Beginning golfers

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By Deno

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  • 21 Replies
  1. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military

    I see alot of beginning golfers ask questions about learning and playing the game. The top responses most of the time are:

    1 See a PGA Professional 2 Get fitted for clubs 3 Get a ball fitting

    My suggestions for a new golfer friends has always been:

    1 Learn the rules and how to be courteous on the tee and putting green (order of play) 2 Don't keep score. 3 A lesson or group clinic will help once you they feel like they're making some progress and feel comfortable getting around a golf course.

    Deno

  2. Darryl M

    Darryl M
    Wichita, KS

    I agree 100%.

    If I have a newbie to the game we go to the range 5 or 6 times before we ever see the course.
    Then once at the course I let them hit & any shot that goes really bad we move to my ball & hit from there.
    This keeps the pace of play up & helps them understand the need to keep pace of play up.
    I will explain the rules as we go.
    We also usually play in the afternoon not morning so the early players can get around the course in good amount of time.

    Most don't play unless I am with them so that helps.


    Darryl
  3. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    and one more thing Deno: Have some fun out there!
  4. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    @Deno, great suggestions. I would also add that getting on the course sooner rather than later is a good thing. I see a lot of beginner golfers who are hesitant to leave the driving range because their "game isn't good enough" for the course. Golf etiquette is acquired when you are playing golf NOT hitting hundreds of range balls. I know many experienced golfer who don't mind playing with a beginner as long as they are following the etiquette rules specifically the pace of play.

    In the same thinking, I would recommend playing 9 holes (even better would be an executive 9) before tackling a full length 18 hole track.
  5. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Hmmm. Good ideas to have a discussion.

    Ranges like Top Golf teach more about arcade games than golf. But that's getting people to pick up a club to beat a little ball to death. Points 1 & 3 expect someone to come on course with an attuned and courteous mentorship. If starting with people more focused on swinging for the moon and losing balls like crazy and not fixing divots, that trivializes those points.

    So my list is:
    1. Don't keep score until you join a league, at least for the first full season (great idea - wish I thought of it).
    2. Pro shops should make opportunities to learn easier.
    2.1. Offer more group classes than 3 weeks in July on Tuesdays at 2pm or 7pm
    2.2. Consider matching new players with an experience golfer. ...Teach courtesy/rules.
    I'd volunteer to be a "squad leader" to take 3 in match play or scramble format if I got a discount for the
    fee for that day. Now retiring, I'd play on a weekend for that reason.
    3. Improve the availability of starter sets at a deep discount for 3-4 rounds, pick up some fundamentals, then recommend options to get their own.
    4. My only recommendation on ball fitting is to only play the same ball and not use the last found for the next tee. A TruSoft or Velocity will be fine to start.
  6. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    I encourage new players to:

    1. Use a tee for every shot

    2. Hand wedge out of bunkers

    3. No more than 3 putts

    Have some fun and as you improve learn how to play out of a bunker and strike the ball without a tee. Keeping people in the game is important. The only way that happens is if they actually have some fun. It is a hard game, make it a bit easier and fun when someone just starts out.
  7. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Saw a group of beginners this morning working with our teaching pro (Master Instructor) on fundamentals. He was working with a group of four on the basics of putting. Group sessions are a good way to start and I agree learning to have fun is half the battle. He teaches a lot of clinics for youth as well as adults. They include rules of golf, etiquette, chipping, putting, etc...all well rounded clinics to introduce the basics to any beginner who has a desire to learn the game. Working in a group setting seems to make it more fun for learners. Part of his clinics include working on a few shots on the course.
  8. John M

    John M
    Aiken, SC Lakewood, NY

    I’m with you. It’s important to bring new people into the game and we all should do our part. I think learning etiquette is critically important. Also, maintaining pace of play needs to be stressed. DON’T EMULATE WHAT YOU SEE ON TV EVERY WEEKEND!! No recreational player needs to walk around the green for 10 minutes surveying a 6 foot putt!! I’m also a firm believer in walking, but I realize that not every course allows it (a different topic!) and not every player can physically walk every course. My $0.02.
  9. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    Learn the etiquette first before the rules and having the pace of play or keeping up with the group in front be on the top of the list.

    If you should go out and play, play with a mentor- someone you should listen to during moments you're at a lost.

    If a new golfer should start to learn on their own, try the easiest to most difficult. Putt from a foot and move back as you progress... chip.. pitch...etc.
  10. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    Good topic, they need to have FUN FUN FUN . to keep them in the game.
  11. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    I feel that the "Get Golf Ready" program is the best thing for a beginner. At $99.00 for 5, 1 hour sessions, It's certainly affordable. If you don't yet have clubs, they will provide them. It's very basic. They start with the components of the golf club, the head, grip, shaft, clubface, sole and leading edge. This way when the instructor is explaining something, the student knows what the heck they're talking about. They start with putting then go to chipping, pitching, full swing and a basic bunker shot. I had my wife do this program a few years ago when she first became interested in the game and it helped her tremendously.
  12. Allen L

    Allen L
    Clarington, OH

    I have a course close by that's an "Executive" course, no par 5's, has three par 3's, and the par 4's are all about 300 yards, medium sized greens, no hazards. There is also a range at this course as well as a par 72 full featured. So I can progress them over time to the big course. If they like the game and I think they will continue the sport I treat them to a USGA membership where they get an official rule book, which brings out a lot of questions. If they have the Golf Channel I suggest watching both the PGA and LPGA, and just watch how they play the game, pick a favorite golfer and follow him. Seems like most newby's don't focus enough on putting, then with the scorecard I keep pointing out that all strokes count the same and eventually they start reading the greens and doing better. Most of all I make sure they have fun, and joke around a lot. I pick away at etiquette and traditions. All they need do for a game is call, text, or email me. We need more young golfers.
  13. Jason R

    Jason R
    Ottawa, ON

    We use 9&Dines for introducing new players to the game. I agree with others that 18 holes for a newbie is sometimes just a bit painful. Keep it fun - keep it light - the bug will bite!

  14. Erich F

    Erich F
    NY

    Group lessons are a great way to go. The support you can get from others trying to learn something as unnatural as the golf swing is helpful. If you are taking the lessons from a good pro they will include etiquette as part of the instruction.
  15. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    This is a great topic! So far I'm reading some great suggestions. "Get Golf Ready" sounds fantastic.

    Below is not in any particular order.

    1. Learn the etiquette of the game.
    2. Spend time on the range and greens before you ever play. Make it fun and easy...start out with a 1 ft or less putt
    3. Try to get involved in a beginners clinic. They may discover it is fun or not.
    4. Encourage them and above all make it fun!!
  16. Jim S

    Jim S
    Fort Myers Florida

    Good topic. First would be to make sure you have the ability to get around 18 holes in 4 hours or so. If not, then pick times where you won't be holding people up.

    Second, as you point out, know the rules and more importantly etiquette.

    Another, as suggested, don't keep score. Have a swing and take your ball out to your partners and drop. We did this when my wife started learning. If she played a hole well, we'd put a number down. If not it was a smiley face or a frowny face, or some other fun thing to describe if she had fun on the hole or not.

    Golf is tough as you can't just "show up and give it a go". That is the benefit of Top Golf (although I personally don't car for Top Golf but that's a different story)
  17. ScottyC50

    ScottyC50
    Painesville, Ohio, USA

    As a high school golf coach, I like to teach the game from the green back to the tee. It’s really intimidating as a new golfer to see the flag so far away. We start on the greens, learn the etiquette, then move to chipping on the green. Then 50 yds back, then 100, then 150, and pretty soon you’re on the tee, and you’ve hit all the shots you need to get to the green. It might take a few weeks to get to the tee, but you have some confidence and familiarity by then. I might also add most of my players have never stepped foot on a course until they come out for the team, or think they might want to play. We also play some practices with only 3 clubs, and my players are amazed that they sometimes shoot the same or better with 3 clubs than 14. Makes them think.
  18. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military

    ScottyC50 said:

    As a high school golf coach, I like to teach the game from the green back to the tee. It’s really intimidating as a new golfer to see the flag so far away. We start on the greens, learn the etiquette, then move to chipping on the green. Then 50 yds back, then 100, then 150, and pretty soon you’re on the tee, and you’ve hit all the shots you need to get to the green. It might take a few weeks to get to the tee, but you have some confidence and familiarity by then. I might also add most of my players have never stepped foot on a course until they come out for the team, or think they might want to play. We also play some practices with only 3 clubs, and my players are amazed that they sometimes shoot the same or better with 3 clubs than 14. Makes them think.

    Scotty
    That's the best advice yet. Plenty of HS golf team's have new golfers. Starting from the green back to the tee builds confidence. That what my post was about. The beginning golfer.

    Kudos to you!!!! That's what good coaching is all about. I donated sets and golf balls to the local HS team over the years that belonged to my Grandsons when they played in High School and kids appreciated having a decent bag of clubs of their own. I laughed out loud when I drove past the school one morning and saw one of the kids carrying his bag across his chest like a baby. I thought..."There goes a happy future golfer"

    Deno
  19. Mitch B

    Mitch B
    Huntsville, Alabama

    Having fun is one of the most important things to do for any skill level, but especially someone new. Getting help from a PGA professional is definitely a possibility, but I don’t think getting fitted is realistic for new golfers. I’ve been playing for a long time, but I’ve never been able to get fitted, mainly because I just can’t afford a brand new set of clubs.
  20. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    Mitch B said:

    Having fun is one of the most important things to do for any skill level, but especially someone new. Getting help from a PGA professional is definitely a possibility, but I don’t think getting fitted is realistic for new golfers. I’ve been playing for a long time, but I’ve never been able to get fitted, mainly because I just can’t afford a brand new set of clubs.

    I'm one who sees value in a fitting even if you're a beginning golfer. Today, a good and capable fitter has many tools available to them from easily adjustable hosels, so you can readily change heads and shafts, to Trackman data. The most recent fitting I had was for a driver and fairway woods and the first thing the fitter said, is he's not there to "change my swing." Using the available technology, he was able to find the right equipment combination that provided maximum distance and consistency which is what many of us are seeking.
  21. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military

    Mitch B said:

    Having fun is one of the most important things to do for any skill level, but especially someone new. Getting help from a PGA professional is definitely a possibility, but I don’t think getting fitted is realistic for new golfers. I’ve been playing for a long time, but I’ve never been able to get fitted, mainly because I just can’t afford a brand new set of clubs.

    With all due respect. Put a brand new beginning golfer on the practice tee with a huge bucket of balls and you won't need Trackman to record ball flight. They will be left, right, and worm burners. No fitter can correct that with new brand new $2,000 clubs.

    Deno
  22. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Took a golf bag packed full of used clubs to our course this morning for the kids or any beginner. The guys at the course will regrip them, clean them and offer them for free to get folks into the game. Picked these up thru donations in our neighborhood. Everyone knows I play, so they give them to me. Love to see the smiles on their faces when they get free clubs.

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