Newbie feeling completely lost

[Spreadly]

Hello. First post and a novice, so please go easy on me as I seek some advice! I’m feeling completely lost on my golf journey and wondering what to do next.

Some months ago, I started taking lessons with a “PGA Advanced Professional” at my local driving range. 30-minute lessons every week or two, with me going there to practice 3 or 4 times a week in between. He lent me an 8-iron for this purpose. Nearly £800 spent, 18 lessons to date, and an estimated 3,500 driving range balls, and I’m still using only an 8-iron, only shooting off a mat, usually with the shortest rubber tee.

When I’m practising, about 1/3rd of my shots go 75 – 100 yards, fairly straight, about half go 50 – 75 yards, generally straight or slightly right, and the rest are rubbish. I’ve stopped taking lessons now because evidently in the eyes of the pro, I’ve still not got the hang of the 8-iron. Will I?

I’ve never been on a golf course. I’m wondering how many more lessons I’ll need before being good enough to play on a small course? If I optimistically assume I’m good enough with the 8-iron after 18 lessons and I’ll need to learn another 4 or 5 clubs for a small course, then it seems I’m facing a further 70 – 90 lessons before that might happen. Then someone told me that “the swing is the same for all clubs” so I borrowed a set from a friend and tried out some others. Disaster.

In case this matters, I’m 60, in decent shape (I run, cycle, workout 3 – 4 times a week, hike, etc.). What am I missing? What should I do next if I want to continue?

 

[irip]

Hello. First post and a novice, so please go easy on me as I seek some advice! I’m feeling completely lost on my golf journey and wondering what to do next.

Some months ago, I started taking lessons with a “PGA Advanced Professional” at my local driving range. 30-minute lessons every week or two, with me going there to practice 3 or 4 times a week in between. He lent me an 8-iron for this purpose. Nearly £800 spent, 18 lessons to date, and an estimated 3,500 driving range balls, and I’m still using only an 8-iron, only shooting off a mat, usually with the shortest rubber tee.

When I’m practising, about 1/3rd of my shots go 75 – 100 yards, fairly straight, about half go 50 – 75 yards, generally straight or slightly right, and the rest are rubbish. I’ve stopped taking lessons now because evidently in the eyes of the pro, I’ve still not got the hang of the 8-iron. Will I?

I’ve never been on a golf course. I’m wondering how many more lessons I’ll need before being good enough to play on a small course? If I optimistically assume I’m good enough with the 8-iron after 18 lessons and I’ll need to learn another 4 or 5 clubs for a small course, then it seems I’m facing a further 70 – 90 lessons before that might happen. Then someone told me that “the swing is the same for all clubs” so I borrowed a set from a friend and tried out some others. Disaster. 6-iron went less far than the 8, I couldn’t use the 3 hybrid and let’s not even talk about the 3 wood.

In case this matters, I’m 60, in decent shape (I run, cycle, workout 3 – 4 times a week, hike, etc.). What am I missing? What should I do next if I want to continue?

Welcome to the mad house.
Do you have any friends that play?
If so speak with them and see if they will join you at the range.
Tell them what you have been taught and see if they can spot anything you think you are doing that you might not be or vice versa.
Also watch them and see if you can pick up some tips.

The other thing is relax this is your leisure time and enjoy the journey.

Keep plugging away and it will come.

 

[sunshine]

I’ve never been on a golf course. I’m wondering how many more lessons I’ll need before being good enough to play on a small course?

Golf is about getting the ball into the hole. Please go out to a pitch and putt course or short 9 hole course and start playing. You'll start to understand how your 8 iron swing gets the ball towards the hole, and also you will learn that putting and chipping make up about half of the game.

Many people have zero golf lessons, they just start small and build up ability. Your brain works out what your body needs to do. I'm not recommending you abandon what you have learnt, because starting with solid fundamentals is a great way to start playing golf, but the driving range is dull and repetitive, whereas a golf course is fun and complicated and presents you with a different challenge every single shot.


And welcome!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Post 3 nails it for me. Also, don't feel wedded to the pro you have seen. If you have not moved on after 18 lessons then maybe you need to hear someone else, they may move you along better.

You don't need to be a member of a club for example to be able to get lessons from the pro there. You could use whichever pro at whichever club you like.

 

[The Squirrel]

+1 to above

A few lessons are a really great start - above all to get the right grip

Learning to play only one shot with only one club is no good though.

1) Grab a set or half set of clubs (any cheap set on a local selling site will do for now - your golf playing mate can probably help you pick one). Head down the range and try them all. Of course it's different to just using an 8i and you will hit loads of duff shots to start, but your brain needs to learn that golf swings are not all exactly the same with the same club from the outset. In fact (it wouldn't be a good practice method for every time), but for one session, no harm in duffing/topping/airshotting/spraying a load everywhere with a driver or 3W while trying to smack it as hard and far as you can; if you catch one nicely and get the thrill of it sailing gloriously further than you've ever hit one before you will be back to being hooked. If they have a practice green or bunkers or whatever have fun trying to knock a few out from there and see if you can hit them so they go nicely up in the air and then plop gently on the green. Don't worry if it seems very hard to do this- while you work it out you will have a load of shots where the ball hits the front of the bunker and rolls back to your feet - just try different ways of hitting the ball - that's the point of bunkers - they're meant to be hard! - just something fun and different and by messing about with it you will get used to the idea of different lies, different swings, different stances, etc. which will naturally make you a more fluid/athletic and less rigid/robotic golfer

2) Go to your local cheap 9 hole pay-and-play course and play a round or two. If you think that everyone playing on a golf course will be a good golfer, or even a vaguely competent golfer then I promise you this idea will disappear very very rapidly indeed - especially round this sort of course. Don't worry about how many shots each hole takes; just get used to hitting a ball off real grass and encountering shots of different distances and having to try and work out things like how to hit over this, round that, under the other, out of the long grass, whatever. All part of the fun.

3) Your brain will now be able to link what you've experienced on the course to your practice sessions. That's how the human brain works and its amazing at doing it - even subconsciously. You might even stand on the driving range and start to imagine you are on the first hole of the course you played and imagine what the result of each shot would have been if you were on that course. Suddenly your practice becomes far more meaningful - and the human brain is much better at learning like this with a scenario and an end outcome to aim for!

4) Although I hesitate to criticise a teacher I've never met, 18 lessons hitting nothing but repetitive full 8i sounds boring as hell unless you were seeing a steady improvement with each one. Even the beginner group sessions that lots of places run are normally 8-10 weeks and will go through full shots with a variety of clubs as well as pitching, chipping, bunkers, putting. As well as maybe trying a different teacher, one of these might work well for you? Meet some potential playing buddies at a similar level and get exposed to a fuller range of golf shots far more quickly.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

A little bit concerned about the mention of a tee if using only an 8 iron.
There is a lot of free instruction on YouTube videos that you could try out at the range. £800 doesn’t seem to have got you very far.
Ask any golfing friends if they can assist you, especially looking at how you swing.
Not so much for them telling you how to swing, but more for telling you how you are swinging. What you think you are doing is not necessarily what you are doing.
Perhaps they could film you on your phone,

 

[The Squirrel]

Yeah, I did wonder about suggesting Youtube - maybe a dangerous thing, but if you want sound fundamentals plus infectious enthusiasm (which is probably above all what you need if feeling despondent!) then can't go wrong with Paddy's golf tips for me.

Try these to start

 

[Neilds]

As a beginner, I would recommend steering well clear of YouTube and other online videos. As you don’t know what you are doing wrong, how can you possibly know which fix is right for you.
I would recommend looking around for another pro. Not all teach the same way and you need to find someone who can tap into your method of learning.
Good luck and keep at it.

 

[clubchamp98]

Might be as simple as the 8 iron just dosnt suit you.!

Get to a range that has a selection of clubs you can try out.
Regular and stiff shafts and different heads.

18 lessons is to many in my opinion one a month should do or you have so much information going around your head it actually hinders you not helps.

Just get a club you can hit and go experiment and learn to hit the ball.
Technical lessons can come later if you want.

 

[timd77]

If you’re averaging 75 yards with your 8 iron, you’re getting it in the air and you’re keeping it relatively straight, you’re ready to play golf. Have a look if there’s a par 3 course or a short municipal course near you and have a crack. As others have said, if you’ve got friends who play golf then even better, they’ll hopefully guide you around. Maybe initially play at a quiet time of day, afternoons are normally quiet this time of year.

On a par 3 hole, that 75 yards might get you to the green in 2, couple or 3 putts and you’re in the hole. Job done!

Good luck!

 

[jim8flog]

When it comes to distances find out what type of ball the range uses. Many range balls are manufactured to go a lot less distance than the ones that are used on courses, three quarter distance range balls are very common.

I agree with Sunshine's post #3. There is no better way to start than on a shortish 9 hole course with a mix of a pitch and putt course.

 

[Skytot]

I would try a short easy course near you .
I would source out a new coach

 

[Orikoru]

Sack the lessons off for a while, get some cheap second hand clubs and get out on your local pitch and putt or 9-hole short course. In fact on a pitch and putt you can get by with a putter added to your 8 iron. The point of the game is to have fun, believe or not, it doesn't look like you're having fun at the moment. So get out there and enjoy yourself. You'll hit a bunch of crap shots but you'll hit one good one that keeps you coming back for the next time.

 

[Spreadly]

Thanks, everyone, this has been really helpful - much appreciated. I'll get myself down to a 9-hole course and see what I can do!

 

[The Squirrel]

When it comes to distances find out what type of ball the range uses. Many range balls are manufactured to go a lot less distance than the ones that are used on courses, three quarter distance range balls are very common.

Good point. Assuming the range balls are 75-90% distance and the pro will have given you an ancient club that they probably found in the bin losing you at least another 10 yards. With normal balls and even half decent clubs you are likely hitting your 8i at least 120-130 yds which is perfectly respectable, and implies your good shots are good enough to get you round any normal golf course once a few more clubs are familiar . There is some embryonic golf ability to work with here so no need to feel too despondent!

 

[IanM]

My general knee jerk reaction?

That's lots of lessons and cash spent to still yet to get some mud on a club face.

If it wasn't December, I'd say get yourself to a pitch and putt etc for a go. But I would ask the pro about "the roadmap" he sees going forward.

Not saying it's wrong, but it sounds to me like you'd like to understand the plan!

 

[Crazyface]

My general knee jerk reaction?

That's lots of lessons and cash spent to still yet to get some mud on a club face.

If it wasn't December, I'd say get yourself to a pitch and putt etc for a go. But I would ask the pro about "the roadmap" he sees going forward.

Not saying it's wrong, but it sounds to me like you'd like to understand the plan!

Sack the pro off. He should have told the guy by now to get out there and play the damned game. Beware, this is THE HARDEST GAME YOU WILL EVER PLAY. Don't get disheartened with the bad shots, just enjoy the good ones. Have fun. It's the best game in the world.

 

[IanM]

In general, people who worry about venturing out too early should probably go and play. Those who steam in, probably shouldn't!

@Spreadly tell us where you are, folk can recommend another pro if you stop seeing this one.. or get you out for a game!

 

[Klimski]

Lot's of good advice here already. So at the risk of advice overkill, here's how we got an absolute beginner to be able to function in our group of mediocre golfers:
- He got some lessons
- Bought a cheap set of second hand clubs with some advice from me
- I advised him to use: high lofted driver, 7 wood, 7 iron, (sand) wedge, putter

First, one of us would join him at a local pitch and putt course, then a proper par 3 course (Yardages from 85-200), finally normal courses 9 holes.

On regular courses, he joins us when we play, and picks up once he has hit about 6-7 shots on a hole. Over time he is picking up less and less, finishing more holes. But doing it this way has enabled him to play with us without holding us (or other groups) up.

Watching his development there is a major difference from when I started in the 90's. Driver is a really important club for beginners. With a little practice it allows a beginner to hit the ball 100 yards+ which means that you are playing real golf much quicker.

 

[Orikoru]

Watching his development there is a major difference from when I started in the 90's. Driver is a really important club for beginners. With a little practice it allows a beginner to hit the ball 100 yards+ which means that you are playing real golf much quicker.

When most of us started playing - even me as a teenager in the early 2000s - drivers used to be hard to hit. So the prevailing wisdom was to use irons and a 5 wood first and move to driver later on. If you're starting golf now though, things have changed, drivers nowadays are easy as pie. The face is double the size, and the forgiveness is off the charts. So I agree, there's no harm getting a driver with a bit of loft on it from the outset.