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Proper Practice for Beginners – Beginner’s guide to Golf

Beginner Practice

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

Hopefully some of my suggestions have already helped you improve.  By this time you should be on your way to developing a repeatable Iron swing.  You should have a Putter that suits your swing.  If you have begun playing courses, you’ll know which parts of your game are lacking.

Now it’s time to improve.  Develop Practice routines that will truly make a difference.  I have two practice routines that have made the greatest difference for my game.  The first form of practice requires having a putting mat.  I was given an old one by a friend.  I usually take it out, and set it up in front of my TV screen.  During commercials, or while watching the Golf channel I will occasionally sink a few putts.  Over the length of a PGA broadcast I’ll easily hit 50 putts.  The majority of my putts are from around seven feet.  I will mimic distances I see pros attempt during a PGA event though.  So if Sergio Garcia needs to sink a short five footer to save Par.  Well so will I.  This type of practice helps me accomplish two things.  First of all it really helps me dial in my putting stroke.  Secondly I get so used to seeing my putts roll in from seven feet.  My confidence on the course when hitting putts from ten feet or closer is off the charts.  Five feet or closer starts to feel like a gimme.  Before I had the putting mat to practice on.  Any putt outside of three feet had me nervous.


The second form of practice that has seriously lowered my scores is Chipping.  Specifically short chips from about thirty feet or closer.  Lets be honest as Beginners.  No matter how perfect your angle to the Green may look.  More often than not your approach shot isn’t going to end up on the Green.  Being able to successfully chip one close to the PIN will make a huge difference in your final score.  If you are able to get it close enough to give yourself a decent opportunity to one putt.  You can turn a missed Green in Regulation to a solid Par.  A lot of driving ranges will have a practice area for Chipping.  If you don’t have a location that’s close, then just do what I do.  Grab a couple of Wedges, and a few balls.  Find a secluded spot in a nearby park.  I live in midtown Toronto, and I’ve found parks within walking distance that had enough space for 50 yard Wedge shots.  Granted I had to go early in the morning to hit 50 yards.  I have practiced hitting flop shots over a park bench in the middle of the day.  I even had my own little gallery of onlookers cheering me on.  For the most part people aren’t offended by someone practicing their golf game.  In most cases they’re interested.  I even had a passerby help me with my ball position when hitting Flop shots.  Just remember to be respectful of the space.  Don’t risk hitting anyone or anything, and repair any divots you take.

Beginner’s guide to Golf

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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

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