Getting into golf - couple of questions
Discussion
Greetings,
I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
redrabbit29 said:
Greetings,
I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
I started about 18months ago. I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
I'd say get some secondhand clubs as you will get better clubs for your money and spend the rest on everything else. Goldbidder is a good place to start looking.
For accessories again get secondhand balls, facebook market place and ebay are good for that. Second hand decent bag/trolley see previous comment about where from. Shoes go to gold club or AG and try some on by the ones you find comfy,
Go to the range to get used to the club and then get out on the course and enjoy.
Have a look for local business network golf groups. Usually around 10-20 golfers, mostly pretty awful at golf who have joined purely to get out and maybe get a client or 2 (but no one cares really - in my experience)
I did this a couple of years ago, joined a monthly event, met some really nice people and may do business with a couple.
I did this a couple of years ago, joined a monthly event, met some really nice people and may do business with a couple.
I’d echo the secondhand clubs thing. - I’d get a set of FB for under a £100 to start with.
In terms of picking it up.
Go to your local driving range. They’ll do a group lesson - do this and you’ll meet others in the same boat. Sign up for a bunch of lessons.
Then Play a par 3 course as many times as you can to start with. If you go the same time every day / week, my experience is that you’ll find some regular playing partners of a similar standard.
Do this for a couple of months and take it from there.
General swing advice - don’t be that person that is bashing hundreds of balls at the range perfecting a rubbish swing. Get some decent lessons first and you’ll be practicing the right stuff not the wrong stuff. For me personally, a bucket of 50 balls is more than enough but I regularly see people there hitting like 200 balls in a range session - daft imho
In terms of picking it up.
Go to your local driving range. They’ll do a group lesson - do this and you’ll meet others in the same boat. Sign up for a bunch of lessons.
Then Play a par 3 course as many times as you can to start with. If you go the same time every day / week, my experience is that you’ll find some regular playing partners of a similar standard.
Do this for a couple of months and take it from there.
General swing advice - don’t be that person that is bashing hundreds of balls at the range perfecting a rubbish swing. Get some decent lessons first and you’ll be practicing the right stuff not the wrong stuff. For me personally, a bucket of 50 balls is more than enough but I regularly see people there hitting like 200 balls in a range session - daft imho
Am not too far from you and similarly don’t have mates who play. Would echo comments on playing time and lessons but bear in mind playing off a mat at a driving range is very different from grass!
If anyone else is around the area am would there be interest in a PH golf day out? I’m in Woking so not far from you
If anyone else is around the area am would there be interest in a PH golf day out? I’m in Woking so not far from you
redrabbit29 said:
Greetings,
I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
If you have a Costco card they often do good starter sets, American Golf or Decathlon will be worth a look. I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
You can obviously get second hand sets much cheaper. I have some irons I need to sell if interested Mizuno JPX 825.
You will need balls, tees and some shoes. Balls and tees are cheap enough online. A bag will come with the package set if you want to go down that route. Shoes I would keep an eye on FB or EBay, or look at decathlon (they do lots of great value equipment).
Downshire is your local course. It’s fine, but always busy. Billingbear is good starter course, 2 x 9 holes, with one being a Par 3 version. I often play at Birds Hill as the do cheap tee times on a weekend. Not the greatest and is poor in the winter but again it’s cheap.
Otherwise you have Sherfield Oaks towards Basingstoke a few here are members, or Windlesham or Oine Ridge which are both nearer. Give them a call and see what the offer for beginner golfers. If you join a club they have ways to introduce new members.
fat80b said:
I’d echo the secondhand clubs thing. - I’d get a set of FB for under a £100 to start with.
In terms of picking it up.
Go to your local driving range. They’ll do a group lesson - do this and you’ll meet others in the same boat. Sign up for a bunch of lessons.
Then Play a par 3 course as many times as you can to start with. If you go the same time every day / week, my experience is that you’ll find some regular playing partners of a similar standard.
Do this for a couple of months and take it from there.
General swing advice - don’t be that person that is bashing hundreds of balls at the range perfecting a rubbish swing. Get some decent lessons first and you’ll be practicing the right stuff not the wrong stuff. For me personally, a bucket of 50 balls is more than enough but I regularly see people there hitting like 200 balls in a range session - daft imho
All of this. Both of my local ranges have informal/drop in group sessions which would certainly have new starters you could strike a conversation and play a round with. In terms of picking it up.
Go to your local driving range. They’ll do a group lesson - do this and you’ll meet others in the same boat. Sign up for a bunch of lessons.
Then Play a par 3 course as many times as you can to start with. If you go the same time every day / week, my experience is that you’ll find some regular playing partners of a similar standard.
Do this for a couple of months and take it from there.
General swing advice - don’t be that person that is bashing hundreds of balls at the range perfecting a rubbish swing. Get some decent lessons first and you’ll be practicing the right stuff not the wrong stuff. For me personally, a bucket of 50 balls is more than enough but I regularly see people there hitting like 200 balls in a range session - daft imho
We have a fairly local par 3, I’ve played this many many times to improve short game/putting. Once you can strike an iron 150 yards off the grass in the right direction you’d be ready to take on a full course. If you can’t, a full course is a miserable place to be.
My drives can go anywhere, despite being straight at the range. The second shot is the one that gets things back on track.
I’ve also found you need to play weekly to see any improvement. I love golf, but don’t have the time to commit to it at the moment so will never be good. If you can live with that you’ll have a much better time.
southendpier said:
Have a look for local business network golf groups. Usually around 10-20 golfers, mostly pretty awful at golf who have joined purely to get out and maybe get a client or 2 (but no one cares really - in my experience)
I did this a couple of years ago, joined a monthly event, met some really nice people and may do business with a couple.
Garons?I did this a couple of years ago, joined a monthly event, met some really nice people and may do business with a couple.
Start with a cheap set of 2nd hand clubs. No point spending hundreds on clubs to find out in a month or so you hate the bloody game anyway.
after no lessons went out with a mate to Bird Hills not far from you.. Something of a hack, getting round in probably a little less than 200. Then went weekly for a couple of months dropping about 10 shots per week! It was only after this I started taking lessons. After about 4 months I bought a new set of irons then a couple of months later a set of woods. By then I'd joined at Sand Martins.
I actually found joining groups to play with was not a problem & soon got to know a few people. If I played in the week I'd play on my own if I had to.
One of the things I found that really helped was a "course lesson". rather than standing on a range bashing balls in a lesson, we would actually go out & play the course. You'll shave more shots in course management than quality of striking, plus you get away from the artifical environment of a range..
after no lessons went out with a mate to Bird Hills not far from you.. Something of a hack, getting round in probably a little less than 200. Then went weekly for a couple of months dropping about 10 shots per week! It was only after this I started taking lessons. After about 4 months I bought a new set of irons then a couple of months later a set of woods. By then I'd joined at Sand Martins.
I actually found joining groups to play with was not a problem & soon got to know a few people. If I played in the week I'd play on my own if I had to.
One of the things I found that really helped was a "course lesson". rather than standing on a range bashing balls in a lesson, we would actually go out & play the course. You'll shave more shots in course management than quality of striking, plus you get away from the artifical environment of a range..
Edited by GT03ROB on Saturday 28th January 06:52
I'd go with a used set of clubs myself, nothing worse than turning up with shiny new bag off 28hcp!
-It can get expensive so spread out your bag cost, I wouldn't go massive on a driver yet, you won't benefit from the shaft/loft on it and need to learn AoA first.
-Irons need to have decent grips on if used. Consider hybrids for 4/5 iron.
-Putter is something you could probably get new to treat yourself, I remember those good old days of that, you'll end up buying tonnes of putters, throwing them at the back of the garage then falling back in love with them and so if your first one dont work then it's not wasted.
-Get lessons for the basic pointers, this game looks easier than it is
-Not sure about courses round there but your first few months I wouldn't buy decent balls, just get lake balls to get used to playing golf.
-Shoes you buy now will be less useful in summer (based on spikes/non spikeless)
Enjoy the game and learning how to work the addiction around the missus
-It can get expensive so spread out your bag cost, I wouldn't go massive on a driver yet, you won't benefit from the shaft/loft on it and need to learn AoA first.
-Irons need to have decent grips on if used. Consider hybrids for 4/5 iron.
-Putter is something you could probably get new to treat yourself, I remember those good old days of that, you'll end up buying tonnes of putters, throwing them at the back of the garage then falling back in love with them and so if your first one dont work then it's not wasted.
-Get lessons for the basic pointers, this game looks easier than it is
-Not sure about courses round there but your first few months I wouldn't buy decent balls, just get lake balls to get used to playing golf.
-Shoes you buy now will be less useful in summer (based on spikes/non spikeless)
Enjoy the game and learning how to work the addiction around the missus
fat80b said:
I’d echo the secondhand clubs thing. - I’d get a set of FB for under a £100 to start with.
In terms of picking it up.
Go to your local driving range. They’ll do a group lesson - do this and you’ll meet others in the same boat. Sign up for a bunch of lessons.
Then Play a par 3 course as many times as you can to start with. If you go the same time every day / week, my experience is that you’ll find some regular playing partners of a similar standard.
Do this for a couple of months and take it from there.
General swing advice - don’t be that person that is bashing hundreds of balls at the range perfecting a rubbish swing. Get some decent lessons first and you’ll be practicing the right stuff not the wrong stuff. For me personally, a bucket of 50 balls is more than enough but I regularly see people there hitting like 200 balls in a range session - daft imho
It isn't at all daft to hit 200 balls in a session, as long as you have a plan and have a decent swing. I used to hit betwewen 150 to 200 in a session - 80 balls with the irons - 3 - PW, another 20 with the two hybrids, 30 with the driver, 3W and 5W. The rest would be used on the Sand and lob wedges.In terms of picking it up.
Go to your local driving range. They’ll do a group lesson - do this and you’ll meet others in the same boat. Sign up for a bunch of lessons.
Then Play a par 3 course as many times as you can to start with. If you go the same time every day / week, my experience is that you’ll find some regular playing partners of a similar standard.
Do this for a couple of months and take it from there.
General swing advice - don’t be that person that is bashing hundreds of balls at the range perfecting a rubbish swing. Get some decent lessons first and you’ll be practicing the right stuff not the wrong stuff. For me personally, a bucket of 50 balls is more than enough but I regularly see people there hitting like 200 balls in a range session - daft imho
I would practice hitting high and low shots, draws and fades.
A pro would hit upwards of 500 a day when not playing a tournament, hitting probably 100 at the range, then the rest out on a course, something which the rest of us cannot do.
Get a course of lessons and if you buy one book, then I would recommend this one - "Six Days to Better Golf", by Harry Obitz and Dick Farley. I was given it by my dad, read it a couple of times then practiced just their methods. Within a year, I had gone from struggling to break 90, to regularly scoring 75 and better.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Better-Golf-Harry-Ob...
Challo said:
redrabbit29 said:
Greetings,
I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
If you have a Costco card they often do good starter sets, American Golf or Decathlon will be worth a look. I'm feeling quite lonely these days, 38 years old, a few friends who I rarely see due to our own separate agendas and just don't have any social life really. I'm trying to change this in 2023, particularly as I now WFH and so even more likely to be a bit more isolated.
Golf is one thing I am interested in. I have played quite a few times over the years, only once every year or two.
1) Clubs - I wanted a full set including drivers. Would American Golf be a good place to get them from? Budget, happy to spend a decent amount, maybe up to £500.
2) Accessories - I guess I'll need balls, tees, bag (probably comes with clubs?), and maybe shoes?
3) Who do I play with? I don't have any golf friends. I live in Bracknell (South East) and there is a council course here and several other more expensive ones. I did think about using Facebook as there are several clubs I have joined and groups which are for Squash, plus other similar things.
Thanks
You can obviously get second hand sets much cheaper. I have some irons I need to sell if interested Mizuno JPX 825.
andyA700 said:
A pro would hit upwards of 500 a day when not playing a tournament, hitting probably 100 at the range, then the rest out on a course, something which the rest of us cannot do.
I can guarantee when I return to playing golf hitting 400 in a single round will not be beyond the realms of posibility!!https://www.gumtree.com/p/golf-clubs/refinished-ti...
Lots of other golf bats and accessories on same site
Lots of other golf bats and accessories on same site
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