Is Go a good first language to start programming?

Go is a good first language to start programming with for several reasons.

1. It has consistent syntax, making it easy to remember how to write code.
2. As a modern language, Go has learned from mistakes made by older ones.
3. Google endorses Go and that assures its future.

The problem you may encounter when learning Go first is that you might be reluctant to look back at older languages after. So, be careful (laughing)... 

Keep an open mind and go for it.

Here's a good place to start:

• The Go Programming Language Tutorial - Volume 1

Try it.

Tony 

Related post: Google trends PHP vs Go or Golang vs JavaScript

What are the best ways to teach yourself programming?

Coding is learned day by day, minute by minute, second by second, now to eternity.

Here, slow is actually faster.
Before code, comes pseudocode.
Learn it first, or in parallel.
Then the path becomes easier to travel.

As for best ways, everyone learns differently and no best way fits all.
One suggestion seems to be common among all styles of learning:

• Practice writing code to solve problems. Do it daily.
• Take note of your findings in a timely manner, and review your notes periodically. 
• Improve your written scripts as time passes because it will give you a sense of accomplishment when you can write better code than you could earlier. 

As the saying goes:

"Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong".

If you want a place to start, I suggest one of my courses for beginners:

Easy Golang Volume 1 - The Go Programming Language Tutorial

Good luck. Please share your progress and findings in the comments section.
Tony de Araujo