Advice from one new golfer to other new golfers

I decided to start a new thread to share a few things I have learned since I started golfing and came to this site. When my husband and I first came here(Not too long ago) we were too "eager to please" and took every piece of advice to heart. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but it stopped us from thinking for ourselves. Every piece of advice is not for everyone and needs to be tailored to your own specific needs. So here are a couple tips for the new golfer who is constantly receiving advice, whether it be willingly or not...

1. Be aware of the pace of the course and the people behind you. Be courteous to your fellow players but remember... You are there for YOUR game and YOUR enjoyment, not theirs. The worst thing you can do is to hurry through. If the team behind you is having to wait, just simply ask if they want to play through. Hurrying can be the most damaging thing to your game. I had a "lightbulb" moment in this area. A lot of people want to tell you to hurry. This happened to me my first and only time golfing(thus far) and it completely ruined my day. If you happen to have one of those people on your team tell them... It takes less time to do the shot right the first time then it does to have to take 2-3 corrective shots because you were hurried. So take those extra few seconds to set your club just right. Take those extra few seconds to get your stance just right. Take those extra few seconds to do that one more practice swing. Take those extra few seconds for a deep breath to relax yourself and then swing. In the long run, you'll save time because it takes more then those few seconds extra you took to walk to your ball(20 feet away in my case most times) and do it all over again... sometimes more then once then it did to do it right the first time.

2. Don't be afraid to take lessons... And the sooner the better. I find in my experience(not just in golf or sports) that if you consistently practice doing something the "wrong" way, it makes it all the more difficult when it comes to learning it the right way. You have to first UNlearn the bad habits and incorrect practices you've taught yourself before you can learn it correctly.

3. Make a "pact" with your partner or someone on your team to be "ball watcher". I found one of my main problems was, since I'm new and don't have a set path my ball usually takes(since I'm no where near accurate yet) I had a hard time seeing where my ball went after I hit. So to "correct" that problem, I ended up raising my head too soon, causing a whole new problem... Bad hits or misses altogether. So by having someone there with you to help you watch where your ball goes, it will save you some of the stress and worry and you will be able to concentrate on your swing better. As you get better, you will instinctively know what path your ball normally takes so it will be much easier to keep track once it has left your club. But to get better, you need to be able to hit the ball consistently and worrying about it's path with only hurt your game... Not help it. My husband and I have already made this "pact" and as soon as I take my first lesson or two(hopefully today) we will try an actual course again and see how it goes.

Anyway, I guess that's it. If anyone has any other advice for us "newbies" please share. Same goes to any of the other "newbies". If you have a "revelation" or a tip, from one new golfer to another, please share! I'm always willing to learn something new and in a complicated game such as golf, all the help and insight you can get is appreciated. Oh... One last piece of advice...

DON'T GIVE UP!! The MSF(Motorcycle Safety Foundation) has a saying... I think it fits everything in life, not just motorcycling... It states...

"The more you know, the better it gets!"

Looking forward to hearing some of you all's ideas. Take care and watch out for those water hazards!!

~Trish~

__________________
It's not saying the right thing at the right moment but not saying the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

er my only major tip i can give you would be:

if your left with a very long putt (accross the green) and your just off it try and use a 7 iron and treat it like a putter and use it as one, forget bout getting under the ball or getting high on it. i was told this be a friend whos husband played in a torliment with tiger woods so i think its pritty good advice and have tryed it out and it seems to work pritty well. i believe this is because it will gives you the power and the perfect high (it naturly gives a lil chip even if u putt with it)


if any one else has used this tip i would like to get some feed back about it

Trish the Dragon,

Great forum name and I like the Icon!!! Pace of play is always an issue. The pace is ussually a little slower in the summer. People feel in a rush to play 18 in the afternoon. A morning time is sometimes better this time of year. I agree taking a bit more time to hit a quality shot. Work on a preshot routine from the start, it will serve you well.

The ball watcher with a mixed group should be all the men tee off first and walk to the ladies tee as a group and more sets of eyes can watch your shot, then take off. You are right, it will take some pressure off and your chin up and eyes in front of you, not on the ball, throws the shoulders out of alignment.

Best advise I can give a new player work with your swing in a full length mirror. Eighty some percent of what we learn comes through the eyes. You said you are a hands on player. See it, feel it and trust it. When I teach my students I bring a large, inexpensive mirror with the edge covered with PVC and foam to the range. I want them to understand by seeing what I am teaching them so they can repeat the same thing at home.

Enjoyed the posts from you and Travis. Hang in there starting is frusterating but later rewarding. I play early morning with some senior as old as 87. Some have great swings but they love to play. It is a game for life!!!

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

Thanks for the comments trish it's good to hear from the beginners as well.

I am just starting myself and your comment about having a watcher was something i hadn't really thought about even though i have the same problem...i hardly ever can see where the ball went if i hit it any distance.

I was practicing some chips in the front yard yesterday...just short ones..1/2 an 1/4 swing. When i was done i decided to hit the ball into the woods with a full swing....i kept my head down and made good contact but when i looked up i couldn't see the ball....guess you need a watcher any time you practice

Just a point of interest i have an automatic ball return when i practice my chipping....his name is casey...my border collie

Thanks

John

Golfbald, we were playing in the morning but still felt rushed. And at the time, the 3 guys I played with(Including hubby) didn't even think to help me watch where my ball went and we were in such a hurry that I would head down to my tee while they shot so they didn't have time to get down to where I was to see where my ball went. And at first I didn't even think to ask them to keep an eye out for my ball. Next time we will go to a MUCH slower paced course and by then I will have at least one lesson under my belt, hopefully 2.

JohnV, Automatic ball return named Casey huh?... That gives me an idea... I DO have a 6 year old... Heck as long as I fit her with a helmet she should be good right? Hehehe Glad this helped you a little.

Take care all and have a great Thanksgiving!!

~T~

__________________
It's not saying the right thing at the right moment but not saying the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Trish,

I agree some courses can be fast. I play a course here in Louisiana, it's like a horse race, but a beautiful course. I played Torrie Pines in Ca and it was a stroll. By far the most beautiful course I've played.

Where did you play in Va. my son lives in Orange, Va. I've played in Fredricksburg and Richmond. The hills were definately a change from flat La. courses.

GolfBald

We played at the Sewels Point Golf Course in Norfolk VA. It's close to the Naval base and that's why we played there. Travis had just got off work so I drove down to play with him down there. Next time we will be trying the course on Langley Air Force Base. We've heard from someone who has played there that it is a lot slower paced. The Sewel's Point course was nice but too fast for a first timer. We'll probably be going in the next couple weeks. I have my first lesson on Dec 2nd and then after that we'll see. Our holidays are pretty booked up right now with travel so it might be after the first of the year that we get to go if it's not too cold. We'll keep you updated though especially on how my lesson goes!!

~T~

__________________
It's not saying the right thing at the right moment but not saying the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

__________________
It's not saying the right thing at the right moment but not saying the wrong thing at the tempting moment.