Very glad to have found the site and looking forward to ploughing [brit. spl] through all the tips and advice that have already been offered.

I'm a brit [30 y/o] living in Southern California. With all the great courses and great weather at my disposal it seemed ridiculous that I wasn't golfing!

I used to visit the driving range as a kid and have re-visited a few times in the last couple of years. Played my first round a year or so ago and another a few months back, both on borrowed clubs. It hasn't been all bad, but needless to say, there is much work to be done.

Picked a full set of King Cobra Oversized Irons from a Divorcee who was getting rid of her husbands gear for $40. Re-gripped them this week and the heads and shafts are in very good condition. Picked up a very lightly used 10.5 degree Nike Dymo Driver for $70 and an Odyssey putter for $35. Taylormade stand bag was the only brand new purchase - $100 [40% discount]. All that to say, I am well aware that cheap or expensive clubs aren't going to make much of a difference to my game at this point. First thing is first and I need to get my basic swing down.

I seem to have a fear of hitting the ground and tend to top the ball. When I do connect with the driver I almost always bend it off to the right.

The best news? My office is a stones throw [literally] from a community course and driving range.

Thanks!