Starting up again

[tango101]

Hi all....1st time poster, short time reader!

I took up this wonderful game 2 years ago, last year I didn't play for one reason or another and missed the game, now I'm getting back into the swing of things.

So what's your top advice for a restarter in terms of practice? Should I be looking on my driving 1st, Irons?? Yes I am looking into lessons but driving range practice during my lunch break.

Also any tips on finding a good club to join?

Thanks in advance for all your suggestions

 

[TonyN]

Welcome tango, nice of you to join us. Why dont you tell us where ytour from, what clubs you use, what kind of course you prefere, budget in mind etc. Am sure someone on here will be from your area and help you out on the club front.

As for where to start, if your thinking of lessons, do it sooner rather than later so your pro can give you somethin solid to work on. Rather than you build your own swing and groove in faults, only to be told, do it another way.

When you go to the range at lunch, Make sure you know what you want to work on rather than hit as many balls as you can fit in. (as with most things quality over quantity)

Most people mainly work on what they are struggling with at that time. But its always good too keep your short game as tidy as possible, as this is where you will win/loose games.

 

[OldWindy]

Second all of the above - remember that you're more likely to hit twice as many chips/pitches/putts than other strokes, so get familiar with the short game, even if you do like to give the dimples a good slap.

(Oh, Welcome BTW!)

 

[tango101]

HI thanks for the warm welcome.

I'm from the heart of the country in rural Leicestershire near Ashby de la Zouch, 20 mins from the belfry which I would love to play one day! I've played at a few course such as Morely Hays, Alferton in Derby, Tamworth, Six hills. As to the course I prefer I'm not sure yet, I have a clean slate to work on

The clubs I use are just a budget set from Prosimmon, but we need to start somewhere! I'm currently using a 10 deg driver but find it hard to get any loft, half of me says get a higher deg club, the other says work on the swing 1st!

To be honest I've had a week at the range starting off just wacking them down the range to see how things felt, but now its time to perfect the game and work on my weaknesses. Your right I need to get lesson ASAP otherwise i'll cement the bad swing in me.

The issues I have are topping the ball by raising my back mid swing and a major hook and slice! (Also embarrassingly hitting the side of the bays at the range) I was hitting about 1 in 10 good shots last week.

All advice warmly received

 

[TonyN]

Its all about timing. There is actually quite alot to think about when trying to groove in the correct swing. Weight transfere, wrist cock/uncock, swing plane, rotation, turning hands over, follow through etc. Sorry to make it sound daunting but these things should all fall into place if your pro gets a hold of you. He will see your strong/weak points and address them with drills accordingly.

If you want something to work on in the mean time, i would recommend watching some videos of the basic swing movement, take your favourite iron to the range and practice hitting off a small tee. Replicate what you see in the videos and just concentrate on a clean strike, down the middle. Dont worry to much about distance.

Check out www.videojug.com and search for perfect swing!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Right first things firts, kit wise you need to get a driver with more loft. Most mid to high handicap golfers tend to play with too little loft which means when they impart side sping (hook or slice) the lower loft exaggerates this. I would recommend nothing lower that 11 degrees.

Secondly I'd make sure I had a decent putter (not necessarily top of the range) but one that is the right length so that you are standing with your eyes over the ball.

Iron wise, I'd say that technology has moved on since you got your clubs and that most of the irons on the market will be more forgiving. Depending on your pocket there are loads to try. make sure you hit them on a range though and not in a net before buying.

Swing wise it is imperative in my mind coming back from a break to get a lesson to re-establish the basics of a good grip and posture. Once you have those some serious range work will see you practicing good habits as opposed to grooving poor technique

After that its all about getting out ont he course as often as possible and playing as many rounds as you can. Don't worry too much about your score in the early days but make sure you keep with the swing your pro shows you. Don't be tempted to go back to old habits as soon as it starts to go wrong.

Above all now that you are back into the game enjoy it. And enjoy your time here too. Welcome along

 

[tango101]

Well it may be daunting, but I'm only 28 and my granddad was over 40 when he took up the game...so I think I'll have plenty of time to get my game in order.

Tonights task is to sit and watch a few DVD's and flick through a book or 2!

Thanks for the equipment tips to.

 

[viscount17]

if you're planning to take lessons don't start out by buying a whole new set of clubs; wait a bit then talk to your pro, I would bet you have no idea of your swing speed so you could spend out on the wrong kit. also your pro will probably suggest the lesson structure, most likely start off building the swing with a 6i or 7i.
it's taken me a while to learn this but you get nowhere fast wacking balls at full pelt (I knew it but learning is something else), chances are they are all over the place. mid irons, 3/4 swing, make sure you get the weight transfer - don't lean back on the shot. book the lessons now.

 

[RGuk]

Welcome tango.

Most of my practice is spent with 5/7/9 irons (and one wedge of some sort) off the mat (not the rubber tee). I tend to take either a 3 wood or 3 rescue just to hit a few for fun. I rarely practice my driver.....it's difficult to get the right height tee and lots of drivers will not help improve your swing i.m.o. (because I end up trying too hard) and you are testing yourself with the hardest club in the bag, hardly good for building confidence or reading the "real" answer to your path and face combo.

People make a big deal out of short game practice, and rightly so......BUT, there is a big difference between wasted shots and honing your skills to make lots of up n downs. If you are not fluffing chips and can pitch, I'd say putting was a better bet, personaly.

 

[tango101]

Thanks for the tips, these are really helping me, its good to talk things through with people who have already been there and come out the other side!

I'm not planning on getting any new kit as of yet, but will talk to my pro once I find one for lessons....anyone have any idea of a good place to go around the Ashby de la zouch area? As I have no idea about my club speed, I think its slow.

The $60 million question though, any idea on a good set of clubs to start with? Or in other words what was your 1st set that worked for you?

I've emailed one pro so far who has come back with a good 1st lesson plan that involves 1 hour video lesson on the swing, then 20 mins bunker then 20 mins putting and 2 mins on the short game, this seems quite good to me. Better than some pros who just haven't returned the email or the email just refered me to their web site. His email makes me think that he has an interest in teaching me rather than just another person taking up golf.

I'll let you all know how I get on

 

[RGuk]

I'd be tempted to stick to a long game (swing) lesson at first unless you fancy lots of tuition in one block. The reason I say this is because you want to get out and enjoy the game asap? Once you are out and can get a feel for particular weaknesses, you'll know what to ask for help with. My pitching and bunker shots have improved of late because my 1/2 swing is better, because we've worked on some things to get my full swing better. I chose to have a lesson on pitching because I was stuggling with distance control and making a few double bogeys unecessarily on the holes I can't reach.

As for clubs.....what irons do you have currently? I wanted a new set (after woods/rescue and putter) and had no qualms about going for a special offer set. All the sets I tried were far superior (in terms of forgiveness) to my old set, and there was little to choose, so I plumped for a bargain.

 

[TonyN]

My personal opinion is that would be a hell of alot to take in, digest and swollow in your first lesson. Bunker play is a lesson on its own. I would be wanting to just have my swing looked at first and work on just that.

Bunker play requires you to change your set up etc and i think it would be confusing to you while your still trying to get to grips with the basics again.

 

[tango101]

My clubs are a set of cheap as chips Prosimon, which I got a few years ago as a starter set to see if I like the game....now I know I do, I think its time to upgrade.

The centre of the game seems to come from the swing, so this seems the best place to start.

 

[TonyN]

Your not wrong there. Like i said, just concentrate on building a solid swing to start with. Then once you can strike a ball well, you can start working on the other million things that go with the game!

 

[nomadpaul]

Concerning club sets , visit a local American golf or similar shop. They have a large range of full sets , most include a bag/stand as well - You can have a play and swing with them in the shop. I found there were some clubs that i felt comfortable with , and some that just didn't feel right....to me anyways.

 

[teetime72]

Rather than buy a cheaper starter set have a look round for a quality 2nd hand set,you should be able to get one for the same money ,or less.one I have had and would reccommend is Cobra 3400I-XH (extra high)these help the high handicapper get the ball up in the air.They are about 3 seasons old now so should be a reasonable price if you can find them.

 

[tango101]

Thanks, sounds like good advice.

I've just come back from the driving range where I've just been using a Slazenger 10.5 deg Blockbuster driver...Its changed my driving, the bulk of the shots where long and straight, it was a joy to use.

 

[TonyN]

Why not try the K-Speed?

 

[viscount17]

this may be heresy but package clubs are not necessarily going to be that bad for you at this stage. they will not be made using first class materials and may be older technology but that doesn't mean getting rid of them only to buy another package, which will have the same issues.

get your pro to check them first, if he thinks they're going to be a liability then consider changing. there are some good deals around (as rguk and I can testify) and most AG's currently have a lot of secondhand sets to shift.