Anyone here play Golf?

[GreenDragon]

I'm hoping to start playing and was looking for some pointers.

Anybody?

[Arizona Scot]

Practice, practice, practice and then get some lessons and practice some more. No seriously golf is almost as addicting as kilting. The best way to start is to take some lessons from a local pro. It makes enjoying the game come more quickly.

[ForresterModern]

Avid golfer here since I was 6--now recently turned 50---so 44 years of experience with the game.

First if you are just trying it out to see if you enjoy the game borrow some standard sized clubs, hit a few range balls just to get a general feel for the overall swing, putt around a little bit on a practice green, then go out and play a round on either a par 3 course or what they call an "executive" course (mostly par 3s and some relatively short par 4s), and do it on a weekday (weekends most real players come out of the woodwork and cannot stand playing with or behind a beginner------also a good reason to play the par 3 or executive course). If you find you like the overall feel and challenge of the game, then go to a golf shop and ask for a fitting to see if you can use a standard set of clubs (80% of people can), and if so then just buy a reasonably priced set and get back out to the range and the golf course. Alternate between sessions on the practice range, rounds on the par 3/executive course, and a lesson here or there (about 1 lesson for each 10 rounds to start). As you get more consistent in your swing you will be able to tell when it is time to try to move up to a round or three on a full course (also preferably on a weekday). Find some golfing friends or family and just start golfing after that. Enjoy---it is a great game you can play til your body can no longer swing a club. And I wil probably die with one in my hand.

And you can even play it kilted if you like (I have).

Jeff :ootd:

[davedove]

You shouldn't be afraid to go out on a regular course fairly quickly, IF you remember that you are not going to shoot anywhere near par. If you do happen to get close to par on a hole, be really happy. And yes, let the other players play through.

I just started a few months ago and I really enjoy it, although it can also be extremely frustrating. Hitting that one beautiful drive makes up for the several shots where the ball only goes a few yards (or you miss it entirely).

[ForresterModern]

Most golf courses actually frown on "playing through", as it still slows down play in general and the group letting the following group play through in particular, then just drops the same problem on the group following them. Most golf courses will pressure groups to keep pace up with the group in front of them, particularly on weekends and weekday mornings when "playuhs" predominate the tee times. Weekend afternoons and most times weekdays are otherwise pretty laid back by comparison. The other reason is that most beginners don't know about how and when to use the "play through" concept. Lastly it can be frustrating for the beginner to feel pressured to keep up with other more talented and more experienced players in the same group, whether or not they are actually being pressured. I have known several friends and my current wife to get to the point of picking up the ball in the middle of a hole because they felt like they were "holding up the group", and that only heightens their sense of frustration, often ruining what remains of their "game" and the rest of the round. This is probably the biggest reason new players give up the game prematurely, rather than a lack of ability or progress. Hence the reason for my suggestion to hone the beginner's skills a bit on lower stress courses like par 3 or executives where the norm is slow play( kids, old ladies, beginners, etc) and on the practice range. Also cannot say enough about just going to a local public golf course and using the putting green to practice putting----doesn't cost a penny and is excellent focussed practice.

[CoreyMacLeod]

Dragon, you play wherever you wish. As some folks may be less enthusiastic having to wait for a beginner, you pay to play the same as they do. Take your time and don't get in a hurry.

Hit balls. Balls and balls and balls. Then hit more balls. Don't try to hit them too hard. Just swing.

[hospitaller]

.

Hey Forrester, have you played Shawnee kilted?

I guess I can always call them and ask if they are ok with it, but I'd rather have your point of view in case yo uhave actually done it, and what the reactions were?

.

[jgcunningham]

Two books that helped a friend of mine were Golf for Dummies (no, seriously) and Tiger Woods' Golf My Way. He took up the game about 3 years ago after watching it for years on TV. He gets to play more than I do and routinely waxes me by several strokes. My dad helped me learn about golf more than 35 years ago by giving me Ben Hogan's book. The illustrations helped me quit pausing at the top of my swing. Now if I could just get my son to show more interest in golf. He can hit it fairly well but he doesn't want to make it a pursuit. Maybe when he gets a few more inches on his old man and can out-drive him he'll turn around.

[george7]

I've been playing since I was seven.
My advice:
1. Take a lesson. If you play well, you'll enjoy it more.
2. Don't blow your budget on expensive clubs. Last year's Big Bertha is 99.999% as good as this year's.

Cincinnati is a beautiful place to play golf.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Sorry. Not old enough to play golf.