The OS Golfer's Thread!

[rspencer86]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I've enjoyed watching golf on TV, playing the golf video games and of course doing some mini golfing, but I've never dipped my toes into the waters of actually playing golf.

But I've decided I want to jump in. I got several books at the library about building solid swing mechanics, understanding the rules and etiquitte, and honing putting skills. I'm planning on going to the driving range this weekend and getting comfortable with different clubs and shots.

Is there a rule of thumb as to how long to stick to the driving range, lessons, hitting practice balls at the park, etc. before actually going to a course and trying to play nine holes? I'm excited to get out there and start playing but I feel like I have a lot to learn.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I'd say that if you have a municipal golf course (i.e. one where they don't care about if you hack around the course for a while), go as soon as you really want to. I would have at least one session at the driving range, going off the tee (as well as out of sand and turf).

[DonkeyJote]

If you can hit the ball about 150 yards is the general rule I've heard before going out on the course. You don't have to be good at all. I didn't even keep score the first two times I played. The third time I ever played was last June. I think I shot 65 that day over 9 holes. But I was hooked.

Btw, my last round was actually on that same course. I shot a 50, and it should have been better. I took 20 putts, and took a 7 on the 9th (a par three) when I knocked my pitch shot into a bunker instead of over it and took 3 shots to get out. I sliced my driver and woods pretty badly, though I think I may have figured out why. I'm playing tomorrow to see if I have or not. The putting is killing me though. If I was just bad instead of atrocious, I'd be scoring pretty well.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Shot a 49 yesterday on the back 9 of my local course (Par 31)...counting that round I've gone from 60 to 50 to 49, respectively. I didn't hit the ball very well but I managed to score better than I can remember scoring on the back. Could've been even lower had I not botched some short putts.

I also think I discovered why I hit fat shots/drop my shoulder most of the time. When I went to the chiropractor a few weeks ago, he told me the muscles in the left side of my neck were extremely tight, causing my left shoulder to rest a little higher than my right, so even when I was swinging normally, my back shoulder was already dropped. This explains why it still happened no matter how hard I tried to compensate for it. Shot a round after my appointment and hit the ball as good as I ever have. Didn't fix my driver (I think I need a new one), but progress is progress.

[rspencer86]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I think mostly I just want to avoid pissing people off. I'll hit the driving range quite a bit before I give playing a round a shot.

I got these clubs, they arrived today and seem like a solid set for a beginner: Top-Flite XL 7000 18-Piece Complete Golf Club Set

[speels]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Went out this moring and shot 77 on a par 71 course. Played Paradise Canyon in Lethbridge which hosted a CPGA tournament a while back now. Tough course, but I was in the fairway for most of the day and that makes it easy. Played the 5 par 3s at -2, but the 4 par 5s at +4. Back nine went bogey, par, birdie, bogey, par, birdie, bogey, par, birdie.

Now that is consistency.

[Jr.]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Went out this moring and shot 77 on a par 71 course. Played Paradise Canyon in Lethbridge which hosted a CPGA tournament a while back now. Tough course, but I was in the fairway for most of the day and that makes it easy. Played the 5 par 3s at -2, but the 4 par 5s at +4. Back nine went bogey, par, birdie, bogey, par, birdie, bogey, par, birdie.

Now that is consistency.

Damn, nice round.

I played yesterday, but a nasty blister on my right index finger opened up on the 7th hole and I couldn't finish. I was +4 at the time too, so I was set for a pretty good round. Still hurts like a bitch

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I think mostly I just want to avoid pissing people off. I'll hit the driving range quite a bit before I give playing a round a shot.

People will only get pissed off if you're deliberately wasting time or slow them down for more than a couple holes in a row without letting them play through. I never get mad if I can tell it's a beginner in front of me and they are trying their best. If you're really worried about it, go out later at night and play 9 at first. About 3 hours before the sun goes down so not a lot of groups start behind you.

[rspencer86]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

People will only get pissed off if you're deliberately wasting time or slow them down for more than a couple holes in a row without letting them play through. I never get mad if I can tell it's a beginner in front of me and they are trying their best. If you're really worried about it, go out later at night and play 9 at first. About 3 hours before the sun goes down so not a lot of groups start behind you.

Good advice, I might try starting late.

Went to the driving range last night and gave it a go. I was hitting my irons pretty accurately on a consistent basis. My distance ranged from 100-150 yards depending on which iron I used. My shots with my driver though were all over the place. Out of 30 or so shots, I may have hit 2-3 that hit 200 yards. All of them had a pretty substantial slice to them, so I'm sure I was losing some distance with that.

Also spent some time on the practice putting green and found that I have not played enough mini golf over the years for it to be any help to me. I was awful! Gotta work on reading greens and controlling distance.

Before going to the range I bought some shoes, a couple of shirts, a pair of golf shorts, a belt and a glove at Golf Galaxy. I can now see this is a very expensive hobby.

[SinisterAlex]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I can now see this is a very expensive hobby.

But a fun one.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

God, I have got to get out on the course. Hopefully next weekend.

[ty5oke]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

For those who have some knowledge; do you use the same swing with driver/woods as you do with irons?

I have no problem hitting my irons but for the past 3 years I have completely lost my driver/woods swing? It just feels akward and nowhere near the same swing as I have with my irons. I've always thought that woods were meant to be swept but irons were meant to be hit down and through, not sure if that's wrong?!

[Jr.]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

For those who have some knowledge; do you use the same swing with driver/woods as you do with irons?

I have no problem hitting my irons but for the past 3 years I have completely lost my driver/woods swing? It just feels akward and nowhere near the same swing as I have with my irons. I've always thought that woods were meant to be swept but irons were meant to be hit down and through, not sure if that's wrong?!

I use the method you state. With my driver/woods I focus on staying inside the ball and sweeping the club across the ground, whereas with my irons I really focus on hitting down into the ball and making sure I take my divot after the ball.

Though, I can't hit my irons for **** lately, so I might need to change that approach. It worked great for me for the last 5 years, but for some reason I've completely lost it

[1Rose]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

No. No. No. No.

Do NOT change your swing for different clubs! Consistency is KEY!! The ONLY difference between hitting an shot with your irons and hitting a drive is your setup at address. The only thing that should differ is your distance from the ball.

Obviously, seeing the Driver is longer anyway, this should make you stand farther away from the ball, creating a flatter plane to sweep the club across the ground through the golf ball. When hitting irons and wedges, the ball is closer to you, causing a steeper plan to hit through the ball.

Nothing in the swing should change. Just adjust your setup to the ball.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

1Rose - do you adjust where the ball is in your stance front to back for different clubs? What I mean is (on flat lie shots) the ball is even with the inside of my left foot with the driver and right in the middle of my stance with short irons.