Starting out - Par 3

ciarsd

Hi folks,

First post in the Golf forum... Newbie starting out.

I've decided to try my hands at golf. I've a couple of friends who are into it, who I've inundated with questions over the past while so I thought I would ask on here too.

Where do I start!

Ok, clubs.. I've a left handed swing (right handed, don't ask!).
I've been to the driving range a couple of times with some friends to try get to grasps with swinging a golf club and also practicing on their putting greens.

I was going to start playing a couple of local par 3 courses to see if I can get the grasp of the game. What clubs would be best suited for this type of course, and maybe for a couple of evenings at the driving range.

Should I buy new or second hand? What shops should I go to?

For par 3, I was told that a PW, SW, 7/8 iron and a putter should be enough to get me started - agree? Also how much is too much for these clubs for a beginner?

Do I need a glove? Or is it simply used for grip when using a driver or for more advanced golfers who are hitting 150-200 + yards?

Balls?

Thanks for any info/pointers/help.

C.

P.S. whats the etiquette for a newbie on a par 3 course? Stay out of everyones way? Move out of a faster players way who's behind me (read: me holding them up)?

insafehands

Depending on the course/your game, a 9-iron and putter is usually all I bring.

A glove is optional, I don't wear one but only because I lost it.

For clubs, just get a cheap set with every club (3-PW, 1,3,5 wood, putter). Don't know what they retail at, but they're the cheapest option and clubs won't really make much of a difference to beginner players imo.

Any balls are fine.

If it's convenient, let other players play through.

BrianD3

Clubs: places like Golf works and McGuirks do starter sets which include woods, irons, a putter and bag. Brand does not matter neither does price, so buy the cheapest set you find. Just make sure that it's a men's set Heatons also does golf stuff but the people working ther may not know anything about golf so don't expect any help or advice. If buying 2nd hand irons just make sure that they are cavity backs and are not ancient. Being a left hander (for golf) you may not have as much choice as a right hander would so maybe you'll end up paying a bit more.

Balls: Heatons is ideal for balls. Donnay balls that they sell are perfectly adequate for most golfers

Glove: here is one area where you will notice cheapness, I have tried gloves from Heatons and they were awful so I'd advise getting a reasonably priced brand name all weather glove from a golf shop.

ciarsd

Thanks for the advice lads.

Spent the afternoon yesterday practicing on a pitch and putt course. Was pleasantly suprised (and pleased).

Today I have been to McGuirks, Golf Works, Elverys' x 2. Long story short I am still club-less

McGuirks was just open and the 2 assistants I talked with were not in the least interested in helping me out. I resorted to taking a look around the vast choice on offer and only managed to find a couple of individual left handed clubs. They had one RAM starter set at €250.

Onto Golf Works, absolutely no left handed sets whatsoever. Helpful staff.

Elverys, very limited selection in one store. Again no left handed clubs.

Resorted to the Argos catalogue after a suggestion from a friend. They list a Dunlop set @ €189 -> http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500000801&productId=1500115887&clickfrom=name

none in stock in the local shop, and the girl was not sure if they cater for left handed players. Have to call back.

In the meantime, I've been searching online and am kind of resorting to order the Dunlop set (or similar) online?

Thanks for your help - much appreciated.

BrianD3

Another place to try is American Golf in Tallaght, give them a ring adn see what they have in left handed clubs
http://www.americangolf.co.uk/store_locator.asp

badbrian

Always worth trying buyandsell as well. I regularly see good value second hand top brands on there. I mean clubs are clubs are clubs and you can easily check out reviews on the web.

PhilipMarlowe

Lots of lefties in Kilkenny (something to do with hurling?)... I'm one of them (the 'everything right-handed except golf' type).

just came across this http://www.left-handed-golfers.com/

ciarsd

Thanks for your input, gonna pop over to Brian's suggestion later this morning.

My apparent leftie swing stems from hurling as a child with local teams and ny early years at school. I played for about 2 years, but this has stuck with me for life it would seem!

copacetic

mguirks have a whole section of left handed clubs in each of the shops, but they are usually pretty expensive brands.

ciarsd

I managed to find a very helpful assistant in McGuirks yesterday evening and picked up a set of Spalding 'Cannon' clubs. They are ideal for me just starting out.

I am planning on taking some lessons now to start off on the right foot - is this a good idea? I've been googling it, and found that the GUI National Academy offer this along with practice greens/bunkers/driving bays etc
Would this place be a bit much for a beginner to go ask for lessons, or would it, in fact, be my best option?
I might email or call them to enquire.

Anyway, back to the local pitch and putt/Par 3/driving range's for now