I've messed around with golf for about a year or two before getting serious this summer. Lessons made the biggest improvement. After I had a rough idea from the lessons, reading really made me understand the hows and whys.
This should help you on your way:
If there are any golf courses around you, check their clubhouses for a local pro. There's usually someone around giving lessons.
This is where you need to spend the most money. Buy 5 or 10 lessons. Learn the fundamentals first, dont worry about distance, worry about contact.
Do this instead of a "craigslist deal". You'll be sure to get sound advice from someone who really understands the game.
For clubs, buy used or secondhand. These will last you until you either fall in love with the game or give it up and something else.
Suggested reading would include:
Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf — Ben Hogan
Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons And Teachings From A Lifetime In Golf — Harvey Penick
Golf My Way: The Instructional Classic — Jack Nicklaus
Could you explain your thoughts on sharing images/use of PACS? I do IT work for an imaging center and would be interested in your experience with such software.
Had the pleasure of meeting Linus last weekend while up in Portland, at a Go Kart facility no less. Super nice guy, but I was a little too star struck to form coherent words. His race nickname was Penguin, :).
I don't mean to hijack OPs response, but it reminded me of Robert M. Pirsig's book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values.
From Wikipedia: "In the book, the Narrator describes the "Romantic" approach to life of his friend John Sutherland, who chooses not to learn how to maintain his expensive new motorcycle. John simply hopes for the best with his bike, and when problems do occur he often becomes frustrated, and is forced to rely on professional mechanics to repair it. In contrast, the "classical" Narrator has an older motorcycle which he is usually able to diagnose and repair himself through the use of rational problem solving skills."
Math can be taught without bias, as numbers can only be seen as numbers. There are only a few ways you can teach maths. When you teach history, it brings in a plethora of views, opinions, and bias. There will always be someone saying "hey wait a minute, you forgot <fact>.", and I'm not sure there's a way around that. At least not in history.
I like the concept, but one feature that would make this rock is audio recording.
When I'm in class, writing away on notes, I have a hard time listen and writing at the same time. Let me scribble away while the pad records in tandem. That would be neat.