Having trouble selecting gears

I sometimes have trouble selecting 1^st gear. As I go to pull away I find out it’s in 3^rd gear. Once I finally get it into 1^st it fine.
Sometimes I have trouble getting from 1^st to 2^nd I just end up forcing it into 2^nd. I have no problems getting into the other gear

This doesn’t happen every time it’s like the car knows when I need to get a quick getaway the car say no chance.

One of my mates said could be gear linkages but just thought I would ask on here before I do anything
Thank you

Really common problem, quite a few posts if you use the Google Search on the left hand side.

Here is a comprehensive guide, should help you.

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/index.php?page=cedi&type=misc&id=42%2F2

its sounds deffiantly gear linkages i had the same problem .really easy to change put the car on axle stands the higher you get the car the easyer it is to do

I take it this will be the same if you have the 20vt engine?

I found lifting the clutch then pressing it back down helped?