Total beginner at the driving range

[RenFromPenn]

Hi,

I would like to give the driving range a try, but I have a question before heading out. Now please keep in mind that I am a total newbie. Anyway, which golf club are you supposed to take to a driving range? I mean, I know you shouldn't take the putter, but should it be iron or wood? What number should it be? Does it matter? If you don't have to take a specific club is there one that is prefered? Oh, btw I'm female if that matters at all in your answer.

Thanks for the help!

Ren

[Simon Woo]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Hi Ren,

I've been told a 7-iron is the best to start off with.

Cheers.

[Started2k3]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

I usually take my entire set to the driving range (including the putter because it is in the bag).

It is then a question of which club to practice. I agree with Simon that serious practice to work at getting a repeatable/consistent swing is probably best done with a midrange club, like 7 iron.

For fun you can then try out all the other clubs in the bag.

[Mizuno 1]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

one clubi say you take is the pitching wedge. start off from the 50 yards shots are try to get the ball in the air. after that work your way up the clubs

[Simon Woo]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Yep I agree with that too. In my lessons, we start from the smallest movements up. So it was first with the putter, and then with the PW for pitching and chipping.

When we proceeded to learn the 3/4 swing, it was still with the PW. But of course behind human we soon moved on to the 7-iron so we can hit some further shots So now I am tuning my swing on the range with the 7-iron.

[reeders]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

I'm new to the game also and have just started to go to the driving range. At the moment I use 2 clubs at the range. A 6 iron and a driver. I usually start with a 6 iron then once I've got going and hitting a few good shots I go onto the driver for a bit of extra fun. All of the shots I play are straight off the tee as it's better practice than hitting them straight off the ground

[mybluc4]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Take only one stick...the wedge. Use it to learn how develop a good, smooth and slow swing. It is the easiest club to do this with and the one you will use the most when you end up playing. Also, go out right this second and buy Ben Hogan's book, 5 Lessons. It's a little soft cover book that will start you off right and show you how to set yourself up to strike the ball well.

[jscerbo]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

NUMBER ONE. Start off on the green, NOT THE PRACTICE FACILITY. 60 percent of shots from your scorecard are from 100 yards and in. Learn to putt, and to chip. The chip is a miniature version of the full swing. If you can learn to do this properly the swing will naturally fall into place.

Chipping fundamentals.

BLT
B Ball Back

L Weight Left

T Tilt the shaft forward

Lay two clubs down. One at your target, and one parallel left. (it should look like a set of railroad tracks)

You want a narrow stance ( Your feet should be 12 inches apart)

Notice how your hands are ahead of the clubhead, and your right wrist is bent and your left wrist is flat. Maintain thris throught out the swing. Also notice the letter that is formed with your arms and the club a Y an upside down Y to be more specific. Maintain this through out the swing.

DO NOT HIT ONE FULL SWING SHOT. YOU ARE NOT READY

[jscerbo]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

NUMBER ONE. Start off on the green, NOT THE PRACTICE FACILITY. 60 percent of shots from your scorecard are from 100 yards and in. Learn to putt, and to chip. The chip is a miniature version of the full swing. If you can learn to do this properly the swing will naturally fall into place.

Chipping fundamentals.

BLT
B Ball Back

L Weight Left

T Tilt the shaft forward

Lay two clubs down. One at your target, and one parallel left. (it should look like a set of railroad tracks)

You want a narrow stance ( Your feet should be 12 inches apart)

Notice how your hands are ahead of the clubhead, and your right wrist is bent and your left wrist is flat. Maintain thris throught out the swing. Also notice the letter that is formed with your arms and the club a Y an upside down Y to be more specific. Maintain this through out the swing.

DO NOT HIT ONE FULL SWING SHOT. YOU ARE NOT READY

DO NOT BUY ANY BOOKS, DO NOT TAKE ANY ADVICE FROM UNQUALIFIED GOLFERS. Right now you do not know anything about golf. This is good, now you can learn proper technique, without replacing any prior habits. Learn good habits from the start.

[bonzi_532]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Was it necessary to post that twice?

[RenFromPenn]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Thank you all for taking the time to post. I really appreciate all of your advice.

[Simon Woo]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

I'm amazed how the players can switch from club to club just like that. I find that whenever I switch clubs, the first few shots are always less than ideal. :P Nowadays I usually start off with the 7 iron and then move on to the 5 iron, and then to my hybrid M4. But if I go back to the 7 iron, then it takes me a while to hit it nicely.

[skamil]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Hi! Although also a 'beginner', just getting back after almost 15 years hibernation, from experience - I suggest you concentrate on a 7 iron and get your swing going. Also bring along a driver just for fun - but remember it requires a different approach. Don't bring along the whole bag - it's just too heavy to lug around!

Get a good book or video (David Leadbetter series is good) as a guide. Maybe a good idea to get a friend who is more experienced to go with you to the driving range - you probably want to share some laughs as well.

Maybe some coaching too if you feel you need it.

All the best - hope you have fun! I just introduced golf to my three children and they enjoy going to the driving range.

[Norman Bates]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

I started going to the driving range in september, every friday if possible.
After a few times I noticed that there was some progress, but balls were going left and right, and sometimes straight.
So I figured a few lessons would be needed.
Now I've had 3 lessons and I must say that taking lessons is absolutely a must.
Otherwise you will develop your own personal swing, which will not be as it should be, and afterworths it will be dificult to learn a new better swing.
It's better to start from scratch with lessons.

In my 3 lessons we've covered:
1. grip and position
2. finishing swing
3. backswing

Ball's are going easily 100 meters with a 7 iron and much straighter than before, so YES these lessons helped.
And I will continue with the lessons.

Also don't go hitting balls for 1 hour: take 30 minutes and then take a little break and go on for another 30 minutes.

Only practice when you're having fun: if you start getting angry because thing arent going well, take a break ...

[msklar92]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

If you are totally new to golf, would STRONGLY rec: starting off with lessions, even group lessions which are cheaper to ingrain good habits. PROS LIKE BEGINNERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T NEED TO CORRECT YEARS OF BAD SWING HABITS. YOU WILL ALSO ENJOY THE GAME ALOT MORE.