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Learn how to play golf from the internet
defreak
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I would like to learn how to play golf, starting with driving and putting the ball, probably just sticking to ranges for now, until I get a good consistent swing. Before I hit the range, I would like to learn the techniques a bit.
I'm looking for resources that are free, so the internet probably. Anyone know of any good websites or youtube videos that are helpful or break the techniques down well? My first 30 minutes of search was pretty much useless, couldn't find anything that was helpful.
I'm pretty skilled at every sport, and any sport I've never played before I can pick up quickly. I have good body control, and have no problem teaching myself new skills. I just need something to point me in the right direction, like grip the club this way, keep this arm straight, bend elbow here, etc. Thanks.
I'm looking for resources that are free, so the internet probably. Anyone know of any good websites or youtube videos that are helpful or break the techniques down well? My first 30 minutes of search was pretty much useless, couldn't find anything that was helpful.
I'm pretty skilled at every sport, and any sport I've never played before I can pick up quickly. I have good body control, and have no problem teaching myself new skills. I just need something to point me in the right direction, like grip the club this way, keep this arm straight, bend elbow here, etc. Thanks.
defreak on
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and this one for putting:
Usually the putting grip is the same as the one you would use for the drivers/irons. I haven't played golf in quite some time, but I don't think my skill has deteriorated. Golf is one of those 'easy to learn, but a lifetime to master' games/sports. The only real way to get better is to go out there and practice. What I can tell you is, when you go to drive, don't try to hit the ball as hard as you can, and always keep your eye on it.
Also, you probably don't want to try to replicate Tiger's old swing. It puts a lot of load on the front knee, which A) is hard to keep under control without doing it thousands of times and
Honestly, if you can afford a set of clubs (assuming they weren't given to you), you may want to consider getting a half-hour or hour lesson from a local instructor. They can give you real-time feedback on what you're doing wrong and (hopefully) keep you from developing bad habits that are much harder to breed out later.
The key to a golf swing is understanding that the biggest power isn't going to come from power in your shoulders, and therefore strain around the ribs. It's sort of complicated to explain in typing, but the best way I've heard to learn your beginner swing is to understand that the focus of motion is going to be in the center of your torso, between your hips and your belly button. Motion driven from there is where you'll derive your power from. Think of your arms as loose swinging objects attached to that, and just let them follow through the swing. DO NOT LEAD THE MOTION USING STRENGTH IN YOUR ARMS AND SHOULDERS, YOU WILL INJURE YOURSELF.
I would say this. This, or get a golfing buddy to help you. I learned how to play from my dad.
No, really. Get a few lessons before you start consulting online. I assume you've never played a round of golf before, or swung a golf club. Those lessons will be absolutely useless to you if you do not at least have a grasp of the basics of a golf swing. It's really all muscle memory, and is one of those things that you want another set of (experienced) eyes watching your swing, telling you what you're doing wrong. You'd be surprised how counter-intuitive some aspects of a golf swing can be.
Darkwolfe, if I read your post right, you're saying the power for the golf swing should come from the core, and not the shoulder/arms right? If yes, that's perfect, I play and coach volleyball, and it's the same concept, you spike the ball with your core primarily and shoulder/arms secondary.
Couple of questions:
- When you putt, you keep your eye on the ball until after contact right?
- When you putt, do you hold the follow through or let the arms swing back naturally?
- I'm a righty, so when you grip the club, the right hand is lower, left hand is higher, which makes the left arm bend more than the right, is that how its supposed to be?
- When driving, or any other golf swing, the knees are supposed to be slightly bent right?
I'll be going golfing with my father-in-law, so he'll be there to help me, I have no idea how good/bad he is though, I just wanted to get some instruction that's not from him so I can compare. He's the main reason why I'm learning golf, it's my wife's wish that I start going golfing with him, and I don't mind, learning something new is always fun and exciting, but I kept putting it off, until he bought me a whole set of clubs yesterday, and he's taking me to the range tomorrow, so I think I have no choice now, haha.
Please keep the tips and pointers coming, everything and anything helps, thanks.
This. It will be way harder to unlearn whatever you learned the wrong way through self-teaching than it is to just take a few lessons and have a pro show you the right way to do things.
Please don't do this. Seriously. Seriously, seriously, seriously.
New golfers get caught up in how hard they can hit the ball. That doesn't matter. It really doesn't. Yes, professional golf is shifting to favor long drives, and lots of courses are adjusting as well. Fact is, though, that a fairly new player who can hit the ball 125 yards in a straight line is going to have a better game than someone who hooks off the damn course, even if he hits it 200+ yards. You also run a much higher risk of injuring yourself by swinging incorrectly.
If you really want to start learning at home, start with putting. Almost every golfer needs to improve their putting game anyway. Most non-pro golfers are going to get onto the green in the same number of strokes, plus or minus one based on how hard they hit the ball. The difference in score then comes down to their putting game. Start learning there, and when you have the money/inclination/time spend a month getting a lesson in driving once a week, following up on that by staying at the range and practicing the fundamentals.
"When you putt, you keep your eye on the ball until after contact right?
When you putt, do you hold the follow through or let the arms swing back naturally?"
When you putt you keep your head still. Meaning you should be looking at where the ball was at address until you hear in your left ear (you're a righty) the ball fall in the cup. You follow through. My putter does not swing back right after follow through.
"I'm a righty, so when you grip the club, the right hand is lower, left hand is higher, which makes the left arm bend more than the right, is that how its supposed to be?"
Look, if you don't want to do lessons pick up a book and go to the range with a friend who's golfed. I like Ben Hogan's Five Lessons, because it's a quick read and the language used for mechanics was easy for me to visualize. Grip, stance, backswing, swing, followthrough. You should be figuring out your stance and grip before you even begin swinging. At address, your elbows should be rotated in (pointing to your hips), arms should be straight and form a lower-case 'Y" (edit: bottom "leg" of the "Y" is the club). My left elbow doesn't bend at all until after wrist release in the followthrough (I swing right-handed).
"When driving, or any other golf swing, the knees are supposed to be slightly bent right?"
Your knees shouldn't be locked out, but amount of bend depends on personal mechanics, lie, and the shot being made.
Head down. Look at the ball, not where it's going. Lag. When practicing half or more your shots should be short game development (putts and chips).
That sounds like me
Which reminds me. I need to get out on the range more.
I would recommend you do the swing however you feel comfortable. It could be with no movement in your hips and all upperbody or something else...however you feel comfortable, with the key being...when you make contact with the ball, your clubhead is lined up straight with your shaft and hands. If your clubhead is behind or ahead, it won't go straight. Of course, this is usually the toughest thing to do (it is for me at least). How you get there is completely up to you. Look at a youtube clip of Jim Furyk and you'll see one of the ugliest swings, but he gets the job done.
I would say, record you swinging to see exactly what you do and then go from there.
Come at me bro.
Second this. Great resource.