Newbie to golfing here

[Polly]

And I'm 55 and really feeling the need to try to get on the greens by the end of the summer. I have a golf course I go to, but I've only been to the driving range twice....bought second hand clubs...bad shape...but I want to learn despite Hubby's poo poos..

So, I'll mostly read and listen and then when the weather gets nice, pay the $10 for a half hour of hitting practice from the golf pro at the course and see if I have any questions that maybe you guys/gals could help with....is that kosher for here?

[Slingblade61]

It is Kosher.

Ask anything you want. But take any advice with a grain of salt.
Getting proper lessons is the best thing then come here and tell us how great you did or ask what method is best for pitching your 6 iron into the lake.

Welcome aboard.

[Polly]

Thanks Slingblade61....sounds like great advice....

[Bubble Head]

Take this with a boulder of salt. I am 50. I played a lot in my early 20's without ever getting good. Now I am back at it 25 years later.

Lessons are the way to go. Last summer I shot low 60s for 9 holes. Lessons over the winter and I am now shooting mid 40's. I don't know what others think, but group lessons might be the most cost effective way to go.

Ask your pro to recommend a golf store with used clubs. Find a place that can work on clubs. You will want to get your clubs fitted. This is very important.

Don't just randomly buy clubs. Hit them first. I have learned this the hard way. Unless you are buying very high end stuff, reselling the clubs you don't like is almost not worth the trip to the UPS store.

I know that you have some clubs. But if you are still looking, here is some advice. Most of the club advice I am giving is based on a book, "Search for the Perfect Golf Club", by Tom Wishon.

Get a 3 wood to tee off with. Maybe even a 4 or 5 wood. Unless you are very athletic, finding a driver with enough loft for a 50 something woman may be be tough. I play with a 60 year old couple and the woman doesn't have a driver because she gets more distance from a 17* 4 wood. Maybe you want to spend the cash for custom. Some of the guys here might be able to recommend something.

Get the most forgiving irons you can. You probable don't want anything longer than a 5 iron in your iron set. Lighter clubs would be nice. Graphite shafts would be good. But these are expensive. I like heavy clubs, but I am 6'2" 300 lbs. My boss is my age, but much smaller, he is going to gaphite to get lighter clubs.

Between the irons and your tee off club, you want hybrids. Graphite is more important here than the irons because the shafts are longer. You probably want 5 to 6 degrees of loft between clubs.

There is no logic to putters. I bought mine by going into the store and playing with every putter in the store in my price range. I worked them down to 3 by what felt good and then bought the one that I was sinking the most puts with on the testing area.

Wedges, can't forget wedges. Assuming that the pitching wedge in your iron set is 48*, you probably want a 52* gap wedge and a 56* sand wedge. I can't begin to advise you on the details of how to pick these. Some people will recommend a 60* lob wedge, but the concensus on this board is that you need to be very good to hit these effectively. I have a 60*, but I have never hit it.

I hope this helps.

[Eracer]

Bubble Head's advice is golden. I can't see a word of it that shouldn't be taken as gospel.

Lessons. Lessons. Lessons. And read the folowing books:

The Little Red Book - by Harvey Penick

For all who love the game: Lessons and teachings for women - by Harvey Penick

Golf is not a game of perfect - by Dr. Bob Rotella

[Bubble Head]

<Gasps in shock> I actually got one right?