3 Tips for Golf Beginners to Speed Up Slow Play

Slow play has long been an issue for golfers - although it rarely affects the offender, setting up a shot or taking too much time viewing a putt can really put a damper on your game.

In the news recently, tour players have taken it upon themselves to personally address the situation, being more vocal in their opinions on the matter.

After Bryson DeChambeau recently took two minutes and twenty seconds to find his line and putt, Brooks Koepka had a word (or two) with Bryson which resulted in an agreement and supposed compliance.

The Rules of Golf encourage "ready golf" and state that a player must play a shot "with undue delay".

READ: What rules of golf do you always follow?

Since slow play is rarely addressed by PGA Tour officials, professional golfers have taken to their podiums to drive the message home to their playing partners. While the PGA Tour deliberates,, the European Tour is taking definitive action, introducing a four-point plan to curb slow play on tour.

Golf for Beginners believes that education is the key to helping players speed up golf on the course. Here are three tips to help beginners (and all amateurs) move through a course while continuing to enjoy the experience.

1. PRE-SHOT ROUTINE: Do you have one? If not, now is the time to start - it shouldn't take you very long from the time you step up to the tee box with ball in hand until the time you fire off your shot. Confidence will be the key to your success.

2.  THINK BOX: The VISION54 Team (Lynn Marriott & Pia Nilsson) believe that you start using your instincts more - how much essential data do you really need before stepping up into the "Go" zone?

3. HOW MANY SHOTS DO YOU TAKE? For beginners, if you find you are whiffing almost every shot, why not pick up your ball and drop it closer to the hole - chip and putt instead? For shorter hitters who can move the ball forward...but not far...why not tee up from the next forward tee box? You will probably have more fun getting green-in-regulation too!

Do you have a few golf tips on how to speed up play? Post them in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter, tagging @Golf4Beginners.

Are Changes to the Rules of Golf Hurting Your Game?

For amateurs during a friendly golf game forgetting, or even neglecting, to follow some of the rules changes may not add up to a big difference in score but, in professional tournaments, the results could lead to unfavorable decisions.

Recently, several PGA Tour players have complained about the new rules of golf.

Rickie Fowler at the WGC-Mexico tournament, for example, dropped a ball from shoulder height (instead of at the knee) and incurred a one-stroke penalty. Fowler said, "I think, with the new rules that have been put in place, it's not doing any favors for our sport. I get to drop from my knee and look stupid.' So, no, like I said, it was on me, but I think it's a terrible change."

Related: How Flubs from PGA Tour Golfers Teach the Rest of Us

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers' take? "As professionals, we all have to know the rules...the rules are an important part of our game."

How are the changes to the rules of golf affecting your game? (For a detailed list, follow the link.)

First, let's briefly go over a few of the positive rules changes:

1. No penalties for accidentally moving your golf ball during search and on the putting green.
2. Relief is given for an embedded golf ball (except in sand).
3. Eased rules on touching impediments in the bunker.

Related Read: Sportsmanship and the Rules of Golf

Perhaps these would be considered negative rules changes:
1. Drop golf ball from knee instead of from shoulder height.
2. Leave flag in when putting.

As an amateur, I struggle with the new rules change of leaving in the flag when putting - my playing partners have asked me, "do you want the flag in or out" when, in previous events, there was no choice to be made.

Dave Pelz has mentioned that the flag left in the hole can actually help the odds of your ball finding the bottom of the cup.

"Perhaps most surprising, when the flagstick leans either slightly toward the golfer or away, the odds of it helping to keep the ball in the hole increase: With the flagstick leaning away from the golfer, the hole becomes effectively larger; when the flagstick leans toward the golfer, the ball rebounds downward, again helping shots find the hole."

It is important, however, to check the severity of the flagstick lean as it can also prevent your ball from going in the cup.

Do you find that the adjusted rules of golf have had unfortunate consequences on your round (you have been penalized, for example)? Feel free to write your comments below and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Just When You Thought You Knew the Rules of Golf...

The rules of golf are in effect to protect all players - they can either help or hurt players during a round but it is essential to learn their lessons.

Below are several recent rules infractions and how professional golfers dealt with the consequences.

RULES INFRACTION #1: Rule 15-3b

This week, the world of golf is discussing the former NCAA women's champion who was DQ'd after playing a ball which had been deemed out of bounds and moved back into bounds, reportedly by her mother!

Former NCAA individual champion at USC, Doris Chen, played a golf ball that she knew had been moved back into bounds resulting in the rules breach. "Ms. Chen did not correct her error before teeing off on the next hole, thus resulting in the DQ penalty."

Golf Lesson learned by Doris Chen? "My caddie and I didn’t see anything happen. We were looking for the ball. I didn’t see the ball move,” Chen said. “It was just what the homeowner said. … In my mind, I thought I was just supposed to play the ball as it lied. … "

For all of the inexperienced golfers reading this, Miss Chen stated, "I realize now I should have called for a rules official to investigate."

RULES INFRACTION #2:  Scorecard Snafu

A group of Oregon State teens, unaware that they were playing from the wrong tee box were disqualified after reading a scorecard incorrectly.

Twelve high school students were supposed to play a hole which was 172 yards - even though they were playing the blue tees, the scorecard said that, for this hole, the red tees were playing a similar distance. The teens switched tee boxes and were made aware of their mistake after they finished the hole.

Golf Lesson Learned by the Oregon golfers? If there are any rules handed out before a tournament, read and stick to them. If there are any questions about the rules, see golf lesson learned by Doris Chen.

RULES INFRACTION #3: Golf ball collision

For the majority of players, knowing the rules of golf can also help you when there are no officials around, case in point, Xander Schauffele at the WGC-HSBC Champions Tournament.

Picture this: Final hole on Sunday with three golfers in contention, Schauffele, Finau, and Rose - Rose's golf ball collides with Schauffele, sending both balls into the water. After gasps subsided, Schauffele remembered Rule 18-5:

"According to the rule, which covers a ball at rest moved by another ball, Schauffele must replace his ball where it was previously on the green at no penalty. Rose, on the other hand, wasn’t so lucky. He had to play his ball wherever it came to rest after the collision, and for him, that meant he had to take a drop on his way to a bogey 6."

The Rules of Golf are there to protect you and to make the game fair for all - sometimes, however, golfers, such as Justin Rose, suffer from them. Still, it's better to know the rules of any game in order to protect yourself.

Golf Advice You Should NEVER Follow #golf

You're standing behind the golf ball visualizing your next shot. Standing nearby, waiting to take his shot, your playing partner innocently (?) says, "wow, is that your 6-iron? You're never going to make it over the water with that club!"

What happens next...?

Your ball takes a splash and you grumble something under your breath.

Unsolicited advice can get inside your head, making it nearly impossible to concentrate on your own golf game. You only hear the "never" in the above sentence, much like when a playing partner says, "watch out for that bunker"...your eyes and your attention look towards the bunker and, ultimately, your ball finds its way into the sand.

What other unsolicited advice should you steer clear of during a round of golf? Golf for Beginners has put together a few tidbits - feel free to add to our list in the comments section of this golf blog!

1. "You Should Look At That Putt From A Different Angle":
     My husband is always telling me to walk around every putt in order to see how the green breaks...which is good advice, however, according to GolfDigest.com, it might not be the best advice for some golfers.

"If you're a shaky putter, bringing in another view of the line won't be constructive. If anything, it will confuse you, or cause you to see something that isn't there. Plus, this isn't the Ryder Cup."

2. Taking Tips from Pros on the Driving Range:
    According to "The Women's Guide to Golf: A Handbook for Beginners", range pros who walk up and down the line looking for potential students may be giving you tips which may not work for your swing or game. This is called, according to the book, "trade dynamiting the tees" and a pro may throw you a "barrage of advice" which will probably confuse you more than help your game....then they get to fix the problem! Politely say "no thanks" for the time you are at the range and schedule an appointment with a golf teaching pro who has your best intentions.

3. ANY advice to help you DURING your round:
     Did you know...in any USGA tournament, the Rules of Golf state that giving advice to another golfer (even with a motion) is not permitted - it's a two-stroke penalty during the round and a disqualification after the scorecard is signed.

If a pro golfer receives unsolicited advice, however, and did not initiate the conversation, no penalty is given unless advice is offered twice. "The player should take action to stop this irregular procedure." He would incur a two-stroke penalty in stroke play if he allowed such advice to be given again.

Tip: During a friendly round, skip the swing advice completely,; it won't help your game to hear that the way you are cocking your wrists is wrong or your ball is too far forward in your stance...it will just further mess with your head. Instead, here are a few golf tips to help when things just aren't going your way on the golf course!

Follow Golf4Beginners on Twitter!

Photo by Fancycrave from Pexels

Golf fans policing PGA Tour: Good or bad for the game?

Tim Finchem created a buzz in the golf media world with the admission that if fans want to call in a rules infraction, it is their right to do so. This will create thousands of call-ins by armchair golfers who think they see, or possibly do see, something.

 

For the most part, PGA Tour golfers know the rules but, Ian Poulter even reluctantly admitted, "I still dont know all the rules, there's too many."

Although there are Tour golfers who admit they don't know every rule, is "see something, say something" always the best idea?

Why encourage fans to police the PGA Tour?

With social media being an integral part of the world we live in, it is quite easy to reach the PGA Tour via Twitter or Facebook with a comment or an @ statement. Although seemingly harmless, not every fan with a Rules of Golf book should be an armchair referee.

 

"Cutting them (fans) off is not an option at this point"  said Finchem, and he has a point. With the PGA Tour grasping for audience, the Commissioner isn't turning away any viewers but, rather, welcoming them in as pseudo-refs.

 

Telephoning the Tour is an option but would create a glut of calls for every piece of dirt that a fan thought was moved illegally. Perhaps Finchem will set up a special hotline that he could man during each event?

 

One good thing that may come out of all of this is that fans may actually dust off their copies of the Rules of Golf. Golfers may finally READ and understand the rules!

Should the game of golf remain pure or should the new media be welcomed into the sport? Paddy Miller mentioned that the Commissioner has compromised the integrity of the game and is jeopardizing the tradition of golf itself.

Golf has always been a sport of honor in which golfers call an infractions on themselves...if they know that an infraction was created.

If a Tour player, however, didn't realize that he broke a rule, he could go on to win the event which would be unfair to the other golfers. With money and position at stake and knowing that technology now rules the airwaves, it is impossible to keep the tradition of the game completely status quo. Hopefully a resolution that is fair to all will be achieved.

Voice your opinion on Golf4Beginners on Twitter

 

Read Golf for Beginners blogs

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous

How Harrington used course management to top Norman at the British Open, Michelle Wie DQ, take the first step to winning and choosing a first driver

Click here to listen.

Padraig Harrington came out the victor this week at the British Open, the third major winner of the year with an injury to do so, hiding under the radar of many who thought he could not win back-to-back major tournaments. Harrington concentrated his efforts on course management and the short game to overtake an unlikely favorite of the over-fifty set, namely Greg Norman, whose "foot-on-the-pedal" mentality cost him yet another win.

It's a shame, though, that in 2007, Harrington thought so little of the Claret Jug he fought so hard to win he used it instead as a fill for swill! We hope that Harrington didn't do this again this year!

This week Golf for Beginners internet broadcast discusses the mental clarity and forethought it takes to make it to the final round and persevere under treacherous conditions. Chris Wood found little pressure in his "surreal" situation and easily made his way to the 18th hole with a forward focus. Others like Phil Mickelson, always the optimist, may have stated that he hit the ball well but it was evident he was clearly disappointed as he had spent the prior week at the Scottish Open finding similar results. Perhaps the pressure of having to take Tiger Woods' place on the leaderboard made him falter?

*****

Choosing your first driver without ever having hit one can be harrowing. We tell you what to look for in a driver and how to make the process easier!

*****


I had my first competitive round with the ladies of the EWGA at Doral Arrowwood this past week and my play was far from pretty! Find out how I intend to take the three steps from playing to competing and finally to winning!

*****


Finally, how many DQ's, withdrawals and mistakes will be had before Michelle Wie reads the Rules of Golf?

Wie stepped outside of the scoring area after round two and a volunteer had to call her back into the tent for the infraction of one of the basic rules of golf...that is, she didn't sign her scorecard! Michelle knew that she forgot but felt that this was yet another time she could get off the hook with a shrug and a "sorry" claiming, "I thought it would be okay. It was an honest mistake."

Her third round, which placed her squarely in contention for a Sunday showdown did not count. Perhaps Wie should have listened to our previous podcast where we discuss some of the most basic and overlooked regulations of the sport.

Wie was disqualified. Unfortunately, it cost the LPGA a Sunday of high ratings and Michelle Wie her possible first win on the Tour.

Michelle choked back tears looking for pity and said, "I don't know what happened to me."

Should this rule have been overturned just this once for the benefit of the sport?

Of course, once one of the Rules of Golf is slackened, it is only a matter of time before others follow suit. In our opinion, the Rules should be followed to the letter until a rule is changed for everyone. It isn't the first time something like this has occured and it surely won't be the last time.

It is unfortunate incident for Wie but I'll bet she will never make this mistake again. Penalties will surely occur from a lack of concentration...


Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes.

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!

Check us out on MySpace!

This podcast is supported by GolfCanadasWest.com 877-323-3633.

Photo Credit: © SI.com/AP, InGolfWeTrust.com.

How to play positive, Leadbetter's long distance putting and could you live with a tainted trophy?

Click here to listen.

During last year's Honda Classic one caddie remarked to another, entirely off-the-cuff, that his player used a certain golf club off of the tee. PGA Tour golfer Mark Wilson wound up calling a two-stroke penalty on himself after finding out about this infraction, thus proving to viewers the importance of playing by the rules. In spite of losing the two strokes he still won the tournament (in a sudden-death playoff), and with his integrity intact!

Wilson continued, "The rules should be held in high regard by every player."

With the honor of the game at stake, some people may find Rule 8-1 to be a bit illogical noting that you must still hit the shot no matter what help you receive in selecting a club. Other common rules infractions I regularly behold on the publinks include improper ball marking on the green as well as failing to hole out.

Do golfers really want to abide by the rules or simply use whatever guidelines they remember hoping they don't get caught? Everyone remembers the Wie/Bamberger incident forcing a DQ on Michelle?

The fact that the enforcement of the game lies predominantly from calling penalties on yourself, I have noticed that golf is one sport where players really want to keep the competition above-board!!!

As the great Bobby Jones once said, "When you cheat in golf, the only person you're cheating is yourself."

Greens at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship are an average of 90 feet which means long putting was the order of the week. Although Tiger Woods' putting was dynamic throughout the contest, David Leadbetter helps us get closer to the hole (and even sink a few) with an easy reminder on this week's Golf for Beginners podcast.

We also offer a few simple mental game tips to instill a positive mindset!


Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes.

Subscribe to our newsletter! Coming soon...
Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations and Florida Golf Travel.


Photo Credit:http://honda-classic-golf.com.

Why does boxer Oscar De La Hoya get KO'd on the first tee? Also, USGA rule change for 2008 and charity abounds in golf

Click here to listen.


Although boxers like Oscar de la Hoya and Sugar Ray Leonard fight in front of thousands, using the squared circle as a stage to proudly display their ability, they seem to lose their edge and become wrought with anxiety when walking up to the first tee. Instead they become the "amateurs", stepping into an arena in which they are uncertain of their skills. In fact, De La Hoya was once quoted as saying, "I'd rather be fighting in front of 100,000 people than teeing off in front of ten."

Who would have ever thought that the average amateur golfer's mental game could be superior to a fighter who trains his mind daily in order to beat his opponents?

Trainer/kickboxer Kobus Huisamen mentions that "as a fighter trains, his mind also trains." With the intense preparation prior to a fight, shouldn't boxers make better golfers?

Golf for Beginners also discusses a change in the Rules of Golf for 2008 which allows players to swap out equipment shafts and heads before a round. Is this a "wink" from the USGA to bolster golf club sales?

In the spirit of giving, it is heartwarming to see entertainers offer their name and services to humane causes. Nick Lachey, whose "Clash of the Choirs" win recently gave $250,000 to charity is teaming up with Nascar's Jimmie Johnson to form the Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic. The PGA Tour is also allowing Justin Timberlake to host his own
PGA Tour event.

So what's next? Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z hosting the PGA Tour's Urban Golf Classic for inner city youth?


Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes.

Subscribe to our newsletter! Sign up and receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free HERE!

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by Myrtle Beach Golf and Florida Golf Travel.

This podcast is supported by New Roc Harley Davidson, your worldwide parts and accessories distributor. Great rides start here!.

Does Michelle Wie stand a chance at the U.S. Women's Open, dealing with adversity, proper drop technique and more!

Click here to listen.


Lorena Ochoa will be heading into the 2007 U.S. Women's Open exuding confidence after her sudden-death victory at the Wegman's LPGA this past weekend. She has also successfuly knocked Annika Sorenstam off of her perch as the number-one golfer in the Rolex Rankings. Congratulations Lorena!

Michelle Wie will also be in attendance at the Open (since this Golf for Beginners broadcast was produced) but we believe, with less self-assurance than in previous years. Wie has decided to skip the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic due to the length of the course so it is uncertain how she will fare at Pine Needles. Confidence is everything in a match-up where ladies like Ochoa and Kraft Nabisco winner, Morgan Pressel, are tuning up their games seeking the coveted title.

Barry and I offer you our predictions this week as to whom we feel has the right stuff to hoist the trophy.

We also discuss how we fared on our rounds and the lessons we have learned from them. Barry and I played about two holes of twilight golf when darkness appeared and the sky opened up. The following day, both of us played in different groups. My foursome included a guy who tried to teach me the game in the middle of my swing. The game lies in your mental fortitude, folks!

During Barry's round, one playing partner had to take a drop but did so improperly. He could have received a one-stroke penalty had Barry known this Rule of Golf for proper drop technique. You can't be expected to know every rule, so keep a copy of the book in your golf bag.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes. Nextel/Sprint cell customers type http://www.mymbn.com/podcast/ in your browser and click on "sports casts". Our station number is 1955.

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by Pioneer Golf and Florida Golf Travel.

My Podcast Alley feed!