Just started playing, I'm terrible!

Hey guys I have just started playing golf this month and I'm terrible

Here is the cliff note version of my story:

• I'm left handed
• In college
• Fairly good athlete, played tennis in high school
• 6'1

Over the past three weeks I've gone from literally whiffing 50+% of the time to actually hitting the ball. Now 1/3 of my shots are good, 1/3 end up being mishits/ground balls and the other third are hit well but miss far to the left or right

How do you guys suggest I work on my game? Drive range balls, play at par 3 courses [I don't have access or money for real courses at the moment]?

Do you golf veterans have any advice?

I'd be happy with being a 30 handicap or so within a year, I'll be able to play about twice a week two hours at a time

Previous poster is right.  Go to the range, practice slowly and methodically, don't just hit at balls-give yourself a target and pretend you're hitting a tee shot or approach shot on the course.  If you've got a range available with a putting/chipping green put in some time there as well.  You'll get better, and even a 30 handicap can get around a full size course without too much trouble.

I say first things first, take a single (one!) lesson to get yourself sorted with the basics of a swing. I'd also suggest finding a Stack & Tilt teacher for your baby steps into golf as for me I learned more from a S&T; pro than I ever did with traditional pros. That's just my personal experience of it. Having said that I no longer follow the Stack & Tilt method of swinging; not through any specific reason as it's still a great way to swing a club, it's just that I've found my own preferred way to do so.

Once you have a comfortable grip, stance, posture and rough idea on how your swing should work I'd find yourself a local course where you're allowed to use the practice area free of charge. Practice putting until you're at least putting in a straight line (don't worry about pace/length just yet; that will come with practice!). Then when you've got that down I'd try chipping from just off the green to get a feel for short hits.

After that I'd start looking at your local range and I'd start looking at pitching the ball from 50 yards or so out. Try grooving yourself a smooth and easy swing, making sure you're using a good reference point for the swing (Andrew Rice, Shawn Clement, Stack & Tilt are all great sources). Make sure you also keep up with your putting and chipping practice in between pitching practice.

Once you're pitching to a nice easy 50 yards I'd think about lengthening your swing a little to left-arm parallel to the ground on the backswing and right arm parallel on the follow through - A half swing. Get reasonable with all the clubs in your bag using this half swing. When you're happily doing half swings, pitching, chipping and putting I'd start visiting par 3 courses to practice al of those things "in the real world" as such. That will get you used to bad lies, uphill lies, downhill lies etc.

At this point I'd take a lesson to make sure you're on the right path. In my opinion there's no point in taking lessings too early in learning the game because all you'll be taught is what you'd learn anyway by practicing. Once you have a 1/2 swing you'll be ready to learning more about your swing and how to iron out any issues.

Whilst doing par 3 courses I'd also make a little time to practice extending your swing at a local range to be a 3/4 swing. Once you've perfected that a 3/4 swing will stand you in good stead for a LONG time with such a high handicap.

I'd also see if you have a method to video your swing. That will allow you to record real swings, actualy hitting a ball and then evaluate where you're going wrong. It also lets you post the videos on here for other people to help you. For me I use my iPhone 4 with a Gorillapod tripod.

Last thing I'd suggest is to have fun with it; there's nothing worse than setting unachievable targets and then falling short of them. :)

I would recommend buying a shag bag and some junk balls.... take those to a field.  Cheaper in the long range than the driving range, and when you go out to collect your balls you can really see the distribution of your shots.

I would also recommend hitting just your 7 iron until you are atleast somewhat consistent with it.  Once you are consistent with that, move to your 9 (should be a pretty easy transition) and then to your 5.

Depending on the type of learner you are, you might benefit from reading some books.  If you are more of a hands on learner, after you are making good contact, maybe take a lesson or 2.  With all the money you save by hitting balls in a field instead of at the driving range, you could probably afford to buy yourself a high speed camera which can work wonders when you are trying to evaluate your swing.

Thanks for all help so far, especially Miniblue

Starting in late August I'll be taking a golf class at my school for 2.5 hours once a week. I should be able to get a good mix of instruction + playing time which should help a lot

I just bought 100 used balls on Ebay for 30 dollars including shipping so I do plan on doing what you are suggesting Unkynd

How does buying a golf net and hitting into that compare to hitting at the range/ in a field?

Chipping into a chipping net will give you target practice and allow you to 'place' a ball at different distances from you. It won't however show you how far out the placed all will roll out (will be different lengths depending on the club used) Playing full/three quarter/half shots into a large net will allow you to know what it's like to hit a ball and perhaps get used to your swing itself but very little else as you'll have no idea on how the shot will fly once contact is made. What looks like a "pretty much straight" shot in a net could be a horrible slice or a hook or anything in between. There's really no substitute to being able to see your shots fly.