Archive for the ‘golf tips for beginners’ Category
Preparing to Play Your Very First Golf Round
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!
What is a Waggle? About thirty something years ago I may have asked myself that same question. Please note that “The Waggle” is by all means not a necessity to a good or correct golf swing. It is an important option that many golfers employ to help start or “Trigger” the backswing. It is a method to promote “Relaxation” and to initiate the swing and correct “Tempo” that will be employed for the entire golf swing. The Waggle, or any other method you would like to use that works for you, whether it is a deep breath to clear your mind of any interfering thoughts or you can do absolutely nothing, if that is so your desire.
We have been discussing the waggle but in actuality, what is it? There are a number of different ways that the waggle can be performed and don’t be afraid to invent and utilize any method that works for you. As noted earlier, it is a trigger that will promote relaxation and help you to initiate the proper golf swing. A technique I use that works best for me is to actually rehearse the entire swing. I take my grip, set up to the ball and actually preview the swing path and moves that I will be performing during my swing. Many times I note that I have taken the club back on an improper swing path or maybe my wrists did not set the club properly. This rehearsal allows me to correct the mistakes prior to my actual swing. Other golfers may just break the wrists off the ball, then return the club to the ball position or maybe take a half or three quarter swing to check if they feel the tempo for the desired swing. You may also choose to rehearse the entire swing as I do and any of these techniques are optional. Whatever your Waggle method may be, make it part of your swing routine. It may take some experimenting to see what is most comfortable and what works for you but you will realize the results with practice! When at the driving range hitting golf balls make sure you use the waggle with each swing. Have patience and fun as you learn to play. Happy Golfing to All!
I would like to add one very important and often overlooked part of the golf swing, be sure to “RELAX”. Do not let tension creep into any part of your swing, especially your grip. The club should be cradled gently in your hands with about as much pressure as if you were holding a babies hand or a small bird in your hand, an analogy I think used by Sam Snead, one of the all time golfing greats.
Make use of the old expression to “Let the club do the work”. You will be amazed at how swing speed and technique, together with a tension free body and mind, produce so much greater results when hitting golf balls. Also try to think of calming thoughts and nothing like a Hawaiian sunset to provide the right atmosphere to relax. Enjoy and Happy Golfing to All!
When playing various golf courses a player will encounter many different types of golf shots. One shot I always found challenging was the down hill lie. If you make the proper adjustments in your set up you can overcome this obstacle and improve your chances for a sucessful outcome.
One adjustment I make when placing the golf clubs in my set up is to position the golf ball a bit more to the right side of center of your stance and widen the stance at the same time. Also keep the weight on the right side as you swing. Try to drive the club into the back of the ball in a downward angle. Set your shoulders parallel to the ground and swing along the slope of the terrain. Follow through along that same slope as much as possible for an increased chance for a good outcome to the shot. The down hill slope will decrease the loft of the golf club so you may want to choose a club number higher to compensate. It will also give you a better opportunity to get the ball into the air faster.
{Fore: This advice is for the right handed golfer and the opposite would hold true for the left handed player}
Happy Golfing to All!
Two of my favorite all time golfers, Tom Watson and Fred Couples, were battling down the stretch in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship on January 24th. On the 18th hole one “Helluva Golfer”, Tom Watson outlasted Fred Couples and was victorious in the end. He claimed his victory in style with consecutive birdies on the last two holes. He won by a shot over Fred Couples at Hualalai, Hawaii, a perfect venue for this remarkable win.
The old man at 60 beat the young buck at 50 years young to keep his streak going strong. Having just come off a skins victory, after partnering with Jack Nicklaus a few weeks back and his incredible run at a 6th British Open title last year against Stewart Cink, Tom Watson may be playing some of the best golf of his illustrious career. He can still hit golf balls with the best of them and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was another major in his future. Can’t wait to see what this season holds for him. Happy Golfing to All!
A golfer has two options to traverse the golf course, one is to walk and the other is to ride in a cart. I enjoy walking because it is good exercise but many of the newer resort courses are designed with the holes so far apart that walking is discouraged and near impossible in some cases. It is also so the owners will receive the additional revenue from the golf cart rental. Some courses do allow walking and the walking carts are about $3 to $6 to rent.
There are also light weight carry bags to tote your golf clubs that can be used, but I would not recommend carrying a bag on a hot summers day or on a course with very hilly terrain. You can make the choice of your personal preference as you learn to play and acquire more experience. I would suggest an electric or motorized gas cart when you are beginning to play. It will help you keep up with the pace of play and allow you to observe one of the important rules of golf etiquette. Happy Golfing to All!
The Tee Box is the area at each hole designated for the first shot to be hit from on that particular golf hole. Almost all golf courses are designed with different tee box locations on each hole and varied color markers, set up for the different skill levels of the golfers. Make sure to select the tee box that is appropriate for your level of play. Selecting the proper tee location will not only allow for a more enjoyable golf round for you but it will help you keep up with the expected pace of play, which is approximately 15 minutes per hole, an important rule of golf etiquette.
Check the score card for distances from the various tee locations or ask the starter for the tee location and designation he would suggest for you at that particular golf course. The starters are usually experienced enough to guide you in the right direction. Beginning golfers usually play from the white markers or around 5,500 to 6,300 yards long for the men and the red markers varying from 4200 to 5200 yards for women. If you are finding that these tee boxes are not challenging enough for you then you can select a tee location further back. I do not think this will be the case when you first learn to play.
Whatever tee location you select to hit your golf balls be sure to have fun and enjoy the game. Happy Golfing to All!