Swinging and Sighing - The Hilarious Highs and Lows of Mastering Golf

In morning mist and golden light,

On rolling greens, we chase our flight.
Golf, a game of joy and pain,
Where struggle and success meet again.

The ball might drift, the putt might miss,
Frustration’s sting is hard to dismiss.
Yet every swing, though far from pure,
Holds the promise of a win, a cure.

We seek the perfect arc, the flawless drive,
In every round, we long to thrive.
With each lost shot, frustration may grow,
Lessons you may learn, and skill you may show.

Fairways wide and bunkers deep,
Test patience as the moments creep.
But oh, the joy of a well-placed shot,
The thrill of the hole-in-one we sought.

Golf mastery is a skill of heart and mind,
Where practice meets with courage kind.
Refine your grip, perfect your stance,
In every game, give finesse a chance.

Revel in the game’s sweet flow,
Where highs and lows together grow.
For in the struggle, and the joy we find,
The essence of the sport entwined.

So, golfers brave, embrace the chase,
For every round brings us a grace.
Through ups and downs, through joy and strife,
Golf mirrors the journey of our life.

Read our holiday poem: Christmas Golf Poem Scores a Hole-In-One

Golf Tips to Minimize Exposure to Coronavirus COVID-19

Golf is alive and well in Myrtle Beach as this is one of the only outdoor sports which requires no group participation to have fun and where fist pumps (not necessarily "bumps") are the norm!

According to an email that I received, there are a few tips which golfers (and all of us) can practice to avoid the spread of Coronavirus - COVID-19.

Golf Tips to Minimize Exposure and Spread of Coronavirus (aka COVID-19):

• At tee boxes, fairways and greens, practice "social distancing" by keeping six feet or more from others whenever possible;

• Replace handshakes with other celebratory gestures that don't involve the use of your hands, like "elbow bumps" or "shoe bumps";

• Frequently use hand sanitizer;

• Refrain from handling the golf clubs of other players in your group.

As promoted through articles from multiple national media outlets including Golf Digest and Golf.com, golfers are also asked to exercise their own share of due diligence in minimizing their exposure while enjoying their round of golf. 

We hope that you will continue enjoying the golf courses in Myrtle Beach and around the country that are open for play and will remain diligent in enforcing proper hygiene to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Golf for Beginners thanks you for your help. Play good golf!

Photo: Emerald Group Publishing

PGA TOUR Expands Content Through NBC, CBS, ESPN+

PGA Tour connects with ViacomCBS, Comcast/NBC Sports Group, The Walt Disney Company’s ESPN+ - TOUR will significantly expand its content offerings. LPGA will also receive expanded exposure.

In my experience, golf beginners are so absorbed with all aspects of the game that they tend to flip to every event they can find, whether it be on television, or on the web. As you become more of a player, experience tends to lend itself more towards playing the game and watching the higher-level tournaments.

Whatever your desire, if you are itching to watch more golf on TV, the PGA Tour is now going to make it easier than ever to find content. The below press release describes the current portfolio-building efforts of the PGA Tour.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, March 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marking the culmination of a long-term strategic planning process designed to best serve fans through traditional broadcast, Over-the-Top streaming (OTT) and emerging technologies, the PGA TOUR today announced its new nine-year domestic media rights portfolio for 2022-2030.

“Following a comprehensive process of studying the market, talking to all interested parties and analyzing our various options, we’re excited to announce that we have entered into new agreements with our existing partners ViacomCBS and Comcast/NBC Sports Group, while establishing a new long-term relationship with Disney and ESPN+,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan.

“We were extremely pleased with the interest we received from the market – both with incumbents and other media companies – and are excited that our current partners shared our vision for the future, and we are equally excited to be back in business with Disney and ESPN+.  These new deals will be a major win for our fans, bringing an elevated commitment from all three partners to help us expand and innovate our content and its delivery.”

Financial details will not be disclosed, but Monahan continued, “The nine-year deals will put us in a position to significantly increase player earnings, deliver more value to our tournaments and sponsors, and ultimately allow us to continue to grow our charitable footprint. Additionally, we are now able to reinvest in our sport in a way never before possible, including production, personnel and technology, and are well positioned to best serve and grow our fanbase in the years to come.”

Broadcast & Cable Television
CBS and NBC will maintain weekend coverage of most FedExCup tournaments, with CBS averaging 19 events and NBC eight events each season through the life of the agreements. Under the new schedule, one network will televise all three FedExCup Playoffs events each year, starting with NBC in 2022 and generally alternating with CBS, creating powerful, three-week coverage of the conclusion of the race for the FedExCup.

NBC Sports Group also will continue as the TOUR’s cable partner, with GOLF Channel providing all early-round coverage and early weekend coverage of every FedExCup event each season, along with PGA TOUR Champions and the Korn Ferry Tour. Further strengthening the ties, the TOUR and NBC Sports will expand their collaborative content and programming relationships.

Another central component of the new agreements will see the PGA TOUR assume responsibility of the onsite production area and technical infrastructure each week, enabling the TOUR to more efficiently aggregate, distribute and develop content for its various platforms worldwide. CBS and NBC will still use their own production and announce teams, led by their producers, directors and production personnel.

Additionally, the TOUR and its media partners will collaborate on creating more sponsorship and marketing opportunities, inside and outside PGA TOUR golf coverage, including access to the vast resources of ViacomCBS, Comcast/NBC Sports Group and Disney and ESPN+.

“We’re excited to extend NBC Sports’ historic partnership with the PGA TOUR as its foundational media partner.  We will continue to utilize our extensive platforms to showcase golf with unparalleled live tournament coverage, comprehensive news and high-quality content. Golf is a part of NBCUniversal’s DNA across our broadcast, cable, streaming and digital properties – nowhere more so than GOLF Channel,” said Pete Bevacqua, President, NBC Sports Group. “With more live golf coverage than all other U.S. media companies combined, our relationship with the PGA TOUR also includes THE PLAYERS and Presidents Cup, as well as elevating the PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry TOUR and LPGA Tour via our world-class coverage.”

“Extending our successful long-standing relationship with the PGA TOUR was a top priority and we are thrilled to add nine more years to this terrific partnership” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “As the PGA TOUR’s primary broadcast network, we are excited to showcase over two-thirds of all broadcast network coverage of the PGA TOUR, expand our schedule with all three FedExCup Playoffs events in alternate years, and to increase our use of PGA TOUR content across all CBS Sports platforms, with even more expansive content exclusivity.  For over 60 years the PGA TOUR, its tournaments and sponsors have been outstanding partners. We look forward to many more years of growth and success together.”

PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+
For the first time, the TOUR’s digital rights were negotiated concurrently with its linear offering and will have a new, exciting, direct-to-consumer home: ESPN+.  As a result of the new agreement, PGA TOUR LIVE – the TOUR’s subscription video service that was launched in 2015 – will live exclusively on ESPN+ beginning in 2022 and will be dramatically expanded to include multiple live content channels nearly every week of the FedExCup season.

Jimmy Pitaro, President, ESPN and co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks said, “We are looking forward to working with the PGA TOUR to bring current and future golf fans the next generation of TOUR coverage. ESPN+ will offer golf fans unprecedented access and storytelling at an incredible value on the industry’s leading sports streaming platform.”

Rick Anderson, Chief Media Officer, PGA TOUR added, “The relationship with Disney and ESPN+ gives the TOUR the opportunity to expand and diversify audiences and the TOUR and ESPN will work together to bring new and unique content to our fans.”

ESPN+, the leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN, has grown quickly to reach 7.6 million subscribers (as of February 3, 2020) and the new relationship will provide a significant growth opportunity for PGA TOUR content via ESPN+’s digital reach, innovative platform and young and diverse audience. 

PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will bring fans more access to the 30,000-plus golf shots hit each week on the PGA TOUR by delivering more than 4,000 hours of live streaming coverage annually.  PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will include live coverage from 36 tournaments – from the TOUR’s Hawaii events in January all the way through the year – with at least 28 events having four full days of coverage, with four simultaneous live feeds each day. PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will also feature on-demand replays of PGA TOUR events, original golf programs, edited speed round recaps and more.

All of this will be available to ESPN+ subscribers as part of the base subscription, alongside more than 12,000 other live sporting events, an unmatched lineup of studio programs, original series and documentaries, along with a library of other, on-demand programming. 

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ at a discounted price.

LPGA
As part of its Strategic Alliance with the LPGA, the PGA TOUR also successfully negotiated rights agreements that will see the LPGA Tour continue as anchor programming on GOLF Channel, along with expanded exposure for LPGA Tour events on NBC and CBS each year, beyond the U.S. Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and AIG Women’s British Open, which are already on network.

Specifically, the TOUR secured the long-term extension of the LPGA/GOLF Channel partnership (2022-2030) with ancillary programming, including a season preview, season review and Road to the CME Group Tour Championship.  In addition, GOLF Channel will provide dedicated programming for the Symetra Tour each year, as well as enhanced marketing and promotional assets and expanded benefits for LPGA sponsors.

As part of the agreement, the LPGA maintains control of all of its media rights outside the United States and receives expanded digital content rights.

“This agreement is an important milestone in the strategic partnership between the LPGA and the PGA TOUR and a great example of the collaboration happening among golf’s biggest stakeholders,” said LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan. “Thanks to the enhanced agreement with GOLF Channel and increased network coverage on NBC and CBS, more viewers in the U.S. and around the globe will experience the quality and diversity of the LPGA Tour. This gives us a domestic broadcast partner to help deliver another decade of unprecedented growth and provides a foundation that will springboard the women’s game into the future.”

“The LPGA is a very important industry partner, and we are proud that our strategic alliance has enabled these results,” said Monahan.  “I’m so impressed with Mike Whan’s leadership and the world-class talent of the LPGA’s athletes, and it’s exciting to know that when fans want to watch professional golf at the highest level, they are going to see both Tours on the same platforms – with the same partners – for the foreseeable future.”

Evolution Media Capital, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), served as the media advisor to PGA TOUR.

About PGA TOUR
By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.

The PGA TOUR, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, co-sanctions more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series-China. Members on the PGA TOUR represent the world’s best players, hailing from 29 countries and territories (93 members are from outside the United States). Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to 226 countries and territories in 23 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving. In 2019, tournaments across all Tours generated a record $204.3 million for local and national charitable organizations, bringing the all-time total to more than $3 billion.

Fans can follow the PGA TOUR on PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, on the PGA TOUR app and on social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram (in English, Spanish and Korean), LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat, Weibo, Toutiao and Douyin.

About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 Members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.

The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental, humanitarian and golf community initiatives, including LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.

Follow the LPGA on its television home, GOLF Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo, and on Instagram at @lpga_tour.

More news and content are available on Twitter @Golf4Beginners - Follow Us!

Tiger Woods Creating a Happy Meal, Masters Style for Champions Dinner

By now, most fans interested in Tiger Woods Masters menu already know what the Cablinasian is serving...does it make you hungry?

FYI...As defined by Wiktionary.org, "Cablinasian (plural Cablinasians) (rare, of Tiger Woods) A person who is Caucasian, Black, American Indian, and Asian."

The Champions dinner is a mix of sushi and sashimi, fajitas with possible milkshakes for dessert - that's fish, meat, and vegetables with a slider of milk at the end of the meal to coat the stomach lining.

To be fair, Augusta National will prepare this meal to its highest level but is this what you would serve your guests at one of the most sought-after tables of the year?

I guess that the winners will be happy to appear at the Champions dinner table no matter what is served no matter what the possible side effects will be on Wednesday morning! Guys, some advice...keep Pepto-Bismol on hand.

That being said, here is the menu, in the words of Tiger Woods,

"Being born and raised in SoCal, having fajitas and sushi was a part of my entire childhood, and I’m going back to what I had in 2006,” explained Woods, a five-time winner at Augusta National. “So we’ll have steak and chicken fajitas, and we’ll have sushi and sashimi out on the deck, and I hope the guys will enjoy it."

The Tiger Woods Masters menu from 1998, back when the champion was just a teenager included cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, milkshakes. In 2002, Woods decided porterhouse steak, chicken with a sushi appetizer.

If given the opportunity, what dishes would you serve at the Masters Champions Dinner?

5 Frequently Asked Golf Questions from Quora.com

Quora.com is a question and answer site that receives between 3,000 to 5,000 questions every day, so Golf for Beginners gathered a few of the frequently asked golf questions for our readers. Whether you are a beginner or have been playing golf your entire life, you will be interested in the responses.

You may think these are all basic questions but how many of you actually know all the answers?

5  Frequently Asked Golf Questions from Quora.com  (click the links to read answers in their entirety)

1. How and when did golf originate?

Richard Fellner, Editor of Inside Golf (www.insidegolf.com.au). "It is widely accepted that the MODERN game of golf originated in Scotland in the 1400s (or even a bit earlier). The first written record of golf was when James II banned the game as it was distracting to the soldiers who were supposed to be learning archery."

2. What is behind the historic low scoring on the PGA Tour?

Clay Nicolsen, Rules of Golf Tournament Official states, "Because of high-speed analysis of golf swings, plus the sum of all the study of past decades more is understood about the physics of the golf swing than ever before."

READ: The most frequently asked golf questions from Ask.com

3. What's the best driver to buy to maximize your chance of hitting fairways?

Matthew Alexander, "I don't think there's a definitive answer here.  If there were a clear best (longest or most accurate or whatever) driver, you'd see everyone playing that driver..."

I'd suggest going to a demo day in your area.  Try out all the popular brands...

4. What's the biggest difference between a scratch player and a tour player?

Jenni Jenq, former Symetra Tour Professional Golfer at LPGA (2012-2017), "...to call yourself a professional tour player who successfully makes money playing golf, you need to possess a golf game that can produce scores of par or better. For men, they need to shoot 70 or better on medium difficulty golf courses. To be a successful tour player, you need to be a 60s shooter. Shooting par would be on an off day."

5. If you had to hit the green from 125 yards, what golf club would you use? Click the link to read the entire answer.

Lewis Greer, "One of the great things about golf is that the circumstances surrounding any shot can change from day to day and even hole to hole. Understanding, imagination and adaptability are very important."

Interesting questions! For example, what golf club would you use for a 125-yard distance?

Learn more about golf and your game! Subscribe to the Golf for Beginners blog (on the top of this page) and follow us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners!

Do You Agree with Patrick Reed attacks?

Golf for Beginners enjoys being objective about all news and wonders about the validity of some claims, so today we briefly review the infractions and conversations over Patrick Reed - is he really a villain? Did he break the rules in the 11th bunker at the Hero World Challenge?

Michael Bamberger, on Golf.com, stated yesterday that, until "Reed owns his rules blunder, he will remain hard to root for..."

Here is the video which alleges the rules violation that Patrick Reed has, indeed, "improved his lie":


Are YOU finding it difficult to root for Patrick Reed?

Well, I don't think he cares, as Patrick Reed says, "he doesn't listen," and that all the rantings, "didn't bother me at all. “I'm on the golf course. I'm focusing on what I need to do."

Your comments are welcome at the bottom of this golf blog!

How to Organize a Successful Golf Tournament Fundraiser

When it comes to raising money for an effort or an organization, there are all sorts of ideas out there for people to generate giving or loyalty through a golf tournament fundraiser.

Some fundraisers are spread over days, if not weeks. Others don’t sound like very much fun at all. Some fundraisers can be localized to just one day, can be a lot of fun and have the potential to generate some really amazing fundraising results. One that’s a favorite of ours, of course, is a golf fundraising event.

There are a lot of positive things to consider hosting a golf fundraising tournament. For starters, lots of people love to play golf, whether they are experts or simply just want to get out on the greens for a day of sun and fun.

And then there’s the money-raising potential.

Not only can you make remunerations by people who are donating to play, but there is a huge potential to generate donations from sponsorships by corporations who want to be associated with your efforts. Here are some pointers to use.

Thanks to givingassistant.org for this graphic.

The origination of this article can be found at GivingAssistant.org where you will find tips on how to plan a successful golf fundraiser in seven steps.

Thanks to Laura Newcomer for writing the introduction to this article.

Looking to Start a Fantasy Golf League? White Label Fantasy Sports Software 

3 Great Ways For Beginners To Experience Golf in Las Vegas

Golf for Beginners brings to you this Guest Post by Brian Peña @ Red Birdie Golf

Golf In Las Vegas - an Overview

Over the years Las Vegas has made a name for itself by constantly rebranding.  Whether it was catering to families in the late ’90s or transitioning itself to the adult playground where “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, Las Vegas is always going through changes.

Most recently, Las Vegas has positioned itself as a complete tourist destination by attracting visitors with incredible nightclub venues, daytime pool parties, and some of the top celebrity chefs in the world.

While understandably most people always associate Las Vegas with gambling, it has begun to position itself as an outstanding golf destination as well.  Currently, there are over seventy courses within a 30-mile radius of the Las Vegas strip, including a couple located right on the Las Vegas strip; Bali HaiGolf Club and The Wynn Golf Club.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at three of the best ways for beginners to experience golf in Las Vegas.  So if you’re ready to pack up your clubs and experience golf in Vegas, let’s get started!

Top Golf at MGM Grand

Located right behind the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip, Top Golf is a great way for beginners or even those haven’t even started playing, to experience golf.

Although Top Golf isn’t your traditional golfing experience, it’s still a fun way to experience the game.  For those that haven’t been to a Top Golf venue, the best way to think of it is as a driving range on steroids.

You can play competitive games, enjoy some drinks, and experience golf in a non-stuffy way it’s so commonly associated with.

This approach to introducing beginners to golf seems to be working as the numbers have shown an increase in millennials starting to show an interest in the game.

Cloud 9 at Angel Park

Located about 12 miles west of the Strip is a twelve hole Par-3 golf course called Cloud 9 at Angel Park Golf.

Some of the holes on this course are inspired by some of the most famous par-3 holes in the world and one of the cool things about this course is that it can even be played at night.

When playing this course you definitely won’t need your driver or fairway woods but it can still be very challenging setup, especially hole #10 which is a tribute to hole #17 at TPC Sawgrass!

Royal Links Golf Club

Finally, we come to a full-length 18-hole golf course located about eight miles east of the Strip called RoyalLinks. 

As the name implies, this isn’t your typical desert golf course setup, it’s a links-style course in the middle of the Mojave desert!

This course features holes inspired by eleven different courses in The Open Championship rotation.  In fact, hole #10 at Royal Links is inspired by the 17th hole at St Andrews or the “Road Hole”.

At this course, you have the option to use fore caddies to simulate a complete golf experience, just make sure to stay out of those pot bunkers!

Vegas Baby!

There you have it, next time you make a trip out to Sin City don’t forget your clubs and make it a complete vacation experience.  Whether you’re in Las Vegas to have a traditional golfing experience or just hitting some balls in a party-type venue like Top Golf, this city has a variety of options for the beginner golfer to enjoy the greatest game made.

More about Red Birdie Golf: Our vision is to help beginner and intermediate golfers better understand the game and inform them about the best products on the market so that they can play their best and enjoy the game to the fullest.

Tips to Speed Up a Slow Round of Golf

If the ranger has ever told your golf group to "pick up the pace", or if you are playing with one "turtle" in the foursome, this article might just help keep you on track to a four-hour round.

In golf, there is nothing worse than being stuck behind a group with empty holes ahead of them.

Your choices are slim as to what to do - you can "play through" making the group ahead wait for you to finish or you can drive past, politely letting them know that you are skipping the hole. Neither option is ideal as it throws you off of your game, interrupts your pace and may not allow for an accurate score.

If you or your group is guilty, it can throw off your timing and pace and your round will suffer. Amateurs see this problem occurring on a regular basis but it does happen within the ranks of the PGA Tour pros as well.

A Golf.com poll recently confirmed that there is a pace-of-play problem among top amateur junior golfers. Although measures are starting to be taken within the professional ranks, slow play is harder to control among average players.

Recently, Golf for Beginners offered three tips to speed up slow play on the golf course based on a recent occurrence by a tour pro. Since this hot topic is not going away any time soon, let's start by stating the pace of play rules for our readers and penalties for the infraction.

The R and A states that “The player must play without undue delay...”. The penalty for a breach of Rule 6-7 is loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play, and for a repeated offense, disqualification." Depending on the number of times the infraction occurs is directly relevant to the consequences.

In addition, the R and A has come up with a possible way to monitor the infraction at the club level. "Formulate a simple condition whereby the management establishes a time limit that it considers is more than adequate for players to complete the round and/or a certain number of holes (which will vary depending on numbers in groups and form of play). In the circumstances where a group exceeds the prescribed time limit and is out of position on the course, each player in the group is subject to penalty."

Golf for Beginners offers a few tips for those who are personally guilty of slowing down the pace of play. If you are new to the game, start at a forward tee box, count your number of shots and pick up your ball and move it forward if you find yourself slowing the group.

Be considerate and you will still have fun - you will continue to learn no matter where you are on the course.

For better amateurs, the USGA suggests that golfers become, "more efficient with your valuable time, as well as everyone else’s." Make assessments before you get to your ball so you are ready to hit your shot.

Speeding up pace of play will only happen if golfers recognize the gaff and take positive action while maintaining the decorum of the game.

How do you help speed up slow play? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Recovering From Your Best Golf Round Ever

It's easy to discuss what you would do to recover from a bad round of golf but how do you follow up after your BEST round?

When you shoot a really low score in golf, do you tell anyone? Sure you do...you probably shout "I scored a 36" from the rooftops to whoever will listen...even if they don't play golf. Subsequently, when the score is not so great, it may still go into your GHIN but without any fanfare.

So, when you shoot your best round of golf EVER, is it followed up by an equally amazing performance?

How well do you recover?

It isn't easy but Golf for Beginners has a few tips to help you become more consistent from round to round.

Although I have several 9-hole rounds in the '30s, my average 9-hole/18-hole round is in the '40s and I am regular '80s golfer. That being said, future rounds have fallen quite short of my expectations...even my husband has to give me the "what's wrong with you" stare when we play golf, making me even more self-conscious of my shortcomings.

I am getting rather good at making excuses, and the weather, being hot and extremely muggy, is actually helping my defense, even though I should be able to shake off the heat and concentrate on one shot at a time.

SportsPsychologyGolf says that, in order to shoot a low round, "it takes a hot putter, a short game that is more precise than usual, plus a modicum of luck. But it also takes smart course management, complete focus on the task at hand, and total self-composure."

Whew, sounds like a lot of things have to fall into place in order to shoot a low score...right?

How often are all of the above ingredients put together in one round, artfully blended together on the course into one "professional golfer" package"?

For the vast majority of golfers, whether beginners or strong amateurs, Golf for Beginners suggests the following tips for a quick comeback in golf:

1. Have a short memory: Where it's good to fist pump after draining a long putt, it's just as bad to keep with you that snowman you made on the previous hole.

2. Overcome Obstacles: Pressure affects everyone differently but, according to Dr. Bob Rotella, "Having control of your mind and using it properly can separate you from the competition." Instead of thinking that you will ever get the perfect score, consider that "the essence of golf is reacting well to inevitable mistakes and misfortunes." Once you understand that the challenge and fun are in overcoming obstacles on the course, you will have a much happier time and perform better.

3. GASP: Not hitting the ball well? Sometimes, you just need to go back to the basics - Grip, Alignment, Stance, and Posture. Make sure you start, and finish, in balance!


We hope that your next round of golf is your best one ever and that you follow up with equally great rounds, one shot at a time.

Follow Golf for Beginners on Twitter and feel free to comment in the section below.

How to Be the Comeback Kid in Golf

In Wiktionary.org, the comeback kid is "a person who repeatedly demonstrates the propensity to overcome downturns or periods of bad publicity and rebound to victory or popularity." In golf, the comeback kid has been related to Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Cantlay, and Rory McIlroy for rebounding after trying circumstances during a tournament.

After nearly five years on the European Tour without a win, Paul Casey finally broke through and has now earned the title! Rolling in two clutch birdies on the 16th and 17th holes on Sunday at the Porsche European Open secured Casey's win.

Overcoming adversity on the golf course or coming from a stroke (or more) back may be easier for the tour pros but not so simple for the average golfer.

Although not everyone has the longest drive or can make all of their GIR's (greens in regulation), golfers can learn to master the art of putting. Almost any golfer can learn to putt well to save the hole. (How many times have you breathed a huge sigh of relief after sinking a long bogey putt?)

Here are a few tips to help you assess your round, stop the slippage and use your putter to be the comeback kid on the golf course.

1. Visit the practice green before every round and roll a few putts to get down the speed and see the line.

2. While practicing, try to get within the "circle of trust" near the hole.

3. "Think Roll, Not Hit" - according to Dave Stockton, this mental golf tip is the key to distance control while putting. The two main thoughts surrounding putting are speed and line - you get the idea behind distance control and you are halfway to being a better putter.

Let's end this golf blog with a few statistics. Short game guru Dave Pelz states that "putting accounts for approximately 43 percent of your total strokes." Both putting and chipping account for "fifty percent of shots are hit within forty yards of the hole," according to GolfStateofMind.com.

I will leave you with this great putting demonstration by way of Phil Mickelson on Twitter. Enjoy!

A little taste of Augusta. Spending all week putting on my green with speed at 15.6-16😎⛳️ #Lefty pic.twitter.com/GprpRJCXTB

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) April 5, 2019

Golf Beginners Need to Focus on These Statistics

Once beginners translate what they have learned from instructors and the driving range into practical use and actually play a golf course, it is important to track improvement.

One way to do this is through proper statistical analysis - there are a few statistics that should be tracked but this article will focus on one stat in particular.

Although I have been practicing putting and chipping (both win tournaments), lately I have been focusing on how many greens I land on in regulation...GIR.

PracticalGolf.com describes the greens-in-regulation statistic as "if any part of your ball is touching the putting surface and the number of strokes taken is at least two fewer than par....your chances of making a par (or better) dramatically increase when your ball is on the putting surface versus being in the rough or a sand trap."

This description makes sense - golfers would have to add another step of chipping or bunker play, and get close to the pin, in order to try and make par as opposed to rolling putts.

Hank Haney believes, "even if you're pretty far off the green, like 20 feet or so, putting is a much better option. If you grab your putter, you're pretty much guaranteed to get it somewhere near the hole. Can you say the same about your wedge?"

For PGA Tour golfers, this statistic may or may not be as important as it is to the amateur golfer as so many tour players hone in on their target better than average players - scoring average ranks as one of their top definers on tour.

It's important to keep track of greens-in-regulation and how many putts it takes you to get the ball into the hole.

In a Golf Digest article, Lucius Riccio, Ph.D. offers a clear cut way for beginners to track both statistics. "An easy way to record GIR is to circle the hole number, or your hole score when you hit a green. At the end of the day, add the circles. For putting, simply count your total putts for the day. After a few rounds, you'll start to see how GIR and putting influence score."

TIP: Riccio says that, when counting the number of putts you make, think about this fact: "the typical 95-shooter on average takes 37 putts per round; the typical pro (shooting about 71) takes 29. To break 90, get your putts down to 34 or so. To break 80, get to 31 or 32."

So, sharpen your pencils and your irons, take notes and create statistics for game improvement and you'll see lower scores!

How many greens-in-regulation and putts do you make in a round of golf? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Mental Clarity That Helped Tiger Woods and Frittelli Win Golf Tournaments

PGA Tour rookie winner Dylan Frittelli stated after his John Deere Golf Classic win that Tiger Woods' amateur career sports psychologist helped give him mental clarity to push through to victory.

How can clearing the cobwebs in your mental game make beginners and amateurs into better golfers?

After a bogey-free weekend, Frittelli discussed how, for the past several months, sports psychologist Jay Brunza has changed his game.

"The plan for this week was just to be creative and have fun," mentioned Frittelli during his post-tournament interview. “Mentality clarity was the difference this week,” Frittelli said.

Although the exact communications between Jay Brunza and Frittelli remain confidential, Brunza did state that positive encouragement was a focus of their messages.

Mental clarity is easier said than accomplished but think of the song lyrics by En Vogue, "Free your mind and the rest will follow" and you are on the right track.

According to an article in The Independent, Brunza, a retired U.S. Navy officer and caddie/sports psychologist to an amateur Tiger Woods, said this about the junior Woods,

"...the process that followed was to teach him to deal with critical situations by emotionally detaching himself from them, while at the same time being completely immersed mentally in the challenge of the moment. With the inhibition of the fear of the moment removed, Woods could respond to the best of his burgeoning physical ability."   [paraphrased, Paul Trow]

Jay Brunza is also credited by several other tour players (Charlie Howell, for example) for his unique mental game strategy.

"You don’t focus on win or else," mentioned Frittelli in his post-round interview. Winning is a process. An easy thought to remember would be Brunza's catchphrase, "Relax, Review, Refocus".

A few more mental golf tips from the superstar sports psychologist are to...

Focus on a “pre-shot routine” in the pursuit of “peak performance” and "letting everything go, all the distractions, before playing a shot.”


Also cited, Timeslive.co.za
Photo by Regine Tholen on Unsplash

The Trick to Getting Out of Greenside Bunkers

When you play in a lot of bunkers like the PGA Tour pros do each week, you get a feel as to how to always get out of it and snug the golf ball close to the hole. This isn't necessarily true for amateurs who sometimes take two, three, or more attempts to get up and out of the bunkers and onto the green.

What tricks do you need to be more consistent out of greenside bunkers? We're here to help you!

The key for amateurs is to understand that first you have to get out of the sand and, once you accomplish that feat on a regular basis, you can learn how to get closer to the hole.

Recent news recaps how Pat Perez, during the 2nd round of the 3M, took a bunker shot and landed 17 yards to the green and then two-putted for bogey. Michael Thompson's greenside bunker attempt landed 28 yards from the pin with similar results. The one thing that both golfers have in common is that they get out of trouble and get onto the putting surface in one shot.

Golf Tips for Getting Out of Greenside Bunkers

FEEL THE SAND
Did you know...professional golfers dig their feet into the sand in bunkers to feel how much and how hard, or loose/separated, the sand is - not just for stability!

OPEN THE FACE
Butch Harmon's basic tip for getting out of the sand involves using the bounce of the sand wedge to get out in one shot. "Holding your sand wedge in front of you, turn the face open about 20 degrees, then take your grip." (This article is terrific and, since Mr. Harmon is one of the best in the business, I believe you should read it all the way through...editor notes.)

BALL FORWARD
Weight forward, shaft straight up and down, hit the sand 2-3 inches behind the ball and don't cut across the golf ball.

Read: How to Get Out of Hard Sand Bunkers

Sounds simple and it is! No need to overcomplicate this lesson or lose your cool. Try out these directions during practice and you should get somewhere up and out of the greenside bunker every time. Thanks Butch!

The Golf Shot That Won the U.S. Open

There are several factors to consider when an amateur decides whether or not to play an aggressive or safe golf shot, from the lie of the ball to where your next shot will land. Do you usually go for those shots that may have repercussions or do you lay up?

I must admit that most of the time I go for the safe approach, figuring I would rather have a second shot that I could make rather than picking myself out of troubles that lie ahead. There are times, however, where the safe shot is not always the best option.

Case in point... Gary Woodland, during the final round of the 2019 U.S. Open, decided on an aggressive play knowing that the trouble that lay ahead, namely, Brooks Koepka, was a birdie putt away from a tie for the lead.

What did Woodland do?

Well, in this case, his caddie made the ultimate call which was for Woodland to take a 3-wood and hit the ball 255 yards to a raised green, knowing that par wouldn't win the U.S. Open.

The golf ball landed on the fringe and Woodland wound up with a birdie, putting him ahead of Koepka and in a position to win.

Not many amateurs can hit a 255-yard 3 wood (especially under pressure) but when should we take the long shot in golf or play it safe?

There are several bullet points to remember before taking a long shot.

- Never go for low percentage shots. If there is trouble near your target and you think the golf club you selected will get you there, steer clear!

- Get out of trouble safely. If your golf ball is buried in the woods or behind a tree, don't try a miracle shot - instead, get the ball back into the fairway with a look at the green.

- Take the trouble out of play from your first shot. Position yourself properly so that, if you need that next shot to be a miracle, you have the option.

Photo: Wikimedia.org

How to Get Out of Hard Sand Bunkers

During the spring and summer months, when there is more rain than usual, you might not be able to find a fluffy lie in the sand - bunkers are water-soaked and packed hard, thus the term "hard-pan".

No bounce, hard-packed sand and lots of water can turn a normal bunker shot into a two or three shot mistake. How can you get out of these hard sand bunkers in a single stroke?

I came upon this exact dilemma as I navigated my way through the beautiful and exceptionally maintained River Club this past week. After a deluge, even the most pristine golf courses have hard packed sand. I must admit, I was at a loss when it came to extracting my golf ball safely (and in the least number of strokes) from both greenside and fairway bunkers....and, I was racking up the shots.

These are not your normal bunker shots and I can guess that these are not shots that we normally practice so I have enlisted the advice of several teaching professionals to give us the "bounce" on the subject of hardpan.

Mel Sole, a local legend (and teaching professional) in the Myrtle Beach area says to reach for a different club when escaping hard-packed bunker sand. "You definitely don’t want to use a sand wedge…or lob wedge," says Sole.

A sand wedge gives you too much bounce and is designed to help you through fluffier sand. Mel instead suggests using a pitching wedge or 9-iron and to change your normal technique.

"Address the ball as you would a normal bunker shot. Instead of cocking the wrists early in the swing as you would normally do, have less wrist cock and a shallower arc on the backswing, taking just a thin sliver of sand. Still hit about two inches behind the ball and keep [your hands] ‘under’ so that the club won't dig."

Read: Picking Your Wedge With Confidence!

Instructor Jim McLean suggests a change in technique for a greenside bunker challenge.

"Think, Steeper, shorter and easy."

Don't open the clubface (keep the face square), adjust your stance to be on your front foot (lean towards the target), take the club back steeply and hit one-inch behind the ball.

That's it! Easy-peasy advice...now, it's off to find a wet bunker and practice!

What advice do you have for getting your golf ball out of a hardpan bunker? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

3 Beginner Golf Mistakes You Need To Fix

In order for a golf beginner to move to the next level, it is imperative that you heed the actions of those who have been there and done that - this is precisely why Golf for Beginners is in existence!

This blog helps not only beginners but all amateurs who strive for game improvement.

Let's start with the basics - you need a fairly repeatable golf swing, knowledge of your golf clubs and how they relate to the distances on the course. Golf etiquette should also be learned as soon as possible so that you and your playing partners enjoy a pleasant outing.

That being said, here are three beginner mistakes that can be easily fixed so that you can quickly advance in the learning process.

Read: How to Win Tournaments Like Koepka

1. Hire a Qualified Golf Instructor. This may sound obvious to you but all tour professionals, including Tiger Woods, one of the best golfers in the world, has several golf instructors in his corner, helping him with everything from the mental game to putting. Even if you only take your first set of lessons from the instructor, you will gain invaluable insight into the game and your swing and you will probably enjoy the game more when you play it.

2. Play from the Correct Tees. How many times have you seen golfers want to play with better amateurs and their egos come into play, so they step back to the white tees when they should be playing forward just one tee box (or maybe two)? The stigma attached to moving forward is only mental but you will have more fun playing the game as it should be played, that is, getting onto the green in the correct number of strokes, than you will by having everyone wait for you as you hit shot-after-shot and everyone waits for you to catch up.

3. Know the distance on your clubs. Almost all beginners/amateurs believe they hit a golf ball longer than they really do. Hank Haney once told me that beginners should always club-up if there is no trouble around. I have taken Mr. Haney's advice and it has helped me save par on numerous occasions.

There you have it. A simple golf blog with easy advice this week. Now, get out there and learn something new about your golf game.

Share your advice with us on the comments section of this golf blog and tag us with your advice on Twitter @Golf4beginners.

Photo by Jopwell x PGA from Pexels

How to Win Golf Tournaments Like Koepka

Just around this time last year, Golf for Beginners posted a guest article focusing on the 2018 statistics of Brooks Koepka whose phenomenal season came on the heels of a wrist injury late the previous year.

In 2018, Koepka was on the PGA Tour top-10 list for scoring average and driving distance, to name a few stats, and won the 2018 PGA Championship after a come-back from an early deficit with a 63 to tie a record. Now that's perseverance!

How can the average golfer learn from Brooks Koepka and apply that knowledge to win golf tournaments? Most of us don't have the distance of a PGA Tour pro but, as this golf blog's tagline states, "...because we're always learning" stands firm in its resolve that we can find something useful in every situation.

That being said, here are a few golf tips which may help you to win like Koepka.

Mental Toughness Stops the Dreaded "Choke"

If you can understand that during a round of golf everyone has their "choke moments", even Koepka during the final round of the PGA Championship (that is when the pressure gets too great to handle), you will be able to move past your mates quickly after the moment strikes. Breathe deep, pull positive thoughts from within and move on.

If you do nothing else during your round, do this...

Say NO to Snowmen: make a plan of how you will tackle each hole as you get to the tee box so that you can steer clear of trouble and get close, get on, and get in the hole in the least number of strokes. Koepka avoided large numbers and so should you. That's the game of golf...play it!

Remember - No Win Comes Easy

Even if your round of golf seems to be slipping through your fingers, don't give up. If you feel that you are not suited to stroke play, why not give yourself the advantage and suggest a round of match play golf?

Comment on Brooks Koepka in this golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Consistency from Tee to Green With These Simple Golf Tips and Drills

What good is a training aid if it sits in your garage and what is the use of learning proper setup or putting if you don't put it into regular practice? Proper practice will give you a consistent golf game.

Golf tips and drills are only as good when they are put into action - if you don't use it, as the old saying goes, you lose it. 

This week, Golf for Beginners offers up three golf tips and drills for driving, chipping and putting - a well-rounded practice for the range which should help you during your round. The simpler the golf tip or drill, the more likely you are to remember and to use it so let's get started.

Golf Drill for Driving

You hit a pop-up and your golf ball only flew about 100 yards off the tee...and it was straight up! You could see your mates shaking their heads and you knew your next shot wasn't getting you on in regulation. Your golf club came down too steep and you need to shallow out your swing.

Top 100 Teacher Cameron McCormick offers this simple driver golf drill (during practice) to shallow out your swing which uses a towel or golf grip placed directly behind the golf ball.

Golf Tips for Approach Shots

PGA Tour golfer Jim Furyk says he is not as long off the tee as the big bombers on Tour but what good is finding the fairway with your drive if you can't get that golf ball on the green with your second shot (on a par-4)?

Furyk's golf tips for approach shot accuracy include:

• Choose the right club, not just based on sprinkler head distance marker, but also based on conditions such as wind and how fast the green is or where trouble might be near the green. I was told by Hank Haney to always take more club than you need - club up if you feel that you may not make the distance.
• Avoid the bunkers and go long rather than short, if you aren't the best bunker player.
• Go for the center of the green - don't try to stick it close. Instead, get on in regulation and roll a solid putt.

Golf Drills for Putting

"Good putters are good aimers." says Dale Ketola, Director of Instruction at Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center. "You have to be able to read the line, have the correct speed and read the green."

Watch this short video for techniques/drills on making putts:



READ: Golf Tips to Improve Lag Putt Percentages

These golf tips were meant to inspire you and show you that, with a little bit of targeted practice, you can improve your game.

Offer up your best golf tips and drills in the comments section of this golf blog and follow Golf for Beginners on Twitter for more ways to improve your game!

3 Reasons Tiger Woods Won The Masters

A game plan was in place, as Tiger Woods reported after his long-awaited Masters win, and the follow-through was extraordinary as throngs of fans stood by to see the reawakening of their long-lost hero.

As Masters.com stated, it was Tiger Woods' "Return to Glory".

The 2019 Masters with Tiger Woods as a frontrunner reminded fans of days gone by, with steadfastness and purpose of action, shot-after-shot was placed almost effortlessly into scoring position.

As Woods gained strength and momentum during the Masters, golfer upon golfer laid a path to his eventual win. Even with a bogey on 18, Woods could not be caught, and the triumph was both sweet and spectacular to watch.

How did Tiger do it? He mentioned he had a game plan like all professionals do before they play in tournaments, but the average golfer rarely puts a plan into practice. In this blog, Golf for Beginners takes a look at the three reasons Tiger Woods won The Masters and what we, as amateurs, can do to improve our own golf games.

When interviewed after The Masters, TW said he, "kept control of my emotions, my shot placement...I still stayed present and focused on what I had to do today." How can these actions apply to us?

1. GAME FACE ON! Keep control over your emotions.

As you could see from Tiger Woods, as well as from every golfer at Augusta National, there were no outbursts, and you could not tell whether or not they hit decent shots from the looks on their faces - keep your game face on throughout the round in spite of difficulties.

2. SHOT PLACEMENT: Know where you are going to place each golf shot. Tiger Woods took a controlled, aggressive approach - he looked at each hole, acknowledged the trouble areas and was safe yet aggressive when hitting each shot.

Don't just hit the ball, think your way around the golf course and visualize each shot.

3. FOCUS: Remain focused on your intended goal. Where Tiger kept relentless focus, Molinari mentioned after his round that one reason for his loss is that he lost focus.

Tiger Woods won The Masters through focus, sheer will, and determination - if you follow his lessons, you may be able to lower your score around the course and stop any real blow-up holes.

Follow Golf for Beginners on Twitter and feel free to post golf comments to this blog.


Photos: NBC Sports after the round taken from my TV!