First round 9 holes = 58 - any potential?

I am 33, and hit my first golf ball in AUG 2009. I have about 8 rounds of 9 under my belt, but I was wondering if you guys think I am starting out as average, or below/above average. I kind of think I am doing ok, but I don't have any newbie friends to compare with. I don't worry about scores vs my friends, but would be interested where I stand amongst folks in my experience category. Do I have any potential?

Scenario - Buddy and I went to the driving range and hit balls (split bucket of 80) about 5 times before he picked up the tab for my first nine which I was reluctant to accept for fear of humiliation. I was using some hand me down clubs that turned out to be Mens big bertha knockoffs cut down an inch, and sharing his driver and putter. I Played a standard course front 9 rated for a Par of 36, and scored the 58 as title suggests. Since then on the same 9 I have also hit 53,55,57, 49*(incomplete round, was playing good bogey golf until dark, then I wrote in 6/6/6/ on the final 3 holes - all par 4's for a "what if" scenario).

A breakdown of my game is that"

1. I suck and driving - I hit 2-3 slices which by then I am aiming far left for compensation when I hit a good one that goes left. Average 1-2 FW per 9 would be a good day.

2. I hit Irons decent, when I get it right, but do tend to skull it which leads me to usually getting on at par with 2-3 putts remaining.

3. Short game is atrocious. I have written a post about this on here elsewhere, but I will say that Irons and wedges are my first objective when I get into lessons this year and practice time.

4. Putting is solid. Lots of 2 putts with an occasional 1 or 3. Power is still something to be honed in but i read greens like a champ. Not to be funny but I think a lot of time playing XBOX Tiger Woods has made me understand the concept better.

No lessons yet, wife bought me 2 for my birthday which I will be cashing in this month. As I said, if he asks I will ask for irons and wedge advice. if he dictates the lesson plan elsewhere after our introductions I am cool with that too.

There you have it, not asking if high 50's are good scores - I am asking if that's good for a guy still trying to get the right grip like me? What kind of scores did some of you post first couple times out?

I think I was in your ballpark when I started a couple years ago. Honestly, pretty much anyone can improve at this game with hard work and proper instruction. One cool thing I think with people just starting is a little practice really goes a long way. I bet with the 2 lessons you get and some range time you will get your scores from the high 50's to the mid 50's consistently pretty quick. By the way, I think it's smart that you are already focusing in on short game instruction, not only is that the most important aspect of golf as far as scoring is concerned but learning chips and pitches will help you with the long game and full swings.

You are right with me i started in july and shoot low 50s

You're doing fine, now start having fun and stop worrying about comparing yourself to others. When you satisfy yourself you've done good that day. And there will be good days as well as bad days.

You sound right about where I was at that point.

You should be fine, if you can't hit your driver straight then keep it in the bag, find a club you can consistently hit the fairway with. It's more important to be 180-200 yds in the fairway than 260 into the woods.

I´d say that you have more room for improvement than me, for example.

You're absolutely fine. I've done worse than 58 for 9... Hell, I still don't get surprised by one and I've been playing a lot longer than you have. Put your driver aside for a while, and honestly, maybe even fairway woods. Concentrate on the irons. Spend at least as much time at the range working on striking your irons cleanly as you do playing, and spend plenty of time chipping. It's been slow going for me since I'm too cheap/busy for lessons (I'm sure they'd help a ton, but I enjoy playing and learning on my own, so I'd rather put what time I have in on my own), but I'm finally seeing some improvement.

Remember, though, that improvement can (and maybe usually does) come in bursts, rather than steady improvement. So don't lose heart if you go out and hit a 55 and then a 52, then feel like you're on a roll only to hit a 60. It'll happen. Even when you're improving, you'll have bad days.... just keep at it.

Playing tomorrow and joked with my friend I was going to tee off with my 6 iron.... I may actually follow through with that as it is my most comfortable club in the bag. Thanks for input guys, I feel better.

You're doing absolutely fine. One of my best friends is the best golfer I personally know, 8 handicap, never uses a wood. Tees off with a 4 iron. One suggestion- go find the book The Golf Swing by David Leadbetter. Read it cover to cover (easy) and do it several times. You'll thank me for it later. Best of luck-

don't worry, many others including myself started out much worse. i can't remember exactly what my first round was but i know i was consistently in the 60s when i first started. it may not happen right away so stick with it but if you're having fun and you keep your chin up you'll be just fine and scoring better.

p.s.: if you're slicing off the tee, try moving the ball up in your stance, just inside you're lead foot and make sure you're bringing the club back a little lower and inside, little behind your back shoulder, if you're slicing you might be bringing the club back too high and outside

My worst 9 I've ever recorded (I don't count the games I played when I was a little kid and took maybe 100 strokes for 9 holes) is a 60. So, you're not doing bad.

I started playing 4 years ago and couldn't get the ball airborne so you are off to a better start than me. I play once a week and practice once a week and broke 80 a 1/2 dozen times last year. Lessons are very important...I wish I hadn't waited to get help.