If you had to do it all over again, what would you do?

[inthehole]

wouldn't have waited until I was 46 years old to hit a golf ball.    The only thing I would not do again as a new player is spend alot of money on high dollar drivers - I hit my wife's crappy Acuity driver better than my K15 because its 3" shorter.      Eventually, I hope to work my way up to the Ping, but I've spent way too much money on 3 top quality drivers - should have spent alot more range time developing a swing & determining what I like first ...

[inthehole]

Originally Posted by Up & Down

I would hit left-handed since I am a right hander

'cause lefty equipment is so much cheaper ??

[bunkerputt]

Buy google.

[Pope33]

Well I started early enough (4 yrs old), played at a high level in high school, so I thought I knew everything.

Turns out, I haven't gotten any better than that for 20 years now. I wish I would have gone to an instructor early and often. I had all the skills, and still do, but now it's harder to change something I have been doing for many many years now.

Good Luck

[jgreen85]

Originally Posted by bunkerputt

Buy google.

buy apple in ~2004 when it was ~$14/share > buying google :)

[DocWu1948]

Well, I cannot go back and wish I had started golf in my 20's. I didn't have the money or time in those days.

If I could wind the clock back a bit, I'll just wish I had taken two more clubs on the first par 3 today and lined up my feet correctly on the 5 wood I pumped straight into the woods. That was six strokes wasted.

Oh, and maybe if I had read some of Bob Rotella's material a few years earlier, mental funkiness wouldn't have ruined so many rounds.

[x129]

Buying the right powerball ticket> buying apple:)

Originally Posted by jgreen85

buy apple in ~2004 when it was ~$14/share > buying google :)

[redranger]

I started hitting golf balls when I was 7. I think I started to go play on the course when I was like 9 or so. My parents loved to play and made me go play on the course. I hated to go out and play because I couldn't replicate my shots on the range to the course. Therefore I hate golf and only played in high school because my parents wanted me to.

If I could do it all over again, I'd tell myself that it's just a game and not to get too frustrated. I don't know if that would have helped since I was a stubborn child and used to having things come easily. If I had loved golf like I do now, things would be different. I'd also tell myself to spend more time on the putting/chipping green.

[The Recreational Golfer]

No changes. I started playing when I was 10 and made the most out of the few lessons and limited rounds that my parents were able to afford for me. Later on, golf had to take a back seat to life's more important demands. I am now able to fit golf into my life and am quite content with the way I play, and with my slow, but steady, improvement.

[Elvisliveson]

I wouldn't have taken any breaks from golf.

First break, age 11 - after playing full length par 3 course for year and half with my dad, I shot 47 for my first 9 holes on a regulation course. But, I got sunstroke and didn't play again until I was 14 and it took my a couple of years to regain my form.

2nd break, age 20 - after playing steady for 5+ years, and making my college golf team as a freshman, I quit for 2 years because I had my first real serious GF and she had a shore house.

3rd break - couldn't take 5 1/2 hour rounds at my local muni and wanted to chase girls down the shore, so I quit for 3 years. When I resumed, my life had changed so drastically that I lost total focus on my game, so my swing was a mess and my short game in shambles. It took me a dozen half-hearted years of playing before I rededicated myself and got back to a single digit handicap.

I just wish I had steadily stayed involved in golf througout the years instead of drifting in and out. I might have become a top amateur instead of a weekend hack.

[golftoday]

I agree that the gaps in playing have been my biggest regret. Not only has it limited my game, but to some extent, getting out on the course allows me to release an energy I can't at home or work.

[sean_miller]

I'd do the following:

Driving - exactly the same approach except I'd go persimmon sooner (started with maple laminate) and get the stiffest shafts I could handle.

Putting - I'd ignore anyone who insisted the left hand should be dominant

Short game - I'd get a wider soled sand wedge and practice that nice thump. I'd practice bunker shots every range session until I had zero fear (that took a while the first time around - deep rough no problem - bunkers? Not so much).

Clubs - I'd get forged blades (probably Mizuno or Wilson Staff) and get them bent and probably lengthened.

Balls - I'd try harder not to lose them in bunches

[slabm7]

I would have went and watched a pro event alot earlier, I took lessons, golfed alot, watched it on tv, read books but nothing showed me how a golf ball is supposed to be hit until I saw a pro do it. It completely changed my swing and how I approach each shot. I used to tell myself to hit down on the ball and always thought I did until I saw a pro hit and realized I wasn't even close. I changed my swing and at first my handicap went up but now its dropping quickly and I have never been more confident in my irons.

[tristanhilton85]

If anything, I guess getting into golf a bit earlier.... I started playing when I was a junior in high school; it would have been cool to play all four years.

[WUTiger]

I was the first one in my immediate family to get hooked on golf, and others were not particularly supportive of it. It was OK to caddie, but playing was considered foolish for the "non-rich."

I was self-taught for the first few years, and never had a good swing back then. I joined the military about age 20, and I wish then I had left my clubs at home and just let my swing "go fallow" as the farmers say. Then I could have started over again with focused lessons when I got out. Instead, I took my golf clubs with me, and continued to practice my "do-it-youself" swing.