Beginner Golf Swing Tips - Golf Tempo Training
April 23, 2008
Hey Golf virgin, what are some good golf tempo training tips that I can use to develop my swing? - Dolph in Bowling Green, KY
Absolutely, come here and I’ll reach into my bag of beginner golf swing tips for your pleasure. Consider this, one of the most overlooked areas in a player’s game is their golf swing tempo or what is also known as golf swing rhythm. This relates to the your ability of swinging a club at a consistent pace.
However, golf tempo training is something that can be difficult to master because you have to develop a keen awareness of how you are swinging your club. From experience, I have caught myself many times whipping through a stroke mindlessly without paying close attention to my golf swing tempo. Yet one of the best ways I have heard it described is simply this. Every one has their natural swing speed and you have to let your body feel it.
So get your club ready Dolph.
For this drill you will need to tee up 4 balls in a row. Now, for the one closest to you, I want you to hit the ball with a quarter of your normal swing speed. Regardless of how your first shot turns out. I want you to immediately step up and address the next ball.
But what I want you to do now is swing at half of your swing speed. Pay close attention here because for beginners it can be difficult to discern what the difference is between full power and hitting a ball at three quarters of your swing speed. Now do it, hit the third ball with as close to 75 percent of your swing speed as is possible. Last, to know the full range of your power, I want you to whack that fourth ball as hard as you can.
After you have run through this drill several times you will notice when your swing starts to speed up or slow down. But keep in mind to not become attached to the outcome of your swing, whatever it may be. Something I recommend reading is my post on the mental side of golf. The sole purpose of this is to gain a deeper understanding of your natural rhythm and is perfect for golf tempo training. Over time you will discover that with a more consistent golf swing tempo you will be able to hit farther and longer shots. Happy strokes!!
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Golf Shanks - Why?
April 15, 2008
Can you give me some info on why a golf shank happens? I have a general understanding of it but I don’t know the specifics. - Carl in Grants Pass, OR
Sure I can explain why golf shanks happen.
Go grab your golf club and take a look at the part of the iron where the club face and hosel meet. If you where to take a swing and make contact with the ball in this particular area, the golf ball will shoot off in what is known as a shank.
Now, the interesting part is that in the mind of the golfer, a good reason why a shank golf shot can happen is because the person is making a “push” at the ball rather than driving through it. If you make this pushing stroke with the club, only the grip portion of the club proceeds forward and the club head will lag behind the stroke.
As this happens, the club face will open up which makes it possible for the hosel to make impact with the ball. Basically, when a player makes a shank golf shot, their hands will be in front of the ball as the club head makes contact. This is like a safety move, stemming from a lack of firm confidence in a player’s stroke.
A good analogy would be trying to take a swing at somebody with a club or baseball bat and not believing that you can really hurt them with it.
So you end up making these small timid strikes that do nothing but really piss the other person off. That is pretty much the same thing that is going on here. A shank in golf happens because you have angered the ball and it whizzes off into the blue yonder out of not hitting it with the proper focus and intention.
Now you know Carl, and knowing is half the battle. Refer back to my post on Say Hello to the Golf Shank Fix and learn the steps necessary to banish this demon shot into the bowels of hell for good. Happy strokes!!
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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!!
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Beginner Golf Tips for Everyone
April 2, 2008
Hey beginner golf tip girl. I’m in need of some help here. I find that I have trouble with my stance. My buddy says he sees my left knee dropping in sometimes when I swing. But he couldn’t really tell me how to fix it. Worthless bastard huh? Anyways, what golf tips could you give me young lady? - Anonymous
Beginner golf tip… girl? Why don’t you just be proper and call me by my name? Golf Virgin… you’re not shy about that are you? Wow, all these people wanting golf tips left and right just makes me happy as a lark. Definitely makes me perk up when I know people are getting help. So Anonymous Name Person, golf tips I will give.
I’ve come across a lot of golfers who let their left knee collapse toward the right during the backswing. When your knee falls in like that, it causes your shoulder to drop, and makes you end up turning too far into the swing itself. Now in order to correct this problem, imagine taking a solid stance with your left knee going out toward the target on the backswing.
There should be a feeling of stability in both knees. If this is difficult to visualize, imagine a basketball between your knees. This basically gives you a perfect idea of how your golf stance should look and feel like.
Keep in mind that on the backswing, it is highly important to keep your weight on the inside of the right foot, and maintain a slight bend in the knee. If this does not happen, it can lead to poor contact when the clubhead meets the ball and a definite power loss.
Think of it this way, as you are drawing back the club, imagine that the right knee is rooted into the ground. Doing so allows for your upper body to coil behind the ball which enables you to powerfully swing through and make a nice clean drive.
Another good beginner golf tip for you Anonymous Name Person is that in order to work towards and maintain an accurate and powerful swing, practice making the extension and follow through with your club after you’ve taken your swing. Finally, put a tee about 8 inches in front of the ball that you are going to hit.
Make an effort to hit not only the ball but also the tee. This will help to train you to swing through the ball, not at it, just don’t get too overzealous and begin wacking away like a drunken old fogey in hysterics.
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Hit a Golf Ball Straight
April 1, 2008
I saw your last post and it got me thinking that while I can get alright distance, I have trouble sometimes when I try to hit a golf ball straight consistently. Any beginner golf tips you could give me too?? Thanks. - Nat in Conroe, TX
Hey, thanks for checking out the other posts. In seeking that perfect golf shot, many golfers experience frustration because they have yet master the basics of a good golf swing. Refer to the super quick list of steps below for another beginner golf tip so you can get those basics down. If you are able to develop control over the club and achieve a relaxed swing you will start to hit a golf ball straight.
Step 1:
Stand behind the ball and pick a mark just ahead of the ball in the line of your target.
Step 2:
With both feet together, stand facing the ball and stand about three-quarters of an arm’s length away from the ball.
Step 3:
Take a small step forward towards the ball with your left foot, and take a normal step backward with your right foot. The distance between your feet should be about a shoulder width apart.
Step 4:
Pull the club straight back from the golf ball to the top of the backswing. The club should be parallel to the ground.
Step 5:
Swing the golf club back down along the same path, without pausing at the top.
Step 6:
Keep your head down and hit the golf ball solid. Allow the club to follow through until it reaches your back.
Use your golf muscles to support the club and think of it like it was a whip that is an extension of your arms. Now, use the leverage you get from this to get a clean connection with the ball. This gives you a straighter drive.
Simply follow this little bit of advice and put the effort forth that is required when you are serious about learning something new and you will begin to see a perfect golf shot time and time again arc through the sky and land exactly where you want. Happy strokes!!
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Average Club Distance
March 31, 2008
Hey, can you help out with a beginner golf tip? What is the average club distance that I should looking for? It’s seems like almost everyone can shoot farther than I can and I want to know how to improve. - Hagen in Emporia, KS
Great question there, and a simple beginner golf tip is this.
I love charts, and there is a quick one below that provides a guide to measure by. This is a simple format that generally states what the normal yardages are for both amateur men and women golfers using a particular club. But remember this isn’t the end all and be all of the average club distance someone should expect. The ranges are pretty large, and represent short hitters, mid hitters and long hitters.
| Club | Men | Women |
| Driver | 200-230-260 | 150-175-200 |
| 3-wood | 180-215-235 | 125-150-180 |
| 5-wood | 170-195-210 | 105-135-170 |
| 2-iron | 170-195-210 | 105-135-170 |
| 3-iron | 160-180-200 | 100-125-160 |
| 4-iron | 150-170-185 | 90-120-150 |
| 5-iron | 140-160-170 | 80-110-140 |
| 6-iron | 130-150-160 | 70-100-130 |
| 7-iron | 120-140-150 | 65-90-120 |
| 8-iron | 110-130-140 | 60-80-110 |
| 9-iron | 95-115-130 | 55-70-95 |
| PW | 80-105-120 | 50-60-80 |
| SW | 60-80-100 | 40-50-60 |
There are, of course, people who hit it longer, just as there are people who hit it shorter, so don’t become attached to a certain number. Don’t be too hard on yourself, if you haven’t spent that much time golfing be patient and realize that it takes time to get your average club distance up to where you aren’t thinking about it so much. Then again this is something that we can all strive to improve upon, myself included.
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Divots and Golf Ball Washers
March 27, 2008
I take pretty large divots out of the ground almost every time I take a shot. I’m not the best golfer. So when I go and get my ball, its usually pretty muddy. I take a towel with me cause I know this is going to happen. My eyesight isn’t the best and I’ve looked around for golf ball washers but I can’t ever find them. Are they real? By the end of the all the rounds I play, my ball is contaminated and people look at me weird cause I got this dirty, muddy towel hanging out of my back pocket. What can I do? - Finn in Grafton, WV
Well, honestly I can’t do anything other than laugh right now. I’m in tears. The thought of you wandering around half blind and aimlessly in search of the famed golf ball washers to help you clean your dirty contaminated balls is absolutely hilarious. Haven’t you ever simply just asked someone where they are? It would take two seconds you know. “Hey buddy, where do I clean my balls at?”
As far as you taking divots left and right out of the green, that probably puts you on the superintendent’s hated list for the course you play at. It sounds to me like you are hitting the ball fat. I highly suggest you read my post about hitting fat golf shots so you can correct this problem.
But for right now, I will tell you exactly where you can find these wonderful golf ball washers. You know when you’re about to tee off? Look over at the tee box… you see that green bucket thing, hanging on a pole that’s sticking out of the ground? There you go, those are golf ball washers. What I’m curious to know is, how did you get started playing golf with your eyesight being as bad as it is?
Anyways, all you have to do now Mr. Finn is dunk your dirty golf balls into the bucket, swirl them a few times that’s it. No more wandering around with a super, dirty towel hanging from your backside and weird looks coming from every direction. Your balls will be fresh and clean and if you get some eye glasses along with taking my advice for stop hitting fat golf shots, you will be in heaven.
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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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When is a Conceded Putt Allowed?
March 11, 2008
Hi when is a conceded putt allowed during a game? Thanks! - Miller in Sioux City, IA
Miller, great question. Provided that all parties are relatively sober during a game, a conceded putt is one that your opponent has told you that you don’t have take because he has conceded that you will make the shot.
For example let’s say you have an easy putt. If your opponent thinks there is no chance you’ll miss, he might concede the putt, allowing you to pick it up. Your score will be the same as if you had actually putted the ball into the hole.
Conceded putts are legal only in match play but they are illegal in stroke play. And conceded putts are purely at the discretion of your opponent and vice versa. They should only be offered, not requested. But what if your buddy being the swell guy that he is tells you not to worry about a putt because he knows that more than likely, you will hit it into the hole. Instead, you decide to show him how stubborn you really are and whack away at it, missing the putt.
According to the rules, a concession may not be declined or withdrawn. Once an opponent allows for you to take a conceded putt, it doesn’t matter what the player does afterward. Remember that the next time you are feeling a little bit generous. You never know if they really might miss.
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