Golf Newbie

[MikeVic]

So... I tried golf on Saturday... for the first time. And I was beyond awful, but it was fun.

Does anyone have advice on how to learn to play better? What do I guaranteed need to buy? I'd guess my own set of clubs and a glove. It seems like it'd be easier to get better when you're using the same set of clubs...

johnnyshaka suggested that buying a used set of good clubs is better than buying a new set of clubs for the same price. But since I don't know anything about clubs... is there kind of a list somewhere of what's good and what isn't? I guess I'd be searching my paper and Buy&Sell for used clubs... shipping on ebay would seem to be a bit much.

Just looking for any advice. It's obviously the end of summer now, but I'd like to make it out once more... plus practice in a Golf Dome during the winter.

Thanks.

[RPI-Fan]

Do you have a "Play It Again Sports" in your area? GREAT place to get used clubs. I recommend spending <$100 on a used set for the first year or so that you play (so basically for all of next summer) so you can get a feel for what you want specifically.

As far as getting better, taking 1-2 lessons at the very beginning goes a LONG way. Will set you back a couple hundred bucks probably, but avoiding bad habits will save you lots of headaches in the future.

[MikeVic]

Yeah, I bought free weights from a Play-It-Again Sports... I'll have to go there sometime this week to check out clubs. Never thought of that, thanks!

Lessons seem difficult, in that you don't know if the person teaching you is any good... that's why I just avoided it. But considering I was slicing almost everything right, I probably need help. :)

[RPI-Fan]

Yeah, I bought free weights from a Play-It-Again Sports... I'll have to go there sometime this week to check out clubs. Never thought of that, thanks!

Lessons seem difficult, in that you don't know if the person teaching you is any good... that's why I just avoided it. But considering I was slicing almost everything right, I probably need help. :)

Getting lessons with any PGA Professional is a pretty safe bet (not sure what the equivalent of this is in Canada, but I'm sure there's something...)

I'd recommend waiting until next year for the clubs & the lessons though. Sign up for a lesson before you play at all next year, then play a few times (or go to the range on your own... whatever), and take another one. At that point you should give yourself a good jump-start on good habits!

[Tyrith]

You can ask around and find out if the pro is good or not. Realistically, unless you're some kind of savant you'll need a pro to help you learn.

Don't spend too much money on equipment at first in case you decide the game sucks and is too frustrating at some point. Just keep it simple, keep having fun -- if your attitude sours the game becomes a hassle REALLY quickly. And when you do learn something, try to get to the driving range with some consistency, practice what you were taught and make it routine for you; building up muscle memory helps.

[Schmidty]

The biggest thing to remember at first, although cliche, is to keep your left arm as straight as possible (assuming you're right-handed), especially on your downswing.

[path12]

The biggest thing to remember at first, although cliche, is to keep your left arm as straight as possible (assuming you're right-handed), especially on your downswing.

And just like baseball, let the club do the work, not you. If you're grunting on every shot, you're swinging way too hard.

As for clubs, a used starter set would be fine. You really don't need every club right away.....3/5 wood, 3/5/7/9/PW/SW and putter.

Any teaching professional at a local course will at least get you the basics. Try to hit the driving range at least once a week, twice is better.

Are there short executive courses in your area? Great place to play without the pressure of people always hurrying you along on the big courses. Plus you get a lot of short iron work. A huge drive is always fun, but your score will be better as you improve your short game.

Putt, putt, putt, putt. Practice putting whereever you can.

Good luck.

[Schmidty]

By the way, I meant "backswing", not "downswing".

[Logan]

Pretty important on the downswing too...and I second par-3, executive-style courses. I always hit that first for a couple rounds every season, as the short game is key to keeping your score reasonable.

A used set is definitely fine, but don't overlook getting a new set of the hot irons from last season, or even the year before, on ebay. A buddy just picked up a brand new set of Ping irons that retailed for like $900 2 years ago for about $150.

Another good idea if you're gonna go the pro shop route is to get yourself measured for an appropriate club length. A lot of people are playing with clubs that are too short/long and they just don't realize it.

DON'T get frustrated. You will unquestionably suck at first, and maybe for a long time. But every time you're out there and you shank a ball, instead of getting pissed just remember that you're standing on a beautiful green golf course and away from work, kids, the woman, or whatever other distractions there are in life :).

[Dr. Sak]

My suggestion is to start with a short swing at first. There is no need for you to bring the club back over your head. Master taking short "half" swings first, you'll develop good contact technique. As you get comfortable with the half swings bring the club back further and further.

Also, what works for me is tempo. There is no need to swing 100 mph for the ball to go far. If you have a smooth, even tempoed swing the ball will go.

[Schmidty]

Also, what works for me is tempo. There is no need to swing 100 mph for the ball to go far. If you have a smooth, even tempoed swing the ball will go.

In fact, I hit the ball 280 on average, and most of the time, the harder I swing (especially when I get quick the start of my downswing), the less distance I get, and I hook the ball more often (I'm not a slicer).

[johnnyshaka]

Mike...glad to hear that you are going to take a stab at golf...you won't regret it. Just remember, have fun...it's just a game.

You mentioned you were unsure about lessons...here's a list of local CPGA Professionals:

http://www.cpga.com/member_search/index.aspx?city=winnipeg&province=23&facility=&facilitytype=0&member=

Hope that helps.

[MikeVic]

Thanks guys. I'll hold off on buying clubs for now. Will start looking around the spring next year. Will instead rent clubs when I went to do indoor practices here and there in the winter.

Also thanks johnny, as I will approach one of the listed guys next spring to get an initial lesson and club-fitting. :)

[FBPro]

Just play, play and play some more. My son's and I (and now even my wife) have only been playing a little more than a year and though we aren't very good we have played enough that we are better than when we began last summer. The Play it again sports is a good place for clubs, other good spots for beginners is to look at pawn shops and also yard/garage sales. Good luck and just have fun.

FYI, here is a web site that my neighbor showed me where we play for just over $6 a person(cart included). Granted it isn't the greatest course but I've seen worse and golf is golf.....
www.golfnow.com
May or may not have courses in your area but worth a shot.

[Kevin]

My suggestion is to start with a short swing at first. There is no need for you to bring the club back over your head. Master taking short "half" swings first, you'll develop good contact technique. As you get comfortable with the half swings bring the club back further and further.

Also, what works for me is tempo. There is no need to swing 100 mph for the ball to go far. If you have a smooth, even tempoed swing the ball will go.

Don't get confused by this. Distance has everything to do with clubhead speed at the moment of impact. A slow smooth initial tempo is what allows the wrists to uncock at maximum speed just before impact and maximize your clubhead speed.

It takes incredible coordination to make a fast pull from the top equal major clubhead speed. You need to find a tempo that works for you. The best tempo is the one that allows you to keep the wrists cocked as late as possible in your downswing.

[rkmsuf]

be the ball

[MikeVic]

be the ball

I don't want to be sliced!

[chesapeake]

Lessons are a must for a new golfer. They don't necessarily need to be one-on-one lessons -- a few group lessons could be a cheaper alternative.

Golf is all about developing good muscle memory, so it is important to learn a good swing for your body early. A pro, even an average one, will help you do that. Once you get a mistake ingrained into your brain, it can be very hard to get it out.

Craigslist is also a good way to find a cheap set of used clubs. The name of the brand really isn't that important for you now. You're going to hit a 2007 r7 Superquad or a driver made in 2004 just about the same, anyway, so you may as well save several hundred dollars.

If you really want to take up the game, I'd recommend buying a used set now. You can't swing in your backyard with clubs you don't have. Even getting just a putter and a couple of irons from the club bin in a pro shop would be enough to start getting a feel for the swing.

[pennywisesb]

Putt, putt, putt, putt. Practice putting whereever you can.


In my opinion the single most important part of the game. People always want to talk about driving the ball well, hitting good iron shots, etc, which are all important, don't get me wrong, but putting is by far the most important part of the game. And its free to practice. If anything, I'd at least buy a putter and practice in your house if you have to. Good putting can save a ton of shots, even for an inexperienced golfer.

[MikeVic]

In my opinion the single most important part of the game. People always want to talk about driving the ball well, hitting good iron shots, etc, which are all important, don't get me wrong, but putting is by far the most important part of the game. And its free to practice. If anything, I'd at least buy a putter and practice in your house if you have to. Good putting can save a ton of shots, even for an inexperienced golfer.

I wasn't doing too bad putting my first time out. I find it the most fun aspect of golf, and if the other parts of my golf game end up being better, I know I won't have difficulty practicing putting.

[rkmsuf]

why in the hell would you take up golf. you'll likely never be good and just get pissed off that you can't break 80.

oh wait that's me. actually haven't played in like 2 years. got to where I could shoot 81-85 but that was it. then it was a bore since it was clear my green bars were gone.

do yourself a favor and cut the back of your hamstring so you'll quit the game.

[MikeVic]

Yeah, I'm curious about how good I can get before it gets annoying.

[mauchow]

Boring?

The excitement of golfing will last a lifetime.

[rkmsuf]

Boring?

The excitement of golfing will last a lifetime.


love those 6 hour weekend rounds. and the guys who always win the tournaments based on handicap. gee, wonder how that happens.

[Schmidty]

why in the hell would you take up golf. you'll likely never be good and just get pissed off that you can't break 80.

oh wait that's me. actually haven't played in like 2 years. got to where I could shoot 81-85 but that was it. then it was a bore since it was clear my green bars were gone.

do yourself a favor and cut the back of your hamstring so you'll quit the game.

Haha. Quitter.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Where's the "Bowling Newbie" thread?

[MikeVic]

Where's the "Bowling Newbie" thread?

Not taking up bowling yet big guy.

[Logan]

Where's the "Bowling Newbie" thread?

Sportsdigs had that last week.

[MikeVic]

Bowling will henceforth be associated with sportsdigs.

[Breeze]

If you are just learning to play, shorten your backswing (i.e. - don't try to get to wrap the club around your head). Thry to stop at your shoulder. Much easier to get back to the ball that way.

As for clubs...Master Grip sells a set for like $189 will all the irons and 3 hybrids. You might check that out.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Bowling will henceforth be associated with sportsdigs.
Well, shit. I am so done.

[MikeVic]

Bought a starter set of clubs... didn't go the used route since I haven't been able to find a decent set, and I'm going for another 9-hole round (different course) on Sunday morning. Plus I have a lesson tomorrow at 7:45am, before work. So I kind of needed a set right away. :)

[pennywisesb]

Bought a starter set of clubs... didn't go the used route since I haven't been able to find a decent set, and I'm going for another 9-hole round (different course) on Sunday morning. Plus I have a lesson tomorrow at 7:45am, before work. So I kind of needed a set right away. :)

Its going to get addicting real fast. Good luck Sunday.

[MikeVic]

Its going to get addicting real fast. Good luck Sunday.

Good thing summer's almost over then! :) Thanks for the luck.

[johnnyshaka]

Great to hear, MV...have fun!!

[Young Drachma]

I got better by just playing a lot and hitting the range. If there is a par-3 (pitch 'n putt) course near you, that's also a nice, cheap way to work on your short game. I grew up playing that before I even messed around with a real golf course.

Have fun, it is pretty addictive

[RPI-Fan]

Good work on scheduling the lesson...

[EagleFan]

I may have missed it but I didn;t see anyone mention shoes. I would recommend getting a decent pair of golf shoes. That'll help keep your feet from moving when you are swinging.

[MikeVic]

The lesson went alright I think. It seems like now I'll either wiff on the ball, hit it straight or straight-a-bit-left, or hit it straight but bouncing just in front of me. So at least it wasn't horribly slicing.

My grip and stance changed completely, since before I didn't really have a stance... and my grip was whatever my friends told me.

Is hitting with a driver the same as an iron? And I've never actually thought about shoes... maybe next season.

Looking forward to driving tomorrow!

[rkmsuf]

lol

give up now

[MikeVic]

Oh geez, maybe rkmsuf had it right!! My first half hour of driving was nice. I was hitting the ball with lift, hitting it further and more consistent than all my friends... and then the bottom fell out.

I was missing the ball about 75% of the time, and when I did hit it, the ball sliced or didn't go far, with almost no lift.

So I put it behind me and chalked it up to being tired. Then today at the actual course, the same shit was happening and I ended up being last out of four friends, shooting a 69 on a par 27 9-hole course. :mad:

I've just completely forgotten how to hit already, and it seems like I was standing up as I swung to hit, which caused me to miss. But I wasn't able to stop myself from doing that. Damn this sport!

[EagleFan]

Oh geez, maybe rkmsuf had it right!! My first half hour of driving was nice. I was hitting the ball with lift, hitting it further and more consistent than all my friends... and then the bottom fell out.

I was missing the ball about 75% of the time, and when I did hit it, the ball sliced or didn't go far, with almost no lift.

So I put it behind me and chalked it up to being tired. Then today at the actual course, the same shit was happening and I ended up being last out of four friends, shooting a 69 on a par 27 9-hole course. :mad:

I've just completely forgotten how to hit already, and it seems like I was standing up as I swung to hit, which caused me to miss. But I wasn't able to stop myself from doing that. Damn this sport!

I usually chalk that up to my freaking head. I really suck at this sport and part of it ends up being thinking too much. When I start off well I begin thinking about it too much and suddenly my game goes right back down the crapper.

A few years back I was playing with a couple people from work whom I had never played with before. I hit last off the first tee as the first one sliced into the rough and the sec ond one hooked into the rough on the other side. I step up and hit what was probably the best drive of my life, very good distance and perfectly center. This lead to all sorts of comments about the shot and that they weere afraid that I was going to kick their butts. Once I started putting that pressure on myself the game just vanished.

I think that I used to do better when I first started before I had a clue of what I was supposed to be doing.

[B & B]

Walk away from the game...

slowly....


just stop while you can.



Improvement is not a forward step.....


Let it go.


(I paid 120 bucks for 200 dollar PRO kicks, and they arent helping. Granted my swing is crap, but what do you know>) 360 tour pro?

[Schmidty]

Think of your left leg, left side, and left shoulder as a wall that should move as minimally as possible, and keep your right shoulder a little lower than your left. That should allow you to be able to get the ball up more. Just make sure to still try to hit about 1/3 of an inch behind the ball when you are hitting your irons, and on a little upsweep with your driver (ball farther toward your left foot).

[johnnyshaka]

MV...you've had one lesson and one practice round since...be patient. It takes time and repetition...lots of both...before you'll see improvement. And, again, remember to have fun while you're out there because if it isn't fun, then there is no point because if all you do is get frustrated and pissed off then you've really defeated the purpose of "playing" golf...IMHO.

Also, I don't know what you are looking to get out of the lessons or what you've discussed with your pro but I think you need to determine what you want to do...are you interested in hitting your driver a mile or are you interested in improving your score?? The reason I ask is because one necessarily does not have an effect on the other. Just because you can bomb it out there does not mean that you'll score any better and just because you can't bomb it out there doesn't mean you can't score any better. So, you need to decide if you'd rather see a 35 on your scorecard while hitting the ball straight, consistently or a 60 with the occassional bomb?

My suggestion is to look at lowering your score with the "easier to hit" clubs and once you've mastered those somewhat then worry about the long game.

My two cents...

As an aside...I just shot the best round of my life...80!!! Fuck...could very well have been the first time I broke 80, too, if not for a slippery 2 foot downhill putt that I should've taken more time to judge. I also started the round with double-bogeys on the first two holes because I was struggling with my driver and keeping it in play. Once I sorted that out I was a machine!! Knowing that I had a 42 on the front and playing pretty well on the back the thought of breaking 80 crept into my head towards the last 3 holes or so and just missed two birdie putts that could've sealed it. Damnit!!!

Funny...after the first two holes I was ready to pack the clubs up and call it a season but that tune definitely changed as the round unfolded.

What a game.

[MikeVic]

Thanks for the tips and words of encouragement. :)

It's just frustrating that the lesson seemed to really work while I started practicing, and then all of a sudden I couldn't hit the ball. I just took the one lesson, and will keep it at that until next season. Once my arms stop hurting, I'm going to hit the range again and try to find a consistent shot. :)

I don't care for distance right now, just want a fairly straight shot... :) I mentioned the distance as a comparison to how I thought I was actually progressing. The course we played on had a long hole of 218 yards or-so, and everything was par 3. So if I could have gotten my 100 yard iron shots and 150-175 yard drives, I could have done well on the course.

[johnnyshaka]

I understand the frustration...believe me...anybody who has taken up this game at whatever stage of their lives...has been through what you are going through now. But, the good news is you will get better...the bad news is the frustration will still be there but for different reasons. That's the thing with golf...there is always something you can improve upon and when you have room for improvement, there is also room for disappointment.

IMHO...sounds like you have the right intentions about improving your game. I know 150 yard shots off the tee aren't sexy but if you can consistently hit the ball 150 yards with some accuracy you'll be marking down 30-somethings down on your scorecard at the course you described above before you know it!!

In fact, I've been saying for years that I was going to play a round of golf with only a handful of clubs...my 7-iron, my sand wedge, and my putter. I have a free round at a local course that I don't particularly like so maybe I'll do just that before the golf season ends.

Anyways...hopefully things start to click for you sooner rather than later!

[MikeVic]

If you're driving with an iron, would you still put the ball on a tee (only really low in the ground)?

[RPI-Fan]

If you're driving with an iron, would you still put the ball on a tee (only really low in the ground)?

Correct. The longer the iron (i.e. 2-iron is longest, 9-iron is shortest), the higher the tee. 2-iron should probably have the tee about one-half inch out of the ground. 9-iron no more than one-quarter inch. Rough guesses.

Edit: All this is highly dependent on your swing plane. Also, my estimates are probably a little high (so maybe more like one-quater for 2-iron and one-eighth for 9-iron.)

[Schmidty]

If you're driving with an iron, would you still put the ball on a tee (only really low in the ground)?

Yes. The top of the tee should only be a fraction of an inch off the ground.

For me, unless I'm using my 3-iron off the tee, I prefer just hitting it off the turf. Just a preference.

[johnnyshaka]

For me, unless I'm using my 3-iron off the tee, I prefer just hitting it off the turf. Just a preference.

I'm the same way...I'll rarely tee up an iron but if I do it's with my 4-iron only.

To me, I figure I hit my irons without a tee why would I mess with it on the tee box? Instead, I make sure I have the best lie possible and if the tee box is chewed up then I'll likely use a tee.

[rkmsuf]

If you are wiffing 75% of the time you have very little athletic apititude and should take up basket weaving or something.

[rkmsuf]

you give up the game yet?

[MikeVic]

You're mean. I've gone to the driving range a few times, and I'll hit some nice balls... but then proceed to whiff or barely hit bals for the next chunk, then maybe hit another OK shot... then crap again. I'm not going out on a course until I can figure out why my swing is so jacked up.

[rkmsuf]

You're mean. I've gone to the driving range a few times, and I'll hit some nice balls... but then proceed to whiff or barely hit bals for the next chunk, then maybe hit another OK shot... then crap again. I'm not going out on a course until I can figure out why my swing is so jacked up.

see you in say 10 or 20 years

[MikeVic]

see you in say 10 or 20 years

No, it will be done over the winter!! Snow can't stand in my way!

[rkmsuf]

No, it will be done over the winter!! Snow can't stand in my way!

I think there is a better chance you figure out how to cut your hair.

[MikeVic]

I think there is a better chance you figure out how to cut your hair.

Oh no, that'll take years.

[chesapeake]

As I recall, you are whiffing with your driver. Are you whiffing with other clubs as well? If not, your most likely problem is a VERY common affliction -- swinging too hard.

If your hip and shoulder turns are good, you don't need to swing hard with your arms to generate a fair amount of clubhead speed. Next time you're at the range, try pulling back on the throttle by half and see if you are able to make better contact.

[johnnyshaka]

A loose analogy would be one of those He-Man figures some of us had when we were kids. His arms only moved up and down but you could twist his upperbody so much that his head would be facing backwards. So, essentially, if you wanted to punch Skeletor you would twist He-Man around and let go while his arms were extended straight out and you'd be able to knock Skeletor onto his ass. He-Man's arms didn't move...his entire upperbody did.

The golf swing, for me at least, is similar. When your hips and shoulders turn, your arms will follow. So, if you aren't rotating your hips and shoulders, then you are essentially swinging with just your arms and there is not power or accuracy when that's the case. When I start spraying the ball around I take a couple of practice swings deliberately focusing on rotating my hips and then my shoulders to try and get everything reconnected.

[MikeVic]

I've been whiffing with everything lately. I'll try to just rotate my hips and shoulders, and see if that makes contact at least. I'll also go slow. Thanks for the continued support. ;)

What I think is still happening, is that my knees are slightly bent when I start (as they're supposed to be), and then when I go back, I unbend my knees without knowing... then when I'm on my downswing, I'm standing straight up more and miss. This was a problem before, but I thought I fixed it. Maybe I didn't... I don't know. I don't want to go for more lessons to pin-point my problem since it's at the end of the season. So these suggestions help out.

[chesapeake]

<DL><DD>Ty: I like you Betty <DD>Danny: It's Danny, sir <DD>Ty: Danny. Danny. I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. All you have to do is get in touch with it. Stop thinking. Let things happen...and be...the ball. </DD></DL>Another bit of sound advice.

[AlexB]

I've played for years, never regularly - maybe a dozen rounds a year... a little more recently, but on shorter courses. I'd never had a lesson, but had gotten to the point where most of my shots were pretty decent, and I can go round my local short 9-hole course in 6-9 over every time.

I've been looking at new clubs, and yesterday went to another club & range, stumbled across a demo evening for Yonex & Callaway clubs. Fiver down, get to try some good clubs, get good advice... can't go wrong (never intended to buy there - I don't play often or well enough to drop £750 plus on a set).

I now wish I'd have had lessons - I was swinging away, I've gotten used to my old set, but every time I hit the big headed drivers the balls fades/slices... The Yonex pro was obviously trying to make a sale, but spent 10-15 seconds showing me how my backswing and shoulder turn were pretty poor, and how it should be done. Remember, 10-15 seconds of free instruction...

Result? Another 10-15% distance and no more fade/slice... unbelievable. The shot felt right, I felt my body move into and through the ball, so different with only one (albeit big) change that took no time to explain. I genuinely felt excited about how I was hitting the ball. 180ish yards with a 6 iron against about 150 yards literally two minutes beforehand, and more accurate...

So the point to this rambling post - stick with the lessons, these people know what they're doing, practice and you can/will improve in big chunks. And when you do it feels good!

[AlexB]

Bugger. Not so good today!

[MikeVic]

Well, I tried not hitting as hard as I always do. I remembered that I'm the same in pool. I'll just smack the balls as hard as possible... and it seems like I was making contact more often. Still slicing and barely hitting the ball most of the time... but I whiffed a lot less this time!