Golf for Senior beginner?

Asking for a retired friend who wants to pick up golf...and hopefully play regularly on weekday mornings in Singapore.
I did some research but it has been some time since I last took lessons.

1. Where should he sign up for beginner lessons leading to a recognised PC and handicap? Any recommendations?
PhilBrew at NSRCC is $400 for 10-hour 4-person program. AAGN is $310 for 13-hour 4+ person program.
Others are mostly $300+ for similar 4-person programs.

2. Should he sign up with AAGN or MGK and does he need to take lessons with them?

Hi RT2,

At this stage, there is no real need for your friend to obtain a handicap as he is just starting to learn the game of golf.

As for where to take lessons, there are many academies and many coaches all over the island. It will be up to your friend to choose a location based on his preference for convenience.

In terms of joining a golf club, whether it be one with a course, e.g. NSRCC or Keppel or Warren, etc or an "estateless" golf club e.g. my golf kaki, it will also depend on where he likes to play.

In general, MGK membership benefits those who like to play at OCC and MBGC. The discounts for both these courses on weekdays are atttractive.

NSRCC, if you join as a member, has the best weekday rates in Singapore for an affordable golf club. However, there is a monthly subscription.

I would recommend just learning the game of golf first. Also, please invite your friend to join this forum as well so that we can all be of help to him.

Derek, thanks. I went through the same analysis and that's why I joined NSRCC. Unfortunately, my friend is of that age in whcih national service was not introduced yet.

I think MGK is better except that I read somewhere in this forum that the lessons there not so good?

Hi RT2,

I see. In that case, MGK would be a very practical solution.

With regards to the quality of lessons, I think comments about whether lessons are good or not are highly subjective. Some coaches and students get along, some don't. Some coaches get their best results with elite students, some are better at getting the best out of untalented golfers.

Also, I am not sure if the previous posts in this forum were about the STAR Golf Academy (located at MBGC) or the my golf kaki Academy located at OCC.

However, the academy that you join does not really affect the golf club that you join. There may be some additional costs involved with recognizing PCs from unaffiliated clubs and academies.

MGK does offer discounts on lessons at recognized academies, but if you assume he will take 6 months to learn the game and obtain his handicap (assume total beginner) then the most practical solution is still to learn how to play first then join a club later.

If I were your friend, I would look for a coach with experience coaching seniors and how to deal with the physical challenges they face.