Hello from Chicago!!!!!

I'm a total Golf newbie. I've always had an interest in the sport, but never the money to get the equipment needed. Last year I decided that I am going to dive in. I started going by the local (to me) course which is owned by Chicago Park District and started watching people tee of the first tee and hole the 9 green (9 hole course) and just taking notes on how people hit the ball. I started talking to the golfers and I was surprised at how nice everyone was.

It was awesome talking the game with people. I also became addicted to the Golf Channel and watched every tournament I could get my eyes on and the Golf Fix was always on record.

Then one day, I met a random golfer and he we were talking about the game and Bridgestone was ball fitting and had a set up, so I went over with him and we tried some balls. This was my first official time swinging a golf club and it was exciting. They told me about a driving range not too far from there and I made plans to go over there. The guy I went over there with had some old clubs that he wasn't using anymore and was taking up space in his trunk and asked me if I wanted them. I have to tell you that I am left-handed and he was too, so imagine my surprise when he just handed me over his old clubs!

I still have those clubs and I took those to the range a few times. I learned how to hit the ball with these clubs and I like them. This was last summer and fall and now that spring is coming around the corner, I feel it's time to get my own clubs, and bag. I found a bag that was used and pretty beat up on craigslist.

I am a newbie as I said and I've watched a lot and talked to enough people, so some of the lingo I understand, but I really need to know a few things.

The main thing I need to know is, how do you know what your handicap is?

I guess I ask these questions in the main forum.

Anyway, happy golfing!!!

Welcome to golf! its addicting.

You don't really need to know your handicap to start playing, but for a rough estimate, you can use this site: http://www.csgnetwork.com/golfhcapcalc.html

As a newer player, I'd definitely hit up the range often and get out on the course a much as possible. I'm from chicago too, and can tell you that there are plenty of cheap courses in the area (why play expensive ones when you're still relatively new to the game??). 2 of the better ones in the are are Jackson Park south on LSD and Marquette Park near Midway.

To be honest, you might not need new clubs until futher on. I'd hold off to purchasing anything new and spend that money towards getting lessons or the range.

Welcome again and let me know if you have any Chicago golf questions!

I hear you.

The thing is, I only have 5 clubs at the moment. A driver 1, 3, 5 woods, a 9 Iron and a putter.

I've hit the range on Diversey and LSD often last summer and spring. The thing with the new clubs is, I want to have my own clubs, that are mine and no one has used them. So, I just want to have some new clubs and buying a cheap starter set doesn't seem feasible at this time, so I'm going for some Nike clubs, I'm a Nike guy, what can I say?

Thanks for the advice.

I'm not going to spend a ridiculous amount of money on the clubs as I've found some open box clubs for really good prices.

Where do you play?

Ah i see haha. Yah with those clubs it'd be hard to play a full course. My suggestion is to buy a nice used set of irons, since you already have a driver and a putter (perhaps get a sandwedge too). I get the whole thing about buying a new set of clubs, but you can get a lot more bang for your buck if you get some good quality used clubs. If you like nike, check out their slingshots. They can be had for pretty cheap right now and are good for beginners, but definitely dont rule out any other brands out there.

Check out ezlinks.com and search for chicago courses. You can get some great deals on marovitz, jackson park, marquette park, columbus, etc.

Well, the clubs I found a Nike Ignite Hybrid Irons. It comes with a Hybrid 3 and a 4-PW Iron set, open box for $129

The Driver I found was an SQ Mach Speed STR8FIT 9.5 degree for $119 Used Mint Condition

The putter is a Nike OZ 2 Putter Open Box for $49

So I'm not spending a lot of money on them as you can see, and I'm getting a good set to grow with and not have to upgrade from later, or at least very quickly.

Sydney R. Marovitz is where I'm going to play mostly as I live close by it. I grew up around Jackson Park and I eventually want to play it. But for now, it's the Diversey Driving Range and Marovitz course.

Thanks for the link to EZlinks, that's an awesome resource, bookmarked.

Never played Marovitz (or any other of the Chicago Park District courses), although I once parked my bicycle outside the starter shed at Marovitz and walked in to check the rates a few years ago. I've also seen the Jackson Park course.  Isn't there another one down there on south Lake Shore Drive?

Great story about how you got into the game. Hope you like it!

I love the game and watch it on TV all the time, watching how guys swing. It's interesting how many swings there are.