Golf Driving Ranges?

[joiner_sim]

I'm interested in starting to play golf, after having a lesson from a pro while on holiday. However, I just want to go down the driving range first and practice my long shots. My girlfriends dad has a full set of clubs, which he said I could borrow, but I feel weird asking him. What I want to know is can I go down the driving range and hire a club if there is such a thing. Feel a bit weird just phoning them up and asking this..... so just wondered if anybody knew before I asked.... is this something they may do? Or should I go out and just buy one for now?

 

[BigShot]

If the range has a shop attached you may be able to try before you buy.

That said, just phone them.

Worst case scenario is they think it's a daft question, laugh like crazy about it, but since they don't know who you are thre'll never be any comeback - ever.

Really though, I can't see what's daft about it. You can borrow a ball when you go to use a football pitch or basketball court. You can often hire squash rackets at courts. Heck in France you can even hire (yes - hire) speedos at the pool!

Give them a bell and see what they say.

 

[BMac]

Hiring a club will be no problem. There's a driving range near me and I often used to go and hire a club and fire off a bucket of balls. Then I would hire a putter for a go on the putting green. Driving ranges and Pitch and Putt courses I have been to anywhere have all had equipment for hire.

Brendan

 

[wizer]

Hiring Clubs at a driving range is par for the course (pun intended).

 

[joiner_sim]

Okay then thanks for the information. I will be popping along to my nearest one when I can :lol: The ambition is to buy a full set and play an 18 hole course, but obviously thats talking money and for me to spend money I want to know its worth me doing it.

By the way this is something I'm taking up as my spare time which used to be spent in my shed, is something I can no longer do for now as I've moved out of my parents house and now live at my girlfriend's parents house. Just trying to save up for a deposit to buy our own in the future. I'll be making sure there's a space in the back garden for a new workshop!!!

 

[wizer]

Simon, golf is dull

 

[joiner_sim]

Simon, golf is dull

Well thats what i originally thought, but had a golf lesson from a pro when I was away in Spain with the father-in-law to be, and I thought it was alright.... I since then brought Tiger Woods for my PSP and enjoying playing golf on that, so now really fancy having practice on my own and having a go at a course. As I said need a replacement for the workshop for the time being... Maybe this can fill the gap for now... all my workshop tools are back at my parents just gathering dust in the shed > no space really here for them.

 

[DeanN]

Just buy the clubs as you need them - start with a few irons if you're on the range, then a driver. Concentrate more on your technique than the clubs. Keep an eye out for second-hand clubs.

 

[studders]

Keep an eye out for second-hand clubs.

The Charidy Shop just up the road from me often throw out sets of clubs, complete with bag. :shock:
Pity I don't play Golf really.

 

[BigShot]

Studders...
...back of the car, camera, ebay. Maybe?

 

[studders]

Studders...
...back of the car, camera, ebay. Maybe?

Well 'tis an idea but I figured as no one wanted them at the daft low price they were asking there was no point. :?

 

[BigShot]

You might be right.
On the other hand... maybe noone thinks to get clubs in charity shops so people who would buy them don't look there.
Maybe they just don't know the value of what they have (that wouldn't be a first).
Maybe they just don't have the space.

Could be worth a trial run - have a look on ebay completed listings and see the sort of prices they fetch, pick up the right brands when they get chucked out and there could be at least a few beer tokens in it for you.

 

[studders]

I might just 'recycle' the next lot and see. :lol: Trouble is even though no one wants them taking them from the bin is a bit norti without asking, and if I ask...... they'll want dosh.

 

[big soft moose]

I used to be a greenkeeper and we assembled the best part of a set of clubs purely from those found arround the course so keep an eye out while playing too

the ones in the charity shops will be clubs that have gone out of fashion or been suplanted by newer (e.g no one wants a big bertha driver now that you can get the even bigger bertha etc) so there is little point in trying to ebay them as the charity shops wouldnt be slinging them if they had resale value - that said if you just want a set to play with then you could do worse.

and by the way its a myth that golf gets less dull if you get better at it - I was a greenkeeper for four years (and it was obligatory to play as we often had to play a four ball with the members commitee to "discuss" course improvements) and in my first year I had a maximum handicap and its was boring and dull - by the time i left I had a single figure handicap (8 ) and it was still boring and dull.

you know why they called it "golf" right ? its because "sh!t" was already taken

 

[BigShot]

you know why they called it "golf" right ? its because "sh!t" was already taken

Brilliant.


Studders - I might well be mistaken here so don't quote me on it... but I think once the bin is out it's fair game. While it's still on their property it might not be.

I can't be sure about that though.

 

[andyw]

Hi Simon,

as long as the range has a pro shop just go down to them an explain the situation and they'll be able to advise. Don't be shy, I'm sure it'll be something they are used to discussing and helping people on.

A point to note is that golf clubs are tuned to a persons height and swing angle, so picking up & using other peoples clubs can make the hard impossible, especially if you're short or tall rather than average.

Pro shops usually have a good range of Px sets for sale at good prices and you may be lucky that they have a set from someone similar in size to you.

Alternatively, they should have a range of clubs targeted to beginners like yourself that are inexpensive, adjustable and can be bought individually over time, especially as birthday and Xmas gifts.

I used these people when starting out and they have beginners sets including woods, irons and a bag for £99:

http://www.americangolf.co.uk/golf-club ... ckage-set/

Should be a store near you.

 

[Shultzy]

joiner_sim, there are often golf sets available on freecycle. Seedy Mills has a golf range and Beacon Park, Lichfield has a pitch and putt where you can hire clubs.

 

[BradNaylor]

I've recently bought 2 full sets of golf clubs to keep at our holiday home in North Wales so that we can go for a game there without having to take clubs over with us every time we go.

I paid £5.00 for one set at a car boot sale and £8.00 for the other from a charity shop. Both sets are top brands, complete, and with decent bags.

Just a little old, that's all.

 

[Doctor]

I've recently bought 2 full sets of golf clubs to keep at our holiday home in North Wales so that we can go for a game there without having to take clubs over with us every time we go.

I paid £5.00 for one set at a car boot sale and £8.00 for the other from a charity shop. Both sets are top brands, complete, and with decent bags.

Just a little old, that's all.

When a six year old out drives you, blame it on the clubs

 

[Doctor]

Brads new clubs

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: