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!
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A Clean Golf Club - Beginner Golf Tips
April 16, 2008
Hey Golf Virgin how much effect do you think it has if you don’t have a clean golf club? - Paul in West Point, MS
Oooo… by that question alone I can smell your virginity! Take some beginner golf tips right here and realize the essential need of a clean golf club. Paul, its of vital importance to keep the head of your golf clubs clean because the grooves are what help put spin on the ball.
Now, after playing game after game with out cleaning your golf clubs, the grooves become packed with dirt and the clubface contact with the ball is reduced. The accuracy of your shots will decrease significantly as a result of having all that dirt embedded in the grooves.
The best way I’ve found to clean this is by using a wire brush with some soapy water. By using the brush, you can slide it into those little grooves and get out all of the dirt which I’m positive has built up by now. Click on the link for the exact instructions on how to clean your golf clubs and after you’ve finished reading that click on the following link to learn where you can find golf ball washers out on the course.
Paul, since you clicked on both of those links, which I’m sure you have… both your shaft and your balls will be sparkling clean. Happy strokes!!
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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.
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Vardon Grip Better vs the 10 Finger Grip
March 13, 2008
Hi Golf Virgin!! Is the Vardon Grip in golf better than the 10 Finger Grip? - Paul in Augusta, GA
The Vardon Grip in golf is the most common grip among professional players. Even though Harry Vardon did not invent this particular grip, he popularized it around the turn of the 20th Century. This grip places the club in the fingers and is the grip most likely to be taught by golf instructors.This style requires strong hands since you will be using fewer fingers to control your club.
Now as far as the 10 finger grip goes, it is the least popular grip among instructors. However, many noted pros have used this style and it is often suggested for virgins as it makes learning in the beginning much easier. The 10 finger grip is best for people who experience joint pain due to arthritis or small, weak hands.
Mainly it is up to the golfer in how comfortable they feel gripping their clubs. If you have a lot of grip strength built up from previous experience in other sports the Vardon Grip may be your calling. But for others, if you are not much of an adept at holding a long cylindrical object in your hands then the 10 finger grip just might be your fit.
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Should I Wear Gloves for Golf?
February 23, 2008
Hi I need a little help, I just started playing golf recently and I’ve noticed that its really difficult for me to relax when I hold the club and after going to the driving range lately I’ve got some pretty bad blisters. I was wondering if should I go out and buy some gloves for golf? - Andrew in Stillwater, OK
4 words Andrew… Release The Death Grip. You are not Darth Vader and you are not out on a mission to conquer and destroy. This is a game and you’re supposed to enjoy it. Not suffer afterwards. As far as you needing some gloves for golf… Until you can settle down on your G.I. Joe, Kung-Fu grip practice that you have going on, I highly suggest it.
I think I remember an old pro say that you should hold the club like a baby bird, tight enough to keep it from escaping, but not so tight that you would kill the little thing.
After you have properly trained your hands on what they should do when you hold the club, the best thing I can say is let them do it. I mean it’s not that difficult come to think of it, you should be used to it by now with all the other practice that you’ve had before, right? In turn, when you have a good grip you are able to keep other bad things from happening and creeping into your game such as hook’s and slices, etc.
Also, an overly tight grip will do nothing but drag your game down and frustrate you when you’re supposed to be having a great time smacking a bucket of balls down range or plugging away at 18 separate holes. So do you, Andrew, need gloves for golf so you can grip golf clubs better without blisters. Yes… yes you do. Go out and buy some. Do it now.
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The Absolute Best Way to Clean Your Golf Clubs
February 22, 2008
Howdy there Golf Virgin!! I went out this past weekend and played a great 18 holes and loved it but my shafts got pretty dirty and I need to know the best way to clean golf clubs. Could you tell me? - Adam in Dallas, TX
Howdy huh? So you had a lot of fun, got your shafts all dirty and now you need to know the best way to clean golf clubs? I have to pat you on the back for getting out there on the green and not being afraid to get messy. I bet you took as many strokes necessary to satisfy your desire for putting things in places where they never been before. And you know what? For your bravery I’m going to tell you exactly how to clean your golf clubs.
For starters, you will need a plastic bucket, mild dishwashing liquid, toothbrush and a reasonably clean towel for drying.
Squirt… a little dishwashing liquid into the bottom and add some warm water to get it all the suds going. But make sure the water is warm. Not too hot now because hot water can loosen the ferrule on the clubs. The ferrule is the plastic cover over the point where the shaft enters the club head. Since you’re reading this go ahead and see if you can imagine what that looks like.
Anyways, you need just enough water in the bucket to cover the heads of the irons. Place your irons into the bucket with the club heads submerged and keep the ferrules above the level of the soapy water. Now, allow your irons to soak in the warm water for only a couple minutes. This will loosen the dirt that got worked into the grooves of the clubface from all your careless fun.
After they have finished soaking, take each club and use the toothbrush to clean out the grooves on the clubface and gently drag the brush across the sole of the iron and over the back of the club head. Keep in mind that this is the most important step in how to clean your golf clubs because it removes all the dirt and other chemicals from the golf course that can eat away the finish.
However, if you’ve allowed dirt to build up in the grooves and harden over time, you may need to allow them to soak longer and use a stiff-bristled brush. But remember, never use a wire-bristled brush for cleaning your clubs. Rinse off the club head and when you’ve washed the suds away, take a look at it to make sure all the dirt is gone from the grooves. You might find yourself enjoying the process of making your clubs like new again. But don’t get carried away with all that cleaning action, you could scratch your shaft.
Use your towel to dry off the club head and drag the towel up and down the length of the shaft. I’m pretty sure that you’re very familiar with this part, aren’t you? After you’re done, make positive that your shafts are nice and dry, thus ensuring that they don’t go back into your bag wet. Also, never submerge persimmon woods in water. To be direct, it’s never a good idea to submerge your woods in any sort of liquid. Because this will ruin the nice, glossy finish, of course.
Instead, quickly dip your woods into the sudsy water, using your shaft cleaning skills to rub it with a moist cloth and then dry them immediately. Now take a step back… and look at how clean, shiny and almost virgin like all of your shafts are… Wow, almost makes you want to say howdy doesn’t it?
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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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Do I Need to be a Particular Handicap in Golf to Play Some Courses?
February 18, 2008
Dear Golf Virgin, Will I need to be at a particular golf handicap or be a standard to play at any one course? - Julie in Jacksonville, FL
Julie, super question and in reality, some golf clubs make it a point of people playing at a particular standard or being below a certain golf handicap. However, from my experience the majority of golf clubs welcome all golfers as long as they can play fast (no lingering around the holes now) know the rules and etiquette of golf and dress in the right type of golf course attire.
You may also want to see my post about what kind of golf clothing to wear and don’t forget the proper golf shoes for that matter which are a total necessity in this sport.
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What Kind of Golf Shoes or Golf Clothing Should I Wear?
February 17, 2008
We just got our first reader question and it was a one that a lot of new players have. Jim asked…
Golf Virgin, What kind of golf shoes or golf clothing should I wear?
When you’re about to go and make the leap for your first time proper golf clothing is a must. These consist of a collared shirt and cotton or polyester slacks but keep in mind absolutely no jeans. This isn’t some redneck get together with a dirty tennis ball substituting as golf ball and a hockey stick for a golf club now is it? Well then, be aware that some golf clubs also require a dress code for the clubhouse or bar area.
Golf shoes are golf shoes. Truly, you can find ones that are like the feet of Zeus, commanding power and respect upon every course you tread or you can simply find some that are a step up from sneakers and in between this category of above mentioned greatness. Note that you don’t want to go hobbling after a shot in anything less than this though, the golf police might take your balls.
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