golf for beginners

[dralion 0]

hi guys,

 

my trip to Thailand is about to begin in a few weeks and i thought about playing golf while around Pattaya.

 

i've played on driving-ranges and putting-greens a few times already but never played a regular game of golf here in Europe.

 

could you guys recommend me a place were i could play a few holes without actually taking some sort of admission-exam?

 

thanks a lot in advance!

Dralion

[Blazer 0]

Dralion,

 

Welcome to the game of golf. I certainly think you're going about learning it the right way. Careful though, it's as addictive as any drug, drink, or woman.

 

Hope you don't mind if I throw out a few suggestions. No insult is intended, just want to show you what I think are some of the steps to take in developing your game.

 

1) Take a lesson, practice for a week or two then take another lesson. Learning the basics is invaluable.

 

2)I would recommend a 9 hole, par 3 course to any beginner. Get to a point where you're hitting your irons solidly, chipping around the greens with confidence, and making a few putts. Then you're ready for the big boy course.

 

3) Enjoy yourself, it's a fun game. Few of us are really good enough to get angry.

 

4) Practice the short game. Chipping, putting, that's where you'll cut strokes.

 

5) Learn the etiquette of the game. Things like not talking during your partners shot/putt and not walking in someones putting line.

 

6)Play quickly. Pace of play is often overlooked by the beginner, but it's good etiquitte to not hold up other golfers. There's no need to take 5 practice swings.

 

7) Keep the driver in the bag. Initially a 3 or 5 wood will yield the same results.

 

8) Play to your strengths. Just because a pro can hit a shot 200 yards over water doesn't mean you should try to.

 

9) Don't be overly concerned about score. I started with a goal of hitting a few good shots a round. I've upped that to 1 good shot a hole among other things.

Edited December 22, 2005 by Blazer

[Sailfast 503]

Great advice.

 

I will add one more. When in doubt, "lay up".

 

This means if you can't hit the ball 250 out of the fairway, don't even try. Just hit the ball a nice easy 150, then a second shot onto the green.

 

Trying to smash it longer than possible only make you play worse and get frustrated.

 

Sailfast

[Mescalito 19]

Also, there is probably more advice from other golfers as to how to "fix" whatever is wrong with another golfer's swing than there is in every other sport combined. The problem is, most of that advice is probably wrong! Take lessons from a real pro, focus on the fundamentals, and as was already stated, work on putting and chipping; that's where you save the most strokes.

 

Most importantly, relax, have fun, and don't take it too seriously. It's a game for a lifetime.

[Blazer 0]

Great points, both of you. There's no shame in taking a bogie. There's no reason to go for the 1 in 10 shot. If you can't pull it off 70% of the time then don't try it.

 

I never give advice on the course. Not only is it a 2 stroke penalty, it just confuses the player. Advice and teaching is for the practice area.

Edited December 23, 2005 by Blazer

[dralion 0]

thanks for all the good advices :)

 

2)I would recommend a 9 hole, par 3 course to any beginner. Get to a point where you're hitting your irons solidly, chipping around the greens with confidence, and making a few putts. Then you're ready for the big boy course.

 

yes, thats exactly what i would like to do. :)

 

like you stated in another advice, i'm very much concerned NOT to hold up other golfers.

 

so... which countryclub/golfclub in the Pattaya - area would be recommendable for that kind of practise?

... or do they all welcome "newbies"?

 

thanks!

Dralion

[doghaus 4]

Dralion

 

One of the big advantages that we have in Thailand is that most courses don't need you to produce a handicap certificate to play. Having said that, you need to be able to hit the ball now and again so you don't make a complete arse of yourself.

 

If you want a bit of advice, here would be the sort of programme I would recommend for a few days golf in Pattaya.

 

Day 1. Go to the driving range in the gounds of Cabbages and Condoms at Jomtien. It is just across from the Asia Hotel. Get a lesson from the pro there - Neville is a good teaching pro and not expensive. Then hit some more baolls after your lesson and do a bit of putting

 

Day 2. Have another lesson and hit some balls on the range. Then go and play the par 3 course at the Asia Hotel. Play 18 holes there - it wont take more than a couple of hours

 

 

Day 3. Time to hit the golf course proper. For a first round in Thailand, I would recommend you play at Siam, Pattaya Country Club or mavbe Phoenix. They are close to Pattaya and not the toughest courses.

 

Day 4. Go back to the range for another lesson and tell the pro what parts of your game need the most attention. Then go play the Asia Hotel par 3 again.

 

Day 5 onwards. Get out on the golf course and have fun!

 

A lot of boardies will tell you to join the Pattaya Sports Club - this gives you discounts at a lot of courses. I would hesitate to recommend that you go out with one of the groups from the bars that organise golf. This might put a bit too much pressure on you because the others in your group will be experienced golfers who might lack patience. You would be better going out with a few of the members of this board who are usually only too happy to have a new golfer out with them.

 

I will be in Pattaya for most of the next 2 months so just PM me and I will email you my phone number. If we have some golfers going out I will make sure I hook you up with some guys who you would enjoy playing with. I can also arrange for you to play a round with a teaching pro if you want. This is money well spent in my opinion because there is a big difference between hitting a ball on the range and playing on a golf course.

 

Hope this helps. Have a lot of fun.

 

Doggie

[kesam1 0]

Great reply doghaus seems the perfect agenda for learning to play golf in Thailand

[Blazer 0]

Doggie you've put together the perfect agenda. Cabbages and Condoms at Jomtien sounds like a great place for any golfer.

 

Are the driving ranges in Thailand typically grass or mats?

[redwood13 56]

What's the price range for lessons? - one or a series of 5 or 10 from a farang instructor.

 

-redwood

[Blazer 0]

redwood,

 

No matter what the cost I would only use a PGA certified instructor.

[doghaus 4]

Blazer

 

You are spot on with your comments about a PGA certified instructor. Some of the golfers have met the pro that works with us - Jeremy. He has to attend regular courses and sit exams to keep his teaching pro certificate. Quite a few of the boardies have had lessons from him and he ran a clinic for the RideHer Cup fortnight. Jeremy is happy to do either individual or group lessons. He is in his late 20's and was a tour pro in the USA before coming to Thailand. He plays a few Asian Tour competitions but most of his time is spent either teaching or organising golf programmes.

 

If you want some bugdettary prices for tuition, work on between 1500 and 2000 baht for a lesson on the range. The price depends how long you want the lesson. Some pros charge more and some less! A teaching round with a pro will cost around 5000 to 7000 baht depending on the pro. You get what you pay for!

 

I have been thinking for a while that it might be a good idea to have a beginners golf week in Pattaya. As long as there are 6 or more people, Jeremy can put together a programme of range lessons and tuition on the golf course. The more people, the lower the cost per person. We have another teaching pro in Bangkok, Noo, who will come to Pattaya if we need an extra teacher.

 

If there are guys out there that are interested in a beginners week, just post a reply and we will get the ball rolling. Jeremy is based in Thailand so we can work out some dates as long as there is a general consensus on when you guys will be in town.

 

We can also arrange lessons in Bangkok. We have an arrangement with one driving range and I am now working on a deal with a hotel that has a driving range on site.

 

If you want more info then just PM me.

 

Doggie

[Blazer 0]

He is in his late 20's and was a tour pro in the USA before coming to Thailand. He plays a few Asian Tour competitions but most of his time is spent either teaching or organising golf programmes.

 

Talk about the good life, a golf pro in Pattaya.

 

Thanks for the info Doggie.

[steveuk 0]

Great reply doghaus seems the perfect agenda for learning to play golf in Thailand

Day 5 onwards. Get out on the golf course and have fun!

 

Day 6 Start to practise your swing in the mirror

 

Day 7 Wake up in the middle of the night and practise putting

 

Day 8 Go to the libary and pick up Nick Fados (play better golf book)read it 3 times

 

Day 10 Grip everything like your gripping a golf cliub

 

Day 10 .... i will leave it up to the other guys to add there feelings about when they first took up golf.

Edited January 9, 2006 by steveuk

[Blazer 0]

Ask anyone and everyone you meet "Do you play golf?"

 

Constantly embarrass yourself by being caught in public practicing your swing.

 

Spend an extra $20 a month to get the premium cable package just to watch the golf channel.

 

Buy Ben Hogan's book.

 

Have a closet full of swing aids.

 

Most of your clothes have a Callaway or Ping logo.

Edited January 9, 2006 by Blazer

[smiffy 0]

I'll be intersted in the beginners week , i'm out on the 11th march till the 26th march. i will have had 3 lessons by then and about 10 goes down the driving range . a mate is taking me to a 9 hole course for my first game the weekend after next , make sure anyone nearby is wearing a hard hat

 

Smiffy

[Eurofighter04 0]

Dralion

 

One of the big advantages that we have in Thailand is that most courses don't need you to produce a handicap certificate to play. Having said that, you need to be able to hit the ball now and again so you don't make a complete arse of yourself.

 

If you want a bit of advice, here would be the sort of programme I would recommend for a few days golf in Pattaya.

 

Day 1. Go to the driving range in the gounds of Cabbages and Condoms at Jomtien. It is just across from the Asia Hotel. Get a lesson from the pro there - Neville is a good teaching pro and not expensive. Then hit some more baolls after your lesson and do a bit of putting

 

...

 

Sorry for taking this one out of the garbage, but it ounds just like what I was looking for. Too bad this post is 2 1/2 years old :)

 

Infos about the driving range and the 9-hole-course in Jomtien are still up to date? Any new beginner-venues that were opened in the last 2 years?

 

Thanks!

[softrabbit 3]

Eurofighter.

 

The 9- hole,par 3 course by the Asia Hotel is still there. However the driving range mentioned is not there

anymore.

 

There is one on 3rd road close to Pattaya Nua. Same place where the Pattaya Sports Club is situated.

 

There you could get a membership card that will give you good discounts on golf courses.

[Bob4you 0]

A group of like minded friends who think golf should be fun on too serious play weekly on Tuesday. Check this thread.

 

http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/index.ph...c=36781&hl=