During a mother-daughter trip to The Broadmoor, I signed my mom and I up for beginner golf lessons. On a sunny Saturday morning outfitted in our crisp polo shirts and rental shoes, we eagerly met our instructor Debbie Zamprelli, the head teaching professional at The Broadmoor Golf Club and life member of the LPGA. “When’s the last time you played golf?” Zamprelli asked as she loaded our clubs in the cart and we made our way to the putting green.
That’s when I made a confession that I had been harboring for a few decades: “My parents signed me up for golf lessons when I was nine, but I habitually climbed the fence and went swimming.” My mom looked at me a little shocked, but I figured there was a statute of limitations, and, as I approached my 40th birthday, I’m too old for her to ground me.
Suffice it to say, I’m a Beginner with a capital B. A golf school dropout ready to redeem myself. Zamprelli is up for the challenge, putting me at ease as she lays out her theory about golf: “The golf swing is pretty simple if you start with a simple swing and build upon it.”
And with that, we take to the practice green and begin by learning the smallest, most approachable stroke—the putting stroke.
I consider myself lucky that my introduction to golf (rather, re-introduction) is with Zamprelli, who has developed curriculum for “Logical Golf for Women” golf classes and schools and helped thousands of women enjoy the game of golf through her easy-to-grasp analogies and enthusiasm. I’m also excited to be learning the game on The Broadmoor’s East Course, which is consistently ranked among the best in the country with gorgeous mountain vistas in the backdrop and tree-lined fairways.
I’ve read that players have loved the course one moment, and cursed it the next—with the putting greens especially tough to read. The trick, I’m told, is remembering that putts break away from the mountains; but for now I’m focused on keeping my putter flat on the ground, practicing a stroke that’s straight back and straight through.
The East Course has hosted many major tournaments, including the 1959 U.S. Amateur, when a 19-year-old Jack Nicklaus nabbed his first major win. The victory, he said, “was my stepping stone to realizing that I might really have a future in the game.” Another golf legend Annika Sorenstam won her first major title on the East Course during the 1995 U.S. Women’s Open, and has said The Broadmoor has a very special place in her heart because it kickstarted her career.
Indeed, it could feel intimidating to be a novice learning on the same course where legends have been born. Nicklaus and Sorenstam have 210 professional wins between them! But Zamprelli is a pro when it comes to breaking down the game, presenting the fundamentals as building blocks and assuring us that people on the golf course are welcoming.
As it turns out, beginners are aplenty on golf courses these days.
Not long ago, the question surrounding golf was, “Why isn’t the game growing?”
Today, the answer looks very different. The sport is in the midst of a resurgence few could have predicted, with participation up 41% over the past six years (2019 to 2025) and nearing 50 million players, according to a new report from the National Golf Foundation.
More than 48 million Americans picked up a club last year—whether on traditional courses or at a rapidly expanding number of off-course venues that are making the game more accessible and engaging.
For those who are brand new to golf, Zamprelli likes to break up lessons so that they are spaced a week apart, giving newbies time to practice in between the sessions. But, if you’re vacationing at The Broadmoor, like my mom and I were, and want a solid introduction to golf in a weekend, you can certainly learn the basics, starting with putting, moving on to chipping then graduating to a full swing on the driving range.
After that, it’s time to play a few holes—and, because the tee box can be intimidating when you’re just learning the game, Zamprelli likes to start those who are new to the sport 20 to 25 yards out from the hole so that it takes them no more than four shots to get the ball in the hole. Then, she moves them out to 50 yards, a progression that helps beginners learn the flow of the game, teaching them how to score and helping them improve their aim.
But the lessons start on the practice green, where putting is all about muscle memory, Zamprelli explains to us.
“Everyone has the ability to be a good putter,” she says.
To help build our confidence we start by putting from 18 inches in, where she tells us everyone is 98 percent effective. From there we gradually move further away, practicing the same stroke with Zamprelli reminding us that people have a hard time putting not because their direction is off, but rather their distance is off and a perfect putt is one that rolls the right distance.
As we move to chipping, she tells us our goal is get the ball on the green and then get it in the hole in two putts.
Then, she tells us in a matter-of-fact tone that eighty percent of our score happens from 20 yards in. And that was just the confidence-boosting fact this beginner needed to hear.
Our two days of lessons culminated with Zamprelli giving us each a customized notecard of the clubs we should use at varying distances. It’s now tucked in my new golf bag, as I have my own set of shiny new clubs ready to embrace a new hobby this summer and in preparation for a trip to Scotland, where I’ll play a round.
After our lessons concluded, my mom and I had lunch on the patio at The Grille, complete with golf-course views. Then, we hit the outdoor whirlpool—no fence hopping required.
Golf Etiquette for Beginners
Good golf etiquette—like repairing divots and keeping pace—is just as important as mastering your swing.
(Mahadi Hasan Sany / Shutterstock)
In addition to learning the fundamentals of golf, beginners should also have a good overview of etiquette. I asked Russ Miller, the director of golf at The Broadmoor, to share his best beginner tips.
Know the Dress Codes: Prior to arrival at the golf facility, learn their dress codes so that your attire is proper. Different clubs have different dress codes.
Arrive Early: Show up to the club prior to your starting time so that you can check in, warm up, and have plenty of time so that you are not rushing. Don’t exhaust yourself on the range beforehand, but give yourself plenty of time to loosen up. You’ll also want to arrive at the first tee at least 10 minutes ahead of your designated starting time so that you can check in with the starter, listen to his or her instructions about the course, get a scorecard, pencil, and tees. This will also give you time to learn about the local rules that apply to the course you are playing. Put an identifying mark on your ball and inform the other players in your group what type of ball you are playing.
Avoid Slow Play: Always keep up with the group in front of you. Walk briskly in between shots and have your club selection and shot decision made prior to your turn to hit. Learn the expected time of a round at the course you are playing and try to play in less than the time allowed.
Take Care of the Course: Replace your divot, rake bunkers properly, repair your ball mark on the green, and pick up any trash you see on the course (even if it doesn’t belong to you).
Demonstrate Common Courtesy: Acknowledge a good shot by one of your playing competitors and encourage them when they are having a tough round. At the end of the round, remove your hat, shake their hand, and tell them you enjoyed spending time with them on the golf course. If time allows, have a beverage with them after the round at the pub and enjoy the beauty of the golf facility.