Tag: golfers

Categories
GOLF

Building your Golf set – Beginner’s guide to Golf

Assembling your first Golf set

(if you haven’t read my previous Starting from Scratch posts, I strongly suggest that you do)

Hopefully you have done your homework.  If you haven’t read it already.  Take a moment to read my Starting from Scratch SS-3  post.  It will properly prepare you to begin Assembling your first Golf set.

Golf clubs can be separated into 4 categories.  Super Game Improvement, Game Improvement, Player Improvement, and Tour clubs in order of easiest to hit to most difficult.  If you are only interested in becoming a casual golfer then I would suggest buying a complete Game Improvement set from Canadian Tire, or Walmart.  For the most part everything these stores offer are in the Game Improvement category.  They generally include a full selection of clubs from Sand Wedge all the way up to Driver.  Plus they aren’t going to break the bank.  Don’t sleep on the technology that goes into these sets either.  The majority of these sets are inspired by the top companies previous designs from a few years back.  Keep in mind that a popular set which can be found at big box stores is the Strata set.  It’s actually made by Calloway.  Wilson has some great entry-level mass market sets.  You will probably come across some Dunlop sets as well, and they are made by the same company that makes Srixon.  No one is going to judge you for playing any of those.  Buy one of these sets and you are ready to go.  Just head out to the range and start swinging.  As an added bonus the big box stores have excellent return policies.  If the set you picked doesn’t feel right.  Just take it back to the store and pick another.  You really can’t go wrong, or can you?

If you are a serious golfer the mass market sets can work for you as well.  In this case I would suggest choosing a set that includes two or more Hybrid clubs, and possibly buying an additional Putter.  Now if you are an obsessive golfer like me I would suggest a different route.  As an obsessive golfer you should already know your top 3 current irons through simulator testing.  If your budget allows.  Head back to your local store and swing your top 3 irons a few more times until you’ve reached a winner.  Then select the Hybrid/Irons combination set, and get fit for them.  The majority of these sets end at Pitching Wedge, so choose a Sand Wedge to buy also.  Which Sand Wedge you choose is entirely up to you.  I’ve honestly hit about six different Sand Wedges on actual courses, and there wasn’t a considerable difference in performance.  The one thing that my friends and I have noticed is that it’s easier to hit a cavity back wedge further with a full swing.  If you would like to really simplify things for yourself in the beginning.  You might consider buying a specialty Sand Wedge like the Cleveland Smart sole, or Calloway Sure Out Wedge.  You could also head over to the Putter section of the store and take some time to select a Putter.  I would strongly suggest against purchasing a Putter at this time though.  Your first few months of practice should be spent at the Range or in a Simulator where Putters aren’t necessary.

What about Fairway Woods, and a Driver you ask?  Forget about those for now as well.  The swing required to hit them properly is different than your Iron swing.  Learning both swings at the same time will only confuse things, and slow down your progress.

With a lower budget you can essentially begin your Golf set the same way.  What you will do differently is once you’ve decided which set is your favourite.  First check the clearance section of your local store for previous generations of that model.  If they aren’t available then you can definitely find them online.  That’s exactly what I did.  After testing a few Super Game Improvement, and Game Improvement sets.  I decided that the Adams Blue was the set for me.  At that time my local retailer was selling the Hybrid/Irons set with Graphite shafts for $899.00. I found an earlier version of the set with the same characteristics online.  They were on sale at a store in Ottawa for $199.00.  The set included a 3Hybrid, 4Hybrid, 5Hybrid, 6Hybrid, 7Iron, 8Iron, 9Iron, Pitching Wedge, and Gap Wedge.  This set was originally released in 2013.  Two years previous to the Adams Blues.  It didn’t come with a Sand Wedge so I eventually added a Cleveland Rotex 588 2.0 cavity back.  I also went through 3 Putters in my first year because I didn’t know what was required in actually picking the right one.  I’ll go over proper Putter selection in my next entry.

My first set

During my quest to select the right clubs I’ve tested so many.  If any of you have any questions about particular clubs just ask.  Also if you have recently made your first club selections.  Please feel free to share why you chose the clubs.

Beginner’s guide to Golf

Categories
GOLF

Developing a swing – Beginner’s guide to Golf

My first set

First swings

(if you haven’t read the previous Starting from Scratch posts, I strongly suggest that you do)

When you first begin developing a swing.  It helps if you know someone who already has a set of clubs that you can borrow at the range.  Fortunately for me I did.  At this point the absolute worst thing that you could do is go out, and buy a random set of clubs.  Chances are that you will select a set that isn’t right for you at all.

While you are at the range, practice swinging with a 7 or 8 Iron.  Whichever feels more comfortable for you.  Why a 7 or 8 Iron instead of something that hits the ball much further you ask?  Because it’s far easier to make contact with shorter length clubs.  Plus the lofts look far more natural to the eye than Wedges.  In my experience the 7 or 8 irons are the best clubs to practice with when developing a swing.

Something I should mention right now.  Any recommendations I make are based on personal experience.  Additionally I further qualify my findings with friends who utilize the same methods.  There are 4 of us who have all taken up golfing within the last 3 years.  The hints, and instructions I pass along to you have worked for all of us.

Your first few times out to the range, you should only be using whichever Iron you selected as your practice Iron.  Keep working on your swing until you are able to make decent contact at least 75% of the time.  Once you feel confident swinging that club.  Make your way over to your local Golf equipment store that has a simulator.  Most of them do these days.  Ask to try a bunch of Irons in the size you selected.  Make sure to inform the Sales Associate that you are new to Golf, and would only like to test Game Improvement Irons.  Now this is key, don’t rush anything!  Take your time, and don’t feel pressured to purchase anything at this time.  I’ve been in simulators for over an hour testing clubs, and the Sales Associate didn’t even bother me.  Most of these places offer commissions on equipment Sales, so it’s in an Associate’s best interest to let you figure out what works for you.  Swing each club many times, and pay close attention to how it feels throughout the swing.  How does it look to you at address?  Does it produce a favourable ball flight?  Don’t worry too much about the distance at this time.  A repeatable flight path, with a consistent launch angle is far more important.  Make note of your top 3 performers, and call it a day.

You have now completed the first step to assembling your first set of clubs.  Actually your first partial set to be exact.  Where your set begins has a lot to do with your budget.  Keep in mind though that spending more in the beginning is usually a mistake.  Truth be told some of the more expensive golf sets won’t improve your game.  In fact they will do the opposite.  I recently watched a brand new Player testing Irons.  When I say brand new, I mean he routinely sliced his 7 Iron with an average carry of 60 yards brand new.  This guy was practically pulling his hair out in frustration trying to hit some shiney new Taylormade P750 tour Irons.  That’s like a first time Driver being given a Lamborghini to drive to work.  It just doesn’t make any sense at all.  Golf is one of the few things in this world where the more expensive product won’t automatically be better.  Choosing the right equipment, and in this case Beginner equipment will make the game far more enjoyable, and easier to learn.

Beginner’s guide to Golf

Categories
GOLF

Casual or Obsessive – Beginner’s guide to Golf

Is Golf even for you?

(if you haven’t read the previous Starting from Scratch posts, I strongly suggest that you do)

As much as how so many of us love it.  Golf just isn’t for everyone.  It requires time, money, patience, and practice.  Plenty and plenty of practice.  How much practice actually depends on which type of golfer you intend to be.

There are three types of Golfers.  The first is the Casual golfer.  Someone who occasionally goes out to the range with friends, and attempts to hit their Driver a little bit further than last time.  They play a round of golf with friends, or attend the company golf tournament just a few times a year.  They could really care less about their score, and as a result have no clue what their handicap is.  Every round begins in eager anticipation of the 19th hole.  If that adequately describes you then lucky you.  I wish that was me to be honest.  It would make things so much easier.  To maintain that level of readiness doesn’t require a lot of practice.  Of course a few trips to the range, and maybe a lesson or two until you’ve developed a basic swing is necessary in the beginning.  After that though just one or two range sessions per month is all that’s required.

The second type of golfer is the serious golfer.  The amount of dedication required to maintain this level of readiness is significantly increased.  Now your score actually matters, and obviously that iincludes your handicap.  You value consistency over distance.  While the casual golfer probably loves their Driver most.  The serious golfer is most likely enamoured with their Putter or Wedges.  It isn’t enough to be good.  You strive to become better.  To actually accomplish your goals you will need to practice 3 or 4 times a month, and play at least once each month.  You will probably need a group of like minded friends.  Together you’re able to judge each other’s progress.  When I started playing golf I thought that this was the type of player I would be.

 I was totally mistaken!

The third type of golfer is the competitive golfer.  Maybe obsessive golfer would be a more appropriate name.  Took me about nine months before I realized that I was one.  To be fair I’m obsessive about most things, but life has taught me to set realistic goals.  I got into golf with the goal of hitting the ball relatively straight so that eventually I would be able to play bogey golf.  In my estimation an 18 handicap would qualify me as a serious golfer.  Well, my current golf routine includes 1 range session per week, 1 round of golf per week, at least 100 putts per week on my practice mat, 1 hour of chipping and putting practice at a course facility, and I’ve added a stretching routine designed to increase my body rotation.  I’d probably do more except my time management, and physical limitations prevent me from doing so.  I’ve been maintaining this practice routine for 4 months now.  Before that the Canadian weather prevented me from getting out on a course.  I did get in as much practice as I could on simulators though.

Last season was my first full season playing golf.  I began the season practicing 2 or 3 times a month with the odd round thrown in.  I ended the season practicing every week.  Golf has a way of doing that.  It tends to increase your interest over time.  So be sure to consider that when you decide if golf is for you.

That’s some serious ball abuse!

Beginner’s guide to Golf