Golf - Getting Started

[zoopy3]

Hi, I'm interested in playing golf as a hobby. I've been talking to friends and I'm told to start with the driving range first to get a feel of the game. The course that I'm interested in is Mt Edgecombe here in Durban which is nearest to me. I would like to know what would be the best way to getting started, what clothing should i wear to play, and how does everything work and how do i join a club? and do they have tutors at the driving range that can show me the ropes?

[davemc]

I smell a free advert coming.

Anyways, golf is all about the swing.

Step 1 is to make sure that you have about R2500 a month to spend on this sport.
Step 2 is to purchase all the local golfing magazines you can find.
Step 3 is to contact the trainers in there, and tell them you have never swung a golf club.
Step 4 is to go to the free "intro" courses that they will offer, you're looking for a triner that you can work with, one that you feel comfortable with.
Step 5 is to go for a real lesson, and let your trainer recommend a few golf clubs to get you going.
Step 6 is letting your trainer train you in how to use your new clubs.
Step 7 is practising with your new clubs at any driving range you can find, using all your free time on this. Let your trainer check your progress at least once a week.
Step 8 is introducing the putting and wedging game.

Okay, now you can find a club, and begin to play socially.

[SiriS]

Originally Posted by zoopy3

Hi, I'm interested in playing golf as a hobby. I've been talking to friends and I'm told to start with the driving range first to get a feel of the game. The course that I'm interested in is Mt Edgecombe here in Durban which is nearest to me. I would like to know what would be the best way to getting started, what clothing should i wear to play, and how does everything work and how do i join a club? and do they have tutors at the driving range that can show me the ropes?

Start on the range. Go a couple of times so that you get an idea of you swing. Then go to a pro - to get you on the right track (it will save you years of frustration, trust me ) Then go back to the range. When you consistently get the ball air-borne and make semi-decent contact with the ball - then you go to the golf course.

Don't be impatient and skip the steps above - you will only frustrate yourself and everyone else on the golf course.

Oh, and lastly, don't listen to your golf mates' advice - it tends to be handed out freely and more often than not worsens any swing problems you have. Stick to the range and pro.

Most driving ranges have pro's (tutors).

[zoopy3]

do they have golf clubs available at the range? and what clothing should i wear? (i'm a guy in mid 20's)

[SiriS]

Originally Posted by zoopy3

do they have golf clubs available at the range? and what clothing should i wear? (i'm a guy in mid 20's)

Phone them. The ranges I've been to don't have clubs. At a driving range you can where anything.

[zoopy3]

ok, i will phone them... thanks alot for the help guys

[Madman88]

Originally Posted by davemc

I smell a free advert coming.

Anyways, golf is all about the swing.

Step 1 is to make sure that you have about R2500 a month to spend on this sport.
Step 2 is to purchase all the local golfing magazines you can find.
Step 3 is to contact the trainers in there, and tell them you have never swung a golf club.
Step 4 is to go to the free "intro" courses that they will offer, you're looking for a triner that you can work with, one that you feel comfortable with.
Step 5 is to go for a real lesson, and let your trainer recommend a few golf clubs to get you going.
Step 6 is letting your trainer train you in how to use your new clubs.
Step 7 is practising with your new clubs at any driving range you can find, using all your free time on this. Let your trainer check your progress at least once a week.
Step 8 is introducing the putting and wedging game.

Okay, now you can find a club, and begin to play socially.

R2500 per month? What are you doing? If you lose 18 balls a round, don't play with R35 per ball Titlists...

I play twice a month. I probably spend at most about R800 per month on golf.

PMG Membership fee : +- R350 (includes one free round)
Course fee's : Between R80 and R140 per round.
Golf Balls : About R50 per month. I lose about 2 balls per round.
Food and drinks. about R100 +
Sometimes we share a cart. R90 - 130

The best thing to do is to get lessons straight off the bat. That'll stop you developing bad habits.
Then join a club like Play More Golf or a virtual online club that you pay a monthly fee. You can join an actual club later when you know a bit more.
The closest one might not be the best one for you.

Also don't go out and buy the first set of clubs on special. Rather go for a couple of lessons and let the pro advise you on what clubs/grips/length/torque to buy. A good pro will have some clubs for you to use while he is teaching you.

[zoopy3]

lol... R2.5k is alot

i'm hoping to get started by next week or so.

[Madman88]

I've been playing for just about a year now. I'm really loving it.
I broke 100 the other day. What an awesome feeling.

And no matter what your golf buds tell you, a long drive is not necessary for a low score, but it sure is cool to moer that little ball further than anyone else.

My biggest struggle when I started was keeping my head still. My buds kept telling me I'm lifting my head, so I was dropping my head to compensate. Its all crap.
The pro I went for lessons with said generally you lift your head during back swing and drop it again during the swing. So all I ended up doing was dropping my head even more and taking more turf with the swing.

The main thing I can say is. GO FOR LESSONS. It makes the game alot more fun.

[davemc]

Originally Posted by Madman88

R2500 per month? What are you doing? If you lose 18 balls a round, don't play with R35 per ball Titlists...

I play twice a month. I probably spend at most about R800 per month on golf.

PMG Membership fee : +- R350 (includes one free round)
Course fee's : Between R80 and R140 per round.
Golf Balls : About R50 per month. I lose about 2 balls per round.
Food and drinks. about R100 +
Sometimes we share a cart. R90 - 130

The best thing to do is to get lessons straight off the bat. That'll stop you developing bad habits.
Then join a club like Play More Golf or a virtual online club that you pay a monthly fee. You can join an actual club later when you know a bit more.
The closest one might not be the best one for you.

Also don't go out and buy the first set of clubs on special. Rather go for a couple of lessons and let the pro advise you on what clubs/grips/length/torque to buy. A good pro will have some clubs for you to use while he is teaching you.

Awesome budget.

Now, add:
- the trainer
- the driving range
- buying a few clubs every month
- golf shoes
- the trolley and the bag
- the 19th hole

I just figured that he had better be prepared for a huge bill for the first 2 months or so.

And, if he can afford the 2500 a month, man, touring the South African golf courses is awesome.

[Madman88]

Originally Posted by davemc

Awesome budget.

Now, add:
- the trainer
- the driving range
- buying a few clubs every month
- golf shoes
- the trolley and the bag
- the 19th hole

I just figured that he had better be prepared for a huge bill for the first 2 months or so.

And, if he can afford the 2500 a month, man, touring the South African golf courses is awesome.

I suppose.

The 19th hole being the worst. I had to buy plenty rounds for not hitting past the lady's tee. It was that or walk the hole with your totti out. I bought the rounds.

Come to think of it, I was spending more when I first started.

I was paying an extra 300 odd for the Vodacom golf village. But that included as many balls as I could hit, as well as Masterclasses, which are mini golf classes. I also spent about R2500 over 3 months on lessons.

I got my bag with a full set of clubs (Fearless) on special for just over 4k, but I see now you can get full sets for around R1500. Don't know how good they are.

So yes, you're right when you put it that way. But the way you made it sound was hectic.

[zoopy3]

i'm willing to spend the R2500 over the first few months... but once i'm setup i take it that its not that expensive - about R800 as Madman says it costs him.