Just one tip you'd pass on to a beginner...?

[WUTiger]

[billchao]

It's just a game. Have fun, enjoy yourself and the company of others. I've seen so many people play who take themselves so seriously that they're cursing at themselves every other shot and all I can think is, "Why do you pay money to aggravate yourself?"

[sooper8]

thanks for all these thoughts, very interesting!

[Tenerife]

Learn the game backwards.

Watch the club head hit the ball.

[David in FL]

It's just a game. Have fun, enjoy yourself and the company of others. I've seen so many people play who take themselves so seriously that they're cursing at themselves every other shot and all I can think is, "Why do you pay money to aggravate yourself?"

Or another way of looking at it......remember, you're not good enough to get angry!

[MiniBlueDragon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by billchao

It's just a game. Have fun, enjoy yourself and the company of others. I've seen so many people play who take themselves so seriously that they're cursing at themselves every other shot and all I can think is, "Why do you pay money to aggravate yourself?"

Or another way of looking at it......remember, you're not good enough to get angry!

Even now I struggle with this on occasion; I know what I'm capable of and when I fall so far short I get frustrated at myself even though it serves no purpose whatsoever to do it.

My single tip for a beginner would be to concentrate on impact conditions and extend the swing from there; impact with putting > impact with chipping > impact with 1/4 shots > impact with 1/2 shots > impact with full pitches > impact with full swings.

[GlasgowsGreen]

Keep your head still during the backswing - don't sway

AND

Slide your hip towards the target at impact and really get the weight on your left side - don't let your weight fall back even slightly!

[Hardballs]

A pork pie makes a great snack on the 9th hole!

[nevets88]

Another tip. Start using video. Correctly . Now. The faster you learn to "read" your swing along with a good pro, the better.

[Ernest Jones]

Don't pet a burning dog.

[BENtSwing]

Read Ben Hogan's 5 Lessons book.

[sooper8]

As the original poster, I'm just going to check I'm on the right track here....

So,before setting out, I'm going to read Ben Hogan's 5 rules. On the way to the course I'm picking up a pack of gum.

When I get there, I'm not going to rush or think too much.I'm all nice and relaxed... When I scuff a few , I'm simply going to shake my head and smile at the wonderful learning curve I'm on.

Then , while keeping my head still, and getting weight forward (but not swaying) and not intentionally try and hit the ball hard, I make a nice swing.

I'll stop for a pork pie at the 9th and enjoy the scenery and whistle my way back in to the club house, pretty pleased with the fact I hit a percentage of the balls better than might be expected by a beginner of my limited ability and advancing age.

This all sounds good, and more importantly, quite possible!

Thanks all!

(seriously though, I do appreciate your comments- great stuff)

[Ernest Jones]

DO NOT try to get impact to mirror address!

That's one of the stupidest things I hear people spouting. I'm glad I've learned how stupid and wrong that is.

[Hardballs]

Don't forget the pork pie, it's essential!

[sooper8]

I normally go for a 'Wrights Pies' but have recently found these Pat Gorman pies in Aldi to be most excellent!

(so, that's what that little zipped pocket on my carry bag is for?...keeping a pie in?)

[colin007]

Swing hard in case you hit it.

[mvmac]

I've hit balls in the past and tinkered around somewhat,played a few 9 holes but consider myself a novice and beginner...although I play many other sports pretty well but not competitively anymore.

So, if you could pass on just one (preferably simple) tip to a beginner like myself, what would it be?

That the club is designed to be hit with the grip end forward and your weight forward at impact.  This doesn't mean that this is automatically what you focus on, just understand it from a knowledge perspective.

And this

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/ball_flight_laws

[billchao]

Quote:

Originally Posted by David in FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by billchao

It's just a game. Have fun, enjoy yourself and the company of others. I've seen so many people play who take themselves so seriously that they're cursing at themselves every other shot and all I can think is, "Why do you pay money to aggravate yourself?"

Or another way of looking at it......remember, you're not good enough to get angry!

Even now I struggle with this on occasion; I know what I'm capable of and when I fall so far short I get frustrated at myself even though it serves no purpose whatsoever to do it.

I think we all do, at one point or another. I've learned to accept what @David in FL said above, that I'm just not that good. When I stopped having unrealistic expectations about my game, it became much easier to enjoy it.

Of course, there are some days where you really can't do anything on the course. Then I'll try to take in the scenery, enjoy the weather, whatever; just find something positive to hold on to. I still have the luxury to play a game that a lot of people in the world can't. It kind of puts things into perspective, for me.