How to Start Golfing, with Help from Jamie Smith

HOW TO START PLAYING GOLF, ON A BUDGET!

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US WHAT YOU DO:

Jamie D. Smith, PGA
I run a Golf School at Lynnhaven Golf Park, Virginia Beach, as well as Ocean View Golf Course in Norfolk VA.

HOW MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TEACHING GOLF DO YOU HAVE?

I have only been in the business for around seven years. I also taught Martial Arts for 10, and was an instructor in the US Air Force, which I am now retired.

CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN TEACHING A NEW PLAYER?

I believe that we all want to learn. It is not impossible to learn a sport for ourselves, but to be good or even great we must get help. The golf swing is no exception. My study of the golf swing and my experience in teaching Martial Arts has helped me understand the lever system and core rotation needed to deliver a precise blow to an object. This knowledge has helped me become an effective teacher of the game. It is my personal obligation to pass the knowledge given to me to golfers of all levels. I too must learn and continually seek more education in order to provide the best and most complete lesson plan. I have been teaching throughout my career and feel I am, and will be a great asset to the sport of golf.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND A NEW PLAYER DO WHEN JUST STARTING OUT?

I would not recommend they go buy clubs until they see a Professional and take a couple lessons to make sure the commitment is going to be there. Once the decision is yes, then talk to the Pro about the best options.

WHAT DOES A NEW PLAYER LOOK FOR IN HIS FIRST IRONS/DRIVER PURCHASE?

This is a tough question. The age, gender, wealth, budget, parents and other things may way heavily on that decision. If we are talking new equipment, then I suggest a custom fitting with the Teaching Pro that is working with them. If we are talking used, then let the Pro make suggestions.

WHAT’S THE BEST VALUE, LESSON WISE, A NEW GOLFER CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF?

Look for someone at a public facility that is PGA qualified. Most offer a series of lessons that will cost less than pay per lesson.

ANY THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, OR WISDOM TO SHARE WITH A NEW GOLFER?

The best advice that I can give is be patient. The golf you see on TV is done by very skilled and trained athletes. For example, if they were in the Medical Profession, they would be of the highest skilled surgeons in the world.

How Do You Start to Play Golf?

How do you get a friend, or a co-worker, who has never played golf, to start playing? A great question some of us have all faced. There are a great number of athletic people out there who have never played a round, and want to play, but are intimidated to start, or are worried about the cost.

I intend to write a series of short articles and them combine them later in the new year with the help of the folks over at Rock Bottom Golf. Together, we are going to go from the very beginning to becoming a regular golf player, and do it in a manner that is fun, informative, and in every one's budget.

I am going to look back at two cases of friends whom had never played, but are now, and how we got them interested and started into the game.

First up, our long time friend Gus Evangelista. Never played a round until last years Myrtle Beach Trip in June. For Gus, the call to try a new sport, go on a fun trip with a huge group of his friends, and have a good time, was enough for him to just go out and do it! He had a great time, and was hitting the ball great for someone who had only hit range balls before. He got some loaner clubs from a friend, and we have now hooked him on the game of golf.

My work buddy Mike Byers played basketball at ODU and over seas professionally, he is very athletic, but never ever swung a club before. We talk about golf in the office a lot, so he finally decided to go to the range with me, and hit my clubs this summer. We went about 6 or 7 times before he bought a used set of clubs, and he played his first ever rounds on a family vacation at Nags Head. No pressure, just for fun, and he had a blast. The guy has a strange untrained swing, but when he hits it, it's way over 300 yards with the driver!

I am going to continue to follow both of these gentlemen as they progress through golf at their own paces. I see two very different attitudes and approaches to golf in my buddies, so it will be interesting to document it and add it into my write ups.