Stop trying to hit the ball so hard.

Work on solid contact at 75% of your swing power.

You'll make more contact and hit better shots.

who cares if you drive it 300 yards if its going all over the place.

Hit it straight and high and you'll improve your score a lot.

Sounds like you're swinging too hard and have an inconsistent swing.

7/17/2017 1:47:40 PM

I was actually making sure to take the swing light. I think one of the issues (some people say its not a thing) is I am using my dads old clubs. I am probably 4-5" taller than him and the way it feels natural when I swing makes it so the clubs just dont feel long enough. I have to bend my knees more than I feel natural doing and so when I swing my tendency is to straighten up and therefore I am hitting on top of the ball or missing entirely sometimes. I have to spend time concentrating on keeping my knees bent while also swinging. Might just be a poor excuse for being bad and thats how you are supposed to do it but I noticed when I put the ball on a tee higher than where the middle of the driver sits with my knees bent that I end up making good solid contact. It is much more of an issue with irons hitting off the actual turf.

7/17/2017 2:49:36 PM

Well I went out and played 9 holes yesterday evening and it went about as expected haha. I shot a 70 (+35) for 9 holes (with a few mulligans for shots hit deep in the woods) which is obviously not great but better than a 180 pace right?

I got a better feel for what I need to work on at the range and I tried to play off the white tees which was probably a mistake. I think next time I will move up to the tees just behind the lady tees until I get my swing more consistent. I actually felt pretty good about my low iron shots but my driving and shorter game needs much more practice and consistency. I had one double bogey on a par 3 but was saved by luck mostly as I hit a tree on the first shot and it bounced back towards the green and my second shot should have rolled into the water but managed to hit the wood retaining wall stay out.

Gonna go work on the drive some more today and then play the back 9 tomorrow maybe.

TLDR version I am bad and things went as expected haha

8/1/2017 10:09:13 AM

Get lessons.

8/1/2017 10:38:32 AM

Get rid of your clubs

why are you even keeping score if you're that far over?

is this a joke?

8/1/2017 11:24:57 AM

Even the guy at the pro shop said that wasnt terrible for a first 9 holes.

8/1/2017 1:32:44 PM

it's not, dont listen to him, he's being a cunt

8/1/2017 1:45:11 PM

Quote :

"According to National Golf Foundation data, 45% of all golfers average more than 100 strokes per round. With that said, it is believed that a 108 is considered to be a good score for a beginner golfer, which equates to double bogey on each hole of a par 72 course."

Well that gives me an idea of what to shoot for at least. Going back to the range today might look into a few lessons before i settle into a swing that ends up being totally wrong. Ive mostly been watching youtube videos after each time I go out on the things I am having trouble with and the tips I have gotten have made improvements the next time.

8/1/2017 1:49:49 PM

Hadnt played much before September of 2016. Played and shot the best round for me at that time which was a 91. Took golf lessons and changed my swing. Went to the range 10 times, and shot 120+ the next few times. Now almost a year later the change in swing has finally really paid off with a 77, 78, and 82 being my last 3 rounds. The 82 was actually my best all around round golf wise. i had 4 birdies last round before a bad two holes so feel im close to breaking into the low 70's if I can work that down a little

8/1/2017 6:13:53 PM

Well I have an official GHIN and it is 33.8
The NC STATE Monday night league this summer has been fun, until some guys showed up and started shooting 29, 34, 32, 36, etc.
didn't play this week, but saw only 2 people broke 40, so that is more fair! (they made a rule 0-10 handicap can't play from Wolfpack anymore, just reds.
The two times I have played I have shot 52 and 53...so I guess I am below average, but a LONG WAY TO GO!

8/1/2017 10:02:50 PM

Gonna go try to play the back 9 this afternoon. Went to the range last night worked on driver and higher irons mostly. Tried hitting driver with the towel under the arm trick. Got less distance hitting it that way but much less slice so in the end that is probably preferable. Had a few issues at first with the high irons but once I found the right setup I was hitting them nice and straight and put a few within a few feet of the pin which felt good.

8/2/2017 9:19:51 AM

Quote :

"I shot a 70 (+35) for 9 holes"

do you homie do you!

8/2/2017 9:55:03 AM

Hey I am aware that that is pretty awful but its my first serious 9 holes. I am willing to bet a lot of the talk I see from people on the internet is also including their "best ball" scores with their buddies or a lot of oops I mishit that one and it went 3 feet I am not counting that etc. I am just trying to be honest with myself and start working towards improving.

I have seen a lot of suggestions online for beginners to take some pressure off to start playing with saying triple bogey per hole is really par so you arent trying to make shots you clearly arent going to make. Then work back from there when you are having no problems getting a triple on each hole set your par to double now. Gives you more realistic numbers to shoot for. Also not to worry about trying to sink long putts at first just concentrate on leaving yourself within a few feet for a 2 putt that alone will really help your score. That makes sense the other day I was trying to make putts even from long distance and instead I would just miss and it would roll down a hill and I would end up in the same spot as before. I had a few 2 putts but also some 4 putts and such. Its a humbling game thats for sure.

8/2/2017 10:15:38 AM

Well went out again yesterday to play the back 9 at the same course shot a 60 (+24) so thats improvement at least. Had a long putt for birdie once and of course 3 putt for a bogey but that was my first bogey so that felt decent. The driver practice at the range helped as I was able to keep a lot more reasonably straight and only sliced one straight into the woods this time. I could easily shave 5 shots off that round with a bit more practice and get close to that 108 average for beginner golfers.

Short answer is I still suck but just suck less haha

8/3/2017 8:43:03 AM

Come play LONNIE POOLE anytime Mondays or Fridays man. Download stealz and use their code for free range balls too!

8/3/2017 8:00:07 PM

I feel like I should try not sucking before I go try to play a more difficult course like that. If I cant get around a course like that under 100 then I shouldnt be moving on up. I am trying not to be that asshole taking 8 or 9 shots per hole holding people up on a course like that. Gonna stick to easy courses closer to my house that arent that busy during the week.

8/4/2017 8:10:43 AM

I learned early on not to give a fuck about anything anyone else on the course thinks.

Play your ball. you need to mix up courses though.

8/4/2017 9:35:53 AM

Well yeah but I have played a total of 18 holes at one course so I guess thats my point I am not ready to go tackle a more difficult course like lonnie poole if I cant be playing at least double bogey golf on a course I have seen several times that is easy. I have Wendell CC and Wil-Mar near my house to get my feet wet. There is also Hedingham but again until I have my drive down consistent I dont need to be playing anywhere that has houses all along the course haha.

8/4/2017 9:45:39 AM

Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for some basic golf lessons in Raleigh? Just kinda looking for someone to go over the basics to make sure my grip, swing, and setup fundamentals are correct so I dont continue with any bad habits that may be harder to be corrected later.

After a couple more 9 hole rounds my scores seem to be more consistently in the mid 50s and I am having to take fewer mulligans each time out for complete miss hits. I guess I am seeing improvement so thats a positive.

8/14/2017 11:24:05 AM

Golf Galaxy?

8/14/2017 11:25:45 AM

Yeah looked into that place looks like they try to sell package deals that are way more than I am currently willing to pay. I may be too cheap for golf lessons haha.

8/14/2017 12:21:11 PM

If you are cheap then why in the Hell did you get into golf? Seriously man you can't be a cheap golfer and get any better.

And just worry about you is fine, but I hope the people in this thread let people through if you're seriously shooting 140. Damn.

8/15/2017 10:35:15 PM

I am playing on a course that allows me the time to be bad dont worry. I am courteous enough not to go out on a Saturday morning to a busy course and hold people up. That being said that was also my first 9 holes where I shot a 70. Since then my rounds have been 60 (9), 55 (9), 105 (18), 55 (9), 101 (18), and 50 (9) so I would say a lot more respectable.

I found out from playing with another guy that the hand me down clubs I am using are actually "senior clubs" which is why I cant seem to get any distance out of them and they seem shorter than I would like. So I think I am gonna first work on getting fit for some clubs and make sure I have my equipment locked down before I get too used to these clubs I am using now.

8/16/2017 8:13:48 AM

Go to play it again sports and get some new irons. Don't spend money on new clubs, not yet.

8/16/2017 8:41:44 AM

The shafts in those clubs are way too weak I'm sure for someone your age.

^Like he said get a cheap set. You need steel shafted irons most likely and at least regular flex.

8/16/2017 10:58:05 PM

Yeah I am not opposed to buying new either but I agree I am not sure if getting fit for clubs before I have a consistent swing to work off is the best plan. Do places do some sort of basic fitting where they can at least tell you quickly you should be somewhere in this ballpark as far as shaft or length? I will probably make a trip to golf galaxy or something this weekend.

8/17/2017 8:59:35 AM

99% of irons are going to be the right length, ^^like he said get steel. Unless you are abnormally tall.

Play it again has almost new sets for good prices. There is no need to buy new anything anymore other than maybe a driver, I would still save my 100 bucks on a used driver, but make it rain if you got the cash.

I was just at the play it again and they have Taylormade M1 and M2 sets for good prices, along with many others.

8/17/2017 10:02:09 AM

Golf Galaxy also has reasonably priced used clubs.

8/17/2017 10:09:16 AM

True I forget that with something like clubs if you decide you dont like them as much or want something a bit different you can always sell them or trade them back in. The ones I am using now are Warrior Custom Golf branded at least the 3-6 irons and wedges. I think the 7-9 are random no name brand steel shafted.

8/17/2017 10:17:16 AM

Yeah you need a new (to you) set of irons.

This kind of thing...or whatever the better game improvement irons were 3-5 years back - https://www.golfdigest.com/hot-list/golf-clubs/game-improvement-irons

8/17/2017 10:27:47 AM

Yeah so many options for clubs its a bit overwhelming to be honest. Between irons and a new driver trying to decide what to buy and how much to spend and what is worth the money is driving me crazy haha

8/17/2017 10:35:18 AM

Great thing about Galaxy is you can go hit and not be bothered. They have a large assortment of used drivers to hit ranging from 79.99 to 400.

8/17/2017 10:38:22 AM

Yeah I am guessing there is such a large market for used clubs because people are constantly switching trying to find the next best thing or something they can squeeze another 5-10 yards out of.

8/17/2017 10:45:22 AM

Any of you guys like playing in tourneys and having fun?
Besides LONNIE on Mondays, there is Thursday at RGA. 20.00 texas scramble. My team shot a 30 and we still didn't finish in the top 4!

8/17/2017 11:47:09 PM

Since it was so stormy last night I went and swung a whole bunch of irons and settled on a set of Callaway XR's. They seemed to feel and perform the best with my swing so hoping that translates to the course as well.

8/18/2017 8:23:11 AM

great clubs. I have a set of Steelhead XRs

8/18/2017 2:44:38 PM

Not sure if anyone is using them but Vice golf balls are amazing.

8/25/2017 7:45:07 AM

I didn't think the pricing was that great on those balls unless you but several dozen.

8/25/2017 7:52:24 AM

Yea true. I got a dozen of the pro plus and will never use a different ball again, i will be buying 5+ dozen(, which is about 20 dollars cheaper per dozen then ProV1) which is nuts.

USD 24.95* / DOZEN
TOTAL: USD 124.75*

8/25/2017 8:12:06 AM

Went and shot a 52 on 9 yesterday but took all my penalties as well so while the score isnt an improvement I have reduced my terrible shots enough to legitimately shoot in that range... well for one round haha. Double bogey on every hole except 9 with a bogey. Driver and irons werent the best but chipping and putting went well for a change to save me several times.

8/25/2017 8:26:16 AM

Short game will save you.

8/25/2017 8:28:59 AM

52s not bad considering your progression. It can take years to get it down.

8/26/2017 9:06:54 AM

Shot my lowest round yesterday of 75! A year ago my best round was 91 so feel pretty good about the improvement.

8/26/2017 9:41:21 AM

Played a new course this weekend shot a 52/59 back 9 just fell apart got behind a slow group was having to wait a few minutes between shots didn't work well for me. Had my first birdie though which was a pretty cool feeling.

8/27/2017 8:36:35 PM

Well broke 100 for the first time 2 rounds ago with a 97 and then went out and shot an 89 this evening. Feel like I finally got my swing right and was hitting my irons really well and fairly straight and getting my distances dialed in better. Got a few lucky bounces with the driver and some decent chips but too many 3 putts still.

8/30/2017 8:19:07 PM

So you went from 140 to breaking 90 in a month? Should we look for you on tour in October?

8/30/2017 8:59:03 PM

If he continues to improve yes, if he breaks 85 I'm out.

Are you still playing on the same track

8/30/2017 11:03:17 PM

Yeah almost all my rounds are at Wendell Country Club and still playing from the beginner tees so definitely take that with a grain of salt but the improvement in scores has come over the same course basically. Getting new irons has certainly helped and once I get a new driver I will move back to the normal tees and start working from there so I expect the scores to jump up again although I have gotten much better with my 4 iron and 3 wood off the fairway, now that I am hitting them, so my longer approaches have improved.

8/31/2017 7:06:43 AM

Hows it going?

10/19/2017 9:44:01 AM

I havent been playing as much lately since youth soccer started and I had to set aside times for games and practices. I am actually planning to play 9 after work today. I seem to have settled into the 90-95 range. I need to go and replace my driver and fairway wood at some point and then I want to move back to the middle tees rather than the beginner tees. I am still taking a few mulligans per round on just complete mishits giving myself until Jan. then I am gonna stop being forgiving and take my medicine. So I expect scores to go back up to around 100 after that again.

My driver has gotten reasonably consistent and my short game and putting have improved. I still struggle with the iron and fairway wood game which is probably why my short game has improved because I am having to hit a lot of shots from off the green because I have a hard time hitting the GIR.

10/19/2017 11:01:37 AM