Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Golf - how to get started?
by Frank Peter
Golf anybody?
By Frank J. Peter, editor at LearnAboutGolf.com
Golf is a great game: sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but highly addictive. Getting started in it is actually not so difficult, and hopefully this article can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls.
The very first steps.
The biggest mistake by people wanting to start in golf is to rush out and buy a brand new set of shiny and expensive golf clubs. While they are nice to look at you should keep in mind that today’s golf equipment comes in great varieties to cater for different golfing types and abilities. Since you're just starting out you do not know which set fits you best. Just imagine the envious looks you get at the driving range when you come with your $2000 set, and the subsequent laughter when you try and just 'hack away' - not worth the embarrassment! Once you spend a few hundred or even thousand $$ on a set that doesn't suit your style you're stuck with it or you have to sell it to somebody else at a loss.
If you feel you want your own clubs get a half set. This generally comprises five irons and perhaps two woods and a putter. Usually the irons are the odd numbers 3,5,7,9 and wedge. These clubs are more than enough to get you started.
A better alternatively: most Driving Ranges will have clubs for hire, so you can try out a few different ones. You can also borrow one or two clubs from a friend. The shortest iron (nine iron) or a wedge are the best clubs to start, practicing with it will give you the feeling of hitting the ball in the air and should be fairly straight forward.
Where to get golf clubs?
Most Pro shops and driving ranges sell second hand clubs. They will also be able to offer you advice and let you try some clubs out. Alternatively, nearly all driving ranges will have clubs for hire if you want to have a go without committing to a set until you get the hang of it. Or ask other people at the driving range, you will soon find out that many have another set of clubs at home because they made the exact same mistakes I mentioned above. Make sure you try before you buy, if they fit (and only if they fit!) you can often get them for a steal. Make use of these opportunities, and also take a look at our website ‘LearnAboutGolf.com’ as to how to choose a club. I again stress that you need to have a basic understanding on which club suits you reasonably well before you buy. DO NOT buy expensive brands at this stage.
"I want to play, I want to play!"
As hard as it will be to contain yourself, don't even contemplate going anywhere near a golf course. Golf is technically quite demanding, and without at least some basic training you'll end up with a lot of frustration. You've seen the top players on TV loosing their cool in frustration, imagine how you will feel if not even a single shot goes where you want it to. Besides, the other people having to wait for you will also not be happy.
As a beginner at the great game of golf, start off at a driving range, take at least four or five lessons, learn the fundamentals, progress to a 9 hole course and eventually venture out into the great unknown of an 18 hole golf course. Believe me, it will be a lot more fun for you and those around you if you follow this path.
Where to get lessons?
You will meet plenty of people at the range who will teach you the 'innermost secrets' of golf. Fact is that most of them have started playing not long before you. So the answer to the above question is: go to a Professional. As you have seen on TV, even the world’s top players have a coach. Tiger Woods, probably the best golfer the world, still takes lessons. Certified Golf Professionals are the only people qualified to teach you how to play the game. Lessons from a Pro will cost you money but will be the best investment you'll ever make. Taking the advise from the 'know-it-all' people at the range will likely screw-up your game at the very early stage, and it will take a long time to correct the faults later.
The two places to get golf lessons are at driving ranges and golf clubs. You don't have to be a member of a club to get a lesson from the Pro. You bring in money, so they will be glad to help. The usual cost is about $25-40 per 45 min, but you will get reductions for a block booking. If you are a bit on the budget see if they do group bookings, those are also cheaper than individual lessons.
What else to do?
Books and videos can be invaluable in learning the basics. To build a sound golf swing you will need the three fundamentals: Grip, Stance and Posture. There are some very good books and videos on the market that will help you to establish the three fundamentals. And watch the Pro's on the TV, or better still video them and play back in slow motion, you'll learn a lot this way. Don't get blinded by too much science, you're still a beginner. Stick to Grip, Stance and Posture and you'll be on your way. Take a look at the golf tips and golf lessons on our website ‘LearnAboutGolf.com’ for some advice as well.
Summary
1.Don't waste your money on expensive clubs until you have reached a basic level of competency.
2.Don't go near a Golf Course, again until you have reached a basic level.
3.Get lessons from a qualified professional.
4.Learn the three fundamentals
5.Watch the Pro's.
6.Practice.
7.Learn the rules of golf and the basic golf etiquette .
I hope that this article has been of some help to avoid costly mistakes many people made, including myself. Follow the above basics and you are on your way to all the fun (and frustration) golf can offer. Enjoy!
Frank Peter is the webmaster of learnaboutgolf.com where he offers valuable tips for beginners and intermediates in Golf. To find more advice, lessons and resources to help you succeed in your game, visit: http://www.learnaboutgolf.com
by Frank Peter
Golf anybody?
By Frank J. Peter, editor at LearnAboutGolf.com
Golf is a great game: sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but highly addictive. Getting started in it is actually not so difficult, and hopefully this article can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls.
The very first steps.
The biggest mistake by people wanting to start in golf is to rush out and buy a brand new set of shiny and expensive golf clubs. While they are nice to look at you should keep in mind that today’s golf equipment comes in great varieties to cater for different golfing types and abilities. Since you're just starting out you do not know which set fits you best. Just imagine the envious looks you get at the driving range when you come with your $2000 set, and the subsequent laughter when you try and just 'hack away' - not worth the embarrassment! Once you spend a few hundred or even thousand $$ on a set that doesn't suit your style you're stuck with it or you have to sell it to somebody else at a loss.
If you feel you want your own clubs get a half set. This generally comprises five irons and perhaps two woods and a putter. Usually the irons are the odd numbers 3,5,7,9 and wedge. These clubs are more than enough to get you started.
A better alternatively: most Driving Ranges will have clubs for hire, so you can try out a few different ones. You can also borrow one or two clubs from a friend. The shortest iron (nine iron) or a wedge are the best clubs to start, practicing with it will give you the feeling of hitting the ball in the air and should be fairly straight forward.
Where to get golf clubs?
Most Pro shops and driving ranges sell second hand clubs. They will also be able to offer you advice and let you try some clubs out. Alternatively, nearly all driving ranges will have clubs for hire if you want to have a go without committing to a set until you get the hang of it. Or ask other people at the driving range, you will soon find out that many have another set of clubs at home because they made the exact same mistakes I mentioned above. Make sure you try before you buy, if they fit (and only if they fit!) you can often get them for a steal. Make use of these opportunities, and also take a look at our website ‘LearnAboutGolf.com’ as to how to choose a club. I again stress that you need to have a basic understanding on which club suits you reasonably well before you buy. DO NOT buy expensive brands at this stage.
"I want to play, I want to play!"
As hard as it will be to contain yourself, don't even contemplate going anywhere near a golf course. Golf is technically quite demanding, and without at least some basic training you'll end up with a lot of frustration. You've seen the top players on TV loosing their cool in frustration, imagine how you will feel if not even a single shot goes where you want it to. Besides, the other people having to wait for you will also not be happy.
As a beginner at the great game of golf, start off at a driving range, take at least four or five lessons, learn the fundamentals, progress to a 9 hole course and eventually venture out into the great unknown of an 18 hole golf course. Believe me, it will be a lot more fun for you and those around you if you follow this path.
Where to get lessons?
You will meet plenty of people at the range who will teach you the 'innermost secrets' of golf. Fact is that most of them have started playing not long before you. So the answer to the above question is: go to a Professional. As you have seen on TV, even the world’s top players have a coach. Tiger Woods, probably the best golfer the world, still takes lessons. Certified Golf Professionals are the only people qualified to teach you how to play the game. Lessons from a Pro will cost you money but will be the best investment you'll ever make. Taking the advise from the 'know-it-all' people at the range will likely screw-up your game at the very early stage, and it will take a long time to correct the faults later.
The two places to get golf lessons are at driving ranges and golf clubs. You don't have to be a member of a club to get a lesson from the Pro. You bring in money, so they will be glad to help. The usual cost is about $25-40 per 45 min, but you will get reductions for a block booking. If you are a bit on the budget see if they do group bookings, those are also cheaper than individual lessons.
What else to do?
Books and videos can be invaluable in learning the basics. To build a sound golf swing you will need the three fundamentals: Grip, Stance and Posture. There are some very good books and videos on the market that will help you to establish the three fundamentals. And watch the Pro's on the TV, or better still video them and play back in slow motion, you'll learn a lot this way. Don't get blinded by too much science, you're still a beginner. Stick to Grip, Stance and Posture and you'll be on your way. Take a look at the golf tips and golf lessons on our website ‘LearnAboutGolf.com’ for some advice as well.
Summary
1.Don't waste your money on expensive clubs until you have reached a basic level of competency.
2.Don't go near a Golf Course, again until you have reached a basic level.
3.Get lessons from a qualified professional.
4.Learn the three fundamentals
5.Watch the Pro's.
6.Practice.
7.Learn the rules of golf and the basic golf etiquette .
I hope that this article has been of some help to avoid costly mistakes many people made, including myself. Follow the above basics and you are on your way to all the fun (and frustration) golf can offer. Enjoy!
Frank Peter is the webmaster of learnaboutgolf.com where he offers valuable tips for beginners and intermediates in Golf. To find more advice, lessons and resources to help you succeed in your game, visit: http://www.learnaboutgolf.com
Golfing links:
Golf Draw - The Best Step-By-Step System
Golf Swing - Hit The Ball Longer!
Proper Golf Swing - Save Yourself Time and Money!
Correct Golf Swing - Increase your shot distance!
Golf Club Swing Speed - Approach Each Shot With Confidence!
Golf Swing - Hit Crisp, Powerful, Consistent, Controlled Draws
Golf Tip - Hit The Ball 17 Yards Longer!
Golf Instructions - How You Should Be Gripping The Club For The Best Results!Golf Exercise - Improve Your Arm Movement
Golf Swing Tip - Here's The Best Way To Consistently Draw The Ball
Emotion vs. Common Sense in Golf Development
by Steve Burns, ASGCA
www.burnsgolf.com
Golf is a strange business, sometimes based too
much in emotion, rather than common sense.
Unfortunately, when building new golf courses,
sometimes the egos of golf course developers and golf
course architects get in the way of sound business
practices. In their quest to build the next "Top 100," or
"Best New" course, developers often end up spending
way too much money to build their course. As a result,
they end up only temporarily owning a course that can't
possibly generate enough revenue to service its huge
debt. After a season or two, the developer is often
forced to sell the course, at a loss. Usually, after a
couple of ownership changes, the course has been
discounted enough to turn a profit.
Quite often, architects don't discourage this
over-spending, and oftentimes they even encourage it.
An architect that follows this practice hasn't really done
his client any favors. In fact, one could really say that
the architect was doing a poor job. Unfortunately, as
the profitability of a course isn't part of any award
criteria, the architect wins praise from the magazines.
This favorable publicity leads more clients to the
architect's door, where they will ask for the next award
winner, and the whole overspending process is
repeated again.
These days, $7-10 million courses are far too common
and many courses are even topping $20 million. As the
golf magazines generally don't consider construction
cost in their evaluations, many of these courses do win
some awards and recognition. It only makes sense
that a $25 million course will be nicer than a $3 million
course, all other things being equal, but is it really that
much nicer? In fact, some $3 million, and even an
occasional $2 million course wins a "Best New" or
other award. Awards serve as little consolation to the
developer who spends $25 million, is losing money,
and is forced to sell the course at a loss.
The overpriced foolishness doesn't have to occur. A
well-built golf course, with nice lakes and bunkers,
USGA greens construction, full cart paths, generous
irrigation and drainage, and a decent amount of
earthwork, can be built in most areas of the country for
$2.5-3.5 million, not including non-course items like
buildings, etc. This basically holds true unless the site
is solid rock or is in the desert where irrigation systems
alone often cost well over $1 million dollars.
It's important to keep things within reason. As the
average cost of a round of golf goes up, fewer golfers
can afford to play. Although there is a place for some
high-end courses, there is a definite need for more
mid-range and inexpensive courses to develop the new
golfers that are needed to keep the golf business
growing.
Steve Burns founded Burns Golf Design in 1988 after
spending seven years with Tom Fazio's firm. Steve's
award-winners include a $2.5 million "Best New
Course" winner
This article courtesy of http://www.iprogolf.com.
Some more Golfing Blogs of interest...
How To Build Your Golf Swing
Golf Draw
The Most Important Golf Shot
Golf - how to get started?
Back To Golf
Are You Addicated to Golf?
Get your slice of Golf!
Building a Repeatable Golf Swing
Building a Better Golfer
Strength Your "Core" for Longer Drives
Developing the Right Attitude to Golf
by Steve Burns, ASGCA
www.burnsgolf.com
Golf is a strange business, sometimes based too
much in emotion, rather than common sense.
Unfortunately, when building new golf courses,
sometimes the egos of golf course developers and golf
course architects get in the way of sound business
practices. In their quest to build the next "Top 100," or
"Best New" course, developers often end up spending
way too much money to build their course. As a result,
they end up only temporarily owning a course that can't
possibly generate enough revenue to service its huge
debt. After a season or two, the developer is often
forced to sell the course, at a loss. Usually, after a
couple of ownership changes, the course has been
discounted enough to turn a profit.
Quite often, architects don't discourage this
over-spending, and oftentimes they even encourage it.
An architect that follows this practice hasn't really done
his client any favors. In fact, one could really say that
the architect was doing a poor job. Unfortunately, as
the profitability of a course isn't part of any award
criteria, the architect wins praise from the magazines.
This favorable publicity leads more clients to the
architect's door, where they will ask for the next award
winner, and the whole overspending process is
repeated again.
These days, $7-10 million courses are far too common
and many courses are even topping $20 million. As the
golf magazines generally don't consider construction
cost in their evaluations, many of these courses do win
some awards and recognition. It only makes sense
that a $25 million course will be nicer than a $3 million
course, all other things being equal, but is it really that
much nicer? In fact, some $3 million, and even an
occasional $2 million course wins a "Best New" or
other award. Awards serve as little consolation to the
developer who spends $25 million, is losing money,
and is forced to sell the course at a loss.
The overpriced foolishness doesn't have to occur. A
well-built golf course, with nice lakes and bunkers,
USGA greens construction, full cart paths, generous
irrigation and drainage, and a decent amount of
earthwork, can be built in most areas of the country for
$2.5-3.5 million, not including non-course items like
buildings, etc. This basically holds true unless the site
is solid rock or is in the desert where irrigation systems
alone often cost well over $1 million dollars.
It's important to keep things within reason. As the
average cost of a round of golf goes up, fewer golfers
can afford to play. Although there is a place for some
high-end courses, there is a definite need for more
mid-range and inexpensive courses to develop the new
golfers that are needed to keep the golf business
growing.
Steve Burns founded Burns Golf Design in 1988 after
spending seven years with Tom Fazio's firm. Steve's
award-winners include a $2.5 million "Best New
Course" winner
This article courtesy of http://www.iprogolf.com.
Some more Golfing Blogs of interest...
How To Build Your Golf Swing
Golf Draw
The Most Important Golf Shot
Golf - how to get started?
Back To Golf
Are You Addicated to Golf?
Get your slice of Golf!
Building a Repeatable Golf Swing
Building a Better Golfer
Strength Your "Core" for Longer Drives
Developing the Right Attitude to Golf
The Enormous Power Of Visualization
by by Craig Townsend (Dip. of Clinical Hypnotherapy).
http://www.mindtrainingforgolf.com
Visualization is the most powerful tool available to achieve peak performance on the golf course (or anywhere, for that matter) - which is the simple act of running through your mind the exact scenario you wish to happen on the course.
Whether they realise it or not, everyone uses visualization to some extent, as ALL thoughts are converted into images inside the subconscious - but the problem many golfers have is that instead of using it positively, they tend to run horror movies through their mind before they hit a shot! Of course, this works highly effectively and ensures they hit a bad shot!
So actively using visualization ensures that you are running positive movies through your head, instead of negative - which was the highly-used practice of Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan. Jack Nicklaus said that whenever he walked up to a ball, he 'went to the movies' which basically meant that he first of all pre-programmed the shot in his mind before he would ever consider addressing the ball.
Visualization has the ability to overcome any negative subconscious 'programs' which can create problems, such as:
* The yips
* 1st tee nerves
* Concentration lapses (eg. spasmodic lapses, or back-nine
lapses)
* Lack of belief in your own ability
* Slumps in form
* Regularly recurring problems on the course
* Technical problems
* Practicing hard but getting no results for your hard
work
* Doubts, fears, worries and anxieties
* Inconsistency in competition
* Playing great in practice, lousy in competition
* Overly worrying about the "obstacles" such as the bunkers and trees
* Injuries occurring just before competitions
It is a scientific fact that in order for human beings to 'create' anything, they must first have a mental image conceived in their mind - this is true even of every invention created throughout history, and also true for your golf shots. You must first construct the shot in your mind before you can expect your body to do it properly.
However, visualization should not only be used on the golf course, but for a 5-10 minute session each day at home - as this creates a new program within your subconscious for your body to follow.
There are many components to making this daily visualization work correctly, but I will try and summarise a few of the important ones here.
First of all, when you visualize you must be in a relaxed state in order to access your subconscious, otherwise your conscious mind simply interrupts with its constant, incessantly annoying chatter (which it churns out at 60,000 thoughts a day). You can achieve this relaxation with some deep breathing, relaxation exercises, soft music or a relaxation tape (or see bottom of this page for a link to my mental training tape).
Another effective time is simply upon awakening - after you wake up, lie there for 5-10 minutes (possibly with your clock-radio set to 'snooze' so it lets you know when the time is up) and mentally take yourself through a daily mental movie of perfect golf.
Secondly, your mental rehearsal must be vivid and realistic in order to fool your subconscious mind into believing you are actually on the green. You see, your
subconscious (unlike you conscious mind) cannot tell the difference between reality and something you vividly imagine, which means you can actually make it believe you are on the golf course if you visualize realistically enough. This means you must vividly use all your senses when you visualize, 'seeing' the colours of the surroundings, 'hearing' the sounds, 'feeling' the breeze etc.
Thirdly, the images you run through your mind must be done on a regular daily basis for 5-10 minutes each day, in order to create a new mental program for your shots to follow - otherwise your mind follows the 'old' program it has been using for the past few years. The images you visualize must be positive and upbeat at all times, clearly seeing (and feeling) the process and result of great tee shots, chips and putts going absolutely perfectly everytime (never visualize a bad result).
To put it in computer terms, visualization puts new data in your computer in order to create a new printout (which means to put new thoughts into your subconscius to create a new result on the golf course). It is definitely a technique worth considering if you have not tried it before.
There are more free Mind Training for Golf tips such as these available at http://www.MindTrainingForGolf.com
"The Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited".
The best of success, Craig Townsend
This article courtesy of http://www.iprogolf.com.
by by Craig Townsend (Dip. of Clinical Hypnotherapy).
http://www.mindtrainingforgolf.com
Visualization is the most powerful tool available to achieve peak performance on the golf course (or anywhere, for that matter) - which is the simple act of running through your mind the exact scenario you wish to happen on the course.
Whether they realise it or not, everyone uses visualization to some extent, as ALL thoughts are converted into images inside the subconscious - but the problem many golfers have is that instead of using it positively, they tend to run horror movies through their mind before they hit a shot! Of course, this works highly effectively and ensures they hit a bad shot!
So actively using visualization ensures that you are running positive movies through your head, instead of negative - which was the highly-used practice of Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan. Jack Nicklaus said that whenever he walked up to a ball, he 'went to the movies' which basically meant that he first of all pre-programmed the shot in his mind before he would ever consider addressing the ball.
Visualization has the ability to overcome any negative subconscious 'programs' which can create problems, such as:
* The yips
* 1st tee nerves
* Concentration lapses (eg. spasmodic lapses, or back-nine
lapses)
* Lack of belief in your own ability
* Slumps in form
* Regularly recurring problems on the course
* Technical problems
* Practicing hard but getting no results for your hard
work
* Doubts, fears, worries and anxieties
* Inconsistency in competition
* Playing great in practice, lousy in competition
* Overly worrying about the "obstacles" such as the bunkers and trees
* Injuries occurring just before competitions
It is a scientific fact that in order for human beings to 'create' anything, they must first have a mental image conceived in their mind - this is true even of every invention created throughout history, and also true for your golf shots. You must first construct the shot in your mind before you can expect your body to do it properly.
However, visualization should not only be used on the golf course, but for a 5-10 minute session each day at home - as this creates a new program within your subconscious for your body to follow.
There are many components to making this daily visualization work correctly, but I will try and summarise a few of the important ones here.
First of all, when you visualize you must be in a relaxed state in order to access your subconscious, otherwise your conscious mind simply interrupts with its constant, incessantly annoying chatter (which it churns out at 60,000 thoughts a day). You can achieve this relaxation with some deep breathing, relaxation exercises, soft music or a relaxation tape (or see bottom of this page for a link to my mental training tape).
Another effective time is simply upon awakening - after you wake up, lie there for 5-10 minutes (possibly with your clock-radio set to 'snooze' so it lets you know when the time is up) and mentally take yourself through a daily mental movie of perfect golf.
Secondly, your mental rehearsal must be vivid and realistic in order to fool your subconscious mind into believing you are actually on the green. You see, your
subconscious (unlike you conscious mind) cannot tell the difference between reality and something you vividly imagine, which means you can actually make it believe you are on the golf course if you visualize realistically enough. This means you must vividly use all your senses when you visualize, 'seeing' the colours of the surroundings, 'hearing' the sounds, 'feeling' the breeze etc.
Thirdly, the images you run through your mind must be done on a regular daily basis for 5-10 minutes each day, in order to create a new mental program for your shots to follow - otherwise your mind follows the 'old' program it has been using for the past few years. The images you visualize must be positive and upbeat at all times, clearly seeing (and feeling) the process and result of great tee shots, chips and putts going absolutely perfectly everytime (never visualize a bad result).
To put it in computer terms, visualization puts new data in your computer in order to create a new printout (which means to put new thoughts into your subconscius to create a new result on the golf course). It is definitely a technique worth considering if you have not tried it before.
There are more free Mind Training for Golf tips such as these available at http://www.MindTrainingForGolf.com
"The Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited".
The best of success, Craig Townsend
This article courtesy of http://www.iprogolf.com.
