Approach for newbie in golf

splashthecash

Hey, I'm relatvely new to this great game and was thinking of going out to a really nice course to treat myself and ive three questions..

1) is this a waste of money? I've newish to gold but have played on par 3 and pitch and putt courses loads, so its not like i cant hit the ball. i wouldn't be used to long par 5 holes or anything like that though. Is spending money on a nice course a waste of money i.e. should I be concentrating to going to my local golf course and getting things right there before going off and playing in one of the more well known courses? My thinking is that going to a nice place will make me see the kinds of places I could come to play in and get me into it more.

2) Palmerstown is the place I'm thinking off...I can get a deal there for 45E a round. Is this a good price for Palmerstown and has anyone played there before - would you recommend it in general and would you recommend it for a releative newcomer to golf?

3) There seems to be 4 places to tee off, black, yellow, green and blue...where should I be teeing off from??

Thanks all!

mike12

I'd say stick to some where easy for your first couple of full rounds, it could be tough playing a course where u have to make some big carries over water. I'd say the likes of Elm Green or Swords open for your first full round.
Mike

m r c

Hi I can't tell you anything about that course but the colours go this way generally.

Red. Ladies
Green. Society/winter tees (in my club anyway)
White. Men's
Blue. Competition tees

So I'd say play green, play white if you wish.

m r c

Here is a better explanation before I'm corrected

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeing_ground

spacecoyote

I would have thought you could get better value on Palmerstown to be honest, though I could be wrong? Maybe take a look on a couple of the tee times websites as you can usually pick up some good value on them.

Its a long enough trek, especially some of the walks between holes. The 4 toughest indexed holes are the four par 5s and are all lovely holes.

If you have never played much golf then I don't really know if you'll get the full enjoyment of the course, but it is a nice course to walk.

As others have said you might be better off starting out somewhere a little easier, but on the other hand, you want to go out & enjoy playing a nice course and not just hack the ball around a field.

I'd say probably stick with Society tees wherever you play if its your first time playing golf. Should give you a chance of getting a few decent scores and maybe get you bitten by the bug that'll have you back out on a course at the next earliest opportunity.

Enjoy the round, wherever you settle on.

golfnut1

"get me more into it" I wouldn't worry about that its too late for that. Your on a golf forum wondering about your next game. Your an addict just like the rest of us you just don't know it yet! Welcome to rest of your life!

Dr_Colossus

2) In relation to Palmerstown it's a class course. Nice layout with long and tough par 5's with plenty of water in play. €45 isn't a great price though, they were doing midweek offers of €35 and €40 at weekends so worth pushing them on price if you're seriously considering it. The club is in financial difficulty like alot of places and no longer affiliated with the GUI, as such they don't have any members and thus can't hold open days which is why they were doing the reduced rate green fees to get people in the door.

A general suggestion since you're new to golf is to focus more on playing a course that's quiet so that you'll have plenty of time to play your shots and savor the experience rather than trying to pick a really nice course. You don't really want to play a busy course on a Sat or Sun where you'll be under pressure. As such playing midweek on a day that doesn't have an open day would be my suggestion, there should generally be very few people on the course.
However since you're used to playing par 3's and pitch and putt it's no harm to play a good course since it's the quality of greens and surrounds that really distinguish the good from the bad and adds to the enjoyment. I haven't played Palmerstown since Sept 2011 so can't comment on it's current condition but it should be quiet midweek and give you a real feel of a quality course layout.

Enjoy the experience and if possible try and pick a day with favorable weather conditions which will further your enjoyment.

scubapro

I would have to agree with Mike12, I think you would get a lot more enjoyment in Elm Green or Swords open. Palmerstown is a long trek, way way longer than the above mentioned courses. I played it yesterday in tough conditions and by the 16th it was hard going, you don't want to torture yourself. I like Swords open always in good condition and a nice track to play very forgiving and very enjoyable to play.

splashthecash

Thanks for all the comments - much appreciated...I think I am already hooked as someone says above, just keep think about getting out...

Cecco70

I played my first ever round of golf in Elmgreen six months ago, unfortunately I picked the wrong time and the course was busy but I still had a great time. Since then I've played some other longer courses, with holes that you have to carry water.......many of my balls have ended up in those ponds or lakes .

So you're probably better off starting somewhere like Elmgreen, its short and quite a forgiving course...even though a hacker like me finds Elmgreen challenging enough.

charlieIRL

one bit of advice for you.........enjoy it!! Its a very difficult game and something that may take years to master to a certain level so don't go out there expecting to hit every shot perfect. Enjoy the good shots and don't let the bad ones get you down.

link_2007

Just to echo a couple of the above points (I only started playing in January).

I would advise, if possible, to play at a quiet time. My first round was on a Saturday morning and there was 7-8 people watching when I stood on the first tee box and I was genuinely shaking like a ****ting dog. Not a nice experience.

I would also agree that an easier, more forgiving course might help your confidence more. I know in my first 5-6 rounds, the one I enjoyed the most was in Roscommon GC purely because it's a fairly straight forward course in places and I had a couple of par opportunities.

If you do decide to play an easier course first, why not make your first challenge the next Boards outing? I haven't played Naas but the reports from the lads on here are very positive and it's a good day out. I was very nervous going to my first one both because I was very new to the sport and also due to the thought of meeting and playing in front of a group of strangers (internet strangers no less!) but they're a very friendly bunch and I had a great time.

TheGrump

m r c wrote: »

Hi I can't tell you anything about that course but the colours go this way generally.

Red. Ladies
Green. Society/winter tees (in my club anyway)
White. Men's
Blue. Competition tees

So I'd say play green, play white if you wish.

If you do go for Plamerstown just remember, Plamerstown is the epitomy of the Celtic Tiger, their tees go bronze, silve then gold...no common green, white and blue for them, no sirree

Alrite Chief

charlieIRL wrote: »

one bit of advice for you.........enjoy it!! Its a very difficult game and something that may take years to master to a certain level so don't go out there expecting to hit every shot perfect. Enjoy the good shots and don't let the bad ones get you down.

As i always say to my mates who get out occasionally thinking 'right im taking this up'. You have no god given right to be good at this sport. Its one of the most difficult skillful games you can play and if you are not willing to take the course bashing you on the chin its not for you.

My advice for the original poster is play some of the public courses first. There are places like grange castle (clondalkin) and silloge (Dublin Airport) where you can get out for 15-20 and will be perfect to get you going. Don't waste money on golf starting out!!! That goes for equipment and clothing. It takes quite some time to figure out what actually suits you and your game. Just enjoy it and don't let it get the better of you. Great sport!!!!

d2ww

OP, I tried Palmerstown for the first time last week, and would say that any mid to high handicapper is going to find it too long and difficult with too much water, to be that enjoyable. Since you're in Kildare, Naas would be a better call, as it's harder to lose a ball there, except for there 17th which is over water, iirc. Have a look on teetimes.ie for some good value options. I have to disagree with other posters about Sillogue and Elm Green, life is too short to play rubbish courses like that. Their price advantage of old doesn't exist any more, besides the OP would have 15-20 courses that are closer to him anyway.

FixdePitchmark

I'd say

Spend it on lessons, spend a month or two on a range. Then spoil yourself when you have a bit more to play with. It will still be summer then.

As others have said, some places at that level are very hard and can put you off the game.

Listen to the lads here (not me) they are all very clever and some are in the Gods when it comes to golf.

I made twenty years of mistakes with golf, so listen to the lads.

Enjoy the journey.

splashthecash

Just an update lads (and maybe gals)....I'm going for a round in Naas golf course. Pictures of it look very nice, well maintained and supposed to be a relatively short course but challenging. Got a price for €20 per person which I think is pretty good.

Can't wait now!!

charlieIRL

enjoy yerself and don't get too beat up if it doesn't go to plan. Let us know what you think of it as we are playing there 2nd June.

alxmorgan

splashthecash wrote: »

Just an update lads (and maybe gals)....I'm going for a round in Naas golf course. Pictures of it look very nice, well maintained and supposed to be a relatively short course but challenging. Got a price for €20 per person which I think is pretty good.

Can't wait now!!

I'd echo the above - and remember no matter how bad you are all players hit terrible shots.
Played an open with a guy off 4 last year and he sh**ked three times off the tee (apologies in advance )
He only took out the driver once all day and that was to drive into a greenside bunker on a 300 yard par 4.
Point being - tis a tough game so don't be so hard on yourself
Now if only I could heed my own advice

splashthecash

Right....had my round at Naas yesterday, started around 8:40am or so, weather was very overcast, with a small bit of drizzle every now and again.

I hit the worst shots ever yesterday, I couldn't string a decent hole together at all. The only area where I was hitting decent shots was my pitching and putting. I couldn't drive to save my life and as far as using irons...forget about it. I was so frustrated as I was at the driving range a week or so ago and hitting from the grass at the side of the driving shelter and was consistently hitting straight and true - whatever I was doing yesterday it had gotten to the very root of me and i couldn't figure how to correct it :mad:

I couldn't get any of my iron shots above 4-5 feet and with the grass being wet the ball didn't go as far as what it normally would. Wouldn've done better if I brought my putter with me on the fairway.

Like a said my pitching was good but the rest of the round, I'd like to forget pretty quick. I didn't even bother counting up my card....im not going to share with you guys, it was ridiculous.

Apart from my playing experience, the course of really nice, well kept, some dog-leg holes and plenty of bunkers.

Cheers!

Danny dyers double

Only new to the game myself but I'm absoulty hooked . Like OP I'm not great and at times it can frustrate the like out of me . At times I can hit a lovely straight drive and them follow it with a scuff shots that goes 10 yards , or hit the green in 2 or 3 and need 3or 4 putts to score 😓😓

But one thing that's killing me and costing me scores in chip shots when on edge of the green , usually I put to much on it OR either not get under it and smash it straight of the green and have to repeat the shot from the other side .

Playing off 28 and played a course in Clane Yesterday called Ladyhill and scored 19 . So as you can see iv along way to go but really enjoy it none the less .

splashthecash

Danny dyers double wrote: »

Only new to the game myself but I'm absoulty hooked . Like OP I'm not great and at times it can frustrate the like out of me . At times I can hit a lovely straight drive and them follow it with a scuff shots that goes 10 yards , or hit the green in 2 or 3 and need 3or 4 putts to score 😓😓

But one thing that's killing me and costing me scores in chip shots when on edge of the green , usually I put to much on it OR either not get under it and smash it straight of the green and have to repeat the shot from the other side .

Playing off 28 and played a course in Clane Yesterday called Ladyhill and scored 19 . So as you can see iv along way to go but really enjoy it none the less .

Its a frustrating game no doubt but now I'm over the weekend experience and want to get out again. Just want to prove to myself that I'm not as bad as my last game showed

charlieIRL

splashthecash wrote: »

.... I'm over the weekend experience and want to get out again. ......

Your Hooked!!!!!:D

Remember, we all started somewhere, some lads with a great natural ability and the rest of us have to learn as we go along. Enjoy the journey.

spacecoyote

Danny dyers double wrote: »

Only new to the game myself but I'm absoulty hooked . Like OP I'm not great and at times it can frustrate the like out of me . At times I can hit a lovely straight drive and them follow it with a scuff shots that goes 10 yards , or hit the green in 2 or 3 and need 3or 4 putts to score 😓😓

But one thing that's killing me and costing me scores in chip shots when on edge of the green , usually I put to much on it OR either not get under it and smash it straight of the green and have to repeat the shot from the other side .

Playing off 28 and played a course in Clane Yesterday called Ladyhill and scored 19 . So as you can see iv along way to go but really enjoy it none the less .

Not sure where you are based, but there is a deal for a full-day short game session on JustTreats today. Its in The Hermitage in Lucan. Might be worth taking a look if you feel you need to improve on your short game

http://golf.justtreats.com/deal/dublin/gregmasseypga?redirectUrl=home.action&useDefaultCategory=true&showSplashPopup=true#

Danny dyers double

spacecoyote wrote: »

Danny dyers double wrote: »

Only new to the game myself but I'm absoulty hooked . Like OP I'm not great and at times it can frustrate the like out of me . At times I can hit a lovely straight drive and them follow it with a scuff shots that goes 10 yards , or hit the green in 2 or 3 and need 3or 4 putts to score 😓😓

But one thing that's killing me and costing me scores in chip shots when on edge of the green , usually I put to much on it OR either not get under it and smash it straight of the green and have to repeat the shot from the other side .

Playing off 28 and played a course in Clane Yesterday called Ladyhill and scored 19 . So as you can see iv along way to go but really enjoy it none the less .

Not sure where you are based, but there is a deal for a full-day short game session on JustTreats today. Its in The Hermitage in Lucan. Might be worth taking a look if you feel you need to improve on your short game

http://golf.justtreats.com/deal/dublin/gregmasseypga?redirectUrl=home.action&useDefaultCategory=true&showSplashPopup=true#

Cheers pal , that's looks and sounds great going book the Sunday session for myself when I get home , thanks again