Thoughts on Approach of a New Golfer

TFixer5

Have a friend that is trying to take up the game. I have played with him and he’s a complete beginner. He asked me about buying clubs, getting fitted, etc. Curious the group's opinion on if he should buy clubs and hit the range/get lessons or get fitted first, get lessons, etc.?

ckay

I’ve encouraged many of my friends to get lessons. None of them have. They just enjoy being out there away from the family every now and then. They can’t sniff 100 even after the last 5-6 seasons but they love the game.

Getting lessons is the smart thing but so is getting a bag of clubs.

Jaybananapantsarthur

Buy cheaper set of clubs and invest savings in lessons

Signed yours truly
Equipment Rich Game Poor

Cdnrockies

Teach them etiquette and to play at a quick pace.

From there have as much fun as possible however he chooses to.

southpawfox

Get them a half set. They get more clubs when they break 90 if they want them.

Driver / 5wood / 4 hybrid / 6i / 8i / Pw / 54 / Putter.

Noyes26

Make sure you love the game before investing money in either lessons or equipment honestly. I’m sure every one on this page including myself has gone through spurts of golf where you wonder why you are doing this to yourself. Why do I pay for this and that and so on.

There’s a lot of people out there that like the concept of golf. And then they go sit through a 4.5 hour round at their local course and realize this may just not be for them.

mljones99

my outlook on golf has changed so much over the last few years that I would say just let them have fun. the only rules I follow anymore are be respectful of other players and don't be obnoxious.

Eddie

It's funny you post this topic, we are penning a long feature piece about the concept of why we play golf. I would send it to your friend once it's done.

Yeah I would say get him in front of a trusted teacher asap so he doesn't ingrain beginner bad habits that I've seen just become impossible to break.

In terms of clubs, I think golf nerds like us get so caught up in fitting and specs etc, but for beginners, let them enjoy the hunt of buying clubs new or used, what they think fits their eye, or what they want to play because the dude on tv who mashes it 350 plays that club etc..

I have several people around me who took up the game in their 30s, and no matter how much I tried to give them the get fitted after lessons, and all that crap spiel, honestly, they like buying clubs, hating them, replacing them, basically making the same mistakes that we all made as well. I say let em do it lol.

I literally have a friend who is a legit 20 handicap and bought Rickie Fowler blades because they look cool. Probably the biggest no brainer in terms of "fitting" but who cares, he loves looking at his bag.

TFixer5

Appreciate all the comments/thoughts.