Just realised there's a lot of work to do...

[huds1475]

Got my first Handicap today, a whopping 23. If I'm honest would say I'm a little disappointed but I guess it's a wake up call that improvements are required.

Seems to me (know that there are signs my driving is coming back) that short game is an obvious place to start. Are putting lessons a valuable investment (am a 2-3 putt person in general)?

 

[Foxholer]

Calls of banditry - and a review of the initial allocation - hopefully await!

Certainly seems than Putting is an issue - isn't it to all of us though!

Chipping would be the other area I'd suggest you get some help. A sound technique from near/around there can save you plenty of shots without a huge amount of effort. Though it is a case of practicing being a major part of it.

General rule of thumb is to 3 times as much short game, including putting, practice as long game. Swing lessons may affect that ratio somewhat though.

 

[londonlewis]

Got my first Handicap today, a whopping 23. If I'm honest would say I'm a little disappointed but I guess it's a wake up call that improvements are required.

Seems to me (know that there are signs my driving is coming back) that short game is an obvious place to start. Are putting lessons a valuable investment (am a 2-3 putt person in general)?

improving your short game will be invaluable and I would put money on it that if you exclusively practiced with your putter, wedges and 9-iron you would improve significantly.
Spend your time developing your pitching, chipping, sand play and putting.

If you want putting technique, you could do worse than read the following 4 stage approach to putting.

http://golfdrawer.com/tutorials/putting/

 

[patricks148]

I wouldn't worry about it.

My starting handicap in 2006 was 24 and had only picked up a golf club for the first time a month or so before.

 

[huds1475]

Thanks for the input, really useful to get some input from more exprienced players

 

[Birchy]

I would bother too much with putting lessons but just practice it a lot more. Your technique doesn't look that bad to me just distance control lacking a lot of the time.

Short game lessons will help you a lot and learning to get up and down from different places is key. Pitching, chipping, greenside bunkers etc. That will get your handicap down quickest.

 

[woody69]

Got my first Handicap today, a whopping 23. If I'm honest would say I'm a little disappointed but I guess it's a wake up call that improvements are required.

Seems to me (know that there are signs my driving is coming back) that short game is an obvious place to start. Are putting lessons a valuable investment (am a 2-3 putt person in general)?

work on the finesse game, i.e. getting on to the green and near the hole from within 60 yards. I would imagine you're within that distance after 2 shots (on a par 4), but then taking 4/5 shots on average from within 60 yards to get down, i.e. drive, 2nd shot to within 60, miss the green with 3rd, knock on for 4, 2/3 putt, or drive, 2nd to within 60, on the green for your 3rd and then 3 putt? If you can get on the green and close enough to get down in a single putt or 2 your handicap will tumble.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

You have to start somewhere. Short game, course management and outing will shed shots quickly. Have fun getting down. It's a rocky road!