Beginner golf help

[darkside7]

Just turned 40 this year, and finally decided to pick up golf. Any feed back on what type of equipment I should start with? They are way too many products and brands. I was recommended taylor made rbz irons.

Thanks Eddie

[Draxler]

Listen to your Pro.

[The Joker]

Brand doesn't matter too much, depends how much you wanna spend. You want game improvement irons, these normally have an oversized head and a fatter cavity back. More forgiving/bigger sweet spot.

Think them taylormade rbz irons will be good. You don't want blades, smaller sweetspot but can work the ball better.

Try some out, speak to the guys at the shop, you may need to get fitted if you are tall. And get some lessons.

Good luck.

[77T]

Eddie
IMHO, the right question should be "which pro in my area is best to teach me?"
Then choose a pro, a club and a schedule...
Rent a set from pro shop if possible.
Once you have a swing to analyze, your pro can help choose the set you'll play for next year or so.

[tinger]

Took a beginner golf class at NYC many summers ago. They gave us wiffle balls

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by 77T

Eddie
IMHO, the right question should be "which pro in my area is best to teach me?"
Then choose a pro, a club and a schedule...
Rent a set from pro shop if possible.
Once you have a swing to analyze, your pro can help choose the set you'll play for next year or so.

Good advice

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

[azguy]

find some demo days and hit a variety of clubs, see what you like

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Brand doesn't matter too much, depends how much you wanna spend. You want game improvement irons, these normally have an oversized head and a fatter cavity back. More forgiving/bigger sweet spot.

Think them taylormade rbz irons will be good. You don't want blades, smaller sweetspot but can work the ball better.

Try some out, speak to the guys at the shop, you may need to get fitted if you are tall. And get some lessons.

Good luck.

This and practice as often as possible. I started golfing about three years ago, but only played on vacations. Always shot in the 95-102 range. Joined a CC a few months ago and have steadily lowered my score, shot my personal best yesterday 84. I've never taken a lesson, but I try to play as often as possible.

[Boothroyd]

As a life-long duffer, may I suggest tennis instead??

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

As a life-long duffer, may I suggest tennis instead??

Yeah I was going to say take up strolling in the park and swearing at strangers, very similar feeling. Who was it who said "golf is a nice walk, ruined" ? Twain I think...

Anyway I like Paul's advice and John is right about demo days, the only thing I would add is as a beginner you're better off buying last years demo-model or slightly used clubs. This way you can get them on the cheap, you can beat them to sh@!$&t and replace them in two years when you've developed your game and swing with clubs that match your play.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by 77T

Eddie
IMHO, the right question should be "which pro in my area is best to teach me?"
Then choose a pro, a club and a schedule...
Rent a set from pro shop if possible.
Once you have a swing to analyze, your pro can help choose the set you'll play for next year or so.

This is the best way to begin but if you're truly just starting with no experience even swinging a club and are even a little intimidated by the whole "golf club pro" deal then wander over to your local Golf Galaxy, Dick's, other large golf retailers in your area. They not only do club fittings but they also do basic lessons (normally inside). Ask for a short series of rudimentary lessons just to get used to hitting a ball. Once you've mastered that you can move to a club pro for the next step (link below). Ultimately he or she will be your best chance of improvement. Above all buying a set of clubs without any professional guidance no matter what kind of swing you have is just flushing money down the drain. Good luck.

http://www.pga.com/golf-instruction/...tors/tx/austin

[AzPaul]

Real men play blades.

[Aarcher@McDGA]

Ping has always been known for their accommodating R&D towards helping the beginner to intermediate golfer.

[chieftd]

I would at least get a couple of lessons to show you proper grip, stance, swing move, and putting stroke. Get the fundamentals and then practice. As others have said on equipment, lots to choose from but go with game improvement irons and get fitted if you have the chance. Good luck its a fun game. Cheers, Tim

[towernick]

Mizuno blades are great for people just starting out. Easy to hit, super forgiving, sweet spot the size of Texas... I'd echo what somebody already said, check out a demo day and hit everything, or go to your local Roger Dunn, etc and pair up with a salesperson, then hit everything.

[uscmatt99]

I've been playing since high school, now 36. I'd advise going to a local pro who does fittings. Brand won't matter at this point, but getting clubs that have appropriate shaft flex/length and lie angle to your body type is important. Clubs are like bicycles, you'll need another set once you develop a good swing, different from what you need just starting out. I'd begin right away with lessons rather than hacking for 6 months and paying someone to break your bad habits.

There is a ton of snake oil gimmickry out there, and all sorts of silly training aids that you'll be tempted to try and later stack up in the garage. However one swing philosophy/methodology that I've come to like is 5 Simple Keys. Check it out, lots of Youtube videos, and there may be instructors that are "certified" to teach the method in your area. It differs a little from the classic swing that most pros teach, but may be easier for the average person just starting.

[darkside7]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

As a life-long duffer, may I suggest tennis instead??

Haha, not a bad idea

[darkside7]

That's for all the advise. I guess I need to check out a few places that has pro lessons.

[SUBversive]

As a former player may I suggest that you pass. To your question, it doesn't matter what you buy now because you will keep spending money on the next greatest invention or club designed to cure the slice or draw or whatever.

[Culley22]

Best sign I ever saw was over the urinal in a country club. It said "This is my favorite place on the golf course. In here no one every tells you how to adjust your grip or your stance."

[AzPaul]

I made a little joke earlier but seriously, go take some lessons before you do anything else. Then, after you're sure you even like the game, go make sure you get professionally fitted before you decide on a style or brand. And don't rule out a nice set of used clubs for your first set, either. It's a good cost effective way for a beginner to go. To be honest, there's nothing funnier on a golf course funnier than watching a 40 handicap slashing away with his $1000 set of brand new set Pings (or whatever).

Lessons are the place for your money when you're starting out, not hardware.

A serious golfer's motto: "Pay the price at the range, not the pro shop"

[rolio]

25 yrs ago, I golfed...a lot: six days a week, many days 27 holes. Did this for three years straight without lessons. I was addicted!! When I returned to college, I had to give up my golfing entirely. 10 yrs ago, my wife bought me a nice set: Titleist player clubs (blades), Big Bertha Driver, Odyssey putter, Adams bag, two pairs of shoes in different colors, a second set of Titleist clubs (lightweight shafts), everything I would need she said to play a game I loved so much. (Boy, did they see her coming!) I consider myself a recovering golfer. I have only been out on the course for two real lessons, and that was 6 yrs ago. I've never been back. I just don't have the desire anymore. But this thread is drawing up interest again, if only just a little spark. Thanks

[darkside7]

This sport looks like it can be dangerous on my pocket.

[Culley22]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

there's nothing funnier on a golf course funnier than watching a 40 handicap slashing away with his $1000 set of brand new set Pings

That's me to a T...but at least I look good weed whackin' with those Pings!!!

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by darkside7

This sport looks like it can be dangerous on my pocket.

Your pocket, your health, your psyche, your friendships, your outlook, your time management... but at least you're outside, getting exercise

[George Burdell]

My advice - regardless of what brand of equipment you select - is to get fitted by someone who knows what they're doing. To me, that means somewhere you can hit balls outside, who has a wide variety of club configurations (different shafts, lie angles, lengths, grip sizes, shaft flex points, etc.), who uses a lie board or similar device while you hit balls, and maybe even video. An inexpensive set that is properly fit will play far better than an expensive, improperly fit set. Golf clubs are a lot like eyeglasses in that regard.

Beyond that, have fun with it!

[darkside7]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Your pocket, your health, your psyche, your friendships, your outlook, your time management... but at least you're outside, getting exercise

Did I mention I live in Texas? It's 104 today