Beginner - Advice please

[fctilidie]

I'm new here so thought I'd ask some advice straight away before I jump in and regret my decisions like I usually do.

I've never played before although I do watch golf all the time, just never got round to taking it up as non of my friends were interested in playing, now I have a friend who is interested in playing too so I'm finally going to take it up.

So here are my questions...

1. Should I take lessons before I even go to a driving range? I've been reading this forum and that seems to be the advice given

2. Should I wait until I've had a few lessons to buy some clubs? I don't want to jump in and buy some and then find out there no good for my swing

Any other advice welcome


Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[evita4]

Hi fctilidie and welcome to the forum. To answer your questions I would advise getting a set of lessons booked. This should get you enjoying the game quickly and learn good techniques from the start. As to buying clubs, you have 2 choices really. Buy a cheap set of traded in clubs at somewhere like American Golf or buy a half set of cheap ones from Sports World. Once you get to a level where your swing is pretty consistent then buy a set of decent clubs and see about custom fitting them.

Hope this helps
Andy

 

[RGuk]

I agree with Andy.....

I started golf after "finding" a set of clubs in the boot of my G-dads car. I played a 9 holer a good few times and did lots of range sessions before going for a lesson.

Such a mistake....

Go for a couple to learn or double-check the basics of grip, posture, stance etc. Go and play/practice a bit, then go for a few more to make sure you have a good understanding of the simple beginnings of a swing.

IT TAKES MUCH LONGER TO CHANGE SOMETHING WRONG THAN LEARN FROM SCRATCH.

As any keen player will tell you, a good "useable" swing starts from the moment you move that club away from the ball, to the top of your backswing and then back again.
The reason so many of us try so hard to perfect our backswing is because the better you are at the top, the easier it is to control/adjust the downswing.

I spent hours (after my initial 1 or 2 lessons) frustrated that I couldn't hit the ball straight at all, and the strike was poor. When I went to a really good pro and explained the situation, his reply was something along the lines of.....

"well, your basics are OK, but has anyone actually taught you how to make a back-swing?" to which I replied; "we were just about to get on with that part!! "

He showed me a few things, gave me a drill or two and I went from 24 h'cap to 16 in under a year.

12 years later, I am currently working again on my backswing and I can feel it changing how everything in my swing works.

Do it this way and save yourself wasted time and energy!!!

Welcome, enjoy....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

In simple terms the earlier you get professional advice the easier it will be. If you start with lessons there will be ingrained habits to break as you'll start with a clean slate. Most pros offer beginners group lessons normally over a six week period which go through the swing basics and then touch on things like chipping, putting and bunkers. Many of these will have clubs you can borrow.

As for getting clubs, you can check the ad pages in your local papers (mine always has at least one set per week or a for sale site like gumtree). Other than that you could try golfbidder etc. Better still go to American Golf as they normally have some decent 2nd hand ones and you'll be able to try a few out before you buy.

Whichever way you choose to start I can guarantee that once it gets into your soul you'll be hooked for life irrespective of how good or bad you play. A bit like this forum in many ways. Welcome. Enjoy the banter, ask whatever questions you want and prepare for many hours in front of a keyboard. This site is addicitve.

 

[RGuk]

As for getting clubs, you can check the ad pages in your local papers

This was good for me. I went from 1970s clubs to a set of 1992 Mizunos out the paper. £80 including bag.....

 

[Smiffy]

I started off with a set of old irons my Father in law had kicking around in the garage. The grips were as shiney as hell, they were old blades...must have been from the 50's!
Played a few games with them (hacked around terribly) then decided it was the game for me. Bought myself a nice new shiney set of Ram Tom Watson irons and woods (think they were about £125.00 for the whole set)and took to the local municipal course like a budding Lee Trevino. That soon brought me down to earth with a bump!
Played around for another few months getting nowhere fast and then decided that if I was going to play this game properly I had to have a few lessons, which I did. This got the basics going for me, I saw a slight improvement and started to hit some "decent" shots. I was hooked. Read all of the golf instructional books going, watched videos etc. but nothing can take the place of lessons with a real live pro at a club. Put into practice what he has shown you and one day, one day, some of it will click into place and you are a "golfer".
Be prepared for many trials and tribulations..because the one sad fact about this stupid bloody game is the minute you think you've cracked it, it turns around and bites you in the arse. Usually, when you least expect it to.

 

[flandango]

'because the one sad fact about this stupid bloody game is the minute you think you've cracked it, it turns around and bites you in the arse. Usually, when you least expect it to'

And when you least want it to (Old Thorns)!!

The game does have a habbit of making you look an arse sometimes. But the beauty is......you take on the challenge, go away and work on a few things, and become a better player for it.

This is reward in itself, but then when you feel it going right on the course, knowing that all your hard work is coming together is a real good feeling.

Take the lessons from your pro, listen and practice, practice, practice. Take a couple of video's, it's amazing once you know what you are looking how you are able to see your own.

Also, get rid of the missus...you haven't got time for that any more!!!!!

 

[fctilidie]

Thanks for the replies, I'll get some lessons booked this week then.

I live in Hull (don't hold that against me) and don't know anyone who has had lessons in my area, is there anyone on this forum that can recommend someone in my area.

I'll wait until I've had a few lessons until I buy some clubs then, I don't want to get some and then realise there no good for me.

 

[TonyN]

All very good advice. AFter you have had a few lessons and start to understand the basics, take a look at Videojug.com. The instruction videos from Ricard Strongert(SP) are exceptional. Follow his tips and you will not go far wrong. Just dont try and follow his tips whilst your pro is still working with you, all swings are unique and although both advice may be good, it may clash.

Enjoy the forum, its a great place to learn the game!