Archive for the ‘golf tips for beginners’ Category
Preparing to Hit the Golf Ball From the Tee
After teeing up your golf ball, pick an object a short distance in front of you that will align your ball with the intended target line of your landing area. When preparing to hit golf balls set your shoulders and chest parallel to that object and target line. This will increase your odds for a successful and accurate swing result more so than just swinging the club at the ball without a target or goal in mind. Make sure to tee the golf ball at the proper height to allow for a good angle of impact. The ball should sit approximately one half of the diameter of the golf ball above the head of the driver when it is grounded adjacent the tee. The main goal of the drive is to get the ball into the air so to achieve maximum distance.
Remember you are just beginning and as much as I love the game of golf it is not an easy game to master for most. It is a game however, that can be played and enjoyed by players of any skill level. So give golf a chance, for “It is truly the game of a lifetime”. Happy Golfing to All!
It’s “Tee Time”. Your first time teeing up and preparing to play can be a bit unnerving if you let it. It is human nature to be a little nervous when you are trying something new for the first time and people are around watching you. After a while you may realize that many of those around you are also beginners and not much more experienced than you so they are also nervous when it is their turn to hit in front of their fellow golfers. After a short time you will overcome your fear of the first tee. If you are having trouble at the first tee you have some options.
When my significant other started playing golf she was petrified to hit in front of anyone. I explained my dilemma to the starter on the course and he was able to schedule us on the back nine or 10th tee where there were fewer players, if any around. This was very helpful in easing her into the game and it allowed her, and I for that matter, to enjoy a more leisurely round and initial golf experience for her. Soon she was an old pro and the first tee jitters were gone. Another tip is to schedule your tee time when the course is less crowded, normally late morning or late afternoon, depending on the golf course. If you choose this option then it is a good idea to speak with your local golf professional or starter so they may suggest an optimal time for you to play.
After teeing up your ball, pick an object a short distance in front of you that will align your ball with the intended target line of your landing area. Then set up your shoulders and chest parallel to that object and target line. This will increase your odds for a successful and accurate swing result more so than just swinging the club golf balls without a target or goal in mind. Remember you are just beginning and as much as I love the game of golf it is not an easy game to master for most. It is a game however, that can be played and enjoyed by players of any skill level. So give golf a chance, for “It is truly the game of a lifetime”. Happy Golfing to All!
Somebody must have really done something awful to anger the golf gods and cause this deluge of snow and cold weather across much of the country. Well golf gods if you are listening, all of us avid golfers who respect the beauty of your golf courses and nature will make an extra effort this coming golf season to respect your golf courses more so than usual.
Note: Course pictured is Kauai Lagoons Golf Course, Hawaii
We will repair that extra divot on the green, make sure to fill in and repair any damage caused by our divots in the fairway, try to stay out of the trees and hazards as much as possible. There will also be less swearing and less club throwing this year to make amends for whatever was done to provoke your ire. We would greatly appreciate if you will make the winter vanish and especially NO MORE SNOW! We need to be hitting golf balls soon to prepare for this coming golf season. Thank you. Happy Golfing to All! Soon?
I am an avid golfer who plays all year round when weather permits. The cold temperatures do not bother me as long as the wind is not too severe. I mean if the temperature is below 30 degrees, that may be a bit over my tolerance but anything above with the sun shining and I’m in. This year has been one of the worst I can remember for golf and outdoor activities. The cold and snowy weather has been fairly steady since early December.
I am anxiouly awaiting an early April golf trip, during Masters week, with my buddies to Myrtle Beach, one of my favorite places on the planet for golf. Unfortunately, all I can do right now is dream about hitting golf balls on one of the four excellent golf courses we have scheduled in a few months. Hopefully this weather will change soon and the trip time will be here before we know it. Happy Golfing to All!
One of my favorite tournaments to watch besides the majors is the Pebble Beach Pro- Am. Pebble Beach has long been ranked as one of the top 5 golf courses in the world and justifiably so. Dustin Johnson edged out David Duval by a stroke and is now second on the money list behind Steve Stricker who is in excellent standing and one of golf’s hottest players. Duval’s second place finish indicates a possible resurgence by one of the world’s top players a decade or so ago. Duval showed some semblance of a return to his old form last year at the U.S. Open when he tied for second place with none other than Phil Mickelson and Ricky Barnes.
Another fan favorite and tops on my list is Phil Mickelson who made a decent showing by tying for eighth place 5 shots back. He seems to be off to a slow start but improving every week which bodes well for him with the impending first major of the year quickly approaching, The Masters in early April. If Phil can keep this pace going he will be a contender at this most prestigious of golf events. I look forward to The Masters where all the best golfers in the world will be hitting golf balls to tough pin placements to try their hand at taking home perhaps golf’s most coveted prize.
The big question on everyone’s mind is, Will Tiger Woods make this his first tournament of this year since the Thanksgiving 09′ debacle when he fell from grace with his family, sponsors, and his many golf fans around the world? The Masters is less than two months away and I would not be surprised if Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are going to head to head on Sunday for the title. Stay Tuned and Happy Golfing to All!
Tiger Woods finally addressed the public with his written and predictable speech in hand. He offered his apologies to Elin, his sponsors, his fans and all his peers on the PGA Tour. While Elin was conspicuosly missing from the conference, Tiger admitted his indiscretions cost him and all of those near to him dearly. He was also non – committal about his return to golf and when that might be. He said it may be this year or maybe not but if I had to wager on a date I would put my money on the Masters in early April. This golf tournament is the most prestigious of the majors and it is critical in his chase of Jack Nicklaus’s record 18 major victories.
It was also evident that his stint in sex rehabilitaion is not quite over. He has to return to the clinic this week and perhaps deal with his problem for the remainder of his life and golf career. His illness has been equated to that of an alcoholic or habitual gambler who cannot just quit or heal their addiction cold turkey or without continued support and treatment. Tiger’s mom was there to comfort her son, who she knows is hurting as she greeted him with a big hug at the end of the press conference. As noted previously, I think the best medicine for Tiger is to return to the game he loves as soon as possible because hitting golf balls is the thing he does best. We wish you well Tiger and an expedient return to golf. Happy Golfing to All!
It looks like the controversy continues as Tiger Woods is holding a press conference today to discuss his future, both in golf and his personal life. I’m sure many are anxious to see whether Elin remains at his side while at the press conference.
The question on everyone’s mind is how he will address and respond to this small group of close friends, associates and select press personnel? Will he return for the Accenture match play Tournament, which was the first to drop him when the scandal hit, or will he quietly prepare for the Masters, which is the first major of the year. This years Masters is arguably the most important major and maybe tournament in Tiger’s career? It will set the tone for his return to golf as hitting golf balls is the thing Tiger does best. Stay tuned and Happy Golfing to All!
You have scheduled your tee time, arrived at the golf course, checked in with the Pro Shop and starter and are heading to the first tee, Congratulations! You are ready for the game of a lifetime. Once you are at the first tee there are some rules of Etiquette that should be addressed here. There are varied locations of teeing areas, usually between 2 and 5 placements, so check the score card for distances of the different tee areas and total yardages that are set up for players of different skill levels and abilities. Make sure to hit your golf balls from the tee location that is right for you.
The back tees are meant for the advanced player usually with an established handicap of between scratch and 7 and the total yardage is usually between approximately 6500 and 7400 yards.
The next forward tee box is normally for the experienced player who is between an 8 and 14 handicap and the total yardage is normally between 6200 and 6700 yards.
The next tee location is for the average golfer and can range from 5800 to 6300 yards and the markers are normally white.
Some courses have tee boxes for senior players and are usually gold or green.
Then lastly, the women’s tee location, whose markers are normally red in color and are usually the shortest on the course.
If a senior or female player is an experienced golfer they can choose any tee area that is appropriate for their skill level. For a new player or beginner I would strongly recommend the white or senior tees for the men and the red tees for the women. It would allow you to play from a tee location that is reasonable for the beginning golfer. Most of all have fun and Happy Golfing to All!
Once you have scheduled your tee time the next step is arriving at the golf course. You should figure to arrive at the course at least a half hour before your scheduled time in order to allow for check in and warm up, and especially if you would like to grab something to drink or eat before you play. As you enter the driveway to the course you will most likely see directional arrows to the Bag Drop. Follow the signs so you can unload your bag at the location nearest the course Bag Drop so you will not have to carry your bag once you park the car.
After you drop your bag make sure to put your golf shoes on, if you have golf shoes, which is recommended and proceed to the club house and Pro Shop to register to play. Many of the golf courses have a driving range where you can warm up hitting golf balls. Make sure to grab your golf clubs and take advantage of this opportunity. It will help you tremendously by allowing you to loosen up and prepare the golf muscles for play. Happy Golfing to All!
How do you know if you are really ready to play on a regulation golf course? If you think you are ready to schedule your first round on the golf course let’s take a moment to review what you have done in preparation to play. Have you purchased your golf equipment and if so do you have a checklist of all the items you will need to play? Golf Clubs, Bag, and Golf Balls being the most obvious, but divot repair tool, ball markers, tees and a score card and pencil will also be required to play. Actually the score card is only necessary as a reference for the distance from each tee location and golf rules for each hole as it is not critical to keep an actual score your first few times out. You will receive a golf score card, either at the pro shop where you check in and pay, or from the starter who will give you one at the first tee while he advises you of the local rules of the golf course. Although not required by the rules of golf, a golf glove and golf shoes are two pieces of equipment that I would highly recommend. They will add to your stability in gripping and swinging the golf club.
Have you taken golf lessons or taught yourself and practiced sufficiently to be able to achieve enough distance and accuracy to keep up with the pace of play required by local rules and course etiquette?
Have you learned about the basic rules of golf and associated golf etiquette?
Have you asked someone to join you, who had played previously and is somewhat knowledgeable about how to play, the rules of golf and golf etiquette?
If you have answered yes to the above listed items then I would say that you are ready to play your first round of golf. One last item that I would like to address is proper golf attire. Most golf courses have a required dress code. I would recommend that you call ahead and find out the requirements so you don’t arrive at the course and be turned away or be asked to purchase a collared shirt and proper shorts or pants. Cut offs, jeans, tee shirts, tank tops, etc., are not considered proper attire for the golf course, especially by Country Club Standards. Wearing the proper golf attire is also another rule of golf etiquette. Enjoy your first golf round for it is the beginning of an amazing journey. Happy Golfing to All!