Taking up Golf

Miss Fluff

Hello, being rather miffed with missing out on entertaining my Clients (and day's out of work) because I don't play golf, I have decided to take it up. From looking at other threads Stepaside and Leopardstown seem to be best driving ranges. Can someone please tell me whether there is anything I need to buy to prepare? Do I need to go on a shopping spree and kit myself out? Are golfing shoes necessary? Do they provide you with clubs etc? Thanks

css

My advice would be to take it up with a few friends. And go out and buy some decent equipment, but don't spend a fortune either. 200 euros should get you a half decent set of starter equipment, including a bag.

Golf shoes are important, not only for grip, but comfort, you could end up standing/walking for 5 hours, and if your shoes are not comfortable, you will know about it!

Group lessons are a good place to start, check out that nightcourses book if you are around Dublin, there are some in that I think. It will give you a good place to start on the basics.

Above all it's going to take a lot of patience, so don't expect to be like Tiger from day 1..

delboy159

I am far from an expert, but as I'm also in the beginner side of things I'll give you my perspective on things...

1. You only need a few clubs to start out - get ladies graphite clubs, seemingly it does make a difference for a girl. If you are just giving it a go - get a 7 iron and get a few lessons - nothing else is needed to start.

2. Then if you are improving a little and decide to stay at it, you can buy a nice ladies starter set (probably with shoes etc.) for under €200

3. Start playing a little Par 3 golf with some friends as this is a great intro to full golf without the daunting long holes.

4. Keep taking a few lessons to keep on top of things..

5. Start trying a proper round of golf or two with a nice friend who will just chat with you as ye both play yer golf and have fun. There is nothing worse than playing with a "serious" golfer who looks down on you when your starting out and making silly mistakes....

By the way - a guy who gave me lessons a while ago said women take to the sport way better then men as they have this unnatural ability - it's called "doing what they are told to do".... So your gender has given you an unwitting edge.

If you want any little advice on nice spots to start out - just give me a PM. I know of a lady pro who is very nice if you would prefer that, she is based in Tyrrelstown driving range and my better half liked her - I find her very good also.

empirix

In fairness, unless your clients are women then you'll probably lose them if you go play golf with em, nothing more annoying than playing a round with somebody that takes 10 shots or so each hole

no offence

GreenHorn

empirix wrote:

In fairness, unless your clients are women then you'll probably lose them if you go play golf with em, nothing more annoying than playing a round with somebody that takes 10 shots or so each hole

no offence

I beg to differ - one thing that certainly is more annoying is playing with someone with no manners...

No offence...

cabla

eeewwww a fight. Well youd get a set of clubs for around 200 in mcguirks. good decent starter clubs. Def a pair of shoes. Also balls tees glove. All in all id recon youd need 300 euro to get started. Also i have a set of abt 1 year old womens grafite clubs with bag from mcguirks for sale. :P

Miss Fluff

cabla wrote:

eeewwww a fight. Well youd get a set of clubs for around 200 in mcguirks. good decent starter clubs. Def a pair of shoes. Also balls tees glove. All in all id recon youd need 300 euro to get started. Also i have a set of abt 1 year old womens grafite clubs with bag from mcguirks for sale. :P

Oooh really? How much?
Also, I'm beginning to panic now. A couple of people told me that driving ranges don't rent out equipment???:eek: I thought I could go a few times, hire out the clubs etc for the first couple of times, and then see how I get on!!! Can you hire clubs in Leopardstown does anyone know? Thanks for the advice to date everyone.

delboy159

I don't know the official line with Driving ranges, but the one at the airport has demo clubs they would just let you use - if you talk nice.

Also Tyrellstown drving range rent clubs to people to play on their Par 3 course - so they would rent them for the range also - but a little girly smile would probably get you a club or two to use for free.

Saying that - any golf shop will sell you a club or two for about €10 each.. Which would probably be easier... Clearys on O'Connell Street have single clubs for €13 (I think) as does any Heatons shop.... if you'd find the golf shop thing intimidating - a 7 iron or 8 iron is the way to start

Just give the range in Leopardstown a ring and see if they do anything like that...

WillyWonka

I don't think leopardstown do that, no driving range I know does. BUT if you go play pitch and putt they usually give you a loan of clubs while you're out there, and as delboy said pitch and putt is a nice gentle introduction.

If you like that then I'd say hit the driving range if you want to get serious

stockdam

Golfpro....are you a bot cos you only post the same post over and over again.