As a player for 40 years I would advise a couple of lessons. If you don't want a lesson there are a ton of great instructional videos on youtube. I still like the proper lessons to start because the proper grip and swing path are not automatic and intuitive , to get to where you want to be eventually this would help. Learn to putt and chip and hit a ton of balls at the range. Before your first trip to a golf course you should be able to put the ball in play off the tee box and make a reasonable second shot to the green. I struggled as a self taught baseball swing golfer until I got good instruction. I wish I would have gotten lessons right out of the gate. That being said I have had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends thru golf over the last 40 years. Good Luck, I wish you the best.

Get a lesson. Even just one hour at a driving range with a certified coach and he'll answer all the questions you're thinking of asking here

Ya you’re fine, find some used sets, go out with your buddies and have fun and try to figure it out. Once you hit a wall then get lessons if you like it but failure is a good teacher. Also just walk, you’re 17 throw your bag over your shoulder and get some steps in

Forget it. Start pickleball.

Yea you’re in a good spot. Get a lesson before create any bad habits like the rest of us did 😂

Best bet, buy a modern set (there are great complete sets out there). Take some lessons. Go to the range and practice what you learn in your lessons. Find a par 3 course or pitch and putt and once you learn to score, then move up to full courses. Just my advice.

I can tell you what I did. This worked for me but I can't say it will work for you.

I would first get a lesson or two max on the basics of set up, how to hold the club, etc. I got this for free from my brother in law, who is a scratch golfer but not an actual golf pro.

The way I learned and mostly taught myself was learning one club at a time. There were mutlple things I had to learn about each club. Initially I was only working on contact and distance. After maybe 2-3 months could really nail a driver but had zero control over the same if my timing was not perfect. But it was enough when working to get me out there. I was mostly working on not starting from the inside and having width at the top of my backswing. Sounds easy but it took many, many, many hours off practice. Once I got the driver down then I worked on PW, 9 iron, 8 iron and gap wedge. That was it for the first year I played. Doing that I broke 90 the first year I played, but only once. Most rounds were a real roller coaster and I had nothing consistent.

Last year was my second year and I got a lesson with driver in the winter. It gave me some things to work on but honestly it was nothing special and I did not go back to that instructor. On my own the biggest thing I worked on was my footwork. That was pretty much all I worked on the 2nd year I played. Helped so much for consistentcy of contact. After playing with my scratch brother in law I realized I had to get much, much better off the tee and with long irons so I devoted almost all of my practice time to that. I was getting the hang of it by the end of the season.

This is my 3rd year. Goal this year is to control club head. I want to keep all shots starting as close to that line as possible. 50-70% of practice this year has been all short game. It has not paid dividends yet and it is kind of boring (and extremely hard) but thus far everything I have done has paid off down the line.

If this sounds horrible I am sure there is a better and more efficient way than the way I did it.

Find a place that does adult beginner lessons and just learn the right way from day 1, don’t waste your time or money trying to figure it out on your own. You’ll save yourself years.

Find someone willing to go to the range and teach basics with you.

I taught myself golf for the most part, but I started when I was working at a range so I was able to find a lot of opportunity to just casually swing and get familiar with the game which was a massive benefit to me.

My advice would be just to swing, and swing a lot. Specifically if you can find a course that has a practice short game area where you can reuse balls and save money, do this a lot. I’m sure a lot of guys will say it doesn’t translate to full swing shots, but I think starting short and working back is the way (that’s how tiger learned). For me this was how I was able to get familiar just making good contact and trusting the loft of a club to do its job as opposed to trying to “lift” the ball.

If you have a yard get some foam balls and a little mat and just take some cuts at home when you can. Those little mats that show you your swing path/impact are cheap and useful imo as well.

Above all else keep it enjoyable for yourself, challenge yourself, and make the effort to get better bc the game is unforgiving.

If I was to start golfing again I'd do a few lessons with different pros until I find one I like. Then I'd plan to see them around every 4-8 weeks whilst practicing and playing as much as I can.

Find a driving range which is good value. When starting out being able to perform well with full swing (drivers and irons) will accelerate you quickly. Spend most of your time on this. If you have the spare time spend it on chipping and putting but that can wait for now.

Find a course which has lots of sets of tees and play off the most forward ones until you break 90 from them. Then move back a tee and repeat trying to break 85. Then move back a tee and try to break 80. Then you're ready for the tips (this is if there are four sets of tees).

As it sounds like your partner is into it too you could go on this journey together. Find out what your reason for playing is, is it travelling? Is it competition? Is it an escape from day to day life? Is it all of the above? Find the things that help you enjoy and have fun on the golf course.

Lastly, this sport is hard and don't let it beat you up. It is very very hard to be good at this sport. Remember why you started playing the game when it gets hard. Just smile and smell the roses.

Go play a par 3 course and probably get at least one lesson to get you off and running.

The best time to start golf is 10 years ago. The next best time is now.

>Golf seems fun

That’s how they get you

And don't forget to also get a Scotty Cameron.

This often gets overlooked but I'm a HUGE advocate of golf mentoring. Find an avid player in your friend group, family, or extended network who is willing to show you the ropes. Tell them you will pay for a round of golf for them if they will take you under their wing and show you around the course.

There is so much nuance in the etiquette and the actual playing of the game and its being assaulted by the "imma try golf lol" crowd that came during 2020.

1. Second Hand all Golf Clubs/Bag/Equpiment(Facebook Marketplace & OfferUp)
2. Driving Range or Mat & Net at Home

3.Watch Training Videos/ Take Lessons

4.Play a Round of Golf

Don’t be reluctant to get on the course as a beginner. Everyone once was a Beginner and if they are human they will definitely understand when playing with you. I started in 2021 and barely got on the course this October. I regret not playing sooner knowing it would’ve been ok as a beginner. Good luck have fun champ

Cheap clubs. Driver, 5 iron, 7 iron, Pitching wedge, Putter.

Hit the range, get a couple of lessons from the pro at the range.

Learn to love putting. It accounts for 1/3 of your total shots. Good putters keep their scores low.

Once you have some confidence that you can keep the ball moving on course, get playing. You’ll learn a shit load more playing than just hitting balls at the range.

Lastly. Everyone’s shit at golf.

I play off a single digit handicap. I slice the ball off the tee about 20% of the time, hit bunkers like I’m aiming for them. Fat shots, thin shots, hit trees, play from the scrub. But, inside 100y I’m lethal.

Short game is king.

Get your hands on a cheap set of beginner clubs. Something a few years old and under, say, $250. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are good for that.

Start going to the driving range once or twice a week.

Take a few in-person lessons from a pro at the range.

Get out to a local pitch-and-putt course to work on your short game (chipping, putting, approach shots, and short tee shots). Plan to play on that type of course 10-12 times before you attempt an 18 hole course with holes over 150 yards.

In a few months, if you've done all that and you have "the bug", you'll probably be excited and ready to go out to an 18 hole course and couple your driver swing from the range with your short game and putting that you've worked on at the pitch-and-putt course.

Buy a skillz grip trainer aid. Most of your bad shots are coming from a bad grip. Watch paddy harringtons videos on grip as well. Also have fun!

Range a couple times to get a feel and then a lesson or two. Try and find a par 3 course or pitch and putt. Get used to playing holes. Then maybe play 9 holes on a proper course to get started with before playing a full 18. Try and go with friends and family. It’s good to have encouragement and especially if they have experience in the game they can give you general tips while you’re out

https://operation36.golf/

Best program I've found for growing the game and helping beginners play their best and stick with it. You get weekly lessons and challenges beginning from 25 yds out and level up which gives you confidence and goals. You'll also meet other beginners and find people to play with. Seriously, this is your best bang for buck.

Do you have any friends that are already playing that you could tag along to the range and course with? Look into group clinics at local courses and ranges. Some spots near me do a whole beginners group program that lasts a few weeks.

As another piece of advice, see if there’s any par 3 courses around you. Typically they’re not super busy and if they are busy, it’s kids and beginners so it’s not like you’ll be surrounded by or slowing down people lightyears better than you. It also is a good way to practice on an actual course while limiting the frustration a bit.

Also I’m not sure what you’re struggling with, but the best piece of advice is to just focus on making consistent contact. Take practice swings, make sure you’re hitting the spot you want to laterally and vertically. Slow down, a nice and easy swing that makes good contact will go further and closer to where you want than a strong swing that was off the sweet spot. And also, most people’s “full swing” is way further back than they should be.

Once you start making consistent contact things get way easier to work with.

It would be great if you have friends who are already playing golf, at least you have companions practice with or play with later on.

Go to nearest driving range and look for teaching pro, ask for advice to buy a set beginner golf club, what is best for you to start with.

Start your learning lessons, do practice 5 times hours after every learning session before you go for next lesson.

Golf is no ordinary games like others but a mind games, you don't have any opponents player, the golf stay still whenever you hit it. Your golf mates are just play mates, they can't physically disturb you or your golf ball be it wherever it is, only you your mind could make you hit it good or not. Many players try to hit harder when they see playmates hit it straight and far, and make a lot of mistakes.

Sooner or later if you pick up golf, you will find it very interesting, you need to imagine your swing act everytime before you hit it. Especially when you putt on the green, you need to imagine the putting line and the strength of your putting movement. It is not just about your physical, but your imagination play most important part of it.

I hope you find the interesting part of playing golf, enjoy it.

Cheers

Go to the range. Most golfers are very helpful. We all had to start somewhere. Just remember, no one cares if you’re bad…just don’t be slow. Fix your ball marks and divots. You’ll make friends

Look for operation 36 in your area. They organize classes/programs to bring new golfers into the sport. You could also just work with a private coach that offers range and on course lessons, but that would be pretty pricey.

https://operation36.golf

Just start posting on reddit. Tell everyone you are a 1.6 handicap.

Give swing and equipment purchase advice.

You're doing great.

My situation is much worse. I'm exactly on the same boat, plus, I live in a country where there's only one golf course and it's couple of hours away 😪 so envy of Americans having golf courses around every corner. Don't take it for granted

This is my 3rd year playing golf.

I started by going to the range and then a sim by myself with some clubs that were given to me. I would recommend spending the time I did up front but I would first get a lesson on the basics of what to do.

After that I would just practice whatever drill the instructor was teaching you.

It honestly took me two years where I felt like I could just play comfortably.

I am also in my 40s and I don't have unlimited free time. I think that timeline could be sped up considerably if you are younger or have a lot of time.

Also go to the gym! Being in shape helps tremendously in any sport and golf is no different.

Run away. Don’t look back. Save yourself thousands of dollars and hours or heartache. Golf is like a pretty girl, you think you want it till you get it and then it’s not as easy, fun, or cheap as you thought.

Seriously though, go to a local course and rent some clubs to try it out. Maybe get a quick lesson to get the basics down and see if you like it. It’s better to learn the correct way to swing a club right away than to feel your way through it. I would say to start on real grass. Sims are nice for winter or if you can’t get outside to practice but it’s not the same thing. It’s like driving a race car vs driving a race sim.

Also, regular golf isn’t like the WM. That’s more of a big ass party with a little golf thrown in. Don’t be the loud drunk guy on the local course please.

I didn’t start playing until well into my adulthood.

Lessons are not gimmicky. The swing is not intuitive, at all, and a book of lessons not being bought off the bat is a big ole regret of mine.

New equipment is fine if you want to dive in I guess. But the type is important - you’ll want to be in game improvement land, more forgiving club types.

It says, "Hey, I wanna play golf. But I really got no idea what I am doing but I am trying."

It's not the greatest thing to start out with as a beginner but if you're gonna play a few rounds here and there and not really become a full on golf sicko. It's a good start.

You have to figure greens fees are $50-$100 for an average decent course. Balls are $1-$5 each depending on your skill level or how cool you want to be. You will be losing a lot at first. Then you will have to buy different equipment as your level increases or the new shinny clubs are released. It can be pretty cheap but it’s an addiction.

I started with the edge set and loved it. Upgraded after playing for a few years. It’s a great deal and you can return it to Costco if you end up not liking golf after a round or 2.

Absolutely start with lessons

It’s definitely not an insult. Costco has somehow gotten their way into making the best value set in golf. It’s basically just Calloway’s top clubs from about a dozen years ago repainted. They also have a solid set of wedges and the price for the balls and gloves they have there can’t be beat for the price. There’s a bunch of review videos on YouTube about Costco equipment and it always fares decently. If you’re just getting started but want to take it relatively seriously it’s 100% the way you should go

It’s not lol, there are many reviews and recommendations for that set in this sub. It also has everything you need to get started. Driver, 3 wood, 5 hybrid, 6-9 irons, pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a putter.

I’m sure you can find YouTube reviews as well.

Think of forgiveness like a basketball hoop that's just an inch or two bigger. You gotta be able to get the ball to the rim in order to take advantage of the bigger hole.

100% get lessons, your coach should have the correct answers to all your golf related questions. 

So, ballpark numbers:

Costco set runs you say $600. Getting fit sets you back (ball park, assuming nothing exotic. To be honest, this would benif you choose the cheap side) $1000 irons $600 driver $300 putter $300 wedges $400 woods/hybrids $300 bag

There are designs that make it easier to hit the sweet spot in game improvement clubs. They typically have cavity backs, which is a hollowed out look to the back of the faces. They are weighted to get the ball up in the air. They do help.

The classic look for non-game improvement is a blade, a thinner look of the club face or a muscle back, which looks beefy. They require more precision to hit or a repeatable swing, which are not typical for most early golfers.

Also if you are not average sized, tall or short, your basic box set of clubs may make it harder to learn.

Basic hand eye coordination is often a good thing to have playing this game.

If you want the a way to start without having to do too much effort in research my suggestion would be head to costco and get the callaway edge full set and you can grab a bag while you're there for cheap or grab one off marketplace. I would suggest getting a stand bag so you can walk or ride when you play. Then I would look around online for "beginners golf clinic (city name)" . From there, hit the driving range 2-3x a week working on the things you learned in your clinic, and when you feel like you get those things then you can start some 1:1 lessons. Do that for a bit and you'll be in good shape to play, start out on some par 3 courses to learn the flow of the game a bit, and when you can make a swing and connect with a driver or longer club to get past 180 yards or so, then you can start playing regular golf courses.

You could also buy some second hand clubs

Get lessons at a driving range from a pro

You can rent a set from the clubhouses.

As another Redditor mentioned, get some lessons.

Gary player golf experience at World of Golf.

I played 3 games of golf when I was 16. I'm 41 now. I haven't played in 25 years. I was invited to play in a golf day that was this last Wednesday. I asked my stepfather if I could borrow his clubs. I went to the driving range 3 times with his clubs before the golf day. I also went to the closest club to me, and bought 2nd hand balls from a guy that finds lost balls.

I had a fantastic time. I'm now also considering getting into golf.

I was told by the one guy I was teamed up with to go to the pro shops at golf clubs and have a look at 2nd hand clubs.

Look around your area for intro to golf group lessons or classes. People have posted about them on this sub and most have had very good experiences with them.

1.) Get a good set of used/starter clubs
2.) Get a lesson. (This will provide you framework for practice)
3.) Go hit a lot of golf balls at the range
4.) Get another lesson
5.) spend at least half your practice sessions working on chipping/putting

Used clubs are key…dont buy training aids, buy lessons. Avoid youtube videos if you can get lessons. Dont stress.

Get a few lessons before you develop terrible habits that you will then spend the next 5 to 40 years trying to fix

A couple tips:

• Try to find a family member or friend that can help guide you
• Buy a used set of beginner clubs
• Get a lesson
• Find your best local driving range
• Practice

That should get it started. Best of luck