How to Hit Bunker Shots
May 30, 2008
I’ve wondered how to hit bunker shots for a long time now. What is the best way to go about it? - Tony in Ogden, UT
Great question and for those of us who have no clue how to hit bunker shots listen up. All of us at one time or another have hit a shot into the dreaded bunker or what is more commonly referred to as a sand trap. No fun is it? Actually, I think its quite a pain in the ass when you’re having a great game and all of a sudden the golf gods deem it necessary to blow your ball into something dirty that’s really difficult to get out of….
Anyways, if you simply need help with learning this skill and don’t actually suffer from the yips, then here is a simple drill you can use to hit golf bunker shots right every time. Find yourself a sand trap and take with you 3 clubs. These will be your sand wedge, lob wedge and pitching wedge. Take the time to hit a few shots with each club so that you begin to develop this skill and notice the difference in how the ball comes out of the sand. After that its just a matter of selecting the club that you’re most comfortable with.
1. First thing to understand is that you have to have your right index finger about an inch from the bottom of the grip. Doing so will give you more control of the club while allowing you to get a feel for the shot rather than smacking away at it.
2. Make sure to keep a narrower stance than you would normally have and address the ball a few inches forward in your stance. Applying this method provides better control of the shot which will lead to a higher ball flight.
3. Get your feet to where they are stable in the sand and make the most vertical swing as you can. Your left arm should be parallel to the ground and fully extended at the top of your swing.
4. As you start the downswing you should focus on hitting 1 inch behind the ball. Surprisingly, don’t focus on hitting at the ball and your arms and body follow the ball as it leaves the sand.
That’s pretty much all there is to it but the key is to keep a steep angle on the downswing towards the sand. However you don’t have to swing at the ball hard when you hit bunker shots because the point of this is to propel the ball out of the sand trap vs launching it into the blue yonder. Happy strokes!
Listen to this post
Is Pro Golf Instruction for You?
May 22, 2008
I am a first time golfer, would it be wise for me to find good pro golf instruction that can teach me how to draw a golf ball? I am a right handed golfer, this way I will not have to fight the slice. - Dean, Anonymous.
Well Dean, pro golf instruction can make you fall even more in love with golf or make you utterly hate it. I’ll explain. Many feel that golf lessons are absolutely necessary for a golf virgin such as yourself to improve their game. Yet other people will say that getting yourself out on the course to practice over and over is about the only way to get better. However, from my experience… there needs to be a balance between the two.
If you have a good friend or buddy who you know is more experienced and has decent control over their shots, then hit them up for a lesson. But have in mind what you want to accomplish. Its a very good idea to know exactly what you want to occur from the lesson which allows you to plan accordingly, vs. many people who saying… “Oh I want to get better at golf, teach me!!!” Obviously… who doesn’t want to get better?
To commend you though, its good that you have an idea of what you want to improve on by learning how to draw a golf ball which is an important step in learning how to develop your accuracy in golf. Now heres the clincher, if you are truly willing to allow someone to tell you what to do and how to do it, and if you’ve tried having your buddies show you a thing or two on the course and they couldn’t help, then by all means find yourself a professional golf instructor.
Do your research though and find someone who is worth their salt, can actually teach you golf lessons and above all is patient. Sometimes it can take a while to coax a virgin out of their inhibitions when taking stroke after stroke at a ball until they finally shoot one long, straight and deep. So if you’re willing to lay down the cash and time for pro golf instruction make sure that you carefully explain exactly what you want to learn. Before long people might just be asking you to show them how to make that perfect draw. Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
Beginner Golf Swing Tips - Power Golf Swing
May 15, 2008
Power in your golf swing? How? I’ve gotten my swing down to where the damn thing doesn’t hook or slice but it might as well just be limp in the wind. Tell me how in the world I can get a power golf swing!! - Nick in Reno, NV
Golf Virgin to the rescue dealing out beginner golf swing tips to the virgins of the world!! So you want a power golf swing? Well good for you Nick. I’ll teach you how to swing your shaft in such a way that your balls won’t know what hit them. But not too hard now, believe it or not. If you hit the ball with too much force you will come full circle and start hitting slices and hooks.
Here are some simple steps to follow to get more power in your golf swing. Relax your kung fu grip and forearms, having tight muscles prevents you from being able to have one fluid movement when you take your swing. Also, practice hitting the ball in the middle of the clubface, if you hit the ball on the toe or too high the ball won’t be able to travel nearly as far as a center hit.
Keep your focus on making your swing speed peak at impact, this is simple to understand but kinda hard to apply. Especially if you are accustomed to swinging with that crazy kung fu grip. Those are the steps there Mr. Nick so practice and get yourself to where you can feel the power emanating from your shaft and when you take that shot you will finally posses the almighty power golf swing!!! Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
Proper Golf Set Up
April 30, 2008
How important is the golf set up? I have been playing this game on and off and want to know your advice on how to improve. Thank you!! - Havler in Issaquah, WA
Havler, the golf set up is key if you are serious about improving your game and this is the foundation for success. Yet building a solid fundamental skill set in this area is one of the most overlooked aspects of the game. I’ve found myself guilty of this a few times, especially when I’m solely focused on hitting better and farther shots but not paying close attention to the step by step process that will get me there. Again, this is absolutely needed to develop a consistent golf swing.
Anyone who has had any mentionable success at this sport is fully aware of the important building blocks of a great golf set up.
When you address the ball, you have to have a proper posture and foot placement. This allows you to maintain your balance throughout the swing. A good set up allows you to remain in balance when swinging and enables you to hit the ball perfectly in the center of the clubface.
You see, this helps you to create power and develop the control of where the shot lands. Your body alignment along with the ball position put into effect the conditions that will give you this control. The way your body is aligned when you address the ball has a direct relation to the path and angle on which you swing the club.
Consider this, wouldn’t it make perfect sense to be in the best position possible in relation to the ball? If you are not working from this solid foundation, how can you hit a consistent golf swing and transfer your intention of making that perfect drive into the ball? This puts you in the position of control and makes it so much incredibly easier to make an accurate shot without hamstringing yourself before you even begin.
I’ve learned my lesson and when I see myself spacing out and thinking of those high and lofty dreams, I bring myself back to earth and focus on the steps that will get me there. Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
How a Golf Fade Works
April 28, 2008
Would you explain to me how to make a golf fade works and how it’s different from a slice? - Jeff in San Antonio, TX
A fade in golf is a term given to the flight path of a golf ball as it comes off the clubface. The trajectory of the ball will move from the left of your intended target before it curves slightly back to the right. How a golf fade can get confused with a slice in golf is simple to understand especially for beginners. Basically a slice is a severe and unintended curve of the golf ball to the right.
Now to fade a golf ball you should align your body to the left of the target and point your clubface directly at the target and here are 4 easy steps to follow that will help you produce a golf fade to envy.
Step 1
Set your clubface square to the ball. Hold the very tight in the bottom three fingers of your left hand.
Step 2
Aim your feet and shoulders to the left of the target making sure the clubface is still square.
Step 3
Because you are aiming your body towards the left except for the club, it should force you to make an out-to-in swing path. Aim to hit the ball at a 2 o’clock angle.
Step 4
Now on the downswing your focus should be on bringing the club back across the ball, with your angle of attack brought down on the 2 o’clock position of the ball which should give you a feeling of your right hand coming underneath the shot.
After you make this method your own, you can fade a golf ball whenever you need it and use it as a tool to set you up for that perfect putt. Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
Golf Skins Game
April 14, 2008
Tell me what a golf skins game entails would ya? All this back and forth about golf betting games makes me wana gamble and lose my ass. - Jae in Terrel, TX
Haha, gamble away! It’s fun, and really easy to do with a good golf skins game. So Jae, here is how you do it. Got your wallet ready? Alright a skins game in golf is simply were you and a friend or a group of friends go head to head in a sort of match play. Each hole is worth points of a predetermined value, or a set dollar amount.
For the player that does win the hole, he is said to have one the “skin” and however much that hole is worth. Here is where it can get really competitive. If there is a tie and no one wins a hole, then the value of that hole is carried onto the next one and so on and so forth, compounding the value of the holes until one player wins.
As an quick example, say you and your buddy have your wallets stuffed and are eager to lose. A nice skins game in golf might start off at say $10 bucks a hole. If out of either too much alcohol, lack of skill… or even an act of the “golf gods“… or heaven forbid all the above - 5 out of 6 holes are played without a winner and on that 6th hole, your buddy wins. I’m sure you wouldn’t be too happy of him, now would you? No you wouldn’t. See how fun this can get?
Honestly, I find this to be one of the more entertaining golf betting games simply because of all the factors that can come into play where there is a huge lot to be won. Out of the blue it seems, you will observe friends sweating for no obvious reason, shaking like a crack fene having a fit of the yips and… maybe even shouting obscenities for the most trivial of causes. What could be more fun Jae?? Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
Making Golf Spin Happen
April 11, 2008
What are the conditions needed for golf spin to happen? A few friends of mine say that there are certain things have to be met before you can get backspin on a golf ball. Have you heard of that before? - Kern in Phoenix, AZ
Kern, honestly getting good golf spin is something that is pretty hard to accomplish and not to mention doing so in such a way that you can control it. Also, there are only a few reasons why you would need spin on a golf ball to begin with.
Your buddies were right in saying that there are certain conditions which have to be met prior to even thinking about using this shot. If these conditions do not exist, you’re better off not trying to add golf spin. Here are some tips below on when it would be to your advantage to do so.
1. Both the club face and the ball have to absolutely, completely dry.
2. This shot must be taken on the fairway where the grass can’t get in between the club and the ball.
3. The green has to be cut very short.
4. Its really in your favor to use a new ball, that has a high spin rate with a soft cover.
5. And finally use a clean and again a relatively new club that has good groves on the face.
This is pretty much in a nutshell what you need in order to achieve backspin along with a lot of practice. Refer back to my post on how to get good spin on a golf ball so you can have a better understanding of making this difficult shot happen.
Listen to this post
Golf Explained - Etiquette of Golf in 13 Easy Steps
April 3, 2008
Your very own “beginner golf tip girl” the Golf Virgin, felt that it was time to help out with some common sense driven golf course etiquette. She has recently been appalled at stunningly stupid behavior from “people” who should know better.
Here is a nice, quick and easy chart… < - - loves charts, for all of you to fold up in your pocket and carry with you onto the green. You’ve now been forewarned. Learn this simple, etiquette of golf and be saved the misery of wide open mouths staring at you in disbelief. See below - golf explained.
| 1. Arrive at your scheduled tee off time. |
| 2. Be sure to be patient and respect other players on the course as you wish to be respected and don’t make any loud noise. Normal speaking or conversation is ok but hooting and hollering at your buddies isn’t. |
| 3. Check your marker and your ball number in order to avoid confusion during the game. |
| 4. Do not take practice swings on the tee off zone. |
| 5. For the sake of common sense, do not stand close behind, near or in front of any other player and be as quiet as possible when a player is about to take a shot. |
| 6. Normally, the player with the lowest handicap starts the game by taking their first shot. On all other tees the player with the best score out of the previous hole has “the honor”, meaning he has the right to play (with) his ball first. |
| 7. Always be prepared to play your ball in order to avoid any delay in the game and leave immediately after you’ve made your shot. (Sounds like most men doesn’t it?) |
| 8. Don’t play your stroke if other players intend to do their puts on any green in the neighborhood. |
| 9. Don’t take a shot in the direction of another player that may be in hitting distance. See the post why we yell fore in golf for more info. |
| 10. Be kind, nothing will piss off a Superintendent more than not replacing divots or fixing any other damage you cause to the course. And make sure to rake those bunkers back into perfect condition! |
| 11. To avoid looking like someone of lesser intelligence, don’t drive your cart over tee off areas, greens or through a sand bunker. Also, before putting be sure to leave your cart somewhere beside the green, preferably in an area beside the next tee off zone. |
| 12. Try to stand somewhere beside the player who has to do the next shot. |
| 13. If possible, try to observe not only your own but also the balls of the other players in your company. This will help to save time in case one of your partners may not be able to find his ball immediately after his shot. |
I could go on and on and on, especially after some of the absolutely, thoughtless behaviors I’ve witnessed in my time. So now y’all know some quick and easy ways not to look like “fantard” swaggering around, looking for a beating. Use this etiquette of golf and if you don’t hey… don’t be surprised if someone takes their club to your head. Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
Golf for Lefties
March 25, 2008
I’m a lefty and I’m having a real hard time learning this sport. Can you give me some left hand golf tips? - Harry in Louisville, KY
Sure I can Harry and you know why? I speak from experience, I am a left handed golfer and this is something that I have struggled with since the start. But I am determined and passionate about not letting anything get in the way of what I set my mind to achieve. Therefore, I will lead the way with a few left hand golf tips and help all my fellow lefties gain some peace of mind.
Strangely enough, when a left handed golfer starts out many of them will actually try to golf right handed! Most likely this can be do in part because they do not know any better and will use a friend’s set of clubs to test out the game and see if it may be something that they are interesting in pursuing.
But for some, even if they were to have a much easier and enjoyable experience, still use right handed clubs because they have been playing with them for so long and feel uncomfortable changing to something else.
The best tip for a left handed golfer is simply this. You need to play the game using your natural swing with left handed clubs and seek good, quality instruction from a teaching pro that can tailor their instruction to fit your game and to help you play successfully. When you’re looking for the right instructor, make sure that you ask to see if they can teach a left handed golfer and if they don’t if they would know someone who could.
Being left handed makes it a lot harder to find quality equipment that can suit your needs so you need to be very careful when choosing your clubs. If you have the opportunity, try searching around for a pro golf shop that carries a comprehensive selection of clubs.
Harry, all you need is a little faith in yourself. Don’t be dismayed but what others might consider as something that will get in their way of enjoying this sport. Remember that golf for lefties is possible and above all you’re in good company.
Listen to this post
Stretches for Golfers
March 20, 2008
Hi Golf Virgin, do you know of a good golf stretch to help my golf muscles not be so sore after just a few rounds? - Jeremiah in Santa Fe, NM
You’re not asking if there are stretches for golfers because you’re having difficulty holding your shaft with proper form are you? Awww you poor thing… are your golf muscles just cramping up at the worst time possible? Many virgins have had this experience. Jeremiah, I will do my duty and help to alleviate your misery. Read on and I’ll show you a few good ways to get that perfect golf stretch.
For those of you who are not familiar with this sport, believe it or not, there is such a thing as golf muscles. When you take a swing, it uses every major muscle in your body. These golf muscles are absolutely necessary for providing the club head speed that is delivered to the ball at impact. The level of your flexibility and strength is the determining factor in how far you can really hit your drives. I have listed 4 quick stretches for golfers below.
Side Bends
1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and arms at your side
2. Bend to the right keeping your hips facing forward and letting your right arm slide down the outside of your thigh until a stretch is felt along the left side of your torso
3. Hold each stretch for a count of 10
4. Repeat 3 times
5. Reverse arm positions bending to the left and complete steps 1-4 above
Quadriceps Stretch
1. Stand with one arm holding onto a wall or your golf partner
2. With the other hand grasp your ankle and pull your foot behind you toward your buttocks
3. Feel a stretch in the front of your thigh
4. Hold for a count of 10
5. Repeat 3 times on each leg
Hamstring Stretch
1. Sit with your right leg out in front and your left leg bent so your left foot touches your right knee
2. Reach down your right leg until you feel a stretch in the back of your thigh
3. Hold for 10 seconds
4. Repeat times 3
5. Repeat steps 1-4 with your left leg out in front
Trunk Rotation
1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart
2. Bend your arms at your elbows grasping the golf club behind your head
3. Twist your upper body toward the right keeping your hips facing forward
4. Hold for a count of 10
5. Twist your body toward the left and hold
6. Repeat each stretch 3 times
Training your golf muscles with these particular stretches for golfers enables you to develop the power needed to achieve a great swing. Remember, this is a highly dynamic sport that requires balance, coordination, stability and body awareness. You can’t get this just by training on machines alone. If you really do put the time and effort in stretching before you play, you will be surprised and amazed with how quickly your game improves. Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
-
Join Me At MyBlogLog
