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Looking to take up golf; need advice

MacFreak

By MacFreak,
in Instruction and Playing Tips

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MacFreak Member

MacFreak

Hi!

Now that I've got the means and the time, I'm going to try to take up golf.

Advice from the learned — instructors, clubs, etc. — would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Golf Newbie
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Mrd19abhs Dedicated Member

Mrd19abhs

Good luck and welcome to a great game.

WITB:

  • Driver: Titleist TSR3 8.0 A3, Badazz 60g S
  • Hybrid: Cobra Baffler 17*
  • Irons: T200 P-4
  • Wedges: Callaway X Forged 48*,56*,60*
  • Putter: Ping Anser Milled 
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BallStriker Great Member

BallStriker

Profiling you, I am guessing that you are highly intelligent, creative and a bit of a rebel.....I ultimately think you will find yourself to be a "feel" player and it may be a bad idea to get caught up in too much swing mechanics right off the get go.

My advice is try and find an instructor who thinks similarly -- he will start you off with some solid fundamentals, but let you feel your way around w/o overdoing the mechanics.

As for clubs, I would suggest getting a used set of game improvement irons off of e-bay -- there is no use getting fitted until you develop solid swing fundamentals.

Lastly........never ever ever get frustrated...improvement will come, but not without fun along the way.....at the end of the day, it is just a silly old game.

"Getting paired with you is the equivalent to a two-stroke penalty to your playing competitors"  -- Sean O'Hair to Rory Sabbatini (Zurich Classic, 2011)

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Shindig Incredible Member

Shindig

Don't fall for the problem of buying expensive new clubs. Figure out what you want to spend, get yourself a decent - possibly used - set of clubs, and spend money on instruction so you don't fall into bad habits at the beginning.

If you have friends who play and take lessons, they might suggest a good instructor for you. If said instructor can let you borrow you clubs for a lesson or two, you might get an idea from that what type of clubs (and specifications) to pick up.

-- Michael | My swing! 

"You think you're Jim Furyk. That's why your phone is never charged." - message from my mother

Driver:  Titleist 915D2.  4-wood:  Titleist 917F2.  Titleist TS2 19 degree hybrid.  Another hybrid in here too.  Irons 5-U, Ping G400.  Wedges negotiable (currently 54 degree Cleveland, 58 degree Titleist) Edel putter. 

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redsox98 Established Member

redsox98

Don't do it! It is the best worst thing you will ever pick-up! Just kidding. Have fun, don't get frustrated, and be patient, Remember a bad day on the golf course is better than a great day at work!!!

In My GT Stand Bag

Driver L5V 10.5*
Fairway Wood S2 15*
Hybrid 20* IronwoodIrons Eye 2 BeCu 4-PW (have the 2 and 3)Wedges C3 56* and 60*Putter Zing iWiShoe Air Tour Saddle Ball e7

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Slammin' Sam Well Established Member

Slammin' Sam

I don't know what golf instructors at the courses charge these days, but a good way to learn the game is to take a course on introductory golf or basic golf at your local community college. Very frequently, pros at the local courses teach those classes and they're not expensive. As for clubs, buy used; wait until you've built up a degree of proficiency & make sure you enjoy the game before splurging for a really nice set.
My Implements of Destruction (carried in a Hoofer Lite bag):

DRIVER: Big Bertha Diablo 10 degree draw, Aldila regular flex
FAIRWAY WOODS: G2 14 degree 3 wood & 17 degree 5 wood
IRONS: S59 3-PWWEDGES: M/B 54, 58, & 60 degree PUTTER: I Series Anser 4 (or G5i Anser, Anser 2F, or original...
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imtomtomim Great Member

imtomtomim

Well, I'd definitely suggest getting a couple lessons to learn the fundamentals. Starting with good habits is a lot easier than correcting bad ones.

Equipment wise, have you played the game? If you know you're gonna be addicted, I'd say start out looking for a used set from a mainstream brand. If it doesn't really matter to you and you're not obsessed like a lot of golfers tend to be (myself inclueded), maybe you should take a look at a box set.

Welcome to the game and good luck!
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MacFreak Member

MacFreak

  • Author

Thank you all.

Profiling you, I am guessing that you are highly intelligent, creative and a bit of a rebel.....I ultimately think you will find yourself to be a "feel" player and it may be a bad idea to get caught up in too much swing mechanics right off the get go.

Thank you.

I would not, however, describe myself as a rebel. I'm actually a bit conservative in many regards. Some might find me eclectic to a certain extent in other areas. And, just for the record: I'm a former ballplayer. I obsessed with swing mechanics. I expect golf will be the same.
My advice is try and find an instructor who thinks similarly -- he will start you off with some solid fundamentals, but let you feel your way around w/o overdoing the mechanics.

My old coach said that the easiest way to not have to get out of bad habits is to not acquire them in the first place.

Of course, I cleaned the quote up significantly.
As for clubs, I would suggest getting a used set of game improvement irons off of e-bay -- there is no use getting fitted until you develop solid swing fundamentals.

I was thinking about used clubs. No eBay. I'd rather see before I buy. I'll go with Craigslist.

Lastly........never ever ever get frustrated...improvement will come, but not without fun along the way.....at the end of the day, it is just a silly old game.

Yeah. Plus it'll get me out of the house and I'll get some exercise.

Golf Newbie
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MacFreak Member

MacFreak

  • Author
Well, I'd definitely suggest getting a couple lessons to learn the fundamentals. Starting with good habits is a lot easier than correcting bad ones.

Thank you.

I played a couple of rounds years ago. However, my budget then didn't allow me to pursue the game.
Golf Newbie
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nevets88 Incredible Member

nevets88

  • Moderator
For used clubs, you can go to I'm guessing Golf Galaxy (never been to SW OH, only NE OH). I'm betting they'll have a used irons section. Same for wedges, woods and putters.

What I'd do if I were starting up:

Go to youTube and look at a variety of swings in real time and slow motion, from behind and front and get a feel for the what a golf swing looks like. Also look at the closeups of where irons and woods make contact with the ball, see where the sweet spot is.

Get a camera that records video with a high fps spec. There's a cheap Casio for $110. Use it.

Get lessons, but the hard part is finding a good instructor. They're hard to find. I wish I could tell you how to do so, but I have no bloody clue, other than trial and error.

I'd start small first, with chipping and pitching and with the shorter irons, SW - 7I.

Know that hitting off mats is alot different than real grass. Fake grass is better than astroturf mats, but there is no substitute for practicing off real grass.

Hit the ball first, your divot should be ahead of the ball.

Good night and good luck!

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

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ks8829 Great Member

ks8829

Have fun, enjoy the game, if you practice, practice from the hole backwards and spend 90% of your practice time working on the short game, putting, chipping and pitching within 50 yards, within 100 yards.

play 9 hole courses with a friend.

Titleist 910 D2 9.5 Driver
Titleist 910 F15 & 21 degree fairway wood
Titleist 910 hybrid 24 degree
Mizuno Mp33 5 - PW
52/1056/1160/5

"Yonex ADX Blade putter, odyssey two ball blade putter, both  33"

ProV-1

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sean_miller Incredible Member

sean_miller

Hi!

The best way to maintain your "means and time" would be to keep driving past the golf course. This is easily the most time consuming and expensive hobby I've ever had.

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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WUTiger Incredible Member

WUTiger

...

If you buy used clubs, it helps to know something about the game, or have someone who knows golf help you.

Also, consider boxed sets. You get enough clubs to get you started, plus a bag. http://thesandtrap.com/bag_drop/club...der_boxed_sets And as an added bonus, the secrets of golf! http://thesandtrap.com/trap_five/fiv..._for_beginners

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking Academy: Fitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

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MacFreak Member

MacFreak

  • Author
The best way to maintain your "means and time" would be to keep driving past the golf course. This is easily the most time consuming and expensive hobby I've ever had.

Um, aren't you supposed to be

encouraging me in my future endeavor than discouraging me? Everything is relative, my friend. I have a relative who's a member of the local course.
Golf Newbie
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sean_miller Incredible Member

sean_miller

Um, aren't you supposed to be

I'm probably doing you a favour, but it's your life.

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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