Advice for a new Golfer lacking a bit of confidence

[apj0524]

Hi,

Looking for some comments and advice for a new golfer. I started to swing a club last Sept (Late in life I'm 52), I have had lessons through the winter and have been using the driving and pitching range at least a couple of times a week and in this this environment 95% of my shots are Ok if not super long.

My issue is that having joined a club and wanting to start to play with other club members, 1st to get a handicap and secondly to enjoy the sport, I have a bit of a confidence issue, so what at advice can you give? My thoughts are:

1) Try not to hit the ball too hard 80-90% swing speed.
2) Try to accept that I am going to take more strokes to reach the greens that other members
3) Try hit shots or number of shots that give me a 100 ~ 50 yrd lay up
4) Try and stay positive when ever I hit a poor shot

Any other advice guys

Thanks

 

[London mike 61]

Everyone at your new course would have played the course many, many times and will instinctively know what club to take on any given hole and condition therefore giving the impression that they are more capable than you, whereas you will have to ' learn ' how to play the course.

Play to your strengths whether that be driving , long irons or the short game, you will soon find the right strategy to play the course well.

EYG

 

[beau d.]

May sound a bit negative but for the first few rounds let your playing partners know you are new to game. This should put you at ease and hopefully will lead to you enjoying the round and hitting some good shots. On the whole i'm sure you will find your playing partners helpful and welcoming. Most of all relax and try and enjoy it.

 

[LinksTurf]

APJ0524. I took up golf in my 30's and my first game of golf was my works outing. Like you, I was also nervous and similarly worried about the reaction of those I was to play with, especially as they were a 2, 9, and 13 handicap. I think your suggestions are reasonable. I was also careful about what I used off the tee. Most of the time I used an iron, but then again it was over 20 years ago and my woods were unforgiving laminated maple heads with steel shafts! The key was, using the iron I hit the fairway every time, OK I took 3 (or sometimes 4) to get on the green, but managed to break 100 on a par 68 course, so I was fairly chuffed. Didn't hold up my partners too much either, which is what I was most worried about. In fairness, they were great, realising I was a nervous learner, and even helped me with my only sand shot (amazingly go out first time thanks to their help) and a few other pointers during the round. In the end I had a great time, and it got me hooked and playing ever since. If the guys you are playing with are understanding, don't worry. We've all been where you are at some time in the past!

 

[Odvan]

Similar boat to you where playing with the north-west lot on here was concerned. Meeting em for the first time at a forum meet and teeing off on the 1st was a nerve racking experience (new to regular golf last summer) but you'll soon find that other members at your club and fellow competitors will both a) welcome you and b) play some duff shots too.

I will be putting my first card in on Tuesday all being well, playing with a stranger, as a new member. Today whilst playing on my own I was invited to join a two ball as I'd caught them up and they were cracking company. I didn't worry in the slightest about duffing one, in fact, they duffed more than me.

Just play ya own game and Beau Sums it up....enjoy.

 

[sev112]

You sound like you've got it spot on

The only thing I'd add into smile and enjoy it

If you play well and get a low handicap you can be happy about playing well

If you have a duff day, smile because you'll have a competitive handicap for a while
If neither of those makes you happy, then smile because it's sunny outside
If it's raining, smile because you're not at work
If you hit a duff shots smile because statistically your next shot will be a good one
Tends to make you play betterifyou are happy with your lot

Good luck, play well

 

[sev112]

Oh yes, don't believe anything anyone tells you about the rules and etiquette when you are out there - by the number of arguments on here about the simplest of rules

 

[andybarc]

Golf is a game of confidence. So much so, Bob Rotella called his book that! I only took up the game about 5 years ago. I used to worry before I went out about if I'd make a mug of myself. Now I just accept that I will at some stage!

The best thing I can tell you really is that you should just accept some of your shots will be terrible, some excellent and most in the middle. Once you have done that, no need to worry about when they come! You aren't going to shoot the lights out, so don't worry too much about the final score. Just take each hole as it comes and try focus on getting some good holes in. Your bound to get some 7s and 8s. Accept that. But the minute you put two good shots together and two putt for a par, you will feel great!

Actually, there are three other things I'd suggest!

- if you feel more confident hitting irons, use them off the tee. It's sometimes easier to use irons all the way rather than chop and change between them and a driver.

- as you play more and more, try and create a memory bank of your good shots rather than dwell on the bad ones. As you play more and you find yourself facing, say an 8 iron, it is nice to visualise an occasion when you nailed it, rather than thinking negatively.

- finally, even though you need to keep a card, if there's an option as to what to play, if there are 4 of you, 4 ball better ball is a great option as it means less pressure on you and you get the camarderie of playing in a team and the banter that goes with having opponents. If not 4, suggest stableford. Stroke play is a terrible option as you just grow more and more dejected!


Good old luck. Tell us how things go!

 

[mcbroon]

Hi,

Looking for some comments and advice for a new golfer. I started to swing a club last Sept (Late in life I'm 52), I have had lessons through the winter and have been using the driving and pitching range at least a couple of times a week and in this this environment 95% of my shots are Ok if not super long.

My issue is that having joined a club and wanting to start to play with other club members, 1st to get a handicap and secondly to enjoy the sport, I have a bit of a confidence issue, so what at advice can you give? My thoughts are:

1) Try not to hit the ball too hard 80-90% swing speed.
2) Try to accept that I am going to take more strokes to reach the greens that other members
3) Try hit shots or number of shots that give me a 100 ~ 50 yrd lay up
4) Try and stay positive when ever I hit a poor shot

Any other advice guys

Thanks

First thing is to enjoy it.

Second thing is not to over-estimate the capabilities of your playing partners. First time I played for my h/c, I was nervous and played poorly but the guy I played with shot 126. Don't assume they'll all be better than you.

And the third thing is to enjoy it

 

[andybarc]

Second thing is not to over-estimate the capabilities of your playing partners. First time I played for my h/c, I was nervous and played poorly but the guy I played with shot 126.

Excellent point.

 

[G_Mulligan]

Hi,

Looking for some comments and advice for a new golfer. I started to swing a club last Sept (Late in life I'm 52), I have had lessons through the winter and have been using the driving and pitching range at least a couple of times a week and in this this environment 95% of my shots are Ok if not super long.

My issue is that having joined a club and wanting to start to play with other club members, 1st to get a handicap and secondly to enjoy the sport, I have a bit of a confidence issue, so what at advice can you give? My thoughts are:

1) Try not to hit the ball too hard 80-90% swing speed.
2) Try to accept that I am going to take more strokes to reach the greens that other members
3) Try hit shots or number of shots that give me a 100 ~ 50 yrd lay up
4) Try and stay positive when ever I hit a poor shot

Any other advice guys

Thanks

In the words of Yoda; do or do not, there is no try

Seriously though, make those your pre game plan and stick to it come what may. Even write them down and take them with you if you like.

 

[apj0524]

Thanks for your replies, and good advise.

I think using irons is a good idea but I seem to have quite a bit of confidence in my driver and I also use a 19* degree hybrid off a tee which seems to work well for me if I have to put the driver on naughty step. I let you know how my handicap cards go

Thanks again

 

[Deleted member 15344]

My best advice would be to forget the score , relax and enjoy yourself. Golf should be an enjoyable hobby for us all. Make it enjoyable for yourself

 

[GreigR]

I'm exactly the same, over time I'm sure the feeling will improve.
I absolutely hate teeing off in front of any group.

 

[davemc1]

Your first thought of only an 80/90% swing I would throw out the window. Work on your swing and in my opinion, as soon as you trust it the better. For me being a newbie as well, I find whenever I try and take something off I invariably end up duffing it.

Oh, and as no-one else has said it, enjoy your golf. :whoo:

 

[MadAdey]

I would have a word with the pro and see if he can get you a game with people of a similar standard, or maybe get hold of the organiser for the seniors section and get some games organised. Go out, relax and enjoy it, we all had to start somewhere and do not get too focused on hitting the ball as far as others hit it. Play within yourself and you will soon start to play to reasonable standard and get yourself a handicap.

 

[chrisd]

Hi,

Looking for some comments and advice for a new golfer. I started to swing a club last Sept (Late in life I'm 52), I have had lessons through the winter and have been using the driving and pitching range at least a couple of times a week and in this this environment 95% of my shots are Ok if not super long.

My issue is that having joined a club and wanting to start to play with other club members, 1st to get a handicap and secondly to enjoy the sport, I have a bit of a confidence issue, so what at advice can you give? My thoughts are:

1) Try not to hit the ball too hard 80-90% swing speed.
2) Try to accept that I am going to take more strokes to reach the greens that other members
3) Try hit shots or number of shots that give me a 100 ~ 50 yrd lay up
4) Try and stay positive when ever I hit a poor shot

Any other advice guys

Thanks

Everyone started to play sometime and therefore,everyone was a beginner and have been where you are, so,in my opinion, every player who goes out with you should be fine about your ability. Your game plan looks great, except, if you arnt a competent player from 100 to 50 yards why lay up to that, why not judge each shot on its merit and just play whatever you think will put you in the best position be that a lay up or even on the green.

I started playing at about 46 and found that, almost without exception, everyone I played with was helpful and understanding and I'm sure you'll find that too, the key things are, to watch where your ball goes, play as quick as you can, remember how many shots you've had and leave your bag in the right place for walking to the next tee!

Good luck!

 

[Beezerk]

First thing is to enjoy it.

Second thing is not to over-estimate the capabilities of your playing partners. First time I played for my h/c, I was nervous and played poorly but the guy I played with shot 126. Don't assume they'll all be better than you.

And the third thing is to enjoy it

Excellent point, remember there's ALWAYS someone worse than you on the course.
Not been playing long myself and I get very nervous on the first tee, specially with people watching. I convince myself they are all single figure players and must be awesome, this usually ends up with me rushing and playing badly for the first 4 or 5 holes.
I then see the majority of them playing badly with makes me relax more if you get what I mean :thup:

 

[cookelad]

Just remember one thing even scratch golfers have hacked it round at some point nobody was born a single figure golfer even those with natural ability won't have picked up their first set, played 18 holes then said "I've shot 72 is that any good?" on their first outing.

Most golfers will be understanding of the fact that you're a newbie as I say we've all been there and we all still have days when we feel we still are!

 

[Biggleswade Blue]

I feel like this too, but am rapidly learning that most people are so bothered about their shot that they aren't all that interested in yours. I spent half an hour or so watching the 18th from the clubhouse at one course before my first round, and realised there was plenty of other rubbish around, so that my rubbish was unremarkable.