Journal-The tale of a novice

I was looking for something to do this summer while I'm home that would get me outdoors and I would enjoy. My dad ended up giving me his golf clubs and my new hobby started. As of now I have been playing about 4 weeks. I saw a couple people making journals about their progress and thought what a great idea. I would like to share my stories, successes, and the inevitable failures that come along with learning to play the great game of golf. Any constructive feedback is welcome but I'm new so try not to trash me. Here's a little start of where I'm coming from:

I have played a local 18 hole course twice and shot a 140 (I know) and a 114 the next time.

I went to a University course with a friend and shot a 104. I'm not sure how accurate the 104 is because my friend really like mulligans (shots that go only a few feet) to not count which I know is cheating but I didn't feel like fighting on a beautiful day. The good news is I shot 5 pars which really boosted my confidence.

I also have a local par 3 which I like to focus just on short game and not have to worry about holding anyone up. I have shot three 43s and a 51. I have found that if there are hazards-I will hit them, usually resulting in lost balls. Drops are killing me and my driving/putting isn't helping.

I am taking a golf camp to learn some swing basics and hope to go to the putting/chipping green for some free practice soon. I also got a new driver after cracking the shaft on my dad's. It came with a hybrid and I picked the 4 hybrid with a 22 degree loft. I like both the clubs and am hitting fairly well but not as far as I'd like.

I hope to make the story interesting and see some results in the future.

Regards,

Devin Jacobs

That's great Devin.  I would suggest a lesson right away before you get into bad habits.  A golf swing is not intuitive. Find someone you are comfortable with and commit to going regularly.

Good luck I will follow along.

I've been itching to get to the course these past few days but we had huge rainfall that flooded a lot of the area and especially the water on my local courses. I had to settle for using my new swing fan to work on my flexibility and strength and pitching in the back yard. My pitching is slowly improving which I gladly welcome. At the course it sometimes work but talk about inconsistent strokes. I hope to get it so I can control every chip or pitch so when I get near the green I stop sending it all the way over and having to repeat a stroke the other direction.

Cheers!

I went to a local course yesterday and it turned out to be windy and rainy, but I was able to get 18 holes in. I shot a 102 with no mulligans or redo's. I made some good shots and some poor shots. I also forgot to bring my sand wedge with my so I used my pitching wedge for all the close shots, but it seemed my backyard practice helped in getting distance under control. I have found that my first shot sets me up for success or failure and its important to hit those fairways. Until next time.

Devin

My summer instruction camp came to an end this week so I am out on my own. I hit the course with my dad today and had one of those days where nothing would go straight when I wanted it to, and the fairway was off limits. My drives varied from 240 yds to about 50 on a shank. My putts seemed to be improved and I'm not leaving them as short as before. My irons and hybrid shots were all over the place (or going 4 feet). I don't really know what to do when I'm stuck in a rut like that. It seems that I start playing poorly and the whole day just goes downhill. It is hard for me to play so poorly and still enjoy the round. I know its not good to think, but I'm wondering if golf isn't the right fit for me. Any advice is appreciated.

Devin

I'm in a very similar situation as you are, so don't give up! I received clubs for Christmas from my parents and I'm a complete beginner and am quite inconsistent. It seems you've put a lot of effort into things so far, but I'd simply say don't get frustrated.  Personally, what helps me is the ability to still laugh at myself.  I'll take a great shot, and follow it up with an incredibly horrible slice.  I just accept that that's where i'm currently at, but be able to take the small victories that are signs of improvement and use them to keep working.  I'm just as competitive as the next guy, but you have to keep things in perspective and realize where you're at! Stick with it!

Thanks Timmy for the encouragement. I slept on it and feel better today. I'm just going to forget that round and start fresh.

The sport is a fickle one. I went out to regain my wits and see if I could turn my luck around. I got paired into a threesome with some very nice people who were beginners too. The front nine I basically hit every fairway with a 220-270 yd drive. I couldn't believe that in a couple weeks I went from driving 200 yds to over 270. I was hitting well with basically everything and actually getting on the green in 2 or 3. The back nine gave me some problems because I was tired and dehydrated, but it didn't take away my happiness towards the first nine. Overall I shot a 102 (on a Pete Dye course I have never played before) with a 45 on the front nine. Needless to say I'm not going to quit. Golf is always better when its fun.

Good luck.  My journal this summer might have some decent insights for you.  Ive learned that once you get consistent ball striking down, you shouldnt worry as much about drives and long shots.  Focus a lot on the short game and chipping.  I play with guys all the time that hit a longer ball than me but when we get to the green they have no touch and I will beat them.  There isnt a par 5 that I have ever played that I cant get my GIR off the tee with a 3 hybrid.  3 220 yard shots = 660 yards.  The place where drives seem to be a factor are on par 4's that are long and you really want to be inside that 150 to have a solid shot at being on in 2.  Just some thoughts as to how to look at the game.