Mid-20's guy here who is the definition of a casual golfer (play 4-5 times a year, shoot 105 on a good day and 120 on a blowup round). Looking to really start investing in my swing this summer and was wondering if anyone had recommendations for simple drills or ways to get the basics of swing technique down.

Seems like there are thousands of youtube "swing trainers" out there now who all have different opinions, so was also considering biting the bullet and just paying for lessons. Looking forward to this inevitably frustrating journey, any tips would be appreciated!

My two words of advice aside from the obvious of getting lessons from a pro....

Video your swing a lot. For me, aside from direct instruction, the best way to get better.

When you are on course... play the most forward tees (or forward if you are little longer, consistently in the fairway 200+), until you are regularly breaking 90. You will learn more about course management, get more course practice with your short irons, and just have a better time. Plus you won't make the people behind you miserable. I am super patient with new players, we've all been there, but there is nothing more frustrating than having a new golfer playing from the blues.

Go to the range. A lot. To be any good at golf, you have to hit the ball with the middle part of the club face consistently. The only way to do that is muscle memory, and that is built by hitting a bunch of balls. Mixing in a lesson is a good idea so you don't engrain bad swing habits, but hitting the ball is most important. You're young, go grab a couple tall boys and get a medium bucket a night or two each week.

arlington_ag23 said:

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Mid-20's guy here who is the definition of a casual golfer (play 4-5 times a year, shoot 105 on a good day and 120 on a blowup round). Looking to really start investing in my swing this summer and was wondering if anyone had recommendations for simple drills or ways to get the basics of swing technique down.

Seems like there are thousands of youtube "swing trainers" out there now who all have different opinions, so was also considering biting the bullet and just paying for lessons. Looking forward to this inevitably frustrating journey, any tips would be appreciated!

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1) Have a pro show you a proper setup (grip, stance, etc) and be very strict about this. Don't deviate and recognize the variations in different shots (driver setup vs wedge). You can have a perfect swing with a bad setup, and the result is a poor shot.

2) Again, get some lessons, but after that, really pay attention to your takeaway and where the club head is when the shaft is parallel to the ground in your backswing. Watch Nelly Korda or Justin Thomas in their pre shot routine. They check this position. All the guys out there that say "I'm swinging over the top!!!!"…it all starts with that takeaway. Most guys wrap the club around them way too soon and it's impossible to salvage the swing if you miss the correct spot in your takeaway.

I'm at the range a lot - the above could cure almost 90% of bad swings I see (including mine). There is obviously way more, hence the push to see a pro.

get lessons first and foremost. Going to the range and pounding balls without lessons is just reinforcing bad habits.

Spend more time chipping and putting than pounding balls. For every one drive you hit on the range you need to practice five putts.

MAROON said:

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get lessons first and foremost. Going to the range and pounding balls without lessons is just reinforcing bad habits.

Spend more time chipping and putting than pounding balls. For every one drive you hit on the range you need to practice five putts.

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For a golfer starting out, it's better to focus on your long game. He'll save more strokes that way. Once you learn to keep the ball in play consistently, then you can begin to figure out how to score with the short clubs and putter.

I mean, if you're laying 6 on or around the green, you don't really care that much about getting up and down for a freaking 8.

Agreed. Having a decent short game doesnt matter at all if you are topping drives and shanking irons sideways. If you want to get from shooting 100 to 90 then yes. But if he's only playing 3 times a year I don't think thats really the situation

I assumed by his comment really investing my swing that he planned to play more.

Avoid youtube. See if you can get a package deal on lessons. Weekly lesson for 4-6 weeks, and then make a trip to the range in between each one. Learning good habits from the outset is so much easier than breaking bad ones - those bad ones can sneak into your game forever.

Also, put me in the camp that a short game isn't worth squat until you have a competent long game. Not saying don't practice it, but ignore advice to focus mostly on it.

Another piece of advice... read the F Golf thread in detail then decide if is something you want to pursue.

"Drive for show and putt for dough" is one of the most misleading statements in golf. Truth is, they're both important. But if you drive it like crap, you ain't putting for any dough.

Think less.

all i say in my head is "keep you elbows together and finish high"

any more than that screws me up....but I stink so who knows.