Golfers?

[Deleted]

Any golfers here? I decided i am going to do some golfing this summer. I have some old secondhand clubs that i used in college a while back and now want to golf again. I am not very good but i enjoy it. I also want to get my kids interested. My dd is 10 so should i go ahead and buy her a junior set? My older son has a junior set that his gram bought him for Christmas last year and he hasn't had a chance to use those. And, my oldest son who is 16 has NO interest in gofing because it is "dumb". So, how much do you usually spend on golfing?

[Deleted]

Well, it is kind of pointless. Hitting a little ball with a stick. Kind of absurd really. I just go because i like being outside on the courses. And, i like to play all kinds of sports and have a hard time finding others that actually want to . I would love to play volleyball, play on a softball league, or anything else but there arent' many other options. I do think my younger son will enjoy golf and he is very athletic and we have a golf team in school if he learns.

[Artemis Windsong]

Golf is great. I have played seriously for about 21 years. Not seriously for many more.

Everyone starting out needs to have some lessons to get the fundamentals down and increase the enjoyment of the game.

The game is not pointless and can be a great learning tool for children and a fun family time.
A short list of good things:

The most important is be polite and nice to every man and woman. You don't know if they might one day hold your future in their hands.

Being on time, in the correct clothes and with the correct equipment.
Etiquette on the course as well as following rules.
Choosing a goal then hitting it - knowing how far you hit your clubs and putter.
Dealing with loss and adversity. The poor shot resulting in a lost ball and having to replay and take penalty strokes.
The loss and adversity are just one shot. Another better one is coming.
Overcoming poor conditions on the course and with the weather as well as playing friends meltdowns when things don't go well and sharing enjoyment when a playing partner does very well.

Money can be made in golf leagues and tournaments. School golf teams travel so new horizons are always coming. The really, really good golfers can get scholarships to play in college. There are many careers in golf from course maintenance and management to being a teaching or club pro.

The costs vary with where you live, the course you play, and how you buy your membership at a particular course. I know a lot of families buy family memberships and have the kids out golfing several times a week. 18 holes of golf can take up 4 or 5 hours.

The equipment costs vary, as well. Shoes, gloves, balls, tees, ball markers, clubs, putters, the bag for all of this. Appropriate, decent looking clothing.

Another fun sport for the family is tennis.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Love the game. Play every chance I get. I have decent clubs that I paid a bunch of money for. Know what? I play about the same as I did with my cheap ones, with one exception. I hit the hell out of my Callaway driver.

Most golf courses around here rent out junior clubs so that families don't have to shell out a bunch of money for something your child might not end up being interested in. You could ask and rent for a few rounds just to see if the interest is there.

[Artemis Windsong]

That is a great idea to check out the juniors program at her preferred golf course. Our city has a strong program. The rental on the clubs is something like 50 cents and each course on a different give free play until noon on one day a week. They have a well supported league with tournaments.

One of the fund raisers for the youth program is half-price coupons for courses in the city and nearby out of town golf courses. There is one course that is private that the coupon way is the only way to golf unless with a member. Nonmembers are allowed only 2 golf days there.

[Deleted]

Thanks. I have been checking around and there are more courses around here than i realized. I did buy my dd a junior set as well of 5 clubs. I think she will enjoy it more cuz it has pink clubs and a pink bag. Hey, why not? We went to the driving range yesterday but the weather hasn't cooperated yet to get on the course. Will try to get out this week.

[Deleted]

You rang? I love golf!

Another benefit for children is that they also learn integrity, since it is the player's responsibility to make sure they are following the rules.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Before you invest in new clubs for your DD, invest that money in some lessons for her instead. She'd learn grip, stance, how to swing, what clubs to use, etc. You'd be better off either buying a used set (check pro shops or ads in papers under Sporting equipment), or renting her a set for the season. That way if it turns out she doesn't really have an interest, you won't be out the money you would have invested in a new set of junior clubs. Plus, if she does show an interest, she's at an age where she's going to quickly outgrow the clubs and will have to get another set in a couple of years when the juniors have too short a shaft.

[Artemis Windsong]

There is a hand-me-down program in our juniors program. I don't know how it works or who runs it. Very seldom are junior golf clubs advertised in the newspaper here.

I recommend at least one lesson from a pro before anyone starts golfing. I don't want anyone to go through what I have learning the game when a few dollars would have solved the issues. (Score one to the not so DH holding me back. Not uncommon from what a pro told me.)

[b2r]

[Artemis Windsong]

b2r - that was way cool on the double eagle. I was half watching and got to see the rerun. Having TV camera proof - priceless.

[Artemis Windsong]

May the course be with you.

now.msn.com/now-plus/0414-prep-golf-aces.aspx

[Artemis Windsong]

A great video with Bubba and The Golf Boys.

[Deleted]

I went golfing on Monday and i was terrible! Stupid game!!


;D

[moxie]

Seriously, what is so fun about getting all frustrated over trying to get a little ball into a little hole? I'll watch it on tv, but I won't participate. My boys love it though!

[moxie]

I hate miniature golf too...I suck at that as well. Give me shopping, movies, and dining out any day!

[Deleted]

Yes. When you think about it. Hitting a small ball with a stick does seem absurd. But, that is what sports is all about. We can turn anything into a competitive sport!

[moxie]

"We can turn anything into a competitive sport!"

Hence, the SHOPPING!

[Deleted]

Hey, i watched the "Rock, Paper, Scissors" National Championship on ESPN one night when i couldn't sleep! lol

[cael]

2 summers ago my DH found a super old set of clubs at a yard sale for $10. He mostly bought them because of the awesome old leather bag they came in.... he has started to enjoy it and although he never took a lesson and kinda sucks, he goes with friends once in a while to a cheap place nearby. It might be like $25 to play the whole course? He doesn't do it all the time and he enjoys it, so I don't complain personally I've tried a driving range before and can barely hit the ball, so he can keep golf for himself!

[Artemis Windsong]

A golf lesson is priceless if you are interested in playing.

One of our courses has a junior golf course of 3 holes. It's for youth only.

I broke a club yesterday by accident. I hit the ball close to a metal sign and hit the sign with my follow through. No injury for me nor my playing partners but an expensive lesson to chip out instead. My DH made that club and luckily had another shaft for it.

[Artemis Windsong]

All is good. I continue to remember that day when I get to that hole. Today was also weird. There is a drainage creek running 3/4 of the way up the fairway so we have to fly over it. I flubbed and the ball hit the rocks and came back almost to where I was standing.

My great grandchildren have new golf clubs. They're 6 and 8.

[Artemis Windsong]

A playoff - you must have been competing for a seed.

Thanks. The teaching falls to my grandson in law. He played in college and got to "spank" his big talking FIL and UncIL The 6 y.o. passed on the golf clubs. I think he needs more physical strength.

I have stepped back from playing tournaments. I'll play our local association tournament when we get back on our home course that is being repaired from flooding. Our ladies association day league needs at least 5 new younger players to replace the older players that have moved to an easier golf course and play less frequently. Then there is one that has over stayed her welcome.

[Artemis Windsong]

Frost advisory overnight so I cancelled on golf league. I have better things to do than get up early, get ready, go to the course and have league called off. I decided to save myself 2 hours and spend it wisely in the gym. And then the rain started.

[Deleted]

I chose to bump and run with a 9 iron, and I could see the shot I wanted. Darned if that thing didn't just roll right into the cup!

Congratulations on your win! I did not fare as well yesterday, but I did have some beautiful drives for the first 1/2 of the night and my putting came around for the 2nd 1/2, so I am pleased with my performance.

And I played better than last week....but that wasn't that difficult to do.

[Deleted]

I am playing in a scramble this afternoon. Did I ever mention that I friggen hate golf?

[Deleted]

Have fun Archie!

If you hate golf then you're setting your sights too high. Having one good shot per round is enough to get me to come back.

[Deleted]

I just pray that I can get a couple of shots to go in the air.

[Deleted]

Jun 14, 2012 8:43:04 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Jun 14, 2012 8:24:05 GMT -5 @beerwench said:

Have fun Archie!

If you hate golf then you're setting your sights too high. Having one good shot per round is enough to get me to come back.

Beerwench you obviously have a thorough understanding of the game of golf.

;D

DH is obsessed with the game -- I seriously think he started dating me when he found out my parents were part owners of a little par 3 executive course and he could play for free whenever he wanted.

I knew going into this marriage that he would be playing golf at least 2 times a week in the summer (and it can get to 4 times during the height of Tournament season). As long as I get my weekly + 1 monthly weekend round I am OK with the arrangement.

[Deleted]

They didn't open until I was in High School, so I didn't get as many free rounds as you think! I did learn how to drive a 4 wheeler, shag range balls and fill the ball machine, though. ;D