Start Smaller Than You Think

The biggest mistake returning golfers make is going straight back to a full 18-hole round. After a long break, 18 holes is exhausting - both physically and mentally. By the back nine you'll be tired, frustrated, and wondering why you bothered.

Start with 9 holes instead. Better still, start at the driving range. Give yourself a few sessions to remember how the swing feels before putting pressure on yourself with a scorecard.

Don't Rush to Buy New Equipment

Your old clubs are almost certainly fine. Unless they've been sitting in a damp garage for a decade, modern golf clubs don't really go off. Clean them up, check the grips (replace them if they're slippery - it costs about £5 per club), and you're good to go.

The urge to buy new gear is strong when you're excited about coming back, but resist it until you've played a few rounds. You might find your game has changed and you need different clubs than you'd have chosen on day one.

Book a Refresher Lesson

This is the single best investment you can make as a returning golfer. Even one 30-minute lesson with a PGA professional will:

• Identify any bad habits you've picked up (or never fixed)
• Update your technique - coaching has changed a lot, even in 5 years
• Give you something specific to work on
• Rebuild your confidence before you play with others

You don't need a course of 10 lessons. One or two sessions is enough to reset your foundations.

Be Kind to Your Body

Golf uses muscles you've forgotten about. If you've been away for a while, your flexibility and golf-specific fitness will have declined. Jumping straight into a full round without warming up is a recipe for a sore back.

A 5-Minute Pre-Round Warm-Up

1. Arm circles - 10 forward, 10 backward
2. Trunk rotations - feet shoulder-width apart, rotate your torso gently
3. Hip circles - hands on hips, rotate in both directions
4. Hamstring stretch - touch your toes (or as close as you can get)
5. Practice swings - start with half-swings and gradually build to full

This takes 5 minutes and makes a massive difference to how you feel on the first tee.

Manage Your Expectations

Here's the hard truth: you won't play as well as you used to. Not at first. Your handicap from five years ago is not your handicap today, and that's OK.

The golfers who enjoy coming back are the ones who let go of their old standards and focus on the process:

• Don't keep score for your first few rounds - just enjoy being out there
• Celebrate the good shots rather than dwelling on the bad ones
• Compare yourself to last week, not to your best ever round

The muscle memory comes back faster than you'd expect. Give it 4–6 rounds and you'll be surprised how quickly your game returns.

Play with the Right People

Your first few rounds back should be with patient, relaxed playing partners - not the competitive fourball who get annoyed if you hold them up. If you don't have golfing friends, many clubs run social golf days or beginner-friendly roll-ups that are perfect for returning players.

Set a Simple Goal

Rather than "get back to my old handicap," try something more immediate:

• "Play 9 holes once a week for a month"
• "Hit the range twice before my first round"
• "Book a refresher lesson this week"

Small, achievable goals build momentum. Before you know it, you'll be playing regularly again and wondering why you ever stopped.

The Bottom Line

Getting back into golf doesn't have to be expensive, intimidating, or frustrating. Start small, be patient with yourself, and remember why you loved the game in the first place.

Browse golf lessons and experience days at swyng.co.uk - a perfect way to ease yourself back into the game with professional guidance.