Posted: 3/31/2009 6:26:19 PM EDT
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So my buddies and I all randomly decided to start playing golf at the same time. It was weird, no one planed it but we all either dug out our clubs or bought some all within the last week.
I used to play when I was younger but it's been over seven years since I've swung a club. When I did play I shot about +25 so I was never good. I've been bit by the bug nonetheless and I really think I can get a lot better now that I'm not some 16 year old muppet. I'll actually have the money and dedication to take it seriously. I need a good golf forum. Any golfers know what is basically the ARFcom of golf? Also I messed up my hand pretty bad a few years ago so I can't 'close' my left pinkie or ring finger all the way. I'll be able to grip the club but when I close my hand to make a fist I have about an inch from the tips of my finger to my palm. How bad is this going to affect my play? I'm really looking forward to going to the range this weekend and hopefully playing a small executive course on Sunday. So let me know if you know of a good forum or want to give me some pointers. |
| Not sure of any forums, but I finally got out this year to play. I assume you are right handed? I tried swinging a few times without using my left pinkie and ring finger. It would definitely make my swing a bit weak. You could probably learn to get play with it, especially since you haven't played in a while. |
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Where you at?
The left grip issue could really help to ease grip pressure. The first two or three fingers of the left hand is all that is needed to grip the club with your left hand. If you are a right handed golfer, the grip should lie in the grove where the palm meets the base of your fingers. If you can, I would suggest a lesson or three...maybe even get with your friends and go in together, it may be cheaper to have a group rate. Getting off on the right foot will help you enjoy your game much more. I am a proponent of playing for practice, mainly because my playing swing is very different from my range swing. Good luck, and enjoy! Matt, (currently a 9 but playing to an 18!  )
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Find a local pro and take some lessons. You will be money ahead and progress much faster if you take professional lessons instead of trying to develop a swing by yourself. +1 Work on your short game. It's not as fun as banging away with your driver on the range, but that is the area where you can really shave strokes off. |
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Before you hit the range the absolute best gift you could give yourself is a package of lessons wtih a reasonable prices, really good fundementals coach.
Do not go to Golf Galaxy/GolfSmith and pay $65/ lesson! Ask, ask ask around and find a coach that really enjoys the game and enjoys teaching it. Depending on where you live, I would try to pay $20/lesson for a package of three or gour lessons in one purchase. Munis are a good source of really good quality instructors. Private clubs are hit and miss. Private/public course typically have mostly overpriced, overweight instructors who don't know shit. Take your first lesson, and then spend a week or so working the drills he taught you at the driving range. The worst thing you can do is hit a course, and intill that feeling of "this shot is going to suck." Go back a week later and take your second lesson and work the drills for a week. Putt, chip and dink around a practice green like it's your second home. Play stupid, games take bets, drink beer, listen to your ipod, do whatever it takes, but spend about half of your time within 15' of that cup. After three weeks of this you will have a skill set that should stand up to tke pressure of playing a few holes. Or you could just go to the course this weekend, lose 12 balls, drink 6 beers, and be burned out and sick of the game in 6 weekends. Your coach will help you to groove good habits early on, and you won't have to spend hour after grueling hour doing stupid drills to ungroove bad habits later on. |
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Where you at? I live in Las Cruces but I'll be up in Albuquerque the next few weekends. One of my friends was telling me about $10 all you can hit at Isleta's range.
The left grip issue could really help to ease grip pressure. The first two or three fingers of the left hand is all that is needed to grip the club with your left hand. That's comforting to hear. If you are a right handed golfer, the grip should lie in the grove where the palm meets the base of your fingers. If you can, I would suggest a lesson or three...maybe even get with your friends and go in together, it may be cheaper to have a group rate. Getting off on the right foot will help you enjoy your game much more. Most of my friends are poker players/degenerate gamblers so I doubt we'll be working on our game with each other. We're all going to be trying to get an edge on each other. I am a proponent of playing for practice, mainly because my playing swing is very different from my range swing. Good advice, thanks! Good luck, and enjoy! Matt, (currently a 9 but playing to an 18! )
I still can't believe how eerie it was that seven of us all got bit by the golf bug at the same time with out even consulting each other. |
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If you are serious about wanting to improve...take a few private lessons or find a small gropu clinic. Getting advice over the internet is like taking a carbine course over the internet. You can get some good ideas but the real thing is much more help. That seems to be the consensus. I'll just do that instead of trying to play this weekend. |
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..............Play stupid, games take bets, drink beer, listen to your ipod, do whatever it takes, ........
Sounds about right. 
I seriously hadn't even considered taking lessons but it now looks like that's going to be the first thing on the agenda. It makes sense to do it before I create any bad habits. |
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the only thing i like about golf is the great ponds stocked with bass that the courses provide. Mark Twain said "golf is a good walk spoiled'' so your not alone in the golf hate. Hell if there was no one playing behind you you could whip out a pocket pole and fish AND golf. |
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if you decide to take your political affiliation to the golf course try these out.....
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=91&t=671108 |
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if you decide to take your political affiliation to the golf course try these out..... http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=91&t=671108 Those are awesome but I'd like closer to 50 instead of 500. |