Looking to start playing. Help please!

E

emoray

Newbie
Joined
Apr 10, 2010
Messages
2
Visit site
Hey all.

Basically, I'm 24, just finishing Uni and I'm looking at getting into golf as a new sport. I currently play badminton alot so I imagine I have pretty good hand-eye coordination and I tend to pick things up pretty quickly. After working as a first aider in the Open series in the UK, I'm wanting to get started playing soon.

So I've a couple of questions for you all.



Firstly, I'm thinking about taking lessons to get me started. How expensive are they ish in the UK, and how many would I need before I could get around a course without looking like an idiot?

They're building a course literally opposite my house at the moment, and the driving range is already open, so practice time on the driving range isn't really an issue. I've also got a bunch of mates who play, (I'm not sure at what level) and a family friend that plays at a reasonable level. So would the lessons even be necessary? Again, I want to be able to play socially at first, (Although I am competitive, so I'll want to improve over time.)



How much would I be looking to spend on clubs/bag/anything else I need to get round an 18 holer? I don't mind buying/waiting for a bargin on eBay. Would I need my own clubs for lessons?



Finally how long would this process take, about? (I know, how long is a length of string...)


Cheers guys!
 
I think lessons are probably the only way to start. Get a solid foundation and you can build a decent game on it. My advice would be to get a block booking (most pros do discounts for blocks) and then go away after each lesson and work on what you've been shown. It depends where you are really for how much they cost and what sort of pro you go to. Most pros will have a club you can use if you need one to get started.

As for kit, you'll need a pair of shoes for sure. There are some good makes that won't break the bank and which don't need much wearing in (Greenjoys etc). As for clubs, again its horses for courses and depends on your budget, how often you want to play etc. There are lots of bargains out there but make sure you try before you buy
 
Hmmm, I would disagree with the lessons straight away. I didn't have lessons until I had been playing for 2 months. I would recommend that you go to a municipal course and rip it to shreds. Go with someone who is willing to have a long round and only play 9 holes not 18. Do maybe 6 or 7 nine hole rounds then look into getting lessons.
 
Do you live in Rainford by any chance?

I would ask one of more experienced relatives to give you a helping hand with the basics and i sure they will have a set or two in the garage for you too learn.

Also those 9 hole short courses are a great place to learn and usually only cost around 5 pounds

Good luck
 
I started at 23 and had a couple of lessons to get started.
I then played for about 12 months before getting back into the lessons. I don't recommend anyone doing this; bad habits will take over your swing before you know it, so if I had my time again, I'd keep up the lessons.

It takes a while to get half decent enough to not make a fool of yourself on the course. Either go and play where everyone is dodgy or just play regardless. I only ever wanted to be able to get round without making a hash of it, and look where it got me! :o
Everyone makes mistakes and hits bad balls, by the time you are calmly knocking it round without seemingly ever doing anything really crappy, you'll be off a single figure h'cap....and even then.....well...... :)

Good luck.

PS, I started with borrowed clubs before buying a set of irons in a bag for £80. I added 3 woods (£120 i.i.r.c.) and a £30 putter, so my outlay was under £250.

That's when I should have stopped buying things....darn it, I never learn. :) :o
 
If you are naturally sporty, you can get yourself to a half decent standard without lessons imo.

It all depends on how you want to take it on. If you just want to play socially and not show yourself up then you might have enough natural ability to teach yourself and even beat all your mates.

If you want to do it properly and be the best you can be, then I think at least a couple of lessons on the basics (grip, posture, address position etc) before any bad habits set in would be a good idea.

When buying clubs, I'd say 99% on here would advise that a second hand good set will be far better in the long run than a brand new cheap set.

Also, if you have a couple of lessons before you buy any clubs, your pro could advise on what shaft flex would most likely suit you. I made the mistake of buying clubs when I didn't even know different shaft flexes existed and they didn't suit.

Welcome to the forums by the way :)
 
Thanks for all the replies guys!

So far from what I can see. I need to get a pair of shoes. I'll probably start with a lesson or two, practice at the driving range, then hit a municipal course and just try and get round, (I'll try and find a time where there'd be only my group playing.) Then hopefully get some more lessons/play with my family friend who plays very regularly.

At what point in that mix would someone be able to advise what type of shaft would be most suited to me, so I could look for clubs? Is it a natural thing that you can see straight off, or do you have to have some basic skill before it's determined?

andiritchie - Yes, I actually live on the Rainford by-pass, so going to the course opposite when it opens and the driving range up the road is ideal for me.


Thanks again everyone! I can see myself spending a lot of time on this forum! :)
 
At what point in that mix would someone be able to advise what type of shaft would be most suited to me, so I could look for clubs? Is it a natural thing that you can see straight off, or do you have to have some basic skill before it's determined?
Click to expand...

One of my playing partners started late in life and from day one it was obvious he'd need stiff shafts. Once you are hitting it, why not pop down to a golf superstore and get them to put you on a machine or simply ask the pro who gives you the lessons. 9 times out of 10 it's fairly obvious (if you ask me).
 
Shaft flex is 'mostly' based upon club speed, although your tempo can have an effect as well.

Basically, the more you load the shaft, the more resistance to flex you want the shaft to have.

Having said that, no doubt there are fast swingers (!) with regular shafts and vice-versa.
 
Hi

I have just posted on my blog a question like this about lessons, and it is my opinion that not to take lessons will lead you down the wrong road. lessons are there for a reason and you could not get better tuition than from someone in the know.learn the game right from the start and creat good habits, You will find some nice pointers for you to think about as well.

http://golfinformationlist.blogspot.com/[/url]
 
Hi

Looks like my help page is playing up, sent again for you
Click to expand...
No help page their mate, why not just post it.
Back on topic I found just getting out and playing with my mates, listening to some advice and getting them to help me worked but will be looking for lessons soon as i'm coming up to a year. good luck and welcome to the forum from a fellow hacker.
 
Good place the Northwest National mate i have lessons there which are £39.50 for a hour which i have had over winter and reaped the rewards with a couple of rounds of par.

They have a decent 9 holer there which i think is £10 for 9 hole and 50 range balls, as for the course i was speaking to a guy there and it will cost in the £60 area to play or membership is £1175 its just a little too far from Ashton for me to call a home club.
 
lessons: cost varies quite a bit, round my way the highest (that I know of) is £45/half-hour (he's a national U16/18 coach), down to £18 half-hour with a PGA Assistant (I think that means he's completing his qualifying course). Almost all offer packages of lessons, well worth looking for.
Pro's are very variable, the important things are that you get on with him and he can communicate with you in a way that you understand.
imo, get lessons from the off, it will save time unlearning bad habits later.
you probably won't need your own clubs for lessons (one pro round here gives beginners a 7-i, Ok an old one but it still works). you won't even need shoes until you plan on going on a course.
when you do get shoes, the most important things are that they are waterproof and comfortable - you're going to be spending a lot of time with them!
unless you know what you're doing the ebay bargain may not be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

The Squirrel
Golf trip around Scottish Open
2
Replies
20
Views
922
KenL
KenL
bradleywedge
Anyone over 50 had lessons and actually improved?
2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
chico
C
Canfordhacker
NC 500 and golf
Replies
15
Views
507
patricks148
patricks148
sjw
Solo golf trips for a few days, looking for recommendations
Replies
16
Views
1K
Marshy77
M
K
  • Locked
Golf new years resolutions
Replies
2
Views
301
Lord Tyrion
Lord Tyrion
Top