I posted this in the golfing thread the other day but I don't think many people will have seen it (or were ignoring me ).

I'm looking to take up golf. Always enjoyed it, watch it on the telly and been to quite a few local and national events. Never played it, bar the odd round of pitch and putt when I was younger (which I was pretty bad at) and the putting green at my old work (which I was pretty good at).

I was looking to take up the free golf lessons that my Uni do when I go back but the times clash with my lectures and tutorials so I won't be able to make them.

My girlfriend's dad has said I can use his second clubs whenever I want so I don't need to buy my own set right now.

How did you guys that already play get into it? Is it a case of phoning a club and booking a few lessons with their resident pro? Or, as I have a few mates that play (as well as my paw-in-law) can I just go out with them to the Driving Range and be shown the basics on how to swing and then just a case of practicing from then on?

There are quite a few courses round about me but I've no idea on prices or anything like that.

Would appreciate any help or advice.

Try an join a club without a joining fee better still even try and get a pay as you play membership for the first year.
Get lessons the sooner the better.

Don't. It's for self important p***ks.

Haw, Percy!

Save money by avoiding lessons at the moment Gaz.
My Dad watched my swing and stance and picked out exactly what I was doing wrong. Anyone with a decent handicap will set you straight on things that you are doing wrong.

What seamus has said is pretty good advice. Go down to the local range in the first instance, generally the guys running the range will be able to give you a few points to start out, hit 100 balls or so and get the feel of it. I'd do this a couple of times before going for a lesson at a club - club lessons are generally a bit more expensive (£25 p/hr) so its better to have a bit of an idea before paying that. A lot of golf clubs are taking on new members without joining fees in my area, dont know about up your way - but its possible you could get a reasonable course for a decent cost. My course £650-700ish per year, which isnt the most expensive in the area by some way but at the same time it isn't the cheapest.

Once you've got the grip and stance sorted its really just a case of practice and correcting little problems. Although I love golf I am hopless at it because i dont play enough, as the big man said, the more you practice the luckier you get.

Gaz. Go to a local Driving Range for Starters. There's no point hitting a course until you're comfortable with smacking he fucker first.

Get a block of 10 1 hour lessons at a Driving Range (Group Lessons are available and just as good as 1 to 1)
Then fanny about on some of the local council owned 9 hole courses. Glasgows Knightswood is a great one for starting out.
Then if you wish, get an in-house pro to help you out at a Private Owned Course, but enough practise at the Driving Range and Council Courses should be enough to help you get going.

Other advice would be to watch Happy Gilmore several times

If you like to be thrown in at the deep end Gaz learn on the course. The driving range is fine but you have nothing in front of you to think/worry about.
I play 3-4 times a year and learned to play on the Dunnikier course in Kirkcaldy which is a bugger of a course with trees and rough everywhere. It made me more accurate though and the last time I played I scored a 76 at Elmwood.

Apply for a season ticket at Grangemouth, but do it now for next season as there is usually a waiting list.

£200 quid, play as often as you like apart from Saturdays. Means you can't get a handicap or play in medals, but that shouldnt be a problem first year you are learning.

Last year, some of my colleagues were organising a round of golf and I decided to join in, despite never having played the game before. I borrowed a set of clubs and somehow managed to hack my way round in between the fresh-air shots.

I quite enjoyed the experience and started going to my local driving range to bash a few balls. I noticed they were offering tuition from the resident pro, so I signed up for that. It made a big difference, learning how to grip the club properly and put some sort of stance and swing together. I played quite a few rounds last year with a mate who was a member of a local club and he could bring me along as a guest. I definitely made a big improvement just playing once a week.

I think one of the biggest mistakes a beginner can make is to try and batter every shot as hard as you can. That just knocks your swing all out of kilter and - while you may hit the odd cracker - most of your shots will be wayward. Far better going for a smooth steady rhythm.

You can often get good deals on season tickets at the municipal courses. Perfect for practising.

I started by going to a municipal course in Carlisle with my dad and using his clubs, when I decided I wanted to play I got a wee junior set which was a wood, a mid iron a short iron, pitching wedge and a putter. Went to a local 9 hole course which was attached to a caravan site, that way didn't really hold up any "proper" club members. Then when I'd been playing for a wee while went for a lesson, just to brush up on my swing.

For complete starters, I'd tag along with someone who can play, go to the range with them, but only a couple of times, and then get out on a course. The only way to really learn golf is on the course when you're faced with the lie, the wind, the slope of the green, the ball doesn't always lie like it does on the astroturf at the range

You dont need lessons unless you plan on being really serious about it.
Just keep going out, even though you're shit and you should get better in time.
I am appalling but really enjoy it. Good laugh and you can have a few bevvies and piss around with the buggies too.

Thanks for the advice folks Keep it coming.

I think I will try to get to the Driving Range over the next week or so a couple of times, and get a few pointers from the staff there on grip and swing, and go from there

I started the game the same way as Andy C learned from my Dad. Bad mistake!

Good luck to you though mate, my only advice would be however you plan to get started never put yourself down about and most importantly have fun!

When you go to the range try not to focus too much on smashing your driver. It's the most fun club to hit but you'd be better off concentrating on your irons, especially the short ones as they're the clubs that really decide your score at the end of the day.

As centralparker says, try to get into a smooth rythym instead of swinging the club as hard as you can. I can 100% guarantee you that you'll hit the ball just as far with a nice, smooth crisp strike.

Oh, and keep your head down until you're on your follow through. It's the first tip any golfer is given but it's amazing how many beginners forget to do it.

And finally, you'll probably know this but anyway, a lot of people at golf clubs are absolute wankers. Don't let them spoil your fun.

Enjoy

Never a truer word said. I thought tennis clubs were bad but they have nothing on golf.

As SK and CP say, thats the best golf tip ive ever had, dont try to smash the ball really hard - the harder you try to hit it the harder it becomes to hit.

I'm pretty honking at golf, summed up by the fact I cannot my head round how to use woods, but I still managed a par and a couple of bogeys last time I played a few holes. I tend to find the longer I go without playing, the better I get. After a few shanked efforts on the first couple of holes I was on fire!

Gaz, I know you said you aren't looking to buy clubs just now, but I have a full set sitting in my garage (and they have been for 3 years) so if you every do, give me a shout. There would be........

Ping 'Hoofer' double strapped bag
ERC 10 degree driver (with headcover)
Adam's 3 and 5 woods (with headcover)
Full set of Wilson Fat Shaft Irons
60 degree Cleveland gun metal lob wedge
Ping Answer putter

In total, the whole kit cost around £1100 and all items have been well used, but are in decent condition.

I know some on here have suggested not taking lessons. IMO that is a bad idea. I would take a couple of lessons from the course pro (price depends on time, but up at my local it's about £15-20 an hour) just so that the fundamentals of the swing is good.

There is nothing worse than trying to sort out a swing that has picked up bad habits (speaking from personal experience) and if you're a total beginner it's best to get the basics down first.

I only had a few lessons before I was confident enough to go out on my own. As a result, I'm hitting the ball well, straight and getting decent distance. I only go back to the local pro for hints and tips on more intermediate/advanced shots, or when my technique starts to go to pot. Some people see the golf pro every week. Unless you’re planning to go pro, you only need to see a pro fro lessons every 2/3weeks.

I'll bear that in mind chief. Cheers

My local driving range also has an area where you can practise chipping the ball on to a green. This is a very important aspect of the game as you can lower your score significantly if you get these little shots close to the hole on a reular basis.

It feels more manly to give it some welly with the driver but at the end of the day, a chip or a putt counts the same as a monster drive on the scorecard.

Yeah, when at the range dont just take a driver to them every time, would be very worthwhile hitting irons and pitch shots too. Just aiming at one of the various flags does wonders.

I tok it up last year in a responce of having hee haw to do on Saturday afternoons. I've had a few lessons over the years and tbh, I felt they wwere a waste of time, as I never enjoyed them due to te fact I was always worrying if I was doing it right.

Went to a local course here, hacked my way round and loved it. Never counted my score, lost half a dozen balls and never bothered my arse about if my swing was correct. Following that, I went to the range, and figured out what I was doing wrong with my stance and such like. I'm still crap, but not taking as many fresh air swipes, losing balls and such like...

I'd buy secong hand clubs, and only once you are certain you will play it more than once a year.

I took it up a couple of years ago. I started going to the driving range and it all came about from there. Not had any lessons, but I'm planning some next year.

It might be a good idea to have a couple of lessons just to set you off on the right track, then put it into practice at the driving range. Any decent local pro should be able to help you out with the basics, so dont feel pressurised, they're there to help you. A 40 minute lesson with most pros should set you back anywhere from £12 to £20, a lot for a 40 minutes or so, but very valuable.

If you find you enjoy it and want to stick at it, see about seasons tickets at your local muni. If you want to join a club, then use the following link. You can do an area search and many clubs have their prices/joining fees displayed on here, with info about courses, website links etc etc:

www.golfcentral.co.uk

Finally, if you decide to take up the game regularly, dont splurge a load of cash on the latest "name" gear. Get yourself onto e-bay / scot-ads and seek out some bargains there. You could easily fully kit yourself out with a bag and 14 clubs for less than £200.

Oh, and let us know how you get on!

Are you referring to a certain Angus golf course which i used to be a member of?

Don't know if they still do it, but some golf pros used to take winter indoor starter classes in local halls etc. Benefit of these courses is that you will gain the basics while meeting people of your own standard. I think a winter of that and the driving range would give you enough confidence to go onto a course in the spring without embarrassing yourself too much.

You know I am. That place is full of cretins.

Well Gaz seeing as I'm the best golfer on P&B listen to my advice.....

If your from Laurieston best place for you to go and hit balls would be Kingsfield up at Linlithgow, firstly don't go to a pro, as they will give you far to much technical advice which will mess your head up and may make you want to jack it in before you have started.
Go to the range and mainly focus on trying to hit a 6-iron, over time you should then progress up to a 5wood then 3wood and driver etc.
When you feel comfortable and aere able to hit the ball fairly consistantly ie. not missing or topping the ball then go and visit a pro. as they will then refine your mistakes.
If you go to the pro to early though you will basically be shelling out £20 to miss or top the ball while the pro laughs at you and collects your money.

The best advice though is to practice your short game. Most newcomers to golf cannot putt for shit and it really gets them down, if you practice putting so you can generally 2-putt most times this would be extremely helpful. Also practice chipping if you can do a basic action you should be capable of chipping the ball relatively close to the flag, theres nothing worse than fatting and thinning chips from just of the green.

Good Luck

Not read the full thread but... Gaz, fire through to Linlithgow Driving Range and get lessons from the pro there. That's what I done and it worked a treat. Don't play anymore as I play too much tennis, its honestly not because I'm utter gash.

There's plenty of golfers on P&B. We should maybe have an annual P&B golf championship.......

When I started playing golf, I found it far easier to hit a decent tee-shot with the 3-wood (or 5) as opposed to the driver. The driver is the most powerful club but it's unwieldy and difficult to get a clean strike with. I think it's best to gain confidence driving with the lower woods.

Very true and one of many reasons why, when i start playing again next year my soft earned cash will be going to another golf club for membership. Monifieth most likely. Two courses, one of championship standard for around £400. And "my ex course" probably wont be a kick in the arse off that. And its shite.

I havednt played since last year. What kind of condition has it been in this year, and have i missed much?

I could never hit a wood. I used tio carry one or two for decoration but I hit a one iron off the tee normally. And I hit it just as far as most folk were clubbing their Drivers.

I could fade a one iron or draw it or hit it straight. I had more control over it than I did with woods for some reason. I gave up trying to hit a wood at the finish up as there was no point.

I'm more accurate with my woods than my irons, which is a bit scary.

That's my grandad's course, he's played it forever. Well up until last year, when he gave it up after his 5th hip replacement, stupid bugger

I remember playing at Monifieth in the junior 4 man team and topping my tee shot on the first into the bushes just off the tee. Muchos embarassing

As for Kirrie, well it's been in fairly decent nick but the greens haven't been quite as good as in recent years. They were running beautifully at the start of the season but have kind of gone a bit downhill in the summer due to the rain. And you haven't missed much off the course. It's still full of bawbags, the food is still frozen and you can't get a decent pint for love nor money.

Same shit, different year then.

Defo joining Monifieth if i can be arsed with golf next year.

My worst Monifieth moment was shan*ing a 3 iron off the first across the railway in the County Youths Championships many moons ago.

just took this up myself.

Bought a full, cheap, second hand set and just trying to enjoy it. Don't get hung up on scores to start with.

I couldn't drive for shit a month ago but after purchasing a modern driver I'm now hitting 200+ yards.

If you have mates that play just tag along to their course until your sure you will stick at it.

I've played it a good few times, both in Open comps, matches and also a few bounce games as my uncle is a member there. Not sure what its like now with the merged clubs etc, but ill most likely be joining The Grange.

Monifieth's a good pair of courses, frequently tough Medal course and the piss easy 'Ludie. Looking forward to it

mad isn't it, grew up in Carnoustie and Leven, Grandad played Monifeith and I lived in Kinross for 8 years, and never picked up a club till I arrived in New Zealand.

I wish I had taken it up as a nipper.

Oh no, I'm totally the opposite. I love my driver but I'm terrible with my 3 and 5 woods. My favourite club is my 5 iron. I'm sure it's all in my head, but I'm almost always accurate with it.

I shot 102 playing with my driver the next week I left my driver by accident and played off the tee with my five wood and shot a 90
Im playing tomorrow in the medal and you know that I wil be teeing off with my Driver cos I am a stubborn idiot.I will not shoot 90 either.

I'm playing Duff House on Monday, looking forward to it.

I had a massive slice on my drives with my ERC, which was strange given that I hit my irons and woods with a touch of draw if anything.

Without consulting anyone's advice, I got a stiff shaft put on it as it felt like a fly fishing rod with a regular shaft and after that I could do no wrong with it. Sadly I gave up golf soon after this, although I quite fancy going down the driving range again soon to see what damage i can do with it.

Totally agree.

I've played golf for over 40 years and never spent a penny on lessons.

Got down to five at my best but old age has seen this creep up to ten.

Start getting your head full of technical nonsense when you are just starting and I reckon you are more likely to end up hating the game.

Wheres that? Have you a handicap?

My grandpa was a very good player. He played off +3 at one point and was a scratch golfer for thirty odd years. His swing was absolutely horrible though. But he had taught himself to play the game and never had a lesson in his life. I have seen film of him playing before and it just looks weird to see something so unorthodox being so obviously good.

As long as you have good timing and get your weight moving through in the right way then I dont really think you need much coaching. I played off a handicap of five when I played but never had a lesson in my life either.

The best thing I found was when I went to watcha tournament and I spent hours watching the pros on the practice ground. Watching them swing is more useful than having someone try and explain it to you.

It's in Banff - Link - it's a beautiful course, but I've never played it. I don't have a handicap, only started playing really this year. Going to hopefully join here next season and start looking into getting a handicap sorted out.

not a cloud in the sky this morning, so I'm off for a quick 9 holes, that's when the day shift come in about 9ish...

I can't spell today.