New to Golf - need some advice

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The benefit of using American Golf facilities is that they often have a virtual golf machine giving you all your stats (launch angle, carry, total distance etc...)

...of use to a beginner? Or more likely to confuse? I am convinced that all the newbie needs is some inexpensive gear; a few lessons to learn absolute basics; and a load of enthusiasm. Get down the range - hit balls; and get on a course. A mate to learn and play with is handy.

But maybe that's old hat way of learning the game.

 

[londonlewis]

...of use to a beginner? Or more likely to confuse? I am convinced that all the newbie needs is some inexpensive gear; a few lessons to learn absolute basics; and a load of enthusiasm. Get down the range - hit balls; and get on a course. A mate to learn and play with is handy.

But maybe that's old hat way of learning the game.

It's hardly rocket science. I would recommend it for anyone who is considering buying new equipment as it is completely free, until you buy your clubs (if you buy clubs).

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It's hardly rocket science. I would recommend it for anyone who is considering buying new equipment as it is completely free, until you buy your clubs (if you buy clubs).

I agree - not rocket science but does the newbie even have to consider such things - I would find them distracting. But each to his own in deciding how to approach the game.

I've even heard that you can buy a bit of kit that gives you distance you are from the flag - now that sounds like rocket science - but they'll never catch on.

 

[Stub]

Hi,

What is it you wish you knew when you were starting out?

Mark

I took up golf when I retired from offshore sailing...I wish I'd bought another boat:whoo:

 

[Foxholer]

Surprise, surprise! I agree with DelC!

Quite difficult to get stance correct - so rest of fundamentals get haywire - if length is seriously off. S check that's not the case using the Ping self-fit.

If not seriously out, then get the fundamentals sorted early. If seriously out, clubs will probably be too short. This can be quite cheaply fixed with plugs, though you are likely to lose the grips - probably time to change them anyway and get them the right size for your hands as they'll probably be too small too. The lie angles normally need adjusting if the length changes.

Not a particularly cheap exercise, but not particularly expensive either. One of the 'costs' of being significantly higher than 'normal'! A benefit is that you will almosr certainly hit the ball further than 'normal' as your swing arc will be greater!

Good Luck - and welcome.

As well as Pachesam, there are several other 'fitters' in the Kingswood or Epsom area. Google is your friend there!

Once you have your 'specs' there are likely to be some good buys on Ebay. I always recommend Mizuno MX23s (or the later MX25s) as great forgiving clubs that will perform even for anyone!