Help with making great impression on avid golfer. How many lessons in basic clinic and what do they cover?

Question

How long does it take to learn basics? Any tips to avoid neophyte blunders???? What not to wear, what tools would impress? I know how to drive a golf cart but that's all. I don't need to show up the guy, just impress him with my competence.

Answer 1

Don’t listen to the previous guy. Going to a women’s clinic is a good idea. It’s probably a bad idea to go to a golf course without knowing how to golf. I would say it takes at least several months of group lessons and bi-weekly practice at the range and putting green to be a basic functional golfer.

Golf is still a very conservative and subtle sport. Many golfers on golf courses have high expectations for newbies. I would say that pace of play and greenside etiquette are the two most important things to learn before going onto a course. For pace of play, the general rule is 8 or “snowman” score. If you’ve reached 8 before reaching a green, it’s time to pick up the ball. It takes a lot of self-discipline, but it will show a lot about your character. No one likes seeing someone in the woods looking for balls or hacking 10-12 shots on one hole.

Greenside etiquette is subtle and can really piss people off. You should mark your ball. Fix any marks you see on the green, even if it’s not your own. The person furthest away, putts first. Only pull the pin out when everyone is on the green. Put the pin out if you’re closest to it. Pick up people’s clubs for them after they putt. DON”T ever walk on someone’s putting line. Stand very still and don’t talk when someone is putting. Don’t do ANY practice putts while someone else is putting.

Personally, I don’t care for these rules, but I don’t know your date so, you never know.

Generally, you shouldn’t wear jeans. My gf HATES womens golf clothes. She says they look really preppy and dorky. She’ll wear cargo capri’s with a tank top. Just no jeans.

Try to take advice from the guy and make him feel important, then you should have a fun time. Another idea might be to go to a par three course. They’re shorter and full of beginners so, you won’t feel as much pressure.

Answer 2

The best way to impress him is with your chipping and putting ability. Highly recommend going to a driving range, learn to putt, read green...and chip. I knew I could never out drive my 6'6" ex, so I honed my short game. Love those zero putt chip ins!!! THAT'S impressive. Your long game will come later. don't even think about hitting woods at first, stick with irons -- this is the single biggest mistake I have encountered with just learning ladies, "but I can hit my wood 75 yards....." I can hit my sand wedge 75 yards.

When you first start on the driving range be consistant in your grip and stance, left arm straight, eye on the ball, RELAX, don't think-swing. Sweet, easy, fluid. Kind of like sweeping. You don't have to be a gorilla to hit a ball far, slow, tempo, contact, let the club do the work! That's what they are made to do.

Always start practice (stretch out first) with your high irons: sw, 9, 8....learn to love your 3, 4, 5 irons.

With your wedge, start small, pick a place 15 or 20 yards away and drop the ball there, accuracy. Then progress to bigger swings using the full distance capacity of your wedge. (Teaches you how far you can hit each club.)

You can Email me through my Avatar if you'd like more. Better yet, come to Myrtle Beach, I'll show you the game. All invited. golf -- a four letter word we love.

Answer 3

Figure out another way to make a "great impression". Golf is an extremely difficult game to get good at. Chances are it will take you a year or more to learn the rules, basics, etc. and hundreds of hours of practice. If your friend is an avid golfer your fear of "showing him up" is unfounded to say the least and trying to "impress him with your competence" is likely going to make you look like a fool.