[BT@HOME]

Happens to everyone....74 gross one week (was level on the 18th tee), next week 88

[ShotGunJay]

Just a little update from me, I managed to get onto one of my local courses today, been laid up for the past 2 weeks nearly from when I dislocated my knee Anyway, for some reason today, I was just spot on with my driving, bar the first hole. I suppose I was just getting used to my swing again, but after that everything I have with my driver was just so sweet. It seems that because of my stance I was closing the club head more which meant I was slicing it a lot. Thankfully, sorted that one out!

[BT@HOME]

hmmm, a closed stance is usually for drawing the ball

[gken74]

Originally Posted by BT@HOME

hmmm, a closed stance is usually for drawing the ball

If you hips, shoulders are closed too and swing path from the inside.

[ShotGunJay]

Sorry about that, I didn't mean to put slicing, just thought it was best at the time. If I'm correct? I was Fading the ball too much (From Left to Right). I've seemed to of sorted that out now and have worked out how to correctly use it!

[Hugh138]

My best advice for anyone starting golf is to be patient! The golf swing is fairly unnatural at first (forever!?), so it is a steep learning curve. Lessons help, practice helps, some healthy competition helps. And try to enjoy it despite the frequent frustration

I also think it is a game suited to certain mentalities - it does provide some instant gratification, but the real pleasure comes over the medium term when you see your improvement and you can piece together a proper round.

[Bonessi]

I was going to start a new thread, but thought this one had lots of advice from people of different golfing backgrounds and handicaps, so just re-opened it...

So, after years (I'm mid-30's) of enjoying occasional pitch and putt, crazy golf and loving watching the game played by the pros, I've decided to take the plunge and have my first PGA lesson tomorrow (1 hour initially, followed by 6x30min sessions weekly, with practice inbetween (the range is literally 5 minutes from me, so I can be there quite a bit to build on what I'm being taught).

Apparently each lesson video analysis of my swing is recorded and saved so I can see how I'm improving / what I need to work on, something that a lot of ranges / lessons charge a lot extra to include, so it looks like I'm getting quite good value from the off.

I'm going in with the attitude that I've never picked up a club before as I want to start with the very basics, as this seems to be the most consistent advice I've heard in all discussions about picking up golf. From playing pitch and putt on Sunday, my putting is good, chipping to the green seems surprisingly accurate, but I have little to no ability in the longer (tee & approach, where I have to use more than what seems to be 1/4 swing) shots :-)

Few questions:

For those who had lessons early on, how long was it before you bought your clubs?
Is cost mainly down to what you are prepared to spend (I already know I''m prepared to put the practice in and develop my game, and while most clubs loan them out, I'd like to learn with my own clubs as soon as possible so I can get used to them for a few years (as long as they are right fit for me, obv.)

Is it worth building up your set of clubs as you start to use understand more about your game or just go get a full set?

How long before you tackled an 18 holer? (did you stay on par 3 academy / training course first?)

How much time do you still put in the range in between comps / rounds?

Handicaps - is this something I shouldn't even bother with until I've played for x months or is it just when you're ready? How do you go about getting your official handicap? Is it play 3 x 18 hole rounds and use that as a basis? I'd like to know where I am (max being 28, which I expect from the off!!)

I'm hoping the coach will be able to answer these and many more questions I have, but nice to get your views

Anyway, I'm looking forward to it, just a bit gutted it's taken me this long before I decided to take the plunge. Who knows, may see you at one of the AVF Golf Days...

[Apsilon]

Originally Posted by Bonessi

Few questions:

For those who had lessons early on, how long was it before you bought your clubs? Is cost mainly down to what you are prepared to spend (I already know I''m prepared to put the practice in and develop my game, and while most clubs loan them out, I'd like to learn with my own clubs as soon as possible so I can get used to them for a few years (as long as they are right fit for me, obv.)

I would get a relatively inexpensive set right away as using clubs which are not yours will not benefit you in the mid-long term and you may find golf isn't for you. Go to a shop where you can try some out as some shafts are longer than others and you need a set you'll be comfortable with. Steel for fast swings and graphite for slow.

Originally Posted by Bonessi

Is it worth building up your set of clubs as you start to use understand more about your game or just go get a full set?

Just get a standard oversized cavity set with big sweet spots for more forgiveness on shots. 3-SW and Drivers/Putter. Chances are as a learner, you won't need the drivers (certainly not the 1W) and you probably won't use anything below a 6I. As you progress, Hybrid irons or a rescue club can be a worthwhile purchase. Also buy a lots of lake balls off the bay as you will need them in the short term and they save you a lot of money

Originally Posted by Bonessi

How long before you tackled an 18 holer? (did you stay on par 3 academy / training course first?)

As long as your fairly comfortable at striking the ball then there's no reason not to start already. Get yourself on a Municipal course to get the feel for an 18 holer as it's a world away from pitch and putt.

Originally Posted by Bonessi

How much time do you still put in the range in between comps / rounds?

This is dependant on the individual, how serious you take it and how good you want to become. Practice makes perfect, but whilst hitting balls on the range is always good for your game, it is no substitue for the course.

Originally Posted by Bonessi

Handicaps - is this something I shouldn't even bother with until I've played for x months or is it just when you're ready? How do you go about getting your official handicap? Is it play 3 x 18 hole rounds and use that as a basis? I'd like to know where I am (max being 28, which I expect from the off!!)

Don't even worry about this for your first 12 months or so. You will only need a handicap for joining a private club, comps and playing at other private clubs (not always though). Get your confidence up in playing before worrying about getting a handicap.

Originally Posted by Bonessi

I'm hoping the coach will be able to answer these and many more questions I have, but nice to get your views

Anyway, I'm looking forward to it, just a bit gutted it's taken me this long before I decided to take the plunge. Who knows, may see you at one of the AVF Golf Days...

Good luck. It is the most frustrating game in the world and will take a good bit of perseverance to stick with it

[BB3Lions]

How many of you play for business over 'pleasure'?