hamster Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Calling all you golfers out there. I am not very good at the game (first year), but hope to get a couple more 9 holes in before mothballing the clubs for the winter. I really wanted to get below 50 (for 9 holes) this year and am miles off still What is everyone's Top Tip to help me get below 50. I play at Fleming Park by the way. Cheers in advance people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Calling all you golfers out there. I am not very good at the game (first year), but hope to get a couple more 9 holes in before mothballing the clubs for the winter. I really wanted to get below 50 (for 9 holes) this year and am miles off still What is everyone's Top Tip to help me get below 50. I play at Fleming Park by the way. Cheers in advance people. If you want to play a 9 hole course that is good for a beginer try Otterbourne Poles Lane, I started my son in law off up there a couple of years ago he now plays off 23. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Get one of those ball returning putting machines, practice loads with that, should cut off a few shots a round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Top three tips I was given when getting golf lessons. 1) Grip 2) Grip 3) Grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 12 October, 2008 Author Share Posted 12 October, 2008 If you want to play a 9 hole course that is good for a beginer try Otterbourne Poles Lane, I started my son in law off up there a couple of years ago he now plays off 23. Thanks for that tooms, I may well pay visit as it sounds nice and good value. Incidentaaly, whilst searching for it I came acreoos this 2 fo 1 deal: http://www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/coursedir/241.html I know there are probably tons of deals out there, but as Fleming is one of the courses I will be ordering some vouchers for myself. PS I never ever thought I would say this, but I love golf, even though i am very crap at it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jawillwill Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 What is everyone's Top Tip to help me get below 50. . Play 5 holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Will Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 If you want to break 50, it's very simple. Anyone can break 50 if they manage their game right. Here's what you need to do: 1. Don't use your driver. Hit 3 wood or even an iron off the tee, even on long par 4's and par 5's. To break 50 you just need to keep the ball out of the junk and you're flying. 2. Pick the smallest target you can to aim at and really focus on it. Don't just try to hit the fairway....aim at the tip of a branch of a tree in the distance...something like that. Narrowing your focus down WILL make your misses less wild. 3. Putt, putt and putt some more. Putting is half the game. Even though you're only hitting it over a short distance, and don't seem so important, almost half your shots over the course of the round will be putts. Work entirely on pace of your putts. When practising, putt to the edges of the practise green, rather than to the holes. That'll help you with the pace. If you get the pace right, you'll 2 putt a lot more often - that'll be the key to breaking 50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Porter Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Practice putting. If you're anything like me then putting accounts to around a 1/3rd of all shots, if you practice putting enough so you can two put anything on the green then you will see your scores get better very quickly. When I first started I just practiced in the range for ages and well It didn't help my scores much, now that i've started doing a few hours putting practice every week I find a huge difference. Mainly it's just a case of practice makes perfect, there aren't any tips really. Just get out side and hit some balls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttawaSaint Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 best way to break 100 (or 50 on a nine hole) is to add one shot to every par. So now par 3s become short par 4s, Par 4s become short par 5s and par 5s become manageable par 6s. Shoot "pretend par" on each of these holes and you will have 45. - Don't go with driver off every non par 3 hole. Look at the hole where are the hazards what are your tendencies? If you slice and there is OB all the way up the left then hit a 5 or 6i up the middle and go for the green in 3 (on a par 4). - when shooting for the green aim at the middle of the green and not the flag. If it seems like a perfect 7i to the flag, take a 6i, chances are if you don't break 50 then you don't hit your 7i bang on every time. - practice chipping and pitching more than long game. - when close to the green if you can putt then putt, if not then chip, if you can't chip from where you are then use a pitch. Keep it in that order as the worst miss with a putter is way better than the worst miss with a pitch (flub, shank etc). - draw a line on your ball to help you line up putts, once you have read the putt, don't second guess yourself. - if you find yourself in trouble off the tee, don't go for the hero shot that will get you back in the hole. I have seen many players do this, "damn in the woods, hold on, if I put the ball back in my stance I can punch a 3 iron out through that 6 inch opening and onto the green". The result? you end up missing that shot (no wonder) and end up in worse trouble, then you hack at the ball out of frustration and end up with a 10 or 12 on your card. Just find the safest way out of trouble with a shot you have played many times and concentrate on that shot, get it back on the fairway and par or bogey is still possible. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 best way to break 100 (or 50 on a nine hole) is to add one shot to every par. So now par 3s become short par 4s, Par 4s become short par 5s and par 5s become manageable par 6s. Shoot "pretend par" on each of these holes and you will have 45. - Don't go with driver off every non par 3 hole. Look at the hole where are the hazards what are your tendencies? If you slice and there is OB all the way up the left then hit a 5 or 6i up the middle and go for the green in 3 (on a par 4). - when shooting for the green aim at the middle of the green and not the flag. If it seems like a perfect 7i to the flag, take a 6i, chances are if you don't break 50 then you don't hit your 7i bang on every time. - practice chipping and pitching more than long game. - when close to the green if you can putt then putt, if not then chip, if you can't chip from where you are then use a pitch. Keep it in that order as the worst miss with a putter is way better than the worst miss with a pitch (flub, shank etc). - draw a line on your ball to help you line up putts, once you have read the putt, don't second guess yourself. - if you find yourself in trouble off the tee, don't go for the hero shot that will get you back in the hole. I have seen many players do this, "damn in the woods, hold on, if I put the ball back in my stance I can punch a 3 iron out through that 6 inch opening and onto the green". The result? you end up missing that shot (no wonder) and end up in worse trouble, then you hack at the ball out of frustration and end up with a 10 or 12 on your card. Just find the safest way out of trouble with a shot you have played many times and concentrate on that shot, get it back on the fairway and par or bogey is still possible. Good luck. Some very goods tips there, in the words of John Daley drive for show putt for doe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robsk II Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Cheat the ball forward when your opponent is not looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 12 October, 2008 Author Share Posted 12 October, 2008 They all make so much sense reading them, especially the putting practice, as I hadn't broken down the ratios before. I have spent a small fortune on the range, hoping for results and they simply haven't materialised. The more I read the suggestions and break my game down mentally, the more I want to get out there. If Mrs H wasn't at her Beading Convention, leaving me to puppy-sit, I would jump in the car right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Will Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 They all make so much sense reading them, especially the putting practice, as I hadn't broken down the ratios before. I have spent a small fortune on the range, hoping for results and they simply haven't materialised. The more I read the suggestions and break my game down mentally, the more I want to get out there. If Mrs H wasn't at her Beading Convention, leaving me to puppy-sit, I would jump in the car right now. It's all about putting....I play professionally and I have played with some guys who simply cannot hit it...I mean, hitting all over the shop. But they hole everything, and still end up doing well. All you have to do is get it somewhere on or around the green in regulation, and with a hot putter you can score decent, no matter how you hit the ball. But practise your putting constructively. The two main drills Tiger Woods does for his putting is a) putting with his right hand only (makes you release the putter correctly), and b) putt between two tees (set the putter on the ground, and press a tee in the ground on either side of the putter head, with maybe 1/2 cm gap on either side. Hit putts, trying to make the putter work through the tees without hitting the tees with the putter head. It helps you hit the sweetspot of the putter, which is key) 2 other drills. Putt to the fringe of the practise green to work on your pace. Try to stop the ball right on the edge of the green. It's better to use the fringe and take the hole out of the equation because it makes you concentrate on what you should be concentrating on - distance control. Finally, putt to a tee. Hit 3 to 10 foot putts to a tee in the ground. If you do that for half an hour, the hole will look a lot bigger, and a lot easier to hit. When you go back to putting to a real hole, imagine a tee in the back of the hole, and focus on that. It'll make you focus more and give you a bigger margin of error. One final thought.....when you hold the putter, you must get your palms facing each other. All the best everyone. Flying back to America for the 2nd stage of PGA Tour Q School.....if anyone needs any more advice feel free to get in touch! Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 When you fill in the little card, accidentally forget about some shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Saint Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 I have been playing golf for about 6 years now and have got pretty good. The top tips I have are: 1. Get proper golf shoes. 2. Grip properly. Get the club pro to show you. 3. Keep your eye on the ball. 4. Never let go of the club. 5. Keep your head still. 6. Miss out some shots when recording your score. 7. Shout things just as your opponent is about to take their shot. 8. Promise yourself a reward for getting a hole in one, like a beer or something. 9. Sometimes move your ball forward using your hand. 10. Use a mashie niblick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 1) Read GOLF IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT by Dr Bob Rotella. (That's all you will ever need) But if you want 2) NEVER, I repeat NEVER listen to ANY advice from ANYONE unless they have a handicap of 1 or under. But DO go to a PGA tournament and follow some REAL golfers round the course. You will learn more in one day than in one year of lessons and a lifetime of advice. (eg I've seen Els 3 putt from 8 feet, Woosnam hit a ball that is lying in the centre of the fairway 10 yards and seen Tiger hit out of one bunker into another the opposite side of the green - then hit it back into the first one again. Everyone hits bad shots!) (Oh and likewise, as a hacker, when playing with someone -NEVER EVER say - ooh you moved your head/swung too fast - a club anally inserted HURTS) 3) Have professional lessons in the basics of grip, stance and shoulder turn then go back to check every 6 months 4) Practice on the driving range makes you look up to see your shots which makes you cr*p 5) Play as much golf as you can. At the end of the day it is about rythm and feel. Walking to a course every 6 weeks means you ain't never gonna improve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 About 8 years ago I played off 26, I got invited to play in a charity pro - am in the same team as Richard Bland. It was the best £75.00 I have ever spent to play golf, a 36 hole golf lesson from a PGA tour pro I now play off 11 and MLT was good company as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 You will need lessons from a professional. Without seeing you swing etc there is no real way to make any recomendations for improvement. I have been playing about 5 years and play off 6. But the first 2 or 3 years are where it is easiest to shave off 5 or 6 shots a year from your handicap as this is where you are doing most wrong! If you playing at Fleming park, i think the pro is or at least used to be Ian Warwick, he was the pro where i used to play and left for fleming park and gave me my first 6 or so lessons when i was starting out. Thats the only real way to see improvement and maintain it! Other than that the advice of putting and short game practise is sound. You can save your round by getting up and down as often as possible and improve from 100yards in. Also, try dividing your scorecard up on a round, have a section for fairways, greens in regulation and putts, and tick if you hit a fairway or GIR and enter the number of putts, you will soon see where your struggling most. Good Luck! Golf will infuriate you but is worth it once you start to see the fruits of your labour! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Book up half a dozen lessons with a Pro. Take them at three weekly intervals to give yourself a chance to learn what you're being taught. Spend a bit more time on the range during this time, and a little less time on the course. When on the range spend half of your time there chipping and putting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 12 October, 2008 Author Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Blimey, you lot could write a book! We are obviously in the company of some very capable golfers here. When is the main site gonna organise a tournament for you guys? I don't mind caddying. I think that HCC offers special deals (£25 for 5) at the range on Chestnut Avenue, Eastliegh, so I might get them to look at my swing. Re. the putting at a tee and the edge of the green sounds like some of the easiest and most effective to follow advice. Also, and please don't jump down my throat here, does the club really matter that much when starting out? I have an old 'Memphis' putter at the moment. I am playing with a set of Ping Eye 2 Be-Cu's, they are lovely. And I already got nice shoes (they didn't noticably help tbh). And to my astonishment, I have actually seen people moving balls, and not counting shots. Amazing! By the way, around the time my best mate was getting into golf, I had the misfortune to get a golf ball smack me in the mouth, at speed, splitting my lip in two in St James Park (Shirley, NOT tyne and wear) - blood and teeth everywhere. For this reason I hated the game and am only now realising what a great game I have missed out on for all those years. Cheers nipper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 About 8 years ago I played off 26, I got invited to play in a charity pro - am in the same team as Richard Bland. It was the best £75.00 I have ever spent to play golf, a 36 hole golf lesson from a PGA tour pro I now play off 11 and MLT was good company as well. Ah ha - you too! I reckon life's most terrifying moments Watching the first baby being born Driving a car on your own the first time Flying solo in a plane for the first time Scuba diving and coming face to face with a 5 metre shark But by FAR the absolutley MOST terrifying one HAS to be standing on a tee-box with a PGA pro waiting for you to blast your driver to what you are completely certain will be only 10 feet towards the ladies tee..... But Hamster - see why you need a pro to give you a lesson and then never listen to anyone else's advice - everyone has a favourite angle. You'll find yours and yes the idea of a golf tournament..... ps have to find a way to get you all over here to play:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 I started out with a set of Wilson blades i bought off a mates dad for 20quid, and an old knife putter i found in my attic! got down to about 25 with em but the heads started falling off some irons so i bought some eye-2s. Got myself down to about 12ish then upgraded the lot to my current set of Mizuno semi blades and 2ball putter, Titleist woods and Driver. Love the lot. As for putters, you could use a lump of wood if it felt comfy and got the ball in the hole! Putting is an art..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponty Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Practice on a Wii. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Practice on a Wii. Can you please save such remarks for TMS. This is the lounge. Kindest Regards s_s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 I have been playing for ten years (6 handicap) and realised after about five years of tinkering that clubs, really dont make that much difference. When you are at the standard you are you will be fine with a beginners cheapo set. I would recomend looking for a good set of 2nd hand irons when you get down to about a 15 hdcp. No point in buying any golf clubs new. Just echo what everone else is saying that when you are first beginning advice from a PGA pro is invaluable as they will ensure you get the basics correct (grip, posture etc). I would get more lessons myself if I could afford them, but I live in St Andrews where golf is big business and so lessons cost big money. My annual membership of 7 courses only costs me £165 though, so I suppose I cant really complain about expensive lessons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbul Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 Not much more to add from what the others have been saying, just to reiterate the importance of putting. Also it's important to practice your short game too, ie any shots a hundred yards or less into the green or pin. This is all about knowing your clubs and distances and needs practice. Don't try and emulate the pros if you hear commentators say things like "200 yards to go and out comes the 7 iron...." or something like that. A lot of high handicappers would be happy to hit a driver of the tee that far!!!! Toomer quoted John Daly when he said "Drivers for show, putters for dough" and that is very true advice. However, when you do want to get one of the big sticks out on the tee, go for a 3 wood instead of a driver, it's much more forgiving and DON'T TRY AND KNOCK THE SKIN OFF THE BALL!!!! As somebody else said, it's all about rhythm. The ball will go a surprisingly long way with what may seem to be a slowish, but correctly executed swing. Last bit I'll throw in which I don't think anyone else has mentioned, don't let one bad hole ruin your round. Forget about it and move onto the next. *Talking about golf presents an absolute minefield of opportunity for double entendres.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 I go back to the comment I made about that book. I went on a golfing holiday to Portugal. 2 weeks - 7 days for me on the course with wife on the beach and 7 days touring around. I got the book at the airport and read it over the flight and the first couple of days. Amazingly the simple tenet it advocates is to simply walk up to the ball aim it and hit it. You have hit clubs on the range so you know how far they will go so just take the club out the bag and hit the ball. End of. During that week, while playing on championship courses I had never seen before, my WORST round was 3 under handicap and I shot my best ever, an 82. One of the "greatest" movies of all time - Happy Gilmour had it spot on. "Just tap it in the hole". The minute the brain thinks about anything at all on a golf course you are finished. (Mind you when playing match play against a mate, it's always useful to start to ask them questions about work, the journey to the course, the weather, the family, works every time!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponty Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 Can you please save such remarks for TMS. This is the lounge. Kindest Regards s_s I'm serious. After all, it's endorsed by Tiger Woods. You can't get much better than him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 I'm serious. After all, it's endorsed by Tiger Woods. You can't get much better than him. I will go along with Ponty, I have Tiger Woods and you have to swing, chip & putt as if your out on the course to get round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 I will go along with Ponty, I have Tiger Woods and you have to swing, chip & putt as if your out on the course to get round. yeah, its exactly the same........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 I go back to the comment I made about that book. I went on a golfing holiday to Portugal. 2 weeks - 7 days for me on the course with wife on the beach and 7 days touring around. I got the book at the airport and read it over the flight and the first couple of days. Amazingly the simple tenet it advocates is to simply walk up to the ball aim it and hit it. You have hit clubs on the range so you know how far they will go so just take the club out the bag and hit the ball. End of. During that week, while playing on championship courses I had never seen before, my WORST round was 3 under handicap and I shot my best ever, an 82. One of the "greatest" movies of all time - Happy Gilmour had it spot on. "Just tap it in the hole". The minute the brain thinks about anything at all on a golf course you are finished. (Mind you when playing match play against a mate, it's always useful to start to ask them questions about work, the journey to the course, the weather, the family, works every time!) Never think of the dreaded 'S' word. Will be curtains if that gets in your head. Very good point though, leave thinking for the range and just hit the thing when on the course. Also a good point is to never go to the range or practice area without a plan. Without having planned what you are going to do differently, you will simply be practising whatever you were doing wrong before, thus further engraining it into your muscle memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickmick Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Calling all you golfers out there. I am not very good at the game (first year), but hope to get a couple more 9 holes in before mothballing the clubs for the winter. I really wanted to get below 50 (for 9 holes) this year and am miles off still What is everyone's Top Tip to help me get below 50. I play at Fleming Park by the way. Cheers in advance people. Play Stableford, you can then scrub the bad holes. When I play stroke play, all your good work can be undone with 2 bad holes. With stableford, you can still score some good points even with 2 holes without scoring. Before long you will notice your stroke play will start to come down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of Bob Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Play Stableford, you can then scrub the bad holes. When I play stroke play, all your good work can be undone with 2 bad holes. With stableford, you can still score some good points even with 2 holes without scoring. Before long you will notice your stroke play will start to come down. Agreed. I always play much better when doing Stableford. It takes the pressure off you if you have a bad hole. Stableford is also good for me as I play off 18 at the moment which makes scoring easier! Back to the original question in the thread, a massive part of the game is in the preperation of the shot, eg your address and grip. I have been playing for around 20 years and my handicap did get down to about 12 at one stage but I'm constantly hampered by using a grip and stance that feel comfortable rather than what's right. The only person who can truly advise you on how to get these things right is a PGA pro and listening to other peoples advice will usually just teach you their bad habits. Go and have some lessons and it will make a world of difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithd Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 one piece of advise i was given when i started up- i've had a quick scan to see if its been said, apols if im repeating it - is when chipping from 10-15 yards off the green and inwards is to use a 7 or 8 iron for the chip and run, as opposed to lobbing it up high with a wedge. this obviously works better in summer when the ground is harder but still useful now stand with the ball to the right of your stance, wrists in front of the ball. shaved half a dozen shots a round in no time for me. and as has been said above, putt putt and putt again! keep practicing the putting always Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essruu Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 1) Read GOLF IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT by Dr Bob Rotella. (That's all you will ever need) But if you want 2) NEVER, I repeat NEVER listen to ANY advice from ANYONE unless they have a handicap of 1 or under. But DO go to a PGA tournament and follow some REAL golfers round the course. You will learn more in one day than in one year of lessons and a lifetime of advice. (eg I've seen Els 3 putt from 8 feet, Woosnam hit a ball that is lying in the centre of the fairway 10 yards and seen Tiger hit out of one bunker into another the opposite side of the green - then hit it back into the first one again. Everyone hits bad shots!) (Oh and likewise, as a hacker, when playing with someone -NEVER EVER say - ooh you moved your head/swung too fast - a club anally inserted HURTS) 3) Have professional lessons in the basics of grip, stance and shoulder turn then go back to check every 6 months 4) Practice on the driving range makes you look up to see your shots which makes you cr*p 5) Play as much golf as you can. At the end of the day it is about rythm and feel. Walking to a course every 6 weeks means you ain't never gonna improve Unless Dubai Phil has a handicap of 1 or under, ignore him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Unless Dubai Phil has a handicap of 1 or under, ignore him. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notnowcato Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Hit more of the little ball than the big ball. Easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Agreed. I always play much better when doing Stableford. It takes the pressure off you if you have a bad hole. Stableford is also good for me as I play off 18 at the moment which makes scoring easier! Back to the original question in the thread, a massive part of the game is in the preperation of the shot, eg your address and grip. I have been playing for around 20 years and my handicap did get down to about 12 at one stage but I'm constantly hampered by using a grip and stance that feel comfortable rather than what's right. The only person who can truly advise you on how to get these things right is a PGA pro and listening to other peoples advice will usually just teach you their bad habits. Go and have some lessons and it will make a world of difference. Bloody bandit shot a hole.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Stand tall, only bend your knees a tiny bit and lean forward from the hips. You can spot a novice a mile away as they always hunch over the ball and have knees bend to far. When addressing the ball, rest the club (face flat) on the floor and the clubs grip end should be a hands lengh from the thigh - this is the best distance to stand away from the ball. Best tip I can give is o tuse the 6 or 7 iron to knock and run, rather than using the pitching wedge (applicable when 1-20 feet from 'dance floor') - you'll get loads more control. When doing this try standing mainly on your left leg (if right handed) and hold the club half way down the grip. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 14 October, 2008 Author Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Unless Dubai Phil has a handicap of 1 or under, ignore him. Have you tried ignoring someone with 2,800 posts to his name? (some of them are quite good). I checked out a few youtube golf tutorials a while back, they made it look very easy, which it clearly is not. I was given a tip a while ago about 'breathing', which I can't remember. It was something about at what point to breathe out, or hold your breath at a certain part of the stroke, if someone could enlighten me please? I do already know that breathing is a good tip. On the subject of a SWF society, would it mean forking out an additional £5 for membership? It could potentially be a money spinner, unless there are free ones out there already. Could we at the very least have a Golf section on the forum please mods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbul Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 one piece of advise i was given when i started up- i've had a quick scan to see if its been said, apols if im repeating it - is when chipping from 10-15 yards off the green and inwards is to use a 7 or 8 iron for the chip and run, as opposed to lobbing it up high with a wedge. Yep, that's sound. Reminds me of some more advice a mate who's a golf pro gave me; "Putt when you can putt, chip when you can't putt and pitch when you can't chip." Keep it all as simple as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Have you tried ignoring someone with 2,800 posts to his name? (some of them are quite good). I checked out a few youtube golf tutorials a while back, they made it look very easy, which it clearly is not. I was given a tip a while ago about 'breathing', which I can't remember. It was something about at what point to breathe out, or hold your breath at a certain part of the stroke, if someone could enlighten me please? I do already know that breathing is a good tip. On the subject of a SWF society, would it mean forking out an additional £5 for membership? It could potentially be a money spinner, unless there are free ones out there already. Could we at the very least have a Golf section on the forum please mods? Nah he is right about ignoring advice but it's a very good book that tells you to ignore advice:-) OK so you REALLY want to learn? and have some holidays coming up? Mid December we have the Dubai Ladies Masters and in January the Dubai Desert Classic DLM will see Anika Sorenstam's farewell party. DCC will probably not see Tiger but will still be one of the strongest fields in the European PGA tour until the climate warms up in Europe. (google for dates) I work there every year and they recruit volunteers to work as crowd control & saftey Marshalls. People fly in from all over the world. You get full access to walk the fairways and to be right in the thick of the action. Simply following three pro's you've never heard of, their caddies a scorer and a bloke walking his dog will teach you more about how to play the game than ANY lessons. all you have to do is spend 5 days (inc pro-ams) half walking half running around in temperatures of about 30C. IF you smooze well you may end up with someone famous, but that involves actually having to work harder! Volunteers get free entry, free food a cap and a souvenir T-Shirt as well as access to the after party and our own tournament with the course still set up for the championship a week after the event finishes It is without any shadow of a doubt THE single most fantastic thing I have ever been able to do while in Dubai. I worked damned hard at it and became a senior marshall, allowing me to not just watch Els, Woods, Montgomerie, Garcia & Jimenez et al from about 3 feet away but also to get to talk to them. All the main events have web sites across the whole of Europe and ask for volunteers, apply, enjoy and work HARD at controlling your crowd and watch proper players fook it up as much as you do. Favourite moments - Laura Davis last year (bless her) on the par 5 13th hit her 2nd into water, dropped a ball and flubbed it straight into the water. Took an 8 and cost her the Ladies championship. She turned to us and said - "there, see bet you feel better now knowing we can do the same as you guys". And she bought us a beer afterwards Ian Poulter 4 years ago, mashed, gets on stage with the "unplugged" band and promptly bursts into a version of Wonderwall - today is gonna be the day that I'm gonna hit a 62... all about his Titleist Ball, then bought beer for the whole bar. Top bloke good singer And of course, Dubai Phil on CNN seen sharing a joke with Roger Federer and Tiger Woods... Priceless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Out of interest, what does everyone giving tips on this thread actually play off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Out of interest, what does everyone giving tips on this thread actually play off? Occassionally I am lucky enough to play off grass. But normally off of sand, bits of trees, some weeds, an occassional car park Been waiting for that one all week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Occassionally I am lucky enough to play off grass. But normally off of sand, bits of trees, some weeds, an occassional car park Been waiting for that one all week! Yeah, good one. Well worth the wait. Handicap? Other than your pathetic sense of humour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Yeah, good one. Well worth the wait. Handicap? Other than your pathetic sense of humour 24 down to 18 and back to 24 - that's why I advise never listening to advice But I'm also an old fart these days with a bad back trying to play 475 yard long par fours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 24 down to 18 and back to 24 - that's why I advise never listening to advice But I'm also an old fart these days with a bad back trying to play 475 yard long par fours Excuses Excuses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Excuses Excuses! Hey I did par it Once And even had a birdy putt three times.... grrrrrrrr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Hey I did par it Once And even had a birdy putt three times.... grrrrrrrr Not that your counting or anything eh Im concerned at only having had 1 par but 3 birdie putts........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 14 October, 2008 Share Posted 14 October, 2008 Not that your counting or anything eh Im concerned at only having had 1 par but 3 birdie putts........ Have you SEEN the size of the green! 50x 60 and like an upside down pudding bowl. grrrr The local Montgomerie course (designed by his lordship) has one par three with a lake, the green is in the middle. It is 60 yards wide and 140 yards long. It is NOT a hole where you want to have to make a recovery putt after a bad slice - how the heck are you supposed to putt 100 yards when you ain't Happy Gilmour (Don't worry Hamster - you have these joys to come!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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