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Seasoned golfers, I need your help

  • ErnieMcCracken said...

    Go get a part time job at a course you can play for free the entire summer. You will likely have a range and putting green there. Use the job to get a discount on clubs. Get out 4-5 times a week. Play multiple balls and skip around the course if busy. They may have a pro there who can help you with lessons. By the end of the summer you will not be an embarrassment.

    This. It worked wonders for me back in the day. If you have a swing coach helping you they should be able to teach you how the swing works, and with enough practice you'll start to know why you mishit shots a certain way. As has been said it's a terribly frustrating game but when it all clicks it's amazing. And the biggest mistake people make is practicing when things are going badly which will reinforce bad swing habits. If you have the round of your life go hit a bucket afterwards and try to reproduce that same swing. And don't forget the short game...might be boring to practice but to truly get good that's the money maker. Good luck and have fun

    sn8wman5

  • If you want to be good quick. Start at the cup and work out from there. Practice your 3 foot and in putts, gain confidence with those and progress further out from there. Your short game is where the most strokes are wasted, needlessly, by the high handicapper.

    The driver is the sexiest club and garners the most oohs and ahhs by the peanut gallery but a strong short game, over time, will always win you more money, matches and respect by your golfing peers. Trust me.

    One last bit of advice, use a 3/4 swing for 95% of your high iron approach shots, ie. anything inside of 120 yards. Doesnt matter if its a 9 iron, SW or PW. The pros all do it and its not because they have some special skill that allows them to. It's because it's a simpler shot that's more easily controlled and repeatable under pressure.

    Bronco_Bahma ●

  • rock bottom golf
    dallas golf

    Buy a name brand set cheap, it will make no difference until you decide what type of player you are.

    signature image

    RIP RCMB

    Sparty Time

  • Like many here have already basically said, work from the cup out. Start putting the most emphasis on your chipping/pitching game first, then full short irons, then mid irons, then long irons/hybrids, and finally driver.

    This way your short irons will emulate your chipping stroke, your mid irons will follow your short irons, and on and on.... This approach is an attempt to master control, balance, and rhythm before power. Most beginners just have a hell of a time not over swinging.

    The other approach I've seen here and elsewhere, the one where you only use a mid iron at first, is the one I was taught. I was taught to only hit a 5 iron before anything, and I think it's a fine way to go too. And to this day, 20 years into the sport, my 5 is still my favorite and most dependable stick.

    COgruff

  • How do you know you will like golf? Go out and have fun on the course with your buddies first, may drink a beer or two. If you like it, then take lessons.

    spartanMF

  • Always remember that chicks dig the long ball.

    FoDaddy

  • King cobra irons, any of the callaway x series irons x16 and up are all based on the same head style and should be less expensive the lower number u go. Taylor made OS RAC are a very nice forgiving iron clubs as well.

    BringThePayne

  • Buying used sets at a golf store is more expensive than it needs to be. It really doesn't matter what you hit for the first season or two so forget the make & model. Find one of your friends whose father plays a lot of golf - he probably has 2 extra sets of clubs in his garage he hasn't used in years and will let you use them or sell them dirt cheap. No matter what type of club I would advise you get them regripped is the rubber is as hard as the steel shaft.
    Lot of golfers on this board who say start from cup and work your way out and that's all good if you want to score lower in a hurry but there's no chance in hell your going to do that. You'll be swinging out of your shoes with a driver at the range and 1 in a 100 will be a decent shot but when you do hit it you'll be hooked for life.
    Yes, it's fun to make a 60' putt for a birdie or to salvage a par but a blind squirrel could do that occasionally. You'll chip one in out of the rough or maybe hit a wedge pin high with no lessons and pure luck. I can promise you that you'll NEVER get tired out of out-driving your friends by 50 yards off the tee.
    Do take lessons early before you get into bad habits. Go to the largest driving range near your home and be SURE to sign up for a package lesson deal. If the pro knows your going to come back they won't try to do too much all at once. They can set you up with proper grip, stance and posture immediately which will pay great dividends down the road.
    Grip it and Rip it!

    EdMartinsLoan

  • Tullamore Dew said...

    Take a few lessons and when you start to develop some basics get some advice from the pro what to get for yourself. They will know after a few lessons what you may need now and are likely to need over the course of the next year or so as your game develops. Try to get a handful of recommendations so that it will be easier to find an inexpensive deal. If you know someone who used to play but quit or doesn't play much, you might even be able to borrow a set for a while.

    You can get used sets on ebay and at some local golf shops ridiculously cheap once you have an idea what you ought to have. I would advise against "starter" sets unless your pro says that's what you need. Depending on your ability and how hard you plan to work, you might outgrow them pretty quickly but before you are ready for a fitting and a set tailored to you.

    i will say this: golf can be infuriating and can be difficult. It will be very beneficial to your enjoyment of the game to keep in mind its a game while you are learning it. Make sure you keep it fun and develop that mindset going forward. You can want to and work to be good without taking it so seriously you lose the fun.

    This. Once you set up your first lesson, the pro will tell you what club (one club) to bring. See how those lessons go, and then he can guide you on club purchase and practice plans for both at the range and on a real course (preferably a par three course).

    AlexPKeaton88

  • I bet I can find you some lefties on the cheap.

    Snowy Spartan

  • Zeno said...

    I've decided to finally take up golf when it starts to warm up. I understand completely what I'm getting into and it's okay, I'm only 23. Now, I've already started doing my research, reading everything I can. I'm going to be starting slow and not trying to bite off too much at once. I will be taking lessons and I'll be buying all of my equipment used when it comes to that time. I won't be buying whole sets and plan to start with the basics, most likely a driver, putter, SW, 6-iron, 8-iron, PW, and a fairway wood or hybrid (if you have any suggestions about this part let me know). I'll just piece them together over time, then add other clubs as my skill level increases. Here's the problem: I have now idea what brands or makers I should be on the lookout for. I know I need something that is tailored to beginners and is forgiving, but is still a quality club. I'm clueless as to which ones those would be. I've heard Ping, Cobra, and Titleist. Also, besides Ebay and Craigslist what are some good websites to look at? Help.

    Only try three things when you go out. Never -swing too hard - Never. Keep the grip in your fingers....You will hit the ball farther....and the power is in the legs and hips. You will be addicted.

    Greenrocks

  • get a full set of cavity-back perimeter-weighted cast irons, they will give you the biggest sweet spot. Just about any driver will do. add a hybrid or two. brand really doesn't matter. it would help if you knew your swing speed to get the right shaft, but regular shafts would probably be good to start.

    take lessons with a qualified teaching pro. can't stress this enough. group lessons can be very reasonably priced.

    start out on short, friendly, inexpensive golf courses. if you are a baller, then just join a country club and take your lessons there. many clubs have short game practice areas to work on your game. set goals, like no 3-putts or no rolled drives.

    i've seen guys become bogey golfers in two to three years if they work at it. some never get good at it. that's why golf uses handicaps, if you get enough blows, you can play against anyone of any ability.

    a good golf swing is about pace. not too fast, not too slow. anyone remember cybergolf from the 80s? watching al geiberger hit shot after shot with that spacey music helped me. lol

    Turf

  • ByTor20084 said...

    Hit off grass. Those mats can make anybody good. I disagree with the poster who said to work on the range extensively for a while. You need to get out and learn the nuances around greens. Become a consistent player from 150 yards in and you'll be better than 90% of the weekend hackers in no time. Short game, short game, short game. Go to an actual course that has a nice practice green and range and hit chip shots, wedges, bump and runs, putts, until the sun goes down.

    This.

    I nearly ruined my game hitting off mats 2 years ago, not that I have much of a game, but I nearly ruined what little game I had. What happened was I just got a new set of Taylor Made burner irons and was practicing off the mats at Carl's Golfland. I was hitting great shots and I spent 6 weeks practicing 3 to 4 times per week until everything just felt perfect. I was ready to have an awesome golf season and I was very confident. Then I went to the course....

    I wasn't able to hit a single shot in the air. Every shot - even my drives - were all worm burners and my club was hitting the ground way behind the ball. I spent the entire round trying to adjust to no avail. I was pissed so I went back to Carl's to hit a bucket right after that round. Hit them all perfect. Next time at the course, same result - nothing but worm burners due to hitting the ground behind the ball. Once Carl's had the grass tees going, I decided to use those rather than the mats. All worm burners and hitting the ground behind the ball.

    I believe that the concrete under the mats and the type of fake grass mats they used were combining to force the club to make perfect contact with the ball regardless of how far behind the ball the club was striking the surface of the mat. That entire 6 weeks of practice time and all of the adjustments that I made ruined my swing and I spent the rest of the summer trying desperately to get it back, but did not succeed.

    It finally started clicking again last summer after I had to stop golfing due to a heavy project load at work that required working weekends. The time away from golf let me un-learn everything from that disaster and allowed me to swing normally again when I played. Also, since I was expecting to hit worm burners, I had low expectations and just decided to enjoy myself and if I hit a bad shot I would just drop another ball and hit it again. I didn't even keep score. Just enjoyed golfing with my friends. I was surprised at how quickly I was able to recover and start hitting good shots again. Hopefully, this summer will be better.

    I will NEVER hit off mats again.

    signature image

    Give them NOTHING but take from them EVERYTHING.

    Code_Warrior

  • Bronco_Bahma said...

    No.

    I'm a 4.

    If you're talking about how women grade you, this is the closest post to likely truth I'd imagine.

    Lmao. You're not a Usga 4 unless you play 4 or more times a week. My best guess is you shot 4 over once in ur life. Likely in Saginaw, on farmland.

    Terrible schtick. Swinger , 4 handicap, poster. Hahahaha. Loser

    Droppedbyadime ●

  • I'll throw my 2 cents in... I was a club Pro here in NC for 10 years and have given hundreds of lessons...First bit of advice..DON"T get a lesson right away... Go to a range and just hit some balls, making the most important thing of hitting it solid, not far...Once you can hit the ball in the air most of the time, get on the golf course. That's the only place you'll see if A) you are going to like the game and B) all the frustration you'll be in for. You'll know when it's time for a lesson, maybe never, who knows. But if you do decide to get lessons, make your first lesson cover the short game, pitching, chipping, bunker shots and putting. I've seen plenty of golfers not hit the ball that great but shoot around 80 because of great short games. Let's face it, you probably aren't dreaming of a Tour card, so don't get too tied up boggling your mind with "swing thoughts".

    As for clubs, you can easily get a full set of quality irons on ebay for a couple hundred bucks. As one poster said, you can't go wrong with Callaway, TaylorMade or Ping. If I had to recommend one, I'd say go Callaway X12...Older but maybe the easiest irons to hit.

    That's my bit.....Take it easy on us this weekend....

    signature image

    BestoftheBig

  • Zeno said...

    I've decided to finally take up golf when it starts to warm up. I understand completely what I'm getting into and it's okay, I'm only 23. Now, I've already started doing my research, reading everything I can. I'm going to be starting slow and not trying to bite off too much at once. I will be taking lessons and I'll be buying all of my equipment used when it comes to that time. I won't be buying whole sets and plan to start with the basics, most likely a driver, putter, SW, 6-iron, 8-iron, PW, and a fairway wood or hybrid (if you have any suggestions about this part let me know). I'll just piece them together over time, then add other clubs as my skill level increases. Here's the problem: I have now idea what brands or makers I should be on the lookout for. I know I need something that is tailored to beginners and is forgiving, but is still a quality club. I'm clueless as to which ones those would be. I've heard Ping, Cobra, and Titleist. Also, besides Ebay and Craigslist what are some good websites to look at? Help.

    Buy a used set of irons online. You should probably go with 4 iron through PW. I highly recommend you don't end up not getting a full set or irons. You also want your irons to be the same make and model.

    I would also get a 56 degree sand wedge. I also have a 50 and 60 degree, but you wont need those at first.

    You should also get a driver, 3 wood and then some hybrids... much easier to hit than fairway woods and they are GREAT for beginners.

    maizegoblue

  • ComeDependState said...

    Let people play through. Why in the hell would you drop 100 yards from where you hit your shot?

    So he doesn't get frustrated and quit. It's also annoying as hell playing with beginners who duff it constantly and never drop up with everyone else.

    It's a win-win for the beginner and the playing partners.

    maizegoblue

  • Snowy Spartan said...

    I bet I can find you some lefties on the cheap.

    I have a lefty set of king cobras irons that I am willing to sell... for cheap

    maizegoblue

  • Tupes said...

    First, work on attitude. You're going to suck. For a while. Accept it and take baby steps. Resist hitting your driver as much as possible because you then just want to hit it farther, and then you'll overswing and wreck your game. Buy only game improvement irons from any brand. I'd stay 150 yards and closer for like a month. Repetition on mid and short game will pay big dividends later.

    Strive to be the kind of player who acts the same whether theyre having a bad or good round. Its not easy.....but no one remembers your score, but they remember if you were a dick on the course.

    This is great advice. Allow me to share a short story.

    I am not a good golfer. If I break 100 it is because I am playing a ridiculously easy course. About 5 years ago I was golfing one of the Pine Knob courses alone. It was a busy Saturday afternoon. The starter asked if I was okay with letting another single join me. Not wanting to be the dick who believed he should be able to play alone on a weekend, I agreed. The other single turned out to be gentleman in his late 60's. Typical older golfer. Hit the ball straight but not particularly far. Bogeyed most holes but had the occasional quality approach shot. So anyway, fast forward to hole 7 or 8. I hit a fairway shot that I slice off into the woods. Cursing the ball's heart, the gentleman can tell I was getting frustrated at my play.

    He then dropped a line on me that has greatly improved my golfing experience. He patted me on the shoulder and said, "Son, you aren't good enough to get mad at your game".

    And you know what? He is right. I am not a PGA golfer. Never will be. I am a weekend hacker that is going to hit bad shots. No sense in getting pissy like Tiger Woods. I am out there to drink a few beers, enjoy the weather, and procrastinate house work. Savor the good shots, move on from the bad shots. There will always be the chance to redeem yourself on the next swing.

    This post was edited by ClankyIronBoots on 2/20/2013 at 11:17 PM

    ClankyIronBoots

  • Code_Warrior said...

    This.

    I nearly ruined my game hitting off mats 2 years ago, not that I have much of a game, but I nearly ruined what little game I had. What happened was I just got a new set of Taylor Made burner irons and was practicing off the mats at Carl's Golfland. I was hitting great shots and I spent 6 weeks practicing 3 to 4 times per week until everything just felt perfect. I was ready to have an awesome golf season and I was very confident. Then I went to the course....

    I wasn't able to hit a single shot in the air. Every shot - even my drives - were all worm burners and my club was hitting the ground way behind the ball. I spent the entire round trying to adjust to no avail. I was pissed so I went back to Carl's to hit a bucket right after that round. Hit them all perfect. Next time at the course, same result - nothing but worm burners due to hitting the ground behind the ball. Once Carl's had the grass tees going, I decided to use those rather than the mats. All worm burners and hitting the ground behind the ball.

    I believe that the concrete under the mats and the type of fake grass mats they used were combining to force the club to make perfect contact with the ball regardless of how far behind the ball the club was striking the surface of the mat. That entire 6 weeks of practice time and all of the adjustments that I made ruined my swing and I spent the rest of the summer trying desperately to get it back, but did not succeed.

    It finally started clicking again last summer after I had to stop golfing due to a heavy project load at work that required working weekends. The time away from golf let me un-learn everything from that disaster and allowed me to swing normally again when I played. Also, since I was expecting to hit worm burners, I had low expectations and just decided to enjoy myself and if I hit a bad shot I would just drop another ball and hit it again. I didn't even keep score. Just enjoyed golfing with my friends. I was surprised at how quickly I was able to recover and start hitting good shots again. Hopefully, this summer will be better.

    I will NEVER hit off mats again.

    Yeah I don't hit off of mats either. The problem is that the club bounces on the mats.

    maizegoblue

  • Droppedbyadime said...

    Lmao. You're not a Usga 4 unless you play 4 or more times a week. My best guess is you shot 4 over once in ur life. Likely in Saginaw, on farmland.

    My home course is in Saginaw. It's tough! grumble

    maizegoblue

  • maizegoblue said...

    My home course is in Saginaw. It's tough! grumble

    let me guess, sawmill? i haven't played it, haven't heard a lot about it. i have played apple mountain, i thought they had some good holes.

    Turf

  • Turf said...

    let me guess, sawmill? i haven't played it, haven't heard a lot about it. i have played apple mountain, i thought they had some good holes.

    You are correct. I've been a member or worked at the Sawmill since they opened in 1997. Apple Mountain is technically in Freeland, where I live. I think the Sawmill is tougher than apple. Hitting off of the mountain is really fun though. Both are very tough courses.

    maizegoblue

  • Cant wait to get back on the course. I started taking the game somewhat seriously, probably played 40+ rounds last year after playing a handful of times per year previously (and that was only for 3-4 years). I've never had any instruction and im happy to break 100 every round. Im competitive so it sucked, but im getting older (mid 30s) and love spending time with friends outdoors on the course during the summer.

    Biggest problem I've had is the irons. I cant hit them for shit. I bought a couple hybrids and that helped a ton. Unfortunately those became a crutch and i never learned to hit a decent iron. I plan to throw the hybrids in the closet this summer and take some lessons. My short game is surprisingly decent and i dont hit far off the tee but Im decently straight 200-250+ yards out.

    Appreciate the advice in this thread and ill try some of the things mentioned. Going to the range isnt fun especially with the deals we get locally, but ill try to do it more often. Any other advice for a second year player?

    Fez

  • ClankyIronBoots said...

    This is great advice. Allow me to share a short story.

    I am not a good golfer. If I break 100 it is because I am playing a ridiculously easy course. About 5 years ago I was golfing one of the Pine Knob courses alone. It was a busy Saturday afternoon. The starter asked if I was okay with letting another single join me. Not wanting to be the dick who believed he should be able to play alone on a weekend, I agreed. The other single turned out to be gentleman in his late 60's. Typical older golfer. Hit the ball straight but not particularly far. Bogeyed most holes but had the occasional quality approach shot. So anyway, fast forward to hole 7 or 8. I hit a fairway shot that I slice off into the woods. Cursing the ball's heart, the gentleman can tell I was getting frustrated at my play.

    He then dropped a line on me that has greatly improved my golfing experience. He patted me on the shoulder and said, "Son, you aren't good enough to get mad at your game".

    And you know what? He is right. I am not a PGA golfer. Never will be. I am a weekend hacker that is going to hit bad shots. No sense in getting pissy like Tiger Woods. I am out there to drink a few beers, enjoy the weather, and procrastinate house work. Savor the good shots, move on from the bad shots. There will always be the chance to redeem yourself on the next swing.

    This is what I've said to myself ever since I started golfing. It's kind of why I'm not interested in taking lessons. The more time I invest into being good, the more frustrated I'll get when I'm not. As it is, I don't have the money or the time to golf more than 5 or 6 times a season tops. I like where I'm at with golf, which is like you, drinking some beers, hanging out with friends, and enjoying the outdoors. With an occasional good/great shot to keep it interesting.

    nickexperience

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