Golf Tip

#$Best Buy Confidence Golf AUTOMATIC RETURN Putting Mat with hazard

2012-02-04T23:15:00.001-08:00

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List Price : $45.00 Price : $29.99

Product Description

Lake & sand trap feature. Automatic electric ball return. Improve your putting with this great surface. Incline so green rises up towards the hole. Great fun and great practice. High Quality. Ideal for home or office use. Color is Green. 6.5 ft long. Two C batteries required not included.

Lake & Sand trap feature
Automatic Ball Return
Home or office use
Great Gift Idea

Confidence Golf AUTOMATIC RETURN Putting Mat with hazard Reviews

Thin felt. Didn't lay flat, February 1, 2012

Ryan Squash - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Confidence Golf AUTOMATIC RETURN Putting Mat with hazard (Sports)

I returned this as it is cheap thin felt that didn't lay flat because it is too light weight and came all folded up. I let it sit out for a few days but it still didn't lay flat on the ground, so I returned it because clearly if you keep it folded up in storage its not going to lay flat when you want to use it.

OK, but would not recommend, August 20, 2011

Michael W Abajian (Waterbury, VT United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Confidence Golf AUTOMATIC RETURN Putting Mat with hazard (Sports)

I was not really looking for a mat + ball return device and kind of got misled by the picture without reading the product details (my bad). No big deal... I would simply through the mat away and just use the ball return (I have a good rug for putting). The ball return is adequate, kicking it back about 8 feet on my rug. My biggest complaint is that if you hit the ball just a little too hard and just a little off center, it jumps over the device and I have to retrieve it. Rather than send the product back, I cut out a couple of thin cardboard fins and hot glued them to the device such that it directs the ball into return pocket. That helped a lot. Finally, I hate products that require batteries and don't include them. Very tacky!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Lots of fun, March 30, 2011

j - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Confidence Golf AUTOMATIC RETURN Putting Mat with hazard (Sports)

My boyfriend loves golf and we have had a long winter so this was the perfect gift. He loves it.

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#$Best Buy Fanmats Virginia Tech Hokies Golf Putting Green Runner

2012-01-28T19:33:00.001-08:00

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List Price : $40.99 Price : $24.71

Product Description

Practice your putting skills with this dual use runner; this realistic putting green runner acts as a putting practice surface as well as a runner with your favorite team's color and logo. Looks good in your game room, office or any room you choose. Includes a secure fit plastic target barrier bumper under the mat that acts as a putting hole. Has a 11 on the Stimp meter; and is made of a Chromojet-printed nylon surface with vinyl backing. Approximant measurements are 18âx72 and is Officially Licensed.

Officially licensed putting green runner
Realistic putting surface
Chromojet-printed nylon surface with vinyl backing
Can be used as a runner when not practicing
Overall dimensions are 18" X 72".

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#1 Putt-A-Bout Putting Mat Low price

2012-01-24T00:51:00.001-08:00

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List Price : Price : $39.99
putting mat

Product Description

Putt-A-Bout Putting Mat Design Series
Practice putting like a pro while improving your short game with the Putt-A-Bout. Easy to store, roll out, and use indoors, the Putt-A-Bout lays flat with no skid, while allowing you to fine tune your short game skills anywhere, anytime.

putting mat

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putting mat

#1 Putt 'n Hazard Putting Matt (Green) (9'L x 20"W) Low price

2012-01-22T01:26:00.001-08:00

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List Price : Price : $49.95
putting mat

Product Description

Practice your putting accuracy almost anywhere with this realistic putting mat. The mat has real hazards. The regulation size cup is protected by a sand trap and a water hazard. The cup returns the ball to you automatically while the high quality, non-directional turf simulates real grass. Electronic ball return no batteries needed. Great for fun or serious practice. .

putting mat

Color: Green
Size: 9'L x 20"W
Practice your putting accuracy almost anywhere with this realistic putting mat.
The regulation size cup is protected by a sand trap and a water hazard.
Electronic ball return no batteries needed.

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putting mat

Grassroots Par Series Par 1

2011-12-29T01:44:00.001-08:00

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List Price : $19.99 Price : $17.99

Product Description

Par 1 Putting Green is a 12" x 6" putting green made from polypropylene grass includes target hole & 2 sandtraps. Slight incline with non-skid cushioned back. Practice like a Pro while improving your game.

12" X 6' Putting green
Includes target hole and 2 sand traps
Slight incline
4" cup to sharpen aim
Rolls up easily for quick storage in reusable box

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Needing Flexibility for Learning Proper Biomechanics of the Golf Swing

2011-07-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

So, in previous articles I have talked about the fact that practicing at the driving range is important for beginner golfers to get the mechanics down. However, this is not the only thing that you will need to do to become successful at this extremely difficult sport.
Another key to success is flexibility. What I mean is by improving you body's ability to play golf, through practice, your swing will become more natural to you, and it will also help with your repeatability. In order for your approach to be repeatable and for you to get consistent results you have to be able to feel comfortable enough that in no matter what position your in you can take a complete back swing and not feel a hitch. Being able to completely come through the ball without having to force the club thorough the zone when hitting the ball is a necessity.

A concept that can help is getting a specific golf fitness plan that you can go through every time your out playing. Being able to feel comfortable with your approach and swing will lead to you being successful taking any shot out there on the golf course. Again in this game practice does not make perfect but it can sure help in developing your skills and determining what you need to be able to do to be successful. Every one is different, some have more god given talents then others but every one can be successful with practice and flexibility. Please read more of my articles for other tips

How to Hit the Ball well from Uneven Lies

2011-02-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

I know some of you are laughing under your breath wondering what I am doing writing a tip on UNEVEN LIES. What in the world could I possible know about uneven lies living in Scottsdale, Arizona? Well, it is the Grand Canyon State for starters, but yes you're right, we do not face as many uneven lies as someone from North Carolina, for example. However, there are plenty of times during the course of a round when we are faced with a golf ball that might be on a side hill lie.

Before I begin, I am going to first give you the definition of the four uneven lies in golf.

Uphill Lie - The easiest of the four uneven lies. The ball is level with your feet but the slope is up-hill, we refer to this as an uphill lie. Downhill Lie - A ball that is level to your feet but the slope is down hill, probably the second most difficult shot in golf. Ball Below Feet - The most difficult shot in golf is when the ball is below your feet Ball Above Feet - The fourth uneven lie is when the ball is above your feet.

Don't get confused between an uphill lie, and when the ball is simply above your feet. These are 2 different lies, and should be addressed separately. Also, don't get confused with the downhill lie, and the ball being below your feet. Again, these are 2 different lies.

Let's start with the easiest shot in golf, the up-hill lie. If you struggle with this shot, you probably swing the golf club to vertical into the ground and hit a fat shot. Before you prepare for an uphill lie, you need to think of a few important items first.

1. Make sure you take a less lofted club. When you have an uphill lie, it will make the ball go HIGHER and SHORTER.

2. The ball will have a tendency to hook to the left, so aim a little to the right.

3. To avoid hitting the shot fat, check your shoulder alignment and make sure they are parallel to the ground you are standing on. If you are on an uphill lie, your back shoulder should be a little lower that your leading shoulder.

4. The ball should be positioned according to what club you are using, as though you were on a level lie. (A bit forward for longer clubs.)

5. You want to make sure you follow through HIGH after impact.

Now we can move on to one of the hardest shots in golf, the down hill lie. If you have a tendency to struggle with this shot, the miss hit is usually a top. Follow the steps below and you will see a huge change in your down hill shots.

1. Because the ball will fly lower, you can take a more lofted club to help the ball go a little higher.

2. The ball will have a tendency to curve to the right, aim a little to the left.

3. If you have your shoulders at address tilted level to the down slope of your lie, this will encourage the club to swing DOWN into the ball (correct) and not up in the down swing. Thus, you will hit the bottom of the ball and not the top.

4. Play the ball in your stance according to the club you are using (again, a little forward for a longer club).

5. You want to make sure you follow through LOW to the ground after impact.

Now we are back to an easy shot, the ball above our feet. If you follow the steps below, you will not hit the ground behind the ball anymore, and the ball above your feet will become your absolute favorite shot in golf

1. If you struggle with hitting the ball fat in these shots, make sure you are standing taller than your normal stance.

2. The ball will have a tendency to fly to the left, aim a little farther to the right.

3. DO NOT BEND YOUR KNEES

4. This is the main point, the golf club wants to swing more AROUND your body, let it...DO NOT TRY TO MAKE A NORMAL SWING...let the club swing around you.

THE HARDEST SHOT IN GOLF. The dreaded, (I can't believe this is happening to me) BALL BELOW YOUR FEET golf shot. You have come to the right place, below is the answer.

1. When the ball is below your feet, you will have a tendency to top it to the right, whiff the ball, or shank it.

2. The address is the most important part of this shot. Bend your knees and bend WAY over at address. You ALMOST can not bend TOO much.

3. The ball will have a tendency to go to the right, aim farther left.

4. The golf club wants to swing up and down, NOT around. LET IT...It will feel like a lob swing, this is correct. IF you make your normal swing, you will whiff the ball completely.

Have more fun playing golf

2011-02-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

It's spring time again. Time to break out the golf clubs and get ready to go. For me that requires a small bucket of balls at the driving range and I'll be ready to shoot in the 80's or lower. As they say it's "like riding a bike". Over the course of many years I have had family and friends ask me countless number of times to teach them to play golf. What that has taught me is that it is not easy to teach someone how to play golf. I have taught countless numbers of kids to play baseball but when it comes to golf it just never worked quite the same. That's what got me to thinking. What is the best thing to tell someone who really wants to learn to play golf at a high level and have more fun? I began by thinking about what had worked for me. This is what I discovered. I have never taken a live lesson. Anything that playing partners have told me over the years I wouldn't be able to recall. The single most important thing I did to learn to play golf was to read a book that was written by a golf proffessional in a very easy to understand way and was well illustrated. Why was that so effective? As I thought about this question I believe I began to understand. When you listen to people telling you how to do something that is exactly what happens. You find yourself trying to do what someone else thinks you should do. As I read that book I took in the information and used visualisation to teach myself to play. I believe that is what makes the differance. When I used the information to teach myself to play it became part of me. Hence "like riding a bike". It will be there for my lifetime. Now when people ask me to teach them to play golf I tell them that the best way to learn to play golf is to teach yourself. I recently began working from home helping people find the best resourses on the internet. I wanted to begin with something I know about and I have discovered what I think is the best source of information available on the net for a person to use to teach themselves to play golf or to play better golf. You can follow this link to my blog that will direct you to that site. "A day playing golf well is much more fun than a day playing golf bad".

Driving Range Mentality, Fairway Focus

2011-02-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

In order to begin hitting it on the course like you do on the range, you need to start convincing yourself that each shot you hit on the golf course is exactly the same as the shots you hit on the driving range. This is easier said than done, but it is really the only way to create that good mindset that you have on the range.

You need to focus entirely on where you want the ball to go, not on where you don't want the ball to go. It is very easy to step up on a hole that has OB right and water left and say, "Don't go right, there's Out of Bounds!" The way your brain works, it typically thinks in images. If you are thinking about not hitting it right, your brain is focused on RIGHT, and it will actually manipulate your body to help the ball go in that direction. So you need to focus intently on the fairway (an extremely small piece of the fairway, like a small mower cut or a distant tree branch) to help your body perform the way you want it to.

Next time you go out to play, pretend that each shot you hit is being hit on the driving range. And when you come to a hole that has trouble, focus only on where you want the ball to go without any thoughts of where it can't go.

Problems with driving the golf ball ? Slicing ? Want to draw the ball? How do you fix this - permanently? See the Seven Step Stop Slicing Program for complete detailed instruction. Stop Slicing Now

Build Your Accuracy First, Then Your Distance

2011-02-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

What is the easiest shot in golf that all beginners can properly execute? It's the "gimme" putt. As the distance between the cup and the ball becomes greater, the tougher it is to make a shot.

Start Small.

Beginning with this idea in mind, you will see that when honing your golf skills it makes sense to start with smaller swings, then build up to the full swing. This is the reason why a person just learning the sport will learn and teach the body the correct motions iin developing an accurate and powerful swing by starting with the short swing. Trying to learn the full swing first makes it much more difficult to learn the correct muscle coordination that the full swing requires.
Learning to hit for distance and then accuracy is putting the cart before the horse. It works the other way around. Ultimately, accuracy will create distance.

Ben Hogan's Real Golf Secret

2011-02-19T19:31:00.000-08:00

Ben Hogan did have a secret, but it wasn't in his golf swing....at least not the swing itself. It's not possible to gain Hogan's accuracy from just a single golf tip because Hogan's secret was in the process he used to control his golf swing to become one of the most accurate golfers of all time. This is also the very reason his secret has been an enigma for over 40 years.

Ben Hogan's secret was his extraordinary ability to focus. This was not a gift from heaven. No, Hogan spent long hours perfecting his focus technique.

Hogan would take hours to hit just forty balls. He would hit a ball and spend a few minutes to rewind the shot in his mind and go over every aspect of it. Before he hit the next ball he knew everything he did right and wrong with that shot and was ready to hit the next one even better.

Hogan fine tuned every swing until it was perfect. He didn't want any bad swings to creep into his system and create any bad habits. His swing is not one to emulate unless you are built like him, but his methods will make any golfer strike the ball well.

If you read very carefully, you can see in Hogan's books just what he did. The problem is that you must understand the swing and his process before you can properly interpret what he wrote. It was only after discovering and perfecting Hogan's system that I re-read his books for probably the tenth time, and realized that he did share his secret, but that he was looking at it from a stand point of someone who already understood.

Hogan's swing secret was not just the balance and setup...it's about how he achieved and controlled balance during his swing and how you can get similar results using his control methods.

The key phrase is how he controlled his swing movement. Anyone can make a great swing once in a while, but Hogan was known for doing it almost every time.

Hogan said that the game is played keeping the weight on the inside halves of the feet, but that is as far as he went. It's too bad because this statement is the key and the starting point for understanding Hogan's secret of control. His secret? The swing is controlled from the feet.

I have taken pros and blindfolded them, leaving them to monitor their swing completely by feel and been able to get them to not only to strike the ball purely, but to shape their shots accurately using only feedback from their feet.

Most of the pros on tour use his methods, except they use them subconsciously. Hogan took the process to the conscious level so he could monitor and correct his swing in motion.

Today's pros have been convinced that they shouldn't think about anything during the swing, but it has been proven that the mind will not think about nothing. Like it or not, your mind works all of the time, as shown in your dreams. The trick with the golf swing is to focus in such a way so that those thoughts are completely visual, thereby never bothering the brain with any distracting conscious thoughts.

Do you wonder why Tiger no longer uses a guru? It's because he is working on the same process. When he perfects it, and he is close, he'll be unstoppable.

Anyone who wants to give Tiger a game in the future will have to know this information or fall by the wayside.

How fast does it work? I have shown high handicap golfers the very first balance routine right on the golf course and watched as most of them immediately started hitting their shots more accurately.

Biomechanics of the Golf Swing, a direct result of Proper Golf Gear

2011-02-19T19:29:00.000-08:00

Is having a three hundred dollar club, making you a better golfer? Of course not that is not what I am saying at all. What about having a box of forty--dollar golf balls cutting your handicap by 10 strokes. Again the answer is no.
However having great golf gear is important because some clubs offer things like a bigger better sweet spot, or some golf balls fly straighter then other. So having good gear can make you better at certain aspects of the game. This is however not what I want to talk about in this article. I want to hit on other aspects that prove to be more important.

Ok so here we go, lets say we have a six foot two individual and he goes out and buys a set of clubs, and then along comes another individual and say he is five foot ten. For this instance let's just use those clubs that come in a set that you can get at sporting good stores. Now what one must understand is that everyone depending on your height needs a different length of golf clubs in order to get the best swing possible. Getting the wrong size clubs can hurt you greatly in this game, hindering a lot of your abilities that maybe you don't even think that you have.

This is a problem for a lot of people even when I first started golfing at a young age I could just feel that I did not have the proper size clubs, I just did not feel comfortable until I had ones specifically made for me. I am not going to lie though this is one expensive sport and the problem is that a lot of people go out and just by any golf set figuring they are all the same but this is not the case, to really get serious into the game and to see your true potential I think it is imperative to somewhere down the line to get a fitting. Of course it is best that you start out with the right clubs just because getting to short of clubs if you're tall or getting to long of clubs if you're short can hurt your mechanics tremendously. So if you have the money and time I definitely recommend a fitting to give you the best potential of success.

Improving your golf swing for idiots

2011-02-14T01:28:00.001-08:00

For some golf trainers, the very 1st lesson they will teach their students is how to grip the golf club correctly. Why? Because if you don't grip the golf club correctly, it could cause you to slice the golfball almost everytime.

Driving mats come in different sizes and are nice for practicing while you are home or even at work in your lunch break. They are made from a turf-like fabric which means you can practice and not have to worry about ruining your gear.

The key to practice is creating actual circumstances.Ideally,you should duplicate that situation and try to execute your best swings.Working on hitting shots from bad lies is crucial.

You can improve your putting even in your living room or at the office. You need a putter, a little space and you can get putting aids that you can attach to the head of the putter. The putting aids can help you center the stroke until you are comfortable enough with hitting the ball with the center of the putter.

Because putting is such an important part of the golf game and keeping in mind that usually you can only select 14 clubs during a golf game, having two putters is not a bad idea. Even if you have two different putters you do not always have to take both of them, but getting comfortable with using them is very important so use them with an additional golf training aid.

More than one golfer suffering from a horrible slice has improved his golf swing just by learning how to grip his golf clubs correctly. One more thing you should think about - buy some old style blade irons and practice with them.

Remain honest with yourself and take notes when you play golf. Where do you always have problems? Get more practice in these problem spots. If you are not able to solve the problems yourself, then pay your local pro to help you.

You may find that you have trouble using the Vardon grip, you might want to try the baseball grip, also called the ten finger grip. You basically hold the club just like you would a baseball bat, both hands side by side. Usually, this is the easiest way to grip a golf club, and if you have joint pain or small and weak hands or even arthritis, this is more than likely the best grip for you.

Shaving Strokes off Your Golf Game.

2011-02-14T01:26:00.000-08:00

Many golf players of all skill levels, from amateur to professional, have the urge to drop golf scores by one or two strokes. It is an endless cycle of time-consuming practice hours, driving on the range, and practice sessions spent perfecting the swing or practicing with one or two particular golf clubs. For golf enthusiasts seeking useful guidance, there are several recommendations you can follow to improve your golf score.

The first piece advice that anyone can give you is to try to develop a good sense of rhythm in accordance to your swing and golf game. There are plenty of golfers who get themselves into a bad rhythm which influences bad habits, simply because they rush themselves through the course. The truth is by taking your time and developing a steady swing it can save you on those poorly hit shots, thus saving you a stroke or two.

Another recommendation is to switch to a putter that fits with your tempo. Golf players frequently select a putter that is either too heavy or not heavy enough for their putting stroke which can lead to poor control of power. As a result, the putt may go offline or too short or long. Many golfers have discovered that using a belly putter, with a shaft that is long enough to jab the player in the stomach, is another technique for balancing the weight of the golf club and regulating the putting stroke more efficiently.

The third piece of advice you can use to shave those strokes off your game is to make sure and use the proper tees. A lot of beginners seem to get better results when they tee up the ball high, the added height helps them hit the ball cleanly, thus reducing them from scuffing the ground.

The fourth piece of advice that can be given to a golfer in search of shaving a stroke or two from their game is to scout the golf course before your golf game. Even if you just look at the golf course map, this way you can identify the hardest holes and try to come up with a strategy that can help you stay out of the hazard and in play, thus reducing your score.

A final tip to consider in reducing your score on the course is to lighten up your approach to the game and enjoy the course and the playing experience. Many golfers are too deep in the mindset of competition and can play particularly poorly as a result of this hypercompetitive though process. Many golfers will tell you that positive thinking does more to help a golf game than many of the other tips one can take into account.

Learn to golf the right way

2008-12-06T00:42:00.000-08:00

For some golf trainers, the very 1st lesson they will teach their students is how to grip the golf club correctly. Why? Because if you don't grip the golf club correctly, it could cause you to slice the golfball almost everytime.

The best time to practice is after a round. All the shots that ended up in the wrong spot for you during the round is fresh in your mind,and your body and mind are still in game mode.Consistently working on the shots that gave you trouble on the course,will help greatly.

The key to practice is creating actual circumstances.Ideally,you should duplicate that situation and try to execute your best swings.Working on hitting shots from bad lies is crucial.

Bring your mindset up by visualizing a round of golf when you have free time.Imagine making good swings and hitting a great shot every time.Imagine tension free golf,with preparation.You will be increasing your mindset and preparing for a smart game plan for your next round.

When at the practice range,hit 10-20 balls each session.Then take a break so you can avoid mental and physical exhaustion.You can use this time to go over what you've learned.

All the golf training aids have instructions included and were created to be used in small places indoor and outdoor. If you cannot make it to the golf course too often, get one of the training aids available or get a complete training aid kit. The prices vary according to the complexity of the system, but no matter what system you get the practice is the one that counts the most.

If you want to purchase a golf training aid you should know that there are several systems available on the market. The training aid includes the driving mat, the practice mat, the practice net, the swing training aid and of course the golf putting aid. Most of these aids are small enough to fit in a bag and all of them want to help you improve your golfing skills.

Whether you are already a die hard golfer or are a beginner, you want to learn how you can get the best golf swing so that you can start having fun and enjoying the game.

Short Game Secrets That Will Change the Way You Score from Inside 50 Yards

2008-12-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

In the next 15 minutes, I am going to change the way you play your shots from inside 50 yards. If you spend 15 minutes before every round of golf on these four tips, I guarantee you the strokes will fall off your scorecard.

We are going to cover putting, chipping, pitching and bunker shots. Every time I pass the practice putting green where I teach, ALMOST NOBODY is practicing before they tee off. But here's the thing- every single professional golfer spends at least 15 minutes - 1 hour on the practice putting green before they tee off. That's not the tip. I just wanted you to get an idea of the time that it takes to get better.

IMPORTANT TIP: 90% of all putting greens in the world are built low in the front and high in the back. There are two reasons, in case you are wondering.

First, it holds the shots that are coming onto the green and secondly for drainage purposes. The reason I am telling you the greens are built low in the front and high in the back is for you to understand the idea that the majority of putts hit from the front of the green going to the back are going to be slower than putts hit from the back of the green going towards the front.

Since this is true, when you are facing the green, putts from the right side of the green will have a tendency to break to the left and putts from the left side of the green will have a tendency to break right. With this idea in mind lets move on to my TOP FOUR SHORT GAME SECRETS!

Secret #1: Putting – Focus on Distance not Direction

Do you know why most amateurs three-putt more times on their first nine holes than their last nine holes? By the time they get to the last nine they have the feel of the greens! My colleagues have always agreed that in order to become a great putter you must have the ability to read greens. However, I have always believed you must also have GREAT TOUCH.

I have just given you an incredible tip. You have to develop your touch in order to control your speed. I can not tell you how many times I have asked an amateur golfer after they hit their putt if they thought the putt was going uphill or downhill. Most amateurs reply with, "I completely forgot about the speed!" Most of them struggle more with speed more than direction. So how do you apply this advice?

Always look towards the front of the green so you can decide if you are going uphill or downhill. Empty your mind of every mechanical thought you have and just stroke the ball. FORGET the mechanics when putting. Don't ever hit a putt until you have visualized your golf ball going into the hole first. Make it in your mind before you hit it.

Secret #2: Chipping – Keep Your Weight on your Front Foot in the Backswing

A chip shot is a short shot around the green that has minimum airtime and maximum roll time. Another way to describe it is 1/3 air, 2/3 roll. You can use one of the following clubs when chipping: 5-iron, 7-iron or 9-iron. Common complaints that I receive from amateurs about chipping are that they top the ball, hit the ball thin, hit the ground behind the ball, blade the ball over the green or completely shank the ball.

The mis-played shots I just described to you are usually the result of an incorrect set-up. There are three positions in chipping that are the foundation of a successful chip shot. Let's review them:

The golf ball should be positioned in the middle of your stance Place 75% of your weight on your left foot (right-handed golfers) The grip end of the golf club points to the middle of your left leg. Grip down on the golf club to the END of the grip. The reason you want the golf ball in the middle of your stance is for a more consistent impact. If you place the golf ball too far forward in your stance, you will have a tendency to hit the ball thin, or top the ball and you will pull the ball to the left. If you play the ball too far back in your stance, you will have a tendency to top or shank the ball and push it to the right.

When you place 75% of your weight on your left foot, you are ensuring yourself that you will hit down on the ball and not up. Make sure you keep the weight on your front foot in the back swing.

Gripping down on the golf club will ensure a cleaner more controlled hit at impact. If you are struggling with hitting thin shots or topping your chips, when you move your handle further to the left (across from you left leg), you will allow the clubhead to hit the ball on a descending blow and not ascending.

Secret #3: Pitching – The Clubhead must Stay Low to the Ground After Impact

Choose one of the following clubs when you attempt a pitch shot: pitching wedge, sand wedge or a lob wedge. A pitch shot has maximum air time and minimum roll time. In other words, the golf ball has 2/3 air time and 1/3 roll on its journey to the hole. Just the opposite of a chip shot.

Airtime is very difficult to create if your technique is off even in the slightest. So, if you are tired of topping, sculling, and hitting the ground behind the golf ball when you pitch, this is the pearl for you.

Low Follow-Through = Maximum Airtime

If I had a dollar for every amateur that told me that they are trying to follow-through high after impact so that their pitch shots will go up in the air, I would be set for life.

Most of the time, a high follow-through after impact will force the ball to be hit on the upswing which results in a top, scull or ground-behind shot. If you setup to the golf ball just like you were going to chip, you are halfway there. Remember:

The golf ball should be positioned in the middle of your stance Place 75% of your weight on your front foot The grip end of the golf club points to the middle of your front leg. Place your grip HALFWAY down the grip of the club The back swing is usually longer than your chip shots. If you keep your weight on your left leg - you DO NOT need to transfer your weight. As the golf club begins to swing down into the ground, make sure you follow thru LOW to the ground after impact. You want to feel as though you chopped the back of the ball with the club head.

Secret #4: Bunker Play – The Backswing is a Full Swing Just Like Your Driver

This tip will help you sleep well the night before a big golf tournament. Your ability to play successfully from the sand weighs heavily on technique and a small amount on strength. If your technique is correct, you do not need to have a lot of strength. The two mistakes that hold amateurs back in the bunker are a line drive hit or leaving the ball in the bunker.

Most of the time they are afraid to swing too hard because they are afraid of the line drive shot. So, you end up swinging so slow that the ball only moves two feet. First and foremost, set up correctly.

The golf ball should be positioned across from you left heel Place 75% of your weight on your front foot The grip-end of the golf club points to your BELT BUCKLE. Do not transfer any weight. Stay on your front leg. What you are trying to do in the bunker is hit the sand not the ball. This setup will ensure that this happens.

The reason you play the ball across from your left heal is so the clubhead will swing DOWN into the sand at impact and not up.

Placing weight on your left foot ensures the clubhead swings down at the bottom of the swing. Placing the handle of the club across from your belt buckle allows the bounce on the bottom of the clubhead to impact the sand at the correct angle.

I promised you in the first sentence, these four short game tips that would change the way you played from inside 50 yards. Make yourself a promise to spend 15 minutes before every round this year practicing your short game and you WILL watch your scores fall.

Shaving Strokes off Your Golf Game.

2008-12-06T00:38:00.000-08:00

Useful Online Tips for Better Golfing

2008-05-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

You can find an abundance of golf information online. Golf game tips online can be a great tool for any golfer since every golfer can use some improvement to his or her game, including professionals.
One thing you will notice from the many golf tips available online is the variety of advice you can find on the Internet. There are message boards, listservs and blogs from many people willing to share some experiences, advice and tips from individuals golfing on courses all over the world.

There are some websites offering very specific golf tips that even the most experienced golfer will appreciate. Just as he or she thought there was nothing else to learn about the game, websites and golf tip information online can quickly prove them wrong with many useful tips.

Many websites focus specifically on providing fans of the game with interesting stories, facts and news and will simply have lines to some of the more popular golf tip websites. Some websites are designed to exclusively offer golfers videos and software to help improve their game. You may find some websites offering a free trial for a variety of user-friendly software and online golf lessons.

You can gain some proven tips by professional golfers who may provide you with some practical ways to survive a game despite being under par. When you are out on the course facing the most challenging hole on your favorite course, these tips will make a big difference in not only how you view the game but also on how you play it overall and execute each swing more effectively.

You can learn essential and practical tips ranging from course etiquette to the mental and physical aspects of the game. With so many public courses available today, along with the game?€?s increasing popularity, everyone should attempt to play golf at least once.

Not only can you find tips online, you can also find a lot of golf course info for both beginners and professionals. You can learn about the best times to play at certain courses, the cost of green fees and whether or not a particular course offers a choice of eighteen holes or only nine. These tips will save you money, time and some possible headaches.

Finding and purchasing golf equipment can be a costly part of golf. This is, especially, true for someone is not confident golf is the game for him or her. Online golf tips can provide information about the best golf equipment to buy used or not to buy used, as well as the best resale shops in your area. Online tips can also provide specific information about techniques, the latest trends and how to save some money on quality, top-notch equipment and accessories.

With an abundance of golf information to be accessed so easily, do not be surprised when you find your game improves tremendously.

Golf Dictionary from A to Z

2008-04-05T08:33:00.001-07:00

A is for golf apparel, which can make you look great on the course. A is also for golf accessories, such as gloves, and an albatross, which is the coveted three under par.

B is for the back nine, or holes 10 through 18. Originally, golf courses only had nine holes, which were played consecutively and then in reverse (or backwards) to make 18 holes.

C is for golf clubs, which consist of drivers, woods, irons, wedges, and putters. Those with a low handicap often buy high-end or custom-made golf clubs, while those with a high handicap often find great deals on pre-owned golf clubs.

D is for divot, that hunk of grass that flies in the air when a wedge is used. D is also for a double eagle, also known as an albatross.

E is for eagle, or two strokes under par.

F is for "Fore!" When you hear it, be sure to duck or cover your head. F is also for flop shot, which is taken when the ball needs to fly high and land on the green, and for fat shot, when the club digs into the ground and slows down the ball. Flop shots are good, while fat shots are not.

G is for the gorgeous putting green, where holes are invariably won or lost.

H is for the coveted and rare hole in one, but also for the all too familiar and dreaded hook shot, which curves to the left.

I is for iron, which consists of clubs numbered 1 through 9, depending on the loft of the solid metal head. Many golfers find that, by buying used golf clubs, they can afford to own a complete set of irons.

J is for juice, which you obviously have if you're hitting clean.

K is for knock down, or a shot that doesn't fly very high in the air.

L is for links, a term used for golf courses near the ocean (like Pebble Beach and Spyglass). L is also for lie, or where the ball is positioned on the ground. Lies can be good (like the fairway or green) or bad (like in the rough or in a bunker).

M is for mulligan, a do-over that is a godsend for the duffer.

N is for new golf shoes, which are a necessity every few years. They're available in a variety of brands, like Callaway, Nike, Adidas, Oakley, and Ecco.

O is for the dreaded out of bounds, which means a one-stroke penalty.

P is for putter, one of the most important golf clubs in any player's bag.

Q is for quite a round, which is what every player desires.

R is for release, or the point in a golfer's downswing where his wrists unlock. Later is better.

S is for sand wedge, a critical golf club for getting out of a bunker.

T is for tap in, when the ball is a breath's distance from the hole and just needs a little nudge to drop in.

U is for unplayable, as when the ball lands by a tree or in a hazard. A one-stroke penalty is assessed, and the player gets to drop the ball nearby.

V is for victory, as when a golfer wins a round.

W is for Tiger Woods, who has seen more than a few victories.

Y is for yips, which some golfers experience as twitching during putting.

Z is for zinger, where the ball sails high through the air for a great distance.

Golf for Beginners

2008-04-05T08:30:00.001-07:00

"The following article, the first in my series "Golf for Beginners", is an introduction to learning to play for beginners and those with limited experience. Future articles will concentrate on the techniques I use in actual beginner instruction, starting with "Lesson 1" and continue through the complete game. I once taught a lady who had never played golf - after only six lessons she shot an 80 on 18 holes. I can't promise you'll do as well, but hope this series will help to get you started on the right foot. Be sure to check back for the lessons, which will be provided as my schedule permits."
TOM WARD

Through the years of golf development there have been some differences of opinions among golf professionals regarding various details of mechanics and playing techniques - the stance, pivot, or swing most suitable for one player not being the best or most suitable for another. The theory and practice of almost every golf professional varied from that of others in some respect, and each would teach their own theory, or own method, and his own game to their respective students.

Many things have contributed to the elimination of most of these differences; and basic fundamentals are agreed upon. As a result, standard golf instruction is now available to golfers desiring to play better golf.

The quickest and most effective way to playing good golf is through study and practice. From these golf "lessons" you will gain the necessary knowledge of what to do and how to do it. Practice will develop your skill and playing technique; experience will develop your judgment. Knowledge of what to do and practice of how to do it is the shortest route to accomplishing your goal of playing good golf.

The first thing a beginner or high handicap golfer must learn is motion. Whether it is in golf or any other sport, the correct motion is vitally important in your basic foundation for creating a good golf swing. In order to teach the correct motion, I will break down the whole movement into 5 basic body actions. When my pupils train themselves to make these actions reasonably well in a short period of time they have no trouble playing an enjoyable game of golf.

Lesson 1

Almost anyone can learn to play an enjoyable game of golf, regardless of age or natural abilities. I have worked over the years with many golfers with Physical Disabilities. However many have not allowed this unfortunate handicap to limit them in continuing to enjoy golf. In fact, many are fundamentally better than their healthy counterparts because they are forced to utilize sound mechanics which prove that Golf can make the playing field more equal for everyone.

Through these articles you will see how I am going to dispel many myths that are prevalent in the world wide golfing community, such as "Keep your eye on the ball". I teach blind golfers to play, so that throws this theory out the window. Golf is a Billion Dollar Industry of Misinformation! I am not going to try to re-invent the wheel for you - only act as a guide to help you sort out fact versus fiction when it comes to what really goes on in the golf swing and the game. So if you want to learn to play golf, you CAN. Now let's move on to "lesson one", and how I approach golfers who are new to the sport.

My first lesson with a pupil: they show me, I show them.
Without showing or telling a new pupil anything at all, I have them swing the club the best they can. Then I briefly have them explain to me what they think it takes to hit the ball. This gives me an idea of what natural ability they possess, as well as how to approach them mentally based on their verbal descriptions.

After the new golfer has made some swings for me and we have talked briefly about whatever they have been exposed to up to this point in learning, I have them sit back and watch, and listen, as I fully explain and demonstrate the 5 basic body actions necessary to achieve maximum results in attaining their golfing goals of "playing well in a relatively short period of time which will require minimum amounts of maintenance".

The "5 Basic Actions" are:

Foot Action
Leg & Knee Action
Hip & Shoulder Action
Arm Action
Hand & Wrist Action
Other than your head, this incorporates your entire body. In the next lesson we will start the process of how to start your swing from the "Ground Up instead of the Hands Down" using this "5 basic actions dynamic domino effect" - which creates the proper chain reaction necessary to becoming a solid golfer for a lifetime.

Lesson2

"5 Basic Body Actions"

Foot Action
Leg & Knee Action
Hip & Shoulder Action
Arm Action
Hand & Wrist Action

In Lesson #1 I demonstrated the "5 Basic Body Actions" necessary to achieve maximum results in attaining your golfing goals of playing well in a relatively short period of time and which require minimum amounts of maintenance.

The first action we will talk about - Foot Action - is instrumental because even though your hands are the only connection with the club, your feet are the only contact with the ground. When you build a house you need a solid foundation. Not to diminish the overall importance of the hands which we will talk about later, but the feet don't feel the anxiety or nervousness that we apply to the hands by gripping tighter under pressure.

In addressing the ball, there is a best stance for every shot in golf, and the stance may vary for different players. There are three types of stances in golf: Square, Closed, and Open.

The Square stance is that in which both feet are equally distanced from the line of flight which is the imaginary line between the ball and the target. This is your basic standard stance which is recommended for overall compactness and control

The Closed stance has left foot nearer than the right foot to the line of flight. This stance is assumed when desiring to draw or hook the ball.

The Open stance has the left foot drawn back farther away from the line of flight than the right foot. This stance is best utilized to fade or slice the ball to the right of your intended target.

In addressing the ball, the heels should be placed at approximately the width of the shoulders. The weight should be distributed evenly from the ball to the heel of the feet. Now as we begin to start your swing, the feeling we want you to achieve is by rolling the inside of your left foot over to the inside of your right foot which is braced. This movement is minimal, yet very important as it will initiate the cycle of establishing the proper reaction in your swing in the correct sequences as you will see.

Lesson 3

"5 Basic Body Actions"

Foot Action
Leg & Knee Action
Hip & Shoulder Action
Arm Action
Hand & Wrist Action

In Lesson #1 I demonstrated the "5 Basic Body Actions" necessary to achieve maximum results in attaining your golfing goals of playing well in a relatively short period of time and which require minimum amounts of maintenance. In Lesson #2 I expanded on the first basic action, 'Foot Action'. This lesson concentrates on connecting the learned foot action to Leg and Knee action.

After you've established your setup as mentioned in the previous lesson, we now connect the leg/knees to act together to support the foot action.

At your address position, your legs are firmly planted and knees are slightly flexed. The beauty of this stage of your swing is that it's what I call a "bonus move" - because as you roll your left foot to start back against a braced right leg, your left leg will naturally have to go with the foot action you have already created, thus giving you a "2 for 1" move.

The movement, when done properly, will show your legs spelling the letter K in the alphabet on your takeaway. Foot action and Leg & Knee action are in sync - almost like your staging a little dance with excellent balance. Remember... the knees must remained flexed throughout the swing!

The movement for the Foot Action/Leg & Knee action is minimal as you will see with some practice; however, it's essential that you understand its overall importance in maintaining a great foundation and sequence that, once learned, will never let you down.

One note I would like to mention here is that you never want your weight to get to the outside of your right leg, or let your right leg straighten up or buckle. Your right leg is the fulcrum, or key, to storing up power in your swing.

Lesson 4

"5 Basic Body Actions"

Foot Action
Leg & Knee Action
Hip & Shoulder Action
Arm Action
Hand & Wrist Action

After successfully creating the prior motions mentioned in this series (#'s 1 and 2 above) you're now in position to take the club head to the top of your back swing, loading up like a human spring. Your momentum is moving full steam ahead.

However, the key point here that is crucial: Right hip/leg has turned very little, thus assuring that you're building up a rubber band effect whereby the more the Shoulders can turn comfortably against your right hip, the more power you're storing up in your back swing. Everybody's degree of flexibility is different, yet each person can maintain this position - and daily stretch to elongate your muscles to become stronger which in turn will mean more distance. The left shoulder should turn down and under your chin against your right hip/leg.

To summarize: The turning of the shoulders on the back swing sets up the plane of your swing, and with the hips restricted slightly they are preparing you for the downswing.

Training Golf Beginners to Understand the Course

2008-04-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

Every golfer would agree that no golf course is the same as another. Although playing a variety of courses can be challenging and fun, playing at a home course is going to be different regardless of how many times it has already been played.
Yes, it is the same golf ground. In fact, the only thing that has changed is the cup position on the green. However, no golf course is the same two days in a row or even during that same day. Training golf beginners to understand this concept is often not something they truly learn until they have experienced a course a few times.

Will Smith played in a movie entitled ?€?The Legend of Bagger Vance?€ in which he expressed to his prot??g?? that the grass follows the sun. A putt that breaks in one direction during the morning will break in the opposite direction that same afternoon.

The weather is one factor that certainly influences the golf course and can make a certain course different day-by-day. In fact, weather conditions are a significant factor in how a golf course plays. For instance, a dry course will play faster than a wet course. On a wet course, the ball does not travel as far after it hits the ground whereas it will roll much farther after hitting dry ground.

The temperature also influences how the course plays. A nicely hit ball will travel farther on a warm day, as compared to colder weather in which the ball will not travel as far. Further, an area that has been dry for a period of time will become nearly as hard as concrete providing extra distance for the ball once it hits the ground. This is the case unless the fairways are watered heavily daily.

The golfer?€?s attitude and frame of mind also impacts the course. How a golfer reacts to the course influences how he or she will play that day. The game of golf requires a focused, calm mindset so that the golfer can concentrate on each and every shot.

Another factor in how a course can play differently is how the golf ground is kept. Fairways trimmed close to the ground allow for the ball to roll further, whereas a fairway grown longer prohibits the balls from rolling as far.

The rough is another story as well as the other many obstacles you may find on the course like sprinkler heads. Although the rough will always be thick and difficult to pay out of, a wet and heavy rough makes it nearly impossible to do much more than try to chip the ball back to the fairway. Sprinkler heads are another problem golfers often face as they are situated throughout the course and will certainly affect a ball that hits them.

Finally, who is playing with a golfer or whether or not he or she is playing alone will affect how the course is played.

As you see, there are many factors that contribute to the same course being a ?€?different?€ course no matter how many times a golfer has played it.

A Beginners Guide to the Golf Course

2008-03-27T22:39:00.000-07:00

Do you want to learn to play golf? Great! In this article I intend to take you on a tour of a typical golf course and to give you a general overview on how the game of golf is played.
A round of golf is usually played on an 18 hole golf course. However, there are some golf courses that may only be 9 holes.

The players elect to play either 9 holes or 18 holes. If you are a beginner, I suggest you start playing 9 holes as it allows you to get the feel for the game within a respectable time frame.

The aim of golf is to hit a golf ball with a golf club and get the ball into a hole with the least number of shots (called "strokes"). The person that gets around the golf course in the least number of strokes wins.

Each hole has a "Par", this tells the player the average amount of strokes it should take them to get their ball into the hole.

Players hit off from the Teeing ground, most players call it the "Tee". The player will use a golf ball tee to raise their ball to the height of their liking and then they use a golf club to hit the ball. Their goal is to hit the ball as far up the Fairway as possible. The Fairway is usually mown grass, but may still be uneven.

Each Player then takes their turn to "Tee off". The players will then go find their golf balls. The player who hit their ball the shortest distance will then hit their ball up the fairway aiming to get it on the "green"

The golf green is an area of the course that is smooth and has very short neatly mown grass. However, the green will usually have a slope on it to make it harder! Somewhere on the green is a hole with a flag sticking out of it. This is your target.

Once the golf ball is on the green, the player will wait their turn and then putt the ball toward the hole aiming to get the ball in the hole. Putting means to hit the ball along the ground. The player with the ball the furthest from the hole will usually go first.

When the player is lining up their shot another player will usually hold the flag stick. This is so the player taking the shot can line it up with the flag. Once the player has hit the ball, the second player will remove the flag.

Once all players have managed to get their golf ball in the hole, they record their scores and move onto the next hole.

Sounds easy doesn't it, well there are a few other things you need to be aware of.

Around the course you will come across a number of obstacles that have been created by the course designers to make your game of golf a bit more challenging and memorable.

The first obstacle is called the "Sand Bunker". This is an area of the course that resembles a sand pit, but they are not as much fun. The Sand Bunker is usually in a sunken area of the course and can have high sides to make it harder for you to hit the ball out. If the player hits their ball in a sand bunker, they will need to hit their ball out of it.

The second obstacle is the "Water Hazard". A water hazard can be a small stream, a pond, or a lake. The water hazard brings the psychology of golf into play, and some player swear the water hazard has a magnetic pull that magically attracts their golf ball toward them.

If the ball lands in a water hazard, most players will recover their ball and drop it as close as possible on the bank. If the player elects to do this they add a penalty of 1 to their score.

The third obstacle are man made hazards, these can be immovable objects such as light posts or benches, or they can be movable items such as rakes, hoses or golf carts.

If a player comes across a man made hazard they can elect to move the hazard, but they are not allowed to move their golf ball. If the golf ball is moved then a penalty shot of 1 is added to the players score. The fourth obstacle are natural hazards, these can be leaves, twigs, sticks, or stones. The player can move these natural hazards, but they are not allowed to move their golf ball. If the golf ball is moved a penalty shot of 1 is added to their score.

Every golf course has a clearly marked boundary. If the player hits their ball "out of bounds" they must take the shot again from its original location. A penalty shot of 1 is added to their score.

This article has given you a basic understanding of the golf course and how a game of golf is played. But, the only real way you will get to know the game is to play it, so get out there and enjoy it. Happy Golfing!

How to Improve Your Golf Swing - 6 Simple Tips to Lengthen Your Drive

2008-03-27T22:35:00.000-07:00

1. Correct Posture
Get your golf swing right at address. Try to keep your back nice and straight - bending from the waist with knees flexed and your rear sticking out just a

little. By keeping your back flat, this allows you to turn around your spine more easily.

In fact this position allows you to create a good turn throught the inside of your right thigh. As for the position of the golf ball, it is placed in line

with you big left toe.

2. Backswing

When you get to the top of the swing, you should be ale to see the knee and the hip still in the same position as it was in the setup. For a solid straight

drive, keep the shaft pointing parallel to the target line at the top of the swing and the club face parallel to your left fore arm.

Ad avoid straightening your knees at the top of the back swing.

3. Downswing

An ugly swing is a swing that is out of control.

The key here is to stay in control. To do that widen your stance to create a solid base which allows you to go at the ball a little harder. As, a wider

stance will tilt your spine back a bit more at address, which will help you stay behind the ball through impact.

4. Tempo and rhythm

Don't rush into your shot. Take a couple of easy practice swings, and then repeat the swing motion for impact.

5. Balance

Good balance comes from a smooth tempo and a nice weight shift from the top of the back swing down through the ball.

6. Follow through

A belt buckle aiming at the target is a good indicator that you have completed your golf swing. If the buckle doesn't face the target, your drive will be ugly.

7 Step By Step Golf Swing Tips : Hitting Iron Shots

2008-03-27T22:29:00.000-07:00

7 simple way to improve your golf swing with the iron
1. Whether you are using a driver or an iron, make sure your setup posture is absolutely correct!

Feet shoulder width apart with a 5 iron - the front foot flared out towards the target about 20 degrees, and the back foot is "square". The Upper half of the body should be bent over enough to let your arms hang naturally down from your shoulders.

With your setup the key is to get into a stable and relaxed position.

2. Bend your knees at a slight decrease, where it will give you some flexibility.

3. At stance position, your elbows and arms should be as close together as possible - right elbow pointing directly at the right hip, and the left elbow pointing at the left hip.

4. Ball position - Play your short irons with the ball positioned in the center, middle irons an inch forward and the long irons another inch forward. Ball positioning can make a big difference to your golf impact.

5. At the top of proper back-swing, your left heel should lift slightly off the ground (for a right hander) - unless you are very flexible, in which a full turn is without this. At the top of the back-swing, your left arm should be fairly straight.

6. From the top, start down by pushing off your right foot - with your weight left, turn your hips through, making way for your arms to swing through impact.

7. Good iron contact comes from a descending strike. To hit down on the ball, your weight has to be moving forward to the target.

Chipping Tips, Practice Tips(End)

2008-03-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

Why does it Work?

For you to get the ball up in the air, the leading edge of the club must pass under the equator (the middle of the ball). In this new address position, the leading edge of the club is well below the middle of the ball, making a square strike easier to attain. The only way to hit the shot fat is by changing your posture as you swing the club. If you remain in the same posture you established at address and maintain your spine angle, you'll strike the ball squarely every time and Not Leave it Short.

The only thing that might cause you a problem with this technique is keeping your posture. A good way to ensure that you keep your posture intact is to keep your chin up and stand tall as you execute your swing. This will also better allow your arms to swing freely and stretch out through the shot, so the club can reach the bottom of the golf ball.

The Golf Swing

Golf in many ways is a game of opposites. For example, in order to make the ball go up, you have to hit down on it. Most players try to "lift" the ball in the air instead of striking downward and pinching the ball against the turf. These players should look at the basic design of a golf club, which typically places the hands slightly ahead of the leading edge of the clubface. This is done in order to help create the perfect impact position, one defined by the hands leading the club into the back of the golf ball. In so doing, the loft that's built into the club lifts the ball into the air, not the hands. The under-reach technique helps you to take advantage of just that.

Of course, the club can't do all the work, you have to put it into motion. Now, before you think about swinging the club, think about the pace. The right pace is the true key to short shots around the green. You don't see a Tour pro strike a chip with a herky-jerky motion. Most of the top short-game players allow the club to move in response to gravity, not to muscular effort. When golfers overuse their muscles, their grip on the club usually tightens, which can affect the position of the clubface at the all-important moment of impact.

When trying to gain a nice free flowing rhythmical short-game swing, why not try the following two drills. They're easy to execute and do the best job of ingraining the sensation of the club responding to gravity while the body and hands function solely to support the clubhead.

Give this pair of drills a go the next time you practice your chipping technique. Coupled with the under-reach technique, I'm sure you'll keep those chunked chips at bay and give yourself more opportunities to get up and down and save par.

It's absolutely critical that you slide the leading edge of the club under the ball when executing short-game shots. The only way to effectively slide the club under the golf ball is to give your arms plenty of room to swing (Under Reach). To do this, you must stand tall and keep your head up; otherwise, it's easy to skull the shot over the green or chunk it short of the target.

Brush The Grass Drill Make three continuous practice swings back and through while eyeing your target. Making rehearsal swings while looking at the target will help you instinctively determine the length and pace necessary to hit the shot the appropriate distance. Then, step up to the ball and duplicate your rehearsal swing over the golf ball. Finally, hit the chip. I think you'll be surprised how well you'll strike the ball and how much more fluid your swing will feel.

The Name Game Think of the name of a star or celebrity who has two syllables in the first name and two syllables in the last name. (i.e., John-ny Mill-er, Fred-dy Coup-les, By-ron Nel-son). As you make your swing, say the first name on the backswing and the last name on the forwardswing. Since the first and last names feature the same number of syllables, using them in time with your swing will ensure that the length and pace of your backswing matches the length and pace of your forward swing, a critical element of sound chipping. In the short game, too much speed and not enough rhythm can be even more detrimental. Shots around the green are all about distance control and touch. A good, relaxed tempo is crucial to achieving the desired results.

Good luck with your short-game practice. With a little work, you'll soon strike those scary chips with more confidence and freedom and with better results.

Problems with driving the golf ball ? Slicing ? Want to draw the ball? How do you fix this - permanently? See the Seven Step Stop Slicing Program for complete detailed instruction. Stop Slicing Now

Chipping Tips, Practice Tips

2008-03-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

Golf and Your Kids

2008-03-06T21:39:00.000-08:00

If you think your child may be the next Vijay Singh or that they have the predisposition for the game of golf, you need to learn how to best teach them the game without crowding their plate with development expectations. You need to be able to learn that they are ready and willing to learn and how to find out if you child has what it takes to become a quality player in the world of golf.

Golf is an extremely detailed sport, and even those who are naturals at the sport must spend years and years practicing before they head to the professional circuit. Because of this, the earlier you start your child learning the game, the better chance you have of developing an avid golfer.

Once a child is walking well independently and able to hold a child-sized golf club, he or she is probably ready for the first introduction to the sport. This can happen when the child is as young as two or three years old. Preschool children will not be ready to play golf as a game, but they can be given small putters and practice swinging the club correctly.

Children at this age learn almost everything through imitation. The best way to teach them proper swinging and putting techniques is to demonstrate, and then have them imitate the motions. But use caution that you do not make this tedious for the child. These imitation sessions should be short and fun. Try having the child hit a small balloon. Not only will this be fun, but the child will also have success in hitting the balloon, which will keep the frustration at bay. To make it even more fun, try filling the balloons with water for added resistance! This is a great summer time activity for you and for your child!

Once the child has entered school and has a good handle on the swinging and putting techniques learned through observation, it is time to start teaching the game of golf. School aged children are accustomed to verbal instruction and can listen to explanations about the game better than their preschool counterparts. You need to keep in mind, however, that they are still children! They will thrive on encouragement, and all teaching sessions should be kept upbeat!

Start by taking your child to the driving range. Show your son or daughter how to hit the ball correctly, aiming for distance. The driving range is a good place to start since there is not a specific target they must reach, so the child is less likely to get frustrated. After the child demonstrates aptitude on the driving range, you can head to the course. By this point you should be able to tell whether or not your child is going to share your love for the game of golf.

The most important factor to remember is that not all children like the same things that parents like. Do not push your child into the game of golf if it is not their thing as they will resent you forever for doing so. Instead, give them experience and opportunity and allow them to reach their own conclusions about golf and any other opportunity that you present in their path.

What's in Your Bag?

2008-03-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

What you have in your golf bag might be the most important part of your game. Woods, irons, putters, drivers, what do you really need to play a great game of golf?

What you have in your bag depends on your skill level. An occasional golfer will not need what a professional golfer carries. Finding the right fit for your body, your level of skill, and your personal likes can take time.

Even Phil and Tiger have changed their club situation a few times to ensure the best fit for their game. If it takes time for the great golfers of the world to find what they like then expect for it to take some time for you as well.

Low handicap golfers don't really need my golf tips. These are people who have at one time considered golfing as a profession or are just really goodhave a great golf swing. They know what they need and don't carry around clubs that don't work for them.

A mid level golfer, someone with not exactly a low handicap but not really high one either, could use the 3,5,and 7 woods, a pitching wedge, sand wedge, 4-9 irons, and a putter.

If you fall into this category than you most likely have a fairly good understanding of your clubs and what you need. A trap that some golfers who are fairly good fall into is, believing that if their bag looks like Tiger's then they will play like him. Wrong. Tiger could play well with anything.

Someone with a higher handicap will most likely be an occasional golfer. Their golf bag should contain the 3, 5, and 7 woods, 5-9 irons, a pitching wedge, and a putter.

Using smaller woods rather than a driver is a good idea for a higher handicap golfer. The rules of golf state that no more than fourteen clubs are allowed in the bag for a tournament.

If you don't know how to use fourteen clubs or twenty-five or however many, then don't put them in your bag. A full bag does not ensure a good game no matter what anyone else says.

Not too long ago Tiger had to tackle someone who tried to take off with his golf clubs. Your skill should dictate which clubs you carry not which PGA Tour member uses them.

Don't get carried away when creating your collection. Remember that choosing sticks that fit your game and that you are comfortable with are the two most important issues.

How to Keep Your Golfing Scores Low the Right Way

2008-03-06T02:31:00.000-08:00

One way to lower your golf score is to keep your swing smooth and follow through like you are swinging baseball bat. You have to find your rhythm and incorporate that into the swing. You may see other players swings and they are choppy and jerky, these swings do not make for good golfers.

You also have to find your swing speed. Hitting the ball isn't enough, if you hit the ball too soft it won't go far enough, if you hit the ball too far it will get away from the hole. You have to find your speed and adjust it your swing. Once you do that, you have that you half the battle won.

To get into tempo with your rhythm is to practice, one good way to practice this would be with a metronome, you place this device on the tee, and this is so you can time your stroke with the clocking sounding metronome.

Here is a tip, on the tick sound of the metronome you should have your putter at the end of the backswing and on the tock it should be at the end of the follow through. The metronome has more than one speed and you can set it to any speed you are trying to emulate. When you are playing a game you can duplicate the tick tock sound in your head to keep your tempo set.

Another great way to lower your score is to one hand the club. It is not what you think. Many players have said that when they put, they feel like one hand is leading the other. Well, when you are ready to put, and then use your dominant hand to control the stroke, relax, focus and most of all control your swing.

When you have the putter in your hand, it may feel a little strange but as you practice, the more natural it will feel. Don't over put; the ball will go right past the hole. It you hit too soft, the ball won't get near the hole. Don't be afraid to put some wrist movement into the put, but be careful not to over do it.

Another good way to practice is to practice on track. This is usually practiced when the ball pulls or tends to push when you out. The ball as they say becomes offline. But there is a way to practice this, it is called on track or line or line putting.

If you are on the course, one way to practice is by taking the flag from the hole and placing your ball on top of it. Practice putting the ball down the line a few times, the main goal is to keep the ball n the flag track. Do this for 30 seconds. Then place the ball on the green and make your shot. By practicing these tips you can greatly improve your game.

Cut 10 Strokes Off Your Golf Handicap With Two Fingers

2008-03-06T02:25:00.000-08:00

If you've played golf a while you've heard practice makes perfect.

Here's the bad news.

It doesn't.

Keep reading for the good news.

Have you ever had a day on the course where everything goes just right? Tee shots are straight and far. Putts were true and short. The sand wedge was left in the bag. No hooks or slices.

And, if Tiger was in your foursome, you would have beaten him? Almost.

Then, the next time you played, you couldn't do anything right? Hooks. Slices. Traps. Short putts that got longer. Topped tees shots.

What was the difference in the two rounds?

You know how to play golf. Any golfer that's been playing for a couple of years knows the fundamentals of golf. You know where to put your feel, how to swing the club, how to putt, and what club to use.

What's the big difference in the two rounds?

The answer is simple. And, now, believe it or not, the solution is easy.

On the good day you were hitting from "The Zone". The one you try to get into on every shot. On the good day you managed to get into it on some shots. If it was a great day, you got into it on most shots. On the bad day the only zone you could find was the twilight zone.

But there's another zone perhaps just as important in golf. The "Comfort Zone". And, you're about to learn how you can lower your's.

What do you normally shoot? Eighty? Ninety? Hundred? Whatever it is, that's your comfort zone.

All you have to do to lower your handicap is to change your comfort zone.

The problem with the comfort zone is that it has nothing to do with how well you know the fundamentals or techniques of golf. If you've been playing a while you know them. And, I'm assuming you do.

Instead, it has everything to do with how good a golfer you think you are.

If you "think" you're 20 handicapper that's what you are. If you think 10 that's your handicap. Think 5...be 5.

Do you believe Tiger thinks he's a five handicapper? Not on your life.
He thinks he's a minus five so he's the world's greatest golfer. Maybe of all time.

So how good of a golfer do you think you are? More important, how do you change your thinking?

Ron Johnson, of Seattle, Washington, thought he was a 90 golfer. Until he changed his thinking and started shooting rounds in the mid 70s.

I'll let Ron explain

"My statements began something like..."even though putting is extremely frustrating, I still completely accept myself." I would practice on the putting green with 10-twenty foot putts, 10-ten foot putts and 10-five foot putts. Each time, I would go through the nine-step process with the same statement..."Even though these putts are nerve-racking, I still completely accept myself." I found that I began to feel much more confident over the putts and some actually went in the cup. Three-putts to get the ball in the hole began to disappear and, within three months, my average scores went from 95-100 down to 85-90. I've had many rounds in the 70's during the past year and I am now setting a goal of shooting below 70. The process works equally well with each shot in the game, not just the putter. In fact, I now use the process before beginning the round with the following statements: "Even though I am filled with apprehension on this round, I completely and totally accept myself."

Statements? Completely accept myself? What is this new age stuff?

Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT. You've probably read about it in the golfing magazines at the club house.

Ron was so impressed with what EFT did for his golf game he started coaching golf using EFT.

One of his students dropped his "average putts per round" from 37 to 29. Another golfer knocked an average of 5 to 6 strokes per round off of her score.

How did they do that? They changed their "Comfort Zone using EFT.

What is this EFT you've been reading about in the golfing magazine and online?

Gary Craig, a Stanford trained engineer, who developed Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT, explains.

As he states on his world wide headquarters web site, "EFT is based on a new discovery that has provided thousands with relief from pain, diseases and emotional issues. Simply stated, it is an emotional version of acupuncture except needles aren't necessary. Instead, you stimulate well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips. The process is easy to memorize and is portable so you can do it anywhere. It launches off the EFT Discovery Statement which says...

"The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system."

He goes on to say:

"All of the discoveries of modern physics, from Einstein on, support the ancient theory that a universal energy flows through everything in nature," says Gary Craig, a Stanford-trained engineer. "This energy, called Qi or Chi, flows through the body along paths called meridians. Anything that stimulates points along these meridians helps the energy flow freely. Acupuncture uses needles, acupressure uses massage, and EFT uses fingertip tapping. By combining the tapping with focused thought, you can release energy blocks that interfere with a good night's sleep. In countless clinical cases, EFT has helped people fall asleep and stay asleep, even in times of stress and adversity.

What can EFT be used for? For one thing, lowering your golf handicap.

And, almost everything. Here is a sample of disorders EFT is treating successfully: Pain Management, Addictions, Weight loss, Allergies, Children's Issues, Animals, Vision, Headaches, Panic/Anxiety, Asthma, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, Depression, Dyslexia, Carpal Tunnel, Anger, ADD-ADHD, Fears/phobias, Eating disorders, OCD, Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Neuropathy, Fear of Flying, Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia, Anorexia/Bulimia, Sports and other Performance.

Doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and practitioners world wide are using it in their practices to help millions of patients and clients.

Can anyone learn it? Yes. In just a couple of hours you can learn enough about EFT to shoot the lowest game of golf you're ever shot. But remember, it's tougher going from a 20 handicap to a 10 than it is from a 10 to a 2.

You can learn more about EFT by checking the author's bio and his recommended reports and reading material.

Tips For Improving Your Golf Scores

2008-03-06T02:24:00.001-08:00

Almost every hole in golf requires some kind of an iron shot. If you can consistently hit the greens with your approach irons and position your ball near the pins, you are going to get your share of birdies and pars.

It stands to reason that a good iron player who can direct his ball to within the 15-foot circle around the flag is going to shoot lower scores than the player who is 50 feet away, chipping from off the green or blasting from a trap. It is rather difficult to three-putt from 15 feet, but the odds against parring a hole go higher when a player is trying to get down in two from 50 feet, whether he is on or off the green.

Iron play vs. The drive and the putt

There may be some disagreement with what I have said here, because some golfers believe the drive to be the most important shot in golf, others believe it is the putt, while still others consider the iron shot to be most crucial. One golfer contends that you can't get the ball on the green with an iron shot if you are always playing out of the rough or behind trees.

However, I wish to point out that, no matter where a player happens to be, a second shot, usually an iron shot, is still required to reach the green, whether you are in trouble or not. If you are, and your second, or maybe your third, shot is off line or misjudged, you are in further trouble. A good iron player can often salvage a par, or even gain a birdie, from out of the rough. A poor iron player has no such chance. It is well to remember that you measure drives in yards but accuracy with your irons in feet.

Another golfer maintains the premium should be on putting. I grant that ability with a putter is a great asset, but it can't compensate for poor iron play indefinitely. Great players like Bill Casper and Arnold Palmer do not rely entirely on driving or putting to bring them championships and regular paychecks.

Naturally, they excel in those phases of the game, but it is their skill with their iron clubs that puts them on the offensive as soon as they drive off the first tee. By the same token, a faulty iron player must play defensive golf, steer clear of trouble, and rely on his short game to help salvage a respectable score.

The Six Basic "Feel" Positions

I urge you to pay heed to the six basic "feel" positions of the swing. They are: (1) the grip, (2) the stance and address over the ball, (3) the position halfway on the backswing, (4) the top of the swing, (5) the most crucial of all the feel positions - the start of the downswing to a point where the hands are about hip-high, and (6) the position of the hands, arms, and body through the hitting area to a point where the arms parallel the ground on the follow-through.

Study these positions closely, then try to get into them yourself. This will help you piece your swing together as one would fit the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle into their natural places.

Slowly, but surely, the mold of your swing will take form, and it will create a repeating pattern that will make your golfing shots go straighter and truer than you ever before believed possible.

6 Simple Golf Tips - Easy Ways To Learn How to Play Your Golf Better

2008-03-06T02:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some great ways to focus on your game that will make a big difference, almost immediately, if you take a little time to work them into your play.

1. Prepare Yourself Well

Mentally give yourself the time to start to calmly prepare for your game. This simple golf tip is to try not to rush to get there and be exhausted. More, it's about giving yourself the space to mentally prepare for your game - and be at your best.

Whilst golf can be a relaxing experience, it's also vital to remember that it is quite a strenuous exercise. True, you are able to take your time while you walk the 4 or so hours (unless, of course you have a cart!), but you also have to use a lot of energy both swinging your clubs as well as psychologically getting into the right frame of mind for every shot.

2. The Hands Have It

The second of our simple golf tips is to ensure that you get your hand muscles prepared as well. The most vital components of your golf swing are the two things at the end of your arms - your hands. Every shot depends on how well they are prepared.

By making sure that you have the time to get a few practice swings in - both the big clubs right down to the putter, your hands will prepare themselves to be in the right shape for a great game'

3. Swing, Swing and Swing Again!

Whilst on the topic of swinging to get your hands into shape, remember that every swing is the same, and yet every swing is different too. All the muscles in your body need to both relax as well as to develop those excellent muscle patterns that you will use through out your round.

So all your muscles can be warmed up with a focused and prepared stretch and swing routine, which will then give you every chance of making it without damaging yourself - as well as a great round and score too.

Swinging can effectively pull out any stressed or rigid muscle in the hand. It's best to keep on practicing swinging. Experts say that almost 50% of a golfer's ability is based on swinging.

4. Choose Your Club Wisely

One of the biggest distinctions between the great golfers and the adequate is how they use their clubs. you often hear 'he's a club short', or he needed 'half a club less'. The great players have perfected the art of having the consistency of swing and then matching that with the very best choice of club too.

That's why one of the most important simple golf tips is to get your swing into order before you start and then club your shots accordingly. When you are not playing, but merely practicing, take time to 'play' with club selection to get used to the best ones to use in exactly the right circumstances

5. Get To Know Your Swing

It's a common understanding that a golf swing has a number of components. When you are developing your game, understanding what is working well with your swing, and what needs attention, makes it useful to get to know all the elements of your swing.

The key components are:-

a) Club alignment
b) Setup of your position and posture
c) The back-swing
d) The backswing
e) The take-away
f) The follow through

Get to know them well and set-by-step recognize when each or any of the are not working well enough.

6. Know the course

If you want to succeed in your golf, it's important to know all you can to make yourself effective. So far, we've looked at all the things you are in control of. Next up needs to be an understanding of what you aren't.

The final of our simple golf tips, is to remember that the course may be unfamiliar to you, so it's critical to your success to at least have a close look at it, even if you can't walk it.

Most courses have a map where, if you are observant, you can make out those places where you might have problems and prepare yourself for them. No longer a blind swing and hope - now you are fully prepared for what the course can throw up for you.

These are just six simple golf tips that you can consider before you go out to play. By preparing properly, thinking about your game and getting to know what's out there coming at you, you will have every chance of making the most of your game.

Remember, it's down to you, and you alone. The difference in not in these tips, but how you personally take the time to use them.

Power Golf Exercises That Are Proven To Add Distance

2007-12-20T05:20:00.000-08:00

Power golf exercises are a unique set of exercises that you do not do in a gym on machines, nor do you lift heavy weights. For that matter, you can do simple power golf exercises right in your home with minimal equipment.

You see…to improve the power in your golf swing, you need to look at the mechanics that create the power.

It’s not your arms swinging the club as hard as you can! It’s not your legs driving your body through the swing! And it’s not swinging some funky 50 inch shaft with a 600cc titanium head either.

It’s quite simple!

The power in your golf swing is your CORE!

Your core is the engine to your swing. If your core is weak or inflexible, you will never be able to hit a powerful tee shot. This is harsh…but very true!

The modern power golf swing is one of being “connected” with your upper body. Not letting your letting your arms get separated from your body. Rotating your upper body as a whole, over a somewhat stable lower body will produce maximum power at impact.

So the perfect power golf exercises involve rotational movements with resistance in your core area. The are many exercises you can do that will dramatically improve your driving distance and power…and no gym required!

A simple power golf exercise for your core is my Seated Twist w/Dumbbell:

• Sit upright in your chair.
• Hold single dumbbell straight out from chest with arms fully extended.
• While keeping your head focused straight ahead, rotate your arms to the right, then to the left as far as you can go both ways.
• Do this non-stop for 20 total rotations.
• Pause for 15 seconds and repeat 2 more times.

At first you will feel very restricted in your midsection. That’s a sign of how limited your rotational flexibility really is. But do this exercise daily and you will see improvement quickly.

The next time you step out onto the course, you’ll blast your drives up to 20 yards further!

As you can see above…the key is ROTATIONAL exercises with resistance, whether it be a single dumbbell, exercise tubing or even a weighted golf club.

Doesn’t matter what you use, as long as it is up to 5 pounds in weight and you can handle it easily in both hands. If you’re already in good shape go for 10-15 pounds and increase your rate of speed. This will both improve your “fast-twitch” core muscles and also your range of motion for a bigger backswing and a complete follow through.

So you see…I wasn’t fibbing! It doesn’t take a gym or fancy equipment to do effective and proven power golf exercises!

About the author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide - http://www.ultimategolffitnessguide.com and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Visit his new golf swing improvement site at http://www.performbettergolf.com

Improve Golf Driving Distance

2007-12-20T05:18:00.000-08:00

How do I improve my golf driving distance? I hear this question daily. This is the dream of almost every amateur golfer. To hit it longer. But to improve golf driving distance isn’t what you think. No it’s not your equipment. It’s not pounding more balls at the range. And it’s not even taking more lessons.

It’s about working on the machine that swings the club. Are you following me? Do you know what I’m getting at? You’re an athlete if you play golf. Don’t laugh. I’m serious! To swing a golf club effectively takes a tremendous amount of golf specific strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and stability.

None of the above can be accomplished without an optimum level of golf specific fitness. When was the last time you made a swing and felt like it was an effortless, full and produced maximum power? I’m sure it’s happened on occasion, but not as often as you want right?

The reason why is your body can’t produce a repetitively powerful swing. It’s not capable of it. Why? Because you need to work on it ‘off the course’ with simple golf strength and stretches to build up the golf specific muscles that can make this happen.

To improve golf driving distance you must take this attitude. If not, be ready to accept the same swing, game and results you’ve been getting for a long time. I don’t mean to mix words, but the truth is needed. No sugar-coating! This is “throwing all the cards on the table” and deciding how bad you want to improve your golf driving distance.

Golfers have been bombarded with ads about the latest-greatest driver, guaranteed to add 30 yards to your driving distance. I say bs on that. It’s you that swings that club. Doesn’t matter what club you have if your body is in poor condition.

The critical area to work on for the quickest results is your core (mid-section). Your core is the engine that drives the swing and produces all the power. You’ve got to strengthen this area from a rotational standpoint to improve golf driving distance.

Not only will this approach improve your golf driving distance, but it will eliminate low back pain and injury. Low back pain is the most common complaint among golfers. It’s no wonder since the golf swing is such a torquing movement that directly affects the lower back if you have weak and restricted muscles.

The benefits far outweigh the effort involved. Longer drives, no more injuries and years of golf enjoyment. There’s no better return than that. So take a different approach to improve golf driving distance.

About the author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author - http://www.ultimategolffitnessguide.com and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Visit his new golf training performance site at http://www.performbettergolf.com.

Golf Putting For Beginners

2007-12-20T05:16:00.000-08:00

If you’re a beginner, learning the basics of golf putting can be like playing in a one-man band. You have to successfully blend different styles, processes and elements together into one harmonious golfing symphony.

Since your posture and stance can affect how well you putt, the first thing to consider is the way you stand. To execute the ideal putt, your arms and shoulders should be left to do majority of the work. Because stooping prevents you from swinging your arms freely, it is important for you to stand tall and with your legs slightly astride. Some experts suggest that you to spread your feet apart no greater than the width of your hips. This will ensure greater balance and mobility as you take your swing.

Once you’ve adopted the right posture, finding the best position for the golf ball can make all the difference. As a general rule, the ball should be close to you, enough to make it nearly parallel to the tip of your nose. This allows you to swing at it without over-stretching your arms. The ball should also be positioned towards your stance’s left of center so that it can connect squarely with the putter’s clubhead.

How you grasp the putter also determines your putting success. Clutching it in a stranglehold could throw your swing off. By holding the club lightly in your hands, you will be able to swing it with greater comfort and ease. Therefore, your grip should, in effect, be more of a relaxed non-grip. For best results, you should treat the club as an extension of your hands.

Restraint is another element that is vital in putting. Many beginners equate golf with powerful swings. But if you take a wild whack at a ball, the odds are great that it will fly off into the not-so-distant horizon. And that is not what a good putt makes.

A putt, by definition, is a light and gentle stroke meant to cause the golf ball to roll straight into the hole. Without restraint, those light and gentle strokes won’t be easy to accomplish, let alone master. Putting, therefore, requires a lot of discipline and control. Keep in mind that your objective is to make the ball roll not fly. If you can muster Zen-like calm with each putt, then so much the better.

Another key element in putting is where you set your sights. You should keep an eye on the ball before you make your swing. But you must also take care to keep your head perfectly still during and moments after your stroke. No matter how slight, any unnecessary movement while swinging could throw your aim off and ruin your putt. Instead of physically tracking it, make it a habit to visualize the ball’s path in your mind’s eye.

Above all, practice. Whether you’re swinging on the greens or putting into a cup set on a carpeted floor, practice, practice, practice. Experiment with different speeds and distances. Set goals as to the number of balls you can sink in succession and then gradually increase your limit as you improve. Take note of the techniques that bring you the most excellent results.

By constantly challenging yourself and refining your methods, you’ll eventually discover the rhythm that works best for you. Once you have that down pat, you’ll be able to compose and orchestrate a symphony of putting perfection.

About the author: Based in Australia and a pro-golfer herself - Jasmine Ong has been writing for http://www.golfing-advice.com for the last 2 years. Over 4000 people subscibe to her free ecourse.

Finding the right length putter

2007-12-20T05:09:00.000-08:00

It is always important to match your putting style with the particular type of putter you are using. Now let's take a look at the specifics of the types of putters available, and the different set ups and grips that can be used. This will hopefully help you select the equipment and method that is best for you.

If you watch golf on television, you will note that PGA Tour players exhibit a number of different stroke techniques and use a variety of different putters. When the chosen method is in harmony with the equipment, good putts are usually the result.

There are three commonly used putter lengths:

-- The Long putter, which is rested against the chest near the sternum (50-plus inches).

-- The Belly putter, which is rested against the belly near the navel (40-50 inches).

-- And the most common, the Standard or Short putter (28-37 inches).

The length of the putter is the first decision that you need to make. I suggest you try all three putter lengths and putting styles to find the one in which you are most comfortable with and most proficient at getting the correct roll.

The length of the putter needs to be fitted to your stroke, and the balance (weight ratio between head and handle) of the putter needs to match the length of the putter.

Once your desired length has been determined, the grip is next decision. The Long putter uses a split grip with the top hand anchoring the grip to the chest (On Tour, Tim Clark is a good example).

The Belly putter may use either a spilt grip or a grip with hands together with the putter resting against your belly (see Sergio Garcia's latest method).

The hand position for a Standard length putter can vary in many ways. The most common hand placements are with the trail hand below the lead hand like the standard golf grip. The lower hand for all three methods can have palm facing the target (golf grip style), palm facing the ground (saw style, Mark Calcavecchia), be held with a fist (Chris DiMarco), between the fingers claw style (Vijay Singh, sometimes) and any other way you chose to place it on the grip.

Also, the lead and trail hands can be reversed (cross-handed, a la the LPGA's Julie Inkster) with any style. And the slight finger changes are endless and individual.

Eye placement can be over the target line or inside this line but is best if parallel to the target line. The posture should keep the weight over the arches so the lower body stays very stable during the stroke.

Since there is more variety in putting styles than in any other facet of golf, it's imperative that you experiment with the different options and consult with a trained expert on what is best for you. That expertise can be found in your local PGA Golf Professional, who is ready and willing at a golf facility near you to help you find the best way to get the ball rolling toward the hole. For a list of facilities staffed by PGA Golf Professionals near you, log on to www.PlayGolfAmerica.com and use the zip code search.

(Rick Martino is director of instruction at The PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla.)

"Around the Green"

2007-11-19T21:41:00.000-08:00

Beginners tend to accumulate a lot of strokes when they mis-hit chips around the green. I suggest you take an open stance that allows you to see the hole. Place the ball in the middle of your stance with your body weight mostly on the left leg (for right-handers).

With your hands forward over your left thigh, bend your knees and tilt your upper body to allow your arms to hang naturally. With your wrists firm, initiate the shot with a forward press, allowing a low, slow and smooth follow-through.

"Uneven Lies"

2007-11-19T21:40:00.000-08:00

The most common mistake made when hitting from an uphill or downhill lie, is in the position of the players shoulders and golf ball. The shoulders need to be set to the slope of the hill. The ball, when hitting from a downhill lie, needs to be played in the back of the stance, and when hitting from an uphill lie, should be played forward in the stance.

Making these two adjustments will create a better ball flight. Another hint for hitting off of downhill lies would be to open the face of the club, because the clubface will have a tendency to close at impact. When hitting from uphill lies, use more club to compensate for the added loft created by the angle of the hill.

With practice, these shots will become much easier. Remember golf is a game, have fun!

"Getting Out of the Sand with Charlie Chaplin"

2007-11-19T21:39:00.000-08:00

I have been teaching the following sand play method for sometime now, getting laughs and faces of amazement. So if you’re ready for a sure-fire way to get out of a greenside bunker here we go.

Do you remember old Charlie Chaplain? Hopefully you do. He walked with his toes pointed out. Well you are about to use my "Chaplain" sand method!

1 - Stand like Charlie Chaplain and place your knees out over your toes.

2 - Play the ball in the middle of your stance.

3 - Line up right of your target.

4 - Take away the club outside the target line. At this point in your swing it is necessary that your knees remain out over your toes. This will keep you centered in your swing (no weight shift back).

5 - Begin the down swing and strike the sand about 1 to 2 inches behind the ball, swing through, allowing the sand to fly out of the bunker on the green. If the sand comes out so will the ball. (The sand moves the ball, the club does not strike the ball).

6 - If your knees remain over your toes, and the sand leaves the bunker, so will your ball.

Top 10 Wedge Tips from Dr. "FEEL"

2007-11-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

Wedges are precision scoring clubs, swing with maximum 70% of effort.
Keep arms free, very soft and relaxed. Keep your chest turned away from the target during the wedge swing and let arms flow through the shot. Your shoulders will automatically line up to the target and your arms will follow the shoulder line right on target.
For greenside bunker shots, open the clubface and imagine throwing sand with your left arm all the way to the pin. The ball will float out, that’s all you have to do. It’s the arm swing only, slow and easy, same tempo back, same tempo through.
On all wedge shots, use a soft and semi-loose grip and just let the club flow through, do not try to guide it, just let it happen.
When shooting from the rough, the deeper the rough the firmer the grip must be. If the rough is 1" high, play the ball back in the stance 1-2" from normal position. If the rough is 2" high, play the ball back 2-3" from normal. If the rough is 3" high, play the ball back 3-4". If more than this, get King Kong as a designated hitter!
Align your shoulders with the slope for all shots.
If the ball is sitting up ?", play the ball ? to 1" back in stance. A ball sitting up increases the loft of the wedge, if sitting up 1", play the ball back 1".
For tight lies, and/or ball from a divot, play the ball 2-3" back towards the right foot from normal. This allows a steeper downswing and compresses the ball quicker.
The softer your arms are in the wedge swing, the more you’ll "spank" the ball and become a better wedge player.
Keep your right foot planted firmly on the ground on all shots when playing the wedges. Only after impact does the right foot want to come up slightly. The wedge swing is an arm and upper torso swing only. Never ever force the swing. Just let the arms flow softly.

Chipping

2007-11-19T21:37:00.000-08:00

Did you know that your can chip with any club? Wedge...3-Iron...Even three wood!

The farther away the pin, the lower the loft. You must get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. Here's how:

Feet about a foot apart
Weight on the forward foot
Back knee pointing at the target, with almost no weight on the back foot.
This will put your hands ahead of the ball. Take the club back with your shoulders. No wrist break, hands lead the clubhead on the downswing. No wrist break. Let the clubhead do the work.

TRY IT! YOU'LL LIKE IT!

Remember golf's a game, have fun!!

Try this only if your ball is sitting up on a clean lie

2007-11-19T21:36:00.000-08:00

Try this only if your ball is sitting up on a clean lie"

You're in a bunker.

The ball is sitting up. There's a two foot bank 10 feet ahead of your ball. The green is 10 feet above you. But the big problem is, you're about 75 yards from the green.

What do you do?

First, eliminate the conventional, open-faced, blast shot from consideration. You'll have to take too hard a swing and almost no sand to come close to the green. Take the least bit of sand and you'll hit the ball only about 10 or 20 yards. Pick the ball clean and you'll skull it maybe to the putting surface, or more likely, way over the green.

Instead, try one of two methods:

1. Play the punch shot.
Using a pitching wedge or a nine-iron, position the ball back in your stance, opposite the right foot. Close the clubface slightly. On the backswing, break the wrists early, picking up the clubhead sharply. On the downswing, keep the wrists cocked and make sure you hit the back of the ball first, and then keep the clubhead driving into the sand. Keep your head steady. Your objective will not be to get under the ball, but rather to rap the back of the ball - just as though you're punching the ball under a low-hanging tree branch. You will swing with less force than you ordinarily would from that distance, because the shot will come out low and running.

2. Play a pick shot.
Using the pitching wedge, play the ball in the middle of your stance. Keeping the head very steady, take a firm swing and pick the ball cleanly off the top of the sand. Is it dangerous? You bet it is. Take the least bit of sand and you won't get halfway to the green; skull the ball and you'll either hit the lip of the bunker or sail it over the green. But it's worth a try.

The key factor in both methods though, is to KEEP THE HEAD STEADY until the ball is on it's way. There should be some body movement in either technique, but the head must not bob up or down nor move to either side during the swing.

Most people don't have a chance to practice this shot. But if you can find a place to experiment with it, the more confident you will be when you encounter one of these testers.

Learning When to Pitch and When to Chip and Run

2007-11-19T21:34:00.000-08:00

The chip shot is a small swing, where the ball lands generally on the front part of the green and rolls to the cup. Club selection determines the amount of roll.

Pitching, on the other hand, is a 1/2 or 3/4 swing with more weight shift and wrist cock that allows the ball to carry close to the hole with very little roll. This shot is played with the most lofted clubs, wedge, sand wedge, gap wedge, or L-wedge, depending on the conditions. The ratio of carry-to-roll distance will therefore be dependent on those same conditions.

THE GRIP:

Use regular swing grip, hands secure but arms relaxed to allow wrist to hinge naturally during swing.
BALL POSITION:

Generally, ball position is in the center of your stance. Some players alter ball position for distance control and softer touch when taking a small swing.
STANCE/HAND POSITION:

Narrow with weight slightly left to control the amount of weight shift. Feet, hips and shoulders parallel left, hands even with the golf ball in address position, with the club and shaft angle set as tool is designed.
POSTURE:

Bend from the hips, arms hang from the shoulders in an "athletic ready position."
STROKE/SWING:

Clip grass with an equal arc on both sides of the golf ball, shifting weight side to side and turning in a shift, turn, shift, turn sequence, finishing this motion with weight on your left side, belt buckle facing target, up on right toe.
For short shots around the green the player has the option of chipping, pitching or playing a "bump and run" shot. The choice will depend on the lie of the ball, the amount of green between the edge of the green and the pin, the condition of the green, and the obstacles you have to go over or through.
You may choose to chip (little carry, mostly roll) when the lie is close or bad, downhill green, hard green, with the wind, OR.....

You may choose to pitch (more carry, little roll) when the lie is good, fluffy, uphill green, soft green, against the wind OR.....

You may choose to bump and run when there is too little green for the carry and roll of the ball.

To truly become a short game artist, practice each of these shots and you will have the confidence to execute the one the situation call for on the golf course. Good luck!

The 20-40 Yard Pitch Shot

2007-11-19T21:32:00.000-08:00

Do you panic when faced with a short shot, say 20 yards to the hole? Most of us do. We worry about topping the ball and having it end up in the bunker on the other side of the green. It’s happened too often for us not to think about it. Well, there is hope.

Here are two tips to help you master the pitch shot.

First, we will address how to hit it in the center of the clubface for consistent loft each time. We cannot measure distance until the balls response off the clubface is the same each time.
The biggest swing error I see in students facing the 20 – 40 yard pitch shot is fear. Their minds are screaming for mercy, praying for luck, and hoping for the best. This fear causes the player to poke or jab at the ball instead of swinging confidently through the ball. Poking or jabbing causes the club to decelerate as you’re approaching the ball. The first step in hitting the sweet spot is to accelerate through the ball. To do this, you must eliminate your fear and trust that you CAN make this shot. Successful practice will build your confidence but here’s a tip on how to practice.

The fundamental thing that makes the ball go in the air is simply to "brush the grass." If the ball needs to respond off the center of the clubface and the ball is resting on the ground, then you must get the bottom edge of the clubface under the ball. This is the "brushing of the grass" Take a few practice swings and brush the grass each time. Notice how easy it is if you are relaxed and not "gripping the devil" out of the club. Go back and forth and back and forth like a metronome.

Once this is accomplished, the second challenge is to generate the different distances required to get the ball close to the hole.
Don’t cut your finish short. After your shot, pause the follow through position to see where you are. Practice this to ensure a complete follow through each time. Remember, your first goal is to get the ball lofted the same each time. After that, you can start to work on your distance.

Ball Position Varies, Depending on the Club

2007-11-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

Many golfers struggle with where to position the golf ball between their feet. The proper position for the ball will depend on which club you are using.

Golf clubs work best at different points in the swing arc. The bottom of your swing will ideally happen at a point roughly even with the inside of your front foot. The shorter clubs, like the wedges, work best when they strike the ball with a descending blow. For this reason, you should position the ball near the middle of your stance, well back from the bottom of the swing arc.

At the other end of the spectrum, the driver will work best when it strikes the ball just after the bottom of the swing, or slightly on the upswing. For this reason, you should position the ball near the instep of your front foot.

The picture shows good ball position for a wedge, 5-iron and 1-wood. These are general suggestions. The exact position of the ball should be customized based on your golf swing but most good golfers are pretty close to these guidelines.

John Randle, Teaching Professional, GBC Golf Academy at Olympic View

Make More Short Putts

2007-11-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

Many people miss short putts on the course because they lack confidence or become anxious when they stand over a three-footer. The drill shown in the picture will help you with both situations.

I call it the "Compass Drill" because you need to make putts from four different directions. Start with four balls about two feet from the hole as shown in the picture. The drill requires you to make ALL four putts in a row. If you miss one, you must start again. When you are successful from two feet, move your balls out to three feet and start again. If you can make it out to six feet and make all four in a row, you're pretty much ready to take on Tiger!

This drill really helps because you will make so many short putts as you do the drill several times, you will start to expect to make them. Secondly, it will help you deal with the pressure on the course by putting you under just a little bit of pressure while you practice. Any time you can make your practice seem real, it will help you perform on the course.

John Randle, Teaching Professional, GBC Golf Academy at Olympic View

How to Chip a Golf Ball ( from Deep Rough )

2007-11-12T21:35:00.000-08:00

Follow these simple steps to making your chip shots roll a more more reliable distance more consistently.

Do you suffer from a sick feeling in you stomach when your ball settles down in the deep rough either greenside or within 100 yards?

A chip shot is necessary when you are a few yards from the putting green or surface. This shot is usually played with a low-lofted club in order to get the ball rolling on the green as quickly as possible.

Proper Golf Setup and Posture for this Shot, Follow this Procedure:

1. Select a club with low loft (usually anything from a 6 iron to a pitching wedge. The idea is to allow the ball to just carry onto the putting surface and roll the proper distance to the hole.

2. Select a target on the green to aim for ( this is usually a slight discoloration of the grass or some mark on the green ) and estimate where you would like the ball to stop.

3. Grip the club down towards the shaft, close to the end of the grip or wherever you feel comfortable choking down to. Typically the more you choke down the more control you will have but the shorter the distance the ball will roll.

4. Step close to the golf ball so that it is no more than a few inches from your feet.

5. Place most of your weight to your left side or left hip socket (your right side if you are left-handed).

6. Use a putting stroke to swing the club back and forth placing a descending blow on the back of the ball.

7. Rock the shoulders up and down by swinging the arms, while keeping the lower body steady and the wrists quiet. Tempo is most important. Do not rush the stroke, same distance back as through, just like putting.

Other Chipping Golf Setup Tips:

You should try to keep your hands in front of the ball so that the hands lead the ball into impact. Keep your wrists firm, especially the left one for right handers.

If you are in deep rough make this adjustment.

The deep grass can make the golfball behave unpredictably because the grass gets caught between the clubface and the ball. This will call the ball to either jump out of the grass with no backspin or loft so expect the flight of the ball to be lower than normal. Grip the club firmly so that the rough doesn't twist the club on the swing. Tip the club angle up so the toe is the only part touching the ground. This will minimize contact with the grass as much as possible. The best way to handle this shot is to place the ball as far back in your stance as possible and make a steeper angle of attack with the ball by hinging your wrists slightly but very quickly. The timing of this shot requires some practice.

Select the club that will the ball rolling on the green as quickly as possible.

When it is windy or you are faced with a downhill shot, or on fast greens, you should chip the ball instead of pitching it to better controll the distance.

Fairway Bunkers.

2007-11-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

The Gist
Let me cut right to the gist of this tip. To get out of a bunker in the fairway you should hit the ball not the sand first. If you hit the ball cleanly and pick it, it will fly far, if you hit the ball and pinch it against the sand, the golfball will come out and fly lower than normal. If you should hit the sand and then the ball, you have played a greenside bunker shot.

Pot bunkers are the name of the game in Scotland, and they are not easy to get the ball out.

Imagine staring at a wall of sand or railroads ties 8 feet high, and a pin 150 yards away! How in the @$%@$% are you going to get out of that one? Quite often players will have to reverse course and pitch the ball out either sideways or back towards the tee.

A guaranteed lost stroke on the hole, and quite often the majors are won or lost by a single stroke. Fortunately for us state side, pot bunkers are uncommon hazards, especially when it comes to fairways bunkers. Occasionally you will see pot bunkers around the greens, and if you ever have played PGA West Stadium course you know what I am talking about.

Fairway bunkers tend not to be to deep and have a small lip if any. But what is the best way to advance the ball forward? It actually is quite easy. Phil, Corey, and a few other pros have told me how and it works! First off, a fairway bunker is completely different than a green side bunker. Green side bunker shots require you to open the clubface, open and place the ball forward in your stance. You will .bounce. the club and hit sand before the ball. This is not the case in fairway bunkers.

A fairway bunker requires you to hit the ball and not the sand. Here is an easy way to set up properly for a great fairway bunker shot. Select the normal club for the distance of the shot you are hitting. I would suggest staying away from fairway woods unless you are a very low handicapper. Place the ball in the middle of your stance. Plant your feet firmly in the sand. Thick sand will require you to choke down on the club slightly to compensate for your feet digging in the sand. Align your clubface, feet, and shoulders towards your target. You are now in the proper position to hit a fairway bunker shot. At this point take your normal swing path and attempt to hit the ball only. The key to the swing is hitting the ball first and not the sand. Jack was a great fairway bunker player and quite often he would be able to hit the same shot from a good lie in a bunker as from the fairway.

A Good Golf Pre-Shot Routine: Necessity for Every Golfer

Ian Hughes, PGA Teaching Professional, GolfTEC

You might ask yourself, "Why do I need a pre-shot routine?" Or for that matter, "What is a pre shot routine?" A pre-shot routine is quite simply the habits or actions one takes in the few seconds before the golf swing is made.

So, why is a good routine necessary? It is important because it allows us to relax, and it enables us to develop something that is repeatable in a game where even the best players in the world struggle with constancy, accuracy, and repetition.

The next question to ask yourself is, "Do I have a pre-shot routine?" If the answer is "yes", is it a good one? If the answer is "no", your golf game will benefit from developing one.

Let's take a look at some components of professional's pre-shot routines vs. amateur's routines to see how yours measures up.

The difference that I see between most amateurs and professionals lies in the quality of their pre-shot routines and their ability to repeat their routine time in and time out. Most amateurs will hastily walk up to the ball and then make two practice swings, then one time they will make no practice swings, and then waggle three times the next. These random actions breed inconsistency.

Meanwhile, professionals will go through the same repeatable course of action each time. This enables them to put their mind at rest. By knowing you have done your routine thousands of times, it allows the mind to focus on the actual shot at hand, thereby eliminating negative thoughts, which wreak havoc on most amateur golfers. A good pre-shot routine will also distract you from the pressure of each shot. You can concentrate on repeating your routine, rather than worry about the possible negative outcomes of the shot at hand.

A great example of this would be David Toms' performance during the 2001 PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Toms had a 12-foot putt on the 72nd hole to win his first major championship. Toms was able to focus on the task at hand by relying on his pre-shot routine. It enabled him to put his pounding heart and shaking hands aside and concentrate on his speed, line and stroke. When the ball was halfway to the hole, Toms knew he had sunk the putt and won his first major championship.

A good pre-shot routine is beneficial to players of all abilities. Not all pre-shot routines should be the same, but yours should be one that is repeatable and relaxing.

Here are a few tips to work with to develop a good pre-shot routine.

Start behind the golf ball and envision your target. Once you have focused on a target, make a practice swing with your eyes remaining focused on your target. As you swing, envision the perfect result from your shot. Now step up to the ball and take your address. Once you are comfortable with your address, take a deep breath, releasing the tension in your body as you exhale. Finally, take one last look at target to improve focus and let it rip.

If you are having a problem developing a good pre-shot routine, try http://www.stopslicing.com for some help or read some more of our free tips.

Chipping Tips, Practice Tips

2007-11-06T21:41:00.000-08:00

Todays message starts your series of drills covering the area of chipping and pitching and focuses on a technique called the Under Reach Technique which was invented by short game expert Paul Runyan. I had never heard of this before and asked a pro at my local course whether he knew of it. He said that it is a drill that he uses all the time to help higher handicappers get some consistency in their chipping. So I asked him to show me how it worked. It only cost me a couple of beers, well maybe four or five. It really is a simple and effective way of stopping you duff those short little chip shots which most of us either hit fat or thin.
This drill is entitled......
The Under Reach Technique by Paul Runyon

Regardless of ability , we all have good days and bad days when it comes to hitting greens in regulation. On the bad days, it's important that you have the method and means to get up and down with some regularity; otherwise, your scores will be much higher than you'd like.
A Pro I asked about the drill said:

This is where a strong mental thought should be used. In getting up and down, the getting up part is the most important. If you can chip the ball ON THE GREEN and relatively close, you won't have to worry about making those tough 20 to 30 footers. Unfortunately, most high handicap players short games aren't up to snuff (well mine certainly wasn't). If there's one mistake that I made on a regular basis that caused me and my overall score the most damage, it was hitting the chip fat and not even Getting Up. I've learned this great technique to ensure that you never hit a short shot short again (well most of the time), and you can use it too.

This method is a method which was used by short-game master Paul Runyan, he called this technique "under-reaching the ball." It's quite interesting and easy to apply in the short game.

The biggest problem amateur golfers like me and you have when it comes to the short game is chunked shots. To help prevent fat chips, try the under-reach technique. Begin by assuming your address position, with your arms hanging to their natural length. Choke down on the club about an inch (i go even shorter, about two inches), and hover the club just off the ground as you get ready to execute the shot. The combination of choking the grip and hovering the club will help you guard against hitting the shot fat. When you finally make a swing, simply concentrate on contacting the bottom half of the ball.

How to set up for the Under Reach

Start with the posture. With the ball positioned in the middle of your stance, assume your normal setup and allow your arms to fall downward in front of you as far as they can. Allow gravity to stretch them fully. Then, take your standard grip on the club. As you grip the club, allow the sole to rest gently on the ground. Now, grip down on the club approximately one inch. If you choke down appropriately, the clubhead should hover just above the grass. (Try this out on the carpet at home, it will give you the right visual of how the club will hover off of the ground)This is the under-reach to which Paul Runyan referred. With the club just above ground level, the leading edge of the club is now located at the bottom of the golf ball.

Note: The longer the grass from which you're playing, the more effective this technique becomes. In long grass, the ball will often sit up, making it easy to slide the clubhead underneath the ball. By hovering the club, you'll ensure crisper, squarer contact.

Why does it Work?

For you to get the ball up in the air, the leading edge of the club must pass under the equator (the middle of the ball). In this new address position, the leading edge of the club is well below the middle of the ball, making a square strike easier to attain. The only way to hit the shot fat is by changing your posture as you swing the club. If you remain in the same posture you established at address and maintain your spine angle, you'll strike the ball squarely every time and Not Leave it Short.

The only thing that might cause you a problem with this technique is keeping your posture. A good way to ensure that you keep your posture intact is to keep your chin up and stand tall as you execute your swing. This will also better allow your arms to swing freely and stretch out through the shot, so the club can reach the bottom of the golf ball.

The Golf Swing

Golf in many ways is a game of opposites. For example, in order to make the ball go up, you have to hit down on it. Most players try to "lift" the ball in the air instead of striking downward and pinching the ball against the turf. These players should look at the basic design of a golf club, which typically places the hands slightly ahead of the leading edge of the clubface. This is done in order to help create the perfect impact position, one defined by the hands leading the club into the back of the golf ball. In so doing, the loft that's built into the club lifts the ball into the air, not the hands. The under-reach technique helps you to take advantage of just that.

Of course, the club can't do all the work, you have to put it into motion. Now, before you think about swinging the club, think about the pace. The right pace is the true key to short shots around the green. You don't see a Tour pro strike a chip with a herky-jerky motion. Most of the top short-game players allow the club to move in response to gravity, not to muscular effort. When golfers overuse their muscles, their grip on the club usually tightens, which can affect the position of the clubface at the all-important moment of impact.

When trying to gain a nice free flowing rhythmical short-game swing, why not try the following two drills. They're easy to execute and do the best job of ingraining the sensation of the club responding to gravity while the body and hands function solely to support the clubhead.

Give this pair of drills a go the next time you practice your chipping technique. Coupled with the under-reach technique, I'm sure you'll keep those chunked chips at bay and give yourself more opportunities to get up and down and save par.

It's absolutely critical that you slide the leading edge of the club under the ball when executing short-game shots. The only way to effectively slide the club under the golf ball is to give your arms plenty of room to swing (Under Reach). To do this, you must stand tall and keep your head up; otherwise, it's easy to skull the shot over the green or chunk it short of the target.

Brush The Grass Drill Make three continuous practice swings back and through while eyeing your target. Making rehearsal swings while looking at the target will help you instinctively determine the length and pace necessary to hit the shot the appropriate distance. Then, step up to the ball and duplicate your rehearsal swing over the golf ball. Finally, hit the chip. I think you'll be surprised how well you'll strike the ball and how much more fluid your swing will feel.

The Name Game Think of the name of a star or celebrity who has two syllables in the first name and two syllables in the last name. (i.e., John-ny Mill-er, Fred-dy Coup-les, By-ron Nel-son). As you make your swing, say the first name on the backswing and the last name on the forwardswing. Since the first and last names feature the same number of syllables, using them in time with your swing will ensure that the length and pace of your backswing matches the length and pace of your forward swing, a critical element of sound chipping. In the short game, too much speed and not enough rhythm can be even more detrimental. Shots around the green are all about distance control and touch. A good, relaxed tempo is crucial to achieving the desired results.

Good luck with your short-game practice. With a little work, you'll soon strike those scary chips with more confidence and freedom and with better results.

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Practicing the short game

2007-11-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

Practice doesn't always make perfect in golf, but for any level of player, from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced, practicing effectively will have a huge impact on your play.

This is especially true in the area of the short game. Developing your off-green putting, chipping and pitching skills so that they will transfer to on-course situations should be the goal of short game practice sessions.

When practicing our short game, we tend to place practice balls in one spot and pull each ball over one at a time (giving ourselves the best lie possible), and repetitively hit shot after shot at the same target. This is called block practice and is fine as a skill development drill, helping us to learn or practice a motion.

However, this type of repetitive drill often creates an unrealistic expectation for the player, as it has only a slight resemblance to the actual on-course shots they will face in competitive situations.

Alternatively, a player who distributes his or her golf balls at various locations around the target green -- allowing for different lies, stances, distances and angles of approach -- is creating a scattered practice routine. This routine will better help prepare them for the actual on-course situations they will face, and is effective in developing skills in both shot planning (club selection, choosing the landing area, etc.) and execution.

The results we get with the scattered practice routine will likely be much closer to true on-course results, and therefore will have a greater impact on the scores we shoot.

A fun way to add a scoring element to your short game practice sessions is to hit eleven shots to the same target from scattered positions. Then find the ball that is sixth in distance from the target. This is your approximate your average distance. Go ahead and putt this ball and see if you left yourself a makeable putt, which is known as "getting up-and-down."

Set distance goals for yourself to see if you can get that average ball consistently closer to the pin, and make each ball count, just as you would do in playing situations.

I can't stress enough the importance of not only practicing your short game, but also receiving expert instruction to ensure that you are practicing effectively. While many people might associate PGA Teaching Professionals with full swing instruction, they also have the expertise to teach you the short game shot planning skills and techniques that with practice can lower your scores drastically.

You can find a golf facility that employs a PGA Professional near you anytime by logging on to www.PlayGolfAmerica.com and using the zip code search.

(Rick Martino is director of instruction at The PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla.)

Golfing Tips For Beginners

2007-11-02T22:40:00.001-07:00

Golf can start an afternoon hobby and turn into a real passion as you get more involved with it. Learning how to play golf is not difficult and going through all the initial steps is actually fun and rewarding. Here are a few golfing tips that will help you start of on the right foot and turn into a real golfer:

Don’t go for the shiniest, most expensive set of golf clubs. As a beginner you will miss a lot of the subtleties of professional golf equipment, so it’s not worth spending thousands of dollars on the latest technology and golf club models. Start with a cheaper set of clubs, maybe even a used one. A good golf set would have a putter, two woods and five irons.

The irons are usually the odd numbers, such as 3, 5, 7 and 9 plus a wedge. If you want to experience different club types without actually purchasing them you can always rent a set from the golf course. As in most cases, beginners play their first golf rounds with a more experienced friend – you can also borrow some clubs from them.

Getting golf lessons

Golf coaches are a better alternative than friends when it comes to teaching you how to properly play golf. However, if you are just starting golf for the fun of the game, a friend might be a good tutor initially. The only problem with friends teaching you how to golf is that they do not have the necessary skills to explain all the complexities of the movements, swings and strategies. A golf coach is experienced in getting you complicated terms in plain English.

You can sign up for golf lessons at most golf courses, and this is a good investment if you have a competitive nature and a few friends that doubt your golfing skills. While costs can range from $20 to $50 per hour, you can also get a group booking that will save you some money.

Golf for fun

Once you have the basic notions about golf it is time to make the most out of this game: have fun! Ambition and determination are great when developing your golf skills, but do not let these reduce the enjoyment levels of the game.

About the author: Other useful resources: http://www.for-kids-safety.com http://www.usagolfnews.com http://www.online-assets.com http://www.cosmicfly.com http://www.outsourcing-heaven.com http://www.vending-machine-expert.com

Bunker Basics - Guaranteed To Get You 'Off The Beach'

2007-11-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

Most high handicap golfers get a real sweat on when they go into the bunker, even though getting out is basically a very easy shot. One main thing to remember is that you’re not actually going to hit the golf ball clean. You’re not actually going to make contact with the golf ball itself with the club. The sand is actually going to act as a cushion between the club head and the ball when you hit the shot out.

Most people when they go in a bunker and they don’t have a good bunker technique are trying to pick the ball off the top of the sand with a chip shot action as though they’re on the grass. Now the problem with that is that the grass is very firm so you’re not going to dig in with the club. This means you can quite easily then hit the golf ball first and get a decent strike out of it, but most people tend to just duff it in front of themselves when they try this out of sand, because the sand
is fluffy and it breaks up.

So what you’ve got to remember is that you’re actually going to take out the same amount from underneath the ball. If you put, let’s say two five pound notes side by side, that’s the amount of sand you’re going to take out of the bunker either side of the ball as you hit underneath it.

When you swing the golf club one of the things you’ve got to think about is your swing. It needs to be a lot longer and have a better tempo than with a chip shot, because you’ve got to allow for the sand which you’re going to take out with your shot. You must allow for that sand to actually take the power out of the shot. If you did a golf swing when chipping from just off the green and you used a bunker swing, you’d hit the ball about three or four times too far, but in a bunker it wouldn’t be the same. You’re just using the power of the swing and the sand to take the power out of the shot.

About the author: Brian Hall is a PGA Pro Teacher with over 25 years teaching experience. He is also co-author and resident teaching pro of the Simple Golf Made Easy e-course. For full details see http://www.SimpleEasyGolf.com

All For The Love Of Golf

2007-11-02T22:34:00.001-07:00

Golf is supposed to be an enjoyable game. We golf over and over again, because we love the game. So why do we beat ourselves up, just before we get off the first tee box? Have you ever heard yourself with a bunch of negative emotions before the golf round?

“Another day out on the golf course and my back is killing me.” Why would you even consider golfing, if it were painful? Why did those even consider golfing with a bad back? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I have to get through this eighteen with the least amount of pain.” Why not play nine holes instead of eighteen? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I am not too sure if the mental part of my game can take any more. It’s tough mentally when things just aren’t going right.” If your confused mentally, why even bother picking up a golf club? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I hope this is not going to be another brutal round, like the other day?” When things are not going right, why not take a day off from golf and meditate instead? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“If I do not hit the fairway on the first tee box, I think I’ll quit playing golf after eighteen.” Why quit after eighteen when the first shot may be the reason to quit? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“If I do not make par on the first hole, I am not going to keep score for the rest of the round.” If your temper is that bad, why carry a scorecard at all? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“The first water hazard my ball ends up in, my golf clubs are going in with it.” Do yourself a favor and play with rentals. Why? All for the love of golf!

“I better not three putt any greens today. I’ll break my putter on the first three putt green, if I do.” Do yourself a favor and pick up for two. Why? All for the love of golf!

“Frosty will never see winter, if I get a snowman today.” Do not play golf with anybody by the nickname Frosty. Why? All for the love of golf!

To help avoid some of these negative emotions, booking a tee time in advance will help keep your mind on a positive level. Why? All for the love of golf!

About the author: Learned to play golf as a caddie. Caddied for as many as three players at once. Played as much as 54 holes of golf in a day. Why? All for the love of golf! Now running a tee time site at http://www.gofanchor.net and a golf site at http://www.golfanchor.com

How Focus Can Improve Your Golf Game

2007-11-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Ninety percent of golf is mental. Oh heck, make that 95%! Arnold Palmer stated, “The toughest 6 inches in the game of golf is between a player’s ears”.

The fastest way to lower your score is to master the ability to focus.

Most golfers tend to think they must practice more, find a new instructor, buy more videos, get the swing right, change those clubs. But one of the often overlooked and most important mental aspects of the game is focus.

Now you want to make sure you focus on the result you want. In golf the shot is determined by your level of concentration. You’ve likely just rushed right in and played shots without concentrating. No wonder the ball ended up going haywire!

It’s better to make ten focused swings than 100 quick, thoughtless ones. Your swing will naturally break down when you’re fatigued. So be sure to take a break when you’re practicing. Brain breaks give your mind and body a chance to implement what you’re learning.

One way to practice the art of focusing is to light a candle and stare into the flame, only thinking of the flame. Every time your mind starts to move to any other thought, bring it back to the flame. Think of the dancing orange colors, how they melt inside of each other.

The first time you do this, you might be hard –pressed to last for 3 minutes. Work up to 20 minutes, and your ability to focus on anything will have improved immensely. You’ll be able to take this enhanced skill to the golf course.

When you’re playing, just think about the next shot. During down time, allow your mind to relax and wander for a few minutes. Don’t try to concentrate the entire game, or you’ll get very fatigued, very quickly. Save the mental workout for thoughtful shot decisions and center on what shot you’re going to play next.

Also, keep your cool and behave in an emotionally controlled manner. You will perform more effectively. In the great game of golf, emotions soar and fall quickly. You can go from totally happy to totally ticked off in no time at all. In fact, the feeling of anger is actually a series of reactions that happen in just 1/30th of a second.

Stop it at the first spark. The important thing is to figure out what is really making you angry. Think of the grand scheme of life and how today is just a speck. Your golf game is a speck on a speck. It helps to minimize the situation and look at the big picture of what’s really important in life.

Master the mental art of focus, and you’ve got 95% of the game of golf all figured out!

About the author: This article courtesy of http://golf-world.org

Chip Shot – Bump and Run

2007-10-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

I’m going to describe two very different golf shots to you. One is called a pitch shot with loft, and the other is called a chip shot with run. Now what’s the difference?

Well, first of all, sometimes the pin is in a situation where you have to go over an uneven lie, or you have to go over the edge of a bunker, or you have to go over a little tree and you need it to stop a little quicker.

So, you take out your loftier golf club, your lob wedge or your sand wedge. Put the ball in the middle of your stance, a little weight left and swing your arms up and down. And after it hits the green, it will slow down and stop because it has so much loft on it.

Now, for a chip shot, or a bump and run shot, it’s the same golf shot, but it’s done with a pitching wedge, or you could even use a 9 iron.

In this situation, the pin is in the back of the green and there is no trouble in front of you. So, you put the ball in the middle of your stance, put a little weight on your left leg, and swing your arms up and down. But because you did it with a pitching wedge, the shot takes off flatter and runs more.

Now, some of you get confused because the pin is in the back of the green and you want it to run, but if you use your sand wedge or your lob wedge. That won’t happen. That won’t run.

So, make sure in the future when you need a running chip shot, use a pitching wedge and put the ball in the middle of your stance. And if you really want it to run a lot, put it in the back of your stance. Try to change the golf club. Control the distance you want the chip shots to go by your club selection, not by the length of your swing.

A chip shot or a bump and run shot is also useful from the fairway or any place around the green that you don’t have any obstructions. Sometimes you can be much more accurate by simply bumping an 8 iron up the fairway and letting it roll onto the green instead of trying to pitch it with accuracy. Usually your alignment will be a lot better using this tactic because much more of the shot occurs on the ground.

Chip And Run Shot

2007-10-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

Many golfers use the “chip and run” as regular part of their game; and those who don’t have at least seen others do it. The chip and run shot is very similar to a putt, but you play the shot from just off the green. Club selection is vital for this shot, just like any other; in this case, you will want to use irons.

The shot should be played with your legs close together and the golf ball in line with your back foot. The club should be held firmly in your hands ahead of the ball, which will make the shot fly flatter through the air.

You should use only your arms to play the shot–just as you would when you take a strong putt on the green.

When you are chipping uphill, make sure you carefully consider your selection because you will need a club that can keep the ball lower and help it roll up onto the green.

Conversely, when you are chipping downhill, you will need a club that can create a lot of backspin, which will stop the ball from rolling down the hill, causing you to gain strokes.

Of course, when you are around the green, keep playing the shot the same way if you haven’t had trouble in the past; and remember to allow your club to do most of the work.

The chip and run will either make or break your putting position. If you get it right, you can confidently stroll up to the ball on the green, make a simple putt, and then move on to the next hole; however, if you can’t get a good green lay-up, then you will be looking at a tricky putt or another chip and run shot.

Hitting A Ball Above Your Feet Step Four

2007-10-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

Step Four
The ball will fly much higher than normal due to the upslope.

Hitting A Ball Above Your Feet Step Three

2007-10-08T23:02:00.000-07:00

Step Three
Swing as normal but be prepared for an awkward follow through as the slope will restrict your movement.

Hitting A Ball Above Your Feet Step Two

2007-10-08T22:58:00.001-07:00

Step Two
On level ground, your body is perpendicular to the ground but on a slope this isn't the case.

In order to recreate this, shift your weight more onto the lower leg.

The steeper the slope, the more your weight should be on this leg.

Play the ball forward in your stance as this will encourage your swing to follow the contour of the ground.

Hitting A Ball Above Your Feet Step One

2007-10-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

STEP ONE
Aim your club and body to the right of the target as you will naturally hit the ball with draw.

This is because the angle of the slope means your legs will be restricted in the shot, forcing your hands to turn over more and close the blade.

The steeper the slope, the more this will happen so aim further right.

Take a practice swing to get the feel for this otherwise you may overbalance

Hitting A Ball Above Your Feet

2007-10-08T22:54:00.001-07:00

Playing the ball off an upslope can help you get more distance than normal.

But there are a couple of changes you must make to your set up and swing.

As a rule of thumb, always lean INTO a hill.

Hitting the Ball - How Hard Can It Be?

2007-10-04T22:40:00.001-07:00

Hitting the Ball - How Hard Can It Be?
A golf outsider watches the game. How hard can it be to hit a stationary ball?. After all, major league baseball players hit balls traveling high speeds all the time. With that in mind, the outsider decides to take up the game of golf with the notion that the game is so relaxing because it requires little effort.

Think again.

Most of those people give up on the game before they really understand the dynamics of hitting that little ball. It makes sense that an iron club could pelt a little ball hundreds of yards, yet when the new golfer takes his first swing there is
often little movement at all sometimes no movement (or worse, backward movement).

There is a lot more to hitting that little ball than meets the eye.

Human nature is to use the iron to cup it under the ball to hit the ball up into the air. But look at the club. It is angled back, not at all designed to cup beneath the ball. So, when a golfer tries to scoop up the ball, he or she is really trapping it between the angled face of the club and the ground. That's why often times, the ball doesn't move - or worse, moves backwards just a little bit.

Instead of striving to hit up, it's best to learn to hit downward. By hitting down, the angled club will do the work for you, not the upswing of your club. When you hit down, the angle will bump your golf ball forward. It's that simple.

But putting power behind that little punt takes some practice. You'll be tempted to swing big and hard. It takes as much practice to resist that temptation as it does to learn to hit the ball! Once you have trained yourself against swinging upward, you will see your hitting start to improve.

Now you'll begin to understand why there are various golf club options and choices you have to make when making a shot. You'll need to pick your club based on the angle of the club face once you determine how far you want the ball to go and how you need it to perform.

If you've been practicing but still don't feel like you've got the hang of it, ask for help. Your golf course should have an attendant on hand who could give you some pointers. Maybe you could take some private lessons. The course pro shop should have suggestions for area teachers. Or, try the good, old buddy method. Ask another golfer you've seen play how he or she does it and if they have any tips for hitting the ball. You may think you sound silly, but when other golfers start to regale you with their tales of learning to hit the ball, almost everyone has had to address that challenge up front.

With those tips in mind and maybe even a few lessons behind you, go back to practicing. Just as it takes a while to train your mind to think about hitting downward instead of upward, it takes a while to train your body to actually do it the way you have in mind. Don't give up and remember, the game is all about relaxing so don't stress too much over hitting the ball.

Hit Super-Soft Pitch Shots(End)

2007-10-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

Hands and chest move together.

Chest continues to turn toward target.

Chest facing target, hands low.

Key Move

To execute the Super-Soft Pitch to perfection, it's imperative that you rotate your chest through impact and even more critical that you swing your arms at the same speed you turn your chest. You want everything rotating together or you won't be correct at impact. Finish your swing with your hands low and directly in front of your chest.

Hit Super-Soft Pitch Shots(Continue)

2007-10-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

Super-Soft Pitch

Regular Pitch

The swing

Make your backswing by swinging your arms and chest away from the ball using soft hands and an easy hinge of your wrists. Your swing path should feel pretty straight, but with a slight turn so that the toe of the clubhead points straight up once your hands reach knee height.

Stop your backswing just as your hands pass your right knee. All you need to do on your downswing is turn toward your target and unhinge your wrists so that you return the clubhead, shaft and weight to the same position they were in at address. When you do this correctly, your club will descend into the bottom of the ball with the correct loft and send it softly into the air.

Hit Super-Soft Pitch Shots(Continue)

2007-10-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

Regular Pitch.

Super-Soft Pitch.

How to do it

The key to hitting the Super-Soft Pitch is to pre-set your body in the correct impact position at address. This helps you strike the ball with the right amount of loft. In the past, you've pitched the ball either too low or too high because your poor impact position either added or subtracted loft from your clubface.

The setup

Sole either your 56- or 60-degree wedge on the turf with the face square and pointing directly at your target. (There's no need to open it — that only creates extra bounce and the potential for thin contact.)

Play the ball just slightly back of center and lean your shaft forward. (Be careful not to close your clubface.) Your grip should line up with your sternum about an inch in front of the ball with your weight favoring your front foot.

Make sure your shoulders are level and that your arms hang straight down. Ease up your grip pressure — the Super-Soft Pitch requires soft hands.

Hit Super-Soft Pitch Shots

2007-10-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

The Situation
You're faced with a tricky pitch with an obstacle between you and the pin. You need loft and pinpoint distance control or you won't get up and down.

The Standard Play

Hit a high, floating lob shot with your 60-degree wedge or a lower pitch with tons of spin to get your ball to stop after a single hop. Problem is, the lob shot is a high-risk alternative and most recreational players can't generate the spin needed to stop the ball on a dime.

The Better Play

The Super-Soft Pitch — a simple technique that adds extra loft to your everyday pitching motion. You'll get a high shot that stops near where it lands without having to make the perfect lob.

This story is for you if...
• Your wedge shots don't spin and stop like they should.
• You hit one pitch too high and the next too low.
• You have no faith in your lob-shot technique.

Splash Bunker Shot Step Five

2007-09-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

STEP FIVE
It is extrremely important to follow through to the target.

Don't allow the club to 'die' into the sand.

Imagine smashing the club down onto a pool of water and wanting to watch the droplets scatter all over the green.

It is the same action - the sand absorbs some of the blow but bounces the club back out.

Use your shoulder and hip turn to help it along.

Splash Bunker Shot Step Four

2007-09-28T22:52:00.000-07:00

STEP FOUR
The sand wedge has a wide sole.

This means rather the slicing down into the bunker, the clubhead can 'bounce' through it and lift the sand - and the ball - skywards.

It requires considerable clubhead speed to remove the ball, especially when the face is steep or the sand is wet.

Aim to produce a solid-sounding 'thump'

Splash Bunker Shot Step Three

2007-09-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

STEP THREE
Swing the clubhead back down hard along the line of the shoulders.

Your knees should be more flexed than for a normal shot, so you need to concentrate harder on keeping your head steady and not dipping down towards the ball.

As you swing the club back towards the ball you should feel as though you are cutting across the line from outside to in.

It may feel as though this will take the ball too far left.

But it won't - it'll make up for the the fact the open clubface is forcing the ball right.

You should always take almost a full swing - the distance can be largely controlled by changing the amount of sand you take.

Splash Bunker Shot Step Two

2007-09-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

STEP TWO
Hover your clubhead behind the ball and pick a mark in the sand behind the ball.

Aim to hit this spot.

Your weight should be on your left foot not right to encourage a steeper line of attack for your club.

Pick the club head up more sharply than normal forcing it outside your normal line.

Splash Bunker Shot Step One

2007-09-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

STEP ONE
Settle into the sand to give you a nice solid base and feel for the thickness of the sand.

Set up with the ball in middle of your stance.

Without grounding your club, lay the face open then take hold of the club with your normal grip.

This puts the clubhead in the right position so its wide sole bounces through and off the sand taking your ball with it.

Tighten your grip but mainly with your left index and little finger.

This keeps the club firm so it does not turn over into the sand but flexible.

Because you have opened the clubface, it will now be pointing off to the right if your body is square to the target.

To compensate, shuffle your feet and shoulders to the left until the face is square to the target again.

Splash Bunker Shot

2007-09-28T22:44:00.001-07:00

The main reason most golfers hate bunkers is that they don't know the correct technique to get out of them.
Once you do, and you practise it enough, you may actually relish the challenge.

In many circumstances, top professional golfers prefer to be in a bunker next to the green than on the grass, as it gives them greater control of the ball.

The sand wedge is designed never to touch the ball.

The aim is to hit the sand about an inch behind the ball and create a mini-explosion which carries your ball up and out.

Play Out of Plugged lie Step Four

2007-09-24T22:54:00.001-07:00

STEP FOUR
The ball will come out low and fast with not much spin so only play this shot if you have a large area to aim at.

Play Out of Plugged lie Step Three

2007-09-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

STEP THREE
Accelerate the clubhead down into the sand, concentrating on making sure the leading edge of the club hits the sand first.

On this occasion you do not want to club to 'bounce' as it will simply bounce across the top of the ball and could plug it even further.

Play Out of Plugged lie Step Two

2007-09-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

STEP TWO

You need a steep line of attack so hinge your wrists early in your backswing.

You should feel as though you are almost lifting the club vertically up.

Play Out of Plugged lie Step One

2007-09-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

STEP ONE
Close the stance and the clubface and set up with the ball near the middle of your feet with most of your weight on your left side.

Play Out of Plugged lie

2007-09-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

Finding your ball 'plugged' in a hole or footprint in the bunker can be incredibly annoying.

The shot looks a nightmare but don't panic - there is a way out.

All you have to do is reverse all the principles of the 'splash' bunker shot.

Out From Rough Step Four

2007-09-23T23:03:00.001-07:00

STEP FOUR

Keep the hands firm so the clubface remains square to the ball through the shot and is not pulled off line by the grass.

In long grass or heather, you need to use all your body weight not just your arms to free the ball.

Emphasising the weight shift onto your front foot and the turn of your hips to help generate even more power.

Feel yourself continue to turn after the ball has gone.

Out From Rough Step Three

2007-09-23T23:02:00.001-07:00

STEP THREE

As the club descends try to accelerate even more than normal.

It is vital to generate as much clubhead speed as possible to get through the thick grass.

Out From Rough Step Two

2007-09-23T23:00:00.001-07:00

STEP TWO

Take a three-quarter length swing - this will help generate more power

Out From Rough Step One

2007-09-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

STEP ONE

Grip down the shaft slightly and set up with the ball towards the back of your stance.

Open the club face, aiming left of the target to compensate, to help bring the club through quicker

Out From Rough

2007-09-23T22:52:00.001-07:00

When you are in the rough the most important thing to remember is to make sure you get out.

Don't be greedy and attempt to hit the ball too far from heavy rough.

You may only manage to shift it a few yards and end up in even worse trouble.

So take a higher club than you might want to - a six or seven iron is about right - unless you have a really good lie.

50-Yard Bunker Shots

2007-09-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

50-Yard Bunker Shots

Shape your swing like a U for these tough situations

Even if you're a good greenside bunker player, you can't use the same technique to reach the green when the bunker is 50 yards or so from the putting surface. The following are the adjustments you need to make.

Take more club. You won't need all the bounce that your sand wedge provides, and the lower amount of loft on your pitching wedge or 9-iron will help you carry the extra distance.

Open up less. Open your stance and the clubface only slightly.

Don't dig deep. Don't dig your feet into the sand as deeply as you would in a greenside bunker. You need some lower-leg action here.

Make a U. The sharp, V-shaped swing you normally make in a greenside bunker is too steep. Instead, make a U-shaped swing and hit the sand about an inch or so behind the ball and make sure to follow through. Your ball will still ride out on a cushion of sand, but the less lofted club and rounder swing will help you fly the ball to the green.

Chipping with an 8 or 9 Iron

2007-09-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

Chipping with an 8 or 9 Iron

Technically, the chip shot is the easiest golf shot to learn, as most

golf tips tell you. It’s also one of the most critical.

When I say “chip shot”, I mean a shot that hits the green and rolls

to the flag. Its use varies but it saves strokes when executed properly.

It’s ideal when you’re on the collar of the green with no obstacles

between you and the flag. The key is selecting a spot on the green

and hitting it.

You can chip with either an 8 iron or a 9 iron. Take a slightly open

address position, with your weight forward. Position the ball closer to

your back foot, hands in front of the ball. Placing your hands this way

“hoods” the clubface, giving you the loft of a 7 iron. Also, grip down on

the club 4 or 5 inches for more control.

Keys to chipping:

• Set right address

• Grip down on club

• Aim for spot on green

• Hinge wrist at takeaway

• Hands lead in hitting zone

• Keep wrists firm through impact

• Follow through on shot

Hinge your wrists slightly during takeaway and strike down on the ball

crisply. Your hands should lead through the hitting zone. For solid

contact, return the hands and arms to where they were at address,

which helps produce ball-and-turf contact. Keep the wrists firm through

impact, and don’t turn the wrists over during follow-through. Stay

relaxed and loose throughout the shot.

One exercise to practice chipping is the random ball drill. Take several

balls with you and your chipping club(s). Spread the balls around the

green. Pick out as many different lies as you can. Create scenarios as

much like actual play as possible. Practice chipping with the iron of

choice. Master chipping with one club before moving on to other clubs.

So, next time you reach for the putter from the fringe, consider using

that 8 or 9 iron to improve accuracy.

Improve Your Putting With These Tips

2007-09-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

Improve Your Putting With These Tips

Do you need more focus? Do you want to improve your putting before you tee off? Don't worry read on and you'll find whatever you need right here.

Games to improve Putting:

If you need to improve your short putts then practice a simple game. Place a dime, and putt to it. There could be nothing better to improve your focus and concentration.

Keep the focus of the eye on the Dime:

Place your ball on a dime, and then what you need to do is focus your eyes only on the dime as you play your stroke. Don't follow the path of the ball, Keep looking at the dime; this will help you improve your short putts specifically.

Right on target:

The three foot putts can really irritate you if you are all nerves. Think that there is a bull's-eye that there at the back of the cup. Doing this your clubface will move square of the hole and it will accelerate your putt.

Shut your Eyes and Putt:

If you keep your eyes closed and putt then it will facilitate your feeling the movements of the body. The movement of your shoulders will seem like a pendulum. Don't be surprised if you hear the ball sound inside the cup.

Fix your head and Putt:

If your head stays put then it makes your putt better. Not just before you putt after hitting the ball your focus should be on not moving your head. If you move your head then this can lead you to opening your shoulders and the putt will go wrong. Keep your head still, along with your eyes shut and you will be surprised at the results.

Pay attention to the Toe:

When you are putting downhill you will face difficulty as they are rather fast. The toe of the putter needs to be used to hit the ball, it will make the ball stay low and prevent it from bouncing too high and eventually away. However this does not have to be done when you are putting uphill.

Without the Putter:

If you find it difficult to manage your distance of putting then try to do it without the putter. Place your hand in the same position as the putter and practice rolling the ball as you roll it in the alley. This will help you have some sense of the distance and will be corrective for your putting.

The Pro Choice:

If you observe a pro then you will notice that as he lines up the breaking putts he always prefers the higher side of the hole rather than its lower side. This is because if a putt is about to break up near a hole then, in such a condition if the ball is above the hole then gravity will be beneficial for you and the ball will roll into the hole. Similarly if your ball is on the lower side gravity is bound to work against you, so use your common sense.

Analyzing the Course:

For a golfer it is very important to be able to analyze a course, this is because it will determine the course of his game. He needs to know the points or rather the factors which will work for his benefits and which wont. The speed and the break is what he should know before he begins playing. This is because these two factors can change on the same course within a span of two days. So practicing a few putts before the real thing can help them know all of this.

The Lob Shot vs. the Chip Shot

2007-09-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

A common rule of thumb when around the green usually dictates getting the ball rolling as soon as possible, creating a low risk approach shot. This thinking is fine for middle to high handicappers, but not in all cases would I give this advice to the better player.

I was confronted with a good example just the other day - I'm just off the green with an uphill lie, the pin is on the second tier of a two-tier green. The slope to the second tier was very steep, making it very difficult to determine how hard to hit a chip shot.

Experimenting, I tried the chip shot approach three times. Twice the ball started up the slope but, lacking enough speed, came back to the base of the hill. I then simply lofted the shot to the second tier, and it landed softly and stopped within a
few feet of the initial landing area.

Your imagination can often prove to be your greatest ally!

Remember: As with any short game shot, it is most important to rehearse any new approach

Work with it for a while - I promise you positive results.

Chip Like a Champ

2007-07-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

Chip Like a Champ
Lead with your hands and your chips will run to the hole

The trick to good chipping is to keep the motion clean and simple. Don't incorporate any extra moves that could jeopardize distance control or send the ball off-line. It's critical that the hands lead the club to the ball to hit it with a sharp, descending blow. What you would want to see as you swing down to the ball is your hands ahead of the clubhead, all the way to impact.

Leonard KamslerDrill: Drag your hands ahead
This teaches you to lead with the hands and helps you avoid scooping. Best yet, it doesn't require a ball.

Stand as if you were about to hit a chip, but set the club on the ground well behind your right foot.
Rotate your body and drag the club along the ground through the hitting zone, keeping your hands forward.
Repeat this drill until you feel comfortable maintaining the angle between your hands, wrists amd forearms.
Three keys to crisper chips
Try one of these next time you face a tricky chip:

1. Think about gently tossing a ball (under-hand) to the hole for good rhythm.

2. Make a sweeping motion back and through, with one movement flowing seamlessly into the next.

3. Try to rip the ball off the turf so that it leaves the clubface very quickly.

Rule 34. Disputes and Decisions

2007-05-24T22:55:00.001-07:00

Rule 34. Disputes and Decisions
34-1. Claims and Penalties

a. Match Play

In match play if a claim is lodged with the Committee under Rule 2-5, a decision should be given as soon as possible so that the state of the match may, if necessary, be adjusted.

If a claim is not made within the time limit provided by Rule 2-5, it shall not be considered unless it is based on facts previously unknown to the player making the claim and the player making the claim had been given wrong information (Rules 6-2a and 9) by an opponent. In any case, no later claim shall be considered after the result of the match has been officially announced, unless the Committee is satisfied that the opponent knew he was giving wrong information.

There is no time limit on applying the disqualification penalty for a breach of Rule 1-3.

b. Stroke Play

Except as provided below, in stroke play, no penalty shall be rescinded, modified or imposed after the competition has closed. A competition is deemed to have closed when the result has been officially announced or, in stroke play qualifying followed by match play, when the player has teed off in his first match.

Exceptions: A penalty of disqualification shall be imposed after the competition has closed if a competitor:

was in breach of Rule 1-3 (Agreement to Waive Rules);or
returned a score card on which he had recorded a handicap which, before the competition closed, he knew was higher than that to which he was entitled, and this affected the number of strokes received (Rule 6-2b); or
returned a score for any hole lower than actually taken (Rule 6-6d) for any reason other than failure to include a penalty which, before the competition closed, he did not know he had incurred; or
knew, before the competition closed, that he had been in breach of any other Rule for which the prescribed penalty is disqualification.
34-2. Referee’s Decision

If a referee has been appointed by the Committee, his decision shall be final.

34-3. Committee’s Decision

In the absence of a referee, any dispute or doubtful point on the Rules shall be referred to the Committee, whose decision shall be final.

If the Committee cannot come to a decision, it shall refer the dispute or doubtful point to the Rules of Golf Committee of the United States Golf Association, whose decision shall be final.

If the dispute or doubtful point has not been referred to the Rules of Golf Committee, the player or players have the right to refer an agreed statement through the Secretary of the Club to the Rules of Golf Committee for an opinion as to the correctness of the decision given. The reply will be sent to the Secretary of the Club or Clubs concerned.

If play is conducted other than in accordance with the Rules of Golf, the Rules of Golf Committee will not give a decision on any question.

Rule 33. The Committee

2007-05-24T22:54:00.000-07:00

ADMINISTRATION
Rule 33. The Committee
33-1. Conditions; Waiving Rule

The Committee shall lay down the conditions under which a competition is to be played.

The Committee has no power to waive a Rule of Golf.

Certain special rules governing stroke play are so substantially different from those governing match play that combining the two forms of play is not practicable and is not permitted. The results of matches played and the scores returned in these circumstances shall not be accepted.

In stroke play the Committee may limit a referee’s duties.

33-2. The Course

a. Defining Bounds and Margins

The Committee shall define accurately:

the course and out of bounds,
the margins of water hazards and lateral water hazards,
ground under repair, and
obstructions and integral parts of the course.
b. New Holes

New holes should be made on the day on which a stroke competition begins and at such other times as the Committee considers necessary, provided all competitors in a single round play with each hole cut in the same position.

Exception: When it is impossible for a damaged hole to be repaired so that it conforms with the Definition, the Committee may make a new hole in a nearby similar position.

Note: Where a single round is to be played on more than one day, the Committee may provide in the conditions of a competition that the holes and teeing grounds may be differently situated on each day of the competition, provided that, on any one day, all competitors play with each hole and each teeing ground in the same position.

c. Practice Ground

Where there is no practice ground available outside the area of a competition course, the Committee should lay down the area on which players may practice on any day of a competition, if it is practicable to do so. On any day of a stroke competition, the Committee should not normally permit practice on or to a putting green or from a hazard of the competition course.

d. Course Unplayable

If the Committee or its authorized representative considers that for any reason the course is not in a playable condition or that there are circumstances which render the proper playing of the game impossible, it may, in match play or stroke play, order a temporary suspension of play or, in stroke play, declare play null and void and cancel all scores for the round in question. When a round is cancelled, all penalties incurred in that round are cancelled.

(Procedure in discontinuing play — see Rule 6-8.)

33-3. Times of Starting and Groups

The Committee shall lay down the times of starting and, in stroke play, arrange the groups in which competitors shall play.

When a match play competition is played over an extended period, the Committee shall lay down the limit of time within which each round shall be completed. When players are allowed to arrange the date of their match within these limits, the Committee should announce that the match must be played at a stated time on the last day of the period unless the players agree to a prior date.

33-4. Handicap Stroke Table

The Committee shall publish a table indicating the order of holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received.

33-5. Score Card

In stroke play, the Committee shall issue for each competitor a score card containing the date and the competitor’s name or, in foursome or four-ball stroke play, the competitors’ names.

In stroke play, the Committee is responsible for the addition of scores and application of the handicap recorded on the card.

In four-ball stroke play, the Committee is responsible for recording the better-ball score for each hole and in the process applying the handicaps recorded on the card, and adding the better-ball scores.

In bogey, par and Stableford competitions, the Committee is responsible for applying the handicap recorded on the card and determining the result of each hole and the overall result or points total.

33-6. Decision of Ties

The Committee shall announce the manner, day and time for the decision of a halved match or of a tie, whether played on level terms or under handicap.

A halved match shall not be decided by stroke play. A tie in stroke play shall not be decided by a match.

33-7. Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion

A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual cases be waived, modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action warranted.

Any penalty less than disqualification shall not be waived or modified.

33-8. Local Rules

a. Policy

The Committee may make and publish Local Rules for abnormal conditions if they are consistent with the policy set forth in Appendix I.

b. Waiving Penalty

A Rule of Golf shall not be waived by a Local Rule. However, if a Committee considers that local abnormal conditions interfere with the proper playing of the game to the extent that it is necessary to make a Local Rule which modifies the Rules of Golf, the Local Rule must be authorized by the USGA.

Rule 32. Bogey, Par and Stableford Competitions

2007-05-24T22:53:00.002-07:00

Rule 32. Bogey, Par and Stableford Competitions
32-1. Conditions

Bogey, par and Stableford competitions are forms of stroke competition in which play is against a fixed score at each hole. The Rules for stroke play, so far as they are not at variance with the following special Rules, apply.

a. Bogey and Par Competitions

The reckoning for bogey and par competitions is made as in match play. Any hole for which a competitor makes no return shall be regarded as a loss. The winner is the competitor who is most successful in the aggregate of holes.

The marker is responsible for marking only the gross number of strokes for each hole where the competitor makes a net score equal to or less than the fixed score.

Note 1: Maximum of 14 clubs — Penalties as in match play — see Rule 4-4. Note 2: Undue delay; slow play (Rule 6-7) — The player’s score shall be adjusted by deducting one hole from the overall result.

b. Stableford Competitions

The reckoning in Stableford competitions is made by points awarded in relation to a fixed score at each hole as follows:

Hole Played In Points
More than one over fixed score or no score returned 0
One over fixed score 1
Fixed score 2
One under fixed score 3
Two under fixed score 4
Three under fixed score 5
Four under fixed score 6

The winner is the competitor who scores the highest number of points.

The marker shall be responsible for marking only the gross number of strokes at each hole where the competitor’s net score earns one or more points.

Note 1: Maximum of 14 clubs (Rule 4-4) — Penalties applied as follows: From total points scored for the round, deduction of two points for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum deduction per round: four points.

Note 2: Undue delay; slow play (Rule 6-7) — The player’s score shall be adjusted by deducting two points from the total points scored for the round.

32-2. Disqualification Penalties

a. From the Competition

A competitor shall be disqualified from the competition for a breach of any of the following:

Rule 1-3 — Agreement to Waive Rules.
Rule 3-4 — Refusal to Comply with Rule.
Rule 4-1, -2 or -3 — Clubs.
Rule 5-1 or -2 — The Ball.
Rule 6-2b — Handicap (playing off higher handicap; failure to record handicap).
Rule 6-3 — Time of Starting and Groups.
Rule 6-4 — Caddie.
Rule 6-6b — Signing and Returning Card.
Rule 6-6d — Wrong Score for Hole, except that no penalty shall be incurred when a breach of this Rule does not affect the result of the hole.
Rule 6-7 — Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated offense).
Rule 6-8 — Discontinuance of Play.
Rule 7- — Practice Before or Between Rounds.
Rule 14-3 — Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment.

b. For a Hole

In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would entail disqualification, the competitor shall be disqualified only for the hole at which the breach occurred.

Rule 31. Four-Ball Stroke Play

2007-05-24T22:53:00.001-07:00

Rule 31. Four-Ball Stroke Play
In four-ball stroke play two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of a hole, there is no penalty.

31-1. Rules of Golf Apply

The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the following special Rules, shall apply to four-ball stroke play.

31-2. Representation of Side

A side may be represented by either partner for all or any part of a stipulated round; both partners need not be present. An absent competitor may join his partner between holes, but not during play of a hole.

31-3. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs

The side shall be penalized for a breach of Rule 4-4 by either partner.

31-4. Scoring

The marker is required to record for each hole only the gross score of whichever partner’s score is to count. The gross scores to count must be individually identifiable; otherwise the side shall be disqualified. Only one of the partners need be responsible for complying with Rule 6-6b.

(Wrong score — see Rule 31-7a.)

31-5. Order of Play

Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side considers best.

31-6. Wrong Ball

If a competitor plays a stroke or strokes with a wrong ball except in a hazard, he shall add two penalty strokes to his score for the hole and shall then play the correct ball. His partner incurs no penalty even if the wrong ball belongs to him.

If the wrong ball belongs to another competitor, its owner shall place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was first played.

31-7. Disqualification Penalties

a. Breach by One Partner

A side shall be disqualified from the competition for a breach of any of the following by either partner:

Rule 1-3 — Agreement to Waive Rules.
Rule 3-4 — Refusal to Comply with Rule.
Rule 4-1, -2 or -3 — Clubs.
Rule 5-1 or -2 — The Ball.
Rule 6-2 — Handicap (playing off higher handicap; failure to record handicap).
Rule 6-4 — Caddie.
Rule 6-6b — Signing and Returning Card.
Rule 6-6d — Wrong Score for Hole, i.e., when the recorded score of the partner whose score is to count is lower than actually taken. If the recorded score of the partner whose score is to count is higher than actually taken, it must stand as returned.
Rule 6-7 — Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated offense).
Rule 7-1 — Practice Before or Between Rounds.
Rule 14-3 — Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment.
Rule 31-4 — Gross Scores to Count Not Individually Identifiable.

b. Breach by Both Partners

A side shall be disqualified:

for a breach by both partners of Rule 6-3 (Time of Starting and Groups) or Rule 6-8 (Discontinuance of Play), or
if, at the same hole, each partner is in breach of a Rule the penalty for which is disqualification from the competition or for a hole.
c. For the Hole Only

In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would entail disqualification, the competitor shall be disqualified only for the hole at which the breach occurred.

31-8. Effect of Other Penalties

If a competitor’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play, the partner incurs the applicable penalty in addition to any penalty incurred by the competitor.

In all other cases where a competitor incurs a penalty for breach of a Rule, the penalty shall not apply to his partner.

Rule 30. Three-Ball, Best-Ball and Four-Ball Match Play

2007-05-24T22:52:00.001-07:00

Rule 30. Three-Ball, Best-Ball
and Four-Ball Match Play
Definitions

Three-Ball: A match play competition in which three play against one another, each playing his own ball. Each player is playing two distinct matches.

Best-Ball: A match in which one plays against the better ball of two or the best ball of three players.

Four-Ball: A match in which two play their better ball against the better ball of two other players.

30-1. Rules of Golf Apply

The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the following special Rules, shall apply to three-ball, best-ball and four-ball matches.

30-2. Three-Ball Match Play

a. Ball at Rest Moved by an Opponent

Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, if the player’s ball is touched or moved by an opponent, his caddie or equipment other than during search, Rule 18-3b applies. That opponent shall incur a penalty stroke in his match with the player, but not in his match with the other opponent.

b.Ball Deflected or Stopped by an Opponent Accidentally

If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by an opponent, his caddie or equipment, no penalty shall be incurred. In his match with that opponent the player may play the ball as it lies or, before another stroke is played by either side, he may cancel the stroke and play a ball without penalty as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5). In his match with the other opponent, the ball shall be played as it lies.

Exception: Ball striking person attending flagstick — see Rule 17-3b.

(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by opponent — see Rule 1-2.)

30-3. Best-Ball and Four-Ball Match Play

a. Representation of Side

A side may be represented by one partner for all or any part of a match; all partners need not be present. An absent partner may join a match between holes, but not during play of a hole.

b. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs

The side shall be penalized for a breach of Rule 4-4 by any partner.

c. Order of Play

Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side considers best.

d. Wrong Ball

If a player plays a stroke with a wrong ball except in a hazard, he shall be disqualified for that hole, but his partner incurs no penalty even if the wrong ball belongs to him. If the wrong ball belongs to another player, its owner shall place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was first played.

e. Disqualification of Side

A side shall be disqualified for a breach of any of the following by any partner:
Rule 1-3 — Agreement to Waive Rules.
Rule 4-1, -2 or -3 — Clubs.
Rule 5-1 or -2 — The Ball.
Rule 6-2a — Handicap (playing off higher handicap).
Rule 6-4 — Caddie.
Rule 6-7 — Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated offense).
Rule 14-3 — Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment.

A side shall be disqualified for a breach of any of the following by all partners:
Rule 6-3 — Time of Starting and Groups.
Rule 6-8 — Discontinuance of Play.

f. Effect of Other Penalties

If a player’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play or adversely affects an opponent’s play, the partner incurs the applicable penalty in addition to any penalty incurred by the player.

In all other cases where a player incurs a penalty for breach of a Rule, the penalty shall not apply to his partner. Where the penalty is stated to be loss of hole, the effect shall be to disqualify the player for that hole.

g. Another Form of Match Played Concurrently

In a best-ball or four-ball match when another form of match is played concurrently, the above special Rules shall apply.

Rule 29. Threesomes and Foursomes

2007-05-24T22:51:00.002-07:00

OTHER FORMS OF PLAY
Rule 29. Threesomes and Foursomes
Definitions

Threesome: A match in which one plays against two, and each side plays one ball.

Foursome: A match in which two play against two, and each side plays one ball.

29-1. General

In a threesome or a foursome, during any stipulated round the partners shall play alternately from the teeing grounds and alternately during the play of each hole. Penalty strokes do not affect the order of play.

29-2. Match Play

If a player plays when his partner should have played, his side shall lose the hole.

29-3. Stroke Play

If the partners play a stroke or strokes in incorrect order, such stroke or strokes shall be cancelled and the side shall incur a penalty of two strokes. The side shall correct the error by playing a ball in correct order as nearly as possible at the spot from which it first played in incorrect order (see Rule 20-5). If the side plays a stroke from the next teeing ground without first correcting the error or, in the case of the last hole of the round, leaves the putting green without declaring its intention to correct the error, the side shall be disqualified.

Rule 28. Ball Unplayable

2007-05-24T22:51:00.001-07:00

Rule 28. Ball Unplayable
The player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.

If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he shall, under penalty of one stroke:

Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5);

or
Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole;

or
Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.

The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.

Rule 27. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds;Provisional Ball

2007-05-24T22:50:00.001-07:00

Rule 27. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds;
Provisional Ball
Definitions

A ball is “lost” if:

It is not found or identified as his by the player within five minutes after the player’s side or his or their caddies have begun to search for it; or
The player has put another ball into play under the Rules, even though he may not have searched for the original ball; or
The player has played any stroke with a provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place, whereupon the provisional ball becomes the ball in play.
Time spent in playing a wrong ball is not counted in the five-minute period allowed for search.

“Out of bounds” is beyond the boundaries of the course or any part of the course so marked by the Committee.

When out of bounds is defined by reference to stakes or a fence, or as being beyond stakes or a fence, the out of bounds line is determined by the nearest inside points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level excluding angled supports.

Objects defining out of bounds such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed.

When out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds.

The out of bounds line extends vertically upwards and downwards.

A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds.

A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds.

A “provisional ball” is a ball played under Rule 27-2 for a ball which may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds.

27-1. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds

If a ball is lost or is out of bounds, the player shall play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5).

Exceptions:

If there is reasonable evidence that the original ball is lost in a water hazard, the player shall proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1.
If there is reasonable evidence that the original ball is lost in an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2c) or an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1c) the player may proceed under the applicable Rule.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 27-1:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.
Rule 27-2. Provisional Ball

a. Procedure

If a ball may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally in accordance with Rule 27-1. The player shall inform his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play that he intends to play a provisional ball, and he shall play it before he or his partner goes forward to search for the original ball.

If he fails to do so and plays another ball, such ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1); the original ball is deemed to be lost.

(Order of play from teeing ground - see Rule 10-3.)

b. When Provisional Ball Becomes Ball in Play

The player may play a provisional ball until he reaches the place where the original ball is likely to be. If he plays a stroke with the provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place, the original ball is deemed to be lost and the provisional ball becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1).

If the original ball is lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1).

If there is reasonable evidence that the original ball is lost in a water hazard, the player shall proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1.

Exception: If there is reasonable evidence that the original ball is lost in an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2c) or an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1c) the player may proceed under the applicable Rule.

c. When Provisional Ball to Be Abandoned

If the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds, the player shall abandon the provisional ball and continue play with the original ball. If he fails to do so, any further strokes played with the provisional ball shall constitute playing a wrong ball and the provisions of Rule 15 shall apply.

Note: Strokes taken and penalty strokes incurred solely in playing a provisional ball subsequently abandoned under Rule 27-2c shall be disregarded.

Rule 26. Water Hazards

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Rule 26. Water Hazards
(Including Lateral Water Hazards)
Definitions

A “water hazard’’ is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature.

All ground or water within the margin of a water hazard is part of the water hazard. The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and downwards. Stakes and lines defining the margins of water hazards are in the hazards. Such stakes are obstructions. A ball is in a water hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the water hazard.

Note 1: Water hazards (other than lateral water hazards) should be defined by yellow stakes or lines.

Note 2: The Committee may make a Local Rule prohibiting play from an environmentally-sensitive area which has been defined as a water hazard.

A “lateral water hazard’’ is a water hazard or that part of a water hazard so situated that it is not possible or is deemed by the Committee to be impracticable to drop a ball behind the water hazard in accordance with Rule 26-1b.

That part of a water hazard to be played as a lateral water hazard should be distinctively marked. A ball is in a lateral water hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the lateral water hazard.

Note 1: Lateral water hazards should be defined by red stakes or lines.

Note 2: The Committee may make a Local Rule prohibiting play from an environmentally-sensitive area which has been defined as a lateral water hazard.

Note 3: The Committee may define a lateral water hazard as a water hazard.

26-1. Ball in Water Hazard

It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck toward a water hazard is lost inside or outside the hazard. In order to treat the ball as lost in the hazard, there must be reasonable evidence that the ball lodged in it. In the absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated as a lost ball and Rule 27 applies.

If a ball is in or is lost in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:

Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5);

or

Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped.

or

As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.

(Ball moving in water in a water hazard — see Rule 14-6.)

26-2. Ball Played Within Water Hazard

a. Ball Comes To Rest in The Hazard

If a ball played from within a water hazard comes to rest in the same hazard after the stroke, the player may:

proceed under Rule 26-1; or
under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the last stroke from outside the hazard was played (see Rule 20-5).
If the player proceeds under Rule 26-1a, he may elect not to play the dropped ball. If he so elects, he may:

Proceed under Rule 26-1b, adding the additional penalty of one stroke prescribed by that Rule;

or

Proceed under Rule 26-1c, if applicable, adding the additional penalty of one stroke prescribed by that Rule;

or

Add an additional penalty of one stroke and play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the last stroke from outside the hazard was played (see Rule 20-5).
b.Ball Lost or Unplayable Outside Hazard or Out of Bounds

If a ball played from within a water hazard is lost or declared unplayable outside the hazard or is out of bounds, the player, after taking a penalty of one stroke under Rule 27-1 or 28a, may:

play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot in the hazard from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5);or
proceed under Rule 26-1b, or if applicable Rule 26-1c, adding the additional penalty of one stroke prescribed by the Rule and using as the reference point the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard before it came to rest in the hazard; or
add an additional penalty of one stroke and play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the last stroke from outside the hazard was played (see Rule 20-5).
Note 1: When proceeding under Rule 26-2b, the player is not required to drop a ball under Rule 27-1 or 28a. If he does drop a ball, he is not required to play it. He may alternatively proceed under Clause (ii) or (iii).

Note 2: If a ball played from within a water hazard is declared unplayable outside the hazard, nothing in Rule 26-2b precludes the player from proceeding under Rule 28b or c.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.

Rule 25. Abnormal Ground Conditions,Embedded Ball and Wrong Putting Green

2007-05-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

Rule 25. Abnormal Ground Conditions,
Embedded Ball and Wrong Putting Green
Definitions

An “abnormal ground condition” is any casual water, ground under repair or hole, cast or runway on the course made by a burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird.

A “burrowing animal” is an animal that makes a hole for habitation or shelter, such as a rabbit, mole, ground hog, gopher or salamander.

Note: A hole made by a non-burrowing animal, such as a dog, is not an abnormal ground condition unless marked or declared as ground under repair.

“Casual water” is any temporary accumulation of water on the course which is visible before or after the player takes his stance and is not in a water hazard. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction. Dew and frost are not casual water. A ball is in casual water when it lies in or any part of it touches the casual water.

“Ground under repair” is any part of the course so marked by order of the Committee or so declared by its authorized representative. It includes material piled for removal and a hole made by a greenkeeper, even if not so marked.

All ground and any grass, bush, tree or other growing thing within the ground under repair is part of the ground under repair. The margin of ground under repair extends vertically downwards, but not upwards. Stakes and lines defining ground under repair are in such ground. Such stakes are obstructions. A ball is in ground under repair when it lies in or any part of it touches the ground under repair.

Note 1: Grass cuttings and other material left on the course which have been abandoned and are not intended to be removed are not ground under repair unless so marked.

Note 2: The Committee may make a Local Rule prohibiting play from ground under repair or an environmentally-sensitive area which has been defined as ground under repair.

The “nearest point of relief” is the reference point for taking relief without penalty from interference by an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2), an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or a wrong putting green (Rule 25-3).

It is the point on the course, nearest to where the ball lies, which is not nearer the hole and at which, if the ball were so positioned, no interference (as defined) would exist.

Note: The player should determine his nearest point of relief by using the club with which he expects to play his next stroke to simulate the address position and swing for such stroke.

A “wrong putting green” is any putting green other than that of the hole being played. Unless otherwise prescribed by the Committee, this term includes a practice putting green or pitching green on the course.

25-1. Abnormal Ground Condition

a. Interference

Interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when such a condition interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if such condition on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.

Note: The Committee may make a Local Rule denying the player relief from interference with his stance by an abnormal ground condition.

b. Relief

Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may obtain relief from interference by an abnormal ground condition as follows:

Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the nearest point of relief shall be determined which is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The player shall lift the ball and drop it without penalty within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief, on a part of the course which avoids interference (as defined) by the condition and is not in a hazard or on a putting green.

In a Bunker: If the ball is in a bunker, the player shall lift and drop the ball either:

Without penalty, in accordance with Clause (i) above, except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker, or if complete relief is impossible, in the bunker as near as possible to the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole, on a part of the course which affords maximum available relief from the condition; or
Under penalty of one stroke, outside the bunker keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped.

On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green, the player shall lift the ball and place it without penalty at the nearest point of relief which is not in a hazard, or if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest position to where it lay which affords maximum available relief from the condition, but not nearer the hole nor in a hazard. The nearest point of relief or maximum available relief may be off the putting green.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted under Rule 25-1b.

(Ball rolling to a position where there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken - see Rule 20-2c(v)).

Exception: A player may not obtain relief under Rule 25-1b if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than a condition covered by Rule 25-1a or (b) interference by such a condition would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play.

Note 1: If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water hazard), the player is not entitled to relief without penalty from interference by an abnormal ground condition. The player shall play the ball as it lies (unless prohibited by Local Rule) or proceed under Rule 26-1.

Note 2: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

c. Ball Lost

It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck toward an abnormal ground condition is lost in such condition. In order to treat the ball as lost in the abnormal ground condition, there must be reasonable evidence to that effect. In the absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated as a lost ball and Rule 27 applies.

If a ball is lost in an abnormal ground condition, the spot where the ball last entered the condition shall be determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball shall be deemed to lie at this spot.

Through the Green: If the ball last entered the abnormal ground condition at a spot through the green, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(i).
In a Bunker: If the ball last entered the abnormal ground condition at a spot in a bunker, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(ii).
In a Water Hazard (including a Lateral Water Hazard): If the ball last entered the abnormal ground condition at a spot in a water hazard, the player is not entitled to relief without penalty. The player shall proceed under Rule 26-1.
On the Putting Green: If the ball last entered the abnormal ground condition at a spot on the putting green, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(iii).
25-2. Embedded Ball

A ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground in any closely-mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. “Closely-mown area” means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

25-3. Wrong Putting Green

a. Interference

Interference by a wrong putting green occurs when a ball is on the wrong putting green.

Interference to a player’s stance or the area of his intended swing is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.

b. Relief

If a player has interference by a wrong putting green, the player must take relief, without penalty, as follows:

The nearest point of relief shall be determined which is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The player shall lift the ball and drop it within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief, on a part of the course which avoids interference (as defined) by the wrong putting green and is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The ball may be cleaned when so lifted.

Rule 24. Obstructions

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Rule 24. Obstructions
Definitions

The “nearest point of relief” is the reference point for taking relief without penalty from interference by an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2), an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or a wrong putting green (Rule 25-3).

It is the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies, which is not nearer the hole and at which, if the ball were so positioned, no interference (as defined) would exist.

Note: The player should determine his nearest point of relief by using the club with which he expects to play his next stroke to simulate the address position and swing for such stroke.

An “obstruction’’ is anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice, except:

Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings;
Any part of an immovable artificial object which is out of bounds; and
Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course.
An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise it is an immovable obstruction.

Note: The Committee may make a Local Rule declaring a movable obstruction to be an immovable obstruction.

24-1. Movable Obstruction

A player may obtain relief from a movable obstruction as follows:

If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction, the obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it shall be replaced, and there is no penalty provided that the movement of the ball is directly attributable to the removal of the obstruction. Otherwise, Rule 18-2a applies.
If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted, without penalty, and the obstruction removed. The ball shall through the green or in a hazard be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but not nearer the hole.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted under Rule 24-1.

When a ball is in motion, an obstruction which might influence the movement of the ball, other than an attended flagstick or equipment of the players, shall not be removed.

(Exerting influence on ball — see Rule 1-2.)

Note: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

24-2. Immovable Obstruction

a. Interference

Interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or so close to the obstruction that the obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an immovable obstruction on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.

b. Relief

Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may obtain relief from interference by an immovable obstruction, without penalty, as follows:

Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the nearest point of relief shall be determined which is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The player shall lift the ball and drop it within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief on a part of the course which avoids interference (as defined) by the immovable obstruction and is not in a hazard or on a putting green.
In a Bunker: If the ball is in a bunker, the player shall lift and drop the ball in accordance with Clause (i) above, except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker.
On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green, the player shall lift the ball and place it at the nearest point of relief which is not in a hazard. The nearest point of relief may be off the putting green.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted under Rule 24-2b.

(Ball rolling to a position where there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken — see Rule 20-2c(v).)

Exception: A player may not obtain relief under Rule 24-2b if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction or (b) interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play.

Note 1: If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water hazard), the player is not entitled to relief without penalty from interference by an immovable obstruction. The player shall play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 26-1.

Note 2: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

Note 3: The Committee may make a Local Rule stating that the player must determine the nearest point of relief without crossing over, through or under the obstruction.

c. Ball Lost

It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck toward an immovable obstruction is lost in the obstruction. In order to treat the ball as lost in the obstruction, there must be reasonable evidence to that effect. In the absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated as a lost ball and Rule 27 applies.

If a ball is lost in an immovable obstruction, the spot where the ball last entered the obstruction shall be determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball shall be deemed to lie at this spot.

Through the Green: If the ball last entered the immovable obstruction at a spot through the green, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 24-2b(i).
In a Bunker: If the ball last entered the immovable obstruction at a spot in a bunker, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 24-2b(ii).
In a Water Hazard (including a Lateral Water Hazard): If the ball last entered the immovable obstruction at a spot in a water hazard, the player is not entitled to relief without penalty. The player shall proceed under Rule 26-1.
On the Putting Green: If the ball last entered the immovable obstruction at a spot on the putting green, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 24-2b(iii).

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.

Rule 23. Loose Impediments

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Rule 23. Loose Impediments
Definition

“Loose impediments’’ are natural objects such as stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like, dung, worms and insects and casts or heaps made by them, provided they are not fixed or growing, are not solidly embedded and do not adhere to the ball.

Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green but not elsewhere.

Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction.

Dew and frost are not loose impediments.

23-1. Relief

Except when both the loose impediment and the ball lie in or touch the same hazard, any loose impediment may be removed without penalty. If the ball moves, see Rule 18-2c.

When a ball is in motion, a loose impediment which might influence the movement of the ball shall not be removed.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
(Searching for ball in hazard — see Rule 12-1.)

(Touching line of putt — see Rule 16-1a.)

Rule 22. Ball Interfering with or Assisting Play

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Rule 22. Ball Interfering with or Assisting Play
Any player may:

Lift his ball if he considers that the ball might assist any other player or
Have any other ball lifted if he considers that the ball might interfere with his play or assist the play of any other player,
but this may not be done while another ball is in motion. In stroke play, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift. A ball lifted under this Rule shall be replaced.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
Note: Except on the putting green, the ball may not be cleaned when lifted under this Rule — see Rule 21.

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