Any other Golf Addicts in the house?

[VisualOddity]

So yesterday I played my first golf. I. Am. Addicted.

Thanks to a buddy of mine, I got to play my first round of golf yesterday (actually 27 holes total). We played 18 holes in the morning, then hit Golf Smith so I could look at drivers and putters, then went back and walked 9 holes. I am so sore I can hardly move. My hands and legs are killing me, but I am ready to go again Sunday. I am completely hooked.

I guess I did ok for my first time. We played from the tips all day, and played "best ball" when needed. I got two legit bogeys, which I guess is ok for a newb. When I got ahold of the ball ok, I could hit 250+ in the air. I'm not quite sure yet why everyone says it's such a good thing, but appearently I have a natural draw...? Everything tends to fade left.

I also got setup w/ new clubs. I got the driver and putter between the first 18, and the second 9 we did... During the first 18, I was using an older putter and a Nike SQ Sumo Driver (the rounded one). The new driver and putter made a WORLD of difference. It's amazing how even on the first trip to the course, you can really choose clubs by feel, and it can really make a difference. As of Sunday, I am playing the clubs below...

Titleist 755 Irons w/ a Hybrid 3 wood...
Cleaveland Sand Wedge
Nike Sasquach Sumo Driver (the new squared one)
Nike Unitized Techno Putter



Let me repeat...
"I. Am. Addicted."

[3n-Out]

I am a golf addict. I play every Saturday morning "weather permitted". I am a addict and know I am.

You can never master the game so don't try. Just when you think you have golf golf has you!

Never think buying new equipment will make you better. This of course after you own your equipment. Expect a long journey. Golf is hard, very hard and some days will be better then others.

They day you play when you didn't really want to will most probably turn out to be your best round. The day you really want to play will most probably turn out to be a night mare.

If you really want to get good at the game of golf - go out by yourself and play with a group of guys you don't know. This of course after you learn the game.

And above all other, pratice pratice practice...

[CaptainTom]

learn the proper rules of golf, and learn good golf etiquette.
There's nothing more frustrating than playing with or near someone who has no regard for the rules or for other players. Don't get sucked into learning "texas" rules and "texas" etiquette. Learn the right things, and then modify for the situation.

Watch for snakes....

[srwatters]

Here's a suggestion: Stop now before it's too late.... (unless you have a fat wallet and too much idle time)

I've played for around 25+ years. Self taught for the first 20 then took some lessons and got down to single digit handicap (8, which requires playing every weekend and practicing once or twice during the week). In other words, get some lessons if you have any intention of being competitive.

Second suggestion: Until you can shoot less than 9 over par for 18 holes on a given set of tees, don't get macho and back up. All you will do is lose more balls and upset the golfers behind you. If you can occasionally rip the ball 300+ yards, odds are it will be off line at least one fairway. Nothing will get other players more teed off (pun ) than hackers stepping up to the back tees and slicing one OB off number one. I love getting looks if I take a 3 iron off the tee on a tight par 5. Then laugh all the way to the 19th hole when I'm on in three and the long hitters are still looking for their tee shot. Remember you'll only drive the ball 14 times per round, but take somewhere around 30-40 putts. I know where I spend a lot of practice time.... Look at what Tiger Woods did this weekend if you doubt me...

Last suggestion: Start with a 1/2 set of clubs and don't spend a fortune. When you get really good, you can still shoot your handicap with 6 clubs. Learn how to contact the ball, then hit it where how far you want it to go, then finally shape the shot to fit the circumstances.

There you have it... Zen and the art of golf by Scott

[L Stegall]

Well said, Scott. I'm always amused by the guys playing in front of me who have to hit from the championship tees, but can't clear the forward tees! See, here's a bunch of them now......

It's a fun sport, sometimes very frustrating. I played on the golf team in high school (yes, when girls sports were quite the novelty and the coach like to humiliate us by making us get measured for our letter jackets in front of the football team). I quit golf after that and took it up again a few years ago. Can't say I'm a great player now, but it's fun. Expensive. But fun. I find I rarely have anyone to play with....my husband is NOT a golfer and not interested in it in the least.

[Roadrnr]

Very well said Scott!

Hey Dylan hit me up when you want to go play. Taylor has a decent, sometimes challenging course...even if it is only a 9 hole course.

[kenw]

someone famous wisely said: "Golf is a good walk spoilt (ie; spoiled)."

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by kenw

someone famous wisely said: "Golf is a good walk spoilt (ie; spoiled)."

Yeah, it was my smart a$$ brother, when my dad wouldn't take him to do something else instead of playing golf. Actually, I think Mark Twain said it first.

[Sonny]

Never took a lesson and it shows. I love to play but I really suck. Although I haven't been on a golf course in two years.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Never took a lesson and it shows. I love to play but I really suck. Although I haven't been on a golf course in two years.

I've taken a handful of lessons, but they didn't stick.
I suck, but love to play. I haven't played in two years since my playing buddy moved to Florida. He was the only one I know who could put up with my inconsistencies.

Can you spell H A C K E R ?

[SaSha]

I am a addict golfer also...Looks like you got treated to a great day.
and a natural draw is prefered because with slicing you loose distance and tend to lose more balls. With a draw you tend to get more distance and holes with doglegs to the left play better with a draw from the Driver.

I play alot at the Retreat in the outskirts of Cleburne. It is a fine course. I will be playing more there once my father builds his house there. He is already playing more because he just retired....that is the life! Play during the weekeday anytime you want.

Good luck on your game.
Roger that what John from SA said...new equipment doesn't always make you better...I had my Hogan Cavity backs stolen and had to start playing with some really thin bladed Hogans that my Uncle use to play with. Talk about clubs from another era...But now I can hit with them very well mainly Irons and the one club, 2 Iron left from the stolen set that survived, when I hit it, always a good shot.

[Big Dog]

I'm a recovering addict. Haven't touched a club in years...

[JPalmer]

I just shot an 86 in the 25-30 mph winds blowing through here.

And I'm one of those dastardly lefties...

[Gordon]

I'm in recovery too. Got to a 10 handicap and quit. Ish. Maybe just one round.

[gsdpic]

I guess I am a recovered addict who relapsed. I played a lot in the mid 90s, then maybe four times from '97 to spring of 2005, when an old golf buddy of mine talked me into meeting him in Myrtle Beach for some golf. Since then I have played 30 or 40 rounds per year.

A lot of good advice and words of wisdom above....have fun with it and try not to take the game or yourself too seriously.