What's the best way to get started with golf?

[Argo]

The title pretty much says it all. I want to get into golf and was wondering what's the best approach (personal trainer, driving ranges, etc)

My level is pretty much at 0 right now.

 

[guyver01]

plant your feet firmly.
greet the ball..

"HELLO BALL"

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Driving range for sure. You don't want to venture anywhere near a real course until you can hit the ball fairly consistently, otherwise it'll just be a day of anger and frustration. At this point you don't want to make a big investment. Borrow a set of clubs, you'd be amazed how many people have an unused set collecting dust in the garage. Then head to a range and start whacking balls. Odds are you'll never get beyond that phase, most people that try the game quit early on. If you do like it and want to stick with it that's when you need to worry about getting fit for clubs and getting some basic instruction.

 

[idiotekniQues]

kidnap tiger

 

[IronWing]

1) Play fetch with your dog.
2) Shoot dog.
3) Continue game.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Lessons first off. You don't want to develop any bad habits early on.

 

[slsmnaz]

watch Happy Gilmore. It's all you really need to know

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: MyThirdEye
Lessons first off. You don't want to develop any bad habits early on.

This. Plus you can probably borrow clubs after you learn some proper technique.

 

[xSauronx]

wii golf, duh

 

[cpacini]

Originally posted by: mcmilljb

Originally posted by: MyThirdEye
Lessons first off. You don't want to develop any bad habits early on.

This. Plus you can probably borrow clubs after you learn some proper technique.

Depending on where you are getting lessons from , you may be able to rent clubs as well.

You can probably find a decent set of used clubs at a pawn shop/used sporting equipment store or ebay. If you are going to spend a couple of hundred dollars on lessons, you might as well spend another hundred or so on a set of clubs to hold you over until you decide if you want to continue playing.

 

[JDawg1536]

Being at a level 0 you actually have an advantage over people who have played before (without taking lessons). Before you pick up a club, touch a ball, or even watch golf on tv, go take lessons. Go meet with some instructors in your area, and find someone you are comfortable with. The lessons are gonna be expensive, but are a must if you want to be any good.

 

[zerocool84]

Practice at the local Mini-Golf.

 

[Orsorum]

Skip the golf altogether, just buy a six pack of beer and spend a Saturday morning sitting on your deck drinking heavily.

 

[zinfamous]

Burn down all the golf courses you visit?

 

[silverpig]

I wouldn't get lessons or anything yet. They are expensive. Clubs are expensive. "Proper" clothes are expensive. Heck, even balls are expensive. Golf is definitely an expensive sport.

Do you have any friends who play? Try to hit up a pitch and putt with them. See if they can give you a few pointers. Hit up a range. If you decide you like it and still want to continue on, THEN you can get some lessons.

Blowing a bunch of money on something you have never done and don't know if you will actually like will lead to you becoming that guy with the set of clubs in his attic gathering dust.

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: guyver01
plant your feet firmly.
greet the ball..

"HELLO BALL"

Followed by:

"You little son of a bitch ball! Why you don't you just go HOME? That's your HOME! Are you too good for your HOME? ANSWER ME! SUCK MY WHITE ASS, BALL! "

 

[krunchykrome]

Take lessons

My wife and I had never played before until recently. We started taking lessons at a local golf course from a ex PGA player. We bought his and her golf sets and we have lessons every weekend.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: MyThirdEye
Lessons first off. You don't want to develop any bad habits early on.

 

[Spooner]

the other thing i would recommend if you are trying to get into the sport is to KEEP AT IT REGULARLY

this is only my second year of playing, so i am not very good, but i am out there fairly consistently this summer and have noticed considerable improvement just by going and getting the feel of the ball

 

[JDub02]

most community colleges should offer golf classes over the summer. at least the ones in my area did. i took them when i was ~10-14.

 

[Barfo]

take a course

 

[DingDingDao]

Take lessons. Do NOT let your golfing friends teach you, unless you want to hate this sport later on.

 

[Gothgar]

well... macro putting till your skill level is high, then move on to driving

 

[Dirigible]

Don't. Why the hell would you do such a boring thing?

 

[BoomerD]

"A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?"


I thought about taking up golf several years ago. My doctor and chiropractor both told me that if I did...I'd need to find different doctors...they'd no longer treat my back problems. :roll: