Handicap question

Schecter01

Hi im new to golf having played Pitch & putt years ago, after spending about 6 sessions on the driving range and one lesson to get the swing basics, hitting a few rounds par 3 golf and was getting the hang of of the swing and hit a few pars (driving is terrible though!)
so based on that i decided to join the local club and on my first foray on my own i lost 12 balls on first 6 holes and could barely hit a shot to save my life, im not sure to put this down to nerves on a championship course.

i was wondering should i wait til im a little better before booking a time on a competition to gain my handicap as id say id slow the other guys down, or do i just go out and make a holy show of myself and to get my handicap as soon as possible?

First Up

Schecter01 wrote:

i was wondering should i wait til im a little better before booking a time on a competition to gain my handicap as id say id slow the other guys down, or do i just go out and make a holy show of myself and to get my handicap as soon as possible?

Think I'd wait a bit - mostly to build up your own confidence. I think you would be too self conscious and nervous to enjoy playing in a group and the game is supposed to be enjoyable.

Get used to the course and especially get to the stage where you can hit a reasonably respectable shot off the tee (with any club.)

By respectable I mean reasonably straight and anything over 120 yards or so. If a 5 iron works to start with, use that then graduate to a fairway wood or rescue and so on.

Most high handicappers take at least 3 and sometimes 4 shots to reach a par 4 green so don't try to boom it.

Jawgap

If it was me, I'd buy a big bag of 2nd hand balls, book into a competition (something like a mid-week singles stableford) and just go for it.

We all had to start somewhere and you'll find the vast majority of players are helpful towards 'newbies' - plus it'll get you going in the club quicker.

Senna

Plus your 3 cards for handicap dont have to be during a competition, they just need to be along with a member playing to full comp rules.
If you have anytime off during the week when its quiet, head out to the course and see if anyone wants to join you for 18 holes, normally people out during the day mon-fri aren't in a big hurry.

Schecter01

Thanks lads alot of good advice there, i went to the driving range today and was hitting some very good iron shots ie: 5iron 160+ meters & 9iron 90+ i realised i was coming down too harsh on the downswing and not swinging enough, then the shots were popping nicely.

oh so you can just ask someone on the day if they wouldnt mind me tagging along so they can sign my card? i wont get my gui number till next thurs as the manager is away can i still play at competitions and keep my score card without my.number?

Hoof Hearted2

It might sound obvious, but I'm going to say it anyway, golf is played on a golf course not a driving range, you'll never find your game on the range unless you have a strong base to work from.
OP my advice is to jump in the deep end and learn by experience, we all get nervous and only from repeating the experience and learning from it do we grow and become more comfortable.

exaisle

My advice would be to book a few lessons from a professional...

Jawgap

exaisle wrote: »

My advice would be to book a few lessons from a professional...

I think he's doing that.

....but to reinforce the point, I'd suggest playing a couple of rounds before your next lesson. Record as you go what's happening and then when you go back to the pro for another lesson you'll be able to explain what's happening in detail with your game and he/she can work to correct it.

For example, you might want to record if your drives go mostly left to right or right to left.......if you miss with an iron are you missing left or right......are you topping the ball......sending it vertical etc.

Don't rely on memory and if your pro is anything like the guy I go to he'll appreciate you rocking up and saying "right, since the last lesson I've hit 50 drives from the tee, and 37 of them went right, 10 went down the middle and 3 went left." Or some such data.

Berty44

Schecter01 wrote: »

oh so you can just ask someone on the day if they wouldnt mind me tagging along so they can sign my card? i wont get my gui number till next thurs as the manager is away can i still play at competitions and keep my score card without my.number?

You won't actually be able to enter competitions until you get your official handicap. You don't need you GUI number to keep your score card. You basically play 3 rounds, get whoever you are playing with to sign your card and then submit the 3 cards to the Handicap Secretary who will give you your handicap. Once you have your handicap you can then enter competitions.

I'm sure you could play during the competition timesheet but I would probably try and get out for 3 rounds not during competition. Its more relaxed and there is some golf etiquette that you will pick up in playing those rounds that will make it easier for you when you actually start to play in competitions.

You have a huge advantage having played pitch and putt when you were younger. However you will start off slightly disadvantaged because of that as your swing would probably be not what you need it to be to play golf. As advised above I agree it would be a huge help to get a few lessons from a professional before you develop any bad habits. Once you get the full swing going you will realise how important those pitch and putt skills are.

The previous poster's advice on knowing what your swing issues are when you go to the pro is spot on.