Is the internet a good thing or a very bad thing as far as golf is concerned?

G1BB0

G1BB0

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so, average handicaps haven't changed over god knows how many years, yet, I am sure club/clothing and ball sales are through the roof

we all come on here asking advice on this and that, comparing video's, critiquing pro's swings, our own swings but how did folk manage 10 years ago or more?

is all this shared knowledge, access all areas a benefit or in reality a hinderance?
 
What's that saying about a liitle information being a dangerous thing. I think as long as you are pragmatic in what you take off the net then I think it can be a great thing. From a retail perspective manufacturers have realised there is a HUGE market out there and whilst online retailers can make a profit there'll continue to be price watrs which can only be good for the consumer
 
trial and error at the range. im sure some of the things, in fact i know some of the things i do are not in the textbook but if it works for me then ill stick at it. i have a far from picture perfect swing but it works for me. as they say, "its not how, but how many!"
 
I think it all depends on the individual, but the internet is an invaluable tool, including for golf - for the consumer a wealth of information is available for free and for a manufacturer, there is access to a huge audience. The key thing for every party is how to get the best out of it. It's very easy to get bogged down in what's out there and I can see where you're coming from in terms of it being a hindrance, but the fact is we live in an increasingly digitial world, where we have to filter the good from the bad. In terms of getting the best out of it, just as you would've done in the past, it's about building up trust, be it with a supplier of kit or information. This forum is a great example of people sharing experiences which can help others, all facilitated by the internet. What was it like 10 years ago? Different, but people knew no different so got by just fine :D
 
my swing? flatter than a pancake. its still quite flat but not as bad. i didnt even know about it till i seen a video of myself at the range. U-G-L-Y as sin. learned about swing paths, grip, punching shots, lob shots, all from the net! goldmine that it is!
 
I think we are going the wrong way, it's all length length length.

I used to caddy for a mid 60's golfer around a local course that was pretty long and quite tight. He never flittered out of 11/12 hc. It's was a proven format for him!

Straight drive 200 max
Straight approach 3w, 5w
Chip
1 putt

He only struggled on Long par 4's off the backs, but would rarely shoot more than a bogey. He knew he's strengths, avoided he's weekness's and that's why he didn't move hc in the 5 years I carried for him.
 
I think you really need to filter the information for your own particular situation.....
On the one hand yes it can be a big help....It was for me....But on the other hand there is a lot of crap on it also.

And in fairness any decent player that i know in our club has told me to stay clear of the net....I was told ill get bogged down in too much mechanics......And that will reek havoc on my game......It did and iv since not bothered to analyse my swing and try get the club into certain positions or swing from certain directions.....

Lately everything has been very positive.....
 
I love the fact that there is so much golf related stuff on the internet from getting live tournament feeds, looking up Rules decisions, gear reviews, shopping for gear and even golf forums!

Don't think it is necessarily due to the internet but compared to when I started playing 30-40 years ago there is so much more emphasis on improving your game by buying the latest kit.

In those days the gear was all much of a muchness (wooden woods, bladed irons, balata balls). Some was better quality but the only way to get better was to have lessons and/or practice.

No doubt that the internet has given the manufacturers greater opportunities to market their gear and some of the websites are brilliant but they are trying to sell a product.

Before the internet you relied on magazines and your local pro for info about equipment and technique and tv and newspapers for coverage of tournanments. It was rather insular and limited. The internet makes much more info available to many more people which has to be good if, as said above, you take a bit of care.
 
It's been a massive help to me.
I try different stuff all the time, some of it has worked & some hasn't, I just discard what doesn't work for me.
 
I find the internet good fun. On here for example, its only like the clubhouse of an evening. But over the airwaves so as to speak. Love reading reviews and the adds. Does it effect my swing? No not in the slightest. Does it improve my knowledge yes it has. Plus from chatting to everyone on here. You get chances to meet and play, courses you may never play. Its nice to be able to come on here anytime and someone will be about. You take what you want from the internet.
 
dont get me wrong, I am not anti internet, just wondered how we view it of late. In all honesty I woudn't have taken up golf or had the clubs I own without it (maybe not such a great endorsement lol)

thanks for your opinions and please everyone have your say
 
Great question Gibbo.

In my opinion the internet is a fantastic resource, even if you only use it to watch pro swings on Youtube over and over again.

In regards to information it's a mixture as it's always influenced by total choppers who think they know the mechanics of a swing whilst never breaking 80, or they point you in a direction that THEY think will help even though it never really helped them ironically :mad:

If you dig deep enough you can find the real information..... here's a starting point... http://johngrahamgolf.com/blog/ read every post of his and visit every site in his 'blogroll' and you'll start to scratch the surface.
 
In the main information is helpful even if some of it is destructive to your game and physical ability and should be ignored.
 
I took up the game in 1973 and without wishing to plug the magazine too much I got pretty much all my information from Golf Monthly magazine. Gave up completely in 1980 and didn't play again until 2010. For me, the internet has been great as a source of info particularly when I was swotting up on new clubs and couldn't believe the changes which had taken place. I think the trick with the internet is to be selective otherwise you quickly get into information overload.
 
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