Playing Golf

[Dave Gray]

I suck at golf.

Bad.

However, I've been going a couple of times a year for about 10 years.  In that time, I've learned the basics of how to swing the clubs.  My short game is somewhat OK (at least in comparison to my drive), which hasn't improved since I've started.

My clubs are crap and I figured, that for someone of my skill level, that it didn't really matter much.

So, I went to play last weekend and halfway through the round, I started using a friend's clubs.

HOLY CRAP!

What a difference.  I am now able to consistently drive the ball into the air (rather than shank it across the ground.)  I even birdied a hole.  This was done without any change to my swing at all.  I didn't realize how much old, crap clubs made a difference.  It's not even like his are all that good, either.  It's just that my clubs were a junior set from about 15 years ago.

I still suck, and now that the ball is in the air, I have a slice to deal with, and 1,000 other problems, but it's at least something I can work with.  So, I'm thinking that I want to start going more often, as soon as I get a new set of clubs.  It sucks that it's so expensive.  Do any of you play?

[Tenshot13]

There is a driving range down the street from my cousin's house that has a bar, and at night you can hit balls for free as long as your drinking.  We get drunk and hit balls around.  That's about the extent of my golf game.

[Dave Gray]

That actually sounds really dangerous.  Here, the driving ranges are pretty open (you could throw a club or hit someone in the face).  They don't have partitions.  I imagine if you are serving liquor, your liability goes up.  Are the tees separated?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I only use one club when I play golf.  I comes with the greens fee, along with a souvenir pencil that is too short. 

[Denver_Bronco]

That's interesting Dave. I've heard and seen this with my friends first hand.

Like we will go to a golfing range and use "house" clubs ,and I am better then they are. When they use their own clubs though they play completely better.

[BigDaddyFin]

Dave, I would recommend going out and getting a set of cheap cavity back irons (ask the store clerk) and maybe some oversized fairway woods/drivers (ram makes a good set of these and they're reasonably priced) just until you see how much you're going to play and how good you get.  It took me a few years before I could hit without a slice and even longer before I could really drive the ball. 

A Golf Galaxy near you is a great place to start because they also have used namebrand clubs that are always in good condition and will save you some money as well. 

Get a good ball that's relatively cheap because you'll lose a lot of them (as we all do) I recommend TopFlite XL's or maybe something in a Noodle. 

And try some cheaper putters until you get a feel for the style you like, you'll see they come in a variety of shaft lengths and head styles, but don't drop a ton of cash until you see what you like. 

Best advice I can give you. 

[Dave Gray]

Thanks!

As for putters, I have a "regular" putter that is very simple.  I like it.  I get too much speed with mallet-style club-heads, but I haven't used a ton.

[Brian Fein]

Hey, Dave, I would really be interested in playing, if you'd like.  Let me know when and where you'd wanna go, I'm totally in...

[Dave Gray]

OK.  I have to go get clubs first.

[BigDaddyFin]

Adams makes a good relatively cheap starter set and they're easy to hit from what I've heard.  I play Callaways but trust me what's in my bag might look pretty and uber professional but in the long run you're probably not going to want. 

Also you may find it worth the 30 bucks or whatever it costs to get fitted for some clubs and get them bent right. 

Dave, if the guy tries to get you to buy a shitload of wedges, don't.  You don't need more than three despite what that asshole Dave Pelz says.