Squid from Virginia

[Ogie]

Hi all from Virginia. Squid is a term used for new motorcycle riders so I thought I would roll it over to golf as well.

Been browsing the forums for a few days now and it seems to be a wealth of information so I figured I would register to solicit advice among other things.

Where do I start?

I was given a set of clubs from my father who doesn't play much anymore and have played 4 times on a course. All other experience was limited to the range and putt-putt. To make matters worse, I grew up playing baseball through high school and I swear that has doomed any potential for a good golf swing.

So the good:

A set of Callaway X-14 steelhead irons
3 & 5 wood VFT Callaways
ERC Callaway Big Bertha Driver with an 11 degree (recently snapped the shaft)
No name putter
Callaway Hawkeye bag

Who am I to complain? While I am not as familiar with the game or the equipment that comes with it, Callaway seems pretty popular (and expensive to me).

I've played at Beachwoods in Myrtle Beach, Blue Mash in Gaithersburg and Twin Lakes in Fairfax (for free through a hook-up).

My goal is to become a decent all around player who doesn't embarrass himself or have to take more than 1 tee shot because my ball is in the drink or the woods. Additionally, learning about etiquette & proper technique interests me as much as the game itself. I am not much of a reader, but if something catches my interest I'll get hooked. Plus I am activley looking for a decent instructor to take a few lessons from to diagnose my excuse for a swing.

Why do I all of a sudden like golf? One of the worlds hardest, expensive, frustrating games. Besides the relaxing atmosphere, that one good shot will always get you tome come back for more.

[Brady0626]

  Ogie said:

Hi all from Virginia. Squid is a term used for new motorcycle riders so I thought I would roll it over to golf as well.

my dad played college ball and he's pretty close to a scratch golfer. And I play baseball and my swing is looking decent.

[Open-Faced Club Sandwedge]

  Ogie said:

Hi all from Virginia. Squid is a term used for new motorcycle riders so I thought I would roll it over to golf as well.

Where do you live in Virginia?

-Andrew

[Ogie]

Centreville

[Open-Faced Club Sandwedge]

  Ogie said:

Centreville

We're neighbors. I live in Bristow (10 miles West of you). -Andrew

[Ogie]

I'm actually thinking about buying my next house there.

[Open-Faced Club Sandwedge]

  Ogie said:

I'm actually thinking about buying my next house there.

Now is the time, if you can get your current house sold. I bought my house here in February 2008, and I got it for about 40% less than it sold for in 2006. Property values are great for purchasers right now, as long as you're planning to stay in the house for at least 5-7 years to give the market time to correct itself.

-Andrew

[Yanks Fan]

Small world....I'm in Manassas lol.

How'd you like Twin Lakes? I was going to go play there a few weekends ago but played Bull Run instead, which I must say was a nice course.

[dgun]

welcome to the forum.

[Ogie]

Now is a good time to buy just about anywhere. We'll probably move within a year.

Twin Lakes is actually very nice for a county course. Good fairways and clean.

[Fraser]

Hello from another (non-native) Virginian. A little further down I-95 than you guys but fly through Dulles every six weeks or so and know the Manassas/Centreville area well due to the 234/28 shortcut from I-95

[Open-Faced Club Sandwedge]

  Fraser said:

Hello from another (non-native) Virginian. A little further down I-95 than you guys but fly through Dulles every six weeks or so and know the Manassas/Centreville area well due to the 234/28 shortcut from I-95

If/when traffic is bad on 95, you can actually bail out a lot earlier than 234, at Rt. 17 (near Fredricksburg). Take 17 North from 95 about 25 miles to 28, take a right on 28, and take that straight up to Dulles.

-Andrew

[Yanks Fan]

When isn't traffic bad in this area lol

[Fraser]

  Open-Faced Club Sandwedge said:

If/when traffic is bad on 95, you can actually bail out a lot earlier than 234, at Rt. 17 (near Fredricksburg). Take 17 North from 95 about 25 miles to 28, take a right on 28, and take that straight up to Dulles.

Ah yes, I know where you mean. Usually we get onto Route 1 and head north if I-95 is bad.

Fortunately 234 has recently been upgraded so getting through there is really quick now. Next time I might try that 17 route, cheers!