getting into golf for a newbie
Discussion
so with me being glued to the tv when the open was on, and my addiction to the tiger woods game.
made me realise that i should probably see what its like in real life. ive always wanted to get into it but for some reason ive found every excuse under the sun not to do it.
now my job allows me to be finished early in the afternoon, and i will always have sundays to myself. which seems the right day for golf or as the stereotypical myth around golf sais.
now my first of the new excuses,
my friends i cant imagine really being into golf, theyre still stuck in the cycle of getting drunk every weekend and thats about it. so i may have to be a lone ranger.
i am a complete novice, tried my hand at is with my dad a years ago around the age at 14 but apart from a lucky shot on a par 3 i may as well of just kicked the ball along the floor.
i have some mediocore clubs, nothing fancy. but seems adequate to hit a ball.
so what would be the best way to get started, go down the ranges and hit some balls then try a small quiet course?, or get some proper instruction?
fortunately i have an array of courses around my area in south west scotland, 6-7 i believe within a close proximity, including a very small tight one which i vaguely remember but seems a good starting point,
so any help would be appreciated.
made me realise that i should probably see what its like in real life. ive always wanted to get into it but for some reason ive found every excuse under the sun not to do it.
now my job allows me to be finished early in the afternoon, and i will always have sundays to myself. which seems the right day for golf or as the stereotypical myth around golf sais.
now my first of the new excuses,
my friends i cant imagine really being into golf, theyre still stuck in the cycle of getting drunk every weekend and thats about it. so i may have to be a lone ranger.
i am a complete novice, tried my hand at is with my dad a years ago around the age at 14 but apart from a lucky shot on a par 3 i may as well of just kicked the ball along the floor.
i have some mediocore clubs, nothing fancy. but seems adequate to hit a ball.
so what would be the best way to get started, go down the ranges and hit some balls then try a small quiet course?, or get some proper instruction?
fortunately i have an array of courses around my area in south west scotland, 6-7 i believe within a close proximity, including a very small tight one which i vaguely remember but seems a good starting point,
so any help would be appreciated.
Would you have anyone to play with at all though fella? (Like even your dad or owt?)
Because there is nothing worse than strolling round a course on your own, when you're having an 'off day'!! Makes me question life itself sometimes haha!
But as to your question of the best way to get into it, personally I would say it depends on how seriously you think you would take it? I normally just play with a mate on the local course, but havent had any lessons or anything, because it's just a bit of a banter between me and my mate. But because I havent had any lessons, my swing is quite questionable and my form inconsistent, sometimes I catch it sweetly, mainly not though
If you think you would take it quite seriously, then getting lessons would be a good investment.
Careful though, golf is for life, not just for christmas!
Because there is nothing worse than strolling round a course on your own, when you're having an 'off day'!! Makes me question life itself sometimes haha!
But as to your question of the best way to get into it, personally I would say it depends on how seriously you think you would take it? I normally just play with a mate on the local course, but havent had any lessons or anything, because it's just a bit of a banter between me and my mate. But because I havent had any lessons, my swing is quite questionable and my form inconsistent, sometimes I catch it sweetly, mainly not though
If you think you would take it quite seriously, then getting lessons would be a good investment.
Careful though, golf is for life, not just for christmas!
I started about 6 months ago, I havent had lessons but god do I need them. I bought a second hand set of Mizuno's with a bag and a trolley for 50 quid. I go driving range quite a bit and play 9 holes at Hobbs Cross in essex once a week. I absolutely love it, my puttings improved alot. I have the worst slice off of a wood you could imagine but I cant get enough of it.
Bought a glove yesterday and it helped (I think) and my best score is 48 on a par 38. The inconsistency is the thing that bugs me though, you can hit a great drive one shot the a crap the next.
If you wanna give it a go get some second hand clubs, a load of balls (you'll need them) and get down the range once a week. Good luck.
Bought a glove yesterday and it helped (I think) and my best score is 48 on a par 38. The inconsistency is the thing that bugs me though, you can hit a great drive one shot the a crap the next.
If you wanna give it a go get some second hand clubs, a load of balls (you'll need them) and get down the range once a week. Good luck.
exocet ape said:
To begin with, i'd look around the local ranges and see if any of them do group lessons. It makes it a bit cheaper to start with and should give you a good foundation.
Good advice.A few group lessons allow you to become acquainted with the importance of the stance and grip etc without spending huge amounts of money.
Beyond that, I'd recommend practising as much as possible at the local driving range before venturing on to the course.
Finally, note that there is a fairly steep learning curve with golf, so don't get too despondant if you don't progress as rapidly as you would like!
Sidicks
The group lessons thing is a great idea for beginners .
I would also suggest a good golf book because golf is a technical game and possibly the only game/sport that can be learned from a book (up to a point!)
I recommend this book: The Seven laws...
Very good book for a clean start on the golf swing and explains nicely why each part of the fundamentals are important.
Golf is a great game and if it bites you, you will play it for the rest of your life!
I have only played 1 round this year which is crushing considering I used to play once or twice a week
.
Once you are consistently shooting less than 50 on 9 holes or <100 for 18 holes, you may want to take some individual lessons to get you down to the next level (breaking 100, 95, 90 etc).
I would say that if you could encourage a good friend that you think would be good company and 'up for it', to try it out too then it'd be much easier to get out and play. 4 hours is a long time on your own, especially if you're not playing well as mentioned above!
Good luck, you won't regret it!
Duncan
.I would also suggest a good golf book because golf is a technical game and possibly the only game/sport that can be learned from a book (up to a point!)
I recommend this book: The Seven laws...
Very good book for a clean start on the golf swing and explains nicely why each part of the fundamentals are important
.Golf is a great game and if it bites you, you will play it for the rest of your life!
I have only played 1 round this year which is crushing considering I used to play once or twice a week
.Once you are consistently shooting less than 50 on 9 holes or <100 for 18 holes, you may want to take some individual lessons to get you down to the next level (breaking 100, 95, 90 etc).
I would say that if you could encourage a good friend that you think would be good company and 'up for it', to try it out too then it'd be much easier to get out and play. 4 hours is a long time on your own, especially if you're not playing well as mentioned above!
Good luck, you won't regret it!
Duncan
Edited by DuncanM on Monday 19th July 10:35
I had a few lessons and they really helped - i went from looking like I was keeping a hula hoop going (I has a bit 'hippy' shall we say) to controlling the lower body much more, I strike the ball well naturally and distance isn't a probelm from the tee.
it goes downhill from there, my short game is terrible and I putt like croquet.
Otherwise It is a great game - nothing wrong with playing on your own but real course practice is where you will make the improvements - ranges are fine but no substitute.
a fe wbasic tips helped me when I was starting out.
1. go for friendly clubs - cavaty backs help the novice apparently more than blades so if you don't get a clean strike the ball might still go somewhere forwards.
2. start your range work from a low iron upwards - don't start with the driver, and where your shoes / gloves on the range
3. do some core conditioning - abs / back muscles - you'll need a decent level of general fitness
4. do plenty of research before shedding out loads on a club membership - early years' of a membership at some clubs might only see you playing midweek....
5. if you do join a club you'll find plenty to go for, even for rabbits to win something!
most of all enjoy it - occassionally you will make "the noise"! cricket, snooker, baseball etc have a "noise" golf is no exception, you will ever so often make the "noise" and there is no better feeling than the well struck golf shot (c. costner - Tin Cup).
it goes downhill from there, my short game is terrible and I putt like croquet.
Otherwise It is a great game - nothing wrong with playing on your own but real course practice is where you will make the improvements - ranges are fine but no substitute.
a fe wbasic tips helped me when I was starting out.
1. go for friendly clubs - cavaty backs help the novice apparently more than blades so if you don't get a clean strike the ball might still go somewhere forwards.
2. start your range work from a low iron upwards - don't start with the driver, and where your shoes / gloves on the range
3. do some core conditioning - abs / back muscles - you'll need a decent level of general fitness
4. do plenty of research before shedding out loads on a club membership - early years' of a membership at some clubs might only see you playing midweek....
5. if you do join a club you'll find plenty to go for, even for rabbits to win something!
most of all enjoy it - occassionally you will make "the noise"! cricket, snooker, baseball etc have a "noise" golf is no exception, you will ever so often make the "noise" and there is no better feeling than the well struck golf shot (c. costner - Tin Cup).
If you can , try and find a club with a grass practise area as hitting off a rubber matt doesn't really feel the same.
Golf is a very addictive game and you'll have rounds where nothing goes right and you'll start thinking about launching the bag into a ditch then you'll hit a perfect shot and it makes all the rubbish ones fade away !
Golf is a very addictive game and you'll have rounds where nothing goes right and you'll start thinking about launching the bag into a ditch then you'll hit a perfect shot and it makes all the rubbish ones fade away !
I played my first ever game of golf yesterday 9 holes. Apart from having a bad back today I really enjoyed it (I'm 6"4 and borrowed the clubs off someone 5"6). I went with a couple of people who do play and they seemed fairly impressed considering I've never even been to a driving range.
I'm thinking of buying myself a few cheap clubs and going to the driving range a few times so that I can get some consistency in my shots as I will definitely want to play again.
I'm thinking of buying myself a few cheap clubs and going to the driving range a few times so that I can get some consistency in my shots as I will definitely want to play again.
so i just checked my local golf club's website as i havent been there in years.
they have a brilliant driving range, all seperate bays under shelter and lit untill 9 or 10pm or so,
now they have just added 3 short practice holes, for practicing short irons and bunker escapes. as well as a practice green for putting, so everything there is perfect for practicing.
also had a look at there tuition, they do both private and group lessons, they have some fancy looking equipment and video analysis stuff. the guys a pga qualified coach or something similar.
so it all seems there.
they have a brilliant driving range, all seperate bays under shelter and lit untill 9 or 10pm or so,
now they have just added 3 short practice holes, for practicing short irons and bunker escapes. as well as a practice green for putting, so everything there is perfect for practicing.
also had a look at there tuition, they do both private and group lessons, they have some fancy looking equipment and video analysis stuff. the guys a pga qualified coach or something similar.
so it all seems there.
paulmeow said:
so i just checked my local golf club's website as i havent been there in years.
they have a brilliant driving range, all seperate bays under shelter and lit untill 9 or 10pm or so,
now they have just added 3 short practice holes, for practicing short irons and bunker escapes. as well as a practice green for putting, so everything there is perfect for practicing.
also had a look at there tuition, they do both private and group lessons, they have some fancy looking equipment and video analysis stuff. the guys a pga qualified coach or something similar.
so it all seems there.
Sounds Perfect! they have a brilliant driving range, all seperate bays under shelter and lit untill 9 or 10pm or so,
now they have just added 3 short practice holes, for practicing short irons and bunker escapes. as well as a practice green for putting, so everything there is perfect for practicing.
also had a look at there tuition, they do both private and group lessons, they have some fancy looking equipment and video analysis stuff. the guys a pga qualified coach or something similar.
so it all seems there.
Get yourself on over there and get going!
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