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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Golf for Lefties
March 25, 2008
I’m a lefty and I’m having a real hard time learning this sport. Can you give me some left hand golf tips? - Harry in Louisville, KY
Sure I can Harry and you know why? I speak from experience, I am a left handed golfer and this is something that I have struggled with since the start. But I am determined and passionate about not letting anything get in the way of what I set my mind to achieve. Therefore, I will lead the way with a few left hand golf tips and help all my fellow lefties gain some peace of mind.
Strangely enough, when a left handed golfer starts out many of them will actually try to golf right handed! Most likely this can be do in part because they do not know any better and will use a friend’s set of clubs to test out the game and see if it may be something that they are interesting in pursuing.
But for some, even if they were to have a much easier and enjoyable experience, still use right handed clubs because they have been playing with them for so long and feel uncomfortable changing to something else.
The best tip for a left handed golfer is simply this. You need to play the game using your natural swing with left handed clubs and seek good, quality instruction from a teaching pro that can tailor their instruction to fit your game and to help you play successfully. When you’re looking for the right instructor, make sure that you ask to see if they can teach a left handed golfer and if they don’t if they would know someone who could.
Being left handed makes it a lot harder to find quality equipment that can suit your needs so you need to be very careful when choosing your clubs. If you have the opportunity, try searching around for a pro golf shop that carries a comprehensive selection of clubs.
Harry, all you need is a little faith in yourself. Don’t be dismayed but what others might consider as something that will get in their way of enjoying this sport. Remember that golf for lefties is possible and above all you’re in good company.
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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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Vardon Grip Better vs the 10 Finger Grip
March 13, 2008
Hi Golf Virgin!! Is the Vardon Grip in golf better than the 10 Finger Grip? - Paul in Augusta, GA
The Vardon Grip in golf is the most common grip among professional players. Even though Harry Vardon did not invent this particular grip, he popularized it around the turn of the 20th Century. This grip places the club in the fingers and is the grip most likely to be taught by golf instructors.This style requires strong hands since you will be using fewer fingers to control your club.
Now as far as the 10 finger grip goes, it is the least popular grip among instructors. However, many noted pros have used this style and it is often suggested for virgins as it makes learning in the beginning much easier. The 10 finger grip is best for people who experience joint pain due to arthritis or small, weak hands.
Mainly it is up to the golfer in how comfortable they feel gripping their clubs. If you have a lot of grip strength built up from previous experience in other sports the Vardon Grip may be your calling. But for others, if you are not much of an adept at holding a long cylindrical object in your hands then the 10 finger grip just might be your fit.
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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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Canadian Foursomes or are American Foursomes Better?
March 10, 2008
My buddies and I would like to hear what a Canadian Foursome is. We are all very interested in knowing, thanks Golf Virgin. - Harry in Andover, MN
I bet you are and I can promise you above anything that a Canadian Foursome is not a group of crazy canucks sitting around a bonfire in BF E telling stories about bacon. A Canadian Foursome is variation of regular foursomes and is also known as Greensomes.
Here’s a bonus for all you Golf Virgin readers out there. An American Foursome is similar in where two players tee off and then switch each others balls.
Player A plays Player B’s shot, and vice versa and from there each player will hit their second shot. After each shot is hit, they will select the best of the second shots and play only one ball in an alternate shot fashion until the ball is holed.
Now, Canadian Foursomes are 2 person teams where each team plays one ball. This is basically when both players on a team tee off and the best of the two tee balls is selected and from there that ball is then played on an alternating basis until holed.
Also, during normal foursomes, the 2 person team would play on an alternating shot basis for the entire game with only one tee ball being used. Canadian Foursomes is essentially a 2 person scramble off the tee which is then played in an alternate shot fashion until the ball is holed.
See how unique and interesting golf as a sport really is? What other game can you play with your buddies balls and give it a name like Canadian Foursomes or American Foursomes or Greensomes…??
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A Golf Slice Cured
March 7, 2008
I have a golf slice but I really want to get better and improve this as much as possible. Do you think this is something that I can work out on my own? - Quinn in Rapid City, SD
A golf slice requires a lot of hard work to improve and if you really are interested in making this cure stick then lets get into the meat of how and why this happens and go from there. I want to pick this apart so you can gain a much clearer understanding of what you need to improve your stroke. Now, to make it perfectly clear, this advice is for righties so you need to reverse this if you are lefty.
If you hit a golf slice to the right, it means that it’s curving in a left-right motion across the horizon and if the ball doing this, it is spinning in a clockwise direction. Right now, imagine that your ball is sitting on a peg. To spin the ball clockwise, the club has to swing more to the left with the clubface pointing slightly to the right. In a golf slice, hitting the ball with an open clubface makes the ball curve across the sky as a slice. So tell me, my virgin friend, how’s your grip in golf?
Consider this. Your grip has little to do with the direction of the swing but has absolutely everything to do with where the clubface is looking upon impact with the golf ball such as being in the opened, closed or square position. Everyone has their own unique way of holding a golf club. To keep this simple, if your hands are turned too far to the left on the club, this will more likely than not return with the face of the club looking to the right at impact.
Something else to keep in mind while preparing to swing is having a correct golf stance. In the course of playing you find yourself hitting a golf slice far to the left, you may find yourself compensating by adjusting your swing over to the right. However, in doing this basically you are not addressing the root of the problem and creating another one from the opposite direction. What do you do to fix this then?
Lay your club on the ground and make sure that it is parallel with your target line so you can check your aim. Make positive that your aim is not too far over to the left and keep in mind the alignment between your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are parallel to the club on the ground and with your target line.
By checking your stance you can determine what is really going on with your swing. Let the ball be your guide. Are you seeing it curving less over to the right? If so then you are getting close and if its curving over to the left or flying straight, then you are starting to make some headway.
Now if you are one of those rare hard to find, self-motivated go getters, then it is definitely possible that with practice and A LOT of hard work you will see an improvement in your score, not to mention your overall enjoyment of the game.
Get out there and experience for yourself if this works go over to all your buddies and tell them how the Golf Virgin helped improve your game. You never know until you try.
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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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How Does Casual Water Affect Your Game?
March 3, 2008
Good morning Golf Virgin, would you please give me more info on casual water? - Jae in Shoreline, WA
Casual water is a condition of temporary interference that golfers may encounter from time to time, kinda like when you’re out there hunting around for something strange and happen to find it. Casual water isn’t as fun as a get together with certain types of friends. Still there are some benefits to it. In golf casual water is simply a puddle that has collected in a depression in a fairway or bunker.
Here’s the upside to it, if you were to make a shot and upon arriving at where your ball had landed and you found that it had in fact landed in a puddle, you are allowed by the rules of golf to move it away from the interference which may put you in a better position for you’re next shot. You need to know that you are only allowed to pick up your ball and drop it within one club length of the nearest point of relief, so long as when moving the ball, you are not in fact moving closer to the hole.
There you go, you are covered by this rule to make sure you don’t find yourself in a compromised position. Get out there and stroke away and don’t be worried about if your balls land in some casual water. Have fun.
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