Getting Started...

[Shindo]

Hello, I posted around 6 months ago asking for some advice on equipment and golf in general but since then I haven't been very well so everything Golf got put on hold.

Anyway everything is good now and Golf is back on the cards. I started taking lessons just after Christmas (My Fiancee got me them as a present) and they have been lots of fun. So far I haven't bought any equipment and I've only been and practiced/played on the Driving Range. I'm wanting to take my golf further but not really sure what I should do next. What would you guys recommend?

Should I look to invest some money in equipment?
Should I continue with my weekly lessons at the Driving Range for now??
Should I actually get out and play a round? And if so where would I start???

 

[fundy]

Its seems as though the bug has bitten you so personally I would look to pick up a cheapish second hand set of clubs, continue with the lessons but also practise on your own and then start to play a few holes on the course

No need to spend fortunes on clubs and the best place to start is probably with your pro who should be able to give you some recommendations, and may even have some suitable 2nd hand clubs himself

 

[Farneyman]

Just dont rush buying clubs. I bought pretty much the first irons I tries and although I like them I wish I had tried more.

Try to borrow a set from some one or buy some cheap second hands ones to start and get them down to the driving range and hit balls....Once you feel ready then just play a game.

I would suggest you try and play a game as soon as possible, who knows you might hate the game when you play it!

 

[Shindo]

I'm really enjoying the lessons and things seem to have moved on loads from where I started just a few weeks ago..... so yeah you could say the bug has got me lol!!

I'm sure my Pro shop stocks a few secondhand sets of clubs so I will have to take a look at them when I have my lesson this week. Is there anything I should be looking out for or should I just ask my pro which ones he would recommend? I have around £800-£1000 saved for equipment, I started putting away about £100 a month last year but since I took ill I never bought any clubs but kept saving lol!

When it comes to playing a game I don't have any friends who play golf so where should I start? Do I need to get some type of rule book? Can I play a course solo? What other "Do's and Don'ts" do I need to know??

 

[Farneyman]

Your going to have fun buying gear. Thats a good budget to start with for stuff.

Remember always ask for a discount.

Think you can get a free rule book from the R&A web site.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My advice is to try before you buy anything and get some advice first. Make sure the shafts suit you (stiff may be too firm for your swing or conversely regular may be too whippy). I'd be looking for some game improvement (GI) irons with a large cavity back to help you on mishits. There are plenty around and Benross, MD etc do very good value clubs so you may even be able to pick up a brand new set for very close to the price of 2nd hand big name models

 

[Midnight]

Hi and welcome back,

you have prob said before , but where do you play now, I am sure there would be people on the forum who may live close by and would be happy to have a round with you.

Wish I had that money to spend mate , all my stuff cost me less than £400.

I would also agree with Homer, get out and try lots of diffrent sets , you will be suprised what you can actually hit and get on with , def don't discount makes like MD and Benross. They may not be the best known clubs but they are very good.

Cheers and enjoy

Midnight..

 

[HickoryShaft]

Definitely start with talking to the Pro at the local course / shop. When I first took up up the game I went straight in for an off-the shelf set not realising that being over 6ft 2" these were unsuitable. Several hundred slices later it nearly finished me till I had a few lessons and the pro lent me some with longer shafts to try. Silly but I guess plenty of people have done similar.

Getting the right set is the very first thing to sort - could be a 2nd hand set or new as long as they suit you.

After that just have fun and dont take it too seriously until you have had a few rounds - if you can find someone close by who will show you the ropes all the better.

Good luck with it

 

[mrwoo]

I would suggest getting a cheap set of 2nd hand irons from ebay and start playing any local par 3 courses. There should be no problem playing on your own initialy.

 

[Mark_G]

Get out on the course either on your own or ask the local pro if he has any he could pair you up with of a similar standard. I play with a chap I took group lessons with, but also enjoy a round on my own, on my first round, I deliberately picked the last tee time so there would be know one behind me to hold up, I could enjoy the course and relax which is much more fun than worrying about the group behind.