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Any tips for a complete beginner?

C

Clueless Newbie

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May 18, 2016
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Hi,

I’m new to this site and new to golf (other than a bit of mini golf/crazy golf on holiday a few years ago).

I’ve started by taking a couple of lessons which I’m enjoying so far, and I have a few more booked, but eventually I’m going to want to actually PLAY!

The problem with this is; I don’t know anyone who plays. None of my family/friends are interested and, at the moment, I’m pretty much clueless beyond the ‘you try to get the ball in the hole’ part.

I’d hate to go out for my first game on my own and end up just annoying other people.

What would you suggest to someone in my position?
 
Welcome to the forum.
Let us know where you're based and someone local to you may hook up for a game!
Tell us more about you .......................... it all helps.
 
Clueless Newbie said:
Hi,

I’m new to this site and new to golf (other than a bit of mini golf/crazy golf on holiday a few years ago).

I’ve started by taking a couple of lessons which I’m enjoying so far, and I have a few more booked, but eventually I’m going to want to actually PLAY!

The problem with this is; I don’t know anyone who plays. None of my family/friends are interested and, at the moment, I’m pretty much clueless beyond the ‘you try to get the ball in the hole’ part.

I’d hate to go out for my first game on my own and end up just annoying other people.

What would you suggest to someone in my position?
Click to expand...

just go out and enjoy it.

why not just go for a round on your own at a muni or the like?

My first game was at a cricket club golf day, id never even hit a ball before, turned up, met the guy who'd invited me in the car park and he lent me some clubs and off i went.
 
Welcome to the site, its an easy sport (& website) to get hooked on... although in 5 years you'll look back and regret that username :D
 
Last edited:
Hi, welcome to the forum. Have you asked the pro you are taking lessons from? He might know other beginners who are in a similar situation. Also, if you are taking the lessons at a driving range, maybe they have a notice board where you can put up a note saying that you are looking for people to join you for a round.

And if you really don't find anyone, don't be too afraid to just go out on a muni or pay&play on your own (honestly, you will probably mess up so badly that you are very glad when no one sees you the first time ;) it's normal. We've all been there.) Evenings during the week are great for that, normally there is not much going on at that time of day and you can just find your own pace without feeling pressured.
 
Playing on your own is a surprisingly good way to meet other people. When I started playing last year I knew a couple of people who played but they lived the other end of the country from me. I took the plunge and joined a club and played on my own for 2 rounds. On my 2nd round I caught up with 2 guys and was asked if I wanted to join them, so I did. For the last year I have played with them every week.

I still have the odd round on my own in the week or evenings and when I catch up with people, I again join them for the rest of the round most of the time.

Dont worry about holding people up and annoying them - Just be aware of other people, step aside and let them play through if you are holding them up.
 
Too soon for three goals method?

Forget the hole at first.

1. Get the ball on the fairway
2. Get inside 100 yards
3. Get on the green.
4. Get in the hole
 
I'm in the exact same position, been hitting balls for 6 months on the range but my mate who started out with me has given up. I know acouple of golfers that play at a decent course but don't have time to come to the pay n plays with me (I'm to inconsistent to play at a decent course). If your around the Hampshire area give me a shout!
 
Give up before its too late.
Take up something easier like rocket science or quantum physics instead.

But if you stick with it just remember ...........there's always someone worse than you and even Tiger Woods was rubbish at one time.
Welcome
 
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. :)

I’m from Hampshire.

As far as equipment goes, I’m just using whatever I can borrow from the shop where I’m having lessons until I have a better idea of what I’m doing (and whether or not I’m going to stick with it). I’m enjoying what I’m doing so far, so it probably won’t be long before I start looking to buy my own.

Capella said:
Hi, welcome to the forum. Have you asked the pro you are taking lessons from? He might know other beginners who are in a similar situation. Also, if you are taking the lessons at a driving range, maybe they have a notice board where you can put up a note saying that you are looking for people to join you for a round.
Click to expand...


I have another lesson booked soon, so I can ask the pro for some advice then.

I’m also going to start going to the range a couple of times a week to practice, so maybe I’ll meet some like-minded folk while I’m there.

I don’t know if there’s a notice board at the range, but it’s certainly worth a try. I’ll take a look next time I’m down there.

It’s not so much that I’m afraid to look bad on my first time out. I know I’m going to suck at this for a while. ;) I just don’t want to annoy other people while I'm hacking away. :(

Slab said:
... although in 5 years you'll look back and regret that username :D
Click to expand...
Lol, true. In 5 years time I certainly won’t be a newbie any more but, as for the ‘clueless’ part, well...we’ll see.
 
Clueless Newbie said:
Lol, true. In 5 years time I certainly won’t be a newbie any more but, as for the ‘clueless’ part, well...we’ll see.
Click to expand...

You go through stages. As a total beginner you start out with uninformed incompetence (which is quite a nice state to be in, you are not able to hit the shots you want yet, but you don't expect anything else). You then progress to informed incompetence. Much more annyoing. You start to get a general idea of what you should be doing, you just can't do it. Many golfers stay in that frustrating stage for a very long time, some for the complete remainder of their golfing life. (I'm definitely there, and I guess many other forumers as well ... it's the natural habitat of the mid- to high-handicap golfer). So, you probably won't be clueless anymore, but you'll sometimes wish you were. I've heard rumors that there are stages after this that some enlightened golfers may reach ... like calm acceptance or even informed competence ... but I think they belong into the realm of myth and legend. :lol:
 
Clueless Newbie said:
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. :)

I’m from Hampshire.

As far as equipment goes, I’m just using whatever I can borrow from the shop where I’m having lessons until I have a better idea of what I’m doing (and whether or not I’m going to stick with it). I’m enjoying what I’m doing so far, so it probably won’t be long before I start looking to buy my own.




I have another lesson booked soon, so I can ask the pro for some advice then.

I’m also going to start going to the range a couple of times a week to practice, so maybe I’ll meet some like-minded folk while I’m there.

I don’t know if there’s a notice board at the range, but it’s certainly worth a try. I’ll take a look next time I’m down there.

It’s not so much that I’m afraid to look bad on my first time out. I know I’m going to suck at this for a while. ;) I just don’t want to annoy other people while I'm hacking away. :(


Lol, true. In 5 years time I certainly won’t be a newbie any more but, as for the ‘clueless’ part, well...we’ll see.
Click to expand...


Looking at some of the handicaps in signatures, a number of us still suck at this game and we've been playing it for a few years! :D People will still be more than happy to play with you if you are good company and most of us can still remember how crap we were so there is little chance that people will be that annoyed if they know it is your first game or that you are still a beginner. If they are, shame on them not you.

Welcome to the madhouse, and can you tell us the most important thing; which football team do you support so that we can lay into them on the football threads? It's normal to give us a clue as to who you support in your forum name but you don't seem to, unless you're a Liverpool fan and your handle pays homage to Jurgen Klopp………….. :whistle:
 
Blue in Munich said:
Looking at some of the handicaps in signatures, a number of us still suck at this game and we've been playing it for a few years! :D People will still be more than happy to play with you if you are good company and most of us can still remember how crap we were so there is little chance that people will be that annoyed if they know it is your first game or that you are still a beginner. If they are, shame on them not you.

Welcome to the madhouse, and can you tell us the most important thing; which football team do you support so that we can lay into them on the football threads? It's normal to give us a clue as to who you support in your forum name but you don't seem to, unless you're a Liverpool fan and your handle pays homage to Jurgen Klopp………….. :whistle:
Click to expand...

Idiot! He's from Hampshire so, it's obvious- Man U all day long!
 
Don't worry about losing/slicing balls for a while, it's going to happen.
Work on chipping and putting, it's the easiest way to reduce your scores even if your long game is like dog poo.
 
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