Beginner's golf

[healer677]

It's taken a lot of years but I finally decided that I should take up this game. But...I have no idea where to start.
I think custom fitted clubs would be a good start -since I'm horizontally challenged. I don't think I can buy an off the rack set for my height (5'7") and I'm a lefty (ok I shoot a hockey stick from the left and throw with my left).
Plus I think a year or two on a driving range might help before I actually disgrace myself (and the course) of actually going to a course.
It's gotten to the point where I get an invite about once a week to play in charity tournaments and though I attend to lend my support -I've never actually played. I just kind of hang around in the clubhouse and eat, drink and mingle.
Any advice would be appreciated guys (and girls).

 

[a 1 player]

You certainly don't need a great set of clubs to start out with. They can become VERY expensive quickly. Perhaps a womans set might suit you better, the clubs are well made but have shorter shafts. I have used my sisters before I got my own and never had a problem with them except that they were a bit too small for me. My advice is to go to the driving range every day for a week, you will get the hang of hitting a ball pertty quickly, then go out and play a game. You will suck, but most golfers do. It is a great deal of fun though.

 

[Keebler Elf]

I'd be interested in getting some advice as well. I'm thinking about buying a cheap set of clubs to see if I like golfing, then buying a good set down the road.

I should be able to get a decent set of start-up clubs for under $1K, right?

How does the whole driving range thing work? Is it pay for time, or by number of balls, or what?

 

[thompo69]

I'd be interested in getting some advice as well. I'm thinking about buying a cheap set of clubs to see if I like golfing, then buying a good set down the road.

I should be able to get a decent set of start-up clubs for under $1K, right?

How does the whole driving range thing work? Is it pay for time, or by number of balls, or what?

You should easily be able to get a start-up set for under 1k -- been a while since I bought, but I would think quite a bit less. For the driving range, you pay by the bucket of balls.

 

[tboy]

WHY the hell would anyone take UP this sport is beyond me (lol ok easy guys) I just don't get it.....it's like an addiction to some....

With that being said:
I would first find out if you even like it before going out and dropping a grand on some clubs. I'd go to places like play it again and buy some used ones after hitting the range for a couple of weeks.

Most golf courses have pros that can give you lessons because golfing isn't just about how long you can drive, it's about the end game as well (if you can't putt, doesn't matter how long you can drive).

BTW: for the record I have played before and for what it's worth, I can putt like a champ but drive? The only way I can drive is to put the fucking ball in the back of the golf cart.....

 

[frankcastle]

I've taken up golf a few years ago since co workers kept inviting me to go. What I've found is that starting with a cheap set of clubs is the way to go. Ask around and see if any friends have clubs they are not using.... I lucked out and got a set off a friend who got a new set and had no need for the old set. Garage sales are not bad either. Heck even value village always has clubs kicking around.

I'd say if you can get a friend to go with you to the driving range to give you pointers. Even taking just one or two lessons makes a big difference.

You could have a nice set of custom Callaway clubs but it really won't make much of a difference. Probably better to beat the crap out of a cheap set because when you start you're going to take out chunks of dirt/scratch up the clubs..... no point doing that to a gorgeous set.

The key is to remember that everybody starts from scratch and that even good golfers have bad days. The swing is not the hard part. It's the consistancy that's the bitch. And you are not playing against anybody but yourself. I'm happy if I shave a few strokes off my score which is awful by most standards.

 

[gumby_357]

Remember this general rule of thumb, "Head Up, Swing Hard."

 

[frankcastle]

Remember this general rule of thumb, "Head Up, Swing Hard."

Are you sure?!!??? Every one has told me to keep my head down (eyes on the ball) and let the follow through of the swing raise my head.

As for the force isn't the rule of thumb let the club do the work. Best analogy I have for this is when playing baseball if you try and kill the ball you usually hit worse than when you relax.

 

[Back Burner]

Sarcasm Frankie. He's being sarcastic.

Unless you are to. Then I'd be looking foolish right now.

 

[gumby_357]

Yes I was being sarcatic. I worked at a golf course for 6 years as an assistant pro, and it is a golf joke. Best said on the first tee.

As a beginner, here is the best way to learn the game; start at the hole and work your way out.

What I mean is: Learn how to putt first. Start with 3 balls about 2 feet from the hole and practise sinking all three. Then move it back a foot, until you can sink any putt from 6 feet away.

More strokes in golf are consumed on the green than anywhere else. Then work from the fringe and 10 - 15 yards around the green, chipping to within 6 feet of the hole. The chipping stroke is much closer to the putting stroke than the driving stroke. Then work your way back, 50 - 100 - 150. Get comfortable, hitting 7, 9 , and pitching wedges. You will find that you have a smoother stroke, because you are not trying to kill the ball for distance.

Once you have consistant accuracy with a 7 iron at 150 yrds, then move to the tee.

No Drivers allowed.

This is a Canadian Newbie mistake. Hit 5 iron, then 3 iron off the tee, you will already feel comfortable with an iron, since that is what you have been playing with in your short game practise, and canadian weather and compression of golf balls are really not suited to a low lofted driver.

Once you are comfortable and confident with a 3, 4, or 5 iron off the tee, you can introduce a 3 wood, then the driver.

There is another addage in Golf.. Drive for show and putt for dough.

Hope this helps.

G.

 

[WinterHawk]

I'd be interested in getting some advice as well. I'm thinking about buying a cheap set of clubs to see if I like golfing, then buying a good set down the road.

I should be able to get a decent set of start-up clubs for under $1K, right?

How does the whole driving range thing work? Is it pay for time, or by number of balls, or what?

You can get a cheap set from Sam's Club, Costco or Canadian Tire for under $300. As for the driving range, you usually get a bucket of balls (2 sizes of buckets large and small filled with balls) and you just go to a empy spot on the range, and wack the little suckers. Now, some ranges also have a "Pro" available who can help you in getting your swing down right.

When buying a set of clubs, check out the seven iron, this is the one that should feel the most natural and is the best to practice your swing with. Remember its not just how far you can hit a ball off the Tee but your short game is important, how many strokes to the green and can you putt the ball in the hole with one stroke?

 

[kumamake]

its better to get a set that has hybrid clubs, its very hard to hit the reg. 3,4 irons, so now you have sets available with combination of hybrid and reg. clubs.

for example:
set of clubs $388
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/stores/1/Adams-Idea-a2-Irons-Steel-P2261C23.aspx
+
set of wedges $98
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/stores/1/Adams-Tom-Watson-Wedge-Kit-P5448C24.aspx
+
get a good putter $ 128
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/stores/1/Odyssey-White-Hot-2-Ball-Putter-P5296C25.aspx
+
drivers and woods

and this set could last for a long time

i personally have tommy armour silver scotts from 10 years ago ( $500/ set of clubs ) and i shoot in mid 80's .

.

AND FOLLOW GUMBY'S ADVISE ( ABOVE)

 

[ck_nj]

Do what I did and pick up a decent used set at a garage sale or in the newspaper. Then get them re-gripped, and maybe a new bag if it did not come with one. Then if you like it, you can buy a new set.

 

[maurice93]

I think custom fitted clubs would be a good start -since I'm horizontally challenged. I don't think I can buy an off the rack set for my height (5'7") and I'm a lefty (ok I shoot a hockey stick from the left and throw with my left).

And this is why we have some of the most brutal left handed swings and golfers in the world right here in Canada. In general, Lefty golfers in this country are shittier then right handers because some of them should be golfing right handed - it is the influence of hockey, and not actually thinking about what is going on with the golf swing. The golf swing is not a hockey shot!!!!

You might well be lefty but don't jump to that assumption right away... not saying you not might be a lefty golfer, but try both.

\
The lead hand/arm when you shoot left handed in hockey is your left arm. Try golfing lefthanded and using your left as a lead arm and you get some awfully brutal hacks (not fluid).

 

[Perry Mason]

I golfed for years until I got tired of it.

Do yourself a favour. Find a decent professional before you do anything. Let him lend you a club - the 7 iron is ideal - and let him teach you the grip, the stance and the basic swing until you can consistently hit the ball straight and up in the air... forget about distance!

Three or 4 lessons should do it and you will avoid all those beginner's mistakes that usually fuck you up for years because they are the first things you learned (and your body and muscles memorized) and got wrong!

Unlearning the mistakes made as a clueless beginner are often the hardest part of the game!

After that, get a copy of George Knudson's teaching video (available on DVD) and you will get the best lesson on the essentials of the swing that you will ever see.

Now you are ready to really start learning the swing and start practicing. Get a teacher that knows what Knudson is talking about (PM me if you want a recommendation)... take your time, the time you spend now will save you many headaches later.

And also spend a lot of time on a putting green getting a feel for that part of the game.

Until this point you don't need any club other than the 7 iron. And a putter, of course.

After that, you can begin thinking about a set of clubs, etc.

Perry

 

[Keebler Elf]

WHY the hell would anyone take UP this sport is beyond me (lol ok easy guys) I just don't get it.....it's like an addiction to some....

Business. It's good for business.

 

[kbluejayk]

Good advice Gumby!
Duffers and Newbies spend $$$$s and long hours slicing, hooking and topping balls at the driving range when 65% of the golf score is in chipping and putting! No point trying to hit the ball like John Daly if you can't chip or putt or pitch! You can practice your long/short putting for free in the evenings at your local public course.
Secondly, the price of your clubs will NOT improve your game until you learn to swing/hit properly...so start off with a decent cheap set.
Thirdly, calibrate your irons! go out to some open ground and hit 20 balls with each iron, starting with your sand wedges...ignore the 2 shortest /2 longest shots and pace your distance to the middle of the balls and note it. It may take a few nights, but you will know your own personal average yardage with each club and it will give you lots of confidence with your club selection!

You might be able to work out an arrangement with a local pro shop to use the 1st fairway later in the evening when nobody else is going out!

The BEST shots in golf are on the 19th hole!

 

[MarkII]

Yes I was being sarcatic. I worked at a golf course for 6 years as an assistant pro, and it is a golf joke. Best said on the first tee.

As a beginner, here is the best way to learn the game; start at the hole and work your way out.

What I mean is: Learn how to putt first. Start with 3 balls about 2 feet from the hole and practise sinking all three. Then move it back a foot, until you can sink any putt from 6 feet away.

More strokes in golf are consumed on the green than anywhere else. Then work from the fringe and 10 - 15 yards around the green, chipping to within 6 feet of the hole. The chipping stroke is much closer to the putting stroke than the driving stroke. Then work your way back, 50 - 100 - 150. Get comfortable, hitting 7, 9 , and pitching wedges. You will find that you have a smoother stroke, because you are not trying to kill the ball for distance.

Once you have consistant accuracy with a 7 iron at 150 yrds, then move to the tee.

No Drivers allowed.

This is a Canadian Newbie mistake. Hit 5 iron, then 3 iron off the tee, you will already feel comfortable with an iron, since that is what you have been playing with in your short game practise, and canadian weather and compression of golf balls are really not suited to a low lofted driver.

Once you are comfortable and confident with a 3, 4, or 5 iron off the tee, you can introduce a 3 wood, then the driver.

There is another addage in Golf.. Drive for show and putt for dough.

Hope this helps.

G.

Excellent response Gumby.

I used to lose so many golf balls..it became too expensive to play!

Stopped buying he latest products..took serious lessons..even went down to work with Palmers school in Florida. End result, a 4 handicap in 3 years.

Listen to Gumby and spend your money on lessons with a good teaching pro.

M2