learning how to golf

[yeung330xi]

basically I starting golfing last summer and would like to get better at it. I've picked other sports pretty easy and became good at them but golf is another beast for me. It's frustrating that I don't see improvements week in and week out. Anyways I have never taken lessons, just friends showing/telling me a few things. I plan to take lessons this spring.

But I just wanted to find out what things (ie. videos/books) people have used to get better at golf.

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by yeung330xi

basically I starting golfing last summer and would like to get better at it. I've picked other sports pretty easy and became good at them but golf is another beast for me. It's frustrating that I don't see improvements week in and week out. Anyways I have never taken lessons, just friends showing/telling me a few things. I plan to take lessons this spring.

But I just wanted to find out what things (ie. videos/books) people have used to get better at golf.

go to a reputable nice course, find pro, buy lessons.
I was always petty good at golf but had bad habits from swinging a hockey stick for 16+years. I bought lessons from a club pro and he was able to break me of my habits and hit ball the best I've ever been able to. Friends all have different opinions and can't point out things as good

[squishy]

Just practice putting balls in very small holes.

Practice makes perfect.

[slalomfever]

contact a reputable PGA professional in your area. They can usually help. When you have the time and facility...practice your putting and chipping - this will definitely lower your scores.

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by slalomfever

contact a reputable PGA professional in your area. They can usually help. When you have the time and facility...practice your putting and chipping - this will definitely lower your scores.

club pro=golf trainer at a golf course. not a PGA professional

[Who?]

i get lessons once a week by a teaching pro. if you learn through friends or by yourself, you'll hit the ball fine, but the swing will be terrible (seriously, observe some swings in the driving range, its hilarious)

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by squishy

Just practice putting balls in very small holes.

Practice makes perfect.

Yep. Lessons and form and all this bullshit means nothing. Practice contact and consistency. There are plenty of scratch or single handicap golfers who have some awful swings. Dont just become a range pro. Go out there once you get the hang of swinging. Putting and chipping are way more important if you want to get a great score. No point in driving 300 yards of it still takes 4 more strokes to get in the hole lol.

I used to go to the range every day, buy new clubs, play every other week, etc.

But i have since retired to pursue motorsports!! (Sold all my clubs and giving away the rest of my gear for cheap/free but still have my scotty cameron. It will go on the wall as decoration lol )

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Yep. Lessons and form and all this bullshit means nothing. Practice contact and consistency. There are plenty of scratch or single handicap golfers who have some awful swings. Dont just become a range pro. Go out there once you get the hang of swinging. Putting and chipping are way more important if you want to get a great score. No point in driving 300 yards of it still takes 4 more strokes to get in the hole lol.

I used to go to the range every day, buy new clubs, play every other week, etc.

But i have since retired to pursue motorsports!! (Sold all my clubs and giving away the rest of my gear for cheap/free but still have my scotty cameron. It will go on the wall as decoration lol )

This is true, but if you're just starting out it is wise to get lessons so that your mechanics are sound. After that, you own swing will develop.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

This is true, but if you're just starting out it is wise to get lessons so that your mechanics are sound. After that, you own swing will develop.

Youtube! Or read material.

There are so many options that one method or ones teaching may not fit your physical fitness, mobility, etc.

I used rotaryswing.com and The Impact Zone. I just dont think lessons are worth the money paid.

Now my bible (of my hobby) is Ultimate Speed Secrets

[///3dkn]

Originally Posted by slalomfever

contact a reputable PGA professional in your area. They can usually help. When you have the time and facility...practice your putting and chipping - this will definitely lower your scores.

This!

If I'm not mistaken, almost every golf course should have a club pro or PGA pro. They more than likely offer lessons as well. Also read, watch videos on YouTube and/or watch the golf channel for any other tips you can get. Some people are naturals at golf, and some people take some time to get the hang of it. The key is practice practice practice. Good luck and have fun with it.

[grimlock]

this is like crack for golf nuts

but ofcourse it will do nothing for your swing - it's just awesome to watch

[MidwestGolfBum]

Go with the 80/20 rule after you take a few lessons. That means, putting and short game 80% of the time and longer shots 20% of the time. You will find that once you have the basics of a swing that works for you down, you will lower scores more as you can have a better short game and putting. Of course, a big part is being able to play frequently enough as well. When I started my business I was a +2 handicap and was comfortable with the fact that I may not improve much from there unless I spend a huge amount of time on golf. I played 20 rounds of golf last year, 16 of which were tournament rounds and my handicap is now a 2.1. Because I don't have the time to practice or play nearly as much as I used to, my handicap is now stuck at around a 2.

Find one teaching pro that you can get along with easily and you like their teaching style and take as many lessons as you think you need to get to your goal. When I was playing 4 times a week and sometimes 36 holes a day on weekends, I actually played at least 1 round a week with my pro, as we would work on certain things during a round. Find what works for you and know that golf is a frustrating game, even for the pros.

[CHCCubs]

I would suggest a series of lessons and the sooner the better. I played for a few years without taking proper lessons (just tips from friends) and picked up a number of bad habits. As a result when I finally took lessons it was harder to overcome the bad habits than it would have been if I had taken lessons when I first started out.

I notice you are from the GTA, most of the indoor driving ranges in the GTA offer lessons year round, I took mine at the Markham Golf Dome a few years ago.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by yeung330xi

basically I starting golfing last summer and would like to get better at it. I've picked other sports pretty easy and became good at them but golf is another beast for me. It's frustrating that I don't see improvements week in and week out. Anyways I have never taken lessons, just friends showing/telling me a few things. I plan to take lessons this spring.

But I just wanted to find out what things (ie. videos/books) people have used to get better at golf.

Lessons from a PGA pro, patience, and lots of practice.

[chillbil79]

Drink while you play and blame your poor game on the booze.

Seriously though, lessons and practice. It's not rocket science

Become the Amazing ball whacker guy!

[pmeloche]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

club pro=golf trainer at a golf course. not a PGA professional

More often than not, your golf pro at the club is a PGA professional. Being a PGA professional does not mean you are a PGA Tour pro. There are litterally thousands upon thousands of PGA professionals but only a few hundreds PGA Tour pros. Cheers.

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by pmeloche

More often than not, your golf pro at the club is a PGA professional. Being a PGA professional does not mean you are a PGA Tour pro. There are litterally thousands upon thousands of PGA professionals but only a few hundreds PGA Tour pros. Cheers.

yes you are right. I couldn't tell the context of that post what he meant. Some people automatically think Tiger Woods level.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Great advice in here, I'd recommend getting lessons from a reputable PGA Professional in your area at your preferred course.

[Billup]

Be patient. Don't do what I do and try to murder the ball, sending it off with a 300 yard hook to the right. Keep your head down.


Also, bring plenty of whiskey and cigars.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by Billup

Also, bring plenty of whiskey and cigars.

Best advice yet.

Also spend twice as much time around the putting/chipping greens as you are the driving range.

Don't spend a thousand hours at the driving range without proper instruction, you're just going to set in bad habits.

[SLOWER]

Just get out there and play. Keep your head down and have some fun. You will hit some shots that make you want to throw your clubs in the dumpster, but you will hit one or two that will make you want to play again the next day.

Remember, everyone sucks at golf. If you have 10 friends who play golf, 9 of them suck.

Take a couple lessons and go play. The advice to spend more time chipping and putting is very good. That's where you can blow a couple stupid strokes per hole.

[325rider]

Golf is bad for your body. It will cause tendonitis in every joint and damage cartilage as well (takes forever to heal).

MY advice, don't golf. ITs not worth the pain and debilitation it will cause you the rest of your life.


GOOD LUCK :hi: