Love open-source software? What about open-source golf lessons?
Are you intrigued to learn to play golf but fear you will embarrass yourself or that you are too old to learn?
The pandemic has boosted interest in golf. I regularly meet people in business that would like to take it up again or start playing golf but aren’t sure they have the skills nor the time to become competent enough to enjoy the sport and don’t even start. Others fear the many unknowns around the game, from the etiquette norms to being paired with a much better player and holding them up. I know many people in business that miss great opportunities to play in scramble format charity events for fear of the sport. They miss significant opportunities for fun and networking.
My Dad picked up golf in his forties and fell in love with the game. My brother and I joined him for rounds, but at the time had other hobbies as teenagers that we found more dynamic and exciting (tennis, skateboarding, Boogie boarding). Our Dad loved playing and often would zoom over to our local golf course to walk nine holes after Sunday football games ended. I didn’t understand his enthusiasm for the game then, but I do now — context matters.
In my early forties, I realized why he was so enthusiastic about the game and began playing regularly with my friends. We started our golf quest slowly by walking nine holes at a local course early on the weekends before our kids and wives were up. Gradually we started tackling eighteen holes.
As I played more, I was paired with others. I soon realized most people are not super amazing golfers. Even the better players struggle with errant shots, as you will, though they don’t tend to compound their problems as many novices do.
I love to learn and have watched many sources of online instruction and paid for professional coaching. I can recommend a few open-source YouTube channels that I’ve found valuable.
Before you begin watching those, I recommend reading and framing your approach to learning golf with this: “The Inner Game of Golf” by W. Timothy Gallwey — https://theinnergame.com/inner-game-books/inner-game-of-golf/
The YouTube video sources in order, they are:
(1) Danny Maude — https://www.youtube.com/c/DanielMaude
Danny Maude publishes a new video every Saturday morning. Sign up for the alerts.
(2) Erika Larkin’s “True Swing” — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mb9jkIteXUVnpuqnmNREg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csOv3AoEwH4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBBpriIPuzQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBBpriIPuzQ
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/erikalarkingolf/
- https://www.erikalarkin.com/a-true-swing-book
(3) Shawn Clement’s Wisdom in Golf Lessons — https://www.youtube.com/c/ShawnClementWisdominGolf
Shawn Clement publishes one to two videos per week
(4) Scratch Golf Academy — https://www.youtube.com/c/Scratchgolfacademyonline
(5) Me and My Golf — https://www.youtube.com/c/meandmygolf
(6) Padraig Harrington — https://www.youtube.com/c/PadraigHarringtonOfficial
(7) AlexElliottGolf-
https://www.youtube.com/@AlexElliottGolf
(8) DrKwonGolf — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwCWfCapZNK_ulayYNTBJxQ
Rope Swing Part I on Dr Kown Golf — https://youtu.be/0hyrcov8lz0
Rope Swing Part II on Dr Kown Golf — https://youtu.be/4GdZJ-acILg
Dr. Kwon’s videos are a bit different from those above. He is a biomechanics professor. His perspective and the novel techniques he uses to help people develop dynamic motions may change your mind about how you think a golf swing works. His research informs some of the instruction that Maude and Clement uses. Maude and Clement rely on your intuitive, athletic skills in teaching golf which is less complex than other approaches.
(9) Why did I have a grounder or blop shot with my Driver?
AliTaylorGolf has an easy fix — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_DNY8c6KDw
Here is another great video by AliTaylorGolf describing how to think about using the low point of the club to achieve maximum performance with various clubs — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFGpxL76OmA
(10) Introduction to Achieving a Single Figure Handicap | Paddy’s Golf Tips | Padraig Harrington
https://youtu.be/2qQwo_eVAkI?si=k9GwzNd9CDtZLz2B
Etiquette tips:
https://www.pga.com/story/golf-for-beginners-golf-etiquette-rules-and-glossary
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/arniesrules (note that #1 is “Don’t be the slowest player”)
Like fly-fishing, golf is a great sport to enjoy the outdoors, forget the stresses of work, spend time with family and friends, meet new people, and continue learning and growing. It enables one to remove distractions from their mind and focus on the task at hand.
One of the great things about golf is that you are playing against yourself and on a quest to learn and improve. Start with a few lessons with the pro at your local golf course and rent or buy some used clubs (see https://www.2ndswing.com). Even the PGA pros have full-time coaches, so you don’t feel bad if you’ve not mastered the sport in a few weeks, months, or years.
Once you’ve started to play some, you will find the YouTube channels above valuable. Find a driving range where you can practice, keep some clubs in your trunk, and test new ideas after watching the latest Maude or Clement video.
Our Dad’s main advice when playing golf was not to hold others up. Be prepared to take your shot when it is your turn. That advice has been invaluable to enjoying the game — especially early on. He also loved walking the course, which was excellent advice and one I follow today unless the golf course insists we use carts.
Enjoy the journey and satisfaction of developing new skills at any age.
