What is the Diameter of a Golf Hole?
June 20, 2008
What is the diameter of a golf hole and why are they all the same size? - Jim in San Antonio, TX
Well the diameter of a golf hole is 4.25 inches exactly… I’m sure many people have taken a putt only to miss and think to themselves… “If only that hole was just a bit bigger my ball would have slipped right in.” So why was this standard golf hole size chosen to begin with? Here’s the answer. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, issued new rules in 1891 with the purpose of making the game more consistent and one of the ways they decided to accomplish this was to standardize the size of the golf hole. The size that they arrived at became the hole that we are all fond of today with the magic diameter of 4.25 inches.
Actually, this is the end result of the rules that previous incarnation of Royal Musselburgh Golf Club had come up with back in 1829. This led to the creation of the first known hole cutter and believe it or not this ancient ground eater is still in existence and is on display at Royal Musselburgh and was the exact 4.25 inches in diameter that we all are familiar with today. After the great people running the Royal and Ancient Golf Club adopted it into their rules back 1891 and the rest of the world followed.
However, there is a bit of wonder surrounding why the first hole cutter was created at this specific size. But more than likely, it was a totally arbitrary decision. Take that next putting stroke with pride and know you’re hitting your balls deep into a piece of golf history every time you take a putt.
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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.
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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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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!!
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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!!
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Beginner Golf Tips - Key to Golf Ball Spin
May 19, 2008
Teach me how to put spin on a golf ball, please? Very new to golf and watching my friends do it over and over with ease makes me want to learn how. Many thanks!! - Jim in Trinidad, CO
Strangely enough, putting spin on a golf ball happens whenever you hit the ball. The key here is obvious, learn how to do it when you want or need to. Through practice, practice, practice and a ton of dedication you will know how to spin a golf ball at will. Having golf ball spin is highly useful, especially to keep your score down. So here are some simple steps to apply that are key to golf ball spin.
Stand with your feet closer together. Position yourself in such a way that the ball is as close to your back foot, as possible. Make sure to use a 60° wedge, also known as a flop wedge is recommended for playing such a shot. A sand wedge can be used in emergency. When you take your swing, you need to swing your club on steeper plane to where you make impact directly at the bottom of the ball.
Don’t let yourself become distracted though by watching your friends putting spin on a golf ball. They have definitely worked themselves to the point where they can make it look so easy and that is something that should be admired rather than envied. Remember to let yourself focus on what you want to achieve but don’t be too attached to the result.
Worrying about it while you are taking your swing will do nothing but frustrate you and hold you back. So follow those simple steps you and will have the key to golf ball spin whenever you need it. Also, you may want to check out my other posts on this subject to get more information and a broader perspective of how its done. Check out How to Put Spin on a Golf Ball and Making Golf Spin Happen. Happy strokes!!
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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!!
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Beginner Golf Swing Tips - Accuracy in Golf
May 8, 2008
How do I increase my accuracy in golf when I take a shot? - Jake in Austin, TX
Good question Jake, increasing your accuracy in golf is definitely a worthwhile pursuit if you are serious about improving your game and enjoying it as much as possible. Here are 3 simple beginner golf swing tips to help you wrap your mind around putting those shots exactly where you want them to go.
When you are seeking to improve your driving accuracy its highly important to keep your mind on your swing plane. A good way to illustrate this is that if your swing is too steep, such as being on an “outside in” path, you will most likely end up slicing the ball. Practice swinging your club as if the ball was waist high. Since the swing is a circle tilted over, it will become much easier for you to transfer the swing you make when the ball is waist high to the swing you make when the ball is on the ground.
Also, you have to maintain a steady rhythm with your swing for better golf driver accuracy. This is developed by using counting to yourself when you swing. Counting “one thousand one” and the back swing and “one thousand two” on the downswing will help to create a smooth rhythm.
Lastly, being able to have a fine control of the club face is necessary for having highly controlled accuracy in golf. By possessing a good grip, you should have the ability to hit a ball to the left or the right at will. Having the ability to do both enables you through practice and perseverance to increase your overall accuracy and hit the ball straight. Happy strokes!!
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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!!
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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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