About 7 years ago I had 3 lessons and played one game. I didn’t pursue further as had several other hobbies

Now, life changed, and thinking about the sport. I have no equipment. So thinking of picking up a used set off CL but what to look for? Any other tips?

TIA

Never buy a putter until you see how far it flies when you throw it.

Ben Hogan book "Fundamentals of Golf" is worth buying.
Keep in mind that the short game makes up at least half of the allocated strokes for par and is the easiest way to improve your score. Practice accordingly.

Here's a link to a recent thread on the subject that might help.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/8180042174

Jim

Lessons.

Take Lessons.

Unlearning all the wrong stuff is harder and much more frustrating than learning the right way from the get-go.

You will find equipment that you like as you learn to play. Either rent stuff where you take the lessons or find a set for sale in a pawn shop or used sporting goods store.

Once you are into golf, you will know what you want, and will likely be able to pick up the clubs you want for a decent price when you get in the rhythm of the golf pricing cycle.

I started by getting some used clubs and going to the driving range once a week and watching videos on YouTube.

Then I picked a nice, quiet day at the course so I could take My time. Bring plenty of balls.

But yeah, get lessons, they def help. Not necessary though.

There’s so much good available info online to help you with technique. The biggest thing with golf is looking the part.

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
Lessons.

Take Lessons.

Unlearning all the wrong stuff is harder and much more frustrating than learning the right way from the get-go.

+1

There is a pro here that teaches what he calls "playing lessons". You play 18 holes with him which to amounts to a private lesson. Biggest bang for the buck for me. This was about 5 years ago and he charged $75 which included green fees. You might want to check something like that out if it's offered in your area.

As I opened another carton of golf balls on the 6th tee, my partner said 'you lose so many balls, I wonder that you waste money on new ones, why not use old balls?'

I said 'I've never owned an old ball'.

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
Never buy a putter until you see how far it flies when you throw it.

take hundred dollar bills and tear then in half and toss them out the window, thats what the first year feels like.

If you have a pro shop that will let you demo clubs like we have here in Eugene, go there and just try a few it's free. from there I bought a driver and went to the range and hit bucket after bucket of balls then bought a decent set of irons and hit more buckets until I felt like I had a chance. went out with a few buddies and struggled around the course. took a year of trying practicing weekly to finally feel like I was making progress.

After a few years 3 of my buddies from school that were very athletic got together and a great course called Tokatee here in Oregon, Nothing on that day felt better then beating all three them.

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
Lessons.

Take Lessons.

Unlearning all the wrong stuff is harder and much more frustrating than learning the right way from the get-go.

I think this is the best advise that you can get. I've seen so many golfers with basic faults (grip, stance, swing plane, etc) and once they had learned 'the wrong way', changing was very difficult. Much easier to get those things correct to begin with.

I'll jump on the lessons bandwagon.

Don't become Charles Barkley.



Jim

1. Don't listen to any advise from friends or family.
2. Lessons.
3.Practice the putter first. Then the wedges and short game.
Work from the hole out to the driver.

GOLF =equals to = Cow pasture pool. It just doesn"t melt my butter but if you like/enjoy then who am I to say anything. GO FAR IT!!! ......................drill sgt.

Just go to the driving range once or twice and use their clubs. Then go to the golf course and rent a set of clubs a couple of times. Then IF you really like it, buy yourself a good set of fitted clubs.

My father, who was a very keen (and pretty good, until he had a CVA) golfer, told me two truths:

'It doesn't matter how far you hit the ball, if you can't get it in the hole when you reach the green'

'Putt for dough, drive for show'

In other words, you're wasting your money just standing on a driving range blasting bucket after bucket of balls into the wild blue yonder. You hit from a tee 18 times in a round, you hit for accuracy at least three times that number per round. Your short game wins or loses 95% of holes. Hitting a ball 250 yards from a tee with your carbon fiber Calloway $500 1 wood is useless if it's in the wrong direction. Far better to hit a ball 120 yards down the middle of the fairway with a 3 iron; at least to start with.

To echo the others, book a few lessons, see if you enjoy it, and then get a decent set of clubs, fitted if you can afford it.

Don't forget to watch Happy Gilmore.

Some really good tips in there.

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
Lessons.

Take Lessons.

This ^^^^, in spades.

There is a swing-training/warm-up tool called the Orange Whip. (A very good tool, btw.) Just going from the videos I started working out with that about a month before my lessons started. (I'm taking group lessons.)

That turned out to be a mistake, as, a month-and-a-half after lessons started, I'm just learning how to swing properly--and use the Orange Whip properly.

I did learn how to putt all on my own, and had to change nothing as a result of lessons.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
Here's a link to a recent thread on the subject that might help.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/8180042174

Yeah, that's my thread. Haven't updated it in a while.

As for equipment: Despite what some others may tell you: It is important your clubs fit you. Look up "static golf club fitting" to figure out what shaft length is most suitable for you. (You don't have to measure them all. Find the length you need for a 7-iron and, if it's a set, odds are the other club lengths will be right for you.)

Except putters. Putting is so different it's almost a different game. E.g.: The shafts on the set I was given turned out to be about exactly right for me. But the putter was not. Too long. I replaced that already.

Carbon fiber shafts are easier on older bodies than steel shafts. (Doesn't apply to putter.)

Cavity-back irons and wedges are more forgiving for high-handicap and beginner players than blades.

Mallet-style putters are more forgiving of slight mis-hits than blades.

I'll try to have more, later. Right now I'm a bit >< buzzed from a pre-dinner Rye, and dinner's about to be called.

Take a handful of lessons from someone good at teaching, start swinging and learning the different clubs. Take a 5 or 6 iron and a 3 wood to the range only for a while. Play 9 holes at a time for a while in between driving range practice sessions.

Don't try to "KILL IT" every time you swing.