[B. Johnson]

Having never played Golf, but wanting to get started I just had a few questions , which I'm certain may seem a bit dumb to some but I would really appreciate a little guidance. I know I need to take lessons, but don't want to purchase expensive equipment until I'm certain I'll like it (or be any good); do the golf learning facilities have clubs that can be rented for the learning purpose? Any suggestions on where lessons can be reasonably obtained, contact information? Any other considerations I should be thinking about? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[graciegirl]

I believe that they are available to rent but you have to sign that you won't throw them into the pond.

[elevatorman]

The "New to Golf" lessons at Palmer has everything you need. I think it is 5 days 2hrs about $200. The lessons give you a good place to start.

[George Bieniaszek]

My wife and I decided that this was the year to take up golf. We took lessons at Tree Tops Golf (352) 259-2313 and had a great time. If you do not have clubs, they will provide them for you to use during the lessons. They are located just off 466 on Rolling Acres Road.

We bought a complete set of new clubs from Dick's Sporting for $149 for my wife and $199 for me. You can also consider buying a used set and there are many opportunities to do so on TOTV or ads in the Daily Sun as well.

Good luck and enjoy!!

[Dayzee]

Many Villagers have extra golf club sets on hand for guests. Perhaps a neighbor or someone you know has a set they would let you borrow for awhile. That way you would have them for practicing between lessons.

[pklein9747]

Originally Posted by George Bieniaszek

My wife and I decided that this was the year to take up golf. We took lessons at Tree Tops Golf (352) 259-2313 and had a great time. If you do not have clubs, they will provide them for you to use during the lessons. They are located just off 466 on Rolling Acres Road.

We bought a complete set of new clubs from Dick's Sporting for $149 for my wife and $199 for me. You can also consider buying a used set and there are many opportunities to do so on TOTV or ads in the Daily Sun as well.

Good luck and enjoy!!

We did exactly the same thing. Michael, the golf pro at Tree Tops, is very good and patient. He provided great lessons for a much better value than here in TV. I had a very old set of clubs that had belonged to a friend's mother that I used for the lessons (Turned out those clubs were so old they were illegal!!) So we also bought a great set of ladies clubs for me at Dick in Ocala for only $149 once I finished the lessons and decided I still wanted to play (Hubby already had his from Sports Authority).

Once you take the lessons, be sure that you also go to the Good Golf Class here in TV. It is free and helps you understand how to make tee time reservations and your responsibilities when you on the course.

Just remember...playing golf here for many of us is just about having fun. We'll never make the pro circuit, so go out and have a good time!!

Pat

[jimbo2012]

One suggestion, don't buy or borrow used clubs more than likely they will not fit you and you will need to compensate your stroke and maybe learn bad habits.

You can buy better clubs say with the bag a $400 new set at any golf store they should give you a basic fitting.

If it doesn't work out you can sell them for a decent price and won't get hurt by the purchase.

We bought Callaways two years ago about $550 but having the senior shafts and correct fitting helped us lean faster and correctly.

You may need less lessons as additional saving over old clubs.

[clekr]

Suggested reading for new golfers: Feeling naked on the first tee: The essentail guide for new women golfers.

Bought this book for my wife when she first started to play golf. Have lent it to numerous folks. Not just for women. Humorous introduction to the simple rules and nauances of the game.

[bandsdavis]

Originally Posted by clekr

Suggested reading for new golfers: Feeling naked on the first tee: The essentail guide for new women golfers.

Bought this book for my wife when she first started to play golf. Have lent it to numerous folks. Not just for women. Humorous introduction to the simple rules and nauances of the game.

Are there pictures...................???????????????opcorn :

[weeder01]

You might try hanging out around the 18th at any of the Championship courses and watch the people leaving the green. If their head hangs low you may be in luck for a cheap purchase. Just kidding. Before you buy get fitted by one of the club pros. Having the wrong setup for your swing will not yield good results. God luck and as many people said have fun.

[ajbrown]

I have been playing golf for 40 plus years..... wow time flies....

I will give you the same advice I would give to someone asking advice on how to start smoking.

DON'T DO IT

It will torture you for years, and then just when you think you understand the swing you will realize the game is all mental.... and you have to start over

I even have a bumper sticker with a picture of a golfer and it says I would rather be working.....

[rp001]

Like you , when I arrived here I was new to golf..I've been playing about 1 1/2 yrs now and on my fourth set of clubs..I always thought it was the clubs and for the basics, it's not..I now have my marital clubs (till death do us part). They were fitted and ordered for my by the pros at Palmer..I had lessons in the beginning at Pat Leahy's when he was here. A few lessons with the pros at Palmers and some really bad lessons from a pro in Pa just before I moved here, He also sold me my first set of clubs and they were horrible..

The truth is this is an addictive game and you get back what you put into it. If you don't practice you won't have fun and the frustration will be even higher than when you're doing well..We always are frustrated because we know it can be better..Now that I think about it, What the heck am I doing?

I would try to get a good set of used quality clubs of stardard lie and loft,,When you develop your swing you can then step up to the next level and be fitted for your true natural swing..Good luck and enjoy..

[asianthree]

I have my pings at home and a cheap set in TV Makes a big difference in how i play with the pings. Spend the money get fitted I play with womens clubs but the womens shafts are to whipy for me so they are changed and i also need a larger grip. You can't get that with a cheap set of clubs

[rp001]

There are some real good quality "cheap" clubs available..To get fitted before your swing develops is a waste in my opinion..I bought a full set of Calloway,big bertha irons from classified on totv for 100 bucks...Used them for 6 months and traded them in for my fitted Pings...I got more in trade than I paid for them originally..Ping does NOT discount so it is what it is...

When your swing is developed naturally and somewhat stabilized go to a place like Golf Galaxy..Ask for a test of 7 irons of every one of their different clubs available...Watts had tried to sell me a set of Calloway Diablo Edges, and when I got the test swings on the computer, they didn't even make the cut in comparison. For me it was between the Pings and Taylor Mades..The Pings consistently got a couple more yds so that is what I went with..My son in law ended up with the Taylormades...Each is different.

This process made sense to me and is the only way I think you can really get a feel for all that is out there.It is an expensive proposition and I wanted to be as accurate as possible..Love my Pings and at Golfest I did the same thing for woods..Again ended uo with the Ping k15s..

[jimbo2012]

I know several people that bought very good used clubs (good brands) at 3balls.com

You have I think 30 days to try them.