putt and pray

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I really enjoyed my pro from my previous lessons so I think I will return to him with my new goals.

I am a novice weekend golfer who shoots between 100-105. I finally have some real time to practice/play multiple times a week and have decided I'd like to get to sub 90 scores. I have only taken very basic lessons (6 lessons on learning the basics) so I was wondering what people suggest to achieve this goal? Lots of driving range time? Weekly lesson? 2 a week lessons? Golf "school"? My biggest flaw is just consistency with long clubs and distance. I'm actually pretty decent with my wedges and putter but I only drive about 225 and still have accuracy problems with the longer clubs (driver, 3 wood, 5 wood and sometimes 4 hybrid). Any thoughts, suggestions, reality checks, laughs, or other comments welcome !

Played 9 holes and didn't score well but I hit everything in the fairway for once! Only shots out of the rough were when I put too much power into a chip and rolled behind the green. Chipping/putting were not my friends...

I have thought about doing the logo ball as an inexpensive way to keep track of all the courses I've played. I haven't kept anything except my first "chip-in birdie" ball.

I lived in Augusta for 3 years but had not yet taken up golf... Wish I woulda picked up some mementos while I was there! If only I had known... Monte, the yardage book sounds like a real treasure. Congrats to you Sir.

Ernie Els -11 Jason Kokrak -8 Stuart Appleby -10 I'm feelin lucky!!

Just curious as to what everyone collects from different golf courses, tournaments, personal accomplishments etc. I have seen a wide variety of collectibles and would love to hear some unique "trophies" people take home for their "once in a lifetime" rounds/shots/experiences.

My wife and I got paired with 4 star General David Bramlett and his wife in a couples tournament... Don't know if that's "famous" but it was sure intimidating as $*** !

Well I finally bought some new clubs ( Idea A12OS Hybrid Irons - 4-6 hybrid/7-GW iron - Reg Flex) to replace my $20 goodwill set of Titleists ( Titleist Gold DCI Oversive + 2-8 iron, PW/SW) and I did so in blind faith having never tested these clubs. Probably not the smartest move, and I wish I could have been properly fitted to the newest and best clubs but Im a bargain bin kinda guy and I couldnt pass up this deal... so it's done. So my question is, How long does it take to get used to a new set of clubs? Assuming I play the same amount (currently 2 times a week plus a 45 minute weekly lesson) is there an "average" time set to get to know your clubs so to speak? Average distance, tends left/right, how high it typically hits, and whether or not a club should be replaced are all things I would love to know! I know everyones going to be different but Im just looking for a generic timeline from some real golfers. Also, I love my Titleist PW. I can't hit a single other club in the set like I do my PW. So I was also wondering, if I dont like the adams PW would it be considered very odd to throw the old Titleist PW in the bag instead? And, before you ask - My current average distance is about 130 yds with the 7 iron and +/- approx 15 yards for the 5/6/8/PW. I cant hit the 2-4 irons to save my life but I did hit my 2 iron to around 215 yds the 3 or 4 times I managed to get a decent hit.

Very first tournament (couples best ball format) and my wife and I took 3rd place!! Shot a 70 (Par 58) and made some of the greatest putts of my short golf life! I hit a pitching wedge on the 2nd hole from 65 yds out and actually hit the pin! Then sunk the short 2 foot putt for par. Then on the ninth I knocked in a 25 foot putt to save par! I couldn't get it off the tee at all but inside 90 yds I felt like a pro. Had 4 one putts and only 1 three putt!

So I had a lesson today, and the Pro told me " nobody plays 2/3 irons anymore." Then he told me to take the 2/3/4 iron out of my bag completely. Mind you, he's never seen me hit a long iron. I really like the 2/3/4 irons honestly, but I'm a complete newbie. So my question is, do I shut my mouth and just remove the clubs or keep them? If I do remove them do I just replace my entire iron set? BTW I have 2-8, PW, SW all matching old Titleist Gold DCI Oversize +

I got my very first (and 2nd) par today!!! 9 holes Par 29 - Shot a 39 (personal best) with 3 FIR and 1 GIR and I made a really awesome 15 foot uphill putt for a bogey. I also risked trying out my 2 iron on the final 210 yd par 4 and hit it to the fringe... and eventually parred. Actually did a happy dance out of the tee box after that shot. If I could learn how to tee off I swear I could par 7 of those holes... Anyway, best day of golf I've ever had

I'm gonna make you all feel old... I wasn't even born til 89' !! I appreciate all the great answers so far! I've been to Subic twice on the USS Denver but I had not yet discovered golf... So much for that opportunity. The only "cool" thing I've done is watch a practice round at Augusta National while working at Fort Gordon.

I can't wait to play this one. I've only played the par 3 on hickam. I am taking lessons at Mamala Bay on Saturday too.

Ok, to all my fellow service members, DOD civilians or guests lucky enough to play - of all the duty stations you have been to, what are your favorite Military Golf Courses and why?

Working on EVERYTHING! As a beginner I have no real grasp on what I can realistically expect from weekly practice and lessons. I do, however, still expect to reach the following goals by years end - In no particular order - 1. Learn how to properly (and accurately!) swing all my clubs at full power. 2. Play an 18 hole course at 90 strokes or better. 3. Consistently drive the ball 250 yards. 4. Make a Birdie. 5. Establish a handicap (hopefully under 20) 6. Play in a Tournament - and not be last! I plan on practicing twice a week (possibly 3 times depending on work) and taking lessons on Saturdays with the PGA Pro at Mamala Bay Golf Course. I also plan on playing the Par 3 Course 2-3 times a month until I feel confident enough to try a "real" course.

I have not yet learned to control my swing at "full power" (Taking my 2nd lesson this saturday) so my distances are not very good. I typically hit the 9 wood at about 70% power to ensure I dont slice or dribble it and it goes about 140-145 yds on average. Not great distance as I said but thats why I am still just playing my local par 3 lol. The 3 iron is hard to tell, but when I actually get a decent hit off of it, it DOES go farther than the 9 wood. Id say about 155-160 yds. But thats about 1 in 4 shots. As for the 7 wood, I dont have a good gauge on what distance it goes. I cant seem to hit this club straight at all so I stopped using it until I get more lessons.

Im a beginner golfer who picked up some used clubs, including a 7 and 9 wood. I REALLY like the 9 wood on Par 3 tee shots but I dont like the 7 wood. Should I try and replace it with a 3 iron or hybrid? Just skip having a "3 iron" distance club all together? Or would it be too "weird" to have a 3 iron and then a 9 wood and then a 5 iron...

Played 9 holes on a Par 3 Course with my spouse today. Only the 3rd time we have ever been golfing so we were pretty happy with our terrible scores of 46 and 49. That's about 8 strokes better than the first time we played!

Aloha! I am an active duty E-6 stationed at Peal Harbor, Hawaii! I am brand new to golf and just took my first lesson (with at least 5 more scheduled). I picked up golf about 2 months ago and finally decided it was going to be "my game". I am completely awful at the game but still seem to want to play again every time I leave the range or par 3 course... Right now I have set my 6 month goals to play an actual 18 hole course under 90 strokes, make a birdie, drive the ball 250 yds and attempt to establish a handicap. Dont know if these are realistic but hey... there they are. I have some thrift shop clubs ( Big Bertha Steelhead (10* loft) Driver / Titleist DCI Oversize + irons 5-PW / Nike 7 wood / Callaway 9 wood / Tommy Armour Evo Putter *this ones new*) an old bag and some of those "recycled" balls (Noodle/Callaway/Nike/Bridgestone mostly). Minus the putter ($35) everything was picked up at goodwill or salvation army for under $50 total. I would love to hear any advice you might have for beginner golfers as well as thoughts on when I should invest in some newer clubs and what clubs you recommend!