Newbie at golf and comp

Greetings to all my name is Zac am pretty new to using the computer and very new at playing golf. I am from New Zealand but living in Australia, I start to play golf with my friend about 2 weeks ago prior to Xmas and I like it.
I was wondering if you could give me some info on how to and where to start whether get tuition first or golf set and if it is gear how and what to do to buying the right golf set.
I am 167cm or 5 feet 6 inches (of athletic build ) and 63kg or 138 pounds.
Your help would be much appreciated. Zac

G'day Zac.

May I suggest that lessons are invaluable - if you can find a great teacher who can hook you up with different clubs before you buy (ie to train with), it'll be much easier to head to your local golf shop and buy proper clubs for you.

When you do buy clubs, spend the money and get them fitted. I'm a proponent of getting a swing, then matching clubs to the swing, rather than getting clubs and fitting a swing to the clubs.

After doing some static fitting exercises (sheagolf.com, pinemeadowgolf.com), it seems as though I can use standard length gear. So, like a dummy, I bought some off-the-rack gear. It's worked out so far, but it's time for a fitting, and some different gear. Lessons has turned my swing from a baseball swing to an actual golf swing - and the reward will be new clubs! (Properly fitted and weighted).

Enjoy your new obsession!

Hi Zac.

I'd suggest you find some reasonably inexpensive gear, of which there are quite a few options in Australia depending on where you live. The cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, etc. obviously have more golf stores so you're likely to have a wider choice. You can get some really good basic gear that you can have fitted afterwards. Until you have the basics it is absolutely useless trying to get fitted for clubs. Your stance, swing and swing speed, etc. are going to change so don't waste your time in getting fitted right now.

If you tell me where you live, I can recommend a few stores to you that won't rip you off.

Then I'd suggest you find a teaching professional, not just any pro - not every golf pro can teach! Some of them are pretty ****py. In 'begginer' lessons we'll teach you a proper grip, address position, alignment and the basics of the golf swing and a bit of a short game introduction (chipping, putting, etc).

Again, I'll suggest a few pros in your area to see. I know a few Down Under.

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)

Hello TeachingPro thank you very much for the invaluable infomations.
I live in Seddon which is 10 Kms or 6 Miles West from the Melbourne city itself.
At the moment my friend has lend me some clubs but he's 6 Feet 2 inch and the grip and length of the clubs seems to be a little large (but I haven't the knowledge of what is suitable). so if it's possible please lead me to the right path for equipment and tutoring. Once again thank you for all your help. Zac

Hello Lowpost42, hope your day is good and you're heading to the golf course !!!
Thank you for your reply and invaluable info.As said am currently lent a set of clubs from a friend and he's 6 feet 2 and amd 5 feet 6 and his hands are massive and the clubs seems larger (not that I know any differences but it feels further away) so that is why I thought I better asks afew questions.
I have had a look around the sports shops but they don't seem to have the general knowledge when ask and some suggest female clubs ??? I haven't really been to the golf shop itself. Some of the golf courses that I have had a look at don't seem to have shop, but I am still looking. once again thank you for your info. Zac

Hi Zac


My friend has just bought new clubs. As he is 5' 4" he was fitted with "womens" clubs and was embaressed to tell me. I just told to get over it play golf. He now hits sweet and long and does not care if they were "Elfen" clubs . As we all know size is inportant therefore club lenth is vital and if "womens" clubs fit use them and enjoy your golf. If the guys rag you F##k them, just beat them on the course.

Zac,

Geez, in Melbourne there isn't a great number of places to choose from but the guys at Albert Park Golf Club (and the driving range) are good. They have a good selection of clubs, aren't rip-off artists and they also do fitting at the driving range.

They're on Aughtie Drive, Albert Park and the number I had for them when I practiced there was 013 96964653.
If you're looking for a good teaching pro, I'd recommend anyone of the teachers at the Melbourne Golf Academy. They in Centre Dandenong Road in Heatherton near to Moorabin airport. They also have a shop but to be honest, I thought they were a 'bit too slick'... The whole MGA Centre is seriously impressive!

One final word: watch out for internet purchases. I'm not saying they're bad, in fact most of them a fantastic but you can't see or feel what you buy until they arrive. If you're buying something you've seen, then great ... if not just be careful to make sure you're buying the correct thing.

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)

To back up bagfull, try to stay away from labels. Clubs are clubs. My first set of clubs were ladies clubs - unbeknownst to me at the time. But they were right for my swing speed at the time. (But totally the wrong length - I'm 6'1", and the driver stopped @ 40"!)

After some lessons and standard length mens clubs, I needed to sell the ladies clubs, and whippy regular flex clubs were my deal (as my swing speed was still slow).

Lately I've been playing with (by lately, I mean late October last year) pretty stiff regular flex shafts, and seeing good results.

So you need to find clubs that are the right length for you first, find grips that fit your hand (make sure you have a good golf grip! I put a death grip on my clubs, and now my grips are waaaaaaay too big... I have to choke down almost to the shaft to get the proper grip), and finally make sure the flex of shaft fits your swing speed.

But like TeachingPro says, there's no point in getting fitted until you have a generally repeatable swing.

Please note that a repeatable swing doesn't necessarily mean a good swing (although you should work towards that). Think about a cheap starter set (it'll have a couple of woods, a few irons, a wedge and a putter) to start, and get some lessons. Then, when you've got a nice swing, buy a full set of clubs, and get them fitted.

Hi Bagfull,
Thanx for the info, I didn't know there was women's club (I thought he was just pulling my leg), Is there a difference??

Hello TeachingPro
Thank you for the awesome info, I know where Albert Park Golf is 15 mins drive max.
Melbourne Golf Academy is about 45 mins but if they are good (then my foundation of the game is solid so) I don't mind travelling.
My next questions are How long should I see the Teaching pro prior to playing and how frequent?

Hello LowPost42
Thank you for the great info and the break down of the clubs itself.
I am looking for a starter set but wouldn't I need to get fitted with the right length and grip regardless of men or women's?
For a guy of my height and size would they have a beginners set that match? or could I buy just average women or small men's beginner's set?
Sorry for the inconvenience. Zac

Hi Zac,

The difference is mainly the shaft. The women's set has more flex in the shaft is they are shorter as well shorter as well.

To determine the correct length, we would need to know some measurements. How tall are you and what is the measurement from your fingertip (with your arm relaxed straight down your side) to the floor?

Hello gord962,
Thank you for the info, I am 167cm or 5'6" and with my arms relaxed my fingers are 62cm or 2' from the floor. Thank you, Zac

With your height, a standard women's set should fit you well.

Hi gord962!!
Thank you for the info, now I will start looking for the clubs and hopefully be out on the course soon!!! thank you all that forward these invaluable info and GTO rocks.Zac