Discussion
Get a set of ping "G" series irons - anything from G10's and higher (newer model = higher numbers)
Unless you're exceptionally tall/short or have gorilla/t-Rex arms look for a black dot or approximate your dot colour/length from the ping chart online.
Can't go too far wrong with these for beginner clubs - worry about the woods when you've got the irons consistent/straight.
Putters are somewhat personal preference to start with
Unless you're exceptionally tall/short or have gorilla/t-Rex arms look for a black dot or approximate your dot colour/length from the ping chart online.
Can't go too far wrong with these for beginner clubs - worry about the woods when you've got the irons consistent/straight.
Putters are somewhat personal preference to start with
OK, I admit I have been following the Golfing thread for a very long time, but not actually contributed anything to-date. I really enjoy reading the equipment talks, golfing progress and score updates from you guys, but I am also deeply envious too! Why? I loved playing golf, but I gave up from sheer frustration due to my lower back pain. It was soul destroying when nearly every shoot was either a duck hook or a sh**k!!
However, I started playing again late March as I felt a slight iimprovement on my back from my new physio routine, but unsurprisingly, my game was still crap
Only positives was my scrabbling and my putting (my strongest area) which gave my score some respectability (gross high 80's - low 90's).
I really wanted to get back into golf, so I called up my old golf Pro for help (who also had back problem with 2 fused vertebrae, and he was the one who identified my back problem in a lesson over a decade ago!). First lesson was just a feeler to see the limit of my body movement, and there wasn't much! The trackman video (horror show) reveal the extent of my non moving body with an extreme hand lead in-to-out swing! My second lesson started with discussion on the state of my back from which he suggested deep muscle myofascial massage + foam roller. Few days later, I started with a foam roller as they were dirt cheap + YouTube, and I started massaging my back and buttocks. The foam roller massage was painful, and I felt sore for 3 days, but I did feel an improvement to my back.
Roll forward 6 weeks, and the improvement to my back has been absolutely life changing!! Had my 4th lesson today, and with my 90% back movement, I was making some progress to my swing (more out to in now) that I was actually compressing the ball again. OK, it was only my 9 and PW, but it's been over a decade since I had that feeling!! My decision to seek help from my old Pro who also had back problems paid dividend as I was getting free physio exercise!
I still have many swing issues to sort out (the Trackman doesn't lie!
), but my confidence is back knowing my body can function to an acceptable level. Sorry for the rambling (just like all golfers), but hopefully I will make useful contributions in the coming months with my golfing progress/scores etc. 
.
However, I started playing again late March as I felt a slight iimprovement on my back from my new physio routine, but unsurprisingly, my game was still crap
Only positives was my scrabbling and my putting (my strongest area) which gave my score some respectability (gross high 80's - low 90's). I really wanted to get back into golf, so I called up my old golf Pro for help (who also had back problem with 2 fused vertebrae, and he was the one who identified my back problem in a lesson over a decade ago!). First lesson was just a feeler to see the limit of my body movement, and there wasn't much! The trackman video (horror show
) reveal the extent of my non moving body with an extreme hand lead in-to-out swing! My second lesson started with discussion on the state of my back from which he suggested deep muscle myofascial massage + foam roller. Few days later, I started with a foam roller as they were dirt cheap + YouTube, and I started massaging my back and buttocks. The foam roller massage was painful, and I felt sore for 3 days, but I did feel an improvement to my back. Roll forward 6 weeks, and the improvement to my back has been absolutely life changing!! Had my 4th lesson today, and with my 90% back movement, I was making some progress to my swing (more out to in now) that I was actually compressing the ball again. OK, it was only my 9 and PW, but it's been over a decade since I had that feeling!! My decision to seek help from my old Pro who also had back problems paid dividend as I was getting free physio exercise!
I still have many swing issues to sort out (the Trackman doesn't lie!
), but my confidence is back knowing my body can function to an acceptable level. Sorry for the rambling (just like all golfers), but hopefully I will make useful contributions in the coming months with my golfing progress/scores etc. . Edited by chip* on Wednesday 4th May 22:14
Esceptico said:
When we left the UK in 2019 I gave away my clubs. I didn’t have a proper set - just a mishmash of clubs I had acquired along the way plus a cheap bag.
I’m thinking about starting to play again and perhaps buying a secondhand half set (got to be a lot cheaper than new). I am pretty hopeless so don’t need anything fancy yet on the other hand don’t want to buy rubbish either. Any recommendations for middle of the road clubs that would be good for a beginner? Any tips for buying online?
I picked up all my stuff via eBay last month. Use golf picker to check prices or they have a good selection on there themselves. I’m thinking about starting to play again and perhaps buying a secondhand half set (got to be a lot cheaper than new). I am pretty hopeless so don’t need anything fancy yet on the other hand don’t want to buy rubbish either. Any recommendations for middle of the road clubs that would be good for a beginner? Any tips for buying online?
Patrick Bateman said:
Must be about the only double digit handicapper in the country with a ball speed knocking on 180mph.
Massive scoring potential there.
Unfortunately, as you will know there's much more to it than that.Massive scoring potential there.
What I'm doing at the range and in the garage on skytrak I'm not taking to the course which is annoying and haven't worked out why yet.
The other side to it is that this is my just swinging flat out which I don't do on the course.
This was my drive on a par 4 367 yards the other day and I still only just made par ...
danneth said:
Unfortunately, as you will know there's much more to it than that.
What I'm doing at the range and in the garage on skytrak I'm not taking to the course which is annoying and haven't worked out why yet.
The other side to it is that this is my just swinging flat out which I don't do on the course.
This was my drive on a par 4 367 yards the other day and I still only just made par ...
That's still not bad at all, there have been a few times I've been that close to a Par 4 off the tee and walked off with a 5, which is one of the worst feelings in golf I've encountered - apart from maybe getting on a Par 5 in two and four putting . What I'm doing at the range and in the garage on skytrak I'm not taking to the course which is annoying and haven't worked out why yet.
The other side to it is that this is my just swinging flat out which I don't do on the course.
This was my drive on a par 4 367 yards the other day and I still only just made par ...
When I was doing loads of work on my game a couple of years ago the most valuable thing I did was a 9 Hole playing lesson. I'd seen some great progress on the range in how I hit a ball, but wasn't following it up on the course, and that extra lesson was perfect to help me figure it out. Turned out my legs were too motionless on the course, leading to a big hook, and my alignment needed work. I'd always picked a spot in the distance to line up to, roughly where I wanted to hit it, but the guy I worked with suggested picking a spot 1 or 2 yards in front of the ball on the same line I wanted to start the ball on then lining up on that instead. Turns out it's easier to line stuff up to a point that's a couple of yards away rather than 250. Who knew?
Clearly not me at the time....
Esceptico said:
When we left the UK in 2019 I gave away my clubs. I didn’t have a proper set - just a mishmash of clubs I had acquired along the way plus a cheap bag.
I’m thinking about starting to play again and perhaps buying a secondhand half set (got to be a lot cheaper than new). I am pretty hopeless so don’t need anything fancy yet on the other hand don’t want to buy rubbish either. Any recommendations for middle of the road clubs that would be good for a beginner? Any tips for buying online?
I have got some pretty good second hand clubs from here.I’m thinking about starting to play again and perhaps buying a secondhand half set (got to be a lot cheaper than new). I am pretty hopeless so don’t need anything fancy yet on the other hand don’t want to buy rubbish either. Any recommendations for middle of the road clubs that would be good for a beginner? Any tips for buying online?
https://ukusedgolfclubs.co.uk/
bodhi said:
danneth said:
Unfortunately, as you will know there's much more to it than that.
What I'm doing at the range and in the garage on skytrak I'm not taking to the course which is annoying and haven't worked out why yet.
The other side to it is that this is my just swinging flat out which I don't do on the course.
This was my drive on a par 4 367 yards the other day and I still only just made par ...
That's still not bad at all, there have been a few times I've been that close to a Par 4 off the tee and walked off with a 5, which is one of the worst feelings in golf I've encountered - apart from maybe getting on a Par 5 in two and four putting . What I'm doing at the range and in the garage on skytrak I'm not taking to the course which is annoying and haven't worked out why yet.
The other side to it is that this is my just swinging flat out which I don't do on the course.
This was my drive on a par 4 367 yards the other day and I still only just made par ...
When I was doing loads of work on my game a couple of years ago the most valuable thing I did was a 9 Hole playing lesson. I'd seen some great progress on the range in how I hit a ball, but wasn't following it up on the course, and that extra lesson was perfect to help me figure it out. Turned out my legs were too motionless on the course, leading to a big hook, and my alignment needed work. I'd always picked a spot in the distance to line up to, roughly where I wanted to hit it, but the guy I worked with suggested picking a spot 1 or 2 yards in front of the ball on the same line I wanted to start the ball on then lining up on that instead. Turns out it's easier to line stuff up to a point that's a couple of yards away rather than 250. Who knew?
Clearly not me at the time....
JamesNotJim said:
Ruskie said:
Drives for show, putts for dough!
If only that was true. Strokes gained shows that driving is just as important at putting. The one that people seem to be able to get away with is approach shots.
Victor hovland is evidence of this.
Long time reading this thread everyday and thought it time I posted.
Only been playing golf since last July and try and play at least once per week with a few guys from work, minimum is at least every two weeks. I have some decent second hand clubs, driver woods, etc.
I have recently had some lessons and this made me understand where I was going wrong and why. Made a massive difference to my set up and the thought processes that I now go through.
The problem I have now is that I am fairly consistent on the range but still inconsistent on the course. I think that this is just down to me needing to play more and get my head round my new set up and stance etc.
But any tips for transferring what i know i can do on the range to the course?
Only been playing golf since last July and try and play at least once per week with a few guys from work, minimum is at least every two weeks. I have some decent second hand clubs, driver woods, etc.
I have recently had some lessons and this made me understand where I was going wrong and why. Made a massive difference to my set up and the thought processes that I now go through.
The problem I have now is that I am fairly consistent on the range but still inconsistent on the course. I think that this is just down to me needing to play more and get my head round my new set up and stance etc.
But any tips for transferring what i know i can do on the range to the course?
48Valves said:
JamesNotJim said:
Ruskie said:
Drives for show, putts for dough!
If only that was true. Strokes gained shows that driving is just as important at putting. The one that people seem to be able to get away with is approach shots.
Victor hovland is evidence of this.
I can club the the ball a mile but my touch around the green let’s me down every time.
Just back from a few days away playing golf in Bristol. Played the Kendleshire and the Players Club and loved it. Perfect weather and couldn’t fault the course in cracking condition.
Today was slow 4.5 hours but mainly due to a few societies, and some very poor slow play. If your in the area worth taking at look at these two.
Today was slow 4.5 hours but mainly due to a few societies, and some very poor slow play. If your in the area worth taking at look at these two.
Ruskie said:
48Valves said:
JamesNotJim said:
Ruskie said:
Drives for show, putts for dough!
If only that was true. Strokes gained shows that driving is just as important at putting. The one that people seem to be able to get away with is approach shots.
Victor hovland is evidence of this.
I can club the the ball a mile but my touch around the green let’s me down every time.
There are of course outliers.
danneth said:
Unfortunately, as you will know there's much more to it than that.
What I'm doing at the range and in the garage on skytrak I'm not taking to the course which is annoying and haven't worked out why yet.
The other side to it is that this is my just swinging flat out which I don't do on the course.
This was my drive on a par 4 367 yards the other day and I still only just made par ...
Of course there's more to it but all else being equal in your game, driving the ball further will lower your scores. What I'm doing at the range and in the garage on skytrak I'm not taking to the course which is annoying and haven't worked out why yet.
The other side to it is that this is my just swinging flat out which I don't do on the course.
This was my drive on a par 4 367 yards the other day and I still only just made par ...
You made par there on that occasion (although bear in mind it's an unreasonable expectation to think you should be making lots of birdies in that scenario) but take the same scenario from there 100 times vs 100 times from 40 yards further back down the fairway and your scoring average is guaranteed to be noticeably lower from where you were.
Esceptico said:
When we left the UK in 2019 I gave away my clubs. I didn’t have a proper set - just a mishmash of clubs I had acquired along the way plus a cheap bag.
I’m thinking about starting to play again and perhaps buying a secondhand half set (got to be a lot cheaper than new). I am pretty hopeless so don’t need anything fancy yet on the other hand don’t want to buy rubbish either. Any recommendations for middle of the road clubs that would be good for a beginner? Any tips for buying online?
I have used this place before and never had a problem, well apart from the fact that there is too much to choose from.I’m thinking about starting to play again and perhaps buying a secondhand half set (got to be a lot cheaper than new). I am pretty hopeless so don’t need anything fancy yet on the other hand don’t want to buy rubbish either. Any recommendations for middle of the road clubs that would be good for a beginner? Any tips for buying online?
https://www.golfbidder.co.uk/
Not sure why I'm posting this here, more to just vent in frustration I guess - like a lot of us do.
Recently joined back to a club after a 20 year break. When I finished I was low single figures & I stupidly expected to pick up where I left off. Turns out you're not as flexible as you get older
To say my swing has gone to s
t is an understatement, all arms, no real rotation & consequently no power. I had a lesson 2 weeks ago and I'm in that state of flux where I'm sure it's looking better technically but I just have no idea where the club head is and have far too many swing thoughts!
It's got me wondering if I was actually any good 20 years ago, or did I just play that much golf that I learnt "how to get it around"!
Half the battle now the nicer weather is coming is resisting the temptation to ditch the range in favour of the course
Recently joined back to a club after a 20 year break. When I finished I was low single figures & I stupidly expected to pick up where I left off. Turns out you're not as flexible as you get older
To say my swing has gone to s
t is an understatement, all arms, no real rotation & consequently no power. I had a lesson 2 weeks ago and I'm in that state of flux where I'm sure it's looking better technically but I just have no idea where the club head is and have far too many swing thoughts! It's got me wondering if I was actually any good 20 years ago, or did I just play that much golf that I learnt "how to get it around"!
Half the battle now the nicer weather is coming is resisting the temptation to ditch the range in favour of the course
Edited by Sargeant Orange on Sunday 8th May 21:34
Sargeant Orange said:
Half the battle now the nicer weather is coming is resisting the temptation to ditch the range in favour of the course
Do both. I spent way too much time on the range when I started a few years ago. I used to enjoy being able to slip over there for a quick hour whenever I wanted. But I think I lost sight of what I was trying to achieve.
Foxhills today - I can't wait!
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