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I am in love with this game!! I went out and bought all brand new stuff!!
I have been at the driving range and on the chipping and putting green for 2 weeks. But today I played my first round of golf. A par 3, 9 hole course. We played it twice. The first time I shot a 44, the second time a 40.

Is this a good starting point?

I see that I need to work on my chipping. My putting was perfect. My tee shots(all with irons because of short distance)were perfect. I am getting a perfect and consistent 150 to 175 yards with my 5 iron. I think that and my chipping wedge are my favorites so far. With my wedge I get right at 110 yards. My problem is knowing how hard of soft to chip up to the greens.
Any suggestions??
Sorry such a long post but I AM EXCITED ABOUT GOLF!!
--cjc--

Congrats!

The thing i find with chipping onto the green you have to bear in mind a few things...

1) What condition is the green in? - Wet? Dry? - Don't forget it'll go a bit slower/faster.

2) Does the green slope...? Which way?

I always try to picture the hole as the middle of an upturned dustbin lid ( a bigger target is easier to hit don't forget) and try to get in 'the circle'.

Why not try getting an open, upturned umbrella, go out to your garden and try chipping some balls into that...it does help and practice, practice, practice!

Good Luck!

It sounds like you're on your way to a rewarding career in golf, devolve.

Xko has some good ideas for practice: Just remember that Brits call a "lawn" the "garden"; otherwise you might end up bruising your tomatoes with mishit golf balls.

Regular practice with the short game is the only way to improve your "feel" around the greens. Be aware, however, that different courses have greens of different speeds and that as Xko points out moisture content affects speed as well. For instance, yesterday morning I played a familiar course, but we had experienced two straight days of very heavy rain. Nearly all of my chips and pitches ended up disgustingly short. I just couldn't make myself hit the ball hard enough to get it to the hole, because all summer the greens have been hard and fast. Hopefully you will develop better touch than I have and be able to adjust better to changing conditions.

Another good point valeogut, becoming comfortable with your clubs, the feel of the clubs all come into play, it's a case of practising in different conditions.

Playing in England is good as it rains more often than not so my rain play is generally better than my dry play!

And please don't damage your tomatoes!

Thanks for the replys!

I am enjoying this sport a whole lot more than I thought I would.

I played the same 9 hole again today and shot a 38!! I will be playing a nice 18 hole tomorrow with some friends. We will see if my begginers luck stays true!!

--cjc--

Holy mackerel, devolve! You're already down to 38 on that nine-hole par-3 course?! I think you're doing great!

Sounds as if you're getting a reasonable distance with your irons. Possibly you'll hit further as you play more, but if not that's OK. I hit about the same distance (maybe slightly shorter) than you do, and I get around the course OK.

As you may have already discovered (depending on when you read this), a full-length 18-hole course will present additional challenges. Don't be discouraged if it beats you up a little. You've got such a great attitude.

So keep practicing, maybe check out a golf-instruction video (lessons are a great idea, if you can afford a few, maybe as part of a group...cheaper that way), try your hand at the 18-hole course, and definitely keep playing that par-3 course. Par-3 courses make you work on the scoring shots. They will always be good for your game.
Was fun reading your posts!

18 holes = additional challenges(WATER!!!!)

So I need to work on putting after today. Off the tee I was great. On the fairway I was great. On the green....not so great. In the water twice. I only hit par on one hole. I cant really complain though because I had a blast!! I cant believe how fun this game is!! Anyway...I shot 119 for the whole 18 holes. I need to learn how to read greens!! I worked on my chipping for an hour before we played and I got that down perfect now. I was trying to talk everyone into going again tomorrow. I have succeded. We have a tee time in the morning for another 18.

--cjc--

Don't ever let the GOLF GODS hear you say (or even think) that you have achieved "perfection" in any aspect of this game! Whenever you think you've got anything down pat, the GODS will torture you by showing you that nothing lasts forever. Poof, and there goes the perfection you thought you had. Keep up the hard work and your game will improve in no time. Just don't anger the GOLF GODS.

LOL!!


I will change my statement to:
I practiced chipping for an hour today and I got it down perfect for today.
Hopefully it will last for tomorrow:)

--cjc--

I'm sure you've appeased the GODS with that statement and if you're lucky they will let your perfection carry over another day!

leaguegolf is the voice of experience, devolve! Glad you took his comments to heart!

Man, your attitude is so great! That will take you a long way in this game. Please keep us posted on your progress!

2nd try at a full 18.

I shot 112. 7 strokes better than the day before!! My putting got a little better. I had about an hour and a half of practice before tee off. I wont dare say I have it down yet though:) . This week I will be practicing putting and more chipping. Then another 18 hole course on saturday.

Question:
Does anyone else have a problem chipping from the short ruff right at the green. I cant control my chip but its to much to putt. I always chip way to far. I was thinking of getting one of those hybrid chippers. Its a putter with an angled head. Has anyone else used one?

Thanks!!

--cjc--

devolve, if the short rough by the green is close cut, you may have what we call a tight lie. A tight lie is very hard to get a wedge under, due to the bounce of the club. It will more often then not produce a bladed shot from your wedges, unless you hit it perfect. Try a bump and run shot with a 7 iron or an 8 iron and see if this doesn't help.

I second Forged's advice about the 7 or 8 iron off a tight lie around the green. Play the ball back in your stance and keep your hands forward of the ball throughout the stroke. It's a much more dependable and controllable shot than a wedge.

We played a different course today(casselberry flroida). It is a par 69. I shot a 97. I'll take 28 over any day on that course. I guess their repairing some of the greens because they were dead. Other than that it was great. Really hot but fun. I was only 2 strokes away from my buddy who has been playing for 10 years.:) I also bought a new set of irons yesterday(adams). There great. Anyway...thats my update for today. I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!


--cjc--