Golf Novice

My instructor has me taking a strong grip in my lessons, where I use a 6 iron. He advocates basically "lining up" the forearms to where from the front or back view, you can't see the other are (if you were someone watching me from in front or behind). This has worked well for me with the irons, but with the driver, it seems to work better if my right arm is a little more neutral than that or more over the top of the club than this, which is essentially on the side of the grip with the irons. Doing so makes this "lining up the forearms" not possible, to where my right forearm is a little further away from my body than the left if I'm looking straight down while holding the club. Does anyone else do this. It seems to help me some with consistency off the tee. Should my right hand me more on the side of the club like it is with my irons, thus creating this "lining up" effect. Or should my right foremarm when looking straight down be a little further away from the body than the left (by being a little more on top of the grip instead of on the side/under like it is with the irons. Any help would be appreciated.

Just struck me as funny. Alot of the pros use all one brand of equipment, from their driver through the bag to their putter. Obviously, sponsorship has a lot to do with that. But why do so many of us use several different brands? Do you ever see anyone with all Callaway, all Ping, etc.? I don't. Just wondered if there's any other reason other than people like different brands' equipment in each particular category. I just bought the MacGregor VIP wedges, and that along with the story of their rebirth prompted me to just look around the web at their latest irons, even though I'm not really in the market for new irons. Doing so, it occurred to me that it would almost be "weird" for me to have a bag with Mac irons AND wedges, let alone woods, driver, putter, etc.

Quote: Your obviously a much more skilled player than I am I hope you're not talking about me. I'm still trying to break 100, while it looks like you're well past that. Yes, the Macs are forged.

Update: Last night I took the vokeys I'd bought back in, and hit both. I liked the feel of the Macs better, and it just felt like the right choice. Getting them regripped and extensions added in as well, should be ready today. Even though my instructor told me to stay away from it (not just for now, but always in his opinion), I picked up the 60* as well (52*, 56*, 60*). It was a great deal (3 for $140) and my thinking was that it's something that I eventually want to learn to use, so why not pick it up now and at least have fun experimenting with it at the range and practice area? Love the look and feel of these wedges, and I'm excited to see MacGregor progress and regrow their brand back to the elite status it used to have.

Went and picked up a 52/8 and 56/14, brand new, Vokeys. I had a tough time deciding between them and....the MacGregor VIPs. Really liked the Macs, ESPECIALLY for the price. On sale for $59.99/piece, or 2 for $100, 3 for $140. I'm now having buyer's remorse because I've read how much people seem to really like the Mac VIPs. It seems like for the price, it's hard to justify the $119/piece I just paid for the vokeys. Any thoughts on this? Am I going to be sorry if I return these and get the Macs? I'm not sure I liked the grip on the Macs, so I'm thinking about replacing it with some standard Golf Pride grips when I get the extensions put in. Any help is appreciated.

Relatively new golfer here, just started playing last year and am just now starting to play regularly after taking about 20 lessons over the course of the past year. Because I haven't played nearly as much as I should have during that time, I'm still north of 100, but making progress every week. (121, 120, 109 last weekend). No doubt continuing to learn how to MANAGE the course will take strokes off, but the issue I'm looking at fixing now is wedges. Here's my current setup: Taylormade Burner Driver (9.5) Taylormade Burner 3W (15*) Taylormade Rescue Hybrid (19*) 4-SW (Callaway X-18R's) Odessy 2Ball White Hot Putter Obviously, that's 12 clubs, and that's my original setup from Golfsmith from a year ago. At this point, I'm getting to the point where the gap between the PW (46*) and the SW (56*) are too much and I'm having to finesse shots around the green with both. Enter the need for some wedges. Given my handicap and what is hopefully a continuously improving game, I'm trying to decide what I should get. I hear the vokeys are the best, and am thinking about those. I also like the look of the Callaway X-Forged Vintage wedges, which I've heard good things about too. My primary question is if I should just spring for new ones, or if used are ok? I've seen the Spin Milled CC Vokeys online at GlobalGolf.com for $64.99/piece in "very good" condition. Obviously it's tough buying something sight unseen, but that's part of the risk you take. I've heard that them being used doesn't really matter. My irons have extensions of 1 1/4" in them (I'm 6'2 1/2") (done by Golfsmith at the time I bought them). If I buy used, should I also get the same extensions in these? Can I do that? Are new vs. used worth it at my level? Is there a better wedge out there for someone of my skill-level that I should consider instead? The appropriate bounce is also something that confuses me, so that's a concern. Because my PW is 46*, my thought is to go 50*, 54* (and dump the SW that came with the set) and 58*. Is this optimal? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. guys. I think what I'll do is lay off a day or two and let my back fell better. If it continues, I'll find a way to post some video and talk to my instructor about it. I noticed earlier while going through my swinging motion in front of the mirror at the office that it looked like my upper body was coming up a little bit near the top of my backswing. The only reason I can think why is that my body might be subconsciously doing it to avoid pain from the middle of my back, which is sore like I said above.

Last night, I went to the local range to get some practice in. I'm not really working on anything new, and I went several times the previous week and things went fairly well. My back was decently sore (right in the middle around the spine) from presumably going more regularly than I had been. However, I had the absolute worst night I've ever had. Out of 100 balls, I hit maybe 2 square and flush. EVERYTHING else I either topped and pushed to the right, or hit it fat. There was absolutely nothing I could do to change it, and it really freaked me out. The only reasonable explanation I could think of was that my back being sore caused me to have issues mainting my posture throughout the swing, and therefore I couldn't maintain the same position I had at address, hence the horrible shots. This happen to anyone here? My other worry after being there a while was that somehow I just magically "lost" my swing. I'm a guy who's fairly new to taking the game more seriously, and am taking weekly lessons that have been going well for a while. So the idea that I somehow just can't hit the ball now scares me. I know this sounds pretty stupid, but it worries me.

Thanks, uttexas. I'll head out there and check it out this week. Gig 'em ;)

Not according to 5 Fundamentals. His left wrist is slightly cupped at address, bowed out at impact, and his weight is evenly distributed at address.

Looking for facilities in Dallas area that offer good range area (grass instead of mats) and a short game/chipping/putting practice area. Any help is appreciated.

According to Hogan, the "v" formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand at address should point to the right eye (for righthanders). However, at impact, the left wrist should be slightly suppinated (i.e., the wrist bone should be slightly bent forward past flat, toward the target-basically the exact opposite of where the left wrist was at address). In my lessons, my instructor ideally says he wants a flat left wrist at address and at the top of my backswing. However, he says he doesn't mind the slight cup I have at address, which I do (like Hogan's book shows when explaining where the "v" of the left hand should point at address). Any thoughts on this? Setting my left wrist flat at address feels very awkward, and obviously makes the direction of the "v' pointing to the right eye impossible at address. Howver, I understand that if it were flat at address and at the top of the backswing, there's less distance the wrist has to move between address and impact in order to become slightly suppinated like Hogan claims it should be. Any thoughts on this?

And practicing pretty regularly at home and at the range. Well, the other day I went out and actually tried to play 18 for the first time since starting lessons. It was absolutely horrible. I could barely hit the ball off the tee. I couldn't hit the ball straight to save my life. Nothing was working. I was taking FOREVER because I was sitting there trying to think through my swing from beginning to the top of the backswing (which is where I am right now in my lessons) and nothing worked. It was completely humiliating and discouraging. I've had days at the range where I didn't hit it all that well, but nothing like this. Now, the day before it had poured rain for about 4 hours and the course was soaked and muddy, but still. It was just so damn frustrating and got so bad that a group of 3 had to play through JUST ME. I just stood over every shot thinking, thinking, thinking, etc. Bottom line, I left after just 9 holes because I was so discouraged and frustrated, feeling like I've completely wasted my time and money paying for lessons. Problem is, I love the game and just can't imagine quitting, so I'm not going to even think about that. It's almost as if I feel like had I not thought about anything except just playing and having fun rather than trying to incorporate everything I've learned thus far, I would have played much better. God knows I've never ever played that bad before I'd ever taken a lesson or read a thing about the golf swing. Any similar stories at a similar point in one's development? I just want to think there's hope for me in this incredibly game, and that I'm not wasting my time in making a lifelong committment to it.

Hey guys, just trying to get some advice. My left shoulder is tender and sore and has been for over a week now after multiple trips to the range a couple of weeks ago. When I go back in my backswing, it hurts and there's some pain, but if I stretch it out a little and warm up, it seems to go away for a while. What I'm wondering is, was this caused by trying to go too far back in the backswing? My checkpoint is to put my left shoulder under my chin in the backswing. I'm wondering if I wasn't getting enough shoulder turn initially, and still trying to go back that far strained my left shoulder. Any advice or checkpoints you can give me for how far back I should be aiming to go?

Guys, I've had a sore left shoulder since last weekend. I'm a beginner, and went to the range 3 times last week prior to going to my first lesson. When breaking down my swing via video, my pro said that the soreness in that shoulder is likely due to me flipping at impact. Is it normal for it to still be sore after several days like this? When I try to practice my backswing, the soreness makes if difficult to rotate as full as I otherwise would be able to because the further I rotate my shouders to take the club back, the left shoulder feels like its being "pulled" and it limits my ability to rotate back fully. Is this a common issue, and have others experienced this? Just trying to make sure that this isn't abnormal, and that my plan to just rest it until if feels better should be sufficient.

I did receive an initial 1.5 hour assessment that includes the web video, swing analysis, etc. that I can access online. I am comfortable witht the instructor as well. I just don't want to sign up for something that's way "overdoing it". With the 25 lesson package, that's one lesson every 2 weeks if I want to stretch it out over a year. Or, I can take a lesson every week and just buy more when the 25 are completed. Just not sure if 1 lesson per week is too much, or if 1 every 2 weeks would be more optimal.

Hey everyone, I'm pretty new to the game, and just last week purchased my first full set of clubs at Golfsmith (Callaway X-18R's 4-SW, TaylorMade Burner Driver, TM Rescue 19* hybrid, TM 3-Hybrid, Odessy White Hot 2-ball Putter) and while there, talked about lessons with one of the Golftec reps (they have an office and bays within this particular Golfsmith. I really want to take lessons, as I've only played about 15-20 times in my life and don't want to develop too many bad habits before having to correct them. There are several options, but the basic question is-how many lessons should I be taking? One plan offers 12 months to take up to 52 lessons, or 1 lesson per week on average. Another offers 12 months to take up to 25 lessons. Is 1 per week a lot? It seems like it. I've really fallen in love with the game and it's something I really want to to become the best I can at. However, I just don't want to go overkill on it, either in the #of lessons (or the $$ it costs). Note that each lesson is a 1/2 hour, but outdoor lessons are 1 hour (and count as 2). Any advice? How much will it benefit me to take the 52 vs. the 25? Any help is appreciated.

I appreciate all the thoughts, guys. Should I just stick with the 12 clubs I have now? Or should I add 2 (to get to the 14 max) and if so, which ones? Another hybrid (22*?)? A Lob Wedge? I'm definitely new to the game, but I really, really am falling in love with it and want to dive right in.

They're the X-18R's. Just got em back last night from being extended 1". I can't wait to go hit with them!

^ ^ ^ ^ That's a joke right?

Guess not

Hey guys, I posted a couple weeks back about going and buying my first set of clubs, having limited experience of playing around 15-20 times in my life, but wanting to get a solid first set as I'm committed to learning this game and attempting to become as good as I can. So here's what I came out of Golfsmith with: Callway X-18's 4-SW with 1" extensions (I'm about 6'2-6'3") Taylormade Burner Driver Taylormade 15-deg. 3 Wood Taylormade 19-deg. Hybrid Oddessy 2-Ball Putter A dozen Titlest NXT balls As you can see, I only got set up with 12 clubs. I was told not to bother with the Lob Wedge at this point. I also signed up for lessons with one of the pros there, set to start next week. I was also told that as ffar as fitting goes, the length was important, but until I'd played more and developed a more consistent swing (through said lessons), not to worry about loft, lie angles, etc. at this point. Does it look to you guys, based on my experience level and intentions, that I did ok here? I just wanted to get your opinions. All is appreciated.

Anyone recommend a good instructor to get lessons from in the Dallas area that reasonably affordable? I'm looking to get started and following a lot of people's advice, would like to start off with a lesson. One thing I'd like to get out of this is for the pro to be able to give me some advice that will help me pick out a decent set of clubs to start out with. I'm not looking to spend a ton (on either the lessons or the clubs), but am thinking that it might be good to at least start off with clubs that feel right and "fit" me and my abilities. Anyone know of any instructors they'd recommend? Do I need to already have clubs to go to the lesson, or is it ok for me not to in hopes of him advising me on some types that I could look at? I was recently seriously considering purchasing some Cleveland CG Gold's (slightly used) from someone, but want to try and feel them (and others first). Sorry if this is a bunch of rambling. Any help is appreciated.

I'm 29 and fairly new to the game. I've played probably 15 times in my life, and don't own any clubs. People I've told how much I've played are often surprised because, according to them, I look like I've played more often than that (no idea if that's true or not). My question is, I really want to get into the game and start playing more regularly, in large part because I want something outside the office that I can really compete in, learn, grow, etc. I just turned 29, and am at a stage where I'm starting to think about these things because I want something my body will be able to handle for many years. Playing Adult League Baseball seems like it's eventually going to be tough to do, along with the fact that from a business and social perspective, it's hard to beat Golf. With all this said: Any tips anyone can provide on how to really "get started?" Where to go look at/get fitted for clubs that are reasonably priced? What type of clubs do I need? What other equipment, shoes, etc. Should I take lessons locally? Any tips, help advice would be greaty appreciated. I hope at 29 I'm not too late to the party!

I'm sure close to 100.