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A video might help, or else, a lesson is always a good idea to get the fundamentals down. Your address position should have your lower back straight and feet about shoulder-width (can varry by individual preference). You can set up the ball closer to your front foot and even open up the front foot slightly (again, by preference). Your arms should be hanging down from your shoulders and when you look down (without moving your head), you should usually be able to see 2 knuckles on your hand. Your feet and shoulders should be parallel to your ball target line. A takeaway should have you pulling the club back with your shoulders and rotating until your shoulder can't go any further back. Your left arm should stay straight (for a right-handed golfer) the whole way through and at the top of the backswing. To help this along, you can think of pushing the club away from you with your right hand. At the top of the swing, your club should ideally be pointing parallel to your target line (if you are flexible enough), and your hands should be above your head (again pushing the club away from you in order to keep that left arm straight). Don't overswing (past parallel) and don't try and go further than the point where your shoulders stop rotating. Try and keep your head and back leg steady throughout the backswing. The downswing should start with a hip slide and rotation, followed by your shoulders. Basically, bringing your weight onto your front foot. Try and keep that head pretty steady all the way through impact (until your right shoulder hits your chin). But again, this is just theory (and one way of doing things). Your best bet is a lesson. Second best bet would be recording your swing and showing people here for feedback. Cheers,

This is what I'll agree with... I couldn't care less if someone has a matching outfit and brand-spanking new expensive clubs, but can't play golf. It's his or her decision and if they can afford it, no reason to be jealous... Attitude is a whole different thing. The reason I think most people don't like this type of "golfer" is because they USUALLY come along with the attitude of "I own the place". If someone is decked out in brand name gear, but has humility within the game, is respectful, realistic, and willing to learn, I have absolutely no problem with it... And who knows, maybe all that stuff was a christmas present from a rich uncle! I don't know why you guys call people "posers" who wear a nike shirt and shorts... What do you want them to wear? Holed jeans and a hoodie that says "I suck at this game, please don't judge me!". Common guys, be more open and accepting! P.S. I got my Nike dri-fit shirts at Winners for $20. Maybe I'm a poser since I'm new to the game too Will you still be friends with me!!! Cheers,

I leave them be. Weight lifting, golf, tennis and hockey haven't given my any that became so big to be that big of a bother. Couldn't imagine cutting or filing at them...

My gf hit a duck once after her shot bounced off a light post. Does that count? Haven't experienced any violence on the course (yet), but I can see how it could happen with so much frustration and some pretty pig-headed people playing the game thinking they are much better than they are and acting like they own the place. I'd say the thing keeping all the violence at bay is the pure distance between groups. Who knows, maybe I'll see my first golf brawl sometime soon I've seen quite a few fights back when I was still playing competitive soccer though (and quite a few headbutts leading to concussions on both ends!)... Cheers,

I think what lessons help with is not just improving your swing, but improving your ability to be able to know what it is you are doing wrong when the ball isn't going where you want it to go. Being able to hit a ball and analyze why it went wrong is a huge help to improving your game. I started out with lessons this summer and I know for a fact that the game is much more enjoyable now than it would have been if I would have gone at it alone. Cheers,

I just started this summer and will probably be playing quite a lot in upcoming years (23 years old and will be getting into the corporate-law world in 3-4 years). Once I get older and get a family and depending on whether my gf keeps up with the game, things might change. For now, I don't have too many friends that play golf, but I'm sure I'll find quite a few once I'm done with school. We'll see. I don't worry about it too too much. I'm just enjoying it as it comes. I'm happy with it now, so that works for me! I'll probably "play" forever, but whether that's 2-3 rounds a week or 1 round a summer, who knows. Same goes for soccer, tennis, snowboarding, and hockey! Cheers,

Thank you! This is the best post on this thread... First, clones are not the same as knock-offs and they do not "trick buyers" into buying them. These aren't fake clubs, they just use similar technology and are made to look somewhat stylish. Many of their components are made in the same places as the big brand clubs. Second, I'll 100% agree with the sentiment that I have much more respect for golfers that are starting out in the game with a set of clone clubs, than those that have a mint bag of $2,000 name brand clubs and are hacking away at the course, never having taken a lesson and acting like they own the place just because they have the money to buy new name-brand gear. As the poster above said, not all of us beginners have the money for name-brand clubs. Yes, you can say some of us may not have the same golf knowledge (yet), but do you really expect someone who is JUST STARTING out at golf to be able to go online on eBay and know what the heck he or she is doing? You expect them to put together a bag of used clubs without knowing anything about the game and not to mention technology or what works for them? Third, I find it odd that some people are so openly proud of their prejudice... I thought most parents raised their kids these days trying to ingrain principles such as "don't judge a book by it's cover". As more vetaran golfers, instead of judging someone and looking down at them for using a certain club or having a certain swing, shouldn't you recall being in their shoes and take the time to help them? Or at least admire them for trying and wanting to learn a game that we all enjoy? When I see someone on the ski hill standing on a snowboard for the first time (be it a $700 Burton or a peice of tree bark), I smile. I LOVE seeing new people trying to learn a sport, regardless of whether they know anything about equipment or not... And I don't judge them as "not being fun to play with" because they are new to the game. I've had my funnest days on the hill, golf course, soccer field, hockey rink, tennis court, with people just starting out. Anyway, some really great replies from people here giving me hope in the overall golf community I've just joined! Others... not so much... I realize the sport/game may be kind of snobby being that it is expensive and what not, but common, do some of you really have to try so hard and be so proud to be materiallistic, snobbish, and prejudicial? I'm very surprised at the ages too... P.S. I'm a 23 year-old male in top shape and I don't see ANYTHING wrong with using a cart... If it's more enjoyable for someone not to carry their bag, then that's great! Isn't that what golf (and any sport) is about at the end of the day? Having fun? As for head covers... I understand pros may not use them, but pros usually don't care since they don't pay for their own clubs or have to resell them to save money. Some of us do, and maybe not having scratches on the clubs will get us those few extra bucks! Cheers,

Haha! I love that App on my iPod Touch! :P I'm going to have to find something like that in my area. Anyone know of any twilight golf of the sort in the Montreal/Ottawa/Toronto region in Canada? Cheers,

I pay about $39 for an hour lesson with my pro, but this is semi-private (me and my gf), and I shopped around for a decent pro for a reasonable price. Private lessons can run you quite a lot more than that, depending on the pro you choose and the length of the lesson. If I were you, and your friend is considering taking lessons, I'd pair up with him and try to find some semi-private ones. It's almost as good as a private lesson, and quite a bit cheaper. You can also usually buy packs of lessons (5 or 10) which come up cheaper. If not, there are always group lessons which are cheaper as well, but obviously not as personalized. Cheers,

Doesn't sound like a bad deal for a private lesson, but I wouldn't take it for granted that the guy will sit there with you for 2 hours... Hitting a bucket can definitely go by much faster than that, depending on how much time you take on each shot to analyze and fix it. I'd give it a whirl once or twice and then see if it's worth your while. What I would also do is check up on the rates for actual pros in your area and what they charge for private, semi-private, and group lessons. Also look into recording your own swing, there are a lot of things you can notice that way. Finally, I might also look into the fact that was pointed out by an above poster that a golf range usually has their own pros and might not be so open to someone giving lessons on their property, but if it's done discretely enough I guess it could work. As for asking the guy about his credentials/experience, I think you're definitely entitled to at least some questions given that you'll be paying him for his services. Cheers,

Lessons are definitely not a waste of money. Just make sure to find a good pro. Ask around or do some searching in your area. You would be surprised what a good pro and lesson can do for your game. I think it's a great investment, but it's a personal choice I guess! Have you tried recording your swing and analyzing it yourself? Cheers,

I've read that those balls are pretty hard and I've also read of a few people cracking their driver face because of them, now whether these are myths or not I couldn't tell you... That sounds like an awesome evening outing though! I'd definitely want to try that out eventually. Any idea as to what I should search/look for if I wanna find a package like that (although I live in the Montreal area)? I know of at least one night golf course in Laval, but I definitely wouldn't have dinner there! :P Cheers and have fun!

Could really be a number of things causing a slice. I worked on fixing mine yesterday and it was mainly that my back leg wasn't solid/steady enough on the backswing as well as my head (spine angle) moved a bit on the downswing. A video could help if you could get one. Otherwise, there are a bunch of threads on here about fixing a slice, as well as many articles online. Good luck! I really hate that slice... lost so many balls because of it :( Cheers,

This could work. They use chalk, but I'm not sure you'll want to be chalking up before very swing and then get that chalk all over your clubs and inside your gloves :/ I like the cold water towel idea. I haven't had this problem yet, but I'm sure it'll come along since I tend to sweat quite a bit. Cheers,

And people say golf is a boring sport... tsk tsk.

Can't you just sit down with your pro and have him explain it to you until you understand? It seems that you trust his judgement, so go with what he has to say no? Don't be shy to tell him you don't 100% understand what he's saying. I donno, just my opinion! Cheers,

I find that once the balls start doing something funky, you should go back to the basics and figure out what you're doing wrong. What I usually do is go back to taking half-swings and making sure everything is lining up (i.e., club on toe line, head steady, legs/supports steady, hip turn, weight shift, etc.). Then I go to a full backswing to halfway through and check my setup at the top (i.e., hands above head, heal line, club pointing down the target line, head steady, shoulders turned, legs steady, etc). Once those swings are working I go back to the full swing. It's about ingraining the right moves into your muscles and doing them without thinking. As for why you're hooking, a video might help :/ Cheers,

I read it!! :D I totally agree and this is why I'm really happy with my decision to start off my golfing adventure with lessons. I went into yesterday's lesson with a wicked slice and after some video review and minor tweaking I'm hitting the ball further and straighter than ever! I definitely think lessons are a great way to go, but I also see the other end of the spectrum. I learned to snowboard (much less technical than golf I'd say) without lessons and it was fun teaching myself. I'll probably be taking quite a few less lessons next summer though and start working more on my own to tweak my game. Taping yourself is really helpful I think (regardless of lessons). Good to hear that you're liking your improvement! I think that's one of the reasons golf is so addicting, because the improvement is so apparent and in your face. Cheers,

Definitely an addicting hobbie! I've taken it up this summer as well and have taken a few classes so far. I'm hitting my 7i around 135-150, but then again I don't actually own any clubs :P You also have to consider that the balls at the range (pretty used and banged up) don't fly exactly the same (or the same distance) as when you hit brand new balls. Also, it makes a difference if you're hitting off a tee, grass, or carpet. Your distances will definitely improve the more you play and practice. Just wait until you get to the driver! I'm still sticking with my 3W and 5W for the time being :D This game gets addicting (and expensive) really fast!! Cheers,

Just starting out and taking lesson here too, but haven't really gotten to putting yet (still working on that swing). As far as my pro has told me, and to what I've seen/read, it seems that many players develop their own style of putting as per what works best for them individually. Don't take my word for it though... Have you asked your pro about it? If you trust him and he's been good, maybe his advice is sound. Cheers,

Far from a pro here, just a beginner, but here's some stuff I saw: - Your takeaway is far inside and flat. From your address position, you want to be pulling the club away mostly with your shoulders and not your arms. When the club is parallel to the ground on the takeaway, it should be pointing down your toe-line and be parallel to you ball target line. - At the top of your backswing you want your hands to be above your head. Yours are far back (caused by your flat takeaway). It also looks like your right knee points out during your backswing (not sure due to quality of video), but try and keep that leg flexed and stationary. - Your downsing starts with you lunging at the ball and coming in over the top. You'll notice how you're "jumping out of your socks" at impact in order to try and compensate for the steep downswing and having gotten closer to the ball. A face-on view would help with noticing what your hips are doing and whether you have the proper weight shift during your swing. Try and start your downswing with your hips. I'm working on pretty much all the same stuff with my pro right now, so I'm right there with you! :) Cheers,

Man.. I just started golfing and have lost something like 20 balls on my first two outings (ya I know lots of work to be done!!)... My slice off the tee is completely killing me with balls into the woods and water :( I just bought a bucket of used balls from lostgolfballs.com, but custom and duty fees to Canada are kind of turning me off from them :( Had to pay an extra $20 at the door last time. Any suggestions as to what I can do in Canada for some well priced used (but still good quality) balls? Ha! I saw an iPhone App for this too. It uses the camera and turns everything blue or whatever and the white ball is supposed to "pop out". Kind of like "UV vision". Anyway, not too sure how effective that is... Maybe worth a try :P Cheers,

Do you guys have any suggestions at good priced cameras with high fps? I'd like to ideally go even further than 60 fps to really be able to see it in slow motion. How much would such cameras go for? Kind of a newbie when it comes to cameras. Not really my thing :/ Thanks!!

I'll agree with this sentiment :D

Wicked slice off the tee with my woods. My long irons usually have a slice, but I can manage to hit them straight a good amount. Short irons are pretty straight. Just started golfing this summer, so gotta figure out how to get rid of this slice. The lessons are helping. I manage to hit everything pretty straight with some practice at the range, but then when I hit the golf course... well... lets just say that I lose a lot of balls in the woods to the left (I'm left-handed)! Cheers,