Buddy got into golf

I'm fairly new to golf too (February 2019 is when I started playing regularly) and the best tip I would say is not to bombard them with information and tips. There is so much information and "opinions" out there that it is a bit overwhelming in a game that is already hard enough. Trial and error will be their best coach!

That is exciting man! I never really had to help someone new to the game but I remember starting as a kid and my buddies an I were terrible but we did worry about score LOL I can remember always starting out the round focused on playing and trying to shoot my best score but by the end of the 9 holes were screwing around pretending to be Payne Stewart or playing the last hole with our 5 woods only!

I think if I was helping a buddy, when we played Id say lets play a scramble today or maybe some alternate shot. Make it a group effort until he gets comfortable playing and learns his way around. That way your playing and trying to compete, but also the pressure of individual success isn't as great. Maybe dont take him out at the peak times like wkend mornings so that he doesn't feel "out of place" or like ppl are watching him. I dont know! Only thing i can say is if we only worry about score all the time, we are all gonna be greatly disappointed, because Golf is hard!! Good luck man.

If you have any par 3 courses or short "executive" courses near you taking him out to play those can help. Sometimes playing a regular course, even from the front tees, is a bit daunting. It can get a new player into the poor habit of trying to swing to hard. Whereas, shorter courses can instill the mindset of swinging easier and hitting greens. It can also help with confidence, which is a big part of improving and enjoying the game.

Way back, when my wife decided to try the game, I had her concentrate on one or two clubs. That way she became comfortable hitting those and then we could move on to other choices. In her case, I had her focus on her 5 iron and a wedge, along with the putter, of course. As she became more adept with those clubs we added a wood (yes, it was a wood) and another iron to the mix. Over the course of the first summer, she became more comfortable with a variety of clubs and enjoyed the game. We did not worry or think about her score, just making good contact and having fun. While she ended up not talking to the game, we did enjoy those evening rounds as she accompanied me on the course.

Get a nice Vokey 56* and spend 90% or more of his practice time hitting all kinds of chips, pitches, bump and runs, lob shots, bunker shots etc. The hand eye coordination, touch, feel, distance control will all bleed over to his longer clubs. As I tell my kids "get the ball up and down and you can compete with anyone" - as a kid once the course we played on would close their range for the night they would allow us to chip all the range balls to the middle while the kid picking balls made his rounds, great way to find your "50 yard swing" and what you need to adjust for a 60 yard swing etc. But also grooves the ability to make solid flush contact on half and full swing wedge shots, which also helped the rest of our iron game.

I was in the same situation with my wife and I had a few ladies that played and placed her under their wings. She loves going out with the Girls.... no pressure to do well and she really does look forward to go out.
Maybe you could find a group of ladies that would take her in. Hope she would try again... good luck..

I would at least get your buddy to have a good fundamental setup to the ball....grip, alignment, posture. Hopefully that won't be too much information for him.

I agree! Even if they’re not hitting it as far just by hitting it straight is encouraging.

Tiger says, practice using short swings to focus on hitting the center of the clubface, then progressively getting longer.

Go to a pro and get some lessons. Once he develops the basics he will enjoy it even more. Cheers.

Totally agree with Chuck on this one. If he is trying to learn on the golf course, it will be much harder than learning from a pro at a practice facility. Too many times a new player spends 80% of their time on the course instead of 80% at the range. Sure, there are things you learn from playing the course that you never will learn anywhere else but starting with good fundamentals and a repeatable swing will pay off greatly when taken out later onto the course.

If lessons from your local golf pro are too pricey there are great YouTube channels to follow! Ive watched hours of youtube instructors, club fitting experiences, and course vlogs, throughout the winter months when I'm getting cabin fever. Some of the pages have really good stuff!!

The biggest mistake I made in golf was not taking lessons. Developed some bad habits that haunt me still. Have you buddy go see a good swing instructor.

I am still new to the game, but I do know the pains of learning the game while on the course. I wish I would have gone to the range more times before trying out the course, but we live and we learn. Now I am researching lessons to better my swing and lower my scores.

give him a couple of strokes each hole, it will keep him entertained

Check with your local golf course and see if they offer free group lessons ours does on Saturday mornings.
Had my wife start that way saved a lot of arguments on the course for me plus they are free. Then he might
want to take privet lessons after that.