Originally posted by: everman
You're new to golf? If so then don't bother getting a driver yet, it's one of the most difficult clubs to use well, and not good for learning on, although they're fun to play with.
Work on basic swing technique with a 6 or 7 iron, practice your short game with short irons. Once you want to try a full 18 holes I recommend getting something like a 3 hybrid, goes long and easier to hit consistently than a driver.
While hitting it far is fun, a good score really counts on your game from about 150yrs and less. If you're going to spend much on anything, make it a nice putter.
I wouldn't say he needs to avoid a driver. You can get an el cheapo set of new golf clubs, metal shaft (stay away from graphite, they're more difficult to control due to enhanced torque from their inherent elastic structure), for probably $100 at walmart. Try to get a set with a moderately large head-- the larger the head, the larger the 'sweet' spot on the club face, which is what you are trying to hit for-- you'll know when you hit it, because it feels like you haven't even touched the ball; you've just plain cleaned it off the tee/grass.
Get a set with a Driver, 3 wood, and 5 and 7 and 9 Irons (with putter of course). Might want to get a sand wedge and pitching wedge too for getting out of the sand and for chipping onto the green from the rough.
See if you can't find some friends that are golfers and ask them out to your local driving range-- where you just get a bucket of balls and hit them. Have them watch your swing and teach you the basics. Google will get you started here as well; things like keeping your left arm straight (if you're right handed; or vice-versa if left), positioning of the ball for hitting, etc. Most important during this time is getting the form down-- so take it slow; don't bother wacking the crap out of the ball. These first few times it does not matter how far you can hit it-- just worry about having a nice trajectory. When you see it and feel how good a beautiful shot feels you'll be hooked (more than likely).
Don't bother going golfing just yet; it can be discouraging if you're blading and slicing and hooking every other ball and shoot 150 on 18. Just go out to the driving range every Saturday for a couple of saturdays until you get the feel for it.
Be sure to get a glove for your left (perhaps right hand too), as right when you're starting out the excessive swinging + not holding the club just right is almost guaranteed blisters on your thumbs. Not fun!
Good luck; and stick with it. I have yet to hit 100 but it's still a rewarding game; great to play with bosses and other family when you visit them.
Also, how athletic are you? Some people that I never considered as being very athletic seem to not know exactly what their body is doing and how it is moving; not in the way people who have been actively involved in sports from a young age do. This sort of thing can make this game difficult-- practice will make just about perfect though; and if you're the clumsy type don't worry it will pass-- this stuff is exercising your mind too!
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