I tend to judge by how my first few tee shots go, if I'm hitting it straight and long it'll stay in action, if it's wild, back in the bag you go.
Golf - Driving Range
- Thread starter Lonewolf
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I tend to judge by how my first few tee shots go, if I'm hitting it straight and long it'll stay in action, if it's wild, back in the bag you go.
Caporegime
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In the short term people might be better off leaving the driver at home / in the bag, but long term it does nothing to encourage the development of a player in an area that everyone has to learn eventually: the one wood.
Ach no, I wouldn't advocate that. I'm more just saying that as a beginner it can be very frustrating if all your long shots end up on the wrong hole. It's only by persevering that you end up being able to hit it 300+yds on target.
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I disagree, playing championship courses off the tips yes, playing the local course off the yellows/whites a driver is not always needed, learn to hit a decent 3w and long irons and you can rip most courses a new one without ever needing a driver.
Course management is often much overlooked, I see so many people bomb a driver on a short hole only to be left with an awkward half shot, why not a 3w and a full shot in?
I think this is one of the main problems with amateur golf at the minute - people see the pros boshing par 5s in two, and think it's all about distance. The short game and putting is where it's at.
If you put it on every green one over regulation you can comfortably go round in 18 over, however, people are far too aggressive and end up scoring in triple figures.
I've just started playing, borrowing a half set at the moment and have been playing heavily for a month or so.
Don't get great scores, but its coming down slowly!
Have a taylormade v steel 3 wood, callaway x14 5, 7, 9 iron, callaway x18 pitching wedge, titleist vokey 60 degree lob wedge and a crappy progen putter.
Can hit the 3 wood 150-180 yards pretty straight, getting my swing sorted now.
Haven't started with the easiest set of clubs, but I'm grateful as they're borrowed.
Been offered all of those clubs, plus the rest of the callaway irons, callaway pencil bag too for £70
Don't get great scores, but its coming down slowly!
Have a taylormade v steel 3 wood, callaway x14 5, 7, 9 iron, callaway x18 pitching wedge, titleist vokey 60 degree lob wedge and a crappy progen putter.
Can hit the 3 wood 150-180 yards pretty straight, getting my swing sorted now.
Haven't started with the easiest set of clubs, but I'm grateful as they're borrowed.
Been offered all of those clubs, plus the rest of the callaway irons, callaway pencil bag too for £70
Caporegime
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My stance is that taking that approach leaves you out of touch when you do come across a course that merits a driver. I'd rather be ambitious and try and improve my game, even if it means worse scores in the short term. And people wondering why I'm bothering with a 1 wood when I hit it in the rough 50% of the time doesn't really bother me, as my primary aim is to become a better golfer, not pander to their opinions of how a mediocre amateur should behave.
And, an oft overlooked factor...smacking it 'straight down the middle' with a 1W: what better feeling is there? You're out there to have fun, that's what I call fun.
Well it's about both really. First by learning to hit the ball long and straight, is how many pros learnt in the first place.
If you're a complete flid then granted, concentrate on getting it on the fairway and your short game, but if you have any iota of ambition to become really quite good, don't be scared of the driver. My 3W isn't all that much more reliable anyway tbh.
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The thing is though, distance is a lot less important to scoring well (look at YE Chang compared to a lot of other pros). Also, a bad drive is recoverable with a good second shot - not so much a bad pitch or failed bunker escape.
I really recommend Dave Pelz's 'Short Game Bible' if you haven't already read it
I really recommend Dave Pelz's 'Short Game Bible' if you haven't already read it
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Caporegime
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Now imagine YE Chang with a 320 yard drive.
I agree with that. I just love how it feels when you ping one right out the middle with a driver
. Looks quite cool too 
.
I'll check that book out, thanks.
I agree with that. I just love how it feels when you ping one right out the middle with a driver
. Looks quite cool too .I'll check that book out, thanks.
Now imagine YE Chang with a 320 yard drive.
I agree with that. I just love how it feels when you ping one right out the middle with a driver
I'll check that book out, thanks.
And imagine John Daly with a short game, or Sergio Garcia being able to putt - unfortunately we all want what we don't have in golf (for me that's pitching lol).
Just for the record, nothing feels like hitting a 320yd drive with a slight draw. If every beginner golfer could drive a green just once, I don't think they'd ever give up the game. Mmmmm
If I can I take the whole bag and wear my golf shoes.
Don't reach straight for your driver, start with a wedge and build up.
Do your pre-shot routine before each shot. Don't just stand and whack balls, it'll get you into bad habits.
Don't reach straight for your driver, start with a wedge and build up.
Do your pre-shot routine before each shot. Don't just stand and whack balls, it'll get you into bad habits.
The thing is though, distance is a lot less important to scoring well (look at YE Chang compared to a lot of other pros). Also, a bad drive is recoverable with a good second shot - not so much a bad pitch or failed bunker escape.
I really recommend Dave Pelz's 'Short Game Bible' if you haven't already read it
I bought 'Getting Up and Down: How to Save Strokes from Forty Yards' by Tom Watson, which also seems very highly regarded, for a whopping £2.69 on Ebay yesterday
Played my first round of golf this morning 46+ Lots of room for improvement though. Hit some sweet shots, but they were far outweighed by the bad, thankfully the fairways were very wide and forgiving. My opponent said I kept raising my head during the swing which obviously causes the rest of my upper body to raise up slightly too and I often hit the top of the ball. can't wait until next time I can get on the course again!
Next time I visit the driving range I'll enquire about some lessons, it's my birthday soon, so I can ask for this as a pressie
Lots of room for improvement though. Hit some sweet shots, but they were far outweighed by the bad, thankfully the fairways were very wide and forgiving. My opponent said I kept raising my head during the swing which obviously causes the rest of my upper body to raise up slightly too and I often hit the top of the ball. can't wait until next time I can get on the course again!Next time I visit the driving range I'll enquire about some lessons, it's my birthday soon, so I can ask for this as a pressie
Had my first lesson today and what a difference it made to the way I make contact with the ball, better accuracy and distance with less effort
Caporegime
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Well I got some golf shoes (Nike Vintage Saddle, £40 from Sports Direct) and it actually helps a great deal even at the range. Seems to create a much more firm base for a swing, and very comfortable too.
Things I learnt this week at the range:
- When practising chipping, keep the hands in front of the ball. This is more likely to get the ball in the air than flapping at it wristily. Watch the ball for a fraction after you've hit it, aim just behind the ball and follow through properly.
- Keep feet closer together than normal, around a foot.
- Open stance and put 90% of weight on front leg.
Not trying to teach people, just relaying what I learnt.
Things I learnt this week at the range:
- When practising chipping, keep the hands in front of the ball. This is more likely to get the ball in the air than flapping at it wristily. Watch the ball for a fraction after you've hit it, aim just behind the ball and follow through properly.
- Keep feet closer together than normal, around a foot.
- Open stance and put 90% of weight on front leg.
Not trying to teach people, just relaying what I learnt.
Played my first round of golf this morning 46+
Next time I visit the driving range I'll enquire about some lessons, it's my birthday soon, so I can ask for this as a pressie
What course did you play Lonewolf?
Boysnope in Irlam.
I've been playing a few weeks now. GF keeps giving me tips (her dad plays off a 4 so she's pretty handy too).
Here's my swing, early days
You look a bit close to the ball for me, and also your swing looks a little hurried. Smooth back, pause, smooth through the ball.