Played in first tournament on Saturday

[Scott L]

Hi guys, Im new here, in fact Im pretty new to golf all together. I have been playing about 1 year exactly now. But sad part is I have only played about 10 times total. Im 27 and have always been semi athletic (played sports in school). But I tell you what, golf is by far harder than any other sport I have attempted. But at same time, alot more fun (maybe because Im older.. lol)

Like I said I dont have alot of expierence so I am litterally learning something new each and every time I go out. On a typical day I shoot in the low 100's. I would probably say 105-110 is my average, and my best even was a 99 but it was on crappy par 3/4 walking course. So I dont really count it as breaking 100 yet... I saved my first PAR ball and actually have a few pars now, but still waiting on that first birdie...

On Saturday I was invited to play in a tournament with some buddies. I was a little nervous because for one Im so new and not very good and for another I had never played in a tournament. But it was a 4 man scramble and I had ALOT of fun. In fact I bet I played one of my best all around golf games to date, but problem is I had this one guy on my team who was an awesome scratch golfer (guess not really a problem) and everytime I hit a good shot, he was up next and hit a wonderful shot.... We did end up using a few of my hits throughout the day, but probably 80% of them were used by this one guy... lol


Anyway, Im now motivated to get better and play more often. Im thinking of taking some lessons but not sure who to go to or where to go... Anyone have any tips/hints for finding a good instructor in your area?

[lamebums]

Anyway, Im now motivated to get better and play more often. Im thinking of taking some lessons but not sure who to go to or where to go... Anyone have any tips/hints for finding a good instructor in your area?

If you are just starting out, hit the driving range. Find out who the range pro is, and see if he's any good - basically, ask what he shoots, and what other people around the range have thought of him. And go ahead and schedule a few lessons with him if it's positive. It'll work wonders for your game. I went from a 30-ish handicap to a 15 after five lessons spread out over the course of a month.

As an alternative, if you're really cheap, just hit a bucket of balls next to the pro giving a lesson, and just listen in for a few tips. And, if you're paired with people on the golf course, try to find someone slightly better than you. It'll put pressure on you to do your best. (Don't get someone who's way ahead of you, though - he will just get irritated waiting for you to hack your way down the fairway).

[Shindig]

Like I said I dont have alot of expierence so I am litterally learning something new each and every time I go out. On a typical day I shoot in the low 100's. I would probably say 105-110 is my average, and my best even was a 99 but it was on crappy par 3/4 walking course. So I dont really count it as breaking 100 yet... I saved my first PAR ball and actually have a few pars now, but still waiting on that first birdie...

Those 3/4 walking courses aren't so crappy: they're a great way to hone in your short game and to be able to hit a 9-iron into a green without needing to crush a drive.

Your first birdie will come. Mine did on a par-3 course one day, almost a year ago (saved that ball). You hit a green and you make a putt: it happens.

On Saturday I was invited to play in a tournament with some buddies. I was a little nervous because for one Im so new and not very good and for another I had never played in a tournament. But it was a 4 man scramble and I had ALOT of fun. In fact I bet I played one of my best all around golf games to date, but problem is I had this one guy on my team who was an awesome scratch golfer (guess not really a problem) and everytime I hit a good shot, he was up next and hit a wonderful shot.... We did end up using a few of my hits throughout the day, but probably 80% of them were used by this one guy... lol

The point of golf is to have fun. There's a little bit more to it, but if you're having fun (and not ruining the fun of others), the number at the end isn't the issue. And it's when you stop caring about the score that it goes well :)

Anyway, Im now motivated to get better and play more often. Im thinking of taking some lessons but not sure who to go to or where to go... Anyone have any tips/hints for finding a good instructor in your area?

My suggestion: see what types of lessons the guy is giving. I chose my pro on account of being at the range, next to him (not on purpose - was just struggling and not paying attention to which mat I chose to use for practice). He taught a guy who must've been a scratch golfer or close to it, having him hit all sorts of types of shots; draws, fades, punches, land it and roll it, etc. Meanwhile, I'm not making contact with my pitching wedge. Then his next lesson comes along, a 5-year-old girl. And he gets her hitting it consistently. I finished my bucket mid-way through the lesson, and sat on a bench nearby. After the lesson, I asked for his card, and started lessons soon thereafter. Dropped 60 strokes from my game in under a year (I wish he could do that again, I'd be shooting in the 40s!).

In short, go see who the range pro(s) are - and I mean the pros, not everyone offering advice on your swing. Find one who teaches well, plays well, and that you get along with. You know how in school the teachers you felt comfortable around but who still cared about teaching were generally the ones you learned from? Same deal. See who their clients are. Do they teach the same swing to everyone? You can get that from a book. I know my pro teaches a variety of different swings to different people based on their ability, body type, and probably factors he knows about that I don't. If they tailor what they teach to what you can do, to get you on the right path, that's who I think you want.

As an alternative, if you're

I suggest against this; see above. Unless the person taking the lesson looks and plays a lot like you.

And, if you're paired with people on the golf course, try to find someone slightly better than you. It'll put pressure on you to do your best. (Don't get someone who's way ahead of you, though - he will just get irritated waiting for you to hack your way down the fairway).

Great suggestion. My friends and I seem to form a chain with me in the middle. I have a friend who plays to scratch, another that's about a 9 handicap, another that's about 20, Y.T., a friend who shoots about 110, and then some who take tens and pick it up (for interest of speed and not agitating the folks behind us). The folks just a bit better than you motivate you to get better.

[jmurdock]

Hit the range and also work on your short game. That will lower your scores faster than anything else. You putt every hole and by your handicap, Im sure you are chipping almost every hole as well. Work on those 2 things and you will see a dramatic improvement.

Also, you cant have a 40 handicap. The highest handicap is 36.

[CG031]

Also, you cant have a 40 handicap. The highest handicap is 36.

Haha, yeah. Check out GOLF magazine too, you can find a lot of beginner tips in there, I found a couple when I was just learning. I just started last year as well, granted I'm now a 19 handicap but at one time I was a beginner just like you. I've only taken like 2 lessons, but my dad played college golf so he basically taught me, so I get it could be considered more lessons then that.

The biggest thing for me was to just play. I played like twice a week last summer, and thats when I consistently started to break 100...

[twnuck]

I agree - hit the range and practice your short game. In fact, if you can just drive the ball without getting in trouble and couple that with a good short game your score will go down quickly.

Playing in tournaments is a good way to find out your weaknesses. Even when you think you're game is on fire you will be introduced to new threats at each tournament as soon as stress takes over

Todd