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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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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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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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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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 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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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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Golf Yips and Botox?
March 19, 2008
I came across an interesting article from the Mayo Clinic about golf yips and how botox might be used as a future treatment. Every now and again I get the yips right before I take a shot and was wondering what you thought about this? - Joan in Waterloo, IA
Yes, I’ve read the article about golf yips and have found it to be very interesting that they are considering Botox as a form of potential treatment. I’ve known many friends who suffer from this horrible jerking motion when they hold their shaft in their hands, as they want so badly to make a perfect shot only to have the opportunity slip away because their brain is having a conniption fit.
For the poor afflicted souls that do have this condition, I bet a well placed Botox injection just might help lower your golf scores. The upside being is that if the doc already has the needle out, why not only cure the golf yips but a winkle here and there too?
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The Importance of Your Grip in Golf
March 4, 2008
Hi, I wanted to know how important it was to have a good grip in golf and if that can really improve a person’s game. - Dale in Tempe, AZ
Dale, don’t you know that having a tight grip in golf is highly beneficial to the overall experience of making a great shot? Dale… you definitely are a virgin but I can help. Think of it like this. If you were to grip the golf club in your fingers and make a circular movement with your wrists, you will begin to understand the range of motion that this gives you. When you make a shot, this freedom of movement translates into your ability to have better control when you swing.
However, if you hold the club in your palms, it will feel uncomfortable and will affect how well you are able to play. As you grip the golf club in your fingers allow your hands to come together. When you take your swing, you really want your hands to work together and not fight one another and keep your fingers as close together as possible.
Think about other activities that you do on a daily basis with your hands and fingers that require a lot of coordinated movement. Now to develop golf grip finger strength, the simplest thing that you can do is go to the store and buy a couple squeeze balls. These are excellent for strengthening your fingers and improving your golf grip strength by leaps and bounds. Simply squeeze the balls, hold and then release in three sets of 15 for both hands.
Now Dale, you have the have the perfect option for improving your game. Grab your balls, imagine the perfect swing and squeeze.
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