I want to learn how to play golf. I'm middle aged. I picked up a club for the first time and started to hit some simulated golf balls (whiffle balls). I had about 20% success of hitting a good shot. The other 80% of the shots I either completely missed the ball , hit the top of the ball (roll) or hit the ground. I never had a lesson. Maybe my swing is wrong. Do you think if I had some lessons that I can actually play? Did anybody else struggle the first timed they tried golf? If I can hit in the 90's I would be happy.
Of course you could learn to play and shoot 90’s golf and definitely within a year. You definitely need lessons and I would suggest taking group lessons with a friend. My dad is 50 something and just learned. I pretended like a beginner and went to group lessons with him. Group lessons are usually cheaper and there’s a lot less pressure. There are going to be 10 other people flubbing the ball too.
Here’s my general map to golf and score:
100s golfers have fundamental problems and need lessons. 90’s golfers play within themselves and make realistic course decisions (teeing off with 3 wood only, using more club, punching out of trouble…) 80’s golfers have better short game (fewer three putts, better up and downs, can hit decent sand shots… ) and drive more accurately. 70’s golfers have great short game, have great distance, hit most of their greens and can shape shots with any club. 60’s golfers make 90% of their putts within 15 feet and chip or pitch in the hole at least once a round.
If you think about score from different perspectives, 90’s golf is a very reachable goal. All you have to do is shoot bogey or double bogey golf. 18 + 72 = 90. The real difference between 100’s golfers and 90’s golfers is that 100’s golfers have the few bomber holes where they shoot an 8 or 10. After you get lessons and get the fundamentals down, realistic/conservative decision making is the only obstacle between you and a score in the 90s.
Here is a golf school that has some great golf tips. They have video, animation and other types of golf tips. www.sdgagolf.com/golf_tips.php The site gives a lot of information on the game of golf and the golf industry. Many articles to read that might help you learn the game. Hope this helps!
There are a lot of places to start, but in my opinion the best ones all start with a teaching pro. If cost is not an object, go to a local course and find a teaching pro for one-on-one instruction. A series of half hour lessons will generally get you set with the basics and provide you with the beginning of a sound golf swing. If cost is an object, there are many courses that offer group instruction. This is usually a group of 6-10 people in a single class and the pro provides some general instruction to the group as a whole and limited one-on-one instruction. Of course, regardless of which approach you choose, to really learn and enjoy the game a significant amount of practice time is also necessary. There's no absolute formula, but if you are going to commit to learning, plan on spending 2-4 hours per week between lessons and application of those lessons.
The fact is, though, that learning correctly with a pro the first time will save you a lot of heartache trying to unlearn bad habits later.
