Getting into golf.

Hello there,

I've recently decided to take up golf. I've started with a few friends and have been having a blast so far. We're mixing it up between the driving range and pitch and putt courses for now, as I wouldn't really feel comfortable on a full length golf course at the moment.

The P&P is to sort out my pitching/putting obviously, and the driving range is to get driving/long range practice in.

I'm hoping that in a few months I'll be able to start on one of the smaller golf courses and be able to hold my own so to speak.


Now, what I'm wondering is if anyone has any tips for an aspiring golfer. I'm using an old set of clubs at the moment from a guy who is more or less the same size as me. But I'll probably invest in a decent set when I get a bit better.

So any advice, or tips you wish you were told when starting out?

Any good P&P courses in Dublin that would be worth looking into? Currently spending most of my day's in St. Annes but the rough is shocking and the fairway is totally bald in parts.

Cheers in advance

heavyballs

hi,i think it's very hard for you to get anything out of the amount of suggestions you'll get off the different people on this forum,your head will be melted.
I would need to know how advanced 'if at all' your swing is.
I'll throw 1 thing into the pot though,don't listen to anyone who says keep your head down when taking a shot,this results in no natural flow to the swing,yes keep your eye on the ball untill you hit it,place the logo at the back of the ball so that it makes it easier to focus on something but as your arms come into the ball and through the ball so should your head.
Hope this makes sence.
BTW what part of the world r u in?I play off 4 and am considering going down the teachin road over the next 2 years.I'm considering taking a few beginners and seeing if i can improve them for free(i'm not payin for the balls,fluk that)

scubakid

My small piece of advice would be to go out on the course and just play. Go with a friend and pick a quiet time when you'l be under no pressure. You will pick it up much much faster this way IMO

SK

soundsham

get a lesson & learn correct grip

splashthecash

Hey Rojomcdojo, I've started playing a bit now too and like you I'm a beginner. I'm doing the same as you (i.e. spending some time on driving ranges and on some nice par 3 golf courses).

I'm trying to just learn as I go, not take everyones advice...just one or two friends who seem to be pretty good

narddog

Get the grip sorted out first. Without a grip you are comfortable with, you'll never make reasonable progress. As to the grip itself, try as many as you like till you're happy. I finally settled on an interlocking grip, but each person is different.

sky6

golf is a wonderful game but also the most technical game you will ever play.
What I mean is the smallest things make a difference. things like Grip, stance open,closed, club angle, club shaft, etc.
At your stage the most important thing is to develop a proper grip. It will feel awkward at first but keep practicing and just groove it in. After a while it becomes natural. The interlocking is the most common grip used by most pros. The next important tip I will give you is when you feel the swing becoming more natural, Go and get properly custom fitted for a set of Clubs.
Be careful were you go though. I would suggest somewhere like Redline golf centre in Newbridge or Fore golf in Naas. You will be amazed how much better you will play with properly fitted Clubs.

charlieIRL

my 2 cents worth.....take your time and slow down your back swing!!! Was a great help to me.

Myksyk

1. Practice your putting.
2. Forget trying to hit it long at the range or on the course. Try to hit it right. For now (and perhaps forever!!) try not to hit anything at 100%.
3. Learn to chip properly (grip down, feet almost together and open to target, weight to front foot, handle ahead of the ball, minimal wrist involvement, trust the loft of the club).
4. Use sunscreen.

charlieIRL

Myksyk wrote: »

1. Practice your putting.
2. Forget trying to hit it long at the range or on the course. Try to hit it right. For now (and perhaps forever!!) try not to hit anything at 100%.
3. Learn to chip properly (grip down, feet almost together and open to target, weight to front foot, handle ahead of the ball, minimal wrist involvement, trust the loft of the club).
4. Use sunscreen.

good advice there, quick one though - handle ahead of ball, do you angle the club or just place whole club in front of the ball? If you know what i mean?! Am just trying to visualise it here.

As for No: 4..........we are in ireland - use an umbrella!!!!!!

Rowley Birkin QC

Myself and a few mates took up golf lately after finishing college. We started out on Par 3 courses, good way to cut your teeth before tackling a full course.

Finest that we found was Carrigleade in Carlow, about 75 mins drive from Dublin but well worth it. Only €10 too.

Myksyk

charlieIRL wrote: »

good advice there, quick one though - handle ahead of ball, do you angle the club or just place whole club in front of the ball? If you know what i mean?! Am just trying to visualise it here.

Well, for all my iron shots I would have the handle of my club very slightly ahead of the ball at address to encourage getting back there at impact. In these cases if you dropped a line directly down from the top of my handle it would probably land just in front of the ball. For wedges I personally would have the handle forward more than this, perhaps a ball or two depending on different factors. In both cases you are not hooding/closing the face of the club as a result. You are simply leaning the shaft forward.

charlieIRL

Myksyk wrote: »

Well, for all my iron shots I would have the handle of my club very slightly ahead of the ball at address to encourage getting back there at impact. In these cases if you dropped a line directly down from the top of my handle it would probably land just in front of the ball. For wedges I personally would have the handle forward more than this, perhaps a ball or two depending on different factors. In both cases you are not hooding/closing the face of the club as a result. You are simply leaning the shaft forward.

cheers for explaining that, gonna give it a try later.

matsy1

I started playing last year after a few months of p&p and par3.. Its the most addictive and frustrating game ever!! One week you play great, the next your hiitting the ball worse than you ever did! Im down to an 18 but sometimes feel like it should be a 28.. Still love it though despite my complaining.

If I went back to last year, id get fitted half decent irons(cavity forgiveness), get a few lessons and buy golf shoes! And maybe join a cheap club with just playing rights.

I chose to do all of the above spread out through out the year, and have just started using a proper grip, only got shoes, and im still using unfitted hand me down clubs.. I have also spent about 50 a week on green fee's/golf range(2,600) whereas you should pick up playing rights for about 800 per year, that prob have practice facilities too.

If you can afford it, hit the credit union.. you'll save so much in the long term, and your game will improve faster. That'll be my new years resolution anyway.

heavyballs

Myksyk wrote: »

Well, for all my iron shots I would have the handle of my club very slightly ahead of the ball at address to encourage getting back there at impact. In these cases if you dropped a line directly down from the top of my handle it would probably land just in front of the ball. For wedges I personally would have the handle forward more than this, perhaps a ball or two depending on different factors. In both cases you are not hooding/closing the face of the club as a result. You are simply leaning the shaft forward.

this is good advice alright,i reckon your a low single figure or so.Would you agree one of the main faults of golfers in general is that they open the face of their short irons in particular thinking it's going to get the ball higher when in fact if you square it up with the hands slightly ahead of ball this will promote a better ball strike.

The_Kew_Tour

If your serious enough invest in some lessons from Golf Pro.

Least 3-4 lessons. Get your grip, alignment sorted as well as your swing.

Also get lesson on your putting and chipping. Its most important part og game

Myksyk

heavyballs wrote: »

this is good advice alright,i reckon your a low single figure or so.Would you agree one of the main faults of golfers in general is that they open the face of their short irons in particular thinking it's going to get the ball higher when in fact if you square it up with the hands slightly ahead of ball this will promote a better ball strike.

Ah yes ... I write a good game!!

Nope, off 10 but intend to be able to answer yes to the first part of your post sometime in the next two to three years.

In terms of the wedges it's well known that for your basic shot the ball is centre of stance, hands ahead of ball and strike down into the back of the ball. However, what you see some players do is set the ball off their left heel and lean the club back which will most likely result in a skulled shot. The other problem is getting the hands involved too much.

charlieIRL

Myksyk wrote: »

Ah yes ... I write a good game!!

Nope, off 10 but intend to be able to answer yes to the first part of your post sometime in the next two to three years.

In terms of the wedges it's well known that for your basic shot the ball is centre of stance, hands ahead of ball and strike down into the back of the ball. However, what you see some players do is set the ball off their left heel and lean the club back which will most likely result in a skulled shot. The other problem is getting the hands involved too much.

i tend to keep the ball closer to my right foot (play right handed) when using a wedge, that way i notice i get more loft. Control is a big problem for me though.

Am going to have to write down these tips before heading out tomorrow!!