Help getting a buddy started

[GangGreen]

So I finally convinced a good friend of mine to come out to the range with me this weekend.  He really seemed to enjoy himself and I was quite surprised by how well he did seeing as this was his first time.  For my part, I offered one or two simple suggestions every now and again (mainly related to grip, posture, alignment) as I didn't want to overwhelm him with too many swing thoughts.  We stuck to the short-irons and kept all his swings at around 50% speed.

We didn't do any specific drills but I'd like to get him out to the range again a couple of more times before taking him out to a course (late afternoon when no one is really around, forward tees, no score keeping, etc.).

Any suggestions on things to do at the range and/or for his first time out would be appreciated.

[Sante TwoGloves]

have you considered a par 3 first?  i tried to get a friend going this year too. Took him to a par 3 and he loved it. gave him a whole set of clubs after that and they are still where I left them. :(

[BubblesUSMC]

This topic bugs me a bit because far too often I've seen friends ruin their friends possible new love for the sport by trying to shove exercises and skill sets down their throat when the person "instructing" them cant even tell you if they themselves have an inside out or outside in swing.

I start new people very simply... the way my father has started them for the last 40 years.

1. ball on a tee

2. mid iron

3. push the club back, pull the club forward, and watch the contact with the ball.

its that simple.  A new golfer gets more excited by just watching the ball fly then worrying about where their hands are at impact, etc. etc.

Besides, a new golfer needs to just swing the club more then anything.

After a few THOUSAND golf balls at the range with zero expectations, just letting them push the club back and pull the club forward, then we start talking about stance... and at that point, I'd send them to your local PGA pro, one that you've talked to... one that doesn't believe in one swing style over another. (thats harder to find then you think).

[GangGreen]

have you considered a par 3 first?  i tried to get a friend going this year too. Took him to a par 3 and he loved it. gave him a whole set of clubs after that and they are still where I left them. :(

That's a great idea, I was a little worried that he might get a little frustrated at a real course (even an easier, wide open course) but a par 3 course would be a great intro.

[stealthhwk]

I have just finished introducing a friend to the game. I kept the instruction at a minimum and just kind of let him get a feel for it. After just a couple range sessions we tackled a nearby course. I started him off with a 7 iron and a pitching wedge. Told him to relax and focus on contact. He had a blast and now hes hooked like the rest of us. Id also suggest 9 hole rounds as 18 can be a bit much for beginners in my experience. Another important aspect is teaching the etiquette. Like not being slow, allowing others to play thru, raking bunkers and not stepping in putting lines or talking during swings.

[GangGreen]

I have just finished introducing a friend to the game. I kept the instruction at a minimum and just kind of let him get a feel for it. After just a couple range sessions we tackled a nearby course. I started him off with a 7 iron and a pitching wedge. Told him to relax and focus on contact. He had a blast and now hes hooked like the rest of us. Id also suggest 9 hole rounds as 18 can be a bit much for beginners in my experience. Another important aspect is teaching the etiquette. Like not being slow, allowing others to play thru, raking bunkers and not stepping in putting lines or talking during swings.

Great, thanks for the suggestions.  Did you spend much time on the basic rules of play, I don't anticipate we're going to keep score but figured it would make some sense to point them out as we we went along.

[BubblesUSMC]

I'd keep it easy on the rule... VERY basic and then simple etiquette.  The game is hard enough to learn without throwing the USGA rules book at them too =P

But yeah if you have a par three course I HIGHLY recommend that for a first "golf round" experience.

[GangGreen]

I'd keep it easy on the rule... VERY basic and then simple etiquette.  The game is hard enough to learn without throwing the USGA rules book at them too =P

But yeah if you have a par three course I HIGHLY recommend that for a first "golf round" experience.

Cool, thanks.

[DaveP043]

I'd echo most of what has already been said here, easy on the instruction, no rules for now, and a short course for the first time.  But the single best thing you can do for your friend is to encourage him to get some professional instruction early on.  It doesn't have to be high-cost personal instruction, my wife started with a series of group lessons offered by the County Parks and Recreation.  I knew I wasn't qualified to teach her, and I bet you're not qualified either.  I don't mean that as an insult, but teaching golf is a whole lot different from playing it.

[GangGreen]

I'd echo most of what has already been said here, easy on the instruction, no rules for now, and a short course for the first time.  But the single best thing you can do for your friend is to encourage him to get some professional instruction early on.  It doesn't have to be high-cost personal instruction, my wife started with a series of group lessons offered by the County Parks and Recreation.  I knew I wasn't qualified to teach her, and I bet you're not qualified either.  I don't mean that as an insult, but teaching golf is a whole lot different from playing it.

Absolutely, I'm a huge believer in lessons (been taking them myself now for the past 2 years since I got back into the game).  I guess the trick, for lack of a better term, is getting him interested enough in the game to take lessons.  It was a no brainer for me, I fell in love with the game while I was in college many many moons ago, stopped playing for 15 years (kids, life, etc.) but made the I decision early on to get them when I started getting serious about playing again.