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Joined: 12/19/2008
Posts: 9
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Posted: Dec/20/2008 10:32 AM PST
Hi guys,
I am new to the game. Well, actually returning after about 25 years and, boy does it seem to have changed . I am now more mature and realise that there are many more aspects to the game than just clobbering a ball that I used to do.
I would appreciate any thoughts on what the most important aspects of the game are to concentrate on first. Is it putting, driving, irons?
Any information is much appreciated,
Thanks 
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Tucson
Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 6
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Posted: Dec/20/2008 9:19 PM PST
I suggest you learn to hit the ball consistently with all or most of your clubs. I know, easier said than done for many, but spend the time at the range if you can, to get comfortable knowing you can hit the ball pretty solidly, most of the time. This fundamental will then allow you to then start working on the 'game' aspects.
The technology has changed a great deal from the days of Staff blades and balata balls. Pretty much anyone can now hit a driver, and irons are soooo much easier to hit than those old things, it isn't even funny. But...it still requires an athletic move and good hand-eye coordination. Which is why I still don't play as well as I'd like. 
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Joined: 12/19/2008
Posts: 9
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Posted: Dec/21/2008 10:10 AM PST
Thanks for the advice - will do,
Have a good Christmas holiday
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san clemente
Joined: 1/14/2008
Posts: 333
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Posted: Dec/21/2008 9:04 PM PST
spend an hour putting and chipping for every half hour beating balls on the range. Every week end I play with guys that can get the ball close to the green in regulation but cant get it up and down its a shame and cost them ten shots a round.
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Joined: 12/19/2008
Posts: 9
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Posted: Dec/22/2008 1:08 PM PST
Thanks duckybutters, I am taking it all on board and at the weekend at the range and was chipping more than driving. Just need to work on the putting!
Thanks again and have a good holiday
G
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Joined: 12/05/2007
Posts: 589
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Posted: Dec/24/2008 3:19 PM PST
figure out what you do well and what you don't and practice accordingly. Dont let yourself fall into the trap of not practicing things you do well, they still need practice. I've been playing a little over a year and in my case, i got tired of hearing people tell me "it's all about the short game..." If that were the case, there would be no hole over 100 yards. I was losing strokes all over the place because I was hitting driver OB. And it wasn't just a matter of not hitting driver so much, it was a matter of needing to work on that part of my game. I'm happy to say that in 15 months of playing, my handicap is down around 15 and i've put up numerous rounds in the 8-12 over par range since handicap posting season ended so I'm really probably closer to a 12 now
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san clemente
Joined: 1/14/2008
Posts: 333
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Posted: Dec/24/2008 9:33 PM PST
a player hits no more than 14 drives per round most good players don't pull the driver more than 12 times. But a player uses half his total shots within 25 yards of the green. Hitting the ball off a tee with a huge club face shouldn't take that much practice. They say "drive for show putt for doe" for a reason, its true. The range is a great place to work on timing and body control but the better players don't spend to much time there. They are easy to spot thou
look for the guys with the shag bags and in the practice bunkers.
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Joined: 12/19/2008
Posts: 9
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Posted: Dec/29/2008 11:23 AM PST
Thanks for all your help and comments - I am trying to be like a sponge and absorb everything said in the forums,
Happy New Year
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Joined: 12/05/2007
Posts: 589
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Posted: Dec/29/2008 3:08 PM PST
Quote: Originally posted by duckybutters a player hits no more than 14 drives per round most good players don't pull the driver more than 12 times. But a player uses half his total shots within 25 yards of the green. Hitting the ball off a tee with a huge club face shouldn't take that much practice. They say "drive for show putt for doe" for a reason, its true. The range is a great place to work on timing and body control but the better players don't spend to much time there. They are easy to spot thou look for the guys with the shag bags and in the practice bunkers.
I must disagree with you here (but we've both come to expect that right?);-)
I do agree, you only pull the driver out 14 times BUT if i hit that driver OB 5 or 6 times a round (which is what was happeneing when I started) it represents closer to 26 strokes. You would think hitting a club with a huge face would be easier, but at a high swing speed with a shot that covers more distance, an error of 5* offline ends up being waaaaay farther off line than a 9 iron hit 5* offline.
I'm not saying short game isn't important, of course it is. But if your chipping and putting decent but you can't get your first shot on the course, that can be just as much as a problem. They say that 0-9 handicappers should average 30 putts a round. Thats what I average as a 15 handicapper which shows that my putting and short game is good but I still lose strokes tee to green.
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san clemente
Joined: 1/14/2008
Posts: 333
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Posted: Dec/29/2008 7:41 PM PST
Well you were pretty lame back then remember
happy holiday!!
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