I want to learn to golf...how?

[beer]

I'm 20, still in college, but I want to learn to golf. I don't have any definable reason other than the fact that everyone I know who's older than their 20s golfs, and so it's probably in my best interest to learn sometime soon. And who knows, I might start enjoying it?

But I don't have any clubs or any experience to speak of right now. Where do I get started at?

EDIT: To clarify for the dumbasses on this board: What kind of clubs should I start off with, and what should my expected budget be?

 

[Lager]

You can checkout some of those golf tips magazine, they give good advice.

 

[ndee]

Get a hockey stick.

 

[beer]

Buy clubs

Really, ya think?

 

[CrazyPerson]

i suggest start from pc or ps2
give it 3 month
then minigolf
then move on from there

 

[ndee]

You wanna play golf just because other people play it? Why don't you wanna play something that you actually like?

 

[Spac3d]

Don't golf. The courses are too busy as it is.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: ndee
You wanna play golf just because other people play it? Why don't you wanna play something that you actually like?

There has to be a reason why so many people play it, even if I don't understand it yet. Perhaps it's one of those things you need to play to like it....like drinking black coffee or beer, for example. I don't think anyone likes them before they actually drink them.

 

[CrazyPerson]

golf can take you places in business

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: CrazyPerson
golf can take you places in business

I'm aware of this. I am working at an office this summer and I see how many people take off to golf for the day. My dad golfs with the auditors and attorneys at his company. Like I said, it's in my best interest to learn to play I think.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

Matters what business. None of my bosses play golf..

Aaaanyways..

Get ready to spend some money, golf is an expensive sport. If you're just going to play it cause old people do, more power to ya, but I gotta agree, that is an awful odd reason to want to do something.

 

[CrazyPerson]

small company? dead end job?

 

[MithShrike]

Most golf courses will have classes. I learned how to play when I was 10. Golf can be very fun. Now, most likely you'll just have some sessions and you'll learn how to swing. Then comes learning the rules. That can be a bit difficult but usually it's pretty fun. Yep, buy some clubs and then go to the course and ask about lessons. I'd suggest a low par public course to start with. Yep.

 

[pinoy]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: CrazyPerson
golf can take you places in business

I'm aware of this. I am working at an office this summer and I see how many people take off to golf for the day. My dad golfs with the auditors and attorneys at his company. Like I said, it's in my best interest to learn to play I think.

Wow!!! The power of Golf. :Q

 

[CubicZirconia]

Play, play, and play some more. You can read magazines and watch other people play all day long, but unless you get out and play you won't get better. And it will grow on you. I think the main reason that people don't like golf at first is that it's harder than it looks. When you botch 75% of the shots you take, it can get pretty discouraging. But if you stick to it, you'll (probably) get to liking it. Once you can play a decent round and make good shots most of the time, its great. I play at least 5 days a week now, and I really enjoy it.

Edit: Get a cheap set of clubs and some used balls to start. It's nice if you can get someone you know to give you there old clubs. I've been playing relatively seriously for a few years now and I still use my Grandfather's old clubs. Until you get the hang of it, the best clubs in the world aren't going to help you much.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: CrazyPerson
small company? dead end job?

College student.

That and a lot of the guys in my dorm last year played golf, too. It seems like something fun to do that you can actually do during daylight hours, as opposed to sleeping all day and then clubbing/bar hopping at night.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
Play, play, and play some more. You can read magazines and watch other people play all day long, but unless you get out and play you won't get better. And it will grow on you. I think the main reason that people don't like golf at first is that it's harder than it looks. When you botch 75% of the shots you take, it can get pretty discouraging. But if you stick to it, you'll (probably) get to liking it. Once you can play a decent round and make good shots most of the time, its great. I play at least 5 days a week now, and I really enjoy it.

Edit: Get a cheap set of clubs and some used balls to start. It's nice if you can get someone you know to give you there old clubs. I've been playing relatively seriously for a few years now and I still use my Grandfather's old clubs. Until you get the hang of it, the best clubs in the world aren't going to help you much.

Where should I get my first set of clubs?

 

[CrazyPerson]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: CrazyPerson
small company? dead end job?

College student.

That and a lot of the guys in my dorm last year played golf, too. It seems like something fun to do that you can actually do during daylight hours, as opposed to sleeping all day and then clubbing/bar hopping at night.

didnt mean you

 

[CubicZirconia]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
Play, play, and play some more. You can read magazines and watch other people play all day long, but unless you get out and play you won't get better. And it will grow on you. I think the main reason that people don't like golf at first is that it's harder than it looks. When you botch 75% of the shots you take, it can get pretty discouraging. But if you stick to it, you'll (probably) get to liking it. Once you can play a decent round and make good shots most of the time, its great. I play at least 5 days a week now, and I really enjoy it.

Edit: Get a cheap set of clubs and some used balls to start. It's nice if you can get someone you know to give you there old clubs. I've been playing relatively seriously for a few years now and I still use my Grandfather's old clubs. Until you get the hang of it, the best clubs in the world aren't going to help you much.

Where should I get my first set of clubs?

If you find an old set hard to come by, just take anything you can find. As long as they are not way too short for you, they will work at first.

Another Edit: You seem to know a lot of people that golf, I guarantee you one of them has an old set of clubs they never use. Ask around, I'm sure you find something.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
Play, play, and play some more. You can read magazines and watch other people play all day long, but unless you get out and play you won't get better. And it will grow on you. I think the main reason that people don't like golf at first is that it's harder than it looks. When you botch 75% of the shots you take, it can get pretty discouraging. But if you stick to it, you'll (probably) get to liking it. Once you can play a decent round and make good shots most of the time, its great. I play at least 5 days a week now, and I really enjoy it.

Edit: Get a cheap set of clubs and some used balls to start. It's nice if you can get someone you know to give you there old clubs. I've been playing relatively seriously for a few years now and I still use my Grandfather's old clubs. Until you get the hang of it, the best clubs in the world aren't going to help you much.

Where should I get my first set of clubs?

If you know enough golfers to have that fact pushing you into the game, you have a source of clubs. Almost all golfers are bad and a huge number of them change clubs often looking for something magic to fix a bad swing. The vast majority of golfers will have extra sets of irons, several drivers and enough putters to supply an army. Ask some friends if you can borrow a set to start with. There's no sense in buying clubs right away since this could just be a whim and you'll have no interest in golf 6 months from now. Use the borrowed set for a month or two and see how it works out. If you want to stick with it after playing with borrowed equipment, go to a clubfitter and get an INEXPENSIVE set made for yourself. Avoid the tendency to overspend, more expensive golf clubs don't perform any better than less expensive one and it's going to be a long time until you're good enough to tell the difference anyway. The fit is the important thing, a junky set of clubs that fits you will produce far better results than a pro quality set that doesn't.

After you beg, borrow or steal a set, head to a driving range, not a course. Expect to suck. REALLY SUCK!! There will be 10 year old girls who could kick your butt at this point and going to a real course will be very frustrating. You're going to whiff a lot and hit ground balls, pop-ups and slices most of the time when you make contact. It's a lot better to get that sort of thing out of the way on the driving range instead of on a course where you need to chase after the ball when you hit it offline. Don't head out to a real course until you hit it somewhat solidly the majority of the time. Nothing will turn you off the game faster than standing in front of a hill that you can't hit the ball up and every shot rolls back to your feet. Stay patient, keep a sense of humor about it and embrace the difficulty. If you're the type that will quit anything you can't get good at quickly, don't even start as you won't get good quickly. If you're the type that loves a challenge and can take pride in small progress at something difficult, you'll love it.

One final bit of advice: QUIT NOW!!! It's a silly game and highly addictive. If you allow yourself to get hooked it'll be a lifelong obsession.

 

[Provider]

Where should I get my first set of clubs?

Goodwill.. they have bags and clubs.. or a pawn shop buy one at a time until you get a good set
thats what i did until i got my Pings now i have 2 nice sets and one junk set..( not to brag )

 

[Farmall]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
Play, play, and play some more. You can read magazines and watch other people play all day long, but unless you get out and play you won't get better. And it will grow on you. I think the main reason that people don't like golf at first is that it's harder than it looks. When you botch 75% of the shots you take, it can get pretty discouraging. But if you stick to it, you'll (probably) get to liking it. Once you can play a decent round and make good shots most of the time, its great. I play at least 5 days a week now, and I really enjoy it.

Edit: Get a cheap set of clubs and some used balls to start. It's nice if you can get someone you know to give you there old clubs. I've been playing relatively seriously for a few years now and I still use my Grandfather's old clubs. Until you get the hang of it, the best clubs in the world aren't going to help you much.

Where should I get my first set of clubs?

Your a college student right? - Go talk to the golf coach if there is a program at the college, most times there are golf classes offered as well.

Clubs? go buy yourself a pitching wedge (second hand or new) and go to a practice green with a couple sleeves of golf balls. Practice hitting until you are consistent with the pw before you even think about grabbing a driver or any other club, ask questions from the golf pro's at the course and before long you will know exactly what you would like to have and how much you are will need to spend to get it.

If you want to go all out and get a whole set for cheap, just go to Target, Walmart, etc. and pick out a set. Just keep in mind they aren't going to be the greatest long term scenario if you happen to like golf after youv've played for a while.

 

[xeno2060]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
Play, play, and play some more. You can read magazines and watch other people play all day long, but unless you get out and play you won't get better. And it will grow on you. I think the main reason that people don't like golf at first is that it's harder than it looks. When you botch 75% of the shots you take, it can get pretty discouraging. But if you stick to it, you'll (probably) get to liking it. Once you can play a decent round and make good shots most of the time, its great. I play at least 5 days a week now, and I really enjoy it.

Edit: Get a cheap set of clubs and some used balls to start. It's nice if you can get someone you know to give you there old clubs. I've been playing relatively seriously for a few years now and I still use my Grandfather's old clubs. Until you get the hang of it, the best clubs in the world aren't going to help you much.

First off I play all the time at least three times a week , Don't buy cheap clubs! but, don't buy really expensive clubs either. You can get a really nice set of used clubs for around $350-400 for everything 3-SW and a putter I'm talking like 2-3 yr old Taylormade, Ping or Callaways. To find these deals try a local golf store that sells clubs on consignment or has good deals on used clubs.
Then find a descent golf course and talk to the pro about lessons tell them your financial status and they'll more than likely give ya somekinda deal. Goodluck and have fun!

 

[alm99]

Get yourself some cheap clubs to start and find a cheap golf course, no sense it spending a huge amount of moeny to start out unless its on lessons, even then I wouldn't spend a huge amount of money until you get the hang of hitting the ball. You need to make sure you can make contact with the ball everytime before you shell out money for lessons.

I was playing every other day when I was in NY, playing was cheap. $10-15 for 18 holes. Now I am in Ga and ists $30 plus for 9 holes. I have yet to go golfing here.

 

[xeno2060]

Originally posted by: alm99
Get yourself some cheap clubs to start and find a cheap golf course, no sense it spending a huge amount of moeny to start out unless its on lessons, even then I wouldn't spend a huge amount of money until you get the hang of hitting the ball. You need to make sure you can make contact with the ball everytime before you shell out money for lessons.

I was playing every other day when I was in NY, playing was cheap. $10-15 for 18 holes. Now I am in Ga and ists $30 plus for 9 holes. I have yet to go golfing here.

Man that sucks I live in Fl. and play 18 at least 3 times a week and I never pay more than $30 for 18 even in the morning...