The golf bug bit me and has not let go.

[Torrey4Life]

Hi folks, long time reader, recent GolfWRX member (signed up to win that RocketBladez contest, heh).

 

I played some about 10-12 years ago...never got that good. I enjoyed hitting the range every once in a while, and even played a local exec course here in San Diego a couple times and had fun even though I didn't do well (Lomas Santa Fe exec, HIGHLY recommend it). Decided one day that I'd like to get better and took a lesson. Guy was cool but gave me so much to think about that I couldn't hit the ball AT ALL for like 2 months...put my starter set in the garage and decided to do something else.

 

This past August I met up with some college friends for a reunion of sorts in Vegas. One of the things we did was play a 12 hole par 3 - I was honestly dreading it, and even though I came near death's door from heatstroke and dehydration, I was shocked that I enjoyed the ever-living sh*t out of it and even managed to hit a few greens from the tee. The Bug took hold of my posterior and has only grown stronger.

 

It's been almost 4 months and I am completely and utterly consumed by the desire to get better. Though it's very likely nothing more than a pipe dream, my goal is to one day be a scratch golfer. I'm hitting the range 3-5 days per workweek at lunch (50-100 balls per day depending), and hitting 150 per Sat/Sun at another local range that allows me to hit off grass. About every 2 weeks I'm playing a course...usually the same exec mentioned above as it's beautiful and challenging with my short irons, and I feel that practicing my short game will pay off the most over the next months/years.

 

I currently average about a bogey at the exec course and a double at full size courses - with ~1 mulligan per round (off the tee only) and about 1-3 double par pickups at full size courses. Since I've started I've become MUCH better at getting good, proper contact...but I am not satisfied. I watch as many online vids and reads as much about technique as I can without it affecting my work and homelife (married with 2 small kids, my family is my overwhelming priority). I am going to purchase a pack of lessons from a very well regarded coach here as soon as I can afford it. I have no plans to slow down my goal of 500 balls per week/2 courses per month. I am going to do this, or have a sh*t ton of fun trying!!!

 

I have a million questions but I'll post them in the appropriate forums. This Golf-Borg drone just wanted to pop up and say, hi!

[esketores]

Hopefully this is some sage advice... Going to the range is great. Do you have sound fundamentals? Truthfully.
Grip
Set-up (address, posture, etc.)
Stance (weight distribution)
Going to the range and practicing with poor fundamentals only reinforces bad habits. The learning curve becomes extended.
If you truthfully can state you have good fundamentals more power to you.
If not; please find a qualified instructor who will school you in fundamentals. There is nothing wrong with creating your own swing. But sound fundamentals certainly will hasten your acheiving your goal.

[Torrey4Life]

I took one lesson that focused on grip, how to aim, setup, and basics of a good swing an ball flight. Took me about a week before I could even hit the ball again...but I kept at it and I do a lot better now.

Now, whether or not I have good fundamentals or my previous bad habits have crept back, it's hard to say...I would say more of the former than the latter, but who knows. I absolutely, positively will be purchasing a pack of lessons here very soon. It's just a funding thing.