Tips for a Newbie

[2019Golfer]

Hi all

I have taken up golf in the last few months - I am in my early 30s - and the short term aim is to get to a standard so I feel comfortable enough to play on most courses to a standard where I won’t completely embarrass myself!

I think my base swing is okay - “when/if” I connect properly the ball goes relatively straight and distance isn’t a particular issue at this stage (260ish carry with the driver) but the big big issue I have is a real lack of consistency. If I spend a week away from the range my swing seems to fall apart and when I go onto the course (played around 6 rounds) I really struggle to make clean connections with the ball on more than say 30% of my swings.

A few questions:

1. Is the above normal - i.e. the real lack of any consistency? Do I just need to keep practising and eventually my on course swing will replicate my driving range swing?

2. Does anyone have any tips on how to improve quickly when only able to go to the range once a week and play a round every fortnight at best? I am planning to take lessons on a monthly basis.

3. Is a c.20 handicap a reasonable target after a year? I want a challenge, but not something completely unrealistic given the amount I will play.

Sorry for the long post and I’m sure the above questions are very boring and have been asked hundreds of times and that the answer is probably just “it depends”! But, any insight or tips would be gratefully received.

Thanks

 

 

[Piz]

Golf is more difficult than it appears.  There are many, many, many, things to learn and to train one's self to do.  The learning curve gets steeper as you go.  It isn't difficult to go from awful to not awful but further progress can be, and often is, a mental and physical chore.  I wouldn't recommend setting any arbitrary goals.  Your game will improve if you devote time, and thought, to it.  Consider that enough.  And keep in mind that 90% of us will never, despite our best efforts, find ourselves in the top 10%.  

It's a wonderful game and one that can be played, and enjoyed, till you've one foot in the grave and the other on a bar of soap.  Take what it has to offer and be thankful for the opportunity.

And good luck.  

[Vinsk]

Welcome to TST. Taking lessons is a step in the right direction. Golf is one of if not the only sport where practicing hours and hours can lead to zero improvement or even make you worse. You have to learn to practice correctly. This site is filled with information that can help you. 

And this is a place you can film your swing and get free advice to keep you on track or even discuss what your instructor is working on with you.

Cheers.

 

[dennyjones]

Welcome to TST.    You've received some great advise.   Find a good instructor, or online like Evolvr.   

 

[2019Golfer]

Thank you all for the very helpful replies. I will upload my swing and go from there. It's a great game that I'm addicted to already - just want to try not to waste hundreds of hours practising the wrong things!

[aaguirr]

I am in a very similar situation. My step father introduced me to the game at a very young age but it never quite developed into anything serious. I finally decided that I am going to get serious about learning golf. I've been hitting the driving range at least twice a week for the past month now and spent countless hours watching videos on youtube on how to improve your swing. I find that a lot of the videos on there have really helped me a lot contrary to what many might say. So far though the best tip I've come across was from my step father who told me to fix my grip after I sent him one of my swing videos. It appeared that I had very weak grip and my right thumb wasn't looking down the left side of the club (I am a righty). I can't stress the importance of this. This was the main culprit for why I kept inconsistently hooking and slicing the ball off the tee at the range. Having improved my grip I have been hitting the ball straight pretty consistently as of late. This has definitely been one of the biggest revelations for me thus far of which I'm sure there are many many more to come. Today I scheduled my first one hour lesson after work with a pro and really looking forward to it. Hoping to be course ready in no time. Good luck with your journey!