Planning on playing golf again

[raised by monkeys]

Golf is a love hate relationship for me. Played on and off - not played properly in 3 to 4 years. I would take it seriously, play great social and practice rounds, but like a uni exam crumble when it came to comp. I've decided to try and take a different perspective and aim to make it a social thing, but still play comps, but try to really improve the head game.

Sport wise, recently been focussing gym work and strength training.

Anyways, seeking advice from other experienced players. I was always a 13/14 hc player but always knew i could be better, plenty of room for improvement re: short game.

In my bag i use a titleist 909D 10.5 driver, taylor made rescue fairway 3 and 5, hybrid taylor made 3i, taylor made XD 4-sw with a titleist vokey gap adjusted to 31d. The gap helped improve my short game but still struggle to stop the ball well. Shafts are all stiff. My strength being my long game, im not tall and not week (i.e bench 125% body weight).

Im looking at replacing my irons. Im looking at a mid range price so for quality im happy to look at second hand. Currently looking at titleist md 712 forged. I know theyre a lower hc's iron, but i played better with a blade iron than cavity back, however, i think i need a little more forgiving or softer heel (a lot of carpet weed just off the fairways in whyalla).

Suggestions??

[raised by monkeys]

*R540XD irons *vokey bent to 51d

[jaydee]

You know why they call golf, golf?
Because all the other 4 letter words were taken.

[raised by monkeys]

Makes more sense than it should

[whitelion65]

Work on your flexibility, especially through the chest and shoulders. YOGA!!

Go and see a pro. Get a package of lessons, then get him to assess what clubs you need.

There are a lot of well meaning people out there who will offer #### advice. $200 on lessons is nothing compared to what you are going to spend on clubs, membership, green fees, balls, gloves...;

And remember, ENJOY!

Steve

[Maka]

A good pre shot & game routine is important for consistency as is knowing your swing / game. Practice your putting, short game / bunker's as much as possible, off any lie, will pay big dividends out on the course. Are the clubs fitted? Are you using a pro v ball etc? Good luck!

cheer's, Maka

[kaniSS]

Get lessons first along with hitting the GYM. Then spend some time at the range before you ease back into your game. If you just start playing a game you will shoot 100+ IMO.

What ball are you using? maybe that's why it won't stop. I switched from Srixon Qstar to Titleist Pro's and they stop lol. A bit hard off the tee but all good now.

[mik]

i had probably half a dozen games years ago, i could really wack the ball for a mile, i just never new which direction it would go in or where the bastard of a ball went to .

[kaniSS]

I've had my problems with slicing too, but now I seem to be pretty spot on. I found that if I did a longer or stretched back swing with the irons the ball tends to go straight for me. If I do a half swing or less it slices.

With the driver I spent a lot of time at the range just hitting balls and making my self control where the ball goes on the down swing. Don't just swing at the ball make your hands control where the ball goes. It's easier than you think and make sure you don't try to smash every ball, slow your swing down to a snails pace and hit them in front of you first. Speed will come later.

[raised by monkeys]

I usually don't have any issues hitting, including being able to draw or fade, but seem to have lost that skill since ive tried one or two comebacks haha. with lack of practice and putting on a fair bit of mass I guess will change your swing and mechanics.

I plan on going to petes golf in Adelaide for a fit up in the next month for new irons and a new putter. I need to improve my 4+ irons, putting and chipping. I had been using softer balls (a srixon soft feel particularly) because distance isn't an issue. I also plan on continuing gym, hopefully I work the 2 together well.

[buggerlugs]

My Uncle played the Sunday chook run for years. A can a hole. Never in 19 years could he par the last hole. Can't for the life of me think why !!

[raised by monkeys]

Hit some balls up the fairway today. Pretty good considering gym injuries that have been getting worked on the last 2 months. Looking forward to a fit up. Unfortunately whyalla doesnt have a pro and to get lessons its 400kms away. Ive had a few lessons when i was playing from amateur pros, but not for a long time.

[zoesgift]

I never played golf until I was mid 20s. I had one round and then I was hooked for 5 yrs playing upto 3 times a week. I have a cricket background so gripped the club like a cricket bat never had a lesson and managed to get down to a handicap of 8. my opinion for what is worth just practice all aspects of the short game ie putting bunker and pitching as that's where you make your score "drive for show putt for dough" you get your short game in order the longer stuff tends to work itself out. ps I grew up in pirie and never played on their course. I thought it was hilarious they had "blacks" not greens as the were literally slag from the local smelter

[FTE217]

Right advise zoesgift, work on the short game !
A straying drive can still recover in regulation to green but for those mi****s nothing like having your short game in tune - chips close to the flag keeps your scores down.
Sound of it everything is too far for lessons etc, you tube has plenty, golf forums are helpful for coaching links etc.

Great game !

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by zoesgift

I never played golf until I was mid 20s. I had one round and then I was hooked for 5 yrs playing upto 3 times a week. I have a cricket background so gripped the club like a cricket bat never had a lesson and managed to get down to a handicap of 8

Most cricket players tend to play a good game of golf. 8hc is pretty good for for only taking it up in your mid 20's. I started when I was 16 and played on and off til my mid 20's. Now 32 and making a comeback ha. I plan on single figure hc but im not going to play comp for a bit. Going to get a social membership first and fitted up properly and practice. Might choose a one of the bigger local comps to play towards the end of the year and get my 5 hc cards in before then.

[Beastie]

I too have recently taken golf back up after about 6 years out of the game, but only random games with one of the fellas at work time permitting.

He plays at least twice a week and then most weekends in comps. A few years ago he was off about 7 but that has blown out a bit now. Chipping and putting is his weakness. Most holes he would be on or near the green in regulation but then 2 or 3 putt.

It's a very frustrating game, but practice is the key (like anything I guess).

Whilst frustrating, it's also very rewarding when you get it right.

Good luck with it!

[raised by monkeys]

Your mate sounds like me. In shopping mode atm. I think once the sun is up longer ill get more prac in. Although with more draw than usual (left shoulder/hamstring/glut pains) I still hit the ball pretty well. straight 230m drives, accurate 7i w/ good connection and not too bad 5i either. Went to the chipping green and could see instantly where my strokes go.

Hopefully tax time gives me a few dollars for fit up soon. Looking at Titleist 714 ap2 irons but might book in with a pro at the same time for chipping lessons. Single figures in 6 months ha

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Most cricket players tend to play a good game of golf. 8hc is pretty good for for only taking it up in your mid 20's. I started when I was 16 and played on and off til my mid 20's. Now 32 and making a comeback ha. I plan on single figure hc but im not going to play comp for a bit. Going to get a social membership first and fitted up properly and practice. Might choose a one of the bigger local comps to play towards the end of the year and get my 5 hc cards in before then.

Stopped playing cricket mid teens, surfing was the better choice for summer but hand eye coordination is sound being I could take on tennis/squash and also a football player (sokha to aussies) to date.
Damn, I didn't take on golf till mid 30's ! went into passion practice mode games whenever could play but wife/kids house got in the way go figure.
Years have past but playing to a 18hc.
I'm competitive but don't take it so seriously on myself on errors, unless your playing min 3 games a week, range hitting in between then I would whinge moan and groan on errors imo.
I enjoy it very much, rejoice when I pick up a bird or 2, rejoice playing to par or near enough - my worst day at golf is still better than being in the office
I'm also a member of a social club that has a brilliant 12mth calender at some of the best Sydney course's you can play at, love it.

[creative]

I used to play in my teens.... between 18 and 27 holes a day. By the time I was 15 I played off scratch. Thing was, I couldnt putt for toffee... so I just made sure I put the ball close enough so I didnt have to! My strength was my short game.

Gave it up because I found women and beer! Just like to have a hack every now and again whilst wishing I could play like I used to! Tried to get back into it but just dont have the motivation for it any more. Shame really! Still got all the gear which cost me about $1500 back in the day.
Mizuno TPZ irons, (took me ages to get a set of these! Originally learnt with a set of blades... (mistakes hurt so I learnt not to make em! ) origional Calloway Big Bertha driver ( which is tiny compared to todays monstrosities) and Calloway warbird 3 wood. Ping putter and balata balls! All stiff shaft with (at the time) the best grips on the market.

[GasoLane]

The last time I drove in the OP's area they had Cinder Greens!

Looked quite strange, a Brown Golf course with Black greens

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

The last time I drove in the OP's area they had Cinder Greens!

Looked quite strange, a Brown Golf course with Black greens

Wow, that's got to be 20 years ago. I think at one stage we've had some of the highest ranking greens in SA.

Fun fact: (apparently) there is 2 VW bugs under the 13th/15th green (back to back) to help build them up.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Wow, that's got to be 20 years ago. I think at one stage we've had some of the highest ranking greens in SA.

Shhh, it was about 30 years ago

[FTE217]

creative - can't go wrong using mizuno irons !
Best clubs I have ever owned and recommend, I have MX300's.
Workmanship/quality.
Fitted set - even at my kind of game took me to another level in distance - next upgrade another Mizuno set.

The good ol original Big Bertha's remember them well.
I have 2-3yr old Callaways - 3times the size as you mention rippa drivers to this day.
Balata balls - gold loved them.

[creative]

Originally Posted by FTE217

creative - can't go wrong using mizuno irons !
Best clubs I have ever owned and recommend, I have MX300's.
Workmanship/quality.
Fitted set - even at my kind of game took me to another level in distance - next upgrade another Mizuno set.

The good ol original Big Bertha's remember them well.
I have 2-3yr old Callaways - 3times the size as you mention rippa drivers to this day.
Balata balls - gold loved them.

Yeah, they lifted my long game no end. I learnt with blades which was hard to do. When I went cavity backed everything was easy. I ended up begging the mizuno rep for my clubs at the time as you could not get them at all back then! Had them fitted out to my size and stiff shafts and never looked back! Even now I can hit a 4 iron further than some friends hit their drivers!

The big berthas were huge (size) when they first came out. Tiny compared to todays standards! was never a fan of it though. Not enough deg on the face so I used my 3 wood more. Was getting to the point I could drive out the back fence of the local range when I was at my best!

And I used to use around 12 balatas a round.... not due to loosing them but due to the clubs eating them! I played a very attack style short game which meant the balls got hammered being so soft. It was an expensive round whenever I played!

[FTE217]

I used blades long ago, I just didn't stick with them the way my game was then.
Cavitys as we know have that wider sweet spot but when you hit them spot on that pill flies !
haha yer agree on the early bertha's, my driver was 9deg, ****** to hit sweet and my ball flight was woeful yet my single digit playing mate can hit the thing for miles ! now have 10.5deg all good loving it.
Damn - you had some coin back then !LOL...those balatas weren't cheap those days but what a ball to use !

[creative]

Originally Posted by FTE217

I used blades long ago, I just didn't stick with them the way my game was then.
Cavitys as we know have that wider sweet spot but when you hit them spot on that pill flies !
haha yer agree on the early bertha's, my driver was 9deg, ****** to hit sweet and my ball flight was woeful yet my single digit playing mate can hit the thing for miles ! now have 10.5deg all good loving it.
Damn - you had some coin back then !LOL...those balatas weren't cheap those days but what a ball to use !

£3a ball.... 15 years ago! and I certainly didnt have the coin! thats why I had to give up ultimately, it was just to damn expensive for a teenager to afford.

[FTE217]

Ah a pom, yer damn that is not cheap back then, should have stuck to real football
Todays exchange rate thats A$6.34 a pill.
ProV's softest nowadays you'll pick up for around $70 a doz - used to be near A$100 a while ago.

[creative]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Ah a pom, yer damn that is not cheap back then, should have stuck to real football
Todays exchange rate thats A$6.34 a pill.
ProV's softest nowadays you'll pick up for around $70 a doz - used to be near A$100 a while ago.

dont forget I played every day... so that would of been 36 quid ($76 in todays rate) at least... a day, just in balls!

far from being a Pom.... I just had the mis-pleasure of living there for 22 years.

and soft balls would be wasted on me these days! ( ooer )

[FTE217]

Life sentence !

So how you doing monkey man ? got yourself sorted ?

[raised by monkeys]

Not yet. Bought new spikeless kicks. Plan is to buy a set of titleist ap2 214 (good nic 2nds with standard lengths and lie, and good ol s300 golds to save some coin) then have them size fitted/adjusted to suit, and then short game lessons/putter fitting. Single figure HC in 6 months ha