Picking up golf

[JBS]

Just started playing a week and a half ago...never played before this...I'm diving in head first...I'm getting lessons and my coach is basically teaching me how to crawl lol...

Any golfers in here? Any advice?

 

[Tabascocat]

Don't buy your clubs until you know what kind are best for you. I have made that mistake a few times, go out and spend 1k on all of my woods/irons only to find out that they are the wrong length or the wrong material.

This link has some good tips for buying new but it might be best to get a pro's input on what is best for your swing and power.

http://www.linksmagazine.com/best_of_golf/10-tips-for-buying-golf-clubs

 

[CyberB0b]

I've been wanting to learn, but don't think I want to put the time and money in to improve. Are you getting 1 on 1 coaching or doing a group class?

 

[JBS]

I've been wanting to learn, but don't think I want to put the time and money in to improve. Are you getting 1 on 1 coaching or doing a group class?

I've only taken two lessons so far...one with a friend and one by myself...

First lesson the coach went over proper grip...how to hold the club...

I strangle the life out of the club Lolol ...I really need to improve on that

Second lesson coach has me hitting tees out of the ground to practice hitting the ground w my swing...

That's all I've got so far

 

[Duane]

My advice is to go out to enjoy yourself. I quit playing because I took it way to serious.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I agree. Don't go out and buy expensive clubs. Learn to play with a semi cheap set. Once you are sure you are going to stick with it and actually get to the point that you can actually play and aren't just hacking at the ball. Then you will talk with your coach and have clubs made. Don't buy expensive clubs that weren't custom made for you. If you are going to spend big bucks on clubs, get them custom made for you.

 

[Future]

Either go to the range regularly or accept that you're going to suck.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Either go to the range regularly or accept that you're going to suck.

The range seldom translates to the course. If you want to get better, you've got to actually play the game.

 

[Future]

The range seldom translates to the course. If you want to get better, you've got to actually play the game.

Unless you're playing every day or hitting extra balls, it's almost impossible to improve the mechanics of your swing without going to the range.

Yes, you need to play to score well, but you have to develop a swing on the range.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Unless you're playing every day or hitting extra balls, it's almost impossible to improve the mechanics of your swing without going to the range.

Yes, you need to play to score well, but you have to develop a swing on the range.

Oh I agree with that. You've got to practice at the range to get your swing mechanics. I was just saying that if you spend 90% of your time at the range, it will not translate to improving your game once you are on the course.

 

[Future]

Oh I agree with that. You've got to practice at the range to get your swing mechanics. I was just saying that if you spend 90% of your time at the range, it will not translate to improving your game once you are on the course.

Eh. I think it does. Kinda depends on the course too. Using myself as an example...

I can't hit the ball straight off the tee, always way right. At a forgiving course, that doesn't really matter. On a tough course, if you can't hit the fairway, you're not going to score. The only way to improve that driver is to get on the range. If I spend two hours and straighten that club out and all of a sudden hit fairways, I'm potentially saving 10-12 strokes.

It's the same thing with putting. If you can get dialed in on the practice green and bury 8 footers instead of missing them, you're cutting a bunch of strokes as well.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm not here to argue with you.

 

[JBS]

Yeah, I'm nowhere near that. I'm still learning the basics...I'm on the slow and steady plan...Im still learning to hit the ground on my swing

 

[JBS]

Luckily I've encountered a lot of honest people...I haven't bought clubs yet...everyone is telling me to hold off...

If it was just up to me I would have wasted a good fortune on a set already...just not knowing any better

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Here's some tips for you.

1. Don't buy new clubs and do not start playing $100 courses until you are proficient at playing the game AND you know the rules AND you know the etiquette. I'm not trying to be a snob, but I really believe that those that become pretty good at the game AND love playing the game usually are brought up into the game gradually by getting a set of used clubs, learning on the driving range and learning the etiquette and playing on cheap courses until they get good enough and learn the etiquette and then start to play with new, custom fitted clubs and play great golf courses.


2. No matter what anybody says, when you miss the ball, hit it fat, hit it thin, shank it, etc....it has NOTHING to do with 'taking your eye off the ball.' Your eyes are looking at the ball even when you *think* they are not. If you hit a horrendous shot, it can be due to a multitude of things, but 'looking up' is NOT one of them. In fact, purposely trying to 'keep your head down' is more of a detriment than a positive.


3. I like what Tiger's dad told him when he was young 'swing as hard as you want to as long as you come to a balanced finish position.' Hitting the ball long is important to a degree and too many people get bogged down into 'staying down' and having a picturesque swing instead of figuring out how to swing the club with good velocity, but not too hard where they can't stay balanced. I see a ton of over-coaching going on in golfer's golf swings.


4. You will probably want to start off using a 'strong' grip (it's how the hands are oriented, not how force you use to grip the club).


5. I would advise learning how to hit chip and pitch shots early on and often because the impact positions are similar to what is needed in a full swing. There's a mental gap that beginners often don't comprehend until they use a chip swing as to what you need to do at impact.


6. On the driving range, use a full motion swing, but at a slow motion speed. The focus should be to go in slow motion, but to make sure you are doing the mechanics correctly. Get a mirror in your house if needed and check yourself there. As you get the mechanics correctly at say 10% speed, go to 25% speed and focus on the mechanics. Then move to 50%, then 75% and then 100% speed. The key here is to do the mechanics CORRECTLY. At this age, your ability to learn new movement patterns is not nearly as good as it was when you are younger. And the key is to avoid doing the mechanics incorrectly or it just makes the learning process a lot longer. And if you do this type of practice, you can start to swing without swing thoughts. Really, wish I had learned to practice this way 25 years ago.


7. If you get a lesson, makes sure the instructor understands what the D-Plane is (the correct ball flight laws). If they don't, there's too many mistakes that can be made due to faulty logic from not understanding how the ball flies.


8. When you get lessons it usually does get worse before it gets better. But, you should see better results *when* you take a 'good swing.' The part where it gets worse before it gets better is that you're going to revert to your old habits for a while before you get rid of them. But, when you take those swings where you don't revert to your old habits, the 'new swing' should produce better results. If it doesn't, find a new instructor.


9. Do NOT get a lesson every week. You should get a lesson, work on what the instructor taught you for 4-6 weeks and then go back to the instructor again if you want to.


10. With the irons, you are supposed to hit the ball FIRST and THEN take the divot.


11. Always remember Rule #2.






YR

 

[Tabascocat]

Oh, when you stop your cart at the top of a hill, make sure the brake is locked. I have sunk two carts in lakes

 

[BigStar]

I took a golf course as a PE requirement in college. I remember getting pretty good with the driver, 7 and 9 irons and found much better accuracy by hovering almost directly above the ball. I kept trying to equate it to a baseball stance but my rear would stick out way too much. Instructor kept stressing to stay mainly above the ball, and swing almost directly downward. Slow motion to bring your club bag and then some force as you complete your motion downward but using your hips more than anything. Still like going to the driving range from time to time bc the intricacies and commitment of "real golf" was just too much $/time @ the time. Still remember the painful blisters from not wearing gloves on the first day of class.

 

[BigStar]

Oh, when you stop your cart at the top of a hill, make sure the brake is locked. I have sunk two carts in lakes

https://encrypted-tbn0.***NOT-ALLOWED***/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS65QQpFFtl_smwgHxFJMjNU1mTcwVsiJHBuYGhGDEXEjNFMNBI Hmmm brakes...Look familiar?

 

[Tabascocat]

https://encrypted-tbn0.***NOT-ALLOWED***/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS65QQpFFtl_smwgHxFJMjNU1mTcwVsiJHBuYGhGDEXEjNFMNBI Hmmm brakes...Look familiar?

Find a pic with a guy laying on the ground hanging on to the bumper being dragged, that would be me

 

[JBS]

Here's some tips for you.

1. Don't buy new clubs and do not start playing $100 courses until you are proficient at playing the game AND you know the rules AND you know the etiquette. I'm not trying to be a snob, but I really believe that those that become pretty good at the game AND love playing the game usually are brought up into the game gradually by getting a set of used clubs, learning on the driving range and learning the etiquette and playing on cheap courses until they get good enough and learn the etiquette and then start to play with new, custom fitted clubs and play great golf courses.


2. No matter what anybody says, when you miss the ball, hit it fat, hit it thin, shank it, etc....it has NOTHING to do with 'taking your eye off the ball.' Your eyes are looking at the ball even when you *think* they are not. If you hit a horrendous shot, it can be due to a multitude of things, but 'looking up' is NOT one of them. In fact, purposely trying to 'keep your head down' is more of a detriment than a positive.


3. I like what Tiger's dad told him when he was young 'swing as hard as you want to as long as you come to a balanced finish position.' Hitting the ball long is important to a degree and too many people get bogged down into 'staying down' and having a picturesque swing instead of figuring out how to swing the club with good velocity, but not too hard where they can't stay balanced. I see a ton of over-coaching going on in golfer's golf swings.


4. You will probably want to start off using a 'strong' grip (it's how the hands are oriented, not how force you use to grip the club).


5. I would advise learning how to hit chip and pitch shots early on and often because the impact positions are similar to what is needed in a full swing. There's a mental gap that beginners often don't comprehend until they use a chip swing as to what you need to do at impact.


6. On the driving range, use a full motion swing, but at a slow motion speed. The focus should be to go in slow motion, but to make sure you are doing the mechanics correctly. Get a mirror in your house if needed and check yourself there. As you get the mechanics correctly at say 10% speed, go to 25% speed and focus on the mechanics. Then move to 50%, then 75% and then 100% speed. The key here is to do the mechanics CORRECTLY. At this age, your ability to learn new movement patterns is not nearly as good as it was when you are younger. And the key is to avoid doing the mechanics incorrectly or it just makes the learning process a lot longer. And if you do this type of practice, you can start to swing without swing thoughts. Really, wish I had learned to practice this way 25 years ago.


7. If you get a lesson, makes sure the instructor understands what the D-Plane is (the correct ball flight laws). If they don't, there's too many mistakes that can be made due to faulty logic from not understanding how the ball flies.


8. When you get lessons it usually does get worse before it gets better. But, you should see better results *when* you take a 'good swing.' The part where it gets worse before it gets better is that you're going to revert to your old habits for a while before you get rid of them. But, when you take those swings where you don't revert to your old habits, the 'new swing' should produce better results. If it doesn't, find a new instructor.


9. Do NOT get a lesson every week. You should get a lesson, work on what the instructor taught you for 4-6 weeks and then go back to the instructor again if you want to.


10. With the irons, you are supposed to hit the ball FIRST and THEN take the divot.


11. Always remember Rule #2.






YR

Thank you very much for the time you put into your post..tons of good information in there for a brand new golfer like myself...I do have one question though..you say not to take lessons every week...the only question I have is, NY instructor hasn't gone over any swing mechanics w me...so what am I supposed to do?

My last lesson was yesterday and my coach told my to hit the ground w every swing so that the tee comes out of the ground...I practiced that yesterday and got good at it..I'll practice that again today...but as far as hitting the range and practicing..do I just use whatever swing I have right now?