Left Handed Golf Grip
June 13, 2008
I want to focus on developing my left handed golf grip but I’m have some trouble getting used to holding my club like this. Can you help me out? - Mani in Beaufort, SC
Developing a left handed golf grip is in the best interest of everyone and the same rule applies for developing a strong right handed grip for a pure left handed golfer. This is definitely the case when you are working on perfecting your shot. From my experience, the easiest way for a righty to learn how to hold the club in their left is this. Take your club and while holding it at waist level, hold it in the right hand as you grip it in the left.
The shaft of the club is gripped in the middle with the right hand in the left hand position. Its absolutely necessary to have the leading edge of the club face and the back of the left hand to be as balanced as possible. When your left hand has been set in the correct place, your right hand should take the position which compliments the left.
For this exercise, the driver is the best club that lets you learn as quickly as possible. When you have the ball positioned on the inside of your left side make sure that your body is behind the ball. This position of having a high left hand and a high left shoulder will give you the sensation of being slightly inclined to the right. Your arms need to have enough room to move as you are taking the swing while allowing you to generate the speed that’s required to hit the ball.
There you go, you have just learned to be ambidextrous. Now you can hold your shaft effectively with both hands, great huh? Keep in mind that it takes both sides of your body to give you power in your golf swing and most golf virgins have a lot of difficulty starting out. So use these left handed golf tips and take stroke after stroke until you build up the consistency required to smack a ball far down range with whatever grip you choose.
Listen to this post
Uneven Lies - Accuracy in Golf
May 20, 2008
With uneven lies, whats the trick with being able to keep your accuracy when you hit either a downhill lie or uphill lie? - Mick in Topeka, KS
When hitting uneven lies, your swing pretty much is the same but your setup changes. You will have to hit a downhill lie at a lower trajectory whereas an uphill lie needs for you to take your shot at a higher angle. Its very important to maintain your balance and position your body in such a way which will allow you to keep your body perpendicular to the slope.
To hit a downhill lie make sure to use a club that is one size smaller than normal. This will make the ball able to fly lower off the face of the club and will allow you to shoot farther. A normal reaction is to pull the club up when you make impact in as you try to keep your balance. Basically for an uphill lie this technique is reversed. Use a club that is one size larger than what you would normally use for a shot.
Now the important thing to remember here is when you’re on the back swing, make sure that you support your right leg, meaning that don’t let the knee bow inwards. When you swing down, you need to focus shifting your weight to the left side, while keeping your balance as much as possible which basically forces you to make a full weight shift.
Being aware how to move your body in relation to the slope helps you set your shots up accordingly. After that you just need to make a steady swing that will give you more accuracy in golf and allows you to have more control over the ball. Happy strokes!!
Listen to this post
Draw a Golf Ball
May 2, 2008
I read your post on how to fade a golf ball so could you please give me the other half and tell me how to draw a golf ball? - Mack in Merced, CA
Sure thing, for the unfamiliar a golf draw is where the ball curves from right to left vs left to right in a golf fade. The unintended version of a draw is the hook shot. This is an uncontrolled curve to the left and the ball lands far, far left of the target.
Now, when you draw a golf ball, the steps are the opposite of the fade. You should aim the clubface along the target line. Make sure to have your shoulders pointing to the right of the target. This should be parallel to your intended ball flight line.
After you have made this set up, if you make your normal swing along your shoulder line, the clubface will be just slightly closed at impact. If this is done right, the end result will be a soft draw shot that curves from right to left back to the target. Now you have both halves of the equation and much more control of where the ball will land when you take a 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
Golf Side Bets and Wager Betting
March 18, 2008
Hey Golf Virgin what are some golf side bets or wager betting that me and a few buddies can try out? - Matthew in Phoenix, AZ
Wow, so you’re a betting man and take charge with your equipment when it matters huh? Well the Golf Virgin has something special for you. Take a look.
Some great golf side bets along with wager betting is a great way to kill some time and possibly make… but more than likely lose a few bucks. I’ll give a list of the top few such as Foozle, Barkies and Aces and Deuces.
1. First off is foozle. To play this, you will need 6 game coins, 2 positive and 4 negative along with a carrying pouch. Start by setting the compensation value for the coins with your partners before the start of play. As each positive or negative shot occurs, that player receives the appropriate coin. At anytime thereafter, should the act be repeated by another player, that coin is “passed on” with the appropriate flair. At the end of the round or turn, the players holding the negative coins compensate the other players. And the players holding the positive coins receive compensation from the other players.
2. Barkies, are paid automatically to any player who makes par on a hole on which him or her hit a tree. The value of a Barkie is determined before the round.
3. Aces and Deuces or Acey Ducey, is a bet in which there is a winner, two modest losers, and one big loser on each hole. It’s a game for groups of four, obviously. The low scorer on each hole wins a certain amount from each of the other three players; while the high scorer on each holes owes each of the other three.
So Mr. Betting Man there you have it, 3 easy ways of wager betting to burn through some hard earned cash. Hopefully for you lady luck will come for a visit and pour her good graces all over your shaft so you can stroke yourself into a frenzied bliss.
Listen to this post
Blind Bogey
March 10, 2008
What is blind bogey and how do you play it? - Ethan in Somerset, KY
The most common game of blind bogey requires a golfer to play 18 holes of stroke play. Following completion of blind bogey golf, the one overseeing the tournament selects a score at random and the player that has the closest score to the randomly selected score is the winner.
There is also another variation to the blind bogey format. This is where the players tee off and complete their rounds. After the tournament, the director randomly select six holes and each of the players scores of those 6 randomly chosen holes are tossed out. Now the 12 holes that remain on their scorecard are added up and that is the score. The lowest score wins.
Basically you give control on how well you are evaluated per each stroke up to sheer chance. Make sure you focus on each hole and hey you never know, you might beat out your buddies and come in with the best score when their holes get tossed. Doesn’t that add mystery and excitement to the game Ethan?? Doesn’t it?
Listen to this post
The Importance of Your Grip in Golf
March 4, 2008
Hi, I wanted to know how important it was to have a good grip in golf and if that can really improve a person’s game. - Dale in Tempe, AZ
Dale, don’t you know that having a tight grip in golf is highly beneficial to the overall experience of making a great shot? Dale… you definitely are a virgin but I can help. Think of it like this. If you were to grip the golf club in your fingers and make a circular movement with your wrists, you will begin to understand the range of motion that this gives you. When you make a shot, this freedom of movement translates into your ability to have better control when you swing.
However, if you hold the club in your palms, it will feel uncomfortable and will affect how well you are able to play. As you grip the golf club in your fingers allow your hands to come together. When you take your swing, you really want your hands to work together and not fight one another and keep your fingers as close together as possible.
Think about other activities that you do on a daily basis with your hands and fingers that require a lot of coordinated movement. Now to develop golf grip finger strength, the simplest thing that you can do is go to the store and buy a couple squeeze balls. These are excellent for strengthening your fingers and improving your golf grip strength by leaps and bounds. Simply squeeze the balls, hold and then release in three sets of 15 for both hands.
Now Dale, you have the have the perfect option for improving your game. Grab your balls, imagine the perfect swing and squeeze.
Listen to this post
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.
Listen to this post
-
Golf Resources
