Total beginner at the driving range

[eastley]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Hey All, my first post

Anyway, for me I worked on what I needed mto do most, putting is a must, can save you 10 shots a round.

Next was driving, I am a horrible slicer.

Chipping is what is next for me, still ain't got the driving working good yet, but I am getting there and I have been told I have a great grip and a strong right hand (Right handed) SO all I have been focusing on is tempo, and not trying to hit it to hard.

Recently I have noticed I can now hit a club less than usual while hitting it no where near as hard, I have increased my trusty 7 iron lenth to a easy 165 yards, thats ten less than what a Pro hits it (Average)

I am using a 20 year old set of clubs to, so if I brought modern custom made clubs I could hit that exra 10 yards I reckon.

Anyway, I suggest hitting the driver at the range first, and the reason is:

To hit a driver accuratly and have good lenth you need a good swing and tempo, and to be honest there is no harder club in the bag to hit perfect than a driver, once your successfuly hitting a driver straight at decent lenth you can then work your way down.

AS you go down the club you'll have to alter the swing only slightly, e.g. Ball position etc. And just focus hitting the same tempo and rythem as you did with your driver, this so far is working for me, I am even starting to hit my long irons successfully.

[Slippery Jim]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Hi,

I'm a total beginner at this Golf lark as well and started at the Driving Range.

Naturally , I took a 1 & 3-wood with me that I borrowed from a friend and inadvertently began an all-out war with the Driving Range's surroundings as I tried (and failed) to have any control over the ball.

After a couple of visits with a friend, and being put straight by him ("Put that club down, you're going to hurt yourself"), quite a few people suggested that lessons were a good idea. So I plumped for lessons about 3 weeks ago.

A lot of folk on here have suggested using a 7-iron, and (although I don't pretend to have any real clue as to what I'm doing), the instructor had me start on that club as well.
I have found it really useful to get the basics right and although I'm not hitting the ball into next week, what I have hit has started to travel straight and true.

My advice as a fellow newbie would be pretty much the same as most other people - stick with a 7-iron to get used to how a grip & swing feels.

I would also recommend investing a few of your hard-earned with a couple of lessons. I had only been to the driving range a couple of times and had already started to develop bad habits. The lessons cost me about 20 GBP per hour, but they really do make a difference. They also add a bit to the confidence levels when I visit the driving range - my first visit was nerve-racking for me and downright frightening for other people there!

Good luck with it

[Shredder]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Pretty Cool! I will defently try the lessons.

[Andycap]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

MSKLAR has it right, get some lessons, get the basics, group lessons are really good.
If you don't get lessons, then get a good book - Ben Hogans, Sam Snead, Dick Farley and Harry Obitz Seven Days To Better Golf and The Swings The Thing. Dick and Harry advise the seven iron, as you can hit all kinds of shots with it, without getting all tied up.
Watch good players practice (not just the end result of where the ball lands), the posture, care and attention, balance and effortless timing that send the ball a long way wit not a lot of effort.
I go to the range about four times a week and hit three hundred balls a time (a hundred of those are with the wedges). This last point shows that like anything else in life, you improve by practice, particularly if you know what you want to achieve and are willing to devote time to that end.

[Shredder]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Really cool! Thank you andy. You guys have been such a great help. We expect to have our clubs sat or mon I will let you know how it goes..


Thanks again and for the resources.


Sean

[TEJAY3806]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Hello,

I just started hitting the driving range myself. I take my 7 iron, Driver, 3 wood and sometimes my PW. Hope this helps in some way.

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Hi Ren,
My advice to you would be to take your wedge or nine iron. These are the easiest clubs to start with. If you get started with these you can only get better. The worst thing to do is use the driver. Hope this helps.

Robert in Ireland

[Newatgolf]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Lessons are definately a great idea!
My first time on the range WAS my first lesson and it has helped me immensly! Now I am doing group lessons, after 5 private lessons.

I usually use a 7 iron, 3 wood and cool down with my sandwedge, this is with 100 to 150 balls.

[Shredder]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Cool! I think I am ready for my first game. Its been over 2 months at the driving range and my confidence is there. My only little problem is hitting the ball on the top. It's not really bad, but, it's is a weary dragon that shows himself once in awhile.lol

From you guys taking lessons, Have they gave you a tip on keeping your aim perfect square at the club face? I think I have my swing down and I understand were the club face should be on my up swing and down swing.

Any tip, before I make the investment in a lesson or 2.

Thank you a bunch...

sean

[RacLt7]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

For a beginner, dont worry too much. Try and do what your teacher tells you too do and find what you most feel comfortable with. Lessons are great if you have them early in your game, that way hopefully you dont have a harder time correcting what you have taught yourself.

P.s. Is that Van Halens actually guitar in that photo or just a replica.

[Shredder]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

Awesome! thank you a bunch! The guitar is the real deal. Jackson guitars is going to make 12 or so replicas to the tee in detail. I seen the first 1 and it is amazing. All the way to the burn marks on the headstock to the rust on the strings and hardware.

The real guitar is worth over 1 mil and it is up there with hendrix white strat he played at woodstock and a few other legends.


Thanks again man.

[canadian_man_44]

Re: Total beginner at the driving range

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.

That's the best advice I've heard yet.