[GuyWin]

We are Guy and Winnie from Boca Raton, Florida. We are already putting money down on a golf course lot in Pennecamp and will start building a Designer home on it by the end of December. We will permanently retire in TV by July of next year.

We are not golfers but want to learn to play. Last month we were at TV for a week. We went to the new driving range near Walmart and hit some balls. Very discouraging! We usually either missed the ball completely or sliced it.

We're trying to get some idea of the time and expense involved to get to the point were we know what we're doing and skilled enough to actually hit the ball when we swing (and it goes in the general direction we are aiming for).

How long do we need to take golf lessons? Group or private? How much will it cost? How much for the equipment?

[eweissenbach]

My advice would be to get private lessons right off the bat. I have always said that to play golf you have to be willing to be bad. Seriously, it is a hard game to master, but with a few lessons you should be able to get around the course without any difficulty. One of the beauties of the game is you can play with people much better than yourself and as long as you keep moving, you, and they, can each have an enjoyable time. I have played for almost 50 years and still have days where I can't do anything right. Nonetheless, I love the game and if you keep it in perspective, play for social and healthful reasons, and don't let it get you frustrated, it can give you many hours of pleasure and recreation. Good luck and don't get discouraged Ed

[pooh]

Congratulations on your upcoming home build and WELCOME!

Golf, ah the game many say is a good walk interrupted...lol.

Golfing just takes practice and a few lessons will get you started. Practice, practice, practice will get that ball flying straight. Just don't overdo it. There are lessons given within the Villages and some outside the compound. Try starting out at one place and see if you do well with the instructor.

One thing that's important to learn is golf etiquette. Learning not to stand in the wrong place when someone is teeing off, remembering not to talk when someone is hitting, learning not to walk in another's lie when putting, learning to be ready when it's your turn to hit are just as important as learning to hit that little ball. These things might be taught by your instructor or you can ask your golfing mates to help you with the "rules" as you play.

Remember to just have fun, don't take the game too seriously, enjoy the fresh air and take a break if you need it. There are times when I won't play a hole if I'm hot or tired. I've been playing for over 40 years and I wish I could say I was good at the game.....

[GuyWin]

Oldcoach,

Thank you for the frank advice. Your comments brought up another question. How do most experienced golfers feel about playing with rookies who are just learning the game?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by pooh

Congratulations on your upcoming home build and WELCOME!

Golf, ah the game many say is a good walk interrupted...lol.

Golfing just takes practice and a few lessons will get you started. Practice, practice, practice will get that ball flying straight. Just don't overdo it. There are lessons given within the Villages and some outside the compound. Try starting out at one place and see if you do well with the instructor.

One thing that's important to learn is golf etiquette. Learning not to stand in the wrong place when someone is teeing off, remembering not to talk when someone is hitting, learning not to walk in another's lie when putting, learning to be ready when it's your turn to hit are just as important as learning to hit that little ball. These things might be taught by your instructor or you can ask your golfing mates to help you with the "rules" as you play.

Remember to just have fun, don't take the game too seriously, enjoy the fresh air and take a break if you need it. There are times when I won't play a hole if I'm hot or tired. I've been playing for over 40 years and I wish I could say I was good at the game.....

Are you my twin Pooh? Perfectly said. I have been playing for 40 years too and it is a new game and new course every time I go out. I am glad to see my grandchildren play. It is a game for your whole life!

And Welcome to you both, Mr. and Mrs. GuyWin I know you will love it here. It is a very wise choice that you have made!!

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by GuyWin

Oldcoach,

Thank you for the frank advice. Your comments brought up another question. How do most experienced golfers feel about playing with rookies who are just learning the game?

As long as you observe proper golf etiquette and move gingerly (don't take long to hit the ball, don't look for long for a lost ball, be ready to hit when it is your turn) good players will be glad to play with you. Better yet, find another couple who are fairly new to the game, and play as a foursome.

[GuyWin]

Graciegirl and Pooh,

Thank you for your comments.

Speaking of Pooh, my wife Winnie is also a Pooh. Pooh watch, Pooh i-phone cover, Pooh socks, etc. Do they have Pooh golf bags? Or how about a Pooh Bear mascot (like Tiger Woods' tiger)?

[pooh]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Are you my twin Pooh? Perfectly said. I have been playing for 40 years too and it is a new game and new course every time I go out. I am glad to see my grandchildren play. It is a game for your whole life!

And Welcome to you both, Mr. and Mrs. GuyWin I know you will love it here. It is a very wise choice that you have made!!

LOL....I think we're twins, Gracie!!! For me, I never know who's going to show up at the course...the girl that can hit the ball or the girl that really wonders why she ever took up the game in the first place...

[pooh]

Originally Posted by GuyWin

Graciegirl and Pooh,

Thank you for your comments.

Speaking of Pooh, my wife Winnie is also a Pooh. Pooh watch, Pooh i-phone cover, Pooh socks, etc. Do they have Pooh golf bags? Or how about a Pooh Bear mascot (like Tiger Woods' tiger)?

Your wife is really a Pooh....I'm more of a Patty-Pooh. Hubby has called me Pooh for almost 40 years....I love it!

You've got much to look forward to when you get here....it's a great place to live...so much to see and do.

Pat

[jebartle]

It takes a LOT of Humility and tons of Patience and just a weeency bit of talent, but who cares as long as we have a few laughs with great friends.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by pooh

LOL....I think we're twins, Gracie!!! For me, I never know who's going to show up at the course...the girl that can hit the ball or the girl that really wonders why she ever took up the game in the first place...

Must be triplets! I too never know whether the girl who can hit the ball or the girl who wonders why she ever took up the game is going to show up. Matter of fact, yesterday, I played my best ever! Today...well, that other Phyllis kept making appearences.

So GuyWin, when this happens to you, and it will, you'll know you're in good company. lol

More advice (from a poor golfer, but hey GuyWin, you asked):

I agree that it's important to start off taking private lessons. Don't wait until you ingrain bad habits. Practicing doing the wrong things and not knowing how to correct them won't help. By the same token, taking lessons and not practicing won't help you much. So find a good instructor for you, take lessons, practice, practice, practice.

In addition to the driving range, take advantage often of TV's FREE executive courses. They are wonderful for practicing your short game-- the part of the game that most influences your scoring.

TV offers "good golf" instruction in course etiquette and also has an excellent brochure called "Good Golf Guide" that will help you with that aspect of the game.

One more thing. Be patient. I would say don't get frustrated, but I think all golfers, especially beginners, get frustrated. HOWEVER... just when you think, "why in the world did I take up this @#!&% game," you'll make perfect contact with the ball. It will look great, feel wonderful and sound magnificent. No matter how frustrated you sometimes get, trust me, THAT SHOT will keep you coming back.

All best wishes and welcome to TV!

[pooh]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Must be triplets! I too never know whether the girl who can hit the ball or the girl who wonders why she ever took up the game is going to show up. Matter of fact, yesterday, I played my best ever! Today...well, that other Phyllis kept making appearences.

So GuyWin, when this happens to you, and it will, you'll know you're in good company. lol

More advice (from a poor golfer, but hey GuyWin, you asked):

I agree that it's important to start off taking private lessons. Don't wait until you ingrain bad habits. Practicing doing the wrong things and not knowing how to correct them won't help. By the same token, taking lessons and not practicing won't help you much. So find a good instructor for you, take lessons, practice, practice, practice.

In addition to the driving range, take advantage often of TV's FREE executive courses. They are wonderful for practicing your short game-- the part of the game that most influences your scoring.

TV offers "good golf" instruction in course etiquette and also has an excellent brochure called "Good Golf Guide" that will help you with that aspect of the game.

One more thing. Be patient. I would say don't get frustrated, but I think all golfers, especially beginners, get frustrated. HOWEVER... just when you think, "why in the world did I take up this @#!&% game," you'll make perfect contact with the ball. It will look great, feel wonderful and sound magnificent. No matter how frustrated you sometimes get, trust me, THAT SHOT will keep you coming back.

All best wishes and welcome to TV!

God help us all, there are THREE of us.... !!!

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by GuyWin

We are Guy and Winnie from Boca Raton, Florida. We are already putting money down on a golf course lot in Pennecamp and will start building a Designer home on it by the end of December. We will permanently retire in TV by July of next year.

We are not golfers but want to learn to play. Last month we were at TV for a week. We went to the new driving range near Walmart and hit some balls. Very discouraging! We usually either missed the ball completely or sliced it.

We're trying to get some idea of the time and expense involved to get to the point were we know what we're doing and skilled enough to actually hit the ball when we swing (and it goes in the general direction we are aiming for).

How long do we need to take golf lessons? Group or private? How much will it cost? How much for the equipment?

The Villages Golf Academy has a very good "New to Golf" program that costs $225 per student for 7 1/2 hours. You can find more info about it at this web site:
http://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-.../newtogolf.asp
There are also many instructions located around TV with some lower prices avail for lessons. As far as equip goes you can get starter golf sets for maybe $200 or so and inexpensive golf shoes as low as $30. That should be fine for starting out and if you feel like golf is something that you will enjoy then I would suggest, at some point, getting better equip. To give you an idea on prices check the web sites of Golfsmith, Rock Bottom Golf and TGW. Good luck.

[bkcunningham1]

Get Ready Golf in Five Days is a very basic course. Inexpensive (usually about $99 for entire five day course) and a great way for beginners to learn everything from how to hold the club and how to drive a cart on a course to keeping score and the discipline of Ready Golf (which my husband preaches). Not sure if it is offered anywhere near where you live, but it is worth a look.

After this course, I was ready to play and take a few private lessons (which are more expensive.)

http://www.playgolfamerica.com/ggr/

[hoseman]

Get a pro to fit you with clubs. Take group lessons. Hit a ton of practice balls until you can fairly predict where your shot is going. You are liable for any damage you inflict to property and paying for broken windows and car dents will quickly sour you of the game.

No offense to other beginning golfers but the quickest way to learn golf is to play your first few rounds with experienced golfers (who are nice folks) (who have patience) that will teach ediquete on the course. Ediquete is the key to enjoying golf - knowing to keep your shadow out of the other guys putts, not talking during shots, not offering unsoliticed advice during a round, not yelling at friends, not dragging your feet on the green, not using range balls on the course, not kicking balls into play, not grounding your club in a hazard, how to tend the flag, but most importantly of all this stuff: Experienced golfers know how to keep you moving along to not delay others. Number one hate of golf is slow play.

Don't keep score your first 10 rounds - you don't care at the learning stage - you will know when you are ready to keep score.

Been playing for 50 years....I've shot an 79 on The Greater Hartford Open TPC and I've shot 112 at some course in Pheonix (guess I was scared of lizards as those little suckers were everywhere). You know what, I had just as much fun shooting the 112 as I did the 79 as I am not a professional golfer, hardly anyone is and I can accept that, nor do I take the game seriously. I love the game as every once in a while I hit a beautiful shot - maybe only one shot a round but that's the one the wife hears about all day)

Golf is a great game that can be enjoyed one's entire life. Congratulations on your decision to play the game.