Golf Beginner

Jordanj6502

Well-Known Member
Jan 9, 2010
4,096
81
48
Ames
So, I have never been golfing before, but have been interested in trying it out.

How does one first begin golfing?
 

VikesFan22

Well-Known Member
Nov 9, 2011
16,585
1,318
113
Ames, IA
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

Active Member
Mar 4, 2012
1,086
24
38
Fairfield
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
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jordanj6502
H

Hugs4ISU

Guest
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

Active Member
May 15, 2010
101
27
28
Ames, IA
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jordanj6502

cyclonedave25

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jul 10, 2007
21,447
11,169
113
Chicago, IL
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

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2010
3,889
650
113
Ankeny
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? :jimlad:
 

geburgess

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2010
2,381
116
63
36
WDM, IA
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

Thought Police
Staff member
Apr 11, 2006
98,853
62,430
113
55
A pineapple under the sea
www.oldschoolradical.com
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

Member
Jun 5, 2010
687
18
18
Ames
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jordanj6502

Jamez11

New Member
Feb 19, 2012
10
1
3
Ankeny
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jordanj6502

rebecacy

Well-Known Member
Jan 31, 2007
4,507
270
83
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
 

Cy4Lifer

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2010
1,753
1,130
113
Or don't even start. Why ruin a nice walk by trying to find your ball in the trees and/or rough?

:rolleyes:
 

Chizit

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2008
4,614
661
113
Section L, Row 11
If you're serious about it get lessons early. I waited a long time to get lessons and it was really hard to unteach all the bad habits I had gathered. Golf seems simple, but there are so many small things that impact your swing.
 

Latest posts

Help Support Us

Become a patron