Golf?! Mid-life crisis?

devonutopia · 30-07-2005, 20:59

I'm suddenly finding myself playing golf and actually rather enjoying it.

Did a bit of pitch & putt at uni where I vaguely learned how to hit the ball, then a couple of weeks ago, a mate bought about 6 clubs from the local "recycling centre" for a tenner (metal driver, 3 iron, high wedges and putter) and suddenly I'm re-finding that skill again.

Obviously pitch & putt is just a 70 yard slog at most followed by the odd iron and putting, but for the first time I had a go on a driving range and was surprised at how damn good it felt to sweetly hit a ball with a driver.

When you see how long those damned fields are, then hit a ball with a sweet "THWACK" and see it sail past the 200 marker up to the hedge, it really does put a smile on my face.

Infact the ability to just swing such a "bat" with a small surface area (coming from a tennis players point of view) and hit such a small target (again, from a tennis player's p.o.v

) is really nice.

Arms straight, legs straight, don't move back, swing, THWACK!

Hoping for another round of pitch & putt tomorrow.

Am I getting old though, or does that come when my trouser waists starts to chafe my nipples?

walkie · 30-07-2005, 21:01

Hey! I play golf every day and I am 19!!

Started when I was a wee nipper, then had a big big break and started again past couple of months.

Great game, get into it, you wont regret

devonutopia · 30-07-2005, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkie

Hey! I play golf every day and I am 19!!

Started when I was a wee nipper, then had a big big break and started again past couple of months.

Great game, get into it, you wont regret

Whats your handicap then? Sounds like I have some competition.

Was only kidding about the age thing - I guess its just an unfair view of the game in general.

MissPiggy · 30-07-2005, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkie

Hey! I play golf every day and I am 19!!

Started when I was a wee nipper, then had a big big break and started again past couple of months.

Great game, get into it, you wont regret

can't we call J old anyway??!!!

PaulC · 30-07-2005, 23:03

Golf is a great game, I love playing it when I get the time, now been playing 12 months and enjoy the walk and looking for balls alot hehee, J give us some tips on hitting them far please ;-)

Kentish · 31-07-2005, 00:54

Dont start on about golf, its too bloody addictive

Especially since my wife bought me a nice new driver

(for my not too distant 40th)...boy is it long

walkie · 31-07-2005, 08:19

I play off 17 at Woburn, which isnt too bad as a genuine 17 around Woburn is quite good if you've seen the courses

I'll get some photo's its lovely course

And yes golf is very addictive when you get into it

devonutopia · 31-07-2005, 10:24

I dunno what my "tactic" is to whack a ball a good distance. Firstly I guess you need to ensure that you're holding the club in such a way that its not going to twist, and when you swing, its not going to alter its path back to the ball? (i.e the straight arms, pivot thing?) I've found my best grip is left hand above the right, thumb of left hand on top of the grip, being covered by the right hand. This seems (after a little practise on the range) to be the best grip.

My mate's a;ways seem to straddle the ball with their feet too, but for me this means I hit the ball muh to early, resulting in such a punched ball, and no loft. I tend to stand so my left foot is more or less in line with the ball, right foot obviously quite far behind it. This means when the club coming through hits the ball, its being hit in a more lofted part of the swing - this generates bigger lift, and obviously HUGE distance if using the good old metal driver - "TING!" "FOOOOOORRRRRE!"

Kentish · 31-07-2005, 11:10

If you intend to pursue the golf J, I would strongly advise having a few lessons with a teaching pro at your local public course or driving range. A few lessons now as a beginner will be more rewarding than countless lessons latter on as a misguided hacker (trust me been there got the Tee).

They dont have to cost the earth, mine cost me £16 per half hour lesson, including bucket of balls and all videod too. Its money well spent.

devonutopia · 31-07-2005, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentish

If you intend to pursue the golf J, I would strongly advise having a few lessons with a teaching pro at your local public course or driving range. A few lessons now as a beginner will be more rewarding than countless lessons latter on as a misguided hacker (trust me been there got the Tee).

They dont have to cost the earth, mine cost me £16 per half hour lesson, including bucket of balls and all videod too. Its money well spent.

I think I'll think about it for sure. My mate's next door neighbour has about 60 years golfing experience

and is giving him free tips and guides down at the local course. I think the finer points I still need to iron out is club selection and putting. For some reason I can't putt for toffee at the moment.

BTW - like your "got the Tee" deliberate pun!

Kentish · 31-07-2005, 11:22

Its all very well and helpful with someone giving you "hints and tips", but a one to one lesson is much better, and in the long term more productive. I played for 3 years before having a series of lessons, which totally cured me of most ills. However when I stopped playing (eldest was 1) and returned to the game after a 12 year break I found it very hard and struggled. Again I have returned to lessons, but I have found techniques have changed, as well as teaching approach. All in all, I would probably be in a better position if I had never played and started from scratch, as I already have muscle memory and a mind full of information that most of which is wrong and needs converting.

Its easier to learn from new rather than relearn after doing it wrong yourself.
Also, a golf "teacher" will have a structure and will notice the finer points, some of which you wont know your doing and a subtle change will produce fantastic results.

Kentish · 31-07-2005, 11:27

Also, remember that playing golf is like car modding, its a slipery slope and there is always something that will help you hit the ball further/straighter or stop quicker.

Take me, I am now the proud owner of a Ping G2 driver, that is at least 50 yds longer than my (not so) old metal driver. What does this mean....well I can now drive the green on my favourite hole at my course, a par 4 340 slight dog leg with out of bounds on the dogleg (populated by tall trees) and a pond 30 yards further down. Am I happy, well of course...but now the ball response and feel is more in question...............and so it goes on.

devonutopia · 31-07-2005, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentish

Also, remember that playing golf is like car modding, its a slipepry slope and there is always something that will help you hit the ball further/straighter or stop quicker.

Not another slope!

walkie · 31-07-2005, 13:47

Lessons are probably the best money spent in Golf.

I had lessons years ago, it will improve your game no end. They will probably completly change your stance, grip and swing and it will feel very odd, but then you start to get used to the technique, then it becomes natural...

As I said earlier I have just taken golf back up again and its as if it has 'clicked' I remember most things I learnt in my lessons, apply them to my game and it works

Unfortunatly learning from someone else, unless they are a pro will give you bad habbits. You need to learn from a PGA approved pro, and if its a video lesson then even better!

Infact I am due to start lessons again next week

heresmo · 01-08-2005, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by devonutopia

Am I getting old though, or does that come when my trouser waists starts to chafe my nipples?

(extract)

Were the trousers checked by any chance?

On TV last night (8 out of 10 cats), they said that 1 in 4 golf players was a manual worker and the only problem was that when anyone said "Tee", they went off for a cuppa. Snobbery at its best

It was golf (well pitch & put) that caused me to take up fishing - blinking big water hole on the Hastings p&p. That bucket full of golf balls sounds very appealing

Good luck
Mo

30-07-2005, 20:59	#1
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,081 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 75 Thanked 352 Times in 295 Posts	Golf?! Mid-life crisis? I'm suddenly finding myself playing golf and actually rather enjoying it. Did a bit of pitch & putt at uni where I vaguely learned how to hit the ball, then a couple of weeks ago, a mate bought about 6 clubs from the local "recycling centre" for a tenner (metal driver, 3 iron, high wedges and putter) and suddenly I'm re-finding that skill again. Obviously pitch & putt is just a 70 yard slog at most followed by the odd iron and putting, but for the first time I had a go on a driving range and was surprised at how damn good it felt to sweetly hit a ball with a driver. When you see how long those damned fields are, then hit a ball with a sweet "THWACK" and see it sail past the 200 marker up to the hedge, it really does put a smile on my face. Infact the ability to just swing such a "bat" with a small surface area (coming from a tennis players point of view) and hit such a small target (again, from a tennis player's p.o.v ) is really nice. Arms straight, legs straight, don't move back, swing, THWACK! Hoping for another round of pitch & putt tomorrow. Am I getting old though, or does that come when my trouser waists starts to chafe my nipples? __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. Cheesy bonnet lifter video to "raise me up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnGECEi5Oc See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

30-07-2005, 21:01	#2
walkie ............... Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Monday: MK Tuesday: MK Wednesday: MK Thursday: MK Friday: MK/Home Saturday: Home Sunday: In bed ;o) Posts: 6,606 Members Car: BMW 120D M-Sport Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hey! I play golf every day and I am 19!! Started when I was a wee nipper, then had a big big break and started again past couple of months. Great game, get into it, you wont regret __________________ Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training. See you soon folks, take care - James

31-07-2005, 00:54	#6
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,244 Members Car: 4 wheels, 4 doors. Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Dont start on about golf, its too bloody addictive Especially since my wife bought me a nice new driver (for my not too distant 40th)...boy is it long __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

31-07-2005, 08:19	#7
walkie ............... Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Monday: MK Tuesday: MK Wednesday: MK Thursday: MK Friday: MK/Home Saturday: Home Sunday: In bed ;o) Posts: 6,606 Members Car: BMW 120D M-Sport Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I play off 17 at Woburn, which isnt too bad as a genuine 17 around Woburn is quite good if you've seen the courses I'll get some photo's its lovely course And yes golf is very addictive when you get into it __________________ Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training. See you soon folks, take care - James

31-07-2005, 10:24	#8
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,081 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 75 Thanked 352 Times in 295 Posts	I dunno what my "tactic" is to whack a ball a good distance. Firstly I guess you need to ensure that you're holding the club in such a way that its not going to twist, and when you swing, its not going to alter its path back to the ball? (i.e the straight arms, pivot thing?) I've found my best grip is left hand above the right, thumb of left hand on top of the grip, being covered by the right hand. This seems (after a little practise on the range) to be the best grip. My mate's a;ways seem to straddle the ball with their feet too, but for me this means I hit the ball muh to early, resulting in such a punched ball, and no loft. I tend to stand so my left foot is more or less in line with the ball, right foot obviously quite far behind it. This means when the club coming through hits the ball, its being hit in a more lofted part of the swing - this generates bigger lift, and obviously HUGE distance if using the good old metal driver - "TING!" "FOOOOOORRRRRE!" __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. Cheesy bonnet lifter video to "raise me up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnGECEi5Oc See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

30-07-2005, 23:03	#5
PaulC Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton UK Posts: 1,168 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Golf is a great game, I love playing it when I get the time, now been playing 12 months and enjoy the walk and looking for balls alot hehee, J give us some tips on hitting them far please ;-)

31-07-2005, 11:10	#9
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,244 Members Car: 4 wheels, 4 doors. Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	If you intend to pursue the golf J, I would strongly advise having a few lessons with a teaching pro at your local public course or driving range. A few lessons now as a beginner will be more rewarding than countless lessons latter on as a misguided hacker (trust me been there got the Tee). They dont have to cost the earth, mine cost me £16 per half hour lesson, including bucket of balls and all videod too. Its money well spent. __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

31-07-2005, 11:22	#11
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,244 Members Car: 4 wheels, 4 doors. Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Its all very well and helpful with someone giving you "hints and tips", but a one to one lesson is much better, and in the long term more productive. I played for 3 years before having a series of lessons, which totally cured me of most ills. However when I stopped playing (eldest was 1) and returned to the game after a 12 year break I found it very hard and struggled. Again I have returned to lessons, but I have found techniques have changed, as well as teaching approach. All in all, I would probably be in a better position if I had never played and started from scratch, as I already have muscle memory and a mind full of information that most of which is wrong and needs converting. Its easier to learn from new rather than relearn after doing it wrong yourself. Also, a golf "teacher" will have a structure and will notice the finer points, some of which you wont know your doing and a subtle change will produce fantastic results. __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

31-07-2005, 11:27	#12
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,244 Members Car: 4 wheels, 4 doors. Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Also, remember that playing golf is like car modding, its a slipery slope and there is always something that will help you hit the ball further/straighter or stop quicker. Take me, I am now the proud owner of a Ping G2 driver, that is at least 50 yds longer than my (not so) old metal driver. What does this mean....well I can now drive the green on my favourite hole at my course, a par 4 340 slight dog leg with out of bounds on the dogleg (populated by tall trees) and a pond 30 yards further down. Am I happy, well of course...but now the ball response and feel is more in question...............and so it goes on. __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour. Last edited by Kentish; 31-07-2005 at 12:33.

31-07-2005, 13:47	#14
walkie ............... Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Monday: MK Tuesday: MK Wednesday: MK Thursday: MK Friday: MK/Home Saturday: Home Sunday: In bed ;o) Posts: 6,606 Members Car: BMW 120D M-Sport Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Lessons are probably the best money spent in Golf. I had lessons years ago, it will improve your game no end. They will probably completly change your stance, grip and swing and it will feel very odd, but then you start to get used to the technique, then it becomes natural... As I said earlier I have just taken golf back up again and its as if it has 'clicked' I remember most things I learnt in my lessons, apply them to my game and it works Unfortunatly learning from someone else, unless they are a pro will give you bad habbits. You need to learn from a PGA approved pro, and if its a video lesson then even better! Infact I am due to start lessons again next week __________________ Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training. See you soon folks, take care - James

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