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Golf for beginners


Thedelldays
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After getting into the Ryder cup and generally getting into watching more of the big events of telly...I have the urge to start playing golf

 

apart from the odd go and pitch and putt...and once round a 9-hole (paultons) I have never really played..never owned clubs etc....

what would be your advice...what clubs would suit a complete novice...would it be worth getting lessons...

any other tips.....but yeah, the clubs..have no idea what sort would be ideal for a complete novice without costing hundreds of ££££...even the right golf balls would be a start lol

 

cheers

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100% go for lessons - before you get into bad habits like me :)

 

Can buy clubs on Gumtree for quite cheap - so many people start playing, expect it to be easy then quit after 6 weeks when they realise the effort required.

 

Alternatively try direct golf or american golf, they always have good deals. Sales will start in January - American golf sometimes have 70% off

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Totally MUST have lessons first TDD.

 

Pick one day in the week when you can get to a course (Muni courses often have cheaper lessons than Private ones)

 

Example here in Dubai - for beginners they sell a package of 5 lessons which you take before you are even allowed on the Par 3 (bigger Pitch and Putt)

 

The simple mechanics of the swing (Shoulder Rotation, Set Up and Head Position) MUST be taught, they are totally un-natural and are about muscle memory.

 

Do it this way and you will save years of frustration and cost to rectify stupid faults

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After getting into the Ryder cup and generally getting into watching more of the big events of telly...I have the urge to start playing golf

 

apart from the odd go and pitch and putt...and once round a 9-hole (paultons) I have never really played..never owned clubs etc....

what would be your advice...what clubs would suit a complete novice...would it be worth getting lessons...

any other tips.....but yeah, the clubs..have no idea what sort would be ideal for a complete novice without costing hundreds of ££££...even the right golf balls would be a start lol

 

cheers

 

Dull drums, I think you might be suffering from an early midlife crisis fella. All this wanting to take up new stuff, MMA, Golf, diving. Have you bought a motor bike and starting shaving your chest as well?

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Dull drums, I think you might be suffering from an early midlife crisis fella. All this wanting to take up new stuff, MMA, Golf, diving. Have you bought a motor bike and starting shaving your chest as well?

haha..just my career path is about to change to a different direction...and will not be going away for the next couple of years......so want to make the most of it...

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Having mocked dull drums I actually want to get into it myself. I always play about 3 times at the start of summer round the time of the first bank holidays and then don't get round to it again for the rest of the year. So any tips on where to get lessons and which is a decent brand of clubs to start with would be welcome.

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Having mocked dull drums I actually want to get into it myself. I always play about 3 times at the start of summer round the time of the first bank holidays and then don't get round to it again for the rest of the year. So any tips on where to get lessons and which is a decent brand of clubs to start with would be welcome.

:lol:

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Having mocked dull drums I actually want to get into it myself. I always play about 3 times at the start of summer round the time of the first bank holidays and then don't get round to it again for the rest of the year. So any tips on where to get lessons and which is a decent brand of clubs to start with would be welcome.

 

Try either Chris or Kevin at Paultons both excellent teachers.

Dont splash out on too expensive clubs at the start I used Wilson Ultras with Firestick shafts for years when I started. Go for a well know name like Ping, Taylor Made, Calloway and you cant go

far wrong. American Golf at Hedge End are probably the cheapest around here.

I would do as others say and have a look on Gumtree first until you decide to carry on or not.

Golf is very time consuming which is what people tend to forget and 5 hour rounds are very common if you play municipal courses.

Southampton is great, Dibden is a really nice course for newcomers as they have a short 9 to practice on first.

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What's a fair price to pay for lessons, and how many would be advisable for a complete novice to pick up the basis?

 

Start off with group ones they are far cheaper until you decide if you like it or not - my guess is that you will hit one shot like Seve

and will take it up.

Lessons are about £20 for half an hour singles.

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Unless you are a freak - big hands, tall, short etc. go for some second hand set of steel cavity back clubs that are reasonably cheap. otherwise it maybe better to go for something more fitted - go to your pro first. Don't worry about drivers, get your swing established.

 

I started off with a half set, all I could afford and some group lessons. Also remember putting is half the game!

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Just seen a set of new wilsons with drivers, a putter, 5 iron plus an 2 hybrids on eBay for £200 seems like a deal to me. Thoughts?

 

Depends if that is cheap for your budget. There could be more cost effective options. Drivers and putters are worth investing a bit more time to see what suits especially if you want to pursue it - join a club or society.

 

Just remember you'll only use a wood occasionally and there are likely to be other options, it's better to use and get familiar with the irons first and that you'll also take half your shots in a round with your putter.

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Definitely worth looking on YouTube as well for hints and tips about how to improve your swing, and also look at pros and try to copy their swing. That will get you so far. I've never had lessons and I hit on average about 105. Not great and I probably need lessons/new clubs/more practicing putting to help me dip below 100.

 

I wouldn't go and spunk 200 quid on a set of clubs if you've never played before, because you may not get into it and enjoy it and then it's just a waste of money. I always used to just use my dads old clubs and bought myself a driver and a putter. I would say that don't just buy any driver, as you need to find out your natural swing first. There are certain clubs which will help your swing to left or right.

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Don't do what i did and buy a second hand set of Mizuno Pro irons and play your first 18 on the Ryder Cup course at Celtic Manor.

.

 

Seriously? They didn't ask for your handicap before letting you out? I've played the Montgomerie course at Celtic, thats a serious test. 2010 is deffo on the 'to do' list.

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Definitely book yourself half a dozen lessons with Kev or Chris at Paultons, with about a fortnight gap between each one.

 

In between lessons, just practice what you have learnt. Do it this way and you'll enjoy the game more in years to come.

Try and resist the temptation to play any rounds, you'll just fall into bad habits.

 

Also, don't listen to tips from well-meaning amateurs (but don't grip the club tightly).

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As far as clubs go, get a second hand set from a pro. They won't rip you off as they would want to build a relationship with you for business in years to come. I would certainly try this before heading off to one of the big faceless chains.

 

You'll know yourself when you need a new set of clubs, as you improve. When you reach this stage, go for custom-fitting.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Well I got a cheap set off eBay, have played the last two weeks and had my first lesson this morning. Wow. What a difference. After slicing the ball all over the place last week and barely being able to hit it 100 yards when I did hit it properly I hit 100 balls on the driving range after the lesson and managed to drive almost 200 yards and get the ball within 10-20 yards of the 100 and 125 yard flags with a 7 iron probably 8 out of 10 times.The instructor was brilliant, broke it down to make it easy even videoed me on his iPad then went back throw it to show me where I was going wrong. I know the distances won't sound much to seasoned gofers but considering where I was last week the improvement from one lesson was incredible.

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Definitely book yourself half a dozen lessons with Kev or Chris at Paultons, with about a fortnight gap between each one.

 

In between lessons, just practice what you have learnt. Do it this way and you'll enjoy the game more in years to come.

Try and resist the temptation to play any rounds, you'll just fall into bad habits.

 

Also, don't listen to tips from well-meaning amateurs (but don't grip the club tightly).

 

Ha, fully agree with this. I played with my mate the last two weeks who has been playing for about 6 months. Every shot I took he'd try to give advise which was very frustrating and actually made me worse. The lesson today basically told me to do pretty much the opposite of what he'd told me!

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Well I got a cheap set off eBay, have played the last two weeks and had my first lesson this morning. Wow. What a difference. After slicing the ball all over the place last week and barely being able to hit it 100 yards when I did hit it properly I hit 100 balls on the driving range after the lesson and managed to drive almost 200 yards and get the ball within 10-20 yards of the 100 and 125 yard flags with a 7 iron probably 8 out of 10 times.The instructor was brilliant, broke it down to make it easy even videoed me on his iPad then went back throw it to show me where I was going wrong. I know the distances won't sound much to seasoned gofers but considering where I was last week the improvement from one lesson was incredible.

 

Welcome to the world of golf. All you need now is a diamond jumper!

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Seriously? They didn't ask for your handicap before letting you out? I've played the Montgomerie course at Celtic, thats a serious test. 2010 is deffo on the 'to do' list.

 

It was a corporate day, the course has changed since I played it and would love to do it again now I can actually play.

 

if you ever want the ultimate test of your game and sanity this is the finest I have found to date.

 

http://www.fancourt.co.za/golf/our-courses/the-links/

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. I know the distances won't sound much to seasoned gofers but considering where I was last week the improvement from one lesson was incredible.

 

Don't worry about distance, that will come with practice. Far better to keep the ball in play and take 1 or 2 extra shots to the green than smashing it 300 yards and ending up in the next county.

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