How to find lessons to get yourself going

in australia i usualy expect to pay around $40 for a 1/2 hour lesson.

as for when you should go out on the course. You should do that more than going to the driving range in my opinion. The knowledge gained from hitting on real grass in a far from perfect lie is much better than playing on astroturf or grass on a driving range.

You might think you can hit a ball straight at the range, but go out on a course and do the same shot, i almost guarantee you won't hit it straight, or where u want it to go. I've been playing for 2 years now and am down to 19hc and i still don't hit balls straight. For me i get better practice from playing in comps and on a course than at teh driving range.

Don't get me wrong, teh driving range is good to change things like a new grip or change something minor in your overall game, but you'll find it can be just as cheap to play a round of 18 as it is to hit 150 balls. Not to mention you have that difficulty assiciated with playing on a course.

As for finding a pro to help u along, at your level (6 times at teh range), i would think any pro would be able to help you. Look at getting your swing, posture and ball striking looked at initially, practice for a few months and you will notice everything coming together, and you can work on your game further from there.

Hope i've helped somewhat and i hope your golf improves. Checkout this site and have a good read through most of the topics in the How To threads, there is a ton of useful knowledge here, not all of it will work for you, but you might spot something that will.

Good luck.

In North Dakota It'll cost about $40 hr....I've had one lesson and I believe
It was worth it. I have been playing for three years and this spring I decided
on my first lesson,mainly because I was having too many problems that I couldn't resolve and the pro pointed me in the right direction.
Hope this helps.

I South Carolina $60. for 45 minutes is about the going rate. As far as finding an instructor, do a local web search,or call local golf courses and driving ranges. They may be able to tell you where to find an affordable pro.

The other option is a group lesson if you can find it. These are usually cheaper.

How long does it normally take before you can start playing for real (albiet not very well)

I would start out on a par 3 course. After you feel reasonably comfortable, ask somebody you know who plays to mentor you on a regular course. I would initially go out with people I know, otherwise it will be to nerve racking. Everybody progresses differently so it is hard to tell when you can tackle a regular course. I would think after 4-6 weeks of consistent range practice and several times on a par three or short course. Hope this helps Mike.