Learning to golf

[GolfingDuo]

Haven't taken up golf yet. Still trying to work out whether to buy left handed or right handed clubs

Go to a pro center and try both. They can let you know your best swing. If nothing else there are more righties than lefties.

 

[JOHNNIE36]

Swing tempo is important and something I occasionally struggle with. It is amazing to me that they pros can take such a wicked swing, particularly off the tee, and still consistently make good contact. I would be all over the place if I swung that hard.

It amazes me sometimes when I'm making a lay up and swinging easy how far the ball goes compared to my regular tempo.

As the saying goes, "don't hit it harder, hit it better". Solid contact trumps clubhead speed. If you can combine these two, you'll kick a**.

 

[Midpack]

I would suggest for anyone wanting to learn this game to brush up on golf etiquette to help keep the game enjoyable. The only thing I hate is I have lost so much distance off the tee since I got into my 60's.

You should love this game. We have people playing our course who are in their late 80's so it is a game for a lifetime. oldtrig

+1 on learning golf etiquette, it doesn't seem to be as widely understood as it was decades ago. It's not difficult at all, don't hold up other groups (just let them play through), be quiet when others are hitting, furthest out hits first, know and follow the rules (even when no one is looking), know when to mark, and don't act like you're playing for the Masters title (move along quickly).

Watching my Dad's length wane was sad to watch. He resorted to longer and longer drivers and finally gave up the game altogether in his late 80's when he 'couldn't reach most par 4's in 2' anymore. But he got almost 90 enjoyable years out of the game, not many physical activities you can say that about...

 

[GolfingDuo]

Read Ben Hogans Five Fundamentals of Golf. A friend who was in his 40s became single digit handicap in two years with just this instruction manual.
You start just gripping the club correctly for several months before you move on.
Hogan was a stickler for detail.
I love the game. Right now I'm at a four day USGA seminar on the Rules. Technical but beautiful.

It is an excellent book. I have about 7 or 8. That book is only available in paper and not Kindle. I have two books I bought used from Amazon that were only in Paperback and that was one. The other was Lessons from the Golf Greats by David Leadbetter. I got a few kindle books that talk about improving the game but those two books are just filled with anecdotes and tips from the greats in the game. Most of them are good for any golfer.

The game of golf is a fun game as long as you do not take it seriously. If you get wrapped up around the axle on the littlest thing and that will frustrate your game.

 

[GolfingDuo]

+1 on learning golf etiquette, it doesn't seem to be as widely understood as it was decades ago. It's not difficult at all, don't hold up other groups (just let them play through), be quiet when others are hitting, furthest out hits first, know and follow the rules (even when no one is looking), know when to mark, and don't act like you're playing for the Masters title (move along quickly).

Watching my Dad's length wane was sad to watch. He resorted to longer and longer drivers and finally gave up the game altogether in his late 80's when he 'couldn't reach most par 4's in 2' anymore. But he got almost 90 enjoyable years out of the game, not many physical activities you can say that about...

No you are absolutely right. I just started playing in the last couple of years. My DW bought me a set of clubs in 2002 for my birthday and it took 2 years for me to use them. I ended up in Iraq in 2003 and got back in 2004. I had a physical problem with my shoulder when I came back and had to have surgery. It was a few years later that I really came to enjoy it as a game when I went on an outing with some friends for charity and found that even though I sucked at it I loved the game. I loved the challenge and it is the game that if you just play it for fun you will find that will keep you young as your dad felt when he played. I hope to be able to play well into my 80's and if alive 90's. Awesome and sad story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bestwifeever]

Haven't taken up golf yet. Still trying to work out whether to buy left handed or right handed clubs

DH is lefthanded and learned to play righthanded as a preteen. Big mistake for him--30 years later he switched and immediately improved.

 

[FinanceDude]

My uncle was a scratch golfer, and now in his late 60's, has "slipped" to a 6 handicap. He always says:

"Most people take up and golf and then go spend $1500 or more on fancy clubs. Instead, they should buy a $500 set of clubs and spend the rest of that money on lessons"..........

 

[FinanceDude]

I would suggest for anyone wanting to learn this game to brush up on golf etiquette to help keep the game enjoyable. The only thing I hate is I have lost so much distance off the tee since I got into my 60's. I am working on that now and hope by the summer I will be back hitting it 250 again. Right now I do good to hit it 210. On most days I still take the young people's money even though they out hit me sometimes 60 yards. They just keep trying, I know soon that will end but for now I am enjoying it. .

I agree 1000% on the etiquette thing. Most golfers have no idea about the basic rules of etiquette.........

All my golfing buddies tell me I should be an awesome golfer in my 60's, as will have to settle to 270 down the middle versus 310 God knows where...........

 

[UserRequested]

DH is lefthanded and learned to play righthanded as a preteen. Big mistake for him--30 years later he switched and immediately improved.

Thanks. I'm left handed and played a few times using borrowed or rented right handed clubs.
Since I'm a beginner, I of course can't tell whether I could play better with left handed ones. My shots are all over the park !

 

[GolfingDuo]

Thanks. I'm left handed and played a few times using borrowed or rented right handed clubs.
Since I'm a beginner, I of course can't tell whether I could play better with left handed ones. My shots are all over the park !

Here is something you could try. Many times and I haven't been to one but they have demonstration days where at a golf course club manufacturers bring out a bunch of clubs for people to try out. I also hear that they have sales on the clubs. You might find a great set to work with and at a good price.

My uncle was a scratch golfer, and now in his late 60's, has "slipped" to a 6 handicap. He always says:

"Most people take up and golf and then go spend $1500 or more on fancy clubs. Instead, they should buy a $500 set of clubs and spend the rest of that money on lessons"..........

Damn! I spent all of that money on clubs and it won't work?

 

[Bestwifeever]

Thanks. I'm left handed and played a few times using borrowed or rented right handed clubs.
Since I'm a beginner, I of course can't tell whether I could play better with left handed ones. My shots are all over the park !

Definitely try both. In DH's case, golfing was the only thing he did righthanded and he was so awkward at the weight transfer and hip movement during the swing (he almost did those backward while his arms went forward)--just as I would be using lefthanded clubs.

OTOH I believe Phil Mickelson is righthanded at everything except golf, so go figure.

I agree that the OP should get lessons during his trip. And if you like it, keep them up when you go home. If you can find a community college golf PE class you'll learn the game, many of the rules, and the etiquette.

 

[Moscyn]

Wow! I never knew there are so many golfers in this forum until this thread. This is great! Fortunately both DH and I are keen golfers and that means we go on golfing holidays too. It's such a wonderful game - you can even play 18 holes by yourself if for some reason your friend can't make it to the game.

 

[GolfingDuo]

Wow! I never knew there are so many golfers in this forum until this thread. This is great! Fortunately both DH and I are keen golfers and that means we go on golfing holidays too. It's such a wonderful game - you can even play 18 holes by yourself if for some reason your friend can't make it to the game.

I think it goes with the territory. Investing and retiring go hand in hand with golf.

 

[FinanceDude]

Golf is the one 4 letter word I use frequently, unlike the worst ones, like W-O-R-K.

Reminds me of a saying:

"The worst day golfing is better than the best day working"

 

[Mulligan]

In my earlier years, when I played more and was better, I realize now the enjoyment of the game was derived from gambling. There wasn't a swing executed without some kind of bet on it. I moved to a new area and didn't play much for a few years, and now the people I play with don't gamble, so it has taken time to change. It definitely is more relaxing though.

 

[oldtrig]

In my earlier years, when I played more and was better, I realize now the enjoyment of the game was derived from gambling. There wasn't a swing executed without some kind of bet on it. I moved to a new area and didn't play much for a few years, and now the people I play with don't gamble, so it has taken time to change. It definitely is more relaxing though.

Right the opposite here. The people I play with will not play unless we gamble. I have always been a good money manager and I apply these tactics when I play golf. I been tagged as someone who wants a lock.
I just cannot play unless something is on the line. I loose interest quick if I play for nothing. I have been gambling on the golf course for over 40 years and I keep it toned down. When I was in my 30's and drank beer sometimes it would get out of hand. I once lost $500 in 18 holes. That was in the late 70's. I got hustled by a golf pro. I learned a lesson of a lifetime that day. That $500 saved me a lot of money as I learned from it. I know the skill level of my game and the ones I play against. I only play people I know I can beat, or the ones about equal to me. I leave the scratch players along, even if they give me strokes. The better golfers always seem to win no matter how many strokes they give you. For some reason these younger players want to try me once in a while. Its really to easy and the sad part is they keep coming back for more. I still keep the money part low. To me now if I lost a lot on money it would just ruin my day, week and probably the entire year. I never gamble on anything other than golf. No way you are going to beat the gaming tables or slots. That does not even interest me now.

 

[JOHNNIE36]

I never could figure out how having a "lot" of money on the line could make the game more fun. In my golf group, the bet is always the same. Cost you $5 for the day. $1 for each nine, $1 for total and $2 for skins. Low net for each nine and then low net total. You can't win all three so low net total wins $1 per man, then $1 low net front nine and back. The winner of total can win one of the nines but not both nines. Skins are net also with no carry overs.

 

[GolfingDuo]

I never could figure out how having a "lot" of money on the line could make the game more fun. In my golf group, the bet is always the same. Cost you $5 for the day. $1 for each nine, $1 for total and $2 for skins. Low net for each nine and then low net total. You can't win all three so low net total wins $1 per man, then $1 low net front nine and back. The winner of total can win one of the nines but not both nines. Skins are net also with no carry overs.

I like my skins with cheese and bacon

 

[Mulligan]

Right the opposite here. The people I play with will not play unless we gamble. I have always been a good money manager and I apply these tactics when I play golf. I been tagged as someone who wants a lock.
I just cannot play unless something is on the line. I loose interest quick if I play for nothing. I have been gambling on the golf course for over 40 years and I keep it toned down. When I was in my 30's and drank beer sometimes it would get out of hand. I once lost $500 in 18 holes. That was in the late 70's. I got hustled by a golf pro. I learned a lesson of a lifetime that day. That $500 saved me a lot of money as I learned from it. I know the skill level of my game and the ones I play against. I only play people I know I can beat, or the ones about equal to me. I leave the scratch players along, even if they give me strokes. The better golfers always seem to win no matter how many strokes they give you. For some reason these younger players want to try me once in a while. Its really to easy and the sad part is they keep coming back for more. I still keep the money part low. To me now if I lost a lot on money it would just ruin my day, week and probably the entire year. I never gamble on anything other than golf. No way you are going to beat the gaming tables or slots. That does not even interest me now.

You sound like a wise man, old trig. If you are going to bet, you might as well bet to win, right? I wasn't so smart back in my early 20s, as I bet more than I should have as a percentage of my income. But, when your living expenses were low, and no one to be accountable for but yourself, I could afford it. For 3 years I played at a course where 25 or so people would show up, and we would have side bets everywhere, and pressing games with the foursome you played with. I was middle of the pack talent, but young, hard headed, and hit just enough good shots to think I was better than I was. Sometimes I would win because we would get so much $ out there, they would crumble under the pressure, as the money amount didn't affect me. But, alas, I found a few people unfortunately, that the money pressure didn't affect them either, and those were the ones I was paying after 18! Getting my ego in check, helped my bankroll considerably.

 

[Dawg52]

I never could figure out how having a "lot" of money on the line could make the game more fun. In my golf group, the bet is always the same. Cost you $5 for the day. $1 for each nine, $1 for total and $2 for skins. Low net for each nine and then low net total. You can't win all three so low net total wins $1 per man, then $1 low net front nine and back. The winner of total can win one of the nines but not both nines. Skins are net also with no carry overs.

The max you can lose in my group is $2. One dollar for each side. We are a pretty cheap bunch. But we are on a fixed income you know.

May try 9 holes later today. Been wet and cool here the last couple of weeks. I hate cart path only golf. Boy, I really have become soft in my old age.

 

[GolfingDuo]

I am so damned jealous. I am at least 2 months away from being able to roam the links. Winter has a death grip on us up here in the North East. I am also at most 4 years from retirement, sooner if the army decides they have had me around long enough. I am 6 years from moving to a place where I can golf year round. Those of you that live in a climate that allows it are so lucky.

 

[FinanceDude]

I just cannot play unless something is on the line. I loose interest quick if I play for nothing.

+1

I know the skill level of my game and the ones I play against. I only play people I know I can beat, or the ones about equal to me.

Where's the fun in that? I enjoy challenging better players, I work them on strokes. I keep a USGA handicap card, which I establish playing on a tough course near me from the black tees at 7100 yards........which keeps me around a 16 when I am really about an 11...........

 

[FIRE'd@51]

+1
I keep a USGA handicap card, which I establish playing on a tough course near me from the black tees at 7100 yards........which keeps me around a 16 when I am really about an 11...........

Doesn't the slope and course rating from the black tees make up for that in arriving at your handicap index? It should.

 

[Dawg52]

I am so damned jealous. I am at least 2 months away from being able to roam the links. Winter has a death grip on us up here in the North East. I am also at most 4 years from retirement, sooner if the army decides they have had me around long enough. I am 6 years from moving to a place where I can golf year round. Those of you that live in a climate that allows it are so lucky.

Although we can play year round, it is usually wet here in the winter. Right now we are 8" above normal rainfall YTD. So it can be nasty and cold when we do play. Better than nothing though.

I passed on golf today. Still too wet for me. But did take the mutt on a 5 mile walk at a local state park. And trimmed some shrubs around the house. So got my exercise.

 

[GolfingDuo]

Although we can play year round, it is usually wet here in the winter. Right now we are 8" above normal rainfall YTD. So it can be nasty and cold when we do play. Better than nothing though.

I passed on golf today. Still too wet for me. But did take the mutt on a 5 mile walk at a local state park. And trimmed some shrubs around the house. So got my exercise.

Yes I know that rain has been falling a lot that way. My sister lives in Hattiesburg. So far I am planning San Antonio and though it is not completely arid nor is it humid and wet I think it offers a lot.