Golf Beginner

[Jordanj6502]

So, I have never been golfing before, but have been interested in trying it out.

How does one first begin golfing?

[VikesFan28]

I'm no golfer but I'd say instructional videos on youtube. Figure out how to stand and swing before you get to the course.

[TallKidIsTall]

buy a cheap set of clubs and go to the driving range a few times before setting foot on a course

then find some easy amateur courses in your area and have at it...considering some of the clowns you will see on a cheap course you wont hold anyone up or stick out for being bad

[Hugs4ISU]

1 - buy some clubs. And don't let the rich elites here tell you you have to spend $50,000 on a set, either. You'd be surprised how many thrift stores have decent sets for practically nothing. Try thrift stores in Des Moines, I don't think Ames has many.

2 - Buy a package of gold balls.

3 - Find a course, and whack away.

[ISUENGR]

I would recommend buying a beginner set of golf clubs and take some lessons through Park & Recreation. This hobby is expensive and this approach would allow you to feel out your interest level while minimizing the amount of money spent.

[cyclonedave25]

1. Buy a cheap set of clubs.
2. Get an instructor to help you with the basics. Not sure how much they cost, but it might save some headaches when you're out there whacking away and the balls are flying all over the place and you have no idea what you're doing wrong.

[Ry4Cy]

1 - buy some clubs. And don't let the rich elites here tell you you have to spend $50,000 on a set, either. You'd be surprised how many thrift stores have decent sets for practically nothing. Try thrift stores in Des Moines, I don't think Ames has many.

2 - Buy a package of gold balls.

3 - Find a course, and whack away.

So take all that money you saved from buying clubs at the thrift store and spend it on gold balls?

[geburgess]

Get a set of "game improvement" clubs, a basic Google search should provide a good list of those. Those clubs are designed for new players and to correct for bad swings and mis-hits.

Second, don't just go out to the course/range and hit around. Find a professional and let them teach you. That way, you won't develop bad habits in your swing and will learn proper technique, etc. I would recommend David Gantt at Longview here in DSM, he helped me fix my swing early in high school and has helped me again since wrist/knee injuries made my old swing impossible and painful.

Next, spend some time on the range without your instructor, get some practice in and be confident in your abilities before heading out to a course. After that, it's just practice to get better and having fun while on the course.

[Cyclonepride]

I agree with cheap clubs and going to the range first. While there, just try to find an easy workable swing and just get a feel for what each club does. My early trips to the range were nothing but home run hitting contests, and that doesn't do much for you.

[CyFan03]

Definitely take lessons. Find someone in your area and either take private lessons, or group lessons. Worth every penny if you are just starting out.

[83Clone]

Don't do it

[enisthemenace]

Go to the range. Don't try to figure it out on the course.

[Jamez11]

Go to the driving range a few times. Then take a couple lessons. You will get more out of your first lesson if the instructor can see what your generic swing looks like. If you haven't swung a club before you will waste a lot of time and money on lessons.

[isulive2train]

Gold balls and a golden hockey stick? Get some!

[rebecacy]

get lessons and don't even try until the instructor tells you what to do . so easy to teach yourself bad habits that are hard to unlearn