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Well, I've been tinkering around driving ranges for the last couple years and have decided its time to become serious about learning to golf. I don't know where to start. I talked with the guys in the pro shop today at the course I go to about lessons for beginners. I only have one problem......I don't own any clubs. I have no idea where to start.

What's the best advice you all can give a beginner?

What is my best option for acquiring a set of clubs?

Where do I start?

Bob Roberts wrote:Well, I've been tinkering around driving ranges for the last couple years and have decided its time to become serious about learning to golf. I don't know where to start. I talked with the guys in the pro shop today at the course I go to about lessons for beginners. I only have one problem......I don't own any clubs. I have no idea where to start.

What's the best advice you all can give a beginner?

What is my best option for acquiring a set of clubs?

Where do I start?

My suggestion would to take a couple of lessons first (that's what I am planning on doing when I start). Get the swing down. Then start looking for the clubs. For clubs info, I'll leave that to the golf experts.

Can you take lessons without clubs?

Bob Roberts wrote:Can you take lessons without clubs?

I think in some places, they have extra clubs for those who don't have any. You would need to pay something to rent one out. There are a few driving ranges here in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that allowed people to rent drivers.

I bought a second hand set for when I was starting ....

a good option - cause I never kept going with it - cause I cant play

Lessons is a great way to start to learn the game. The fundamentals are very important to enjoying your day on the golf course.

As far as clubs go, they are a very personal choice. The clubs I bought my 66 year old mother are very different from the clubs I play with. And The clubs a few of my gold buddies play with are very different from mine. It depends on your athletic ability and your golf skill level.

With more specifics about you, and how serious you want to get, I may be able to help some more.

Let me make a suggestion...

Check into Natural Golf... I know, I know, it sounds like a gimmick.

http://naturalgolf.com/DefaultHtml.aspx


Seriously though, when I first started playing, I could NOT hit the ball straight to save my soul. I started tinkering with Natural Golf books/etc. and got better, then went to a 1 day workshop. BOOM! It's a single-plane swing that is easy to learn and easy to repeat.

I'm still not a great golfer, but I only play 10-12 times a year. I played last weekend, hit 75% of my drives straight as a string (260-290 yards), had birdie putts on several holes. I used to really fear hitting over water, and holes with woods on both sides. Played three rounds on courses with substantial water and only got one ball wet and didn't lose any in the woods. Anymore, I (seriously) don't usually even notice water I'm hitting over. I just go up and hit it.



If you want to play enjoyable golf, I highly recommend checking into this. Good luck.

(And no, I don't get any kind of commission, etc. for my endorsement. )

I know that courses and golf shops around here have demo days, where you can go and try out clubs by the company hosting the demo days.

Pick up a second hand set of clubs at a Play It Again Sport shop or a garage sale. Or ask anyone you know that plays, they likely have a golf club purgatory in their garage or basement.

Most golfers believe that if they could only find the 'perfect' clubs they will suddenly become great golfers. Sadly, that doesn't happen ...but it does mean there are TONS of very nice and often barely used second hand clubs out there just looking for a new home.

It's not the bow, it's the indian! A few private lessons can help a lot. Then, load up the cooler and go play a round with some amiable friends. Don't take it too seriously or you won't have fun. Even Tiger had some stinko shots today. That's golf!
Cheers!

Bring lots of beer

This is an interesting thread. I was just on vacation in Florida and sat in on a golf lesson with my friends. It was a very basic lesson on stance and swing etc. Afterwards I hit a few balls and really enjoyed myself so now I'm toying with the idea too. Let us know how it goes!

OK...Avid golfer here......never took lessons.....i taught myself by watching TV and reading articles..and watching the better people i play with on tips .....and a lot of practice.....I'm a 10 Handicap flirting with a 9........But i would suggest lessons for anyone that wants to learn.....they can help with the basics...but you need to apply them with practice if you are going to have any success!!!.....but the main thing is don't get frustrated ...relax and have fun with it......as far as buying a set...I'd rent 1st....Most golf outlets will let you borrow clubs to try and hit....someone said go to a driving range and use there equipment...most driving ranges equipment are old and out dated.....go to a golf shop use there equipment...also if you buy...most places give you a 30 day return policy if you don't like them.....and you can also rent the types of clubs your looking at!!...and also when buying..go to a pro- shop or golf shop...they will fit you to the right clubs for your swing!!!...Good luck and have fun!!

My best advice: Accept the fact that you will be bad at it for a while. It will keep you from spending too much time frustrated, allow you to have more fun.

Buy a nice starter set. $200-300. You could get cheaper at a use equipment shop. Get some lessons and hit the range a lot. As you get better or confirm your interest, you will have developed some skills to properly evaluate new clubs. Then start replacing your driver, woods, putter, irons.

When I started playing, my dad bought me just a few of the "basic" clubs (if memory serves: a 5, 7, and 9 iron, and a 1 and 3 wood). That's enough for me to be able to whack my way around the course and kind of figure out what works for me. Whatever you do, don't invest a boat load of bucks into a huge set of clubs until you're sure you really want to get more into the game. By the same token, there's no need to purchase a really expensice golf club bag either. Also, most places allow you to wear turf shoes instead of actual golf shoes with spikes. Much less expensive.

Don't forget some of this before heading out on the course.

http://www.usga.org/playing/etiquette/etiquette.html

ScarletB wrote:This is an interesting thread. I was just on vacation in Florida and sat in on a golf lesson with my friends. It was a very basic lesson on stance and swing etc. Afterwards I hit a few balls and really enjoyed myself so now I'm toying with the idea too. Let us know how it goes!

I know what you mean! I don't get to play a lot...but for every couple of dozen "so so" shots I hit, I'll hit one really good one and you just KNOW it's going to be good even as the club touches the ball...then you get that PERFECT arc...that's the ONE shot that makes all the other ones worth living through

Golf is a good walk spoiled. - Mark Twain

Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose. - Winston Churchill

lots of good advice here...

take some lessons with a pro that's good with beginners. not all are. if you're not clicking with the pro or not understanding him try another. alot of adult ed programs at your local Y or community college have beginner classes.

talk to your pro about the right kind of clubs for you and your swing. the right clubs will make a big difference, notice i didn't say expensive.

learn the etiquette of the game. i'll play with anyone no matter how good or bad they are as long as they know the etiquette, rules and keep up the pace of play. if things start to go really bad on a hole pick up your ball and regroup in the next hole. cheat or don't follow the etiquette of the game and people will not play with you again.

accept the fact you'll be bad for a couple of years. but lots practice and patience you can get better. but you'll never master the game.....

You can usually pick up a decent set at a garage sale or pawn shop. I know a guy who picked up a whole set of Callaway war birds with bag, balls, and even a set of shoes....that fit, for $400.00. You could even go to Costco or Sam's and pick up a new complete set for about $200. Get them, learn the game, take the lessons, then go to the course.
Then unlearn the game break all yur clubs over trees, tee boxes, and yourself. Swear your never coming back, chip in for a birdie on 17, have a few beers, then do it again next weekend....................At least that's what I do