How Do I Start Playing Real Golf?

[FortyNothing]

The last time I played a whole round of golf in real life was when I was a teenager with my grandparents. I was decent for a 15 year old, but I haven’t played since other than a couple times on the driving range.

I decided about 2 years ago that I would “get back into golf”, so I bought a $250 set of clubs and hit the driving range to see where I was at.

My very first shot I dented my driver, not on the face luckily, but the bottom somehow, and the ball didn’t move.

My next few shots went all over the place, but I was slowly getting some distance to around 200ft.

Then I started hitting my woods, hybrid, and irons off the deck and just could not get the hang of it. Most shots weren’t even shots and went about 10 yards off the the left or right or into another golfer’s tee box. I was also completely out of breath and had to sit down. I was so embarrassed that I ended up leaving with half a basket of balls not shot .

I haven’t picked up a club since. And I’m even more out of shape now than I was then.

Even if I was hitting good shots, how do you even know what yardages your clubs hit?

How do you even get yourself ready for a round? At my club you can’t just play a round by yourself (or maybe you can now with COVID-19). They put you in a group of four. I would be so embarrassed to play with other people. It would be a disaster.

Should I seek out an instructor?

Should I get myself into a shape other than round first? I have COPD which makes any physical activity hard to breathe. I see guys bigger than me playing with no problem.

Should I just sell my clubs and not worry about it anymore? Just play virtual golf with the fine people of TGCTours?

Even if I was hitting consistent and good shots I don’t think I would be confident enough to play on a real course with other people.

Also, I know 0 people who play golf in real life other than my uncle who is semi-pro and has played over 100 different courses, but he lives in Georgia and I only see him once every couple years.

[rob4590]

Go see a PGA pro - get a course of lessons - and actually practice (at the range) what you are told - the lessons are utterly useless unless you practice as you won't change anything and improve on your current (poor) swing.
What he (or she) tells you will feel horrendous at first - but the more balls you hit (while actually doing the new, strange swing) the quicker you will get more consistent.

Take the pro's advice as to when you should try it out on the course itself

[twofor22]

I got back into it after 15 years or so back in January. I went to the range first and didn't hit them that well either, most of them sliced. Courses around here let you play by yourself or social with friends or whatever, so I just did that for a bit.

I then joined a social club with a couple of mates who invited me along, first round I shot about 50 over par 😂 but I started to remember how to swing better during my next couple of rounds. I looked up stuff online which has helped as well. I got rid of my slice and turned it into a draw. I haven't had a lesson yet but I would like to as I know I can play better and more consistently than I am. I've brought my score down to the low 90s and a few under 90 more recently.

As for club distances, I have a shot tracking app on my phone, now that I've played a number of rounds using it, I have a pretty good average for each club.

I'd go and get some lessons and also get fitted for clubs. It makes a difference for sure.

[rcknfrewld]

The best golf book I ever read was that Ben Hogan 5 Fundamentals book. I never hit it so well as when I read that like the Bible in high school.

[rcknfrewld]

And Bobby Jones On Golf.

[lessthanbread]

When I’m mixed up on my yardages, I always go shorter than what I think might be the right club (until I get around the green obviously). It’s never a terrible thing to leave your ball in between you and the hole. I’m not a good golfer as is. I hit it far but never very consistent so when it’s really bad, I figure the best play is to not make the hole longer than it has to be

[Airik3333]

Keep your eye on the ball..
Keep your left arm stiff (if righty)
Take a 3/4 slow backswing... Be smooth on the way back down to the ball.
Keep your head down at impact.. Don't look up...
Make sure you finish the swing..

[rcknfrewld]

That reminds me...Don’t take golf advice from anyone that isn’t a professional. I qualify because I worked as an assistant pro for awhile. Close enough.