NEW TO GOLF

[thomas1981]

Just started playing a few months ago,not yet joined a club. Just wondering if any thoughts on the best way going forward over winter. Join club? Lessons? Keep paying per round? Range? At moment only played 9 rounds.
Thanks Thomas

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My advice would be to use the winter to get lessons and hone the swing until it comes as naturally as possible. Winter golf is hard going with the ground being fairly wet throughout although there is nothing better than going out on a sunny crisp morning with the frost glistening on the trees.

You might want to have a look for a club as at theis time of year they are normally keen to get people in to pick up on the shortfall of members being experienced by most clubs at the moment.

If you can get the swing and basics working and use the good days in the winter to get out and test yourself and your porgress on the course you will be in fine shape by Spring and hopefully as a member somewhere and with three handicap cards in, ready to do some damage in the competitions

 

[johng]

Hi Thomas,

welcome aboard, glad you're here.

Stick with some lessons form a respected pro to build some consistency, use the range and enjoy what ever golf you can get through the winter gloom.

Just play what ever you can when you can after you have the fundamentals in place.

Hopefully you'll be in good shape to play well on the course next spring.


good luck.
john.

 

[haplesshacker]

Welcome.

Whatever you do. Enjoy it.

 

[thomas1981]

Thanks for the welcome and great advice guys. Be looking to book some lessons soon. All advice very welcome at moment. Thanks again

 

[medwayjon]

Welcome to the best forum in golf from the best magazine.

As for club, I havent looked back since joining a private club so I would go with that for sure.

 

[DCB]

Thomas1981

Welcome to the best forum around.

Have a look around the area you're in, there's bound to be somewhere you can get some lessons localy. get the basics sorted and the rest will come with time.

 

[thomas1981]

Thanks DCB on it as we speak.

 

[Herbie]

Welcome Thomas, Homer has given you most of the advice I would but just remember to enjoy it and never let it grip you so hard that you lose the pleasure.

 

[TonyN]

GET LESSONS.

have a couple and learn the basics, work on your game gradually through the winter, start from the ground up and by next summer you should be in a position to play some consistent rounds and know what you want to do.

 

[happyhacker]

Welcome to the site Thomas. Really is filled with some knowledgeable guys.

I'm in the falkirk area as well. I have been a member of both The two local courses (Falkirk GC & Falkirk Tryst)and am a current member of the Tryst. Plus have just joined another course on the other side of the Kincardine bridge in my signature. If you are looking to join a course and can drive I would recommend looking outside of the two falkirk course, both are over priced imo.

If you want a friendly game some time drop me a PM and I can sign you on as a guest.

 

[shanker]

Welcome to golf Thomas1981. I started playing 12 years before you were born, best thing I ever did. You'll have fun but the game makes you suffer at times. Be warned.
Regards
Shanker.

 

[flandango]

Hey Thomas, I always like to set myself goals, something that I am working towards.as opposed to just practicing playing golf.

I set myself a h/c target for next season, and have a training programme that I am to stick to on and off the course throughout the winter to help me achieve these goals.

May sound a bit serious, but it's the seriousnes and the competitiveness against myself that makes me love the game so much.

With your personal ability the sky is he limit! I assume, you have two arms, two legs and a head with eyes......just like every PRO golfer on tour.

 

[Basher]

Don't spend all your time down the range playing off mats. Try to get a bit of practise in on grass if you can.
Practise your swing by all means, but playing from a mat is way, way different to playing off grass.

 

[thomas1981]

Thanks for the offer happyhacker,maybe once i get a bit consistant and not hitting balls all over the place. And thanks for the opinion on the clubs,as these were two i've looked at.

 

[thomas1981]

And thanks to everyone for the advice, every little idea and tip is really helpful when starting such a cruel and fantastic game. Already wondering how i can hit a great(ish) shot then next time totally mess up. Going to get some lessons soon as advised to see what i should be doing.

 

[jeffc]

Hi Thomas
a late welcome

just to give you some other thoughts,
I chose to join a club because if you're playing at least once a week it's cheaper and many clubs have practise areas with REAL grass.
The other advantage of being in a club is that instead of going to the range for an hour you can play 4 or 5 holes which imo is better practise (sometimes ranges can frustrate beyond belief).
During the winter you can also play 9 holes if the going/weather is tough because you don't feel obliged to play the full 18.
Oh and definitely have lessons.

 

[thomas1981]

Got some lessons booked with local pro. Thanks again for the advice. One more question, can anyone recommened an easy to hit 3 wood for a beginner, as this is the next club i'm looking to buy. cheers

 

[viscount17]

wait for the lessons, then talk to the pro