The Golf Thread - 2017!
Discussion
SteveS Cup said:
DuncanM said:
Welcome!
That's a bloody tidy swing you have for a beginner
Get yourself breaking 100, then think about lessons would be my advice
Thank you! That's a bloody tidy swing you have for a beginner
Get yourself breaking 100, then think about lessons would be my advice
My local course were doing a deal on 4 x 1hr lessons which I couldn't refuse so jumped on it. I have a lesson tomorrow on chipping then one more on putting. I'll then go out with a few friends who play to a good standard and go from there!
So don't worry about driving - that's mere garnish in relation to the meat-and-two-veg that are short irons, chipping and putting. We all carry 14 clubs but Rory would beat us with just his wedge and putter. By simply keeping the ball in play, stopping it close, and sinking his putts.
And you don't have to take driver on every hole that your playing partners do. They (probably) aren't doing the right thing, and if you are following their shot selection with less ability, then you certainly aren't doing yourself any favours.
You're a big lad, so I wouldn't literally snap your driver in front of you - but if you aren't yet good enough to use it, by the 4th hole I would want to. Leave it in the garage and forget it exists this year is my sincere advice.
I am very boring, aren't I?
It just crushes me to see beginners with all the enthusiasm and potential in the world lose heart with golf for such a weak reason.
Soooo many lads (like our new chap above) can hit a decent 7 iron, and sink a putt, so in essence have very little standing between them and an 18 handicap. A standard of golf that will get them round any course in the world, and grant a lifetime of entertainment.
Yet because nobody taps them on the shoulder and makes (what I think is) a very sensible suggestion, their round of golf becomes 5.5 hours stamping round in the cabbage to record a 130 and go home in a grump.
They hate it, they feel nervous of holding up their mates or the group behind, and before you know it they are scared to play and quit. That's such a shame, and you see it so often.
For want of a couple of years of sensible shot selection, the lifetime kingdom of golf was lost.
(I really am boring. Well-meaning though.)
It just crushes me to see beginners with all the enthusiasm and potential in the world lose heart with golf for such a weak reason.
Soooo many lads (like our new chap above) can hit a decent 7 iron, and sink a putt, so in essence have very little standing between them and an 18 handicap. A standard of golf that will get them round any course in the world, and grant a lifetime of entertainment.
Yet because nobody taps them on the shoulder and makes (what I think is) a very sensible suggestion, their round of golf becomes 5.5 hours stamping round in the cabbage to record a 130 and go home in a grump.
They hate it, they feel nervous of holding up their mates or the group behind, and before you know it they are scared to play and quit. That's such a shame, and you see it so often.
For want of a couple of years of sensible shot selection, the lifetime kingdom of golf was lost.
(I really am boring. Well-meaning though.)
SpeckledJim said:
I am very boring, aren't I?
It just crushes me to see beginners with all the enthusiasm and potential in the world lose heart with golf for such a weak reason.
Soooo many lads (like our new chap above) can hit a decent 7 iron, and sink a putt, so in essence have very little standing between them and an 18 handicap. A standard of golf that will get them round any course in the world, and grant a lifetime of entertainment.
Yet because nobody taps them on the shoulder and makes (what I think is) a very sensible suggestion, their round of golf becomes 5.5 hours stamping round in the cabbage to record a 130 and go home in a grump.
They hate it, they feel nervous of holding up their mates or the group behind, and before you know it they are scared to play and quit. That's such a shame, and you see it so often.
For want of a couple of years of sensible shot selection, the lifetime kingdom of golf was lost.
(I really am boring. Well-meaning though.)
That is actually really great advise and something I have picked up recently from different places. It just crushes me to see beginners with all the enthusiasm and potential in the world lose heart with golf for such a weak reason.
Soooo many lads (like our new chap above) can hit a decent 7 iron, and sink a putt, so in essence have very little standing between them and an 18 handicap. A standard of golf that will get them round any course in the world, and grant a lifetime of entertainment.
Yet because nobody taps them on the shoulder and makes (what I think is) a very sensible suggestion, their round of golf becomes 5.5 hours stamping round in the cabbage to record a 130 and go home in a grump.
They hate it, they feel nervous of holding up their mates or the group behind, and before you know it they are scared to play and quit. That's such a shame, and you see it so often.
For want of a couple of years of sensible shot selection, the lifetime kingdom of golf was lost.
(I really am boring. Well-meaning though.)
I only started to play 9 months ago and it is very nerving holding people up or people trying to push you along which makes you play worse.
I was lucky that my BiL and friend told me to ignore everything and just relax and we will let them go by once we end the hole.
Other bit of advise I got was why I am trying to smash 100 balls with a driver at the range when at most I would use it 12 in a 18 hole game.
The true battle is the short game, get your irons sorted and your short game: wedge and putting.
I still work on my driver but I have worked on my irons considerably and recently been working hard on putting.
When you can get 135-150 yards carry out of a 7 iron, working on your driver isnt a huge concern.
Its very much a loooooooooooooong term sport, read on other forums and there are people who have played 40 plus years who have had to work/change their swing for various reasons.
Watch the PGA/other pro competitions and they get themself into a right mess too sometimes however the fundemental difference is they can quite easily get themself out of that mess too.
Why do I LOVE playing - purely for the fact its soooo challanging!
at the moment my scores (for an 18 hole) varies between 106-140 (yes 140 is bloody high LOL). When I think back on those poorer marks, it was lost in irons and short game. I played on different courses in different places, I will be joining a club tomorrow local to me, so I look forward to it.
Edited by XMT on Monday 23 January 13:39
140 handicap is ~212 shots per round - you like getting your money's worth!
Driver advice is something I realised long ago. Since i play a couple of times a year the long stick is just not consistent so I stopped using it. For the past several years I haven't hit anything longer than a 5 iron. I'm lucky that at 6'1 and with a reasonable swing I can get it roughly 200 yards down the (roughly) middle (inc roll), I'd rather be there than 250-300 yards into the trees! Just bought a Callaway XR hybrid 3 though, seem to be able to hit it pretty well, so I'll probably swap to using it off the tee.
Always been relatively happy with my irons, but being such an infrequent golfer anything inside 100 yards is essentially guess work. I simply haven't spent enough time working out how hard to hit wedges/putter based on how far away I am.
Driver advice is something I realised long ago. Since i play a couple of times a year the long stick is just not consistent so I stopped using it. For the past several years I haven't hit anything longer than a 5 iron. I'm lucky that at 6'1 and with a reasonable swing I can get it roughly 200 yards down the (roughly) middle (inc roll), I'd rather be there than 250-300 yards into the trees! Just bought a Callaway XR hybrid 3 though, seem to be able to hit it pretty well, so I'll probably swap to using it off the tee.
Always been relatively happy with my irons, but being such an infrequent golfer anything inside 100 yards is essentially guess work. I simply haven't spent enough time working out how hard to hit wedges/putter based on how far away I am.
SpeckledJim said:
All sounds very promising. My brief advice is to temper your natural enthusiasm for smashing the hell out of it, and be mindful that you only tee off 18 times a round, but probably play 60-90 shots from inside 150 yards.
So don't worry about driving - that's mere garnish in relation to the meat-and-two-veg that are short irons, chipping and putting. We all carry 14 clubs but Rory would beat us with just his wedge and putter. By simply keeping the ball in play, stopping it close, and sinking his putts.
And you don't have to take driver on every hole that your playing partners do. They (probably) aren't doing the right thing, and if you are following their shot selection with less ability, then you certainly aren't doing yourself any favours.
You're a big lad, so I wouldn't literally snap your driver in front of you - but if you aren't yet good enough to use it, by the 4th hole I would want to. Leave it in the garage and forget it exists this year is my sincere advice.
Thanks Jim!So don't worry about driving - that's mere garnish in relation to the meat-and-two-veg that are short irons, chipping and putting. We all carry 14 clubs but Rory would beat us with just his wedge and putter. By simply keeping the ball in play, stopping it close, and sinking his putts.
And you don't have to take driver on every hole that your playing partners do. They (probably) aren't doing the right thing, and if you are following their shot selection with less ability, then you certainly aren't doing yourself any favours.
You're a big lad, so I wouldn't literally snap your driver in front of you - but if you aren't yet good enough to use it, by the 4th hole I would want to. Leave it in the garage and forget it exists this year is my sincere advice.
I much prefer my irons and can hit them straight and cleanly most of the time! I'm so glad you've said that as I was thinking of not using my driver when I play my first round of golf! I'd much rather play 2 or 3 irons to get on the green than 1 driver and lose the ball or use a wedge to get out of the rough then an iron onto the green!
I'm fairly sure the markers at the range I go to are very very flattering so I'm paying no attention to distance at the moment and focussing on my swing and connection with the ball!
SteveS Cup said:
Hi All,
I've recently started playing again after having lessons as a kid but never really getting in to it. I used to struggle as I played a good level of cricket and I just couldn't dedicate the time to it. I'm 29 now and having some more lessons. I'm now absolutely hooked!
I did the normal thing and went and bought a package set of Wilsons, 2 weeks later I've bought a set of Nike CCI irons, and SQ driver and a new Nike bag.
I'm sure the Wilsons would have been fine for me but after having a play with some Nike's and some Callaway's I realised I preferred the feel, weight and flight of the Nike's.
I need to get a new putter so I can move the Wilsons on as a full package. Any recommendations for a new player iare welcomed!
I really need to get out and play a course as I've only been to the range so far, I've spent a fortune on clothes, shoes, etc etc so I'm very much all the gear and no idea at the moment.
I seem to be picking it up well though, this was my latest practice session before I purchased my Nike irons...
https://youtu.be/kBI-CQk9skM
Reading through this thread most of you sound like professionals so I hope a +28 handicapper is welcome!
First of all, welcome! Always good to see new people taking up the game, and even better to see someone else on the thread carrying a healthy amount of Nike gear I've recently started playing again after having lessons as a kid but never really getting in to it. I used to struggle as I played a good level of cricket and I just couldn't dedicate the time to it. I'm 29 now and having some more lessons. I'm now absolutely hooked!
I did the normal thing and went and bought a package set of Wilsons, 2 weeks later I've bought a set of Nike CCI irons, and SQ driver and a new Nike bag.
I'm sure the Wilsons would have been fine for me but after having a play with some Nike's and some Callaway's I realised I preferred the feel, weight and flight of the Nike's.
I need to get a new putter so I can move the Wilsons on as a full package. Any recommendations for a new player iare welcomed!
I really need to get out and play a course as I've only been to the range so far, I've spent a fortune on clothes, shoes, etc etc so I'm very much all the gear and no idea at the moment.
I seem to be picking it up well though, this was my latest practice session before I purchased my Nike irons...
https://youtu.be/kBI-CQk9skM
Reading through this thread most of you sound like professionals so I hope a +28 handicapper is welcome!
I'd echo the comments so far, that looks a properly useful swing for a beginner - keep swinging it like that I doubt you'll be off 28 for long. Nice short backswing, with good rythym on the way through.
On the putter, it's probably the hardest club in the bag to advise on as it is incredibly personal - what style of putter came with the Wilson set, and how are you getting on with it? If you're getting on well it would be worth finding a similar style one, but if you have a putting lesson coming up it's probably worth asking the pro for his input too.
SpeckledJim said:
I am very boring, aren't I?
It just crushes me to see beginners with all the enthusiasm and potential in the world lose heart with golf for such a weak reason.
Soooo many lads (like our new chap above) can hit a decent 7 iron, and sink a putt, so in essence have very little standing between them and an 18 handicap. A standard of golf that will get them round any course in the world, and grant a lifetime of entertainment.
Yet because nobody taps them on the shoulder and makes (what I think is) a very sensible suggestion, their round of golf becomes 5.5 hours stamping round in the cabbage to record a 130 and go home in a grump.
They hate it, they feel nervous of holding up their mates or the group behind, and before you know it they are scared to play and quit. That's such a shame, and you see it so often.
For want of a couple of years of sensible shot selection, the lifetime kingdom of golf was lost.
(I really am boring. Well-meaning though.)
Not at all, I'm quite taken by your quest to educate people about the perils of the driver. It's all good sensible advice in truth.It just crushes me to see beginners with all the enthusiasm and potential in the world lose heart with golf for such a weak reason.
Soooo many lads (like our new chap above) can hit a decent 7 iron, and sink a putt, so in essence have very little standing between them and an 18 handicap. A standard of golf that will get them round any course in the world, and grant a lifetime of entertainment.
Yet because nobody taps them on the shoulder and makes (what I think is) a very sensible suggestion, their round of golf becomes 5.5 hours stamping round in the cabbage to record a 130 and go home in a grump.
They hate it, they feel nervous of holding up their mates or the group behind, and before you know it they are scared to play and quit. That's such a shame, and you see it so often.
For want of a couple of years of sensible shot selection, the lifetime kingdom of golf was lost.
(I really am boring. Well-meaning though.)
The driver is like a separate Golf game all of its own but we all know it's an itch so many people actually want to scratch. Many enjoy the challenge and enjoy the feeling of a nice square face and a ball smashing off the sweet spot and when it happens on those rare occasions it draws them back to the game.
I think the key is for poorer players like myself to only try it on the wider fairways that are free from hazards and to leave well alone when the course narrows. After all Golf would be pretty boring if we all just went round Iron, Iron, Chip, Putt every hole.
Blaster72 said:
Bloody hell Jim, did a driver sleep with your missus or something. You really don't like them do you 
Gotta let the big dog eat 
There's a lot to take from Jim's advice, a friend of mine discovered a driving iron that suits him, has dropped woods completely now, shooting the best scores of his life!
Woods aren't for everyone, when I started playing ~25 years ago, hardly anyone would hit dog of the tee.
Thank you for the compliments regarding my swing! I've spent too long watching YouTube tutorials!
I've not used the Wilson putter yet but it's a Mallet style which is what I've used before (my boss has his old Odyssey 2 ball putter in the office for some office putting!) and I've been looking at The Nike Oz T100 putter. I guess at the moment as long as I don't invest too much money I won't be too bothered about changing clubs / upgrading later (I've already upgraded once within 3 weeks of buying my first set so my Mrs will kill me if I look at changing my irons again!).
I'm really looking forward to a range session tonight followed by a pitch and chip lesson!
I've not used the Wilson putter yet but it's a Mallet style which is what I've used before (my boss has his old Odyssey 2 ball putter in the office for some office putting!) and I've been looking at The Nike Oz T100 putter. I guess at the moment as long as I don't invest too much money I won't be too bothered about changing clubs / upgrading later (I've already upgraded once within 3 weeks of buying my first set so my Mrs will kill me if I look at changing my irons again!).
I'm really looking forward to a range session tonight followed by a pitch and chip lesson!
DuncanM said:
Gotta let the big dog eat
There's a lot to take from Jim's advice, a friend of mine discovered a driving iron that suits him, has dropped woods completely now, shooting the best scores of his life!
Woods aren't for everyone, when I started playing ~25 years ago, hardly anyone would hit dog of the tee.
I can't hit a hybrid or wood off the mat to save my life so I'm not replacing them. I'm going to stick with my irons 4-9 plus PW, AW and a driver. I may add a 3 wood later on but I'm really excited about my new setup and can't wait to get out there on a Sunday morning!There's a lot to take from Jim's advice, a friend of mine discovered a driving iron that suits him, has dropped woods completely now, shooting the best scores of his life!
Woods aren't for everyone, when I started playing ~25 years ago, hardly anyone would hit dog of the tee.
I've enquired about membership at Woldingham Golf Course which is linked with the Surrey National, Godstone and Addington (Woldingham being my local club) but I'm also looking at Farliegh (which is where I had a lesson a few years ago). I live in Warlingham so I have a few near me.
I'd really like one which has a gym so I can drop my David Lloyd membership but I can't see that working.
SteveS Cup said:
SpeckledJim said:
All sounds very promising. My brief advice is to temper your natural enthusiasm for smashing the hell out of it, and be mindful that you only tee off 18 times a round, but probably play 60-90 shots from inside 150 yards.
So don't worry about driving - that's mere garnish in relation to the meat-and-two-veg that are short irons, chipping and putting. We all carry 14 clubs but Rory would beat us with just his wedge and putter. By simply keeping the ball in play, stopping it close, and sinking his putts.
And you don't have to take driver on every hole that your playing partners do. They (probably) aren't doing the right thing, and if you are following their shot selection with less ability, then you certainly aren't doing yourself any favours.
You're a big lad, so I wouldn't literally snap your driver in front of you - but if you aren't yet good enough to use it, by the 4th hole I would want to. Leave it in the garage and forget it exists this year is my sincere advice.
Thanks Jim!So don't worry about driving - that's mere garnish in relation to the meat-and-two-veg that are short irons, chipping and putting. We all carry 14 clubs but Rory would beat us with just his wedge and putter. By simply keeping the ball in play, stopping it close, and sinking his putts.
And you don't have to take driver on every hole that your playing partners do. They (probably) aren't doing the right thing, and if you are following their shot selection with less ability, then you certainly aren't doing yourself any favours.
You're a big lad, so I wouldn't literally snap your driver in front of you - but if you aren't yet good enough to use it, by the 4th hole I would want to. Leave it in the garage and forget it exists this year is my sincere advice.
I much prefer my irons and can hit them straight and cleanly most of the time! I'm so glad you've said that as I was thinking of not using my driver when I play my first round of golf! I'd much rather play 2 or 3 irons to get on the green than 1 driver and lose the ball or use a wedge to get out of the rough then an iron onto the green!
I'm fairly sure the markers at the range I go to are very very flattering so I'm paying no attention to distance at the moment and focussing on my swing and connection with the ball!
I'm always impressed by a beginner who is choosing his shots to match his actual chance of pulling them off. I don't mean to sound patronising, but I recognise that this might, but evolving a mindset about golf is a bit like infant development, where there are a series of 'moments' where things become clear, and easy, and then a big step forward is made.
Some golfers, with good hand/eye coordination and good technique, can end up pretty good at golf without really making many of those leaps in thinking, but without them they'll never be excellent.
If you can make those leaps early, and be thinking at a higher level than you play, then you'll avoid so many costly mistakes, and surprise people with how well you can score without any spectacular heroics.
Then as-and-when your technique catches up - all of a sudden you're a good golfer, and you'll never lose it.
It's so easy to abdicate one's shot selection to the better players in your group and just simply try what they try. But it's not good golf, and golfers of any standard suffer for doing it. Being the only one to play an iron on a tee requires more bravery than just following along with everyone else - but if it's the right choice, then you would be doing yourself a disservice not to make it.
SteveS Cup said:
DuncanM said:
Gotta let the big dog eat
There's a lot to take from Jim's advice, a friend of mine discovered a driving iron that suits him, has dropped woods completely now, shooting the best scores of his life!
Woods aren't for everyone, when I started playing ~25 years ago, hardly anyone would hit dog of the tee.
I can't hit a hybrid or wood off the mat to save my life so I'm not replacing them. I'm going to stick with my irons 4-9 plus PW, AW and a driver. I may add a 3 wood later on but I'm really excited about my new setup and can't wait to get out there on a Sunday morning!There's a lot to take from Jim's advice, a friend of mine discovered a driving iron that suits him, has dropped woods completely now, shooting the best scores of his life!
Woods aren't for everyone, when I started playing ~25 years ago, hardly anyone would hit dog of the tee.
I've enquired about membership at Woldingham Golf Course which is linked with the Surrey National, Godstone and Addington (Woldingham being my local club) but I'm also looking at Farliegh (which is where I had a lesson a few years ago). I live in Warlingham so I have a few near me.
I'd really like one which has a gym so I can drop my David Lloyd membership but I can't see that working.
You can be lead into a false sense of competence, because you can thump the clubhead into the mat 2 inches behind the ball and the club will slide through and give you a reasonable result.
Exactly the same shot on the turf of the golf course becomes a 5-yard chunk.
SpeckledJim said:
SteveS Cup said:
DuncanM said:
Gotta let the big dog eat
There's a lot to take from Jim's advice, a friend of mine discovered a driving iron that suits him, has dropped woods completely now, shooting the best scores of his life!
Woods aren't for everyone, when I started playing ~25 years ago, hardly anyone would hit dog of the tee.
I can't hit a hybrid or wood off the mat to save my life so I'm not replacing them. I'm going to stick with my irons 4-9 plus PW, AW and a driver. I may add a 3 wood later on but I'm really excited about my new setup and can't wait to get out there on a Sunday morning!There's a lot to take from Jim's advice, a friend of mine discovered a driving iron that suits him, has dropped woods completely now, shooting the best scores of his life!
Woods aren't for everyone, when I started playing ~25 years ago, hardly anyone would hit dog of the tee.
I've enquired about membership at Woldingham Golf Course which is linked with the Surrey National, Godstone and Addington (Woldingham being my local club) but I'm also looking at Farliegh (which is where I had a lesson a few years ago). I live in Warlingham so I have a few near me.
I'd really like one which has a gym so I can drop my David Lloyd membership but I can't see that working.
You can be lead into a false sense of competence, because you can thump the clubhead into the mat 2 inches behind the ball and the club will slide through and give you a reasonable result.
Exactly the same shot on the turf of the golf course becomes a 5-yard chunk.
I know this company has fitted out quite a few clubs throughout the UK.
I am looking to get one to use at home. Not cheap at all by any stretch but none of the good mats are.
http://www.huxleygolf.com/online-store/golf-mats/h...
SpeckledJim said:
Be wary hitting long clubs off the deck with a mat.
You can be lead into a false sense of competence, because you can thump the clubhead into the mat 2 inches behind the ball and the club will slide through and give you a reasonable result.
Exactly the same shot on the turf of the golf course becomes a 5-yard chunk.
And there lies the problem, speaking from my own experience practicing hitting irons off grass is something few have the facilities to do.You can be lead into a false sense of competence, because you can thump the clubhead into the mat 2 inches behind the ball and the club will slide through and give you a reasonable result.
Exactly the same shot on the turf of the golf course becomes a 5-yard chunk.
I can happily hit zippy penetrating irons off a mat, but put me on grass and my entire confidence and intent changes, I get nervous, almost a panic at the top of the swing as I pray to god the club doesn't slam into the mud 3 inches short of the ball and then I end up doing the one thing I REALLY didn't want to to.
Chunk.
Bloody game
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