getting started at golf

bouli73

Would be grateful for any advice

I am 38, played a few rounds previously but never a member of a club or registered for a handicap. would like to change that now.

What is the best way to get started at golf? Should i go for a few lessons, get to a certain "standard" and then join a club or join a club and go from there with lessons etc? As much interested in the social side of things as anything else but dont want to make a complete tit of myself at the same time.

Thanks for the advice in advance

kiers47

bouli73 wrote: »

Would be grateful for any advice

I am 38, played a few rounds previously but never a member of a club or registered for a handicap. would like to change that now.

What is the best way to get started at golf? Should i go for a few lessons, get to a certain "standard" and then join a club or join a club and go from there with lessons etc? As much interested in the social side of things as anything else but dont want to make a complete tit of myself at the same time.

Thanks for the advice in advance

Golf is a game to enjoy and have fun with. You wont make a Tit of yourself by getting out there and enjoying yourself.
At the end of the day if you enjoy yourself does it really matter if you shoot 120 or 70

I think if it is financially plausible for you to join a club this is the best way.
What i did when i first joined my club was head out in the evening when its quite, that way you can play at your own pace and even drop a 2nd and 3rd ball for practicing.

On the lessons front ive never taken any so i wouldnt be able to give you advice on this. But i would suggest getting out and playing a bit that way when you get the lessons it might be easier for you to understand and put what you are taught into practice

spacecoyote

kiers47 wrote: »

Golf is a game to enjoy and have fun with. You wont make a Tit of yourself by getting out there and enjoying yourself.
At the end of the day if you enjoy yourself does it really matter if you shoot 120 or 70

I think if it is financially plausible for you to join a club this is the best way.
What i did when i first joined my club was head out in the evening when its quite, that way you can play at your own pace and even drop a 2nd and 3rd ball for practicing.

On the lessons front ive never taken any so i wouldnt be able to give you advice on this. But i would suggest getting out and playing a bit that way when you get the lessons it might be easier for you to understand and put what you are taught into practice

To be honest I'd probably take the last bit of your post from the opposite angle.

If you're in a position now whereby you're just starting the game then taking a couple of lessons would, in my opinion be the best thing for you.

If I could go back in time, this is what I would have done. I'm playing a few years, and still trying to unlearn some of the bad habits I picked up starting out.

2/3 lessons to get the fundamentals of your set up in place (grip, posture, etc....) really do make a difference.

I would agree that getting out on the course & enjoying yourself should be a priority. There is a fine line between wanting good technique and becoming obsessed with it. There are definitely people out there who spend more time on the range than on the course and that is a big no-no for me.

And don't panic about playing perfect golf, every amateur player hits bad shots. You're aim is to be happy walking off the course, so take pleasure in the small good things in your round rather than any of the negatives. Easier said than done, but if you can approach with that attitude you'll be off to a good start.

There should be plenty of value to be had with membership at the moment. If you do join, don't be afraid to stick your name on the time sheet with poeple you don't know, as playing with a range of people is great from a social point of view as well as seeing what other players do on the golf course.

I'd say invest in a as good a set of clubs as your budget allows. So if you're tight for cash, then look at a decent second hand set rather than a cheap new set.

slave1

XMas in coming up, line up some lessons and get a nice set of second hand improver irons, whomever gives you lessons will recommend some for you.
Cheapest way to get out there playing is with a society, even if you don't join one you can go as a visitor with a mate and get to play different courses.

Danny dyers double

Only took it the game around Easter myself . I was first brought playing to Grange Castle 7 hole course , a great place to start as its quite open and the holes are not too long . I played this for about 2 months twice a week till I at least had a small bit confidence to play full rounds .

Club wish I went and bought a Dunlop Starter set which only cost 150 new but as lads have said I'd recommend buying a decent 2nd hand set .

I have not got lessons as of yet as I feel I'm improving every round but I will be booking some as I would like a pro to have a look at things for me and guide me in the right direction .

I'm going to play all winter hopefully and plan on joining Citywest or Grange castle next March and have a right go at the handicap fight .

What ever you decide to do pal just enjoy it and stick with as you might well have more bad days then good .

Someday

I am like Danny and only started this year. A lot ye, just go out and give it a go ! Not the right way to go about it in my book.


All of the above and to put it down in pts for you.

1. Lessons and Lessons and even more, you will at least 5 to start off with ! Mates are fine but sometimes the advice is incorrect and no point hitting the driving range if you standing incorrectly etc etc

2. Keep to par 3 courses for the moment ! You will only get frustrated with the tougher courses at the moment.

3. Get cavity back clubs and clubs with plenty of forgiveness ( good second hand) these clubs are great for people like us

4. Leave you driver at home for the moment and start with the 3 wood off the tee, I can get this now to 200 with the lessons I got, only 3 so far !
Then buy a ping G20 or simlar when comfortable with a driver !

5. Don't buy cheap new clubs, get good second hand ones ( cavity back and plenty of forgiveness)

6. Proper glove, shoes and wet gear !

Good luck with it

kiers47

Someday wrote: »

I am like Danny and only started this year. A lot ye, just go out and give it a go ! Not the right way to go about it in my book.


All of the above and to put it down in pts for you.

1. Lessons and Lessons and even more, you will at least 5 to start off with ! Mates are fine but sometimes the advice is incorrect and no point hitting the driving range if you standing incorrectly etc etc

2. Keep to par 3 courses for the moment ! You will only get frustrated with the tougher courses at the moment.

3. Get cavity back clubs and clubs with plenty of forgiveness ( good second hand) these clubs are great for people like us

4. Leave you driver at home for the moment and start with the 3 wood off the tee, I can get this now to 200 with the lessons I got, only 3 so far !
Then buy a ping G20 or simlar when comfortable with a driver !

5. Don't buy cheap new clubs, get good second hand ones ( cavity back and plenty of forgiveness)

6. Proper glove, shoes and wet gear !

Good luck with it

Driver wise. Its all about the shaft don't really matter which one you get at the level you are at currently. There is very little difference in most driver heads. Get fitted for the shaft if necessary. If you are willing to pay whatever price a G20 is for example(only as it was mentioned) why not buy a G15 and get fitted would probably still work out cheaper and you will almost definitely be more comfortable with it.

Thats my tuppence worth anyway.