Start Your Journey at Barnham Broom
Beginner’s Guide to Golf
Starting golf can feel a bit daunting at first. There are clubs you’ve never heard of, rules that seem oddly specific, and the quiet fear that everyone else knows exactly what they’re doing. The good news is: you don’t need to “be good” to begin, you just need a place that makes learning feel relaxed.
At Barnham Broom, golf beginners can build confidence with two on-site courses, practice facilities, and tuition with PGA professionals led by PGA Head Professional Tony Varney. Note: the courses are now named the Pennink Course and the Steel Course (previously referenced in older posts as the Valley and Hill).
Why Barnham Broom works well for new golfers
For most beginners, the best first step isn’t jumping straight into a full 18 holes. It’s having somewhere you can practise the basics, ask questions, and learn at your own pace.
Barnham Broom offers a mix of practice areas (including a grass driving range, short game area, putting green, and a 3-hole academy course) alongside coaching options for different experience levels.
If you’re learning with a partner or a friend, that set-up is especially helpful. One person can practise while the other has a lesson, and you can keep it light and enjoyable rather than turning it into a high-pressure “skills test”.
What you’ll cover in your first lessons
Beginner tuition is usually about feeling comfortable: getting a reliable strike, understanding what to do next, and learning the basics without being overwhelmed. A first lesson or clinic will typically cover:
- Grip, stance and an easy, repeatable swing
- How to use different clubs (and why you’d choose one over another)
- Simple short-game techniques: putting and chipping
- Driving range practice and how to make it useful
- On-course basics like safety, etiquette and pace of play
(Exact lesson content varies depending on your coach and what you want to achieve.)
Coaching options for beginners
Barnham Broom offers golf coaching “to all ages and abilities”, and beginners don’t need a big long-term commitment to get started. If you’re unsure what to book, the simplest approach is: start with a short introductory lesson, then decide whether you’d prefer one-to-one coaching or a more social clinic-style session.
Do you need equipment to begin?
Not necessarily. For your first lesson, comfort matters more than having the “right” gear. Wear clothes you can move in, and shoes with a decent grip. If you decide you enjoy it, that’s the time to start thinking about clubs, gloves, shoes and everything else.
If you’d like advice on what to buy (and what you can skip for now), the on-site golf shop is a good place to start.
We recommend starting with:
- Comfortable clothing and trainers or golf shoes
- A few tees and golf balls (available from the pro shop)
- An open mindset—everyone was a beginner once
Golf is suitable for all ages. We offer coaching for children from around age six, with no upper age limit for adult learners.
Most beginners feel more confident after a few lessons plus a bit of practice time in between. Progress varies, but a short run of coaching and some range time is usually enough to feel comfortable moving from practice areas onto the course.
Yes. Many beginners find it more enjoyable learning alongside someone else, whether that’s shared lessons or booking around the same time so you can practise together afterwards.
Golf is suitable for all fitness levels. It offers gentle, low-impact exercise and can be tailored to suit your pace.
One of the reasons golf feels more inviting at Barnham Broom is that it doesn’t have to be “just golf”. You can practise, have a lesson, then head for food and a drink afterwards, all on-site. The Sports Bar is part of the golf facilities and is described as a relaxed spot with views across the course.
And if you’re turning it into a break, Barnham Broom also promotes golf packages and golf breaks that combine the game with the wider resort experience.
