Beginner at golf - advice?

[VoteWhitey4Prez]

Hi, my name is Zach. I recently came into possession of my grandfather's old clubs*. I always wanted to learn, but I really don't know how to golf at all; I have gone twice but since I have never had any training, it was just me swinging around like a mad man. I am 21 and in college, and in the Fall I am going to take a golf class offered at my university. I assume it is geared towards beginners, but I don't want to look like a complete idiot out there. Any advice, tips, ect.? Thanks.

*Just in case you may/may not be interested, the clubs I have are as follows:
1,5,7 Woods: Callaway "Big Berthas" (not "Great Big", or "Biggest", just the original kind)
3,4,5,6,7,8,9 irons + pitching wedge + sand wedge: Ping "Zings"
Putter: A slightly rusty thing called the "Spider" by a company called Confidence Golf. Never heard of them before.

 

[King Par]

We all begin at some point, get out there and have fun. Maybe attend a driving range, or get some beginner lessons before hand. Other than that, have fun.

 

[Jules150]

force yourself early to use a proper grip

 

[fore142]

the earlier you use lessons, the easier the game becomes...

 

[JEFF4i]

Drinking makes the game more funner...

Seriously? Take it easy, go at your own pace, and compare yourself to no one but yourself.

 

[footballking732]

force yourself early to use a proper grip

bingo!!

even if it feels weird, it should feel weird at first, stick with it... i wish i had, i wasted a year with the baseball grip...

 

[mont86]

the earlier you use lessons, the easier the game becomes...

Lessions atleast one, to get off on the right foot.

 

[VoteWhitey4Prez]

So how long did it take, on average, to get alright at golf? I don't think I'll get good right off the bat of course, but competent?

 

[Adam Pettman]

So how long did it take, on average, to get alright at golf? I don't think I'll get good right off the bat of course, but competent?

That depends completly on the person, generally people who have good hand eye co-ordination and play other sports will learn pretty quick. By the way chances are you'll suffer from a slice at first until you learn how to hit the ball hard properly, but that will soon go and you'll end up buying new clubs every week- for fun- like a few people on here (you know who you are) :laugh:

 

[Bubble Head]

I am a high handicapper too. Lessons, lessons, lessons. My local driving range offers 6 group lessons for $150.

Driving range time is good.

From what little I know, those clubs aren't too bad for a newbie.

 

[VoteWhitey4Prez]

From what little I know, those clubs aren't too bad for a newbie.

Yeah, I don't know much about what clubs are better than others, but I tried to do some research online. I found a lot of good reviews about the Zings. I mean, I have heard of Ping and Callaway, and I'm not even really a golfer yet, so I guess that is something. I can't find anything on that obscure putter, though.

Then again, I could have the greatest clubs ever made and still not be any good if I don't know what I'm doing on the golf course.

 

[jcostello88]

Spend your first year just learning a few fundamentals and don't worry about competence. Pay close attention to grip - it's always vital to get the grip right else you'll have many uncomfortable rounds after lessons remedying an already grooved incorrect grip (by god, I remember my first shots hitting with an interlock as opposed to a baseball grip - painful stuff!).

 

[warbirdlover]

And don't forget to learn "golf etiquette". Who putts first, not walking in someone else's line etc. Most other golfers don't mind playing with a beginner if they know these rules....

And picking up a rule book wouldn't hurt either to read in your free time.

:laugh:

 

[VoteWhitey4Prez]

Yeah, ettiquette and rules are a big part of the class that is offered at my school, but you're right about the rule book. I have a gift cirtificate to a book store laying around somewhere...

As far as the whole right grip thing goes, what is the right grip, anyway? I don't know if this helps, but I'm 6 feet 2 inches tall (sorry to the people on the Metric system) and my hands are pretty big, if that helps.

 

[mr3856a]

Lessions atleast one, to get off on the right foot.

I never got lesions on my foot playing golf! :laugh: