Thank you for the insightful response

 

The last time I played golf, I found out what my handicap is...no plaid pants.

I think I needed this outfit to play golf well.



Warren

 

I use a R7 irons and burner driver and woods.

I would say the best investment would be to get some lessons.

After one lesson seeing myself on camera my golf swing got infinitely better. What your hands do and the way your body feels is usually not what its actually doing. Seeing what my motions actually looked like actually helped me out a lot.

I would also suggest getting fitted for some clubs at a Roger Dunn store or somewhere similar to that.

 

You'll get most out of golf lessons after you have been playing for a bit and have some idea what you are doing, and what you need to work on.

Get a buddy that has played to show you to basics and get things started.

 

Definitely agree with you on getting fitted for clubs. My advice would be to pick up a set of used clubs and get those fitted to save some costs. Personally I am a fan of Ping irons, great durability, good for any handicaps, and the ability to send them into Ping for free adjustments (you pay shipping).

However, a book can never replace lessons, let alone the ever so popular Ben Hogan book. Although it worked for you, it does not work for the majority of golfers out there. The book teaches the basic fundamentals and methodologies well (especially about grips), but its important to note that the book teaches you the "Ben Hogan swing" which consists of numerous quirks that very few people out there can emulate.

 

I just started playing golf. I've gone to the driving range once, played an executive par 3 course (easy 9 holes), and played a terrible 18 hole course.

I got a lesson prior to playing the 18 hole course, and it was good to get an idea of what I was suppose to be doing. I honestly had no clue on what to do, technique, anything like that, prior to the lesson.

I paid $30 for an hour and 15 minute lesson from a golf pro who usually charges $60 an hour. (He gave us a discount because we work with his wife.)

The lesson DRAMATICALLY improved my skills and I have an idea of what to work on to continue to improve. I will be getting a few more lessons.

I think, for beginners especially, a lesson can pay huge dividends.

 

Advice?

Dont buy that book, unless you plan to read it on the toilet. Which is probably the only use I see fit for it.

Lessons can be good, or a waste of money. It all depends on who is giving them. I've been blessed with a few close friends that are PGA professionals almost my entire life, but I know one of them is just flat out better than the other at getting the point across in lesson form.

Shooting in the 80s is frustrating for me, it gets me in as a C player with the folks I play with in tourneys. How do you guys fair in tournament play?

 

I started august of 2007 when I got my job at a local course.

I started out with blades which is highly not recommended. It is said that blades are impossible to hit, so I got some, started hitting them and got them down ok. I can draw the ball and have more control over it, but its harder to get the distance you would with a cavity backed iron.

Anyways I shot a 41, 45 the other day with the blades. Got fitted for clubs the same day and ordered some PING G10's. When they get here I should be able to shoot better, considering I have been playing with blades for a year.

so my advice:

1. Dont get blades unless you are really pateint and have the time to learn.

2. Get fitted, you will hit the ball 50% better, and it will bring your confidence up

3. Buy cavity backed irons

 

Also, FWIW...

I fit myself somewhat to my irons with the help of a local club guru.

We went 1.5" over on length and changed my grips to some bigger lamkins. I decided to do this before taking a golf trip to Vegas, I had hit them at the range only once.

Range at TPC Canyons = me almost breaking my wrists 6" behind the ball. Worst round of golf in my recent years. lol.