Pick Up Golf

Question: When is the right age to start learning golf?

(Posted by: Shaka Labbits on 2008-02-07 20:16:45)

I wanna start learning golf, but I am already 24 yrs old. a buddy told me that unless you learn golf at 20 or under, there's no point learning since you can't never be good. can anyobdy share their golf learning experience? when did you start learn it? did you become good?

Posted by: dtsairman on 2008-02-07, 20:26:20

Oh, it's never EVER too late! Sure, it may take more time to get a good swing, but it's never too late. A good age is probably around ~10, but people golf until they are 70-80... anyone can golf. Go speak to someone about getting hooked up with a starter set of clubs, and head over to a driving range with someone who is experienced = ) Have fun!

Posted by: Eddie D on 2008-02-07, 20:41:07

I started at 30 & im 35 now I play periodically some weekend yes some no. I have improved my game from hitting 145 on a par 70 to hitting under 90. Im not a pro but I sure have a good time playing the game and thats what its about. So age really doesnt matter if you have a passion for the game. Just enjoy yourself playing.

Posted by: older on 2008-02-07, 20:42:15

I started when i was 35--it took me a few years but i got my handy cap to--5--.this is considered pretty good. i had 2 holes in one which was nothing but luck. once you start the game gets in your blood and thats all you think of. i usually scored between the mid 70's to mid 80's. on a regulation course of 72 i broke par 3 times--69-70-70. i'm sure your buddy can show you the proper way to hold the club so start by just having fun then a little later a few lessons from a pro will help. you are not to old--have fun--by the way i won the city championship when i was 50. good luck

Posted by: Chet M on 2008-02-07, 21:18:41

YOUR FRIEND IS ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT. YOU CAN START AT ANY AGE. IF YOU START REALLY YOUNG LETS SAY 5 YEARS OLD AND YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T INSTILL FUNDAMENTALS IN YOUR GAME AND JUST BAD HABITS IT REALLY DOES YOU NO JUSTICE. BASICALLY YOU HAVE LEARNED BAD HABITS SINCE YOU STARTED THEREFOR YOU'LL HAVE TO WORK EXTREMELY HARD TO CORRECT THEM. LETS SAY YOU START AT 30 AND GET TAUGHT BY SOMEONE WHO IS A GREAT TEACHER, WORKS HARD TO HELP YOUR FUNDAMENTALS AND MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY PREPAIRS YOU PLAY THE GAME YOU'LL BE BETTER OFF THAN THE GUY WHO STARTED AT FIVE.

Posted by: Mike A on 2008-02-07, 21:37:04

Calvin Peete started playing in his mid-20's, one of the top golfers in the 80's. He also set all kinds of records for fairways hit in regulation.

Posted by: heber_ferrazleite on 2008-02-08, 05:58:07

I started learning golf half a year ago at age 38. I am enjoying it more and more. My father in law started with me at age 67. He is having a great time. Of course neither of us has any hopes of ever winning pro tournaments, and maybe no amateur tournaments either. But when we go out on the court we have fun, and most of the time we don't make complete fools of ourselves. :-) So my advice is ... forget what you have been told.

Posted by: Mizer on 2008-02-08, 06:37:58

Your buddy is wrong. Sure it would be easier if you started when you were a child, but there's no reason you shouldn't start playing now. If you have some athletic ability, are willing to take a couple of lessons and practice, you should be able to get out and have a good time on the course. I know this because I was in my mid 20's when I started golfing.

Posted by: mbl on 2008-02-08, 09:05:48

It certainly isn't too late to get going. Better late than never. Starting this late, you're not going to make it on tour, but how much of a chance is their of that for anybody starting at any age?! Be patient, have some humility, and you'll be hooked.

Posted by: Flatstick on 2008-02-08, 12:19:39

It is not too late to learn. The better your overall athletic ability and eye hand coordination the easier you will pick it up, and while you might not become a low handicapper you can certainly learn to play and enjoy it. But if you want to become proficient don't underestimate the amount of time you need to spend practicing. It is not a game you can learn in a few hours a month.