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PaperclipPerfector  2mo ago (text post)   3171 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for February 25, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

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I’m thinking of learning to golf. I can borrow clubs, but not from someone who actually knows golf. What should I know to learn to actually play?

What should I know to learn to actually play?

To start, get private lessons to work on your grip and swing for putting, chipping, using irons, and driving.

Jack Nicklaus's Golf My Way instructional video is informative. Look up beginner videos on rules, etiquette, tips, and strategy.

Stick to the driving range until you feel comfortable. Alignment sticks are useful. I'd seek out videos of proper usage. Some folks use Dr. Scholl's Odor X Spray on the club face to see where the ball connects during your golf swing.

Good luck and have fun.

Rick Shiels will tell you all about it, in an enjoyable Mancunian accent.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKnkfgDBi62mkWMNmNipPUUep6vcj8nYm

Unfortunately, golf can only be learned from your dad. If your old man croaked or became physically incapable before passing on the skill, you're SOL.

Honestly, head to the driving range once or twice, then grab a friend and just go play. While golf has a very high skill ceiling and is notorious for expensive equipment, a handful of cheap loaner clubs and 15 minutes of youtube videos showing you basic driving form is more than enough to get started. You'll be terrible, but it takes surprisingly little practice to be able to knock a ball around your typical communtiy 3-par course while almost looking like you knoe what you're doing.

Don't bother keeping score, and if you find yourself getting stressed because you're holding other players up, feel free to pull off to the side and let them go ahead of you. This might not work for you if you're super competitive, but for me, golfing occupies the same space as fishing: an excuse to go hang out outside and drink beer with friends on a Sunday morning.

After a couple of months, if you're still into it, book a couple lessons and buy some cheap clubs so you can start getting good.

I'd argue that it's a good idea to go to the driving range a fair bit before playing a round. Having the ball not go where you want isn't very fun, especially when you're making a friend wait for you.

Going to a driving range with a friend is pretty fun as well, so it isn't too bad.

Better choice than trying to get it perfect before you even start.

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