Newbie at 23

[QWKDTSN]

Hi guys!

I had a friend who was briefly interested in golf when we were both about 14 years old. He was spoiled so he had all the good clubs, including a Big Bertha, which had just come out and was the hottest thing ever.

I went to the driving range with him a few times, and played a few rounds, but never got hooked, and lost interest before he did (which didn't take very long).

I didn't touch a set of clubs until just recently, almost 10 years later; A bunch of friends were going out and I decided to tag along. I surprised myself by having great ball contact; I had a serious slice, but I wasn't flubbing the ball 10 feet down the course. Suddenly I had this strong upwelling of confidence and thought, wow, this game could really be fun again!

I bought a cheap but quality set of starter clubs and I've been hitting up the driving range every day after work (we have usable sunlight until 8:30 PM and later here in the pacific northwest!) and playing the occasional round of 9 holes. All I can think about every day is getting out on the course!

I'm debating joining my local golf club (a beautiful 18-hole course one mile from my house) and think I might as well, considering how much fun I've been having.

My goals are to work on my grip and swing and not even THINK about upgrading my equipment until I feel comfortable and solid. I have a history of materialism where I think that buying the latest piece of kit will help me when I really just need to work on my skills.

In any case, this looks like a great forum and I'm sure I'll enjoy hanging around!

Steve

[JYB]

hey dude.

i prob. golfed about 15x my whole life with my father until 2008. I've already been out 25 times this year and at the same age, 23, i'm just getting started with this game.

[Lefty731PM]

  QWKDTSN said:

My goals are to work on my grip and swing and not even THINK about upgrading my equipment until I feel comfortable and solid. I have a history of materialism where I think that buying the latest piece of kit will help me when I really just need to work on my skills.

How refeshing to read your post!

You have adopted an excellent approach to the game - and I'm not just referring to what I quoted above. As you read the posts on this forum you will discover many useful bits of information, and from what you wrote it sems like you'll be able to sort the wheat form the chaff. Regarding equipment, you are correct in identifying that it is skills rather than equipment that is key, but don't underestimate the importance of quality gear. I would recommend that you join that club and get involved in the golfing community there and enjoy the game. By doing this you will hopefully get in with a group of experienced players who know the rules and observe etiquette. Also, if you play in regular competitions you will quickly learn that that is the only way to play and that there is no such thing as a mulligan, gimme or preferred lie. One thing that I have found in 30 odd years of golf, and applies very much to this forum, is very simple. You can learn a lot from other golfers but don't listen to everyone. Good players don't boast about their game. Poor ones do. For example - I have never met a long hitter who talks about his length off the tee. Good golfers are more likely to play down their skills and let others judge them by their scores. Interesting......

[xTsUnAmI]

I just stumbled upon this site as well, I'm not too far from you. I've been playing since 14 though, so about 10 years w/ 3 year break from 21 till just this year. It's a great game, and seems you have a great mentalitly about it....

[Dent]

Great to hear you got back into the game again, good choice! Welcome

Dent

[QWKDTSN]

  xTsUnAmI said:

I just stumbled upon this site as well, I'm not too far from you. I've been playing since 14 though, so about 10 years w/ 3 year break from 21 till just this year. It's a great game, and seems you have a great mentalitly about it....

Are you a Nicky Hayden fan?

This is me last year at MotoGP in Laguna Seca...

[OrlandoGolfBlogger]

I wrote a post yesterday on my blog that you might want to check out. GolfDigest.com is in the middle of their Golf Digest Challenge 2008 and it could be a good way for you to get some free advice and tutorials on now to improve your game. Check it out, they're doing weekly drawings and a grand prize.

[xTsUnAmI]

  QWKDTSN said:

Are you a Nicky Hayden fan?

Hell yeah I am... I grew up racing motorcycles and raced against Nicky when we were both kids, back in his flat track days... Obviously he went on to great things, but I know Roger, and Nicky... Both really cool guys.

Thats a sick picture bro, laguna is sick... I just wish I could to watch a GP race in the states... Indy would be awesome.

[QWKDTSN]

  xTsUnAmI said:

Hell yeah I am... I grew up racing motorcycles and raced against Nicky when we were both kids, back in his flat track days... Obviously he went on to great things, but I know Roger, and Nicky... Both really cool guys.

Wow... that is awesome!

I am going back to Laguna this summer.... I am working the track again. It's an amazing deal. Free VIP passes, free camping, spend your days trackside, free coffee and donuts in the mornings, the lunch of your choice, and free beer at the end of each day, and they pay you for your time... I got to pick up wrecked bikes 3 times over the weekend... it's an amazing adrenaline rush. You can see my Track jersey covered in signatures... i got to meet just about everybody on the circuit. If you can make it down, it's an awesome time! If you're interested in working the track, pm me... Here's another few pics, I'm not trying to show off, you have it much much better than me actually knowing some real legends - but last year's race was the most amazing time of my life bar none and just thinking about it makes me happy!

[xTsUnAmI]

dude that is really sick, I've been to Laguna before, just for a track day back when I actually raced, the track is sick.. What corner did you work? I'm guessing w/ the picture of Nicky's bike you were working turn 1, just sitting on a GP bike would give me a hard on.

I remember coming up to the cork screw for the first time, after only seeing it on TV... TV doesn't do it justice, it's a 3 story drop damn near.

If at all possible I would love to make it down there and work the track, how did you get that gig anyways? It sounds like an awesome hook up, and probably some of the best seats in the house...

[QWKDTSN]

I worked turn 11, which is the last turn before the front straight. Great because you get to see the riders rail out of turn 10, bang several downshifts, and then roar away up the straight.

To work the track you need to join the US Auto Race Marshalls, USARM. http://www.usarm.org

You have to fill out the membership application and send $35, and fill out the USGP form. If you are interested you need to think quickly because I think they are closing the application period TOMORROW (May 15)!!

You get paid $200 at the end of the weekend and basically everything is free. Better seats than anyone else, and FREE, with the chance of picking up crashed bikes and helping riders get started again. Free camping, etc, etc.... Instead of spending $200-500 for tickets and camping you get paid to be there, and you get much better 'seats'.... Yes, you are there to work, but working involves standing on the side of the track and watching the bikes scream by!

I want to do a trackday there, but I can't afford it. I do trackdays right near you at Pacific Raceways.

[mikey4644]

Heh, I feel the same way. Starting out new at age 21, and already went through 2 drivers! Is it just me or is titanium an over statement :P