I am a very bad golfer, but I love the game and have a wonderful time playing with my golf nut friends.
It is a game that you can play for the rest of your life.
It is very challenging. What works well today, won't tomorrow, and vice-versa.
You can really get to know people well on a golf course.
You will need better clubs soon, if you intend to continue to play.
Enjoy it!

I have learned a lot about the game in the last five weeks. Some updates...

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Club length rarely needs changing except for personal choice in drivers and putters.

Actually, that turns out to be not true. Some people have longer or shorter arms for their height than others, putting their hands closer to or farther from the ground.

I noted to the fitter when I replaced the putter (the one that came with the clubs wasn't working for me at all) that the one I had felt awkwardly long for me. "You have long arms," he replied. Stood next to me. Despite being a good deal shorter than me, his fingertips came only to about my second knuckles or less.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
I always enjoyed finding more balls than I lost. To me, that was a winning day.

Golf Course Etiquette 101: Leave sleeping balls lie, even if it appears they've been abandoned.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Man, that set is practically antique. Not that you can't use them just fine.

Antique knock-offs they may be, but an on-line static fitting check of the irons suggests they're about right on the money for my height/wrist-to-ground/fingertips-to-ground measurements. Unlike the putter, they seem to be working well enough for me

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Hit the range, get some practice in, hire the pro there for the first few times to get your grip set and stance, get the basics down.

I'm taking group classes. They're getting the job done much more economically.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
If those sticks are old, buy some golf pride grips online and regrip the whole set, ...

Done on the irons. Made them much mo bettah for me. Taking the woods and the driver in for the same grips today. Their grips aren't in as bad a condition the irons' grips were, but they're standard size and not nearly as grippy.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
Here's my advise and I'll just put the charge on your tab.

Forget the driver when on the course at first.

With all due respect: I'm going to disregard that advice . I'll simply learn how to hit with the driver before hitting the course.

I suspect the thing that throws new players with the driver is they're intimidated by it. After all: It's got that loooong shaft and BIG head. And, of course, everybody knows everybody's suppose to be able to drive over 200 yards with it, right?

I'm hedging my bets, though, by starting out with economic balls so I don't mind so much losing them in the woods or whatever

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
It sounds like you're well on your way to getting addicted already.

Not yet, I'm not. But it could happen. Wouldn't be the first time

Update: Yeah, I think I may be addicted

Between lessons, a new putter, club re-gripping, and various and sundry other stuff, I've already spent over $500, and I haven't even played, yet.

There's some hope that I haven't completely lost it, though. I actually had a new wedge that was on sale in hand, in the store, and managed to think "You know, you haven't actually played the game, yet. Maybe it would be a good idea to actually play the game before investing more money in equipment?"

It was a rare flash of sanity for me

I'm glad you're enjoying the game. I would give you some advice but as an "expert" that can shoot a 76 one day and a 110 the very next day, I'll let you learn on your own

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
I'm glad you're enjoying the game. I would give you some advice but as an "expert" that can shoot a 76 one day and a 110 the very next day, I'll let you learn on your own

Well, I'm enjoying learning about the game. As to whether I'll enjoy the actual game remains to be seen

As for being "expert": Watched DeChambeau dominate the Rocket Mortgage two weeks ago, then totally melt-down at the Memorial two weeks later.

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones" seems like it should be the Official Golfing Song

first time I ever played golf was on fathers day, the place was packed. I had hit tons of buckets of balls on the range. Must have been 30 people watching me T off, I was nervous as hell drove the green then 8 putted. it all went down hill from there. It took years of practice and playing twice a week to get ok at playing.

I would ditch the driver use a 3 wood off the t and practice your short game. chipping in the rough and out of the sand along with putting is where you will need the most practice. I took lessons a couple of times and that screwed me up worse then anything. it's a fun game after you get it figured out.

I used to enjoy playing golf a long time ago. I found that playing on a league was the only way that I could consistently get on the links every week. Always played walking only, and found it to be a great time.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
As for being "expert": Watched DeChambeau dominate the Rocket Mortgage two weeks ago, then totally melt-down at the Memorial two weeks later.

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones" seems like it should be the Official Golfing Song

Remember that the pros spend hours every day working on their game and bodies to do what they do on the course. I don't recall any of the top pros that hit their drives in the fairway on all 18 holes in a single round.

It's time for you suck it up and get on a course and get baptized.

Jim

I have tried Golfing two different times in my life. During the mid 90s and again around 2005-07 or so.

I realized that if I was going to enjoy Golf, it would require me to practice - driving range 2-3 times each week and play weekly as a minimum. Some lessons too.

I also realized that the time and money I spent golfing, were time and money that I could be spending on shooting.

Shooting won.

quote:

Originally posted by XLT:
I took lessons a couple of times and that screwed me up worse then anything.

Lessons screwed me up, at first, too. I'd acquired a training/warm-up thing called an "Orange Whip." It was great exercise and really seemed to be helping improve my swing--until I took my first class and found I'd be Doing It Wrong

It took me nearly three weeks, and at one point beginning to think "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, after all" when, one-after-another, the pennies dropped and I started swinging more correctly--fluidly and smoothly.

I say "more correctly," rather than "correctly," because I still haven't become One with the follow-through pivot/turn and need to work on limiting my backswing. My mind/body still hasn't quite got the message that you don't need to wind yourself up like a spring

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
It's time for you suck it up and get on a course and get baptized.

Not quite yet, but soon

I'm thinking 'round about mid-way through my second set of classes, so in about a week or two, should be about right.

quote:

Originally posted by Orive 8:
I realized that if I was going to enjoy Golf, it would require me to practice - driving range 2-3 times each week and play weekly as a minimum. Some lessons too.

Depends upon your goals. Personally, I just want to be able to get out there with friends and not embarrass myself. Not aiming for the Senior Tour

If I can get myself to a ±20 handicap I'll probably be happy.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by XLT:
I took lessons a couple of times and that screwed me up worse then anything.

Lessons screwed me up, at first, too. I'd acquired a training/warm-up thing called an "Orange Whip." It was great exercise and really seemed to be helping improve my swing--until I took my first class and found I'd be Doing It Wrong

It took me nearly three weeks, and at one point beginning to think "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, after all" when, one-after-another, the pennies dropped and I started swinging more correctly--fluidly and smoothly.

I say "more correctly," rather than "correctly," because I still haven't become One with the follow-through pivot/turn and need to work on limiting my backswing. My mind/body still hasn't quite got the message that you don't need to wind yourself up like a spring

You're running into the risk of spending too much time and money on trying to perfect a swing that you haven't put to the test yet on a coarse with friends and beer so you can see how much fun golf can be.

Take the risk and get on a course with some friends. You'll thank me later.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
You're running into the risk of spending too much time and money on trying to perfect a swing that you haven't put to the test yet on a coarse with friends and beer so you can see how much fun golf can be.

Conversely, if I don't get the basics down right, and perform terribly on the course, I might become discouraged.

Thinking I had it right I went to a driving range for the first time last week. It was a miserable experience. When I did get it airborne I sliced badly. Out of 100 balls I think I got only 3-4 strikes that were "good," and they didn't get a lot of distance.

It was after that I began to question this entire idea.

Compare that to what happened when, during the following three days, I discovered each day a new thing (videoing myself helped), and finally started getting my swing right: I don't think I sliced once the entire class, yesterday, and the last ball I hit with my 7i, after class, was last seen sailing straight away, well over the top of the 85 yard flag and still going.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
Take the risk and get on a course with some friends. You'll thank me later.

All in Good Time. Last Beginner's class will be driving and putting. Intermediate class starts a couple days later. Depending upon how those go, I'm aiming for next week or the week after.

Also: It's been bloody hot and humid around here lately. I ain't a young whipper-snapper anymore. I don't tolerate it nearly as well as I used to. So there's that.

My Dad has been a golfer for like 50 years. He used to play weekly with friends of his. When I was in High School (or college, not sure which any more) he took the family out for a couple of lessons. It was kind of fun and I did all right for a noob. I hit the shit out of the ball from the tee, long and straight down the fairway. Had some fun with it and played for a few more years. Then I picked up a bad habit or something, and after that every tee shot I hit would either shank or slice, like 2 holes over. I started hitting a 3 iron off the tee because it was the only way I could keep the ball in the right fairway. I thought about taking another lesson or two to try and fix whatever it was that I'd broken, but other things seemed to take priority and I eventually quit playing.

These days I'd rather play on a rifle range than a golf course. For one, my knees are about shot from doing various stupid things when I was younger, so walking for 18 holes (or even 9) just isn't in the cards anymore. The farthest I have to walk to go shooting is carrying my gear between the house and the truck and between the truck and the firing line. And the occasional walk down range to change targets.

My father in law was a +1 golfer in his day (meaning he was likely to shoot 1 under par on any course he played.) 23 years ago he got me into it and I loved it until babies and jobs interfered. He had me read all the ""Old school" stuff like the "Little Red Book" and I got the magazines and watched the channels. Skip ahead to the recent lockdowns and mess. I realized the business I own can do without me a day a week and I can work remotely easily.

I found a website that changed alot for me- I stopped thinking I needed the same balls as the pros. I realized a set of "blades" would not be a good investment for me until I can consistently hit the ball where I want it AND shape the shot at will. (In other sports I'm in, I always bought the best/ pro level stuff and it worked for me- but golf is different.)

Golf sidekick dot com is the site I stumbled on. It's been a pretty good place for me- focused on the game and not trying to make us all pros.

Enjoy and keep us updated. If you ever come to N FL, I have a pretty decent course you I'll take you to for cheap.

I didn't actually start to play golf until I moved to the US and was living in western MA and went out with a few co-workers to hack my away around a local goat farm posing as a muni course.

Of course I sucked, and I sucked for quite awhile until all of a sudden until two things happened right at about the same time

I went to a golf shop over in Albany to get my clubs fitted for loft and lie and was surprised to learn that my 5, 6, and 7 all had the same effective loft and lie - didn't matter which one I hit I was going to get the same result

I spent $100 and got fitted and that shaved about 5 strokes off my scores - consistently

Second thing I did was to take a few lessons. I did a bit of online browsing for a golf school and found one that seemed to fit the bill - it was a 5 day John Jacobs school being held at Oak Creek in Sedona.

After 5 days of instruction and playing on a course to learn course management I was able to knock another 10 - 12 strokes off my score.

Golf is fun when you can hit a fairway.

Still play bogie golf, with the occasional par mixed in - but its now a whole lot more fun.

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
My father in law was a +1 golfer in his day (meaning he was likely to shoot 1 under par on any course he played.)

ICBW, but I think -1 means one under par.

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
I found a website that changed alot for me- I stopped thinking I needed the same balls as the pros.

At $4-$5/ball I ain't playin' the same balls as the pros. Local golf store had some well-reviewed Wilsons on sale for $10/15. That's what I'll be using.

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
Golf sidekick dot com is the site I stumbled on. It's been a pretty good place for me- focused on the game and not trying to make us all pros.

I'll take a look. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
Enjoy and keep us updated. If you ever come to N FL, I have a pretty decent course you I'll take you to for cheap.

I will and I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
Still play bogie golf, with the occasional par mixed in - but its now a whole lot more fun.

That's the point to which I wish to get--or something close to it, anyway

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by BigNC:
My father in law was a +1 golfer in his day (meaning he was likely to shoot 1 under par on any course he played.)
ICBW, but I think -1 means one under par.

I know what you are saying (and you aren't wrong- he would shoot -1 or ONE under par as his SCORE) and my info could be outdated or old school but we would say he WAS a "plus one" golfer- though he said that only lasted a season and he was back to scratch after that. I think he actually would've had to shoot BETTER than one under to get that handicap but the bottom line is that he was good- though he was easily distracted and had to work his dad's business instead of trying to realize any Tin Cup fantasies.

Here is a pretty good explanation:

https://www.underpargoals.com/...e-golfers-break-par/

I don't doubt him because of some old scorecards we found in his mom's "cedar chest" when she passed AND because I have seen him hit AMAZAING flop shots and other greenside stuff, even as he was a 60 year old shooting in the low 80s.

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
Here is a pretty good explanation:

https://www.underpargoals.com/...e-golfers-break-par/

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Whether I end up tracking my handicap will depend upon how invested I become. Haven't reached that decision point yet. Right now I suspect not that committed. We shall see.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
Here is a pretty good explanation:

https://www.underpargoals.com/...e-golfers-break-par/

Interesting. Thanks for the info.


Whether I end up tracking my handicap will depend upon how invested I become. Haven't reached that decision point yet. Right now I suspect not that committed. We shall see.

I agree 100%. I don't track mine yet either. I play with some business associates and we actually have fun- my little club is casual enough that we play practice mostly. Appropriate speed of course! Enjoy!

Not sure if your hitting off mats or grass if it's mats I would highly suggest find a grass driving range. hitting off mats you can get real consistent but your club will never dig in it will just slide across the mat as if you are doing it right.. hitting off of real turf will give you more idea of what you could be doing wrong. also the T height on driving makes a huge difference. you can buy some marking tape to put on your clubs to see exactly where you are hitting it on the club face.

hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
You're running into the risk of spending too much time and money on trying to perfect a swing that you haven't put to the test yet on a coarse with friends and beer so you can see how much fun golf can be.

Conversely, if I don't get the basics down right, and perform terribly on the course, I might become discouraged.

Thinking I had it right I went to a driving range for the first time last week. It was a miserable experience. When I did get it airborne I sliced badly. Out of 100 balls I think I got only 3-4 strikes that were "good," and they didn't get a lot of distance.

It was after that I began to question this entire idea.

Compare that to what happened when, during the following three days, I discovered each day a new thing (videoing myself helped), and finally started getting my swing right: I don't think I sliced once the entire class, yesterday, and the last ball I hit with my 7i, after class, was last seen sailing straight away, well over the top of the 85 yard flag and still going.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
Take the risk and get on a course with some friends. You'll thank me later.

All in Good Time. Last Beginner's class will be driving and putting. Intermediate class starts a couple days later. Depending upon how those go, I'm aiming for next week or the week after.

Also: It's been bloody hot and humid around here lately. I ain't a young whipper-snapper anymore. I don't tolerate it nearly as well as I used to. So there's that.

Dude your gonna suck on the course for a while as a begining golfer. The game is as much about several hours on the course with friends as it is about playing golf or how well you score. Thats why your friend suggested it in the first place. Dont let your drive to be good before you go actually play kill the desire when you dont play to YOUR expectations.

I am only 7 years playing and just starting to break 90 regularly. Its a damned tough game. Now go have fun and get outta yo head.