Guys, You all know of a forum or message board that is good for golf? I need advice on buying a set of clubs for a beginner.
I don't know diddly squat, nada, zilch, zero, nothing, about GOLF. I personally find it funny that there are CARTS to take people from hole to hole. In my lame attempt to help you, here is one I found a while back: http://www.golf101.com/v2/Pages/ .
Yup! There's a fantastic golf forum at http://www.freegolfinfo.com/ I tell ya what, amigo. You and I need to play a game of golf some day.
What do you guys suggest for a beginner, new clubs or go to a pawn shop for used ones I was thinking of getting these http://rockbottomgolf.com/04admgt2cmpmrh.html It sucks that it does nto come with a bag or a putter.
You don't ever need any other forum but ClutchFans, we know pretty much everything. I was a a golf pro for a lot of years, all my friends are still golf pros and I play a coulple of times a week with a single digit handicap. I have posted about golf clubs a couple of times before but here is the skinny: For the begining golfer there is not a dimes worth of difference between the $249 dollar set of clubs at The Sports Authority and the $2249 dollar set of clubs at the pro shop. For a top player there is a little difference in metal densities and design features but even then it's a small difference in personal preferences. Like every commercial product it's really all about marketing to your ego. Now I don't discount ego because I have one and I know how it feels to buy the expensive stuff, I like it. But most golfers that take up the game quit within a year because it is difficult and frustrating to learn and it takes a huge investment of time. So a beginner spending a lot of money on clubs is probably just wasting it. I would recommend just buying inexpensive clubs or used clubs first (I still buy off of ebay) Get the "oversized" cavity back styles first because they are a little easier to hit. Look for a set that is a SW through 4 iron and maybe comes with a hybrid fairway wood or two. If you really want a driver start with a 10 degree or higher. Steel shafts are cheaper and just as good for irons, you really only need graphite shafts in your driver. If you are a standard sized guy 5'8"-5'11", off the rack clubs will be fine. You don't need to think about custom clubs unless you very tall or you have developed a repeating swing that can be custom fitted (years of practice) Most of the mega-golf shops like Golf Galaxy, Sport Authority (one of my buddies works there) and Golfsmith have PGA pro's in them now that will help you. They should tell you about what I did, if they try to up-sell you as a beginner to a $600 set of irons know they are BSing you. I used to tell my beginning students they should have 4 lessons and about 40 hours in on the driving range before they try to play a round....but they never did it....and a lot of them gave up the game quickly.
My one tip: As a beginner, when you finally decide to step on the golf course after a lot of practice on the range: PLAY FAST! I guess I should rephrase that...don't play slow. Nobody likes playing with someone who is slow and takes all day searching for balls in the woods. Bring a lot of crappy balls to play with so losing them won't be a big deal. Be ready to hit when it is your turn to hit.
That's a good set of clubs for a beginner. The difference between that set and something you might buy at Academy for $200 is that the name-brand set you are looking at might have some resale value some day. The Academy set won't. That set may also last you a little longer if the look is satifactory to you. Good luck! Golf is a great way to spend time with like-minded people - but be aware that it is ridiculously difficult to become very good. Don't set your expectations too high and you will enjoy it more.
heck its ridiculously difficult to become sucky at it (the level above atrocious) I think its personally ok to enjoy being bad at golf ....thats why they let you drink beer on the course
I just got my first set last weekend!! I haven't been able to play yet with work and the weather, but I'm excited about it. I played 4 times last fall borrowing a friend's wife's clubs and I enjoyed it each time so I decided to get my own. Wilson set from Golfsmith for $250 plus a Lynx bag for $100. I'm very happy with it so far, but I hope I play well with it. We'll see...
http://rockbottomgolf.com/04admgt2cmpmrh.html That's exactly what I'm talking about, those would be fine. I agree with the guys above, you don't have to be good to enjoy golf. It's a good way to be outside, not working, with your friends and perhaps quaffing a beverage.... If you are of the ego type that you can suck and still have fun. I see a lot of people scream and throw clubs too; but even that can be cathartic. You can fairly harmlessly break a golf club in lieu of say slapping your wife or shooting your boss. But golf is not cheap and it is not quick. $500 in clubs $50 to play, 5 hours from parking lot to parking lot. I enjoy the driving range about as much as I do playing. You get all the thrill of banging the long ball and you never miss a 2 footer. I still work at Wildcat on Saturdays (so I can play for free). Come out an see me, I'll introduce you to Marc Vandemeer and you can personally tell him he sucks. (he thinks everyone on Clutchfans hates him)
I like Mark! Where is Wildcat and how much do lessons cost? Friends have told me to try to learn the basics first and then get a pro when I am able to make contact consistently. Sadly, I still whiff sometimes.
What is the difference between a golf cart bag and a gold stand bag? Don't they all have stands built in to them?
No. Some of the bigger ones like the pros use will stand because the base is bigger. Some are lightweight and can be carried easy when walking, but won't stand without the legs that some others have.
Why will the Pros worry about which ones are light or heavy? Don't they hire a Mexi... I mean, a guy named Cadencio (Caddy) to carry their bag anyway?
Wildcat is south of Reliant Stadium on Alameda. The Matt Swanson Golf school is there (http://www.swingpure.com/). They are as good as any if they are close to you. (not an ad, my friends don't work for Matt). Lessons run from $30- $75 for an hour, every driving range has some good teachers, Memorial Park has a bunch, every golf course has teaching pros. Group lessons are a good way to start, you hear the same stuff but split the costs with the rest of the class. However I highly reccommend you start with a short little book:Ben Hogans Five Fundementals Of Modern Golf You can learn the proper grip, stance, posture and plane all by yourself and get a quicker start. Later you will want someone to look at your swing and adjust your thinking. A lot of times what you feel like you are doing and what you really are doing are two different things.
