Golf !

[ZeroBurn]

I'm looking at taking up golf, as a bunch of my friends already play and I'd like to catch up.

I know there *have* to be some golf enthusiast forums out there, does anyone have any links to your favorite sites?

I'm looking at taking golf classes, as I've heard it can be VERY bad to just go out to the driving range and start whacking- builds bad habits that take time to un-learn and then re-learn proper technique.

Any suggesstions on classes, or instructors, or what to look for? I'm in the Bay Area if anyone has particular suggesstions for classes around the San Jose area.

Thanks !

 

[apologetic]

www.gigagolf.com
www.lostgolfballs.com

no lessons, but plenty of toys

 

[GagHalfrunt]

GEA and FGI are decent forums.

Look into a group lesson to start. Sometimes places like the YMCA will hold beginners classes or many cities hold free group lessons at their munis to build a new generation of paying customers. Call some local courses to ask. Avoid "real" private lessons at this point, they're pretty expensive for a beginner.

 

[ZeroBurn]

Sounds good, thanks guys

 

[TheGizmo]

yeh take it from me.. i've been to the driving range like 60 times and i still suck at driving the ball.. it really is one of those things you need to be instructed on how to do sorta.. or maybe i just suck at golf thats probably more so the case

 

[laurenlex]

Free lesson: The left hand/arm is the important factor in the golf swing. You PULL with the left arm, not PUSH with the right arm.

The harder you swing, the shorter your drive.

The more expensive your clubs, the less money you have to spend on food.

Seriously, take a lesson, then take 12 more. I played on the high school golf team and was taught a lot early. Hardest game on earth, but really fun.

 

[brxndxn]

I would advocate against group lessons and just pay for private lessons..

Often, you can get a decent golf pro at the local course for less than $40 for an hourlong lesson. The golf swing is something that works for weekly lessons because you can get general advice the first lesson, spend a week at the driving range, and then refine it further the next..

Also, try to find a golf pro that uses a camera. I improved greatly after my instructor showed how odd my swing looked on video.

IMO, I would work on the 5, 7, and 9 irons before trying anything else. You can't really expect to get anything clost to a decent score until you can hit those irons consistently.

And, imo, the Internet is a horrible resource for golf advice. Every goddamn website is so-and-so's spammy new method to learn golf for just $39.95!

Just stick to taking lessons from a local pro.. Go to the book store for a book on the basics of the golf swing. At first, the proper golf swing seems horribly awkward... But, once you start using it, you realize that the physics of a proper golf swing always lead to better golf than 'whatever feels natural.'

 

[bigdog1218]

I just started playing in March so I might have good advice from a fellow golf newb, or it might be horrible.

I've gotten flamed for this on golf boards, but personally I think golf lessons are a waste unless you plan on being competitive. I would rather play two rounds of golf then spend $40 on a golf lesson. Maybe 10 years ago lessons were necessary, but not today because of the internet. There are tons of free videos, instructions, lessons, techniques, forums, everything you need. Information is information, if you're dedicated and practice you'll improve no matter what.

But thats just what worked for me, and i might be an idiot. But I think you can easily become a decent golfer on your own. $40 dollar lessons and $10 at the range add up and take away from valuable time actually playing golf.