Dont learn to hit a golf ball on a course............

[shivas irons]

I sat in the clubhouse of my club the other day and watched a couple in there 30's tee off from the 1st,well I say tee off,after a few minutes it was obvious these people had hardly played golf before.The fella managed to hit the ball some 10 yards and the lady after numerous air shots made contact and hit the ball about 5 yards.Now I haven't got a problem with people taking up the game but for crying out loud go to a range pay your dues and then find a golf course,as for the club taking in anybody who turns up with cash I guess this is a sign of the times as some such as my place now no longer require a handicap certificate .

 

[Captainron]

Defo! Lee Trevino once said you should get a licence to play golf. now I wouldn't go that far but I would hope that you got some basic skills on the range before getting onto a course.

 

[Curls]

Never fear Shiva, if that's how they have approached the game it won't be long until those clubs are on ebay, no one enjoys mini-golfing it around 7,000 yards.

 

[One Planer]

You learn to hit balls on the range. You learn to play golf on the course.

 

[Curls]

You learn to hit balls on the range. You learn to play golf on the course.

In that order

 

[jmf1488]

My biggest fear before going out for the first time was holding everyone back. It wasn't as bad as I thought though. Moved from the range to a par 3 course, still spraying every shot everywhere but the green and letting everyone behind play through.

I have come a long way since then though. Surprised at my rate of improvement when I think it was only a few short months ago that I was hitting double figures on a par 3.

 

[Rooter]

Never fear Shiva, if that's how they have approached the game it won't be long until those clubs are on ebay, no one enjoys mini-golfing it around 7,000 yards.

I dunno, i have a friend (read guy i know, who's wife knows my wife, so sometimes i have to play golf with him) who must have spent £600 on clubs alone, if he goes round N&C (par69) in less than 150, i would be amazed. but he still loves it... (PS i now refuse to play with him, i cant be responsible for my actions)

 

[Curls]

I dunno, i have a friend (read guy i know, who's wife knows my wife, so sometimes i have to play golf with him) who must have spent £600 on clubs alone, if he goes round N&C (par69) in less than 150, i would be amazed. but he still loves it... (PS i now refuse to play with him, i cant be responsible for my actions)

Nowt as queer as folk as they say! Sounds like 150 would have been this crowds front 9. Its obvious to most of us that you should learn to hit the ball more than 10 yards before going on a busy course. However I want to clarify I have no issue with people who aren't good or quick, as long as they leave folk through. If you are courteous, mind the turf and don't hold up play, go for your life.

Give me 20 of those rather than one 4 ball who think they own the place!

 

[shivas irons]

My biggest fear before going out for the first time was holding everyone back. It wasn't as bad as I thought though. Moved from the range to a par 3 course, still spraying every shot everywhere but the green and letting everyone behind play through.

I have come a long way since then though. Surprised at my rate of improvement when I think it was only a few short months ago that I was hitting double figures on a par 3.

I also moved onto a par 3 course after I was confident I could make reasonable contact with the ball at a range,its a case of building you confidence with this game when you first start out,but to think you can play 7000yds between air shots is ignorance.There was a time at my club where these people would have been advised to leave the course and given their money back and quite rightly so!

 

[SocketRocket]

In Germany you are not allowed to play golf until you have a licence. You have to take lessons and pass a practical/written test.

 

[CMAC]

In Germany you are not allowed to play golf until you have a licence. You have to take lessons and pass a practical/written test.

what countries?

*edit* ah I see you have editted as it said many countries first. Thats interesting about Germany, very structured disciplined race so I can understand that, I wonder what the official reason given is?

 

[USER1999]

Interesting that when tim golfy was trying to learn golf at the range every one jumped down his throat. Said he should get on the course and get a handicap.

 

[Hooper]

It would be nice to think an established player/member/pro/captain..etc.. would approach beginners like this and offer to take them out for a round to help them out. Maybe I am being a bit too optimistic.

 

[stevie_r]

Interesting that when tim golfy was trying to learn golf at the range every one jumped down his throat. Said he should get on the course and get a handicap.

Not forgetting though that he believed his driving (on the range) would have put him towards the top of the PGA tour stats - and decided that there was therefore no need for a short game!

 

[MarkA]

I remember taking my wife and my sister on the local par 3 course after lessons! It took them 20 minutes to get off the tee I was so embarassed!! But they perservered and they are doing ok with official handicaps. Moral give people a chance first time on a course is not like the range!!

 

[SocketRocket]

what countries?

*edit* ah I see you have editted as it said many countries first. Thats interesting about Germany, very structured disciplined race so I can understand that, I wonder what the official reason given is?

I imagine it's to stop what happened with the OP.

 

[garyinderry]

im firmly rooted in the "find the right place" for beginners to learn. taking them to a full size 18 hole course is silly. par 3 course or even pitch and putt until they nail down the basics.

 

[JPH]

Pitch and putt , par three then golf

Bit of range between it all

First time I went out on a proper golf course was when having a lesson

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Great believer in beginners getting some lessons and learning the basics. Many pros offer group lessons including a playing lesson. Par 3 courses are a great starting point but I don't think you should go out on the course without the ability to actually get it going forward. It must be soul destroying standing on a 400 yard hole and taken 10-15 shots to get within range of the green. Thats taking into account letting others through too. Learn the basics, use the range, enjoy a par 3 and then go out and enjoy the course. Seems a simple progression to me

 

[USER1999]

Not forgetting though that he believed his driving (on the range) would have put him towards the top of the PGA tour stats - and decided that there was therefore no need for a short game!

Not strictly true. He believed that if he practiced all (including short game) skills, that rather than starting from a 28 handicap, and trying to get to scratch, that if your first three cards were hot, you would start from a lower base, and it would be achievable quicker. I'm yet to be convinced that he was wrong.