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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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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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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Are Balata Balls for Virgins?
March 8, 2008
Hey Golf Virgin, I have heard about balata balls from my friends and I wanted to know if they were better? - Ivan in Bay City, MI
Gosh, I love virgins… so naive… so willing to try new and interesting ways of doing things. Has listening to your buddies talk about their balata golf balls and how much better they feel got you curious hun?
Balata balls are covered by a substance derived from the gum of the “Bully” or Balata tree of the West Indies and Northeastern South America. These types of balls are said to have more “action” or spin to them along with a better feel but not necessarily the distance of other balls. Here is something that you should remember though, beginners should avoid these because they are not as durable due to the covering and can be more expensive.
Just keep playing with the golf balls you have right now and soon, one day… you can open your package of fresh new balata golf balls and with your nice and shiny balata putter, sink one deep into the 18th hole for The Golf Virgin. Enjoy!!
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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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How to Put Spin on a Golf Ball
February 27, 2008
I really want to learn how to get a good spin on a golf ball when I’m trying to shoot over an obstacle or get the ball to land in a position where I can make an easy putt. It’s something I’ve always been curious about but could never get a handle on and I wanted to see if you knew of the best way to make this happen. - Jimmy in Little Rock, AR
Being able to put spin on a golf ball is not an easy thing to do. However, getting the ball to stop almost where it lands can help you keep your score down and ultimately win a game. This becomes especially useful when you’re hitting onto firm greens or when the pin is placed directly behind a bunker or body of water. Listed below are some simple to follow steps towards becoming familiar with the basic technique of adding a good spin on a golf ball.
Step 1:
Stand closer in your stance for a normal golf swing which is a shoulder-width apart, so go ahead and stand about 1/3 shorter of the regular shoulder-width stance.
Step 2:
Also, stand a little closer to the ball so that its closer to your back foot.
Step 3:
Use a 60-degree wedge which is also known as a flop wedge.
Step 4:
Make sure to swing your club on a steeper plane than what you would during a regular shot. Basically hit down at a steeper angle.
Step 5:
Hit directly underneath the ball before taking a divot and do your best to take a divot that is long and shallow.
Step 6:
Follow through as you would during a normal shot.
An easy way to look at is to take an analogy from playing pool. When you put backspin on a golf ball it’s very similar in nature to putting backspin on a cue ball. To accomplish this you strike the cue ball at a steep downward angle with a great deal of force which then imparts this energy on the bottom half of the cue ball and sends it flying.
Perhaps you had the experience of being able to make the ball actually hop up into the air over other balls on the table to achieve a desired effect. Wow, all these different types of ball shots can be a bit mind boggling. But, balls are balls and the harder you hit them, the farther they shoot.
Adding spin on a golf ball allows to hit shots over obstacles such as bunkers, bodies of water, the rough or whatever it is that is in between you and the green. If you put enough backspin on the ball, it takes a couple of bounces and stops. In a perfect world, you would like to be in the position where you hit the ball about 15 to 20 feet from the pin and have the it stop a few feet from the hole and this will leave you a with short putt.
So if you like watching your balls soar through the air and land exactly where you desire then dedicated practice is key to your ability to put spin on a golf ball. But keep in mind that this is one of the hardest shots to master.
Update to Post:
Hi all, recently I’ve had readers take a lot of interest in this particular post and wanted to provide links my other posts on this topic. So go check out my other posts to get a better understanding of this technique by reading Making Golf Spin Happen and Beginner Golf Tips - Key to Golf Ball Spin
Happy stokes!!
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Build a Virtual Golf Bag
February 21, 2008
I just found this cool online tool called The Golf Digest Hot List 2008 from Golf Digest Promotions. It is really pretty cool you can browse golf clubs of all types, styles and shape. You can then get complete info on them like their technical specifications, the story behind their design and the all important street price. You will also get comments from players that have actually used the clubs.
You then drag the clubs into your virtual golf bag and since you are shopping they of course don’t place any limit on the number of golf clubs in the bag. You will also find professional opinions about what is hot and what is not so hot about each club or club set.
I will warn you though it is easy to rack up a big cost, golf can be expensive as we all know. I put together my own dream bag and won’t even tell you how big the price was. Perhaps one day my Golf Prince Charming will come along, until then I will just have to dream. Any who, check out this tool and play around with it, it is a great way to window shop and perhaps avoid work a bit. You can visit the site here, The Golf Digest Hot List 2008
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What Golf Ball Types should a New Player Buy
February 20, 2008
Golf Virgin, Hey what type of golf balls do you recommend I use? - Dawson in Kansas City, KS
Truly, buying top of the line golf balls can get expensive, especially as a beginner. A common experience one may have is knocking your golf balls, accidentally, into a pond or losing them deep in a bush. So what to do about choosing the perfect set of golf balls for your new hobby? Well, not a whole lot really.
Honesty, save your money and for now spend a lot of time and I really do mean a lot at the driving range. Putting out a few bucks into some ball buckets will be worth the time invested in the long run and you will save yourself a great deal of cash by smacking away at a range ball. Secondly, if you are of the more adventurous type, used golf balls are the way to go. One word of caution though, stay away from used golf balls with any clear signs of defect such as cuts in the cover, bulges or discoloration etc.
It’s not the most sought after way of improving your game but really, who cares and these 2 golf ball types are far easier on the pocketbook. So get out there on the range and put those dirty golf balls where they belong.
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Do I Need to be a Particular Handicap in Golf to Play Some Courses?
February 18, 2008
Dear Golf Virgin, Will I need to be at a particular golf handicap or be a standard to play at any one course? - Julie in Jacksonville, FL
Julie, super question and in reality, some golf clubs make it a point of people playing at a particular standard or being below a certain golf handicap. However, from my experience the majority of golf clubs welcome all golfers as long as they can play fast (no lingering around the holes now) know the rules and etiquette of golf and dress in the right type of golf course attire.
You may also want to see my post about what kind of golf clothing to wear and don’t forget the proper golf shoes for that matter which are a total necessity in this sport.
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