sure lessons would help you a great deal, even buying a golf magazine or two, or even watching the pros on tv can help, the more you practice the better you will get, just have fun

Yes, of course you can actually play. It just takes practice. Lessons will always help your swing no matter what level you are. Before lessons though, there are plenty of good books, internet info, videos, etc that will give you the basics. Feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, head down, left arm straight should get you started. But seriously, I’d get some videos or read some good articles, then get comfortable at your local driving range. Golf is a skill game so its all practice, practice, practice!

Every golf course has a pro. Go to one and set up some lessons. After about 2-3 months of work you will at least be having fun out there.

when i first started playing i was worse than what you say you are…and now after playing for a couple months…i am now shooting in the 90’s and constantly improving…but if you just keep working you can get good at golf

I just taught my friend, who’s 33 and never picked up a club, to play golf. Learning is easy but the key to getting better is to stick with it. Taking a lesson always helps. Be sure to get a PGA teaching pro (ask around at your local golf courses or golf clubs) for recommendations. Sounds like you did pretty well for a newbie. I’ve been playing golf for 27 years (leisure) and although I haven’t taken a lesson in a long time, even I could benefit. Even the pros take lessons.

I took my friend out on the course literally the day she learned, and she did okay…she even had some better shots than I did. Then I took her out for a round of 18. It took us damn near 8 hours but she finished …. albeit with a 167. So the only place to go is down!

Just keep in mind that as you learn, practice to get better. you might not get in the 90’s but with tenacity and practice (and some lessons!) you’ll get there. Good luck and have fun!

PS: You’ll probably be addicted in no time.

The answers to your questions are “yes” and “yes”.
A lesson will definitely help you. Even the pros get lessons regularly.
Everyone struggles with golf, no matter what level they play at. For example, once you start scoring in the 90’s, which will make you “happy” (so you say), it won’t be long before you will want to shoot in the 80’s and eventually break into the 70’s. You think that is too lofty a goal? Think again.
This is what makes golf so great.

Of course you could learn to play and shoot 90’s golf and definitely within a year. You definitely need lessons and I would suggest taking group lessons with a friend. My dad is 50 something and just learned. I pretended like a beginner and went to group lessons with him. Group lessons are usually cheaper and there’s a lot less pressure. There are going to be 10 other people flubbing the ball too.

Here’s my general map to golf and score:

100s golfers have fundamental problems and need lessons.
90’s golfers play within themselves and make realistic course decisions (teeing off with 3 wood only, using more club, punching out of trouble…)
80’s golfers have better short game (fewer three putts, better up and downs, can hit decent sand shots… ) and drive more accurately.
70’s golfers have great short game, have great distance, hit most of their greens and can shape shots with any club.
60’s golfers make 90% of their putts within 15 feet and chip or pitch in the hole at least once a round.

If you think about score from different perspectives, 90’s golf is a very reachable goal. All you have to do is shoot bogey or double bogey golf. 18 + 72 = 90. The real difference between 100’s golfers and 90’s golfers is that 100’s golfers have the few bomber holes where they shoot an 8 or 10.
After you get lessons and get the fundamentals down, realistic/conservative decision making is the only obstacle between you and a score in the 90s.

I think that if you are committed and take lessons from a quality instructor you can easily expect to be playing in the 90s in less than 2 years. I think everyone struggled their first time trying to hit the golf ball. So my advice is to go get lessons, read Ben Hogan’s “Five Modern Fundamentals”, and practice a lot.

my wife was let said pushing 50 I taught her two years ago she can score in the 80’s head down left arm straight

If you have some money for lessons, they’re well worth it. Just ask around and find a good instructor or facility. Practice the drills they give you. In about 6 months to a year you could be shooting in the 90s or even 80s depending on how much you practice.

Everybody struggled the first time they played golf.

lessons are the best investment, go this route or your frustration level will ruin your enthusiasm ofr the game.

Don’t give up… My (hopefully short story)

I played tennis for ~30 years and injured my back around 5 years ago…Can’t serve or overhead.

~18 months ago my wife bought me a set of clubs. I had played maybe three rounds in my life before, no lessons, nada.

So, I head to the local driving range and just start swinging away. About the same results early. Lots of topps, lots of slices, hozzel hits, misses, skies, etc. Basically nothing going forward. It was pretty painful…

BUT, slowly I started to figure this thing out…. So now I have about 25 rounds in so far, I have hit under 100 on three occasions and have a 25.3 handicap. (low round is a 95.)

FORGET the score… Learn to hit the ball the first year. Practice with a plan. I will repeat that.. Practice with a plan. Learn to put (over half your shots are on the green, so this can’t be under estimated.)

Forget going 18. Find a local executive (par 3 course) and hone your short game….Pitching wedge, Sand Wedge, maybe an 8 or a 9 iron and your putter. Get that down, before you think about hitting a longer iron or a wood. (my lowest is a 32 on a par 27 which is a GREAT score as far as I am concerned.)

Forget about going to a tough course. Hit the local municipals once you are comfortable and won’t delay any players behind you. Go for 9 holes the first few times. Play OFF PEAK, and the pro’s will appreciate your not slowing down play for any others.

Golf is neat in that if you watch and mimick what you see on TV, your brain and body will work to immitate it. OF course close your eyes when you watch pro-ams and in particular, get a drink if you see Charles Barkely with a club in your hands.

Last item - IF you can coach yourself and have decent athletic or gross motor skills, you can learn this pretty easy. If you don’t then run to the best PGA pro you can find/afford.

Improvement is 100 related to practice. More = More.

Learn the rules

Fix your divot (and two left by others)

Rake the sand

Have fun! Even the worst round of golf is a heck of a lot better than the best day at work.