All my life I've been an avid "non-golfer". However, a current situation finds me needing to learn how, by say end of May/early June.

I realize it's silly to be asking questions about my own backyard, but:

- Does anyone know a place in the SF Bay Area that would be a good place for a woman to learn to golf. East Bay especially preferred.

- do I have to buy my own clubs or can I rent them ?

- ditto for shoes ?

- how much is this endeavor likely to cost ?

If anyone could help, that would be great.

Hi Bay Area,

There are tons of places to learn. I'm not quite sure about the east bay, but what I did when I decided to learn was look up a list of all the courses in my area (I used sfgolfer.com's interactive golf map) and found the course most convenient for me. I gave them a call and got set up with a group lesson. Most if not all places will have a pro shop that can provide you with either group or private lessons. My private lessons are in the $40-$60 per 1/2 hr range. I would suggest buying golf shoes on sale and not renting, although you can pretty much wear sneakers at the municipal and lower priced courses which is what I did for a while. As for clubs, renting gets expensive, I would suggest buying a used set at Gypsy Golf in San Leandro or getting a cheap set at Costco. Have fun!

Try your local community college. I know that Foothill in Los Altos has a great golf program; however, it's not in the East Bay. But there may be a community college close to you with a program that's just as good.

I am in the Sacramento Valley so can't give you specific suggestions - but just about every community college and park and rec. district offer inexpensive golf lessons. You can rent clubs until you decide if you enjoy the game. Then you can buy moderately priced clubs - or even a used set until you get "good".

Unless you are phenomenon or spend lots of time and money you will not be good in 2 months. Golf is truly a game of patients and the first lesson of patients is it takes time to learn. If you are athletic and active in sports, you learning curve is lessened but 2 month will still be a tough.

you have to have PATIENCE too.

Go to Alameda course and find the pro and ask for private lessons.
wear comfortable but sturdy athletic shoes
but cheapo clubs from copelands

Lessons $300-$500
Clubs $150
Accessories (balls, tees etc) $50

You will still suck but at least you won't suck too bad and you'll know the rules and etiquette. If it's business thing that you have to learn golf for have the pro drill you about etiquette. It's bad enough to play with a horrible beginner- it's 10x worse if you don't know the rules/etiquette either.

Thanks everybody! I'll start looking at all your tips.

I don't have to be good by June, I just need to know how to hit the ball & play by the rules, ie I need to have a partial clue.

Thanks esp. for the tip about etiquette & such.