There’s a moment most new golfers recognise. You’ve watched it on television, had a mate invite you for a hit, or walked past a course and thought, “I’d like to try that.” But then the questions pile up. What do I wear? Will I embarrass myself? Do I need my own clubs? Is everyone going to be really good?
The honest answer is that every golfer on every course in the world started somewhere, and most of them started with more questions than answers. A proper golf lesson cuts through all of that. It gives you a place to begin, someone to guide you, and the confidence to actually enjoy yourself the next time you step onto a course.
At Aston Hills Golf Club in Mount Barker, lessons are designed for exactly this situation. Whether you’ve never held a club before or you played years ago and want to come back to the game, here’s what to expect when you book your first lesson in the Adelaide Hills.
Why Take a Lesson Instead of Figuring It Out Yourself?
Golf looks deceptively simple on television. Pros make it look effortless, which gives a lot of people the impression they can teach themselves at the driving range. Some do make a reasonable go of it. But most end up ingraining habits in those first few weeks that take months to undo later.
The grip alone has enough variables to send you down a rabbit hole. Then there’s your stance, your ball position, your alignment, your posture, your backswing, your weight shift, your follow-through. Each one affects the next. Get the grip wrong and everything downstream shifts to compensate. A qualified professional sees those connections immediately and builds your swing on solid foundations from the start.
The other reason is simpler: it’s more fun. Swinging and missing or sending every shot sideways for an hour gets old fast. A good lesson gives you that first moment of clean contact much sooner, and that feeling is what hooks people on the game.
What Happens in Your First Golf Lesson
Every instructor has their own approach, but at Aston Hills, lessons are led by PGA Professional Ben Traeger, who works with golfers at every level from complete beginners to competition players. Here’s roughly what a first lesson looks like.
A conversation, not a test
The lesson starts with a chat. Ben will ask about your experience, your goals, any sports you’ve played before, and whether you have any physical limitations worth knowing about. This isn’t a quiz. It’s so the lesson can be tailored to you rather than running through a one-size-fits-all script. Someone who’s played cricket or tennis, for example, already has rotational movement patterns that translate to golf. A good instructor uses what you already know.
The fundamentals: grip, stance, and posture
Before you swing at anything, you’ll learn how to hold the club properly and set up to the ball. These three fundamentals, grip, stance, and posture, are the foundation everything else is built on. They might not feel glamorous, but they’re the difference between a swing that develops naturally over time and one that fights itself at every turn.
Most beginners are surprised at how much setup matters. Getting your feet the right width apart, your weight balanced, and your hands in the right position on the club changes everything about how the swing feels.
Your first swings
Once the setup feels comfortable, you’ll start hitting balls. Typically, the first lesson focuses on the full swing with a mid-iron like a 7-iron, because it’s one of the most forgiving clubs in the bag. Don’t worry about where the ball goes at first. The goal is to start building a repeatable motion that feels athletic and natural.
Ben will give you one or two things to focus on, not ten. Good instruction is about small, achievable changes that you can feel and repeat, rather than overwhelming you with technical information. You’ll likely be hitting the ball cleanly well before the lesson ends, even if it doesn’t go exactly where you intend.
A plan for what’s next
At the end of the lesson, you’ll have a clear idea of what to practise and what the next step looks like. That might be another individual session, a group clinic with other beginners, or simply spending some time on the practice area working on what you’ve covered. The point is you leave with direction, not just a vague sense that you had a nice time.
What About Returning Golfers?
Maybe you played twenty years ago and life got in the way. Or you’ve been playing socially but your slice has gotten worse and you’re ready to do something about it. Lessons aren’t just for brand-new golfers.
Returning golfers and those dealing with specific problems in their game, a persistent hook, no distance off the tee, the yips with a putter, actually benefit enormously from professional coaching. The advantage is that a PGA professional can diagnose what’s going wrong much faster than you can through trial and error on the range. What feels like a swing problem is often a setup issue. What feels like a distance issue is often a sequencing issue. Ben works through these systematically so you’re not just treating symptoms.
At Aston Hills, individual coaching sessions are available alongside group clinics and specialised programs for juniors and seniors, so there’s a format to suit however you prefer to learn.
What to Wear and Bring to Your First Lesson
One of the most common worries for new golfers is showing up in the wrong gear. The good news is that your first lesson doesn’t require anything special. Comfortable clothing you can move freely in and a pair of flat-soled shoes are all you need. Runners are fine. You don’t need golf shoes, a collared shirt, or any particular outfit.
You don’t need your own clubs either. The Pro Shop at Aston Hills can set you up with everything required for a lesson. If you do have clubs, bring them along, but there’s no pressure to invest in equipment until you know the game is for you.
A water bottle and some sunscreen are worth throwing in the bag too, since lessons at Aston Hills take place outdoors on the practice facilities and course. The Adelaide Hills climate is generally pleasant for golf year-round, with cooler temperatures than the Adelaide plains, but sun protection is always a good idea.
How Much Do Golf Lessons Cost?
At Aston Hills, lessons start from $50, which is competitive for professional PGA instruction anywhere in the Adelaide region. Individual coaching gives you dedicated one-on-one time with Ben, while group clinics offer a more social and affordable way to learn alongside other golfers at a similar level.
For context, that’s less than a lot of people spend on a single dinner out, and the skills you pick up in your first session will genuinely change how you experience the game from that point on.
To book a lesson or find out about upcoming group sessions, the best starting point is the contact page or calling the Pro Shop directly on (08) 8391 0547.
What Comes After Your First Lesson?
This is where it gets exciting. Once you’ve had a lesson or two and you’re starting to make consistent contact, the natural next step is to get out on the course. And at Aston Hills, you don’t need a membership or a handicap to do that.
Green fees start at $40 for 9 holes and $65 for a full 18-hole round. Playing 9 holes is a great option for newer golfers because it takes around two hours and gives you a real taste of the course without the commitment of a full round. Juniors aged 17 and under can play 18 holes for just $20, making it one of the most affordable ways to introduce young people to the sport.
The 18-hole course at Aston Hills is set among the gum trees and rolling terrain of the Adelaide Hills, with ponds, creeks, and enough variety to keep things interesting without being punishing for new players. It’s the kind of course where you’ll use everything Ben teaches you in your lessons because the layout rewards good decision-making as much as good striking.
As your game develops, the pathway from casual player to club member is straightforward. Getting a handicap involves completing three 18-hole stroke rounds with a member who has a handicap, and you can even spread that over six 9-hole rounds if a full 18 feels like a big ask early on. From there, membership options range from flexible pay-per-round plans to full seven-day access, with discounted categories for under 23s and under 40s.
But none of that needs to happen on any particular timeline. The beauty of learning at a club like Aston Hills is that the pathway exists when you’re ready for it, and there’s no pressure to rush.
Learning on a Real Course Matters
There’s a reason we emphasise lessons that connect to actual on-course play. Driving ranges and practice nets have their place, but golf is ultimately played on a course with slopes, wind, hazards, and real consequences for each shot. The sooner you experience that, the sooner your practice becomes purposeful.
At Aston Hills, you learn in the environment you’ll actually play in. The practice facilities are right there beside the course, so the transition from lesson to round is seamless. You’re not learning in a vacuum. You’re learning in the place where the skills get used.
That’s a genuine advantage over city-based ranges or simulator setups where there’s a disconnect between the practice environment and the playing environment. When Ben tells you to aim for a target on the range at Aston Hills, you can see the fairway it relates to. When you practise a chip shot, you’re doing it on the same type of grass you’ll face on the course. That context makes the learning stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to take a golf lesson at Aston Hills?
Not at all. Lessons with PGA Professional Ben Traeger cater to everyone from complete beginners who have never held a club to experienced golfers working on specific areas of their game. The first lesson is tailored to wherever you’re starting from.
Do I need my own golf clubs for a lesson?
No. The Pro Shop at Aston Hills can provide everything you need for your lesson. If you do have your own clubs, you’re welcome to bring them along, but it’s not a requirement.
How much do golf lessons cost at Aston Hills Golf Club?
Lessons start from $50. Individual coaching sessions and group clinics are both available. Contact the Pro Shop on (08) 8391 0547 or visit the contact page to book.
What should I wear to a golf lesson?
Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and flat-soled shoes are all you need. Runners are perfectly fine. You don’t need golf shoes or any special attire for your first lesson.
Can I play the course after my lesson even if I’m not a member?
Yes. Aston Hills welcomes visitor and guest players. Green fees are $40 for 9 holes and $65 for 18 holes, and you don’t need a membership or handicap to book a round.
How do I get a golf handicap?
You need to complete three 18-hole stroke rounds with a member who has a handicap. You can also do this over six 9-hole rounds. Most new players without previous experience start with a 45 handicap. The club can guide you through the process once you’re ready.
Ready to get started? Contact Aston Hills Golf Club to book your first lesson with PGA Professional Ben Traeger and find out why the Adelaide Hills is one of the best places in South Australia to learn the game.
