Play to learn or learn to play

[AMcC]

As the heading suggests what does everyone think ?

Learn to play or play to learn ?

My tuppence worth as a starter would be play to learn, Look forward to seeing Bob's comments.

 

[Alex1975]

Both is the answer but play to Learn if I were to pick one. Golf is played on golf courses not practice grounds.

 

[DavidO]

Both is the answer but play to Learn if I were to pick one. Golf is played on golf courses not practice grounds.

Yep, that would get my shout.

I would tell someone to pick a sensible course to play on - a relatively simple track to begin with!!

Leave the nightmares of horrendous rounds on the tricky courses to the more experienced!!!

 

[Steve King]

A bit of both for me...playing gives you experience, practising (the right things) makes you a better player

I practice my short game around a pitch and putt course.

18 holes between 80-140 yards with smaller greens

just chuck the ball on the floor, no tee pegs, play it as it lies and try and get up and down on each hole.

it makes the same shots on a 'real' golf course that much easier...and I get round in about 45 mins to an hour depending on how busy it is.

 

[JustOne]

Definitely Learn to Play

If it's not learn to play then why are so many people recommended to see a pro?

Maybe we should all drive cars on the roads a year before learning how to drive... and just see how we 'get on'

 

[fundy]

Learn to play, then after that play to learn some more

 

[JACKO11]

Definitely Learn to Play

If it's not learn to play then why are so many people recommended to see a pro?

Maybe we should all drive cars on the roads a year before learning how to drive... and just see how we 'get on'

Erm, i learned to drive by driving on the roads for 6 months before taking my test. Yes I had a professional instructor with me....because if you make a mistake whilst in control of a car you could kill yourself and others. Mishit a golf ball and what happens?

It's a rubbish comparison.

Play to learn. You can hit perfect shots on the range all you like, you never truly learn the game until you go out on the course.

 

[Captain_Black]

Definitely learn to play 1st.
There is nothing more frustrating & demoralising than taking to a full size course only to duff & slice your way around probably walking twice the distance you need to not to mention totally hacking off all the people behind you.

For me golf becomes more enjoyable the better I play, I am glad that I leaned the basics on a practice field & a pitch n' putt course before I tackled a full size course.

 

[bigslice]

defo learn to play with the odd lesson from a pro, a bit like sex

 

[User 105]

Definitely Learn to play first, at least to get some basics working first.

We stood behind a group on the first tee last week. Three guys tee'd off ok. The forth took about 3 air shots before he made contact and then topped it about 50 yards forwards. They picked up their bags, wandered down to his ball and he basically done the same again.

We got to the second tee as they were finishing teeing off and they were at least kind enough to let us through.

Now I'm not saying this guy hadn't spent some time on the range first, and we all have to start somewhere, but I think you should have at least some basics before you should play on a full 18 hole course.

There are plenty of courses if the starter had seen that they would have pulled him off immediately no questions asked.

 

[Marko77]

a bit of both but with the emphasis on the word play, it's meant to be fun. The way I see it, if someone is taking up the game they are more likely to have fun on the course rather than just hitting balls at the range. It's when they get the bug they'll be at the range voluntarily.

 

[thecraw]

Play to learn for me. Get out there hit some shots and take it from there. Learn out on the course how to hit knock downs, punches, fades, draws, bump'n'runs, lobs. Figure out how to take the spin off, have fun hitting 7 irons 100 yards low into the wind. Learning as you play and gaining knowledge is what golf is about.

I'm not saying others are wrong in what they say nor am I disagreeing. My experiences are one of playing to learn.

 

[Imurg]

Learn to play first.

Playing to learn takes years.....................

You have to know how to swing and actaully hit the ball before you can really venture out with any certainty. Once you've got that far, playing, for me, outshines anything else. You will learn and continue learning until you stop playing.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Learn to play. Get the basics right at the very beginning and it gives you a solid foundation to build a game upon. Go out and try and learn on the course will lead to frustraion and potentially giving up. Any course can be a lonely place when all you are doing is topping, slicing, 3 putting etc and trying harder and harder and getting worse.

If you can get it right to start with then you should be able to go out and enjoy it, be able to keep up with play (always good for those following behind) and can then develop your knowledge by dealing with the tricky situations you'll face

 

[SocketRocket]

Start off with a course of 6 starter lessons to get the setup, posture, grip and basic fundimentals of the swing.

I see so many people with realy ugly golf swings who have been golfing like it for years and have no chance of playing good golf with what they have. Some swing the club like axe murderers, many walk backwards after impact, many collapse the arms and leak power. There are many more poor swings out there than good ones, I guess that is why the average handicap is around 22.