How to teach a woman to play? - Golf Forum - Golf Rewound is the Family Friendly Golf Forum and Discussion Group

BiggaAdams · #1 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 12:08 AM

My gf wants to golf with me. Problem is, I have no idea how to help her. I've tried before but she says her chest gets in the way

She doesn't want to take lessons but has opened up to the idea. Question is, how do we find her an instructor that she can feel comfortable with? She just wants to be able to get on the course and be able to make contact every time she swings and to make progress with her hits. I have no clue what I'm doing and I'm not sensitive enough to help her. Help me! lol

TyWebb · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggaAdams

My gf wants to golf with me. Problem is, I have no idea how to help her. I've tried before but she says her chest gets in the way

She doesn't want to take lessons but has opened up to the idea. Question is, how do we find her an instructor that she can feel comfortable with? She just wants to be able to get on the course and be able to make contact every time she swings and to make progress with her hits. I have no clue what I'm doing and I'm not sensitive enough to help her. Help me! lol

Look for a female PGA instructor, there are plenty of them around. She would probably feel more comfortable being taught by a woman, and so would you

I wouldnt try teaching her yourself, I tried that with my (hardheaded) x-girlfriend and we ended up hating eachother on the course, it wasnt fun. Im going to play golf with her tomorrow, 1st time we been together in 3 months, haha, well see how it goes, im just gonna try to keep my mouth shut.

**Bigvivec** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TyWebb

Look for a female PGA instructor, there are plenty of them around. She would probably feel more comfortable being taught by a woman, and so would you

I wouldnt try teaching her yourself, I tried that with my (hardheaded) x-girlfriend and we ended up hating eachother on the course, it wasnt fun. Im going to play golf with her tomorrow, 1st time we been together in 3 months, haha, well see how it goes, im just gonna try to keep my mouth shut.

Agree 100%...anybody but you should do the teaching...relationships already have enough flashpoints without creating new ones...

BiggaAdams · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 01:48 AM

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can find a female in my area to teach her. She expects to be great right from the start, shes like that with everything haha.

90civicracer · #5 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 02:27 AM

I'm glad I started playing golf when I was younger, if I were to take it up right now I'd be too upset with how bad I would be. Good luck and try to find her an instructor that she feels comfortable with.

victork · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 03:01 AM

If you gf's up for taking lessons that definitely the route to go. I tried this past summer to teach my gf....it was alright, no major arguments....but no real marked improvement on her end from my POV. The problem is that she's not willing to go through lessons...she wants golf to be something we do together, including me teaching her.

tmtp · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TyWebb

Look for a female PGA instructor, there are plenty of them around. She would probably feel more comfortable being taught by a woman, and so would you

I wouldnt try teaching her yourself, I tried that with my (hardheaded) x-girlfriend and we ended up hating eachother on the course, it wasnt fun. Im going to play golf with her tomorrow, 1st time we been together in 3 months, haha, well see how it goes, im just gonna try to keep my mouth shut.

Couldn't have said it better myself, lots of times women will feel more comfortable working with a female PGA Instructor. Often times it can be a little intimidating for them if they are learning from you, or having to start hitting balls around a bunch of guys.

aly · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggaAdams

My gf wants to golf with me. Problem is, I have no idea how to help her. I've tried before but she says her chest gets in the way

She doesn't want to take lessons but has opened up to the idea. Question is, how do we find her an instructor that she can feel comfortable with? She just wants to be able to get on the course and be able to make contact every time she swings and to make progress with her hits. I have no clue what I'm doing and I'm not sensitive enough to help her. Help me! lol

I agree with her. I've tired a few times and they really do get in the way.

Nikeguy07 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 09:37 AM

I worked with a girl all summer, and she was pretty chesty....Maybe she just put her arms farther out or something!

BiggaAdams · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikeguy07

I worked with a girl all summer, and she was pretty chesty....Maybe she just put her arms farther out or something!

Well she's small and only 5'5" so I dont think her arms can extend anymore. Think Heidi Klum up top lol.

jcgolfpro · #11 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggaAdams

Well she's small and only 5'5" so I dont think her arms can extend anymore. Think Heidi Klum up top lol.

There is a method to teach this type of build. Not to single women out...we teach the same way for pot-bellied men, pregnant women and the top situation as well.

straightshooter · #12 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcgolfpro

There is a method to teach this type of build. Not to single women out...we teach the same way for pot-bellied men, pregnant women and the top situation as well.

Question for the golfpro: Do you think that Natalie Gulbis' and Paula Creamer's unusual swing moves are caused by chest issues? I have no good way to describe their moves, but I hope you know what I mean. All I can say is that you see 'that move' a lot more frequently on the LPGA tour than on the PGA tour.

HotWheelz · #13 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 11:05 AM

I don't know what to tell you. I have the same problem with my wife. For example, I am playing today by myself and she asked if she could go. I told her no, b/c she hadn't been practicing. I've been trying to get her to go out to the range with me, get lessons, or buy some women's clubs that would be easier for her to hit, but she's not willing to do any of it. She just wants to go to the course and "play for fun".

Personally it bothers me when people learn to play golf on the course. I don't mind if she wants to play on the course, but before I let her go she's got to dedicate some time off the course.

Corwin · #14 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 04:07 PM

I feel you should just let her go out with ya once but on the condition she promises to practice off course afterwards maybe itd motivate her? Also about the chest Ive seen quite a few girls about my age(teens) who seemed to have a real smooth swing that seemed not much different then a guys swing besides they arent tryin to kill it. I have no idea but possibly different cbra would help keep her chest out of the way? Say like a trainin bra? I know for other sports girls use them possibly help with golf?

bignose · #15 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 05:49 PM

In this years' February Golf Digest, Stina Sternberg answered this very question:

Quote:

Q: My girlfriend is always complaining that her chest is restricting her from executing a good golf swing. Is this true?

A: Just as men with big bellies have to work around their physique to swing a golf club, so do women with large chests. It's a real problem for some, but it's not without a solution. The key is for your girlfriend to bend more at the waist to allow her to place her arms over her chest at address rather than to the sides of it. As long as she keeps this more bent-over spine angle intact as she swings back and through, her arms will be able to move freely, and she should be able to hit the ball solidly.

If she becomes serious about the game, just like so many other times, she should be custom-fitted for a set. Needing to bend over more is definately going to change lie angles, for example, not to mention all the usual benefits about getting the right length, right flex, etc.

BiggaAdams · #16 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 02:42 PM

Thanks for all the tips. We bought her a set of beginner clubs 2 years ago that we got a great deal on. I think it was $118 for some women dunlops and also picked up a cleveland 7 wood for under 30 bucks brand new. She also asked me about Gublis swing cause they are built very similar and asked if she swings that way because of her chest. I couldn't give her an answer so I'm curious to what your thoughts are on that also.

Brooke · #17 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggaAdams

My gf wants to golf with me. Problem is, I have no idea how to help her. I've tried before but she says her chest gets in the way

She doesn't want to take lessons but has opened up to the idea. Question is, how do we find her an instructor that she can feel comfortable with? She just wants to be able to get on the course and be able to make contact every time she swings and to make progress with her hits. I have no clue what I'm doing and I'm not sensitive enough to help her. Help me! lol

I too had the same issue when I was learning to play. I've also created a poll in the suggestions forum about a women's technique forum to be added since women's golfing techniques are slightly different

Chip Shot · #18 (**permalink**) 02-17-2007, 07:09 PM

Well I really don't have the problem with my chest getting in the way, but I do agree with most that a women golf pro would be the way to go. They would be able to give a womens perspective on the game and give good tips to overcome those problems that you have spoke of. I know by experience that I have benefited from a women instructor after the initial lessons from my dad when I was real young.

mr3856a · #19 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by straightshooter

Question for the golfpro: Do you think that Natalie Gulbis' and Paula Creamer's unusual swing moves are caused by chest issues?

Doubtful in Paula's case.

I've often wondered, though, where that post-impact dip of the upper body - and it is dramatic in both cases - comes from. I don't think I've ever seen that in any other player, male or female, just Paula and Natalie.

straightshooter · #20 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr3856a

Doubtful in Paula's case.

I've often wondered, though, where that post-impact dip of the upper body - and it is dramatic in both cases - comes from. I don't think I've ever seen that in any other player, male or female, just Paula and Natalie.

I looked for 'the move' while watching part of this past weekend's tournament, and noticed that Paula seems to have cleaned up her swing quite a bit!

Fileygolfer · #21 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 11:21 AM

When I took a female for their first lesson, I used to ask "Do you want to swing over or under?"
Many replied by looking down at their chests and saying "Well I never thought of that. What do you suggest?"
Great Ice-breaker.

Most swing over, so you see a very steep take-a-way. Though not many top players are large in that area it seems.

HackBlack · #22 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 12:56 PM

You don't teach a woman to play. You buy her lessons!

But, if a female golfer swings and complains that her chest is in the way, she is not swinging properly. That means she is swinging with her arms. When starting the backswing, the club, arms and upper body (chest/shoulders) should move as one unit.