My father in law gave me the best golf advice. I was bent out of shape after a series of poor shots. He calmly said to me “you’re not good enough to be mad while playing golf.” It had helped me tremendously with my mental game, and I spread the word to other people that I play with.
Good words there. Sometimes you have to be realistic with yourself and admit your crap/your a beginner/your Learning but can do better... So being mad at a bad shot is unnecessary, time wasting and its most newbies biggest downfall.
One of the things that I’ve found helpful while learning to play is playing a terrible cheap course. Expectations there are low. Pretentiousness is low. You learn to play bad lies. Best of all, it doesn’t break the bank to go out and play nine holes. Added bonus, when you play a real course for grownups, you appreciate it more because of where you come from.
Agreed. It's really a shame that in the last 10 years many of these courses have closed up shop, at least here in the US. The lack of cheap public courses in a lot of the United States is really hurting new golfers.
@@xDerekLFx Where are courses closing? Here in southern CA I don't think I've seen a single course close. No that there is a lot of new courses but still.
@@kolby4078 I live in LA, there aren't many public courses that you can play a round in under 6 hours if any. We could use half a dozen more public course but there's no place to put them.
The course I began playing on was some old farmland repurposed for a golf course. It wasn't professionally done and it wasn't pretty, but it had all the makings of a decent course. The best part was you could play 18 with cart fees for under $25.
I'm a 75 y/o beginner. e.g. I've just finished a spring and summer in MN USA playing once each week. I have to say your advice is absolutely the best I've ever heard. Thx. I'll keep watching and learning.
MY first lessons with a pro, sixty years ago, were with a three wood off the deck. I hit one in ten! Teaching has come a long way. Oh, the other thing about golf is that there are not many good golfers. Most guys out on the course are hoping to break 90 one day.
“If you do get annoyed, it says more about you than the learner driver” 😂😂 I’m a long time subscriber and listener of the podcast..this is maybe the truest statement you’ve ever made Rick. Keep up the good work!
Been watching Rick since i started playing golf a year ago. I play roughly 1-2 rounds a month and took roughly 20 strokes off my game using his videos and just recently shot my lowest score of 92 last weekend. Looking forward to seeing 80s on the card once i stop 3 puttin' everything 😂. Cheers Rick!!!
Yes, putting is its whole different animal. 3 putts is almost always about pace. For the longer one's grip putter with lighter pressure and let the body be more loose. Also something that helps me, is on that last second before hitting the ball, is to focus on the hole, then when you look back at the ball that's also when the backswing starts. Keep this time between looking at the hole and starting the backswing as short as possible.
Great video... I've been playing for 30 years and it took me 10 years to learn the best thing about golf is being with your mates having some laughs and a few beers at the end. :)
Rick this is my first ever comment on youtube and I have been a golfer for 31 years and this has been your most inspirational video to date.. It made me so proud that there are people like you out there guiding and giving golfers of all ages the hope and confidence to be better golfers and people... Thank you for all of your wonderful content
As a beginner definitely agree putting is the only thing I can compete with most anyone with so it’s what I work on the most since I can’t hit driver anyways haha.
Keep at it man. Took me almost two years to somewhat confidently hit driver. Practice your chipping and pitching too!! Huge, easy gains to be made for beginner golfers there.
@@paulwright7249 I've never lost a $6 ball putting. This game get really expensive if you can't find your tee-shot. Or cartpath rash and bark rub. Because cheap balls kinda suck. Nobody enjoys laying three and they'll never be competitive. A bad putt is one stroke. A bad drive is two.
@@aidangriffiths5075 Absolutely agree with you. It took me awhile to realize that I may hit 250 yds once a round but my average is only 195-220 yds. I focus now more on what goes on from 100 yds in to the pin.
Great point about putting. I've read that Ben Hogan actually didn't consider putting "golf", per se. He advocated for a larger hole to make putting LESS important. His logic was, "a stroke" counted on your card that involving a distance of 20 feet, played on the ground, shouldn't count the same as a 250 yard shot played thru the air.
I love watching golf videos on YT, but Rick is one of the only ones I can picture being just a great person to hang around. His comment about that the person judging you says more about that person than the beginner is just so spot on. I've always thought that how someone behaves on the golf course is a perfect representation of how that person handles life in general. Keep up the great job Rick. Pure class!
What I like about Rick is that he is so friendly. The genuine coach/friend not trying to make himself look like someone much higher and mightier than he actually is. But his advices are spot on (especially the judging/ "dont overly care about what others think" part for me) yet he isnt bragging about how good he is. But Rick is considerably better than pretty much everybody I know that played 15-30 years. Love your work Rick. Much appreciation to you man.
im a starter at 22 and i love it so much and recently followed you love the tips and tricks really has been helping me out and i just bought my first golf clubs i been going every week i just cant get enough of it hahaha thank you👍😁
Rick! When I started playing this marvelous game 65 years ago, I only had access to Golf books or magazines with lessons by the pros. Later came the VCR's on golf lessons by teaching pros. Now, You Tube videos like you use to get golf messages out to beginner or experienced golfers. With, what I had available at the time, I was able to get down to a six handicap. I agree with you on the "best club" in your bag. I have always operated under the premise that "you drive for show and putt for dough!" Thus, I also feel that the putter is the best club in your bag for lowering your handicap. Lastly, always go back to the basics! Keep up the good work Rick! I always enjoy your videos!!
Man Rick! You really are an amazing person. It’s one thing to be a good teacher but to have the energy that makes someone from an entirely different country feel warm and at home is a truly magnificent gift that you where afforded! Love the vids, love the energy and I damn sure love you sir. Thanks for ACTUALLY caring!
I started playing golf 2 yeras ago. What i have learned in last 3 months has set me up to slash my handicapp down. 3 coaching leasson and regular golf has been the key for me
Great advice, Rick. I'm playing with some Bulk Brand golf clubs my parents bought me 25 years ago and I am having a blast. The most important thing is that one enjoys oneself.
Really great primer. I would add embracing the bunker shot...practice it to the point you are 90% confident of a successful shot. Taking the fear out of bunkers is a great confidence booster.
Having fun is my only goal-it throws a lot of folks for a loop, but I, nearly always, am smiling and laughing regardless of my score-if I even keep score. ⛳️❤️👏🏻
This may be the best “training video” I’ve ever seen. Well done Rick, so many people, including myself, forget everything thing you said. I’m an average golfer who is absolutely obsessed with golf, and you’ve reminded me why I play, and the most important lesson of all. Have fun!
I'm just taking golf up. I've always enjoyed it the few times I've been out. I just purchased a used set of slazenger clubs for cheap (in Australia) love the videos mate.
Great tips Rick. Those rounds when the shot goes exactly where and how I wanted make me want to come back again. Some rounds it’s one shot, others it’s a few shots that make me want to come play again.
Great advice as always. The importance of the putter cant be over-emphasised. Just count up how many puts you take on a round. I have had rounds where I have taken 25 putts and rounds where I have taken 45 putts. You can guess which was the lower scoring round !
Hey Rick, I just wanted to thank you for the great videos. I was averaging around 115 till I started watching. I played the best round of my life so far with a 92. Great advice. Keep up the great work!
Absolutely the best golf teacher on RU-vid! I love watching your videos! I'm new to golf (2 years) and have devoured your videos🤣🤣You are so generous with your knowledge and humble in your approach !. keep them coming Rick Shiels
I'm glad you showed that Srixon two tone ball. I'm a newer golfer and found one of those in the woods at the course, now I use it at home for practice on my putting mat. You can line up the divide towards the hole and it will show you if you hit it perfectly on line. It has improved my putting tremendously because there's such visible feedback on your putting stroke.
Every video I watch is incredible. Such a likeable guy, and actually a really good teacher. The game is so tough that no matter how much I play I always learn something from you. Cheers Rick.
Can't agree with that last point more. I always say, a day out stressing about your golf is still better than a day stuck in the office. Helps to get a bit of perspective.
Great advice Rick. I was lucky growing up, my Dad taught me everything about golf other than my swing and he paid for golf lessons. Another thing I would add..... my golf group is trying to add new players many of who are have rarely or never played and we are very conscience of not making them feel intimidated and to have patience with them as they not only learn the physical aspects of golf but also rules, etiquette, etc....Great job as usual.
Started playing again a few years ago with friends who were all starting out. I always ask them when the round is over what their shot of the round was. This makes them forget all the bad ones and they leave with a smile on their face😁.
I'm learning to golf, on the 'don't care what others think', no one gives me a hard time when I'm screwing up, kind of feels like safe environment to learn something new
This is the way to do it. If you are worried about what everyone else thinks about your game you are going to mess up more. Also, don't worry how far others hit it compared to you. Just learn and play your game and enjoy it. Best of luck out there!
Absolutely solid beginner advice, and if I am quite honest, good for intermediate players too because it is easy to lose sight of the basics (especially not worrying and just having fun with it, easily losing sight of why you started in the first place). I like going back to basics from time to time, it's a great refresh and should be applied to anything, not just golf. Cheers!
Always played an odd round every now and again. Decided to take it more seriously last year with lessons. Gone from avg 112-115, to a best score of 98. So the expense has helped, even hit my first birdie.
That's pretty exciting. I'm at the stage when I think pars are exciting. I'm even happy with my bogies. Since you posted 9 months ago, I'm sure you are much better now!
2e season golfer, you complete swing guide was a blessing last summer and is a great reminder as I wait for the snow to finish melting. Keep up the good work Rick
Golf is tough Rick but your right on a lovely summers day its difficult to not like the countryside and the amount of work that goes into creating a beautiful course
As a new golfer it's definitely the putting that was letting me down take 3/4 shots to putt. But a couple of Rick's videos have helped loads and the last month I'm putting I 1 or 2 shots now 👍
Rick, great advice. I would add that one should put away their ego and not get hung up on "men's tees" or "women's tees," etc. Too many people try to play from the wrong tees and instantly turn all par 4 holes into par 5 or greater. It slows play and causes frustration for the player trying to kill a drive to an unreachable fairway position. Learn to play from the green backward to the tee boxes like the OP36 program.
Rick - Love all these types of videos. As a caddie master, I’d love to see a video with you and a caddie where you guys teach the basics of caddying! Could be a nice change up, and selfishly, would love to show my new recruits a more up - to - date tutorial versus the USGA guide from 30 years ago! Ps - I will force them all the like and subscribe and obviously whenever you are in Michigan you can have cart Blanche on our course 😉 Happy holidays and thanks for all you do!
Excellent video. And proper advice for beginners 1. Lessons: I struggled to break 100, went on a 5 day golf school and dropped 10 shots per round once my hands healed from the blisters :) 2. I targeted putting 33 puts per round on a mid-handicap (14/15) and used certain practice routines I learned from videos or the club pro to get me there 3. Golf rules aren't only there to penalise you, they can also work in your favour
Thanks Rick, I start playing golf at a I think 3 months, I went to a golf school, and you have reason. Sometimes I worry if my equipment is good, or that many people is watching and you have reason. The only thing it matters is to have fun. :)
Great tips Rick, when I first started I was way to hard on myself, now that I’m older I understand more about the environment, and people around golf and no matter what I score I just love playing!!
Thanks for this Rick. Needed this video. I'm just starting up playing to help with my chronic pain and spinal injury and nerve recovery. Your videos have helped me mentally as well so thankyou for doing what you do I'm learning a lot from you and how much it's about myself having fun and getting out there.
Great advice. Especially on investing in lessons, being careful who you listen to, and being patient on investing in expensive clubs. I just got into golf about 6 months ago and i couldnt hit the ball straight to save my life. After a few lessons and forgetting some of the advice i had heard from my buddies, i am doing much better. Just broke 100 for the first time. Had my first birdie on a par 3. And golf has become one of my most favorite hobbies.
Nice - congrats on breaking 100 and on your first birdie. I can still remember the hole, the shot, and the putt when I made my first birdie. Such a good feeling. Keep it up - on to breaking 90!
Talking about one of those package set I brought one and added clubs to that set that I need or improved on clubs from that set, for example if I was missing a wedge or when I was improving my game
I started golf a year ago during the pandemic lockdown. Started watching your videos. Basically you were my personal PGA pro. Lol. I took lessons, played with some old ping clubs from the 90’s until I got fitted. Now I shoot in the mid 90’s and looking forward to break 90 very soon. The putting advice is 100% accurate. It’s the worst part of my game cause I always focused on the driver. Once I stop 3 putting I’ll be in the 80’ easy. Thanks Rick and Happy Thanksgiving
Other than lessons, I have done pretty well with most of these - especially having fun. I'm only a 26 handicap, so take this for what it's worth - but I'd add a No. 8 - Don't try to fix your swing during a round. Now mind you, I don't take this advice myself very well, but I understand I'd be much better off experimenting with my swing and developing muscle memory on the range - not the course. The lack of consistency in my swing at the moment (I've played for 3 years) is the biggest reason I shoot mid to high nineties rather than getting into the 80's.
The RU-vid side of things helped immensely. A few years ago when I started back into golf you and the guys at me and my golf got me falling in love with the game again. The simple things like going back to a certain points in a video and helping me repeat a process as many times as needed worked wonders. I'd spend a good half hour at the range adjusting little things on the go really helped improve my game. Aaaaaand then covid came along😂😂 I guess the one positive thing is that I can go directly back to those lessons and start again!
Love this. I played with a hand me down for over 2 years. They got learning lots and got my handicap down to 15. Don't fall for all the new flashy things
You're never to seasoned or professional enough to watch a teaching video. Always fine tuning my swing since I developed bad habits starting out. For instance I hit my driver pretty good but always have a slight fade that I couldn't get rid of. Rick's tip about the 7oclock 5 o'clock rule helped tremendously. I knew this of course but I just couldn't get the club back but Rick gave me a fresh perspective.
what an absolutely marvellous man. thank you Rick you have given me the confidence to learn and improve. a man who truly wants us to get better and most importantly enjoy our golf.
Exactly what was needed. My ego would LOVE to think this was a result of my suggestion a few weeks but realistically there were obviously a LOT of followers who were asking for just this type of video and I'm SO glad we got it! 🙂 And thanks for that last point especially b/c I beat myself up without mercy as a beginner as I CONSTANTLY hit the ball fat and gouge the ground or thin and watch it roll along the grass. One day I got so frustrated I asked myself "Why are you out here?" But like you said...I forgot I was there to have fun!
I appreciate #5/#6 I think especially a young/new golfer we worry a lot about judgement especially gear because we don’t really know what to do, what club for the situation and tend to feel like the insecurity gets so REAL that people may be watching you. Which isn’t true. Nobody actually cares unless your snapping clubs on a bad shot. I appreciated that, thanks!
I'm not a beginner, I've been playing since I was 6 and I'm now....... A lot older than that 🙃. However the last piece of advice is something that I think even experienced hobbyist golfers forget sometimes and honestly it's something that I should try and remind myself of more often when I head out on the course.
