Go get a cheap set of clubs and a bag, used, at a garage sale or Craigslist. There is no sense in buying expensive clubs when you first start.
If you're going to really get into the game, spend a little money on a lesson or two. Will help you with the mechanics. And golf is very much about mechanics.
Start out in a beginner group clinic, then move into private lessons with a professional. As a total beginner, you'll only develop bad swing habits if you go to the driving range before instruction.
Secondly, don't buy clubs until you've developed some sort of consistent swing. Let the professional recommend clubs for you. The last thing you want to do is find a "good deal" on clubs that don't fit you. It will only hinder your development.
I was going to tout the importance of starting out with instructions. GiantGolfer said it best.
When I started a local course had a set of beginner lessons that went through driving, iron play, sand play, chipping, putting. When I get in a rut I still remember some of the points he brought up during those lessons.
Take his (or her) advice on the importance of how you grip the club. It makes all the difference in the world if you have a proper grip.
The mechanics of your swing will be a lifelong learning process. Try to focus on only one thing during your swing. If you try to think of multiple areas within your swing, you'll probably go crazy.
The one advice I give to golfers is to "Never Peak" at where your ball is going until you see the ground under the ball once the ball is gone. Easier said than done. Everyone wants to see where the ball went after they hit it and that little "peak" at the ball flight early can make you skull the shot or screw up in a hundred different ways. Imagine that you have a fishing line tied around your neck and on the other end of the fishing line is a sharp ass treble hook in the crotch of your pants right next to your goods. So if you pick your head up to see the ball flight you snag your own nut sack. Keeping that head still and not picking it up during the swing is incredibly important.
So - get the grip down pat. Keep your head steady during the swing and consciously look at the ground under the ball after you hit it before seeing where the ball went. That will get you started.
If you're of average size, no reason you couldn't buy ...
a used set of clubs when you're ready to get clubs. PGA Superstores and other golf stores will have reasonably priced used sets that are suitable for beginners. Ask someone there to help you choose the right set for a beginner , i.e. material and firmness of the type of shaft. And everything GG said.
a used set of clubs when you're ready to get clubs. PGA Superstores and other golf stores will have reasonably priced used sets that are suitable for beginners. Ask someone there to help you choose the right set for a beginner , i.e. material and firmness of the type of shaft. And everything GG said.
Definitely buy used. Will save you tons and no need to spring for all new clubs at this point for you.
As for country club costs? It great varies. But in the Northeast for a middle of the road club, expect to pay 10-20K intiation fee and another 10K a year in dues. And that's probably on the low end.
do not get a club membership until you are certain that this game is for you. Memberships are expensive and the game can get very frustrating. If you plunk down a bunch of money on a membership then decide the game isn't for you, you're sunk.
Another thing is not to read magazines like Golf Digest. It'll just mess you up. Get instruction from a golf pro that can see the flaws in your swing and tell you how to correct it.
Also, don't take advice from a guy that can't break 100. I'm amazed at how many golfers give advice to others when their own game stinks.
and I'm addicted. I got my Fiance into it as well, and we go every opportunity we can.
I found a used set that has suited me just fine through craigslist (set of adams irons, a decent taylor made burner driver, and bag), and picked up some other clubs here and there at garage sales and sports equipment swaps (3 wood, 5 wood, and forged wedges). I recommend going this route until you figure out if its something you want to stick with or not, and to learn the basic fundamentals of the game and develop a consistent shot.
I have never taken an professional lesson, although I hope to this year. My father has always been into golf, and its something we love to do together. He usually shoots in the low 80's when he's on. And while I have learned a lot of the basics from him, I know he does a lot of things wrong that I try not to mimic.
I average in the low 90's, and my hope is to upgrade my irons at some point this year, get a proper fitting, and then slowly replace the rest of my woods and driver. Goal is to break into the 80's and do so consistently when i go out this year.
I also don't recommend signing up for any memberships. Play at a local municipal course that's cheap to learn and get out too. The more you can get out the better you will be at being able at maintaining consistent mechanics. Hell, some municipal courses don't even care if you just walk out there at twilight hours as long as no ones on the course, you can get in a few holes and really work on your distances. As much as I would love to have a membership somewhere, I think I would get equally board playing the same course all the time, if your just starting its not bad to perhaps always play the same place so you can better judge your improvements each time.
Anyways Golf is highly addictive, and a ton of fun (as well as frustrating). I love being able to get out and spend some time with my dad, and its great my soon to be wife loves it too, Its always the first thing we chose to do with our free time. I hope you learn to enjoy it as much as I do.
After I went through back surgery (L4 laminectomy), my game went to shit. I accused the surgeon of putting a "hook shim" in my spine.
So I went to Dick's Sporting Goods and talked to their pro and told him I wanted to buy the most "forgiving club on the market". The guy told me he had "just the thing for me". He pulled out a set of Tommy Armour 845s clubs. He started to explain how the big face, the perimeter weighting, etc., made even the worst hacker hit good shots. I hung my head shaking it back and forth. The guy said, "what? these clubs are perfect for what you are asking". I said, "here's the problem, the I already use Tommy Armour 845s clubs".
The good news was after a couple of years, my back was good enough that I got my game back. Well, if you call a 15 handicap good.
Cant stress it enough. Especially for a beginner. Its worth every penny. Golf is all about mechanics and muscle memory. A pro will show you how to swing the club and the rest is all practice and repetition. Good luck!
But to your question as to when you'll be ready for a 'real' course. Take a few lessons and then a few trips to the range, you should be able to judge for yourself at that point.
Not sure where you live, but if possible take full advantage of municipal courses especially while learning the game. For example, in Monmouth County NJ I purchase a 'county card' for around $50 for the season and it saves me roughly 30% in 'green fees' (cost to play) when I play on county-owned course. There are 6 county courses that vary from very nice and challenging (and pricey) to beginner courses.
My dad picked up golf when he retired and really liked the county course that was geared toward beginners, it allowed him to learn the game without thinking he was bothering more serious golfers. He spent most of his learning time on the par 3 course, which is a great place for any beginer golfer to start.
I used to run a couple of golf courses before I knew how to play and decided I should learn -- so I talked to the head pro at one of them and asked him to give me a lesson. (As an aside the head pro was also a professional comedian). He walks up to the range with me, a bucket of balls and a few clubs and asks me to step up to the tee and hit one for him. I dutifully hit one. He says let's see another. So I do it again. and then he asks me to hit one more.
As I walk off the tee to talk to him he cocks his head first to one side then the other - takes a long pause and says, "I want to save you a lot of pain and trouble over the rest of your life.... Give up the game of Golf! Just give it up Now!"
At the time I didn't think it was very funny, but I do now.
"Yeah, I'd like to do some cocaine. I'd like to do a drug that makes my penis small, makes my nose bleed, makes my heart explode, and sucks all my money out of the bank."
"Yeah, I'd like to do some cocaine. I'd like to do a drug that makes my penis small, makes my nose bleed, makes my heart explode, and sucks all my money out of the bank."
Go get a cheap set of clubs and a bag, used, at a garage sale or Craigslist. There is no sense in buying expensive clubs when you first start.
If you're going to really get into the game, spend a little money on a lesson or two. Will help you with the mechanics. And golf is very much about mechanics.
Too high-toned for his crowd. Where they play, winter rules means you can move the ball if it lands in a cow flop.
Secondly, don't buy clubs until you've developed some sort of consistent swing. Let the professional recommend clubs for you. The last thing you want to do is find a "good deal" on clubs that don't fit you. It will only hinder your development.
When I started a local course had a set of beginner lessons that went through driving, iron play, sand play, chipping, putting. When I get in a rut I still remember some of the points he brought up during those lessons.
The mechanics of your swing will be a lifelong learning process. Try to focus on only one thing during your swing. If you try to think of multiple areas within your swing, you'll probably go crazy.
The one advice I give to golfers is to "Never Peak" at where your ball is going until you see the ground under the ball once the ball is gone. Easier said than done. Everyone wants to see where the ball went after they hit it and that little "peak" at the ball flight early can make you skull the shot or screw up in a hundred different ways. Imagine that you have a fishing line tied around your neck and on the other end of the fishing line is a sharp ass treble hook in the crotch of your pants right next to your goods. So if you pick your head up to see the ball flight you snag your own nut sack. Keeping that head still and not picking it up during the swing is incredibly important.
So - get the grip down pat. Keep your head steady during the swing and consciously look at the ground under the ball after you hit it before seeing where the ball went. That will get you started.
Definitely buy used. Will save you tons and no need to spring for all new clubs at this point for you.
As for country club costs? It great varies. But in the Northeast for a middle of the road club, expect to pay 10-20K intiation fee and another 10K a year in dues. And that's probably on the low end.
Good luck its a great game and very addicting
Another thing is not to read magazines like Golf Digest. It'll just mess you up. Get instruction from a golf pro that can see the flaws in your swing and tell you how to correct it.
Also, don't take advice from a guy that can't break 100. I'm amazed at how many golfers give advice to others when their own game stinks.
I found a used set that has suited me just fine through craigslist (set of adams irons, a decent taylor made burner driver, and bag), and picked up some other clubs here and there at garage sales and sports equipment swaps (3 wood, 5 wood, and forged wedges). I recommend going this route until you figure out if its something you want to stick with or not, and to learn the basic fundamentals of the game and develop a consistent shot.
I have never taken an professional lesson, although I hope to this year. My father has always been into golf, and its something we love to do together. He usually shoots in the low 80's when he's on. And while I have learned a lot of the basics from him, I know he does a lot of things wrong that I try not to mimic.
I average in the low 90's, and my hope is to upgrade my irons at some point this year, get a proper fitting, and then slowly replace the rest of my woods and driver. Goal is to break into the 80's and do so consistently when i go out this year.
I also don't recommend signing up for any memberships. Play at a local municipal course that's cheap to learn and get out too. The more you can get out the better you will be at being able at maintaining consistent mechanics. Hell, some municipal courses don't even care if you just walk out there at twilight hours as long as no ones on the course, you can get in a few holes and really work on your distances. As much as I would love to have a membership somewhere, I think I would get equally board playing the same course all the time, if your just starting its not bad to perhaps always play the same place so you can better judge your improvements each time.
Anyways Golf is highly addictive, and a ton of fun (as well as frustrating). I love being able to get out and spend some time with my dad, and its great my soon to be wife loves it too, Its always the first thing we chose to do with our free time. I hope you learn to enjoy it as much as I do.
So I went to Dick's Sporting Goods and talked to their pro and told him I wanted to buy the most "forgiving club on the market". The guy told me he had "just the thing for me". He pulled out a set of Tommy Armour 845s clubs. He started to explain how the big face, the perimeter weighting, etc., made even the worst hacker hit good shots. I hung my head shaking it back and forth. The guy said, "what? these clubs are perfect for what you are asking". I said, "here's the problem, the I already use Tommy Armour 845s clubs".
The good news was after a couple of years, my back was good enough that I got my game back. Well, if you call a 15 handicap good.
Personally, I would get sick of playing the same course every day so joining a club doesn't interest me.
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Not sure where you live, but if possible take full advantage of municipal courses especially while learning the game. For example, in Monmouth County NJ I purchase a 'county card' for around $50 for the season and it saves me roughly 30% in 'green fees' (cost to play) when I play on county-owned course. There are 6 county courses that vary from very nice and challenging (and pricey) to beginner courses.
My dad picked up golf when he retired and really liked the county course that was geared toward beginners, it allowed him to learn the game without thinking he was bothering more serious golfers. He spent most of his learning time on the par 3 course, which is a great place for any beginer golfer to start.
As I walk off the tee to talk to him he cocks his head first to one side then the other - takes a long pause and says, "I want to save you a lot of pain and trouble over the rest of your life.... Give up the game of Golf! Just give it up Now!"
At the time I didn't think it was very funny, but I do now.
Golf has a similar affect.
Golf has a similar affect.
Yet we all go back. Golfers are sadistic MFers.
HELLOOOO BALL!
HELLOOOO BALL!
Sounds like you are an old "Honeymooners" fan
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