Taking up Golf

[JamesNotJim]

Galvin are very very expensive...for no good reason.

Function 18 is a good online retailer, have used them a few times and never had any issues.
http://www.function18.com/waterproofs.html

[simoid]

theshrew said:

That's exactly what I'm after mate. Don't like the full on waterproofs as they tend to restrict you a bit and make shed loads of noise ( or they used to ) + if it rains that much they all leak anyway in my experience.

Oh right, gotcha. Catastrophic misread of your post

I've never really had any bother with my Adidas showerproof jobby, it was £40 from my local pro shop. It's not really got any insulating properties - so if it's chilly a good baselayer/jumper is required, but with that I'm pretty much sorted for anything above a few degrees. I bought it as a cheap and light stopgap during the summer, but it's held up fairly well and kept me largely dry in some heavy showers.

I'm a bit of a fairweather golfer these days though

I think the current range equivalent would be something like this:

http://www.americangolf.co.uk/adidas/Adidas-Jacket...

Loads of my mates are right into the UnderArmour too, mind.

I'm really not much help, am I...!?

[theshrew]

Cheers fellas

[deadmau5]

JamesNotJim said:

Galvin are very very expensive...for no good reason.

Function 18 is a good online retailer, have used them a few times and never had any issues.
http://www.function18.com/waterproofs.html

I bought a Sunice waterproof jacket from Sports Direct for £20 in an end of season sale. I didn't realise they made some top end stuff. My jacket is great, I can't see how it could be any better.

[BRMMA]

I've started playing a fair bit this year and play in matches through our work golf society. I find the game immenseley frustrating when competing and i rarely have the concentratione to string a full decent round together. My society haandicap is 18 but i've not played a round worse than about 12 over for a good while but they only adjust your handicap down if/when you win one of the society competitions so until that happens i'll carry on at 18

the biggest thing i struggle with is the grip, when i let my arms fall freely my palms face my thighs which apparantly explains why i struggle to grip the club neutrally (it actually feels uncomfortable and is painful after a while) i only really feel comfortable with a strong left hand (back of left hand pointing right of the target) and a weak right hand but this will obviously result in a lot of hooked shots, other than keep persisting with trying to do the right grip i'm not sure how else i can solve that issue

[simoid]

BRMMA said:

I've started playing a fair bit this year and play in matches through our work golf society. I find the game immenseley frustrating when competing and i rarely have the concentratione to string a full decent round together. My society haandicap is 18 but i've not played a round worse than about 12 over for a good while but they only adjust your handicap down if/when you win one of the society competitions so until that happens i'll carry on at 18

the biggest thing i struggle with is the grip, when i let my arms fall freely my palms face my thighs which apparantly explains why i struggle to grip the club neutrally (it actually feels uncomfortable and is painful after a while) i only really feel comfortable with a strong left hand (back of left hand pointing right of the target) and a weak right hand but this will obviously result in a lot of hooked shots, other than keep persisting with trying to do the right grip i'm not sure how else i can solve that issue

My mate plays off 5 with an incredibly strong grip. He never hits hooks, and in fact his "bad shot" tends to be a block to the right.

Not a conventional swing by any means, but he gets it round with a very strong grip

(Not to say he wouldn't be better off changing his grip...!)

I guess what I'm saying is, you could try be as good as you can be with an unconventional grip and see how you get on. If it eventually becomes apparent that your grip the limiting factor to your development/score reduction, then could be a time to experiment with different grips.

[SpeckledJim]

BRMMA said:

I've started playing a fair bit this year and play in matches through our work golf society. I find the game immenseley frustrating when competing and i rarely have the concentratione to string a full decent round together. My society haandicap is 18 but i've not played a round worse than about 12 over for a good while but they only adjust your handicap down if/when you win one of the society competitions so until that happens i'll carry on at 18

the biggest thing i struggle with is the grip, when i let my arms fall freely my palms face my thighs which apparantly explains why i struggle to grip the club neutrally (it actually feels uncomfortable and is painful after a while) i only really feel comfortable with a strong left hand (back of left hand pointing right of the target) and a weak right hand but this will obviously result in a lot of hooked shots, other than keep persisting with trying to do the right grip i'm not sure how else i can solve that issue

If you've got old, shiny grips you might be squeezing too tightly.

[JamesNotJim]

BRMMA said:

I've started playing a fair bit this year and play in matches through our work golf society. I find the game immenseley frustrating when competing and i rarely have the concentratione to string a full decent round together. My society haandicap is 18 but i've not played a round worse than about 12 over for a good while but they only adjust your handicap down if/when you win one of the society competitions so until that happens i'll carry on at 18

the biggest thing i struggle with is the grip, when i let my arms fall freely my palms face my thighs which apparently explains why i struggle to grip the club neutrally (it actually feels uncomfortable and is painful after a while) i only really feel comfortable with a strong left hand (back of left hand pointing right of the target) and a weak right hand but this will obviously result in a lot of hooked shots, other than keep persisting with trying to do the right grip i'm not sure how else i can solve that issue

The idea of strong or neutral grip is very blurred in todays game. Look at nearly every pro and they all have stronger grips than say pro's of 10-20 years ago. It's not a bad thing along as you understand what issues it may cause.

I adopt a stronger right hand grip with my driver as I struggle to close the face without feeling like I'm rolling my wrists. Works fine for me.

[BRMMA]

Thanks for the advice guys, i definitely grip the club too hard, no real need to it's just something i instinctively do and then have to conciously think about not doing it.

i think the reason for the hooks are that the club will be square at address with my weaker right hand but then as i strike through the ball naturally my right palm will want to face the direction of the target which will have obviously turned the face pretty sharp to the left. the problem with when i have a neutral grip other than it being uncomfortable is that my right elbow feels like it will chicken wing and again i have to conciously make an effort to keep it closer to my right hip. as soon as i start having to think about what i'm doing it all goes tits up. though on Sunday i did play 9 holes on a good course in 1 over so can't be too bad, just inconsistent

[timlongs]

Heres a problem I'm having:

I'm 21, so still quite flexible and actually very happy with my swing, I've been working in the gym recently too, improving my core which seems to have helped, feel like I'm hitting the ball further (had a drive over 300 yards the other day!) - My driving is strong at the minute, playing with a slight draw and I hit a high ball flight. Happy with that.

I struggle (and have done for as long as I remember) to hit 'down' on the ball, I never make a divot and it makes my irons into the greens not great, so often I'll have a perfect drive in the middle of the fairway and hit a duff mid iron in, any tips to actually hit down on the ball? (I can upload a video/pictures if anyone wants to do some 'proper' analysis!)

[mattnunn]

timlongs said:

Heres a problem I'm having:

I'm 21, so still quite flexible and actually very happy with my swing, I've been working in the gym recently too, improving my core which seems to have helped, feel like I'm hitting the ball further (had a drive over 300 yards the other day!) - My driving is strong at the minute, playing with a slight draw and I hit a high ball flight. Happy with that.

I struggle (and have done for as long as I remember) to hit 'down' on the ball, I never make a divot and it makes my irons into the greens not great, so often I'll have a perfect drive in the middle of the fairway and hit a duff mid iron in, any tips to actually hit down on the ball? (I can upload a video/pictures if anyone wants to do some 'proper' analysis!)

I wouldn't worry Tim unless you're chasing a scratch handicap or attempting Eagles, stopping a 175 yard 6 iron dead on the green is really only for the pros. As longs as you can get your wedge up and stopped on the green from sub 75 yards you're probably going to score well and be putting for pars, a low knock down shot with your mid irons is always going to be the safer more controlled shot rather than some high balloon. If you must try moving the ball back a bit in your stance...

First golf of the year for me last night (I know it's nearly June!) hit level par on a rather ropey par 3 course near where I'm working, there was dandellions on the greens so gave myself one or two putts!

[timlongs]

Matt, I'm just trying to get a cleaner strike of the ball and some consistency! I hit the ball on my 'up' swing and don't catch it well with the club. I've played on and off since I was about 8 and play off 17 due to my lack of consistency, once I play a few weeks solid I can score about 13 over but trying to push for 10

[SpeckledJim]

BRMMA said:

Thanks for the advice guys, i definitely grip the club too hard, no real need to it's just something i instinctively do and then have to conciously think about not doing it.

i think the reason for the hooks are that the club will be square at address with my weaker right hand but then as i strike through the ball naturally my right palm will want to face the direction of the target which will have obviously turned the face pretty sharp to the left. the problem with when i have a neutral grip other than it being uncomfortable is that my right elbow feels like it will chicken wing and again i have to conciously make an effort to keep it closer to my right hip. as soon as i start having to think about what i'm doing it all goes tits up. though on Sunday i did play 9 holes on a good course in 1 over so can't be too bad, just inconsistent

Practise swinging with a towel tucked under both armpits, or with a tie strapped around both elbows.

Or alternatively, console yourself with lots of videos of Eamonn Darcy. He was pretty good...

ETA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7S8LyE0HpY

Edited by SpeckledJim on Thursday 16th May 13:59

[Skii]

I've been following Martin Chuck's youtube channel for a while now and the effect his drills have had on my ball striking is quite amazing - he sells the Tourstriker training iron but a lot of his instructional stuff is about hitting the ball on the downswing and getting into an impact position where the hands lead the clubhead and the shaft leans forward.

The effect that this has on distance and ball flight really is amazing. Great teacher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Ubo9k242g

[BRMMA]

SpeckledJim said:

Practise swinging with a towel tucked under both armpits, or with a tie strapped around both elbows.

Or alternatively, console yourself with lots of videos of Eamonn Darcy. He was pretty good...

ETA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7S8LyE0HpY

Edited by SpeckledJim on Thursday 16th May 13:59

Yeah that's the main technique i've been using, well ive used a headcover under the armpits and one of those elastic power band things round my arms. the problem i have is i can do that on the range and for the next 20 shots or so it's fine and then i gradually creep back to my old ways and then i go through the drill again but on a course i can't do that. i guess it will be a case of keep doing the right things in practice and hopefully in time it will become ingrained enough into me that it will just stick

frustrating but great game

[GTO-3R]

timlongs said:

Heres a problem I'm having:

I'm 21, so still quite flexible and actually very happy with my swing, I've been working in the gym recently too, improving my core which seems to have helped, feel like I'm hitting the ball further (had a drive over 300 yards the other day!) - My driving is strong at the minute, playing with a slight draw and I hit a high ball flight. Happy with that.

I struggle (and have done for as long as I remember) to hit 'down' on the ball, I never make a divot and it makes my irons into the greens not great, so often I'll have a perfect drive in the middle of the fairway and hit a duff mid iron in, any tips to actually hit down on the ball? (I can upload a video/pictures if anyone wants to do some 'proper' analysis!)

If your not taking a divot then you are coming in to the ball too shallow and on the inside. It's an old problem of mine that I'm currently rectifying......and pulling it a fair bit

[Rosscow]

I've just invested in a nice new trolley - very impressed with it!

It's the Sun Mountain Micro Cart, and it is designed for use with my current Sun Mountain bag (or vice-versa!).

Folds down incredibly quickly into a nice neat size, and not a strap in sight!

Rosscow #2 not looking too impressed in the background!

[theshrew]

After scanning the internet for a waterproof top i liked. I found one in a shop in Chester called Gold Depot so decided to bob over and try it on rather than order on the net.

What a great shop cheap as chips i got a real bargain trouble is my daughter now wants a set of clubs lol

[Rosscow]

Played in a charity golf day yesterday - our team won with 87 points in horrible conditions, got absolutely soaked.

Won a nice Taylor Made top and a set of FJ waterproofs though so all good!

My driving was atrocious - I'm off with the lads this weekend for 2 rounds and I might just leave it at home!!

[DuncanM]

Rosscow said:

Played in a charity golf day yesterday - our team won with 87 points in horrible conditions, got absolutely soaked.

Won a nice Taylor Made top and a set of FJ waterproofs though so all good!

My driving was atrocious - I'm off with the lads this weekend for 2 rounds and I might just leave it at home!!

I spent an entire year just using 1 iron off the tee, can be done and usually best practice until you.sort the dog out on the range