Golfers? I need some advise.

[John Corn]

Believe it or not as much as I enjoy sports I'm not a golfer, although I do like watching it from time to time.

Well, I have finally decided that I am going to learn how to play the game of golf. I went to a driving range a few weeks ago with a friend of mine and had a very good time, and in the near future I'll be buying a set of clubs. Do any of you golf, and if so, do you have any recommendations for an entry-level set of clubs? Since I am just starting out I don't want to spend too much money.


PS - Any funny golf stories would be good too. :grin:

[James_F]

I would say find a used set of PING clubs. They are really forgiving and are great to start with. Look for Eye2 or Zing2 clubs in the newspaper or used sports good store. I've golfed at least once per week since I can remember and have tried many clubs over the years and none have been as forgiving as PING. I actually no longer use PING because I can't shape my shots like I'd want. I have not looked at prices here in Phoenix, but a used Eye2 or Zing2 sets should go for anywhere between $75 and $200 depending on the condition and who is trying to sell them. Heck you can even send them to me and I'll take them to the PING factory to get them clean up for you. :D For drivers, I'd look the same route, but beware that a driver will get "soft" on you after a couple years. The metal will flex more and you will won't be able to get as much distance. Look at the club faces and see which ones look more worn than others. Callaway used to make great clubs years ago, but I don't consider tham as good anymore. I'm really like TaylorMade or Titlest drivers. Any model made in the last 3 years should be good enough.

If you have problems with your arms you might want to look at graphite over metal shafts. The shock of hitting the ground while you are learning can hurt your arms. Graphite should dampen the shock, but its not needed on your first set.

The reason I'm not saying go for the "Dunlop" starter set is you won't get a true feel of how golf is played. The metal is so hard on them that you can't learn the feedback on the clubs to how you hit the ball. Everything feels the same whether you hit it on the sweet spot or the toe which doesn't help you learn.

Ah, come out here and we'll play a round John... $10 a hole sound good? ;)

[John Corn]

Thanks James, would be great to come to Arizona, but not for no $10.00 a hole. :D

I'm trying to swing the club like its a baseball bat..... :nono2:

I'm trying to stick to the basics.....keep you head down, your eye on the ball, and take a nice easy swing, let the other people in the group watch for where the ball goes!

I've got to take up something different, my fast pitch softball career is dwindling down.

[Frapp]

John,

You need to swing/hit as many different clubs as you can and see what feels/works good for you, that is the best advice :)

Here is a nationwide golf mail order company that is usually good to do business with and I happen to know the owners son:
http://www.edwinwatts.com/AB1936000/webpage.cfm?&DID=8&User_ID=3978851&st=7874&st2=-45398049&st3=55678938&WebPage_ID=4&Manufacturer_ID=4

The Yonex shown on this link are what I use :D

I love the graphite drivers/woods that I play with. I have been told that I hit with the slowest swing known to man since the graphite does all the work for you :righton:

Golf will get addictive and expensive for you once your into it, but it`s only money, right ?

[James_F]

Here is a nationwide golf mail order company that is usually good to do business with and I happen to know the owners son

Oh, what can you do for me? :sure:

[John Corn]

Thanx Frapp, I'll check it out. :righton:

[James_F]

I'm trying to swing the club like its a baseball bat..... :nono2:
I actually teach people to swing like a baseball bat. Its not a bad idea. Two concepts you have to do to work this correct. Make the wrists roll over during the swing (just like a baseball bat) and make sure you path goes out to the right (like you are trying to push the ball to right field). If you do that and roll your wrists you'll get a nice draw.

What I do is stand in your golf stance and swing the golf club like a baseball bat. As your hands get strait out in front of you, roll them over. You can make this more pronounced by snapping them over. Do this about 10 times to get muscle memory. Then try and hit a golf ball. You'll see that you'll hook the ball to the left. To correct this aim out to the right and the ball will move right back into the middle of the fairway.

I played baseball all my life and this is the only way I was able to teach my friend. It actually works great for me when I want to hook a ball around a tree or bunker.

[PSB]

I love Golf! But I dont have my own bats. (joke)
Golf! Another great Scottish Invention :D

[James_F]

Another great Scottish Invention :D
What else did a Scottsman invent? :grin:

[Loose Cannon]

Clearly, the only place to EVER buy golf clubs is www.callawaygolfpreowned.com. You basically can buy the best big bertha stuff at a fraction of the new cost. Good luck.

[Frapp]

The best tool to develop a great golf swing is a "sling blade" yard/weed cutting instrument. Many pros have told me this and after using one so much of my childhood, I believe them :)

[John Corn]

Great advice everyone, thanks very much.