New golfer looking for a bit of advice

[bbwrenn]

Hey all,

I've got a brother who recently got into golf and he's having a great time. I've played enough frisbee golf over the years to know I like the game of golf itself, and would definitely like to learn the real thing. So, having never swung a club, I'm thinking the first thing to do is get some lessons - but I wanted to double check on that with people who've been there and done that.

So basically my question boils down to this - do you think I should get some lessons starting from absolute scratch, or go and practice a bit on my own first and get lessons to help with what I'm doing wrong? The answer seems obvious - the first one, but before I go and spend several hundred dollars banking on that, I thought it would be wise to get a bit of advice from you guys.

Thanks for your help.

[bbwrenn]

For what it's worth, I've got a basic set of equipment, some clubs, clothes, gloves, shoes - I just need to know where to start with playing. I inherited all the gear I need to start from my old man. It's not the best, but it's not complete junk - I think it will let me learn the game just fine.

[Lihu]

Hey all,

I've got a brother who recently got into golf and he's having a great time. I've played enough frisbee golf over the years to know I like the game of golf itself, and would definitely like to learn the real thing. So, having never swung a club, I'm thinking the first thing to do is get some lessons - but I wanted to double check on that with people who've been there and done that.

So basically my question boils down to this - do you think I should get some lessons starting from absolute scratch, or go and practice a bit on my own first and get lessons to help with what I'm doing wrong? The answer seems obvious - the first one, but before I go and spend several hundred dollars banking on that, I thought it would be wise to get a bit of advice from you guys.

Thanks for your help.

See if you can get some instruction first.

Start off with 5SK. Click on this link http://thesandtrap.com/t/73197/so-you-joined-tst-and-posted-a-member-swing-thread to get started with this site.

For what it's worth, I've got a basic set of equipment, some clubs, clothes, gloves, shoes - I just need to know where to start with playing. I inherited all the gear I need to start from my old man. It's not the best, but it's not complete junk - I think it will let me learn the game just fine.

Welcome to TST!

[Patch]

Another way to save some coin, if one is available, check out your local college, and/or community college for golf swing classes.  They usually teach the many facets of playing golf in a group session, and are still a viable way to get some info on the golf swing. Maybe even you local golf course might offer group instruction which would cost way less than individual instruction. Some of these group instructions will also include other topics like course management, and perhaps the mental aspect of the game.

Then again, you can also pick your brother's brain. Since he is having fun with his own game, perhaps he can show you a few things so that you too can fun with the game.

[Lihu]

Another way to save some coin, if one is available, check out your local college, and/or community college for golf swing classes.  They usually teach the many facets of playing golf in a group session, and are still a viable way to get some info on the golf swing. Maybe even you local golf course might offer group instruction which would cost way less than individual instruction. Some of these group instructions will also include other topics like course management, and perhaps the mental aspect of the game.

Then again, you can also pick your brother's brain. Since he is having fun with his own game, perhaps he can show you a few things so that you too can fun with the game.

As I have not found beginners to be all that good at giving golf instruction, an alternative is to get lessons together.

[DrvFrShow]

Sign up for some group lessons or take a class at a community college in golf to get the basics.

I did not find beginners very helpful. I prefer finding a pro with a good reputation in your area and work with them. Best to learn the right way out the gate than to have to unlearn a bunch of bad habits.

[newtogolf]

I'd get some lessons before you develop any swing flaws.  It's easier to learn to swing properly the first time than to unlearn bad habits at the same time.  Even if you just get a couple to begin with it will help ensure you're on the right track.   I'd supplement them with setting up a MySwing thread here and posting frequently.

[Hammer 4]

Get the lessons..I could have saved a ton of time, money and grief if I had taken lessons from the get go..

[smaug81243]

Get the lessons but make sure you get them from a reputable instructor. I went with lessons upon starting and had a rather poor instructor. He was able to hammer in the concept of weight forward but wasn't good at teaching much else. If you want to develop a few good habits before you start lessons take a look at the 5 simple keys videos and begin with mirror work! It will be much more productive than heading to the range and just beating balls initially.

[bbwrenn]

Thanks for the welcome and responses everyone! I appreciate it. I got my gear together and am planning on scheduling a few lessons starting this week or next with an instructor in Raleigh, NC named Mike Sullivan. I hope he is one of the good ones! I am pretty excited! :)

[Hardballs]

Sign up for some group lessons or take a class at a community college in golf to get the basics. I did not find beginners very helpful. I prefer finding a pro with a good reputation in your area and work with them. Best to learn the right way out the gate than to have to unlearn a bunch of bad habits.

This ^^^^

[newtogolf]

Thanks for the welcome and responses everyone! I appreciate it.

I got my gear together and am planning on scheduling a few lessons starting this week or next with an instructor in Raleigh, NC named Mike Sullivan. I hope he is one of the good ones! I am pretty excited! :)

That's great, I wish I had gotten lessons from a good instructor when I first took up the game versus my buddies giving me some "tips" on how to swing.  Keep us posted on how your progress goes and create a MySwing thread so you can track your progress.