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!!
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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!!
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Match Play Golf
April 8, 2008
Hi, can you tell me what match play golf is please? Thanks. - David in Los Alamos, NM
Match play golf is one of the main forms of competition play. This type of game puts players against one another as golfers compete to win at individual holes. The player who wins the most holes is the one that wins the match and this differs considerably from stroke play.
Each match play score for a player is added up through out the game. With the beginning of a match, the score is “all square” or tied. Then the score is recorded in terms of one player’s lead over another. If a player is ahead by or wins more holes than what is left to play, the player is the winner. Also, remember in matchplay that the player furthermost from the hole always plays first. This is especially true on the putting green.
You are not allowed to putt if your opponent’s ball is still “live” and furthest away from the cup. However, you can pick up your ball up if you are given a conceded putt by your opponent. With all the interesting variations in playing golf, you will definitely never get bored with this sport and will always have the opportunity to learn something new. Happy strokes!!
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Beginner Golf Swing Tips - Golf Swing Path
April 7, 2008
I need to really learn how to get a better golf swing path. Would you so kindly dispense some beginner golf swing tips? Thank you. - Michael in Salisbury, MD
First off, for people who aren’t quite familiar yet, your golf swing path determines the starting direction of the ball. Knowing the type of swing path you currently have is the key to understanding your shots. It’s very important to recognize the type of shots that each swing path produces.
This will allow you to effectively analyze your swing. Watch the shape of your shots and the way the shots curve, after you have taken the time to do this, examine the depth and direction of your divots. Also, keep in mind that every swing has two separate golf swing paths. There is one golf swing path for the back swing, and one for the down swing.
As for your back swing, the height and the distance you stand from the ball will determine the best angle of this path. You should begin your take away by keeping the club head low and your hands as far away from your head as possible. This helps you create a larger arc and gain club head speed. As your shoulders turn and the club head rises keep the club on this path.
Imagine a line from the ball to the target. If you can keep the club on this golf swing path, you will have the club aligned at the top of your swing and this is critical as you begin to transition to the down swing. Another thing to keep in mind - there is no perfect golf swing path.
Your body build type determine the best path for you to take and you can work this out with the guidelines above and through your own hard work. A good golf swing tip for you… as long as your club is parallel at the top of your swing in relation to the ball, your shot will be a lot more accurate.
Remember, by practicing your golf swing path daily will help you to make this movement automatic and in turn will make you a better golfer. Take the time to really examine what you are doing and don’t get mad if you aren’t seeing progress over night. Simply get out there and you will be amazed at how far you’ve come with consistent and determined effort. 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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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!!
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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.
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In the Leather
March 17, 2008
Golf Virgin, I saw your answer earlier and I wanted to know if “in the leather” is similar to what you talked mentioned about a conceded putt? - Don in San Diego, CA
Well, the term in the leather has nothing to do with certain types of risqué practice that some people enjoy. And yes you are correct in your thinking of this being similar to a conceded putt, where one player allows the other making the putt to move on as if the putt had been holed.
In the leather is a slang expression for a short putt, no longer than the distance from your putter head to putter grip when laid flat on the green. Be friendly to your buddies because you never know when you might find yourself all tied up.
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What is Effective Playing Length?
March 14, 2008
I don’t quite understand what effective playing length is but I would really like to know. Please help me with this. Thank you Golf Virgin. - Tommy in Virginia Beach, VA
Effective playing length can lead to much confusion, especially for virgins due to the fact some may think this might possibly correspond to the length of their golf shaft.
The USGA determines the values representing effective playing length by making adjustments to the measured yardage, instead of just by going out and reviewing the overall yardage of a course and each hole. This means that the yardage is then adjusted for the terrain of the entire course. Going uphill adds yards while going downhill subtracts yards.
So for example the slope of a fairway and the positioning of bunkers combined with forced carries and forced layups and don’t forget the positioning of trees are all taken into consideration when determining effective playing length.
Also, effective playing length is one of the determining factors in the evaluation of golf courses for Course Rating and Slope Rating.
No worries Tommy, everything is under control. The USGA has you covered and you have nothing to fear. Effective playing length is something that truly helps you play your best and puts you on par with everyone else. Happy Strokes!!
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The Plumb-Bob Technique
March 7, 2008
Can you tell me what a plumb-bob is and how you do it? - Steve in Monroe, LA
A plumb-bob, plumbbob, or even plumbing bob for those who may not be familiar with this golf term is actually pretty simple. Basically this helps you figure out the most likely break of a putt by holding your putter vertically in front of the line and then staring at it for a long period. Wow, so much fun… holding your shaft in line with your ball and staring down the hole.
Here is how you plumb-bob. Standing behind your ball and in line with the hole, look through your dominant eye and hold the putter steady. Now hold your shaft to where it hangs vertically and in line with the ball, if you’re a normal human then this should be easy to understand… If the hole appears to be on one side of the shaft, then your putt will break in that direction. After you determine the break, focus on your goal and take your putt.
There you go Steve, that is how you go about plumb bob putting. Remember though that it is very important to be sure of your line before you stand over any putt. Doing so will allow you take stroke after stroke with pure confidence.
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