So Why Are There Dimples on a Golf Ball
February 22, 2008
Hi there Golf Virgin, interesting site you have going here. I’ve read through the other questions but since that last post you have me wondering why are there dimples on a golf ball? - Cory in Denver, CO
Ahhh… finally, is satisfaction within your reach? You see, long, long ago two very drunk Scots where out playing a long drawn out game of golf, the least sober of the two noticed that his dirty, chipped and scrubby ball was actually traveling a bit further than his more lucid counterparts smooth, well shaped ball - even though his buddy seemingly had more control of over his swing.
So this particular Scot thought perhaps it was just his mind teasing him and that the reason why he was hitting the ball farther was because he was piss drunk and didn’t realize how hard he was smacking it. A few days passed and he and his buddy were out playing again. He decided to make a test and pulled out that dirty, old scuffed up ball from his last game and compared it to a bright and shiny, baby-bald new one. Lo and behold, no matter how many times and on how many different holes he tried… the dirty ball always shot farther. So really, why are there dimples on a golf ball?
The simple reason being is that as time progressed more and more people began to realize that having little dents, which later became uniform dimples, helped air flow around the ball better while reducing drag and this ultimately allowed a golfer to shoot farther and with more accuracy. Just sit here and think, you can play a better game of golf all because some old Scot got drunk and decided to play with his dirty balls… crazy isn’t it?
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How Many Dimples are There on a Golf Ball?
February 21, 2008
So Golf Virgin, could you guess off the top of your head how many dimples are there on a golf ball? - Josh from Nantucket, MA
Sitting around looking at your balls again wondering why they are the way they are, karma maybe? But seriously, you’re putting me to the flame huh? I would have to say that how many dimples are there on a golf ball varies between 300 - 500 depending on who designed it.
For all of you people out there who love your golf trivia consider this. The record holder was a ball that had 1,070 dimples. Also, all brands except for 1 have even-numbered dimples and the only odd-numbered ball on market has a strange total of 333 dimples.
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What is a Mulligan in Golf
February 21, 2008
Golf Virgin, I have always been confused by the term Mulligan that all my golf buddies seem to apply to every screw up they make, even if totally unrelated to golf, just what the hell is a mulligan in golf? – Jared in Seattle, WA
Cool question Jared, let me see how I can help you with that. Remember when you were a kid and played a game and something got totally screwed up? Then one of you would shout “do over” and you did just that, you did not count the screw up and just did it over again. That is all a “mulligan” really is, a do over for grown ups.
Now in those serious tournaments there are no mulligans but it is very common among everyday social golfers to allow them perhaps for drives that go bad. Seldom are they just taken at will, but a group might agree that perhaps everyone get 6 mulligans this round of golf. Even when this is the case it is usually that you can’t take a mulligan on the putting green. Some players strictly limit them to driving only. They are as flexible as a group agrees to honestly.
In some charity tournaments they actually sell mulligans (with certain restrictions as to where or how you can use them) to raise more money for the charity. Mulligans are a great way for Golf Virgins and Novices alike to make play a bit more fun and easier. Just like anything though, don’t over use them and I can tell you that it’s really not a term a girl wants to hear in the bedroom either.
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Build a Virtual Golf Bag
February 21, 2008
I just found this cool online tool called The Golf Digest Hot List 2008 from Golf Digest Promotions. It is really pretty cool you can browse golf clubs of all types, styles and shape. You can then get complete info on them like their technical specifications, the story behind their design and the all important street price. You will also get comments from players that have actually used the clubs.
You then drag the clubs into your virtual golf bag and since you are shopping they of course don’t place any limit on the number of golf clubs in the bag. You will also find professional opinions about what is hot and what is not so hot about each club or club set.
I will warn you though it is easy to rack up a big cost, golf can be expensive as we all know. I put together my own dream bag and won’t even tell you how big the price was. Perhaps one day my Golf Prince Charming will come along, until then I will just have to dream. Any who, check out this tool and play around with it, it is a great way to window shop and perhaps avoid work a bit. You can visit the site here, The Golf Digest Hot List 2008
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Whats the Limit to the Number of Golf Clubs in a Bag
February 21, 2008
Dear Golf Virgin… A friend of mine and I were talking the other day and we were going back and forth about the limit to the number of golf clubs in a bag. Could you help clear this up for me? - Joe in Arlington, VA
How cute, so you two are arguing about the legal number of golf clubs in a bag you can carry around so you have a choice of what you bang your little white balls into a hole with? Well, ok that’s a valid question… I suppose.
The rules of golf allow you to carry 14 clubs in your bag during tournament play, so many golfers will add another iron or a specialty wood. Also, remember that the putter is considered to be one of the clubs as well so keep that in mind. You know, the more tools you have available the easier it is to sink that ball as deep as possible.
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The Tiger Comes from Behind to Win yet Again
February 21, 2008
Today in Golf News by The Golf Virgin - Source ESPN.com - MARANA, Ariz. Somewhere, Trip Kuehne and Steve Scott are perhaps reliving their own battles with Tiger Woods, reminded again on Wednesday just how tough it is to put away the game’s best player.
J.B. Holmes now knows the feeling, too… 3 holes up with 5 to play in the opening round of the Accenture Match Play Championship, Holmes witnessed the kind of flurry that first made Tiger Woods famous more than ten years ago (hard to believe it has been that long) at the U.S. Amateur Tournament.
Woods made 3 straight birdies to tie the match and then rolled in a long eagle putt at the seventeenth hole to take the lead. When Holmes missed his birdie putt at the 18th hole to tie, Woods had somehow eked out a one-up victory — much to the relief of PGA Tour officials, sponsors and television executives, none of whom wanted to see the star attraction leave Arizona early.
Read the Rest of This Article by Bob Harig
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What Golf Ball Types should a New Player Buy
February 20, 2008
Golf Virgin, Hey what type of golf balls do you recommend I use? - Dawson in Kansas City, KS
Truly, buying top of the line golf balls can get expensive, especially as a beginner. A common experience one may have is knocking your golf balls, accidentally, into a pond or losing them deep in a bush. So what to do about choosing the perfect set of golf balls for your new hobby? Well, not a whole lot really.
Honesty, save your money and for now spend a lot of time and I really do mean a lot at the driving range. Putting out a few bucks into some ball buckets will be worth the time invested in the long run and you will save yourself a great deal of cash by smacking away at a range ball. Secondly, if you are of the more adventurous type, used golf balls are the way to go. One word of caution though, stay away from used golf balls with any clear signs of defect such as cuts in the cover, bulges or discoloration etc.
It’s not the most sought after way of improving your game but really, who cares and these 2 golf ball types are far easier on the pocketbook. So get out there on the range and put those dirty golf balls where they belong.
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How to Keep Score in Golf
February 20, 2008
Dear Golf Virgin, will you tell me how to keep score in golf? - Tiffany in Richmond, VA
So you’re interested in figuring out how many strokes it took you to get your ball into a hole so you can brag to your friends about it? Keep in mind that your golf score in a way represents your honor. You don’t want to do too much bragging now or you might upset your golf buddies. Simply count the number of strokes it took to get the ball into the hole and that’s your score.
After that just add each of the scores for each hole together and this will be your overall golf score. This is why for everyone from pros to the most pure of golf virgins smaller is better, at least when it comes to a golf score card. Did I take all the mystery away? Awww…
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The Origin of Golf - According to Robin Williams
February 19, 2008
Golf did originate Scotland that much is true but a lot of the rest of this version of the origin of golf by the legendary comedian Robin Williams is open to much debate. However, this is one of the funniest comedic romps about golf I have ever heard. It is an old classic but one I never tire of watching.
Warning in advance if you have never watched this video before, it is not for the timid. Robin is found of 4 letter words to say the least.
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Can I get Hurt Playing Golf?
February 19, 2008
Golf Virgin, I’ve heard of people getting hurt while playing a game of golf such as tearing up their back during a golf swing or even getting struck by lightning, should I really be concerned about this? - Deb in Kirkland, WA
Now that is a heck of a question, let’s start by saying that if anyone gets struck by lightning while playing golf… Woe unto them, I would call it either a freak accident or the law of karma. As far as you tearing up your back. Unless you have no kinesthetic ability whatsoever to make one unified whole movement with your entire body then yes, you just might be sore after your first time.
Hey being a virgin hurts doesn’t it? But don’t let this take away from all the joy and pleasure that a great game of golf can bring. Basically, it’s all in that fabled golf swing. You have to learn to relax and not force it. If your hips truly aren’t open then yea you could even injure yourself getting out of bed in the morning.
Look, if you just relax and gently take practice strokes while gradually working your way into it, your golf swing will improve substantially and you will not have to worry much at all about hurting yourself. Now remember this, on that day when you see a storm quickly moving in and that lone straggler is out there trying to make that one last hole… take a deep breath, smile and watch the fireworks.
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