Things you would tell someone just starting out w/resp to improving

[soloredd]

Find a solid, repeatable grip and setup then go play. Play some more. And then some more. (Respectfully, that whole par 3-executive-twilight is asinine.)

I find most people that I know that start to play golf aren't trying to get on the tour, they just want to do something fun. And thinking about 100 different things isn't fun when you're new.

[Ctp722]

Originally Posted by Paradox

I dunno about that..with newcomers I see just the opposite.  I think that the more dialed in your game becomes, the more short game is important.  For people just starting out, getting the ball in the air is an accomplishment and hitting what resembles a golf shot is something they can hang their hat on for the round.

I guess it could go either way, if that is the case than I support the others that say hit down on the ball!

[iacas]

Originally Posted by soloredd

Find a solid, repeatable grip and setup then go play. Play some more. And then some more.

I have a different take.

I can think of two people we've taught basically within a few months of them taking up golf. Both broke 80 and both had their best scores in the low 70s. One has taken four or five lessons with us and is a 9 handicap. The other took only a one-day clinic with us and was playing to an 11 within six months of taking up the game.

Both worked very hard at their lessons. Both learned GOOD information from the get-go, and didn't develop bad habits.

So "play some more and more and more"? I disagree. If you want to get good at golf the most quickly, take lessons from a good or great instructor, and work at it, and don't veer from the path.

[Topper]

Originally Posted by nevets88

A proper strike - ball first, divot in front, hands forward, forward shaft lean, flat/bowed leading wrist. Slow mo closeup vid of iron strike.

Show where the sweetspot is on irons, woods, putter.

Bring person to professional event range - men, women, minors - to see ballflights and swings in person. Also short game area and how good they are.

Mats vs grass.

Start with small swings and chips and pitches.

Used clubs are out there for cheap.

Show slo mo vids of good swings from both angles.

Outline the philosophies out there - TGM, SnT, Rotary, 2 plane, etc...

How to use video to teach yourself and for online lessons.

Play par 3, then exec course, then reg course twlight, then reg course.

I'm into my second year of golfing and all I can say is that this game is made way too complicated for beginners.  Not that anything in particular is bad advice or wrong, but the focus for beginners is simplicity.  I would warn against reviewing swing philosophies since that is just about the antithesis of simplicity unless your objective is to mentally hamstring a beginner and create brain freeze through conflicting or complicated swing mechanics.

Based on my experience, I would stress swinging with minimum tension and basically let the club go where it goes.  Focus on helping them develop a proper relaxed grip with relaxed arms with relaxed shoulders making a swing that is relaxed and balanced.  The focus is on a smooth swing leading (hopefully) to consistent contact and getting the ball in the air.  Distance should not be the focus.  Other things can be introduced later.

[jshots]

The other day I was hitting balls on the range. There were two other men there who had told me they were new and clearly had never swung a golf club very many times. They asked me to give them advice...!?!?!? I really didn't know what to say as I'm no instructor but I told them some general things like keeping the left arm straight and the head still, and that you want to rotate without a ton of lateral movement in order to bring your clubface back to the ball square since that is the goal of the swing. I then told them if they really wanted to golf they should buy lessons from a pro.

This really made me think, what is the VERY first thing you should tell someone about a golf swing if they've never swung before because it seems to me that you can really gain or lose a lot of ground in the very beginning? I can't even remember when I first learned what I was told.