Taking up Golf
Discussion
Yeah don't buy cheap clubs like Decathlon type ones! They have a tendency to 'double up' clubs, so for example you'll have a 6/7 iron and an 8/9 iron. My friend got this type of clubs, and he hates them. Looking to change as soon as possible. Second hand proper irons is the best bet
I got my MX19 irons as a beginner from American Golf, and I have to say, the fella was brilliant. And to this day I'm thankful for him helping me out with my choice, as I can't fault them. And had been willing to spend £100 more for the irons, so he saved me money too. Which he more than made up for when I bought the putter, shoes, bag, outerwear... lol
And lessons. Spend as much as you can possibly afford on lessons. One a week for the first few months if possible. It'll improve your ball striking and consistency no end, and make you less likely to give up!
I got my MX19 irons as a beginner from American Golf, and I have to say, the fella was brilliant. And to this day I'm thankful for him helping me out with my choice, as I can't fault them. And had been willing to spend £100 more for the irons, so he saved me money too. Which he more than made up for when I bought the putter, shoes, bag, outerwear... lol
And lessons. Spend as much as you can possibly afford on lessons. One a week for the first few months if possible. It'll improve your ball striking and consistency no end, and make you less likely to give up!
Edited by iphonedyou on Wednesday 31st August 15:13
iphonedyou said:
And lessons. Spend as much as you can possibly afford on lessons. One a week for the first few months if possible. It'll improve your ball striking and consistency no end, and make you less likely to give up!
Unless of course, no matter how many lessons you have had, you still slice the ball, even if you follow the pro's advice to the letter. This is when golf is seriously frustrating, and on occasions will result in someone getting a club wrapped around their neck Edited by iphonedyou on Wednesday 31st August 15:13
There's loads of bargains to be had out of online retailers. you could get irons, driver and a hybrid or 2 for less than 350 easily.
Driver
irons with a half price wedge offer
Have a look for Benross and MD wedges and fairways/hybrids. and their putters too. all pretty decent kit for buttons in comparison to big names
Driver
irons with a half price wedge offer
Have a look for Benross and MD wedges and fairways/hybrids. and their putters too. all pretty decent kit for buttons in comparison to big names
Yoof Full Chav said:
Unless of course, no matter how many lessons you have had, you still slice the ball, even if you follow the pro's advice to the letter. This is when golf is seriously frustrating, and on occasions will result in someone getting a club wrapped around their neck
Ain't that the truth!I knew I was never going to be McIlroy when I found myself elated that my natural fk up had become a mild hook rather than a slice. Truly, madly elated.
ETA: as above, MD Golf stuff is frankly brilliant kit. Their wedges in particular get rave reviews, and look like much more expensive items!
Gaz. said:
Yoof Full Chav said:
iphonedyou said:
And lessons. Spend as much as you can possibly afford on lessons. One a week for the first few months if possible. It'll improve your ball striking and consistency no end, and make you less likely to give up!
Unless of course, no matter how many lessons you have had, you still slice the ball, even if you follow the pro's advice to the letter. This is when golf is seriously frustrating, and on occasions will result in someone getting a club wrapped around their neck Edited by iphonedyou on Wednesday 31st August 15:13
I think I'll forever be a hacker. I've got to a certain level (one rung up from 'beginner') and stayed there since April.
Bing o said:
It doesn't get any better. Last comp I played in I was tied with the leader on 2 over after the 13th, imploded with 7 dropped shots in the last 5 holes to miss out on first prize of a set of mizuno mp-62s by 3 shots...not a happy camper!
Hmmmm, i wont mention my scores then, suffice it to say they are shocking, and if things dont improve soon, then the next time i slice a ball into the lake, the trolley, clubs etc could be following itGet yourself over to the golf monthly forums. Plenty of second had gear for sale. A friend has just put a set of JPX800 Mizzi's for a stupidly low price.
Regards gear, get what you feel comfortable with for now. Try to stick with named brands and do your research. If you decide to stick with it in a years time maybe think about the custom fit route.
Regards gear, get what you feel comfortable with for now. Try to stick with named brands and do your research. If you decide to stick with it in a years time maybe think about the custom fit route.
And get yourself a Garmin S1 wristwatch distance to green yardage GPS. One of the things I found was that I'd lost the ability to judge distances and this has made life a lot easier. Shop around on line, find the best price and American Golf will match it on a price match deal. Aim for around £159 which is what I paid for mine.
Club selection (and I mean more than what brand of clubs) is king I say.
Right now, i'm not massively bothered that i can't drive the ball 300+ yards, all i want to do is to be able to walk up, place the ball on the tee, and hit it straight. Once i can do without thinking every time, then i can add better clubs/balls etc, and think about adding extra yardage later on
Dick Dastardly said:
My advice? Don't take up this cruel, godforsaken game.
How can I go from par after par when I played 48 hours ago, to losing 5 balls on the first 2 holes tonight? I simply do not get how inconsistent it can be!
+1How can I go from par after par when I played 48 hours ago, to losing 5 balls on the first 2 holes tonight? I simply do not get how inconsistent it can be!
The most frustrating pastime ever.
Have not played for a while but took the kids to a pitch and putt on holiday in Cornwall. Gave them loads of advice, non of it heeded, then went to the tee expecting to slice or miss the ball but connected perfectly with the 9 iron and hit the ball straight and true, at least twice the distance beyond the green.
The kids were impressed but I then preceded to do it on every hole upto the 9th then every shot went 90 degrees to the right. WTF.
I fekin' hate golf
Yoof Full Chav said:
Bing o said:
It doesn't get any better. Last comp I played in I was tied with the leader on 2 over after the 13th, imploded with 7 dropped shots in the last 5 holes to miss out on first prize of a set of mizuno mp-62s by 3 shots...not a happy camper!
Hmmmm, i wont mention my scores then, suffice it to say they are shocking, and if things dont improve soon, then the next time i slice a ball into the lake, the trolley, clubs etc could be following itMy best advice as a single digit handicapper - short game short game short game. Learn to take no more than 3 to get down from 100 yards, and then turn the threes into twos and voila, all the pressure on your long game is gone!
Even the Pros who do this day in day out hit bad shots - big slices, hooks etc, but the number of times they scramble it in is amazing, and probably what sets a pro apart from a good amateur.
Next time you play, count the number of shots you have from within 100 yards and I'd reckon it will be about 70% of your score, yet most golfers blast away at the driver for hours on end at the range...
Bing o said:
Lessons and practice. That's what I'd spend my money on. Want to set a lap record at the Nurburgring - do you just jump in to an F1 car and mash the throttle, or do you spend years learning the nicities of throttle control, steering, apex lines etc?
My best advice as a single digit handicapper - short game short game short game. Learn to take no more than 3 to get down from 100 yards, and then turn the threes into twos and voila, all the pressure on your long game is gone!
Even the Pros who do this day in day out hit bad shots - big slices, hooks etc, but the number of times they scramble it in is amazing, and probably what sets a pro apart from a good amateur.
Next time you play, count the number of shots you have from within 100 yards and I'd reckon it will be about 70% of your score, yet most golfers blast away at the driver for hours on end at the range...
This, +1 etc etc. My best advice as a single digit handicapper - short game short game short game. Learn to take no more than 3 to get down from 100 yards, and then turn the threes into twos and voila, all the pressure on your long game is gone!
Even the Pros who do this day in day out hit bad shots - big slices, hooks etc, but the number of times they scramble it in is amazing, and probably what sets a pro apart from a good amateur.
Next time you play, count the number of shots you have from within 100 yards and I'd reckon it will be about 70% of your score, yet most golfers blast away at the driver for hours on end at the range...
I play off 11 and getting back into golf after a year or two off regular playIng.
My long game is all over the place but from 100 yards in I seem to be scraping pars or saving huge disasters.
Time on the putting green pays off too as even a bad shot on can then be holed or a simple tap in after a long putt.
I went out with a caddie last night - my dad - and it was AMAZING!
I just swanned about the course with nary a worry, and it was great. It was my best ever round, and I'm really chuffed because it was the first time dad has ever seen me play, so it was nice to live up to potential and put the things I've learnt from my lessons into practice. And he enjoyed watching, and the exercise, so it was win win.
Two things really helped. My iron play was generally fairly decent - very few fat shots, nothing chunked and if not straight, then not OB either - and my short game was really on form. Anything from 100 yards in generally found the green, and trees, bunkers and tee positions just didn't seem to phase me.
Exciting stuff. Having been the very definition of a hacker for years, it's all coming together now I'm taking a programme of lessons. I think the real difference is the short game, but not chunking shots makes a massive difference also.
I just swanned about the course with nary a worry, and it was great. It was my best ever round, and I'm really chuffed because it was the first time dad has ever seen me play, so it was nice to live up to potential and put the things I've learnt from my lessons into practice. And he enjoyed watching, and the exercise, so it was win win.
Two things really helped. My iron play was generally fairly decent - very few fat shots, nothing chunked and if not straight, then not OB either - and my short game was really on form. Anything from 100 yards in generally found the green, and trees, bunkers and tee positions just didn't seem to phase me.
Exciting stuff. Having been the very definition of a hacker for years, it's all coming together now I'm taking a programme of lessons. I think the real difference is the short game, but not chunking shots makes a massive difference also.
iphonedyou said:
I went out with a caddie last night - my dad - and it was AMAZING!
I'm just off to play in a bit. My caddies called Dina, and is a cute Indonesian chick that costs me £12.50 for the day to hire (ooo-er).Congrats on your round. Getting good at golf is realising that it's about making your bad shots rather than your good shots better.
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