New User - Introduction

[Sneds]

Hello everybody,

I figured I would introduce myself to the forum users. I'm a newbie to the forum and to the world of golf. I have only played casually for the past few weeks, but I'm enjoying it more and more. I chose GM in a choice of about 4 golf magazines, and I really like the layout.

I bought a very cheap set of clubs (Dunlop I think) so that I would have something to start me off. Although as I begin to take the game more seriously I will be upgrading. (Can't go wrong with a fiver from ebay though!!)

A few very quick questions...is there anyway that I can order a back issue of GM? I would really like to read the 2008 review and it seems I missed the issue by a couple of months. I think this would help me a lot with choosing some new clubs.

Also, I have seen a used Ben Sayers set that I think I may be able to pick up relatively cheaply - would you recommend I purchased these and got rid of the Dunlops - it seems that Ben Sayers are a better quality, and may be more forgiving for me?

Anyway, I look forward to my stay!

John Sneddon, Hertfordshire.

 

[TonyN]

Good morning and Welcome.

If you would like some idea of equipment to buy, then the main site has a guide you can look at. Will be loads of gear and reviews, all tested by the team. Click here

As for the back copies, thier is also a 'Contact us' tab on the main site too. Just drop one of the team an email, or see your local newsagent.

Also, you may want to do a quick search through our old posts and read all about Custom Fitting before you consider buying anymore clubs.

Enjoy the forum!

 

[Sneds]

Morning Tony,

Thanks for the link, I had a read through a few reviews of sets that I am interested and it had a good amount of information.

I'll also email the team and see if I can get a copy of that issue.

With regards to custom fitting, I have read quite a few of the threads as I find the idea of it brilliant, however I really have only just started and I just want something that will get me by until I decide it's something I really want to do regularly.

At the moment I have been confined to pitch and putt and driving ranges to improve myself before I go on the main course. I did venture on the first 9 holes of my local course a few fridays ago, only to hit 56 from the front 9, so back to practising again now until I'm half decent.

I'm still unsure whether to buy this Ben Sayers set though, it's not a large investment (I can pick up the whole package for ~£30 used hopefully) just need to know if they're better than the Dunlops.

Cheers,
John

 

[theeaglehunter]

welcome to the forum.

If you are after the equipment supplement that came out a few months back (not sure when it was!) the boys at GM have made an electronic version that you can view online so it may not be necessary to request a back issue.

And in answer to your question- Yes. Ben Sayers will be better than Dunlop on the whole, but it depends on what models they are respectively.

 

[TonyN]

I think you have the right idea, stick with some cheaps clubs untill you have a reliable, repetable, decent swing. If you go get custom fit and then have lessons, your swing may change and the clubs may not suit you.

Have you had any lessons from a pro yet? If not, I (along with probably 99% of people on here) would suggest getting lessons.

One a fortnight for about 6 lessons should surely get you going, and proabaly good enough to venture out onto the course with confidence.

Main thing is practice! and lots of it!

 

[medwayjon]

Welcome to the forum mate.

Like Tony has said, lessons are imperative to learning to play golf to a competent standard.

Sticvk with the budget gear until your game advances and you definately know that golf is the game for you. Theres no pint buying top-end gear if you are going to jack-in in 6 months time.

 

[evita4]

Hi Sneds, welcome to the forum and its virtual golfing community.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome to the forum. I'd invest in a number of lessons before new kit. It is easier to buy with certainty once you know it is something you will be be pursuing for years to come and with a swing that is repeatable. A good local pro will give you all the basics you need and the rest is down to you and practice

 

[HTL]

Welcome to the forum, agree with everything Homer said.

When you do buy some new kit don't rush in and buy another box set, take your time and buy your irons, woods etc separately and try as many as you can. Don't worry about custom fitting unless your not an "average" build.

 

[toyboy54]

hi sneds welcome to the forum.you will find all sorts on here but they are all good people with golf at heart!as mwj says stick to the cheaoos for the moment and get lessons you can always progress from there(if you still have the bug!)good luck to you and keep us informed!!!

 

[AliB]

Hi Sneds
Welcome to the forum and good luck with your game.

AliB

 

[viscount17]

hello and welcome

yes Ben Sayers are better, as to whether you need to be buying them is another question. If you can, make do for a while until you have built a reliable swing then get advice before you upgrade (though truth is most of us don't).

I had a set of Ben Sayers M7 but have now upgraded the lot, partly through necessity, partly vanity, partly opportunity.

The woods went through necessity - the shafts were just too soft (flexible) for me and my swing.
The irons, graphites, were fine - nothing much wrong with these; good distance and easy to get the ball airborne. But along came this set of MacGregor's at a price I just could not ignore.
The putter, fairly standard package mallet, - a bit light maybe and I just had to have the Ping.

Good luck whichever way you go

By the way, I work in Hertfordshire (Stevenage), whereabouts are you?

 

[Sneds]

Thanks for the all the kind words and advice. I'm a member of a few online forums (most are bad for my wallet) I expect this will be similar if I get into it!!

I will be taking lessons very soon, it's getting too frustrating playing at the moment and trying to correct myself when I don't have a clue.

However, I am going up to Nottingham next weekend with friends for my birthday and I might end up going on the course for the first time. I'm aiming for sub 120!! Lol. (And if anybody can recommend a course, please do)

Viscount - I live in Welwyn Garden City, just down the A1

 

[viscount17]

I've played Panshangar - nasty little 9th!
(I've a mate who also lives in Welwyn)

Give me a shout sometime

 

[Tommo21]

Well, I don’t need to add anything to the above advice.

Welcome Sneds, and stay tuned.

 

[Sneds]

When I said I hadn't played on a full course, it wasn't exactly the whole truth. My friend who works at Panshanger got my on the course late one night (hence why only played 12 holes before I couldn't see anything) I haven't ever played a full round.

You're right about the 9th, 6 for me. IIRC I rolled down the hill from my teeshot!!

BTW - not sure if I'm meant to post my scorecard - I haven't seen any other ones uploaded, so if it's wrong I'll take it off.

It comes complete with my poor adding up - and I'm a studying accountant!!