Newbie

[JohnC]

Greetings Everyone,

My first post on the Sand Trap. Started playing golf in 2010 after decades of getting my physical fix playing soccer since high school. Now, I turn 50 soon and it just hurts too much. Tried to keep up with my 17 and 14 year boys for one too many seasons. I coached them for years and played the game with them whenever possible. Luckily, I'm not in too bad a shape and I have full use of my knees, ankles, arms, etc. No serious injuries just a lot of bumps, bruises, broken bones, twists and sprains.

I felt like I needed a new hobby, or, I might end up limping the rest of my life.  So, I started swinging a golf club.

WHAM!

Now, I'm in trouble because I love to hit a golf ball. I mean, I really love to hit a golf ball. I cannot stand to have a day pass without hitting a golf ball. I will go out and hit golf balls in the rain, in the cold and in the scorching heat. I use every minute after work that is usable - as we say in the US Navy - I max out on the "pinky" time (dusk).

My wife thinks I have lost my mind. I don't care because, you guessed it, I love to hit the golf ball. I mean sometimes, I don't need to play. I just want to hit the damn ball.

Okay, I started off loggin 100 and 105's and a wicked slice. I just bought a set of clubs, started watching the Golf Channel and hit the range. I just set up like I thought it should look and started wackin' balls. Then, I realized this was the idiot method of learning golf and got a few lessons and read like hell. Got my game to the mid to low 80's. An average round for me is 83 to 85. I have carded an 80 once and had a 39 on 9 holes. Then, you guessed it, shot a 46 on the back nine. Thank heavens for ice, coolers and cold beer as it made everything much better. Anyway, It is a great challenge and I like the precision and mental focus required in the game.

Enough for now but wanted to get started.

Thanks,

John

[SCfanatic35]

Good job on getting your scoring down that much in a short time.  Welcome.

[JohnC]

SCFanatic, thanks. The move from 100s to 80s required a lot of reps on the range trying to hit a target and learning to piece together the moves that make a swing. John.

[dave s]

Sounds like you are well on your way, John.  Two comments:  1) Buy your wife a set of clubs and get her out there.  She'll love it like you do and golf will provide many hours of time together.  My wife is a 5th year player this season, does well and loves the game and the time we spend together.  2) Work on your short game.  If you are shooting 83-85 right now, limiting the errors around and on the green should result in breaking 80 real soon for you!

dave

[Crusher47]

Welcome....I'm hoping to shoot in the 80's soon

[JohnC]

Thanks on the tip with the wife. I'm going to try. Time will tell. She likes travel and the combo just might work.

That is one of the great ideas about this game. Everyone can have a legit goal. Some folks, i've learned we call them the "players", want a 60 or 70 something, Some want an 80, 90 something. That all can happen at the same time on the same course in a group of four. Good stuff.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by dave s

Sounds like you are well on your way, John.  Two comments:  1) Buy your wife a set of clubs and get her out there.  She'll love it like you do and golf will provide many hours of time together.  My wife is a 5th year player this season, does well and loves the game and the time we spend together.  2) Work on your short game.  If you are shooting 83-85 right now, limiting the errors around and on the green should result in breaking 80 real soon for you!

dave

DaveS - Point number 2 - I"m starting to learn that the hard way. You nailed it. I got Phil Mickelson's "Secrets of the Short Game" for Christmas and on the practice area I could really start to see some improvements. The "hinge and hold" is great but I've learned it takes a great deal of skill. I could work the "hinge and hold" in practice but it required a lot of reps to see results. Then, the next day, s**** city until I got the reps. Then, it started to work. The weather has been a little rough, so, I have only played two rounds since Christmas. The first I raked in an 89 due to 4 s***** around the green. The next round I saw some results. I had several pars with one putts due to real nice chips to with 3 to 5 feet. That was nice and a real "eye opener". I'm learning that the second shot, short irons on par 4 holes and good work within 50 yards is huge for scoring.