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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Beginner Golf Tips - Golf Club Comparison Chart
April 25, 2008
Where can I find a golf club comparison chart that will show me the golf club loft and golf club lie for irons? - Ivan in Orlando, FL
Absolutely, I’ve made you a golf club comparison chart that will not only compare the club loft and club lie but the golf club length for both medium and long irons.
Hope this helps you select the best iron for your game so get out there and stroke a few into the hole for your favorite Golf Virgin!!
| Golf Iron Comparison |
Loft |
Lie |
Medium Golf Club Length | Long Golf Club Length |
| 9 Iron | 45° | 65° | 35.5″ | 36″ |
| 8 Iron | 40° | 64° | 36″ | 36.5″ |
| 7 Iron | 35° | 63° | 36.5″ | 37″ |
| 6 Iron | 30° | 62° | 37″ | 37.5″ |
| 5 Iron | 25° | 61° | 37.5″ | 38″ |
| 4 Iron | 20° | 60° | 38″ | 38.5″ |
| 3 Iron | 15° | 59° | 38.5″ | 39″ |
| 2 Iron | 10° | 58° | 39″ | 39.5″ |
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How to Chip a Golf Ball
April 17, 2008
Hey can you tell me how to chip a golf ball please? - Steve in Dover, TN
Basically, a chip shot is a putt that has a short flying start. For this you will need a club that has a low loft. This will range from a 4-iron to a 7-iron and will allow the ball get up and over onto the putting surface. Now, as you are holding your club, its best to move your hands towards the bottom of the handle.
Also, you should hold the shaft in a more vertical way as if you were holding a putter. From here simply make a straight-back and straight-through movement at the ball as you take your stroke. This will utilize the loft of the club and will send the ball towards the hole.
Another way you can try chipping a golf ball is to move the handle forward a small amount where you put some more weight on your forward foot. If you are feeling ambitious and want to go after that longer hole, use a club like a 7-iron. You would follow the same steps of taking a simple, straight-back and straight-through motion.
This chipping stroke will send the ball up into the air and again, as it lands it will roll it’s way onto the hole. I find this to be an excellent choice when I’m too far away to take a putting stroke while at the same time being too close to launch a ball with a driver. 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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What is Nassau Golf?
April 10, 2008
You mentioned match play in your last answer but what I have always wondered about is nassau golf. Some people say it’s a type of golf game based off a bet but I’m not sure, could you help please? - Jena in Edgemont, SD
You’re pretty much there, Nassau golf is a popular tournament format that consists of 3 separate tournaments in one. These 3 bets are combined together into one game. The most common Nassau golf game is betting on the front nine for $2, the back nine for $2 along with the 18-hole total that is worth another $2.
Keeping score in Nassau is practically the same thing as in match play golf but then again the players ultimately decide which scoring system to use. The team or player with the most points at the end of each 9 holes will win that side and from there, both the front and back 9 holes are totaled for the 18 hole award.
And naturally by using the joy of simple math, if you are a skilled golfer, a whopping $6 will be your prize. Cool huh?
You might be thinking that if you are going make a Nassau golf bet, you might as well make it worth your time right? Well, there is something that is called to press the bet, or pressing the bet. Basically, for each tournament that is originally $2 per 9 holes, a single player or a team can up the ante and raise the bet for that particular 9 holes or altogether on the 18 hole tally. Usually this is just another $2 added to the original bet but it is up to the player’s discretion.
Becareful though becasue this can lead to some pretty high stakes. Of course its depending on a person’s or a team’s level of enthusiasm to combine alcohol, golf, betting and money. Choose wisely. 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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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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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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