The Golf Club You Need to Win Tournaments

Kevin Kisner picked away at his opponents during the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play Championship and, on the 16th green against Matt Kuchar, rolled in a spectacular putt to win.

Prevailing after a first-round loss to Ian Poulter, Kisner defeated Francesco Molinari after the former Open Champion 3-putted on the 18th green.

What "sealed the deal" for Kisner during the championships, and sent home the other opponents, were putting skills... or lack thereof.

Did you know...you can tell a lot about a golfer's performance and handicap from the 25 foot putting "make" percentage?

According to Stuart Leong, Chief Swing Officer of Swing Index,

"...data found that players who tend to leave themselves a two-footer or less on a 25-foot putt generally corresponds with a scratch handicap. Players who leave themselves between two feet and three feet generally shoot in the low 80s, while players who finish between three and four feet (or more) generally shoot in the 90s or above."

Sure, it's important to be able to stick the approach shot close to the pin so that you have a better chance of making the putt but you need to close the deal. Golf for Beginners has a few tips to make your putter shine during a round.

How to Pick the Right Putter

• Putting is about feel and comfort, not just design and function. The PGA asks golfers to consider shaft length, weight, balance point, and head design before you purchase so that your flat stick fits you properly.
• Find a grip that suits your putter stroke.
• Select a style of putter you are comfortable with - do you prefer a blade or mallet?

Putting Drill Before You Play Golf

Proper practice is essential at the range and just before you head out for your round as you can get a sense of the speed of the greens and visualize the lines in your mind's eye.

Try this on the practice green: Hit lag putts to get the speed of the greens. Line up four balls and put the first ball three feet from the cup and then put a ball behind it every two feet. Before you leave, make every one of those putts in succession - if you miss a putt, don't putt the next one, instead, line 'em up again and start over - you will probably miss fewer putts when you play your round!

Do you practice putting before a round and, if so, how long do you dedicate to it? Comment below and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners (make sure to tag us so we see your comments!)

A Great Golf Swing Depends on These Lessons

In last week's Golf for Beginners column, the benefits of golf clinics were examined from the perspective of a group gathering, so that the gathering could discuss common problems and receive quick range fixes from the lesson.

A speedy review of your golf swing issues at the time they occur as well as a quick drill to help you overcome that slice or pull can help you at the moment but then you must consistently practice that drill in order to make sure it becomes second nature...so you don't have to think about it on the golf course. 

Many people come away from a golf clinic with a better understanding of a certain problem they have but rarely remember to practice exactly what they have learned...but most of the folks on-hand were NOT beginners.

For the golf beginner, a single lesson or series can help you get a more in-depth knowledge of your golf swing - it's spring so you want to get better at the game, don't you?

A lesson might last for a half-hour or even an hour, and will consist of a conversation with your golf instructor about where you are and where you want to be in the game,
any problems you are currently having (can't get the ball in the air, for example),
and then he or she will ask you to take a few swings to assess your level of competence.

Golf instructors have the option of using state-of-the-art technology to see everything from your set-up to ball launch speed but usually start a lesson by observing your golf swing.

Golfers can also opt for a package consisting of three or more personalized lessons so an instructor can get to know you, to assess any issues you are having and know your future goals. Golf instruction is a process and, if you stay with it and properly practice what you have learned after each lesson, you should see improvements for the very next session. I spread out each my lessons over a week or two so that my body and mind have time to ingrain what I have learned.

In conclusion, if you are looking to improve your golf game, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned amateur, the future of your golf swing is determined by lessons given by a qualified professional and proper practice ...take a notebook with you if you cannot remember everything you learned and stick with the process!

Share your thoughts on this golf blog in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Leader in Myrtle Beach Golf Adds New Travel Column

It is with great pleasure to announce that, in addition to authoring this golf blog, I will also be writing a golf and travel column for "the leader in Myrtle Beach golf.".

MBN.com, a long established tee time service for the Grand Strand, wanted to add a new perspective for travelers visiting the Myrtle Beach area and locals who would be interested in stretching their familiarity beyond the beach and golf courses. With a wealth of over fifteen years of publishing golf and travel blogs on Golf for Beginners and beyond, writing about Myrtle Beach was a natural match!

Exploring Myrtle Beach has brought us to this point - when my husband and I moved to the Grand Strand, (from New York) we wanted to feel comfortable in our new hometown. Five years after making the migration to Myrtle Beach, it is my pleasure to be able to share my experiences and unique perspective with my audience.

What better way to kick off the new MBN.com column than with an article about how to balance golf, your dog and a Myrtle Beach vacation! Einstein, our seven-year-old German Shepherd, goes practically everywhere with us (except on the golf course, but he does have his very own golf cart). 

Future articles subjects may include, "Where to Shop While Your Husband Plays Golf", "Places to Play More Golf After Finishing Your Round", and more! I'm hoping that my readers will help with more topics.

For my readers that may be considering a trip to the Myrtle Beach area (or even surrounding areas), feel free to ask me questions and I will be most happy to give you the "skinny" on the best of the beach.

Post your suggestions in the comments section of this golf blog and also on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Is Your Driver To Blame for Lack of Distance or Is It You?

Both driver and golf swing can be to blame for lack of distance off of the tee ...here's why.

During the course of a conversation with my teaching pro, Dale, I mentioned that I need to find ways to increase my driving distance. I am just not getting enough length off of the tee to put me into striking distance for more birdie opportunities. 

We investigated my golf swing and yes, my kinematic sequence is off so I am practicing driving more from my legs but there also seems to be a problem with the length of my driver shaft.

Dale measured me - and my Callaway X2 Hot driver - and found that my driver shaft is too long - Dale is about 6'2" and his driver shaft measures out at approximately 1 1/2 inches shorter than mine!

What impact can a too-long driver have on the average golfer?

According to Dale, and to PGA Tour professional Bubba Watson, the length of your driver can affect your distance off of the tee. Where you might think that the longer the shaft the more distance off of the tee, the opposite is true.

"Trying a longer shaft is a popular suggestion these days, but most players should, if anything, try a shaft half an inch shorter than what's in their driver. (The average, off-the-rack driver shaft today is 45½ inches)", writes Bubba Watson.

 "Tiger Woods at his longest used a relatively short 43½-inch driver, with a steel shaft to boot. You'll find it easier to hit the sweet spot with a shorter shaft, and you can go after tee shots without losing much control."

 What else can you do to a driver in order to get more distance?

Golf instructors believe that a higher lofted driver will increase your launch angle and provide you with more carry and roll.

Where these two factors (shaft length and loft) should help improve distance with your driver, it is also important to have a teaching professional look at your golf swing as the problems may not lie with your driver but with your angle of attack.

According to PGA Pro Mark Crossfield, "the way you deliver the club to the ball also has a massive effect on launch and spin."


Is it your driver or is it you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Strengthen These Muscles to Improve Your Golf Swing

Phil Mickelson's calves are trending!

The internet is abuzz about Phil Mickelson's calf muscles, previously visible to friends and family but now seen by all those who search thanks to a new PGA ruling allowing shorts during practice rounds.

Calf muscles (aka gastrocnemius and soleus muscles), combined with other muscles of the leg, "help you to keep a solid base during the swing, and also are responsible for generating some power through impact, adding swing speed," states Paul Myers in his swingmangolf.com article.

The @PGATOUR just announced that shorts are allowed for pro-am and practice rounds. Word is they saw my Insta-structionals in shorts and felt this move needed to happen. Well played, Sir. Well played!😎 pic.twitter.com/vGCM36EoEF

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 18, 2019

A fitness regimen which includes calf flexibility exercises can improve power in your golf swing.

What other muscles should you work to improve your golf swing?

In addition to leg muscles, the buttocks, chest muscle, obliques, forearms and Latissimus Dorsi, when used in concert and properly functioning, all aid you in your golf swing.

It isn't just about muscular strength, said Mickelson after winning the AT&T at Pebble Beach. Proper stretching and a nutritious diet are helping Phil stay competitive against the PGA Tour's up-and-coming 20-somethings.

“The science is so much better nowadays than it was in his time,” Mickelson said. “The medicines, the fitness knowledge, the nutritional knowledge in all these areas, we're able to take advantage of that and get our bodies to recover, get our bodies to perform to function much more efficiently." ...Phil Mickelson

At almost 49 years old, Phil Mickelson is still a force to be reckoned with on the PGA Tour, attributing his success to increased recovery time, a healthy diet, exercise and creating a more stable base rather than working at building bulk.

For the young guns of the PGA Tour, take a tip from Phil and get started on a fitness regimen today and you might still be competitive when you hit the ripe old age of fifty!

Is Mickelson getting stronger on the PGA Tour? Voice your opinion in the comments section of Golf for Beginners blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

5 Best Golf Drivers for Beginners in 2019 - Part 2

Welcome to part two in the series of five best golf drivers for beginners in 2019, written and researched by father and son team Tony and Paul, creators of Golfer's Authority and the Accuhit golf training aid (bio below).

Where part one of the best golf drivers in 2019 focused on fit, features and what you should consider before purchase, this article discusses the five drivers in detail. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts in the comments section of this golf blog.

Our Favorite Top 5 Drivers for Beginners:

 1. Ping G400 Max

The Ping G400 Max is, supposedly, the most forgiving driver ever created.

Ping truly made a fantastic club that fits a wide variety of swing speeds and characteristics, and is preferred by tour professionals such as Tony Finau and Cameron Champ,

The Ping G400 Max fits swings speeds from 130 mph all the way to 80 mph with a total MOI of over 9900 which is well beyond even the closest rival. The largest profile available and high launch make G400 a standout offering for both players picking up the game of golf and Tour professionals.

 2. Callaway Epic Flash

Callaway has been making waves in the driver category since it introduced Jailbreak technology in its Epic driver in 2017. The Epic Flash utilizes Jailbreak technology with a deeper CG to provide golfers with more ball speeds and improved forgiveness.

The addition of the sliding weight track in the back of the Epic Flash makes it a great option for players looking to save their slice now but adapt their driver as their swing changes.

Already a multi-event winner on professional tours, the Epic Flash is in the bag of the game’s greatest players. Sergio Garcia and Xander Schauffele have made the switch to Epic Flash and we support Callaway’s claim of greatness. 

3. Ping G410 SFT

Ping’s new offering for 2019, the G410 SFT builds on the success of the G400 with improved forgiveness and faster swing speeds through improved aerodynamics. The “Straight-Flight-Technology” introduced in the G410 driver helps golfers correct their slice and prevents lost balls in the trees.

The G410 SFT is the most draw-bias driver Ping has ever produced and offers a higher MOI than previous SFT models. Beginning golfers can improve clubhead speed, get higher launch, and correct their slice with this brand new driver from a trusted brand.

      4. TaylorMade M6

New for 2019, the M6 driver from TaylorMade is pushing the boundaries of speed. By creating a driver that breaks the legal limits of ball speed then slowing it down by injecting tuning resin,

The TaylorMade M6 is offered in both a standard and draw-bias model for golfers who need help with their slice. Twist Face helps golfers with strikes in the heel and toe to hit more fairways by pushing the start line outward. TaylorMade is promising players more ball speeds and players on Tour are beginning to take notice. TaylorMade has innovated Tour-level driver performance for the masses with their new injectable model and golfers of all abilities can be sure they are getting Tour-like treatment with their new club.

Editor's note: Golf for Beginners' Barry Solomon recently was fitted for the TaylorMade M6 and will provide an unbiased review after testing the driver and matching TaylorMade M6 irons).

5. Titleist TS2

The 917D drivers from Titleist were underwhelming at best. The TS2 driver is a departure from traditional; a product of the “Titleist Speed project,” the TS2 offers improved ball speeds and better spin rates for all players.

The most forgiving driver Titleist has ever produced, the TS2 is an outstanding performer for golfers looking for help off of the tee. Titleist combined a faster shape and weight pulled as far back as the rules allow to give golfers longer and more stable drives. Used on Tour by players such as Adam Scott and Cameron Smith, the TS2 is made for every golfer.

Which Driver Is Right for You?

By getting these different drivers into your hands and testing them, you can determine which model is best for you.

Before purchasing, make sure that the club looks great behind the golf ball and that you feel confident swinging your new club. Meet with a professional club fitter who has your best interest in mind and don’t be afraid to ask questions when they hand you different equipment configurations. Ultimately, you will be the best judge of which driver is right for you and what can help you play your best golf.

Golf club manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries of golf club equipment and design, but the rules make sure that the onus is placed on the players to deliver their scores. Most importantly, enjoy the club buying process and treat each fitting as if it were a lesson. Go learn about your swing and learn about the golf club technologies that help make this game so great.

About the Author

This was a guest post written by Tony and Paul who are a father and son team who are not only best friends but love the game of golf. They created the Golfers Authority, to provide unbiased reviews, guides, tips, and advice in order to help other players improve their game.

Tony is also the founder and inventor of the Accuhit, one of the most recognized golf training aids in the world. The Accuhit has been recognized by Golfweek, Golf Tips Magazine, Asian Golf Monthly, and many other publications as one of the most cost-effective golf training aids in the market. 

Ping G 400 Attribution: https://ping.com/clubs/drivers/g400-max

Callaway Epic Flash: https://www.callawaygolf.com/golf-clubs/drivers/drivers-2019-epic-flash.html

Ping G 410 SFT Attribution: https://ping.com/clubs/drivers/g410-sft

TaylorMade M6 Attribution: https://www.taylormadegolf.com/M6-Driver/DW-AL197.html

Titleist TS2 Attribution: https://www.titleist.com/golf-clubs/golf-drivers

This article is the opinion of the guest author. Golf for Beginners welcomes opinions but, as we always say, you should seek out a qualified golf professional for further details before you make a purchase.

3 Golf Tips to Start Putting Better Now

Putting is often overlooked when you are practicing your golf game; it's usually placed on the back burner after you've hit everything from driver to wedge. This practice probably has you missing more putts during a round which may lead you to grumble about an inflated score.

Instead of pulling out the driver or irons first during your range session, make it a practice to head over to the chipping and putting area first, and then again during practice, to work on the short game.

According to short game guru Dave Pelz, chipping and putting are the two most important aspects in your golf game, although he believes that, in order to save more strokes, concentrate on your wedge game.

Even so, Pelz states that "putting accounts for approximately 43 percent of your total strokes."

That's almost half of your golf game!

For the time that you are at the range, consider these 3 golf putting tips:

1. Putts that are short, never go in - although this statement is pretty self-explanatory, practice the speed of your putts so that your golf ball makes into the "circle of trust" which is within about three feet.

2. Make sure your golf ball drops into the cup. It's great to hear (and oh so satisfying) the sound a golf ball when it hits the bottom, isn't it?

3. Take the time to read the lie and line of each putt and ask yourself a few questions before taking the putt such as, are you looking at an uphill, downhill or sideways lie? Make adjustments to speed and lie and "feel it" to the hole.


In the game of golf, visualization is key - your mind can help you "see" the putts rolling in if you relax and study each line.

Remember, putting is all about the speed, your line...and feel!

Add your golf putting tips in the comments area of this golf blog and tag us with your tips on Twitter @Golf4beginners.


Photo by tyler hendy from Pexels

The 2 Traits You Need for a Better Golf Game

A better golf game doesn't come about just because you purchased the hottest golf clubs on the market or because you have enlisted the aid of a qualified teaching professional - it also helps if you make a decision and commitment that you want to achieve a better game and lower score.

For the average 15 plus handicapper, consistency is rarely a strong suit - fat and thin shots, lack of proper course management, rarely add up to a low score.

Two traits to consider for a better overall golf game, in this author's opinion, are...

Consistency and Motivation.

What does it mean to have a consistent golf game?

Dictionary.com says consistent means, "constantly adhering to the same principles, course, and form"...that being said, does it mean to have a repeatable swing? Is it important to have a reliable putting stroke?

Yes and yes to the above questions and, in addition, it is important to keep your mind free from those distractions that would change the course of your consistency, such as golfers offering help or reading too many golf tips from different sources, for example.

On the flip side, according to instructor Kiel Alderink in a golfcity.com article, "it is the inconsistency that makes the game exciting," but, in my opinion, not necessarily for beginners. He goes on to say,...

"If you played golf every day and shot the same exact score, would that be any fun or challenging?  If you hit the ball the same height, distance, and shape every time you would get very bored.  It is the unknown that makes the game exciting.  The chance to put up your best score every time you tee it up is exciting.  If you knew you were going to shoot the exact same score as always, well that would be a walk in the park, literally."

I prefer less excitement and lower scores!!

Related Reading -  Golf Psychology: Tips to Avoid Choking

As for motivation, Merriam Webster dictionary says about this particular drive, it is, "the act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something."

I throw this question out at you ... what makes/keeps you motivated to play golf?

Is it a beautiful day for a walk in the park or, perhaps, have you been determined to lower your handicap, have been working on your short game and want to see if your efforts are bearing fruit?

For this author, and since I started writing the Golf for Beginners blog, I want to continue to have fun. I look forward with enthusiasm during the game to see if I will play better than the prior week (that and I get to play a round with my husband).

Dr. Deborah Graham, in a Golfpsych.com article summed up best the reasons to stay motivated:

"To reach full potential, it is important that competitive golfers retain as primary motivation for playing golf, a great love of the sport and an appreciation of the tremendous personal and competitive challenges it provides."

Follow Golf4Beginners on Twitter and let us know your thoughts in the comments section of this golf blog!

3 Tips for Buying Golf Clubs for Beginners

You have decided to take up the great game of golf...congratulations! What is your next step?

Finding a qualified instructor to teach you swing basics, to guide you in your search for the best beginner golf clubs and to help you along the journey to a better game.

Selecting the best golf clubs for beginners should be as fun and educational as learning the game itself. It is important to choose clubs that will not only be stylish but functional and which will take you through the first learning curve and onto the next level.

In this article, Golf for Beginners offers you three tips for choosing the best golf clubs for beginners.

1. Set vs Individual Golf Clubs? A beginner to the sport may opt to select irons, woods and a putter separate from each other or select a set - since you don't know whether or not you will stick with the game and how much your swing will change while embarking on the first leg of your journey, it might be wise to settle on a set of golf clubs, complete with the basics.

Most sets will include a golf bag, putter, a driver, a few woods, irons, etc., generally a mixed bag. The key is to know what is in that mixed bag before you purchase it.

2. What should be included in a set of beginner golf clubs? PGA Tour golfer Joey Sindelar suggests that an essential set of golf clubs for beginners include, "a half set or a two-thirds set, starting with 3, 5, 7, and 9-irons and 3 and 5-wood clubs," driver and putter. His reasoning?

"If you’re not swinging hard enough you won’t even know the difference between a five, six, seven iron — there’s not enough of a gap there."

In his Golfweek article, Bill Herrfeldt suggests you skip the driver as beginners might find this golf club difficult to hit.

3. What should you look for when choosing beginner golf clubs? 

• Value - if buying a new set, consider last year's model.
• Larger sweet spot - easier to connect with the golf ball
• Graphite golf shafts (for slower swing speeds) over steel

Although it is always a good idea to try before you buy, in the case of a beginner golfer selecting a new set of golf clubs, this might not work so you might want to ask your teaching pro or local golf shop owner/manager if he or she has any suggestions to get you started.

NOTE: This list was created to get the conversation started and is a good guideline but there is no substitution for meeting with a qualified professional to discuss your needs.

4 Reasons Why Walking the Golf Course is Better Than Cart Path Only

After a soaking rain, many golf courses issue a "cart path only" notice, which means players must keep their carts off of the grass so they don't destroy the grounds.

Barring any physical ailments which would hinder a nice walk in the park or hilly terrain which would need a billy goat in order to scale, there are reasons to choose walking over a golf cart ride.

If given the option to walk or ride, which should you choose?

Editor: For some courses, there is no option to walk but there are golf courses which are an easy walk.

Related: Should You Buy a Golf Cart?

The next time the golf shop issues a "cart path only" notice, consider this:

1. SPEED OF PLAY: You actually play faster when you walk - on your wayward shots you usually don't lose your ball because you are walking straight to it.

2. VISUAL ASSESSMENT: As you walk, you feel the wind and see the angle of your next shot so you can choose the appropriate golf club to get your ball to its next placement or on to the green.

3. YOU ARE WALKING ANYWAY! Cart path only forces you to walk to a golf ball which could be on the other side of the fairway. You also may have to carry several golf clubs to your ball in order to determine the correct distance...and... don't forget to take a towel so you can lay all of those clubs down in the very soggy grass (you don't want to get those grips wet!) 

Try walking instead...by the time you get to your ball all you need to do is address and hit your shot which saves time and effort.

4. EXERCISE: Pushing a hand cart burns calories as does a good walk in the park. Our smartphone fitness gizmo says that, after nine holes, we walked about 8,000 steps!

NPR.com health news confirmed, "The World Golf Foundation estimates that golfers who walk an 18-hole course clock about 5 miles and burn up to 2,000 calories.

The game is meant to be walked...young Tom Morris probably would never have considered riding to his next shot. 

If you are not ready for eighteen holes, why not start with nine?

Share your thoughts in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

NOTE: Golf for Beginners blog and the author state that, whether or not you have a physical limitation, you should check with your doctor before walking or playing any sport.

New Year Resolutions for a Happy Golf Year

With the new year in full swing (so to speak), golfers are making resolutions - the ultimate players are tweaking goals for themselves while beginners are laying the basic groundwork for the future.

Are you looking to shave strokes off of your handicap or are you seeking to improve your chipping?

This golf writer has created several golf goals:

1. Improve short game: chipping and putting. Concentrating on the most important parts of the game will help me to lower both my round score and my handicap.

2. Keep a positive mindset and "can-do" attitude while playing: it's easy for your thoughts to spiral downhill during a round as the strokes start to add up. Instead of focusing on the negative, catch yourself, look around at the beautiful day you have been given and think about your best shots so far during the round.

3. Practice with a purpose: No point in practice if the only thing you do during your time on the driving range is smacking golf balls as far as you can - think about every shot you take and make the most of each ball you place in front of you.

3. Play more golf! I offer this golf resolution every year and try to stand firm on this goal. Can't play 18? Go out for 9 holes! Watching a kid for the afternoon and think you can't play golf? Take the kid to the driving range and teach the game to someone new! Where there is a will, there is a way.

Whatever you choose to do, be specific about your goals, write them down and continue to review your progress throughout the year.

Happy New Year! Any questions or comments, place them in the comments section below and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

3 Cool Golf Gadgets to Improve Your Game

Last week, Golf for Beginners reexamined some of our top-rated blogs; the previous week, we reviewed a few must-have techie golf game improvement gifts. For the final week of 2018, we look at some of the gadgets we have tried and how, if at all, these accessories can make a difference in our game.

1. In an article entitled, "New Ways to Mark Your Golf Ball", Stacy Solomon reviewed Tin Cup metal ball markers which cradle your ball so that you can get a straight line.

In addition to the line, Tin Cup aficionados can also customize their golf ball with anything from an initial to a logo. The importance of marking your ball cannot be understated; aside from the obvious aspect of being able to identify your ball, adding a line can help you align your golf ball while on a tee pointing to a specific target and can help you to visualize your target on the green. Plus, you will be making a creative statement!

2. For those with wood floors and a decent-sized hallway, the Maxfli Automatic Putting Mat will keep you rolling out putts through the winter. Keep your stroke consistent while practicing on a realistic-feeling mat with markings for eight, six four and two-foot distances.

3. Snow or cold weather should not stop you from stepping outside for a few minutes to hone your swing - the Orange Whip can help you to "swing in rhythm while maintaining balance."

For only five to ten minutes per day, and according to the website, this swing trainer says a golfer "will quickly see noticeable improvements in their golf swing such as increased flexibility and strength, enhanced coordination, and a perfectly balanced tempo." The key to gaining the improvement, however, is by using the product - if it just sits in the garage, you can expect no benefits (currently where my Orange Whip resides but it will get dusted off this week!)

We hope you have enjoyed our golf blogs this year! We will continue to provide you with a terrific learning experience in 2019. Happy New Year from the staff at Golf for Beginners!

Golf for Beginners Top 2018 Blogs

From golf club reviews to golf tips and training aids, Golf for Beginners' top blogs of 2018 prove that players are interested in learning more about how to improve their games! In one of the final golf blogs of 2018, we list a few of your favorites!

Is the TaylorMade M4 Twist Face Driver Right for You?
A review of one of the top golf clubs of the year, used by Dustin Johnson and now by my husband Barry, the TaylorMade M4 Twist Face driver delivers both accuracy and distance with its new technology.


Golf Courses Around Myrtle Beach Great for Beginners and High Handicappers:
If you are planning a Myrtle Beach golf vacation in 2019 and you are ...., this blog will give you the lowdown on a few of the nicest golf courses along the Grand Strand, listed by location.


Why All Golfers Need to Attend Demo Days:
Walking through the local PGA Tour Superstore is certainly fun but, just like ladies enjoy shopping at a jewelry store, buying golf clubs can put a sparkle in your eyes. Don't let that wide-eyed enthusiasm have you reaching for your credit card. Instead, consider waiting for the demo days of spring to make your next purchase - read the article to learn why!


The INPUTT Golf Training Aid Review:
Putting is said by many to be the most important part of your game, so why not use a training aid to improve your speed and line? See if this training aid is right for you.


Golf for Beginners thanks all of our readers for your continued support with best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year. Follow us and tweet with us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Must-Have Techie Golf Game Improvement Gifts

With the industry producing high tech golf equipment for the past several years, advancements have led to an overall game improvement model, helping players with everything from swing adjustments to course distances. In this article, Golf for Beginners takes a look at a few "must-have" golf gifts to augment your game.

1. Golf GPS: Comes in a variety of styles from apps and watches to hand-held devices, the golf GPS is a must-have for your bag...as long as you aren't in a tournament. They can record distance, statistics, and scores.

I personally carry the Bushnell NEO, a golf rangefinder which I received as a gift and which gives me basic distances from where I stand to the green.

2. Swing/Game Analysis: Aside from lessons with a golf teaching professional who has all of the latest techie gifts on-hand, there are portable swing analysis golf gifts which don't cost a fortune and offer you shot analysis. Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors, for example, claim that you will "know the exact distance to any point on the course, learn precisely which club to Use in every situation and identify Actual strengths and weaknesses of their game."


3. Golf Simulator: Simulators are pretty expensive so your mates are unlikely to shell out upwards of three thousand dollars so you can improve your game and beat them on the course but, for the hardcore tech golfer, no man cave is complete without this entertainment system.

Basically set up like the golf simulators you see at PGA Tour Superstore (see photo), these simulators can come with a variety of the top courses, retractable screen, real-time shot tracking...even competitions within the game itself.

Read: Golf Gifts Your Dad Will Use

You will probably receive boxes of golf balls, perhaps a golf shirt or even the most flattering golf sportswear as a gift, but tech improvement devices offer you the ability to elevate your game, and that, in itself, is a reason to splurge on yourself this holiday season.


Unless otherwise stated in this article, Golf for Beginners blog did not personally test any items in this blog and cannot verify that they are great gift ideas for you or for your friends and family. These are mainly suggestions and reflect the opinion of the author. Both the author and Golf for Beginners shall not be held liable for any information within this blog.

End Golf Club Commitment Issues Around the Green

Before you continue reading, think about your golf clubs (irons, woods, and wedges) and pick your favorite - okay, know which one it is? Read on...

A recent article in Golf Digest got me thinking about which golf club is my "go-to" club around the greens; I came up with my true-blue, Vokey Spin-Milled sand wedge. I know that it isn't the best club for what I am trying to achieve, but I keep using it in spite of its...sometimes...lackluster performance.

How many golfers reading this article are so comfortable with one club that they forget there are fourteen golf clubs in the bag!

After viewing an enlightening Mel Sole video on 3 Important Keys to Chipping (see below), I started to practice around the green with other clubs in my bag and found that my favorite club is the one that can best do its intended job.

I am now practicing with my pitching wedge, 8-iron, and even the 3-wood and am noticing a difference in the way the golf ball gets to the green and rolls out to the hole.




Here is the way to plan out your next shot around the green and select the best club for the job.

1. Start by assessing the situation. According to Golf Digest's Chief Digital Instructor, Michael Breed, "Ask yourself a few basic questions: How far do I want the ball to fly? How far do I want the ball to run out? How fast is the green?"

2. The idea is to fly the ball over trouble and to roll like a putt as soon as possible. If you have a lot of trouble between you and the hole and the hole is close, you might opt for an open-faced, higher-lofted club.

3. Yes, the lob wedge is your friend! According to GolfTec, if you are in deeper rough and a bunker stands between you and the pin, or there is little green to work with, try a higher lofted club.

4. If you have a lot of green to work with, you might try a bump-and-run with a lower lofted club.

Ask your instructor to show you all of the different clubs or try utilizing your clubs around the green and you will see there is more than one way to get to par.




How do you use your golf clubs around the green? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Brooks Koepka’s Crazy Stats: A Look Back At The 2018 Golf Season - Guest Post

Brooks Koepka’s miraculous 2018 season was almost derailed before the calendar struck January 1st, 2018.

A wrist injury in late December of 2017 was so severe that Koepka didn’t pick up a club for ninety-one days and forced the golfer to wear a soft cast for two months.

After sitting out the Masters, Koepka took the time to heal and focused his attention on defending his U.S. Open win in 2017. At Shinnecock, Koepka held off Tommy Fleetwood for a one-shot victory and won his second straight U.S. Open title.

Koepka added a victory to his major total later in 2018 at the PGA Championship.

So what made Koepka’s year so special? Here’s a deeper look at a few of the statistics that drove Koepka to be named the PGA Golfer of the Year in 2018.

Stat #1: 8th on the PGA Tour with Driving Distance of 313 yards

Due to the wrist injury in late 2017, Koepka wasn’t healthy enough to play in the 2018 Masters. So, despite missing almost the first third of the PGA Tour season, Koepka still finished the year with a Driving Distance average of 313 yards.

Koepka’s ability to hit the ball over 320 yards came into play during the final round of the 2018 PGA Championship. When many of the golfers were dealing with tough decisions off the tee box at Bellerive, Koepka was putting the golf ball in places only one other golfer could touch as he averaged 324.2 yards of driving distance, good for second at the 2018 PGA Championship. Koepka’s long drives were the primary reason why he posted six birdies during Sunday’s final round score of 66, good for a two-shot win over Tiger Woods.

Stat #2: 3rd on the PGA Tour with a 2nd-round scoring average of 68.94 strokes

Brooks made the cut in 15 out of the 17 tournaments he played in 2018. The reason he advanced into the weekend at such a high rate was because of his exceptional play during his Friday rounds.

Unlike his 2017 U.S. Open where he had two great rounds under his belt heading into the third round, Koepka struggled in round one of the 2018 U.S. Open. Brooks had two double bogeys and two bogeys over the opening 18 holes to finish with a 75 on Thursday. In danger of missing the cut, Koepka put together the most clutch second round of his career the following day. Six birdies against two bogeys in the second round put Koepka in a tie for third place and gave the Florida-native a renewed sense of confidence heading into the final two rounds.

At the 2018 PGA Championship, Koepka’s first round of 69 placed him five strokes behind the leader, but his record-tying 63 the next day vaulted him among the top players on the leaderboard and put him in a prime position to win his third career major.

Stat #3: 4th on the PGA Tour with a clubhead speed of 122.42 mph

When you look at the leaderboard of the hardest swingers on the PGA Tour, you’ll see several familiar names. Golfers with major victories such as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Bubba Watson are all over the top of the leaderboard for highest average clubhead speed in 2018. Amateurs are catching onto the secret that professional golfers have known for years, that higher swing speed off the tee box equals shorter second shots that lead to better birdie chances.

Already known as one of the longest hitters on tour, Koepka’s raw swing speed statistics tell us why that is true. With an average clubhead speed of 122.42 mph, Brooks is one of the hardest swingers on tour, and his distance regularly puts him in a position to score low rounds. With a grip on the club of extreme quality, Koepka’s elite swing speed allows him to play the game with an aggressive and attacking style.

Stat #4: 1st on the PGA Tour with a Final-round scoring average of 68.27 strokes

One of Koepka’s most significant accomplishments in 2018 was his ability to close out tournaments when he had the lead. After playing an up-and-down first three rounds at the U.S. Open, Koepka needed a steady hand on the final Sunday to pick up his second straight U.S. Open title. With four golfers tied for the lead at the beginning of the fourth round, Koepka followed a shaky third round score of 72 with a title-clinching 68.

Koepka also needed an exceptional final round on the last day of the PGA Championship even though he held a four-stroke lead over Tiger Woods as both golfers teed off that day. But it didn’t seem like he would need to dig much after a birdie on the first hole pushed Koepka’s lead to five strokes. But a combination of two birdies by Woods and two bogeys by Koepka over the next four holes erased Koepka’s lead and made the final 13 holes appointment viewing for golf lovers everywhere.

Koepka stayed steady by bombing long drives over 320 yards to create multiple birdie opportunities over the last 12 holes. His five birdies down the stretch held off the resurgent Woods for his second major title of 2018.


Bio: Jordan Fuller is a golf enthusiast with over 25 years of experience on the green.

Over this lifetime, he’s fallen in love with the game and now teaches golf to amateur players in Omaha, Nebraska. He also loves to write and, every now and then, shares his learnings about the game in articles.


Nike Basketball [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]

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.

KINONA Review - Flattering Golf Sportswear for Women

KINONA has set out to create golf sportswear which is not only comfortable but also flattering - after slipping on their latest autumn resort wear, chic and elegant are also added to the list!

Female golfers, in my opinion, want to dress for golf but, at the same time, we want to have an enjoyable time on the course without worrying about clothes which don't fit, or feel,  just right.

Ladies...how many times have you adjusted the shorts under your skort, or had to tug on your waistband to keep it from sliding below the hips? After slipping on the "Start to Finish Golf Skort", I now believe this problem has been solved!

The KINONA Start to Finish Golf Skort is an easy-to-wear garment which can carry you through eighteen holes and beyond...I just didn't want to remove it!

The waistband on this skort is wider to help smooth out tummy bulge, the shorts are made from a perforated moisture-managing fabric which is soft and undemanding and there are pleats on either side for when you feel like spinning after sinking that birdie putt.

During a round of golf, KINONA has taken care of those times when you are so busy reading your line that you forget you are bending over; the back waist is made slightly higher so that you don't have to worry about pulling down your shirt in the back...now you can focus on the golf, girl!

The Resort Collection features the lovely KINONA Modern Mix Longsleeve Golf Top (see photo) which pairs perfectly with the Start to Finish Golf Skort. This top is strikingly fashionable and it's warm enough for autumn mornings that transition into late afternoon 60's temperatures. The fabric is stretchy but not snug so it offers you a slimming look, the collar will cover your neck for the early morning then simply zip down and pull up the bracelet sleeves as the sun shines on you and your game.

For women who want to project a sense of style, to look flirty and feminine without sacrificing quality and fashion, take a look at what KINONA has to offer -their website says it all and I agree, this golf clothing has both "style and sass".

3 Golf Swing Power Leaks You Can Avoid

Standing near the tee box last week, I watched as a golfer took his swing and noticed the results from his efforts - the grunt from the player didn't surprise me, nor did the golf ball's lack of distance.

The golfer believed he made a decent enough effort, which he did...the ball moved forward...but the outcome could have put him farther down the fairway and in a much better scoring position.

He'll never become a scratch golfer that way! I wondered if he knew of his inherent swing power leaks.

I pulled out my smartphone and took notes. Golfers can play for thirty years without taking a lesson and be happy in their ignorance - Golf for Beginners seeks to make players think about their swing and game to make the sport more enjoyable.

For players of the sport that read this golf blog, I have put together a list of basic problems which are fixable on the driving range so that you can come out swinging on the golf course!

4 Golf Swing Power Leaks and how to fix them:

1. Decelerating: This means you are slowing down the club (and your golf swing) before impact. The proper impact of the golf club is just after the golf ball. An article in GolfInfoGuide.com offers the thought of driving a nail into a board - I was told by my golf instructor to think about chopping wood...either way, you get the idea.

2. Chopping at the ball and not finishing your golf swing: GolfDistillery.com says it best...hit through the golf ball, not at it. The ball is not the target, the ball is in the way of the swing!

3. Backing up when you're taking a swing: The dreaded "reverse pivot" usually comes from improper weight shift. "The reverse pivot results in a bad weight shift. This is the No. 1 killer of proper golf swings," says Ernie Boshers, in a teaching article in Golfweek.com.

This golf blog is no substitution for receiving golf instruction from a qualified professional - make an appointment with your PGA teaching pro today if you think you have a golf swing power leak.

Add any golf swing power leaks to the comments section of this golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

The 5 Phases of Scratch Golf - Lessons Learned for Breaking 80 - GUEST POST

The Logic of Scratch Golf - Lessons learned from my journey to breaking 80 is a guest post written by Carlo Reumont of Fast Learners. 

Please see below for his bio.

Playing a single handicap is a dream come true for most amateur golfers. And rightly so!

In my personal experience, I can say golf is a lot more fun since I got my score below 80.

Why?

Because I am not working golf anymore, I am truly PLAYING golf. After all, it is still (just) a game.

Looking back, emotionally it was an adventure full of ups and downs, twists and turns.

Logically, however, my path was straightforward. I went through five phases in developing progressively as a golfer.

Today I would like to share this logical process with you because I believe any golfer, with an ambition that results in smart, consistent practice, can break 80 and play scratch golf.

Once you have the right practice routines cut out for you and found the right golf clubs for you, it just repetitions and smart practice.

Naturally, this is only a small portion of the wealth of knowledge and exercises available to play scratch golf.

For some handy ideas of how to save shots, without changing your swing, you can get and implement the steps from this 6 Step Guide.

The five phases to playing scratch golf

So, where do we start?

Let us start with the END IN MIND:

Phase 5 - Bring your score home

Yes, there are many reasons to go out and play golf: enjoy nature, connect with friends, get your mind off every-day life, exercise, hit a good shot or two (or three), the atmosphere of the country club and so on.

Still,

if golfers are honest, the greatest joy in golf is tied to numbers - to our score.

But, what is a low score? For us amateurs, let us choose even PAR as a relatively objective indicator of solid golf.

And how do we shoot PAR?

Asking that would be like asking “How do you bring the horsepower of a car onto the road?” There are too many possible answers to point at only one thing.

So again, for our purposes, and starting with the end in mind, let us go with the following:

To score PAR, you must be able to bring your score home.

Let me explain:

Playing PAR or birdie once, or even twice, is NOT enough to play PAR on 18 holes. To bring our score home we want to stay out of trouble and, on top of that, be able to capitalize on the good shots we make hole by hole.

It sounds easier than it is!

Try playing two PARs or two birdies in a row and see how your mind and your heart start racing in excitement - excitement that distracts and gets you off course.

Getting the score home has a lot to do with curbing our enthusiasm and staying focused. And this plays into our cards on the green as well. Putting is mostly mental. In conclusion, you will sink those PAR-saving putts and birdie chances more likely than not, once you can get your excitement out of the way.

(As we break down this logic, we will see that the mental part of the golf game is not always essential. When you don’t have the mechanics of chipping and pitching down, for example, you can be in peak state all you want, it will not help!)

Let’s move on!

What brings the score home?

Let us go another step backward keeping the end in mind. What are we building on, when we are bringing our score home?

“Great ball striking!” you might be thinking.

Close, but not quite there.

There is an intermediate step. What if you have excellent ball striking skills that play the ball into the water or out of bounds?

Good ball striking and playing good shots are two different things in golf. Not every good shot comes from good ball striking and not every good ball strike is a good shot.

Phase 4 - Master the golf course

To bring your score home you must learn to master the golf course.

This is phase four.

Golf courses are designed - with hazards, yardages, out of bounds and downright traps. Anyone can learn to play straight shots on the driving range. Yet managing to bring these skills on to the golf course is a skill per se.

Mastering the course means to know your own game and to play it according to the conditions of the course and the weather; it means to calculate risk reasonably; to have multiple ideas to play one shot; to have options with the clubs available.

As far as I can tell this is all about experience. In this phase, we transition from WORKING golf to PLAYING golf. Until here, the golf swing is very much in our head. But from here, we are to play freely and spontaneously.

So, this was phase number 4. Let us think a step back again and ask the following questions with the end in mind.

Where does mastering the golf course come from?

What enables us to get this good, that we can play the course, instead of the course playing us?

In other words:

When do we have free capacities to put our focus on mastering the course?

It all relies on the earlier phases.

Phase 3 - Get consistent with all clubs

Once we can skillfully swing the club at the ball with not only one club, but the range of clubs.

This is phase three.

Let us imagine for a second that hitting the ball well is simply a given part of your game (spoiler alert: this is phase two).

Once this has become a part of our game, we naturally look for refinement options outside of our own swing, meaning our decision making on the course:

tee off positions,

thinking a shot or two ahead to get into an advantageous angle when playing onto the green,

when to challenge your luck and when to play it safe,

which club to use when approaching (depending on how much green you have to play with)

...and so on.

Playing well with one club of the tee is not good enough. You must learn to play well with various clubs from various lies. All professional golfers show how this is done.

One of the best examples ever to be seen on tour was the Spaniard Seve Ballesteros. Seve would play out of a green-side bunker with a 3-iron.

Now...

You don’t have to do like Seve to play scratch golf. But you do want to be so flexible in your options of playing a shot.

Scratch golfers are willing and able to play a range of options that come spontaneously. In the end, this point is all about increasing your options to navigate around the golf course.

So far we have collected the following logic:

1. We want a low score.
2. To play a low score, we want to be able to bring our score home. (Phase 5)
3. Before that, we want to be able to master the course. (Phase 4)
4. Before that, we want to swing the club at the ball with a range of different clubs. (Phase 3)

Why trying to hit the ball fails

So, thinking backward again, what might we need to master shot-variations with a range of clubs?

Phase 2 - Master ball striking by swinging at the ball

We need to learn to swing the club at the ball!

Notice:

this does NOT mean we want to learn to hit the ball.

Think logically here: We cannot hit the ball. The golf club hits the ball. We can merely swing the club at the ball.

There is a world of difference!

Hitting the ball implies trying to swing. Swinging the club at the ball implies getting in flow and trusting it.

You catch my drift?

So, yes, we want to get the ball closer to the hole. Still, we will only achieve that once we have a way of swinging the club precisely.

Next time you hit the range, don’t practice hitting balls. Practice swinging the club at the ball. See what a difference it makes!

One of the most empowering aspects of this approach is that focus on what we can control: our body movements.

Appreciate the Process

We can practice the fundamentals of the swing step by step, session by session, and learn to appreciate the process that makes a great golfer.

PROCESS comes before performance. It’s logical, isn’t it!?

And still we are not done with digging to the core of the process of becoming a scratch golfer.

The end of the yellow brick road

You have come quite a way with me in this post. Congratulations! It will be worth, trust me!

There is still one step to think of even before we swing the club at the ball.

It’s a baby step, yet a very crucial one.

A logical step only very few amateur golfers make and most professionals and naturally good amateurs speed through naturally:

Phase 1 - Forget the ball and develop a proper golf swing

“Develop a proper golf swing!” Yea, this may sound self-evident, but it might be one of the best kept “secrets” in golf.

As long as we do not swing the club properly, we cannot hit the ball properly.

Logical, right!?

Yet what do most golfers do when starting out?

They try to hit the ball.

But I ask you:

How can you hit the ball if you cannot swing the club??

You and I both know:

it does not take a ball to determine whether we can swing the club or not.

Swinging the club is as different from hitting the ball, as hitting the ball is from playing a good shot; as hitting a good shot is different from mastering the course; as mastering the course is different from bringing the score home)

You see the logic here?

It is simple, but it is difficult at the same time.

This is the bottom line:

Learning to swing the golf club is the starting point of your journey to play scratch golf.

When we now look at where we started, we have the following learning path:

1. Forget the ball and develop a proper golf swing
2. Master ball striking by swinging at the ball
3. Get consistent with all clubs
4. Master the course
5. Bring your score home

So, how does this sit with you? How are you feeling? Motivated? Overwhelmed? Inspired? Ready for action? Curious to find out more?

This is a journey that has worked for me. And trust me, it will work for you if you work it - no matter where you stand in golf right now.

Learn to swing the golf club

Starting with this simple exercise is something you can practice anywhere - even without a ball.

Practicing without a ball might even be beneficial. Swinging the club back and forth in your backyard, in your living room or in the park can get you focused on what matters in your swing, instead of getting all revved up about hitting the ball.

As stated earlier, this is only a small portion of the wealth of knowledge and exercises available to play scratch golf. For some handy ideas of how to save shots, without changing your swing, please find out more at www.thefastlearners.com.

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Hi, I’m Carlo Reumont.

I started playing golf in 2001 and recently achieved my goal of becoming a scratch golfer. Now I help people to play golf – simple, good, repeatable golf – whether they are beginning, re-starting or finetuning.