When learning to golf, is it best to start on a driving range?
553481
It is always better to start on a range than the golf course for several reasons. First and most important, if you get frustrated on the range, you can just walk away and it only affect you. If you get frustrated on the course you have paid alot of money to just walk off, and the people behind you and with you will be affected. I would suggest working on a swing for about a half hour at a time untill you feel comfortable hitting shots consistantly, then play a round of golf.
620486
It depends upon your age as far as the clubs to start off with because they have clubs for children as well as adults.\nYou may want to just start off with a 1,3,and 5 wood set for your woods. As far as your irons, you may want to start off with a set with a 3,5,7, and 9 iron as well as a pitching wedge. Also, find yourself a putter that you are comfortable handling, for putting is a huge part of the sport. As far as balls, you may want to start off with a dozen, along with a towel to wipe your balls and clubs clean with. And also a bag large enough to consume all of your equipment that is the right size for you to carry if you will be carrying your clubs on the course instead of carrying them in a cart.
886386
The answer is probably not.  While a "lesser" golf ball might not help you control spin better, it won't otherwise harm your golf game.  At this stage, make sure you focus on the mechanics of the swing rather than equipment.  Growing up, I always used to think that having the top of the line equipment would make a difference but it really didn't.  It makes a difference as one gets better because such skilled golfers know their tendencies and what void they need to fill if any.  Often times, a skilled golfer will go for a certain golf ball or equipment because it helps them to control their swing, shot shape, distance, spin, and so forth.  While a top of the line golf ball might make you feel good and produce a few more yards or better spin, the state of your game ultimately depends on your swing.
981854
I used to work at a range, handicap 3.\nThe balls dont affect distance too much. Because they are rock they will go far, but the accuracy is massivley affected. Eg if you draw your pro v's, then the rocks will just straighten out as there is minimal spin, or when the dimples ware, then they can go in any erratic direction.\nPracticing on grass has much more benefit- go to a pro tourney and you wont see a mat in sight. The main thing is, is that it is harder off a mat, every shot should be near perfect contact, as it is simulating a tight lie. Also you will not get good feel.\nThere is no such thing as too many balls- in theory the more the better as it is all about muscle memory. But the most important thing to remember is that you can have too much practice. If you start hitting bad, you will feel bad and hit millions to put it right- this is wrong, all you will do is ingrane bad habits into your swing. This is why its important to go with someone who is as good/better than yourself, who can tell you where you go wrong so you can put it right straight away, rather than ruin your swing.\nGood luck!
37059
That depends entirely on the specifics of the shot. How much rough do you have to carry? Is it only green that you need to run on? Are there obstacles in between you and the hole?  What you need to do is go to a driving range that has a chipping green and figure it out for yourself.  There is no set answer.  If you'd like to try a different approach to chipping, rather than smacking at the ball, try this:  Put the ball in the middle of your stance with feet at shoulder width.  Take a PUTTING grip on the club, and putt it.  Just like a putt, don't swing faster on your follow through than on your backswing. Make a smooth, steady stroke.  Try that out at the range, and write down, or just remember, the distances that they carry.  Remember, if you want the ball to get up quicker, and roll less, use a higher lofted club, like a PW or SW, or even a Lob Wedge.  And if you want the ball to roll further, use a smaller iron. (5i, 6i, 4i, whatever works)  Standing 10 feet off the green, with 50 feet of green to run, I would suggest something like a 5 iron, with the stroke I mentioned before.
291605
Depends on what trick you want to play, learn to play pool first, the basic stuff
114766
Depends on how long you have been playing golf and how much money to spent.  New to the game and only played 3 years or less and plan to work on your game?  Hold off and wait to you improve to a level your happy with, then get a set that fits your game.  Now if you have played for years, have at least 2 people fitt you for clubs first.  PGA free Club fitting month at local golf course coming soon
969553
the club face is small and easy to make a mistake with. One common error is trying to come in from an arc and straighten up 2 inches (5 cm) from the ball ... to have a better chance of hitting correctly, straighten up the swing 7 inches (18 cm) before the ball.\n\nThere are a few sites with good info on bettering your golf swing. Areas to make sure are right are the Stance; Grip; Pivoting the sholders; keeping left arm straight; keeping eye on the ball; practice lots. \nMy first tip though is something i haven't seen in many tips, yet helped my game a lot
558129
Find a frozen lake or Start with a free golf lesson at www.playgolfamerica.com.  You may not hit it 300 yards but it will improve your game
35830
Distance in golf is generally related to club head speed at impact. The best way to increase your club head speed is to increase your flexability (hence why you usually hit longer after you've played a couple of holes, but why you get shorter later in the round as your muscles start to fatigue and tighten back up), so make sure you do plenty of stretching before you play and work on building up your muscle stamina
1179084
Here is the thing about your first set of clubs, you need to play 15 or 20 sometimes more before you will have a good idea what type of clubs you want.  You first set needs to be something with a bigger sweet spot that is more forgiving.   I think a used set sometimes is best.  The reason to go with a cheap set at first is so you don't lose a lot of money.  Once you have played enough to know what you want, go to as many demo days as you can.  Have them fit you.  All the sets mention are about the same but one person may perfer one over the other.  I"m sure you can get the same sets used for $80.00.  I have a lot of club info links on my blog roll
998557
It's been said that the driver is the second most important club in your bag-- next to your putter. A good drive sets the tone for the rest of the hole. Will you be scrambling just to get back on the fairway, hoping for pars and bogeys-- or will you be aggressively going for the green and for birdies? \n\nBy squeezing a few extra yards out of those drives, the subsequent iron shot will be that much easier, as will your chips, putts, and so on. \n\n1. Body Coil - Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, and other greats generate tremendous power by coiling the upper body with a big shoulder turn. The hips, however, don't turn nearly as much. This creates tension and torque, not unlike a rubber band being stretched before it's let go. How do you accomplish it? Try to keep the right leg and knee solid as you take the club away and fully rotate your shoulders. On the downswing, unwind and rotate through the ball with your hips. Make sure your navel is facing the target at the end of the swing to ensure a full turn. \n\n2. Developing a "Lag" - Successful drivers all have a "lag" in their swing. On the downswing, the wrists must release their energy at some point. When this happens is key. The closer to impact with the ball, the more stored power there will be. Many golfers deliver this source of power near the top of the swing or early on the way down, and end up swinging with just arms at contact. This is commonly called "casting"--the opposite of lag. One drill to improve this is to cock your wrists at the top of the backswing so that there's a right angle between your arm and club. Pull the club down in slow motion, while doing your best to retain this angle. Try to incorporate this into your full swings, and remember to release those wrists through the ball! \n\n3. Swinging with the Whole Body - Some of the biggest muscles in your body are the upper legs and trunk, and you should use them to put power in your swing. On the downswing, your legs should begin the drive and the trunk begins the turn. Also, the bigger muscles have much less chance to twitch under pressure than do the smaller ones. This is why good swingers seem to move effortlessly--the small muscles are being led by the larger ones. This is called "swinging with the whole body." Try it! \n\n4. Left Arm Straight at the Top - Make sure your left arm is kept relatively straight on the backswing to ensure a wide swing arc. Keep some distance between the hands at the top of the swing and your shoulders and head. This produces more club head speed without swinging any harder. Davis Love III and Vijay Singh are great examples of this. Watch them, and internalize what you see!
866304
Some believe that the best way is to go straight for lessons .\n\nI think you need to just go to a driving range a few times and hit some balls, also read up on the rules and ettequette of the game which is very important. There are a great deal of web sites to show and explain the proper grip and swing so that should get you started.\n\nOnce you have done this I then would go for some lessons and after the lessons get a set of clubs fitted. Its always good to play golf with someone that is fairly good and enjoys the game because you can learn a lot from them by simply watching.\n\nJust remember, it wont happen over night, be patient and enjoy the journey into this great game.\n\nLeon
602652
Whatever you do...don't force it upon him.  If he wants to learn to play golf that's great.  Don't make it a pressure.  As long as he's having fun.  I believe it's best to start with the driver at the range and then the other clubs (some instructors might disagree, but if you think about..the driver needs the most practice and if he can hit that he'll hit'em all).  Show him the proper grip.  That's one of, if not "the" most important fundamentals.  He'll probably do better with an interlocking grip to start.  Allow him to not be absolutely perfect and allow him to take a full swing and stay in balance.  Teach him the proper foot work to develop rhythm.  Spend a lot of time putting and chipping.  Let him watch a good golfer swing and allow him to emulate.  Don't let him play on a public course until he can make decent contact so he will enjoy it more and not frustrate the 4 some behind you.  Unless there is a shorter, less traveled golf course available.  Seeing him hit his tee shot down the middle will be worth all the patient it takes to get there.  ENJOY and Good luck.
751937
ksinghvir - Young man I would say this.  Are your clubs fitted to your body type and swing? Because if they are not your parents have wasted a lot of money buying you those clubs. Those are expensive clubs that you have. Expensive isn't always the best, go get them fitted, if you haven't had them fitted already. Good luck trying out for your Freshman golf team.\nA response to your comment:\nGood for you. The best lesson you learned is the value of hard work (both caddieing and practicing to bring your handicap down).  When you get older, stronger and better, believe me you will, Switch to steel in your irons, and get irons with less offset as you will want to be able to keep your ball flight down. They will also provide you with more workability.\nSkidude - 5'5"? 315? The yardage at your golf course is off. Or maybe since your name is Skidude you play at 10,000 ft. altitude. Bring your game down to FL.(at sea level) doubt it's 315 here.
364119
There's a couple of things you can do. Go to the most exclusive, private country club in your area, and offer your services. Talk to the proshop and let them know you want to learn.  Secondly, watch for amatuer tournaments in your area, things like city championships, state qualifying tournaments, etc. Go there a day early when players are practicing and hang around the putting green or driving range, offer your caddying skills.
1141049
Starting with a beginner set is a good idea. You can also pick up used sets from various places. If you can try to get a lesson and practice some before making a purchase. Learning how to swing the club allows you to try them out before purchasing.\n\nAfter you have played for some time then you can look into buying clubs for your height.