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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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 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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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!!
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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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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 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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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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