Golf and Girls...

[Dominic]

Hey everyone. My girlfriend really wants me to teach her to golf. She watched me at our state meet, and has wanted to try since then. I'm going to let her use my moms old clubs, but my real question is what is the best way to teach a beginner so its enjoyable. I don't want her to try it once and then quit. Thanks guys!

[microcrayfish]

Get her lessons. Maybe a group lesson so you can get some benefit out of it too. It's hard enough trying to teach a beginner golf without it being your girlfriend too.

[GaijinGolfer]

I say just take her to the driving range and let her hit some golfballs. Dont focus too much on her having perfect form or swing mechanics right away, just let her have fun.

[ks8829]

Start at the putting green, chipping and pitching from within 100 yards. but group lessons with a girlfriend or another couple will make it fun and enjoyable.

[Dominic]

Thanks for the advice guys, but I don't know if ill be able to pay for group lessons. I'm in high school and have to worry about buying gas and insurance.

[flopdarock]

do not... i repeat... DO NOT teach your gf how to play... trust me on this...
ive been down that road... whatever you do... get her lessons so she can get pissed/frustrated at the pro and not you... i learned the hard way...
spent big bucks on clubs/bag/colored balls/"cute" golf clothes/stuffed animal headcovers... when i shoulda got her lessons!!!
thank god we have two lpga pros at our course cuz my girl woulda threw all that gear in the dumpster if not for them... even if we are playing together... i dont even say 1 word... except "wow babe... good shot"

[whetstone]

Find a girlfriend who already knows how to play.

[whetstone]

You just described my wife's foray into golf. Now I have to play with her once a week when the weather's nice.

  flopdarock said:

do not... i repeat... DO NOT teach your gf how to play... trust me on this...

[flopdarock]

lol... yeah... when i was "teaching" her... lets just say i spent alot of time sleeping on the couch after her "lessons"... i think she expected me to show her how to hit balls the way i do and when the results werent like mine... the frustration level went thru the roof no matter how much i niced things down

[lobsterzilla]

i second get lessons for her. I've never had my girlfriend explode at me... but she's EXTREMELY competitive and well educated, and when she doesn't master something instantly she becomes incredibly frustrated... There have been a couple tear filled range sessions followed by silence on the way home. She's starting lessons first of the year.

[Supermanwoot]

  lobsterzilla said:

i second get lessons for her. I've never had my girlfriend explode at me... but she's EXTREMELY competitive and well educated, and when she doesn't master something instantly she becomes incredibly frustrated... There have been a couple tear filled range sessions followed by silence on the way home. She's starting lessons first of the year.

LOL. If you teach the gf, she will hate you for everything you didnt have time to teach her and for every bad shot she makes. GF/Wife is more like a rival so get her lessons but be wary.

[Ben]

  whetstone said:

Find a girlfriend who already knows how to play.

Hilarious!

  Dominic said:

Thanks for the advice guys, but I don't know if ill be able to pay for group lessons. I'm in high school and have to worry about buying gas and insurance.

Whew, taking on a an absolute beginner is quite an undertaking! Start her slow and explain to her that it takes time to get going in this game. She's not going to pick it up in just one lesson, or even two or ten. My first lesson to a beginner is an introduction to stance, posture, grip, and the first part of the swing. Half backswings and half follow-throughs. Focusing on proper form. Like said keeping it light and easy. I like to learn by watching. Maybe take a club and make this little half swings yourself, make it look as simple and easy as possible. As she improves step up to the full backswing and full follow-through.

Most importantly do not take about what not to do. That will only lead to more doing what she's not, supposed to do. Make sure you explain the moves in what she is supposed to do. Always stay positive and always praise good performance.

[DBeane]

Tie up her feet and hands, then throw her in a lake. If she floats, then she is a witch - burn her at the steak. If she drowns - she is innocent. Women and golf don't mix well. However, I do know couples that enjoy the game together, they seem to be the exception though.

Just buy her a little dog or something cute to distract her until she forgets about it.

For further study, I would refer you to the movie "A league of their own"; particularly, Tom Hanks comments when his charecter was asked if he would like to coach a womens baseball team.

Good luck with your decision,

-Beane

[Parker0065]

  DBeane said:

Tie up her feet and hands, then throw her in a lake. If she floats, then she is a witch - burn her at the steak. If she drowns - she is innocent.

Dude, thats too funny!!!! Maybe they could take up a new sport where they both stink at it,,,,it would make things a lot easier!

But on a more serious note, if your going to teach someone you care about then you have to have patience, patience, patience. My son is 12 and a very good golfer, he's been playing since he was 4 and I do give him advice from time to time but as far as teaching, I let our Pro handle that. It's just better to have that disconnect from the emotions of teaching someone you have a close relationship too. Maybe if your Father or another adult you know that is a good player would be willing to work with your girlfriend in showing her the basics would be a good idea. I would say have one of your teamates show her but I remember how Highschool was and they might be more interested in hitting on her than teaching her,,lol. Good Luck!

[mike00000888]

Found an interesting trick from my pro.... start her off with a wedge at the range for an hour. It will get the ball up with almost no training, and puts her in a good mood. It sets the stage for much easier dialogue, say, about "next lessons", which would be the real lessons.

[nike_golf]

your in high school yet? odds are that she just wants to try something different and since you already do it, and she sees you doing it, she wants to do it too........

I would suggest to simply discourage her..... you don't have the time to teach her and/or drag her around while you try to play and get better yourself.....

I can about guarantee its a passing fad with her..... it wasnt that long ago I was that age too...... I remember my high school sweetheart, and I remember how 17 and 18 year old kids are........

Trust me, she will be alright with whatever she likes to do and you will be fine sticking to the golfing game by yourself.....

I have taken a girl golfing with me a couple times..... she was there to sit in the cart and look good.......

[TheLauncher]

Sorry, but I think there is some bad advice in here. I she has asked to do something with you that you enjoy that is a great sign. I would just play it more as "we can go golfing together" (at the range or a pitch and putt or something) rather than "I will teach you how to play the game." You and she both need to understand that learning the game is not going to happen in a handfull of sessions, but this shouldn't keep you from trying it together. You will know pretty soon whether it's for her or not.

As others have said, be positive and don't get heavy-handed with the advice. No harm in just going to whack some balls together to see where it leads.

[Lefty-Golfer]

You are in HS...tell her you will see when you are done golfing. WTF

Don't be in a hurry to grow up, it will be here soon enough.