garrettdennert

I often find it extremely frustrating when I'm stuck between a slow group ahead of me and a fast group behind me, as it throws my game off a bit. Cherish the days where you, alone, or with a group, are not being pushed and prodded. It really is a great feeling, that nobody is out there watching you, it's just you and the course, the way it "should" be. A lot of people preach that you should have that mindset, that it should just be you and the course out there, no matter how many people are behind or in front of you, but I know this is much easier said than done. Sometimes you get people out there, like Lofty Lefty said, walking and stopping at each ball, and sometimes you have people behind you hitting into you. Without this, I feel the golf game prospers, because sure, your mind may wander, but it's more of a "happy" place than being frustrated with things you cannot control. So then things work together: no pressure, better game, and vice versa: if your game is going well, you're going to feel less pressure. Sorry, not sure how much this really applies to what was supposed to be answered in the discussion, just went for a rant I guess.

Well said, saevel25, there are so many variations out there, it's unreal. Some of them sound like horrible ideas to me, while others intrigue me. As of recently I've been hooking the ball, sometimes a lot more severely than intended, and while most of it is probably because I haven't been out too much this year, I'd like to attribute some of it to my grip. I have an interlock grip, one that's typically meant for smaller hands. It's worked for me in the past, as it's kept my hands working as one, though I feel that there is too much room that wrist hinge you're talking about, Unkynd. Sure, you want some wrist hinge, hell, sometimes you need it for extra power or for a better launch angle. But when you start getting too comfortable, and let your wrists practically break, you're only providing more routes for your swing to go bad-- unhinge well before you hit the ball, or well after. To repeat saevel25, it's all a matter of finding the grip that helps/matches your swing and body type the best.

Most of the time I'm kind of in a similar situation, where I haven't had the chance to properly warm up and get the first tee feeling a little out of sync. When I don't get to hit range balls or practice my putting, I focus a lot on stretching before I hit my first shot-- a variety of stretches targeting my hips, knees, shoulders and torso-- and when I hit my first shot, I try to swing confidently. If I do have some time to properly warm up, here's how I do it: - First thing you do is go to the practice green. Start with your short putts and work your way back to longer putts (sink 5 short ones in a row before you advance). Throw in a couple drills as well (Tee Drill or the Fringe Bump). - The second thing you do is pull out your lowest wedge (for me, the LW), and hit baby chips, working your way back with both club and distance as you begin to feel comfortable. Do the same with pitches if there is enough room. - The third thing you do is get a bucket of balls and go to the range, assuming the golf course you're at has one. I always hit off of grass and not the mats, just because it's a personal preference-- I focus on taking a divot and like to see that result to know if I'm hitting my irons as crisply as I'd like. Anyway, when on the range, whether on mat or grass, I start with half swings with my pitching wedge, actually hitting the ball to get the lower part of my swing ready to go-- the hips turning at the right time without too much exertion and a backswing and followthrough. Then I work my way up to my driver with full swings. I really focus on building my game, starting with the shortest movements possible because they're just that, smaller movements within the actual swing that need to be tuned as well. Hope this helps.

Okay, this might not sound that helpful but my advice is to get drunk and play... not literally, but you just have to forget all that stuff that is clogging your head. Easier said than done, I know, especially when you're trying real hard and being driven crazy because of it. Set up little goals for yourself before the round... "hit 5 fairways," or "hit 8 G.I.R.". Make it so you can accomplish something and feel good about doing it. Don't be shooting for under par right away because it takes years and years. Quit thinking about the swing and quit getting lessons, especially if you're going to different teachers-- too many opinions will truly mess with your head. Have you ever watched the movie Tin Cup? I feel that's a good place to start for the kind of instruction you need. Awesome movie, by the way. An example of the "I don't care attitude" is with my brother. The guy plays maybe 5 times a year, but he shoots in the low 80s every time. Why? Well, for one he's been playing golf for nearly 12 years and at one point established a swing he can now easily recall through muscle memory, but also because he just doesn't give a damn how he plays. He's out there to have fun. He says he never thinks about his swing or his putting stroke, and both are a little unorthodox. I don't know... just some food for thought.

Before last year I had never hit a blade, and had only used Cavity Back irons. The CBs were Cleveland TA5s from a long time ago, but they worked awesome for nearly 10 years. Why did I switch? My handicap was low enough at the time to take the warnings about blades into consideration, and really I wanted to try something new. But in all honesty they aren't all blades. I bought a set of MacGregor irons where the long irons are full CBs and the further you go, the more MB (Muscle Back) they are. They're meant for better ball strikers than the CBs, and meant for people who want to intentionally work the ball from right to left or left to right, etc. If you're not a good ball striker and tend to mishit the ball more than you hit it purer, stay clear from blades just so you don't get discouraged. Eventually you'll get there if you want to, but really, if you can't hit blades, why buy 'em? Don't be ashamed to get the most forgiving irons available. Blades are awesome but you need to know how to use them. I still am getting used to my clubs, mostly because I don't get out very much anymore, but also because it just requires more work.

There are many, many places to seek putting advice. The simplest thing I can tell is that when you're home, just be gripping your putter-- hit balls into a coffee cup on the far side of the living room. For me, putting is 99% about feel. If you don't feel good with your putter, you're not gonna make a good stroke, etc. A lot of cause and effect. Putt like Happy Gilmore if it makes you a better putter. In my book, Laying a Foundation: A Beginner's Guide to Golf, I go into more depth about putting, if you're interested. Last I knew you could see the putting chapter through a "Look Inside" feature on Amazon. Garrett

One thing that really helped me out back when I started was Tiger Woods' "How I Play Golf," which is a golf book that kind of revolutionized the industry. Ben Hogan's instructional book gets a lot of praise but I have not read that one... same with Jack Nicklaus's. I've also watched Butch Harmon's instructional VHS set, as well as Phil Mickelson's recent DVD instruction. The ones that I've watched/read have helped me in the sense that they all give me an idea of what to do and I build on it, figuring things out on my own all the way. A book I've published, "Laying a Foundation: A Beginner's Guide to Golf" is meant mostly for beginners, as it brushes on everything. It doesn't include pictures though, which may be useful for a beginner. Just do some research and decide what you really need to work on... Dave Pelz is a short game guru worth checking out as well.

I've never had a problem with eBay. Bought almost all of my club that I have now from different sellers on the site, but like it has been said before, make sure you do your research. What is the lowest price might not be the best transaction, and so on. Look for positive customer feedback for a lot of the sellers... I'll shut up b/c I'm sure you know what you to do if you've been on there.

Coming from a son's perspective, it's awesome to be able to play the game you love with your dad, and actually have it be competitive. I played other sports growing up but it's not like my dad could be out there blocking for me on a rushing play. It's great to be able to work together and compete at the same time... a reason many others should play golf. Glad all of these posts are up here. Thanks to all the dads out there showing their kids the ropes!

I'm a Titleist lover, especially with their clubs for the short game-- Vokey wedges, Cameron putters. Strangely enough, I don't own a Vokey or Cameron, though I've messed around with a lot at stores. The issue is that they're just too expensive for me. I still play a Titleist 975J driver, 8.5 degree. It's old by typical standards, but it still looks great and plays great. I think that's what Titleist really prides themselves on: feel. Need to get a better paying job so I can afford them comfortably. MacGregor is another good brand... very underrated.

A cheap route that you can go is to buy and read instructional golf books. Lessons tend to run pretty high, but as long as you choose the right book and can apply words to action, you'd be fine spending anywhere from 8 to 15 bucks on a book. And if money is really tight, I'd just go for used clubs off of eBay or at a local golf store. I wouldn't say there's specifically a brand you should shoot for, but I'd advise you to steer away from forged irons meant for low-handicaps, and go more for Cavity Back irons, which are a lot more forgiving. With drivers and putters, just go for feel really. Hit a couple balls with each while you're shopping and see what you think. Hope this helps. Garrett

The first thing I'd do would be to go to the range and work your way up to your driver, getting the feel of each change in distance from club to club. Nearly every range has markers for yardage, and even if they are a bit off, they should give you a general idea. You may find that you hit your seven iron, for example, further than you hit your six iron. What this usually means is that you naturally fit your seven iron better, that is if you haven't had your clubs custom-fit. Or you may be making better contact, or worse. You have the right idea of carrying a card with you about yardages, but I wouldn't write down what the approximate distance for each club is. Maybe I'm reading that wrong, but what I think you mean is that you're taking approximate yardages off the internet or something, which isn't necessarily what you want to do. You're going to have to put some time into figuring out your own yardages, and then writing them down if you have to. But if you start golfing with more frequency, in no time you'll be able to figure out yardages just by using your eyes. In my opinion, golf is all about feel, but in order to have a good sense of this, it takes some time. Good question, and I hope my response helps. -Garrett

If I have the time, I definitely hit range balls, if only to get in a rhythm. For me, it's a necessity because I honestly don't get out as much I'd like to, and sometimes go weeks without picking up a club. For that reason alone it's essential for me to start swinging. If I don't do that at the range, I definitely find some time to take a couple swings at home before I hit the road. That being said, I think that if you golf with some regularity, you can get away with not hitting range balls, though I believe practicing your putting and chipping is a must for everyone. Especially if you've never played the course before, you may be able to maneuver your tee shots and iron shots to "safe" spots on the course, but if you have no idea of how fast and firm the greens are, you may SOL for the first few holes. I don't think one should spend hours on end before a round "warming up," but hitting a small bucket will, like you said, at least tell you what to expect from your swing in the upcoming round. If you're slicing the ball on the range, chances are you should be playing that slice all day to the best of your ability. Unless you play every day, and even if you do, your swing is not going to be exactly the same the next time you're out on the course, so therefore I think it's best to get the "bad" shots out on the range before you go on the course. Just think about it... if you take the first 2, 3, or 4 holes to get warmed up, your scores are going to show it, and it's going to be in your head that you have to fix whatever is wrong while you're on the course, which takes your focus away from shots that actually need it. My pre-round warmup routine usually goes like this: 10-15 minutes of putting, starting with short putts and working my way back. 5-10 minutes of chipping/putting, working my way back. (if time) 5-10 half swings hitting range balls with my lowest wedge just to get the bottom half of my swing in order. Then I work my way up to my full swing, and hit at least a few balls with every club, working my way up and ending with the driver.

Congratulations! That's great you were able to do it a little under pressure as well, with the strangers around you. Sometimes I find that brings out the best in your game, because in a way you're turning into a competitor. Anyway, great job, and keep it up! Garrett