Where should I be after 5 months?

[x129]

I would still play some rounds where you do multiple shots. You can learn a lot by doing that. Obviously don't do it when the course is backed up. Just make a note not to count that score.

As far as removing clubs, that falls into the it depends category.  It might lower your score but it will slow down your development. Sure if you can't hit the 4 or 5iron, don't use them. But if you can't tee off with a 3 or 5 wood (or some hybrid in the same range), you probably should do a bit more practicing before playing.

Originally Posted by bobleeswagger

Good to know! Going forward, I'll discontinue the practice shots, staying in line with the consistent scorekeeping rationale. When I said "precisely" I should have said " I count penalty strokes and don't play mulligans."

[Crazysimon]

Recently getting better distance out of my irons, hitting my 7i about 140-150 now

Originally Posted by canuck63

8i for 150 yards is very good for beginner.  My 7i can barely reach 150 in a good day and I've been playing the game for years.

My only advice to the beginners is to take a lesson from proffesional instructor. My kids have been playing for less than 2 years but started out  taking lesson from a pro. They are kickig my ass any time we play now and I have spent over ten years playing the game lol.

[Crazysimon]

Thanks for the tips guys, I really want to keep working and getting better

[Meddle]

My advice for all new guys: read Ben Hogan's Modern Fundamentals of Golf and apply.

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by sacm3bill

Both you and the OP are doing great.

Technically, that's not by the book:

I think the rationale behind this rule is that practice strokes while playing, even though you don't count them, can help with your shots that you *are* counting, thus unfairly improving your score. (Sorry to be anal enough to point this out, but figured you might want to know.)

Originally Posted by bobleeswagger

Good to know! Going forward, I'll discontinue the practice shots, staying in line with the consistent scorekeeping rationale. When I said "precisely" I should have said " I count penalty strokes and don't play mulligans."

Scm3bill is correct, but I wouldn't discontinue the practice shots at this point (assuming you don't have anyone behind you that you could be holding up or pissing off).

While range practice is great you are also going to benefit by course practice as well.  Sure, if you start playing competitively you are going to have to learn how to right the ship without the benefit of a practice shot, but for now, the extra confidence and other benefits that this will give you is worth the technical rule violation.  I went to a practice round at Augusta last year and lots of the players were hitting extra shots both when they didn't like how they hit the first one and around the greens to see how various putts break and chips run out.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by MEfree

While range practice is great you are also going to benefit by course practice as well.  Sure, if you start playing competitively you are going to have to learn how to right the ship without the benefit of a practice shot, but for now, the extra confidence and other benefits that this will give you is worth the technical rule violation.  I went to a practice round at Augusta last year and lots of the players were hitting extra shots both when they didn't like how they hit the first one and around the greens to see how various putts break and chips run out.

No kidding. Why worry about the score when he's just learning to actually hit the ball?!?

[bobleeswagger]

Mmm...shot 105 today. Had to take 4 penalties on balls that I hit out of play. Not a great round but I hit the ball pretty well (if that makes sense.). Also learned to not dwell on bad holes/rounds and just move on. Next time I could well break 95.

[sacm3bill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEfree

Scm3bill is correct, but I wouldn't discontinue the practice shots at this point (assuming you don't have anyone behind you that you could be holding up or pissing off).

Agreed. (But note that they were hitting practice shots at Augusta because it was a practice round - and nothing prevents us amateurs from doing the same.)

Originally Posted by sean_miller

No kidding. Why worry about the score when he's just learning to actually hit the ball?!?

It's up to each individual to decide whether they want to keep score or not.  All I did was point out the practice ball rule - which the guy I pointed it out to said he was glad to know, btw.

[parbreaker]

You are doing very well for only 5 months of play.

As far as the "playing practice balls while playing" goes, it is up to you. Personally, I absolutely love doing it. I get to try different shots, try different things, etc. during playing conditions. It helps that I'm a member at a club where I can just go tee off in the afternoons when the course is near deserted. If there is anyone waiting on you then I wouldn't recommend it.

It isn't uncommon for me to play 2 or 3 balls at a time. Sometimes I'll play each ball all the way through the hole, and other times I'll hit a few then pick them all up except my first shot... it all depends. Sometimes I'll hit 4 drives, pick them all up, and then put the ball somewhere different that I didn't hit it just to try a different approach shot or something... or I'll hit a few out of bunkers sometimes.

Personally, I tend to only play 1 ball and keep exact score when I am playing with someone. When I'm by myself and just playing 9 during the afternoons, I hit multiple balls. I consider those more "practice" than playing a round of golf.

That's just what I do though.

[GJBenn85]

I have also only been playing for 5 months.  Only in the last month did I break 100, and it took me quite a few rounds to break 110.  My worst round was around 124 but had a tendency to hover between 106 and 116.  The last several rounds I have hit a legitimate 93, though I do also tend to play practice balls.  If the course is not busy, I will play two balls per hole.

The other thing that really helped me break 100 is improving my mental state.  I used to really get mad at myself for hitting a lousy shot; now I brush it off and say to myself, "Hmm...interesting" per advice from mental golf books.  This keeps me calm and allows me to learn from my mistakes rather than becoming so frustrated that I essentially give up.

One thing I find encouraging is that I am quickly catching up to someone that has been playing for 20 years.  That alone provides a mental boost that encourages me to keep my mind calm and clear so I can continuously shave off strokes.  I suspect I'll be breaking 90 within the next few rounds.

[cart7]

Then again, this is a game that's supposed to be fun. Telling a new golfer that he must play the ball as it lies and hack it out of 3" deep Bermuda rough is a sure way to ruin their enjoyment. Or making them hit it off a hardpan lie or divot in the middle of the fairway. The interest level will remain higher early on if a player is allowed those on course gimme's so his ability to make a more successful shot from that slightly improved lie is allowed. Instruct him/her so they understand that it's only allowed and that eventually, as their skill level improves, they'll want to work on making those same shots without improving a lie. Always remember, early on, just getting a consistent swing and making solid contact as often as possible is the goal. The rest comes with experience and confidence built knowing their swing and ability to make contact will allow them to make those harder shots.

[bobleeswagger]

There's obviously a plethora of information available on this forum.  Sounds like you're doing quite well as a relative beginner.  My next question, not to hyjack, is how to stay on top of it so you (we) aren't starting over in the spring?  Is there a good routine to go through over the winter to keep your swing sharp?

[djackson89]

Originally Posted by cart7

Then again, this is a game that's supposed to be fun. Telling a new golfer that he must play the ball as it lies and hack it out of 3" deep Bermuda rough is a sure way to ruin their enjoyment. Or making them hit it off a hardpan lie or divot in the middle of the fairway. The interest level will remain higher early on if a player is allowed those on course gimme's so his ability to make a more successful shot from that slightly improved lie is allowed. Instruct him/her so they understand that it's only allowed and that eventually, as their skill level improves, they'll want to work on making those same shots without improving a lie. Always remember, early on, just getting a consistent swing and making solid contact as often as possible is the goal. The rest comes with experience and confidence built knowing their swing and ability to make contact will allow them to make those harder shots.

Well yes, but the OP was stating the value he found in playing by the rules to truly gauge where his game was. We could do into much bigger details about the could and should do's for most beginners. Good point.

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by parbreaker

You are doing very well for only 5 months of play.

As far as the "playing practice balls while playing" goes, it is up to you. Personally, I absolutely love doing it. I get to try different shots, try different things, etc. during playing conditions. It helps that I'm a member at a club where I can just go tee off in the afternoons when the course is near deserted. If there is anyone waiting on you then I wouldn't recommend it.

It isn't uncommon for me to play 2 or 3 balls at a time. Sometimes I'll play each ball all the way through the hole, and other times I'll hit a few then pick them all up except my first shot... it all depends. Sometimes I'll hit 4 drives, pick them all up, and then put the ball somewhere different that I didn't hit it just to try a different approach shot or something... or I'll hit a few out of bunkers sometimes.

Personally, I tend to only play 1 ball and keep exact score when I am playing with someone. When I'm by myself and just playing 9 during the afternoons, I hit multiple balls. I consider those more "practice" than playing a round of golf.

That's just what I do though.

Have you ever played 2 balls and then pick up your better one?  A very good way for a strong player to see how good your misses are.  Do that all the way to the hole and shoot close to par and you are really playing well.

Originally Posted by bobleeswagger

There's obviously a plethora of information available on this forum.  Sounds like you're doing quite well as a relative beginner.  My next question, not to hyjack, is how to stay on top of it so you (we) aren't starting over in the spring?  Is there a good routine to go through over the winter to keep your swing sharp?

Others will probably offer better advice but I would say to putt inside with something like Peltz's truth board and also do a little chipping (and possibly "pitching" with a wiffle ball.  I would also recommend visualization exercises (picture yourself hitting good shots on your home or other courses you can remember before falling asleep) and do a golf conditioning program (or some sort of conditioning program with some golf related exercises and stretching).

[ggolokin]

i think greg norman started playing at 18 yrs old and got to scratch within that year. aim for that :) hahah

unreasonable i know :P