First time golfing - any tips?

[ThetaDancer]

Hey!
Are you taking a lesson or just heading out for a round? Either way, have fun! It's a beautiful game.

I'll come back and post more later but off the top of my head, the number one thing I can think of is: have patience. It looks deceptively easy but it can be really difficult, and I tend to be competitive and frustrate myself, too, so I understand what you mean by that. If you can be patient and think of it as a chance to practice and learn, you'll enjoy the game a lot more.

[summer_gphib]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

Hey!
Are you taking a lesson or just heading out for a round? Either way, have fun! It's a beautiful game.

I'll come back and post more later but off the top of my head, the number one thing I can think of is: have patience. It looks deceptively easy but it can be really difficult, and I tend to be competitive and frustrate myself, too, so I understand what you mean by that. If you can be patient and think of it as a chance to practice and learn, you'll enjoy the game a lot more.

ditto! The game is VERY Frustrating, but a lot of fun. Remember to laugh when you make a stupid shot... because if you don't you'll throw your clubs or break them.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

Hey!
Are you taking a lesson or just heading out for a round? Either way, have fun! It's a beautiful game.

I'll come back and post more later but off the top of my head, the number one thing I can think of is: have patience. It looks deceptively easy but it can be really difficult, and I tend to be competitive and frustrate myself, too, so I understand what you mean by that. If you can be patient and think of it as a chance to practice and learn, you'll enjoy the game a lot more.

No lesson, I'm just playing. I was supposed to get lessons this summer, but the timing never worked out.

[aopirose]

1. Don't grip the club too tight. It really doesn't take that much force to hold it.
2. Keep your eye on the ball and follow through with a complete swing.
3. Have some cash on you for the beer cart. It's nice when they bring beverages to you.

[AGDee]

I would at least get to a driving range before then and hit a bucket of balls. Have you even done that before?

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I would at least get to a driving range before then and hit a bucket of balls. Have you even done that before?

That's one thing I have done - I've been to the driving range a bunch, so I'm at least comfortable with that aspect. I've also had the tiniest bit of instruction from a friend of mine on each of the clubs, so I'm at least familiar with them.

Thanks everyone thus far, the advice is great.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

That's one thing I have done - I've been to the driving range a bunch, so I'm at least comfortable with that aspect. I've also had the tiniest bit of instruction from a friend of mine on each of the clubs, so I'm at least familiar with them.

Thanks everyone thus far, the advice is great.

You're probably fucked, to be perfectly honest - it depends on how many range sessions, etc.

Call me before you go - I'll be around all weekend, I'll give you more specific advice, but here's my common advice for first-timers (I've actually taught quite a few now, which is weird):

-Don't keep score (for yourself). At all. Just concentrate on advancing the ball the best you can. In fact, don't keep score for a little while.

-Do NOT worry about direction, just that you hit it hard. For example, you'll probably slice a few out there and hack a couple directly left or right. Don't worry about that - just get a feel for hitting it hard. Golf requires muscles you really don't have yet - they'll get there, but until then it'll be a little rough.

-For that same reason, don't worry about "keeping up" or hitting as far as long-time golfers. I'm at least 6 inches shorter than you and average about 265 off the tee, with the longest drives reaching 300 depending on conditions - this is purely because of back/leg muscles and timing. Again, you'll get there.

-Practice chipping/putting - about 70% of your shots will come from 100yds and in. Before the round, hit a couple of balls on the range if possible, but spend 2x that amount of time on the putting green. Trust me.

-Most of your shots will have little to no chance of reaching the green. Find two clubs you're comfortable with (say, a 5-wood and a 7-iron, for example) and use those when you don't have another clear shot. For instance, let's say you're 220 yards away. If you're in the fairway, hit the 5-wood, advance it as far as possible, then hit it again. If you're in the rough, hit the 7-iron, even if you'll still have between 50 and 100 yards left - that's fine, you'll feel (and score) better making a "smart" play to hit the ball better.

-Check your posture/grip/alignment often - use your partners for this. That's the easiest thing to drop during a round.

-Have a couple of beers - seriously, sometimes that little bit of relaxation is huge.

That's probably way too much to think about, but seriously, hit me up and I'll give some more specific stuff.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

You're probably fucked, to be perfectly honest - it depends on how many range sessions, etc.

Call me before you go - I'll be around all weekend, I'll give you more specific advice, but here's my common advice for first-timers (I've actually taught quite a few now, which is weird):

-Don't keep score (for yourself). At all. Just concentrate on advancing the ball the best you can. In fact, don't keep score for a little while.

-Do NOT worry about direction, just that you hit it hard. For example, you'll probably slice a few out there and hack a couple directly left or right. Don't worry about that - just get a feel for hitting it hard. Golf requires muscles you really don't have yet - they'll get there, but until then it'll be a little rough.

-For that same reason, don't worry about "keeping up" or hitting as far as long-time golfers. I'm at least 6 inches shorter than you and average about 265 off the tee, with the longest drives reaching 300 depending on conditions - this is purely because of back/leg muscles and timing. Again, you'll get there.

-Practice chipping/putting - about 70% of your shots will come from 100yds and in. Before the round, hit a couple of balls on the range if possible, but spend 2x that amount of time on the putting green. Trust me.

-Most of your shots will have little to no chance of reaching the green. Find two clubs you're comfortable with (say, a 5-wood and a 7-iron, for example) and use those when you don't have another clear shot. For instance, let's say you're 220 yards away. If you're in the fairway, hit the 5-wood, advance it as far as possible, then hit it again. If you're in the rough, hit the 7-iron, even if you'll still have between 50 and 100 yards left - that's fine, you'll feel (and score) better making a "smart" play to hit the ball better.

-Check your posture/grip/alignment often - use your partners for this. That's the easiest thing to drop during a round.

-Have a couple of beers - seriously, sometimes that little bit of relaxation is huge.

That's probably way too much to think about, but seriously, hit me up and I'll give some more specific stuff.

Thanks, that's all really good advice. I'll definitely give you a call if I get a chance before Monday. I've been to the range quite a bit (10+ times this summer, and a lot before that), but I figured that it wouldn't help out much, if at all.

You hit on most of the areas where I'm concerned, so at least I know those are rational worries.

I know it will be rough out there, but I'm just hoping it will be a "little rough," instead of "don't want to play again" rough.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by aopirose

1. Don't grip the club too tight. It really doesn't take that much force to hold it.
2. Keep your eye on the ball and follow through with a complete swing.
3. Have some cash on you for the beer cart. It's nice when they bring beverages to you.

Make sure to tip the beer cart person