The Shortest Way to the Cup - Playing Target #Golf

The object of golf is to get the ball into a 4.25 inch hole in the least number of strokes.

Each hole can be considered an individual adventure, leading the player through hazards and thought-provoking situations that require both mental and physical skill.

That being said, why is it so difficult for golfers to get to par?

Are you simplifying your shot process by picking a target, aiming and releasing...or are you thinking too much?

Not having a specific target for your next shot is like roaming aimlessly through the streets of a city trying to get to your destination. Without a map or pointing yourself in the right direction, you're more than likely to take more time to get to point B and, without a plan of attack in golf, you are more than likely to rack up strokes.

So, how do we create a plan of attack on the golf course?

"The secret of golf is to turn three shots into two. " - Bobby Jones 

Tips on Playing Target Golf

Have you ever heard the saying, "How Do You Eat an Elephant? One bite at a time! Instead of thinking in terms of playing eighteen holes, try taking the process down to one hole at a time.

Not always is your driver the best club to take off the tee box - assess which club can maneuver you into the best position for your next shot. Some golf courses give you books with tips on how to play each hole including the yardages to trouble spots - read the book as you approach the hole - this can be very helpful! You don't know how many people that we have seen on-course have the book in their hands and don't look at the book ... when they do, they only look at the pictures!

Whether on the tee box or approaching the green, pick the very smallest target you can see which will set you up for your next shot, whether it be a dark patch on the fairway or something that catches your eye. Aim at that target.

Pick a spot down the fairway that you want your ball to land.

You never want to look at, or acknowledge, trouble areas like bunkers or water hazards - you only want to focus on your target. I know, we have ALL said these words but...NEVER say before you hit your shot... "Don't go there." Your brain doesn't hear the "don't"... ah, those swing thoughts really make a difference, don't they?

Once you have decided on the target, visualization is key - keep your picture perfect shot and destination in your mind as you practice your swing, committing to what your mind's eye has just seen and swing away without thinking of swing mechanics. Adjusting your swing should be done on the driving range, not as you are aiming and pulling the trigger.

In this YouTube.com golf video, Alex Fortey talks about visualization and the golf swing, what to think about and what not to do!





Voice your opinions on Target Golf on our Golf for Beginners blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

photo: trustargolf.com

Strategy Tiger Woods Will Use on the Links at St. Andrews? #golf

It's no secret that Tiger Woods loves The Old Course at St. Andrews, a "creative" links golf experience.

What is a links golf course, Tiger's strategy for The Open and how come both amateurs and professional golfers heave a deep sigh when talking about tips for playing it?


In my opinion, a links course has several of the following features:
-Natural Landscape so all of the bumps and undulations are naturally "rough" with few trees.
-Lots of bunkers and many of them deep and, speaking of sand, the soil is also sandy.
-Fairways appear to "blend" or roll right onto the greens.
-Plenty of water surrounding the course but not much on-course.
-Speaking of water and watching tournaments like The Open each year, very soggy too -with rain and wind sweeping through, playing havoc with golfers' shots!

When Tiger Woods was asked about Jordan Spieth and his chances at The Open this week, Woods mentioned that the 21-year old's choice of getting acquainted with St. Andrews by using a simulator was a good idea and offered the tip that "It's about wind conditions."

Woods continued, "playing in the different winds and having to hit the different shots, shaping shots completely differently from one day to the next on the same hole, it does help seeing the golf course under different winds."

Rain is also a big concern as it makes the fairways and greens soggy - plugged shots, golf balls not getting enough roll - so consider the time of year and type of day when going out to play on a links course.

What about putting; is there any secret to rolling golf balls on the greens at St. Andrews, for example?

If there is a lot of rain, expect a slower roll on all of your putts, which means you have to get both your speed and line down properly if you want to score birdies. Poor Tiger Woods - he said he hates slow greens!

In recap, in order to score well on a links golf course you will need to avoid bunkers (or know how to play well out of them), use the wind to your advantage, "have the right angles" as Tiger Woods stated and get the speed of the greens. Whoever at The Open plays with a links strategy will hold the Claret Jug on Sunday.

Do you have golf tips for playing links courses? What's YOUR Strategy? Tell us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on this golf blog.



photos: allsquaregolf.com

#Golf Tips to Help You Stop Hitting Behind the Ball

During the past few rounds of golf with my husband, we both start the round hitting the ball clean and crisp and then Barry begins to chunk down behind the ball.

Next thing I hear are grumblings about how much grass he took, how short the ball went, how many inches he hit behind the ball...and the list goes on.

Naturally, this problem could not continue - Barry just wasn't having any fun during his rounds and his next step was to make an appointment with a qualified instructor for help and for golf tips on ways to stop hitting behind the ball. Here is what he learned about his swing:


- Probably the most important thing Barry learned was that he wasn't properly transferring his weight. He was keeping the weight on his back foot throughout the swing. A video from PGA Teaching pro Eric Hogge suggests a baseball drill, stepping into the swing from behind the ball.


- Another problem causing chunky shots was that Barry's golf swing was not beginning with his chest (shoulders) turning; instead, his swing was beginning with an arm movement. If this is happening when you swing the club, take a tip from Michael Breed on Golf Channel - use the Elephant Drill which also improves tempo. I also regularly place a golf club parallel to the ground up against my shoulders and turn back and through.


- Finally (and isn't that enough?) Barry was using the dreaded "death grip"; he was gripping too tightly, not allowing the golf club to swing freely.

Too much squeeze and everything in your swing gets affected from wrist hinge to a loss of power and control. A tip to improve your golf grip pressure comes from one of our early Golf for Beginners podcasts and from this visual at Golf Tips Magazine.

Hold the golf club in front of you with just enough pressure to stop it from falling down in front of you. Also, something that I always try to do is to think about holding a bird in my hands - you don't want to crush the little one so you want just enough pressure to keep her from flying away.

Do you have tips or drills to stop fat shots? If so, please share here on this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

photos: videojug.com, Golf Tips Magazine

#Golf Tips Learned from TPC Sawgrass & How YOU Can Make More Birdies

Meeting and chatting with golf instructors on Twitter has great benefits for Golf for Beginners blog; they love to impart their knowledge of the game to willing students and we are happy to share this information for the benefit of our readers. With that said, guest blogger, golf coach Stephanie Wagemann (bio below), has sent in three easy tips to improve your game and lower your score.

Enjoy!

Birdies at TPC Sawgrass and How YOU can make more Birdies too!

Wow!  What an exciting finish at The Players Championship - TPC Sawgrass this past Sunday!

Excellent conditions and great players led to plenty of birdies and some moving action coming down the stretch; most notably by the Champ himself, Rickie Fowler, who went 6-under in his last six holes with eagle, birdie, birdie on the famous holes 16, 17 and 18 to finish the tournament 12-under and put the pressure on the guys behind him.

Rickie proceeded to make birdie two more times on the par 3, 17th hole island green to win the playoff and ultimately become The Players 2015 Champion.  There is no doubt that Rickie’s play on that hole was a key to his win!

My college golf coach wisely told us, “2’s don’t add up very quickly on the score card.”

That may seem obvious, but hey, it is true.  So, how do you as average golfers, work towards making more 2’s on your card?  Or maybe for you it is making more 3’s, 4’s or 5’s ;-)  

Wherever you are in your golf game, here are three things to take away from watching the best player’s in the world.  Apply these tips and let’s work on making some birdies!

1. Know your yardages: If you watch professional golfers on tour, you will realize very quickly that they know EXACTLY (I mean to the 1/2 yard) how far every club in their golf bag goes.  Now, it may not be possible for the average golfer to be this precise, but, I have found most golfers have an extremely vague idea of how far they hit each club.

Spending an hour on the range, hitting 5-10 shots with each club and figuring out the average distance each club in your golf bag flies will be an hour well spent and will get you closer to hitting more greens and making more birdies.

2. Have a game plan: When a tour player is competing in any tournament, they have a detailed, strategic game plan for every shot they want to hit while out on the golf course.  They know exactly where they want to land the golf ball on the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass for each pin position they will play that week.

Although you may not have pin sheets for every round, or plan out your rounds days in advance, you can and should pick a target for EVERY shot you play, keeping in mind where you want to play your next shot.

When learning how to make a game plan for a golf hole, a great way to start is to think of playing the hole backwards. Start at the green, and think where do I want to be hitting from as I approach the green?  Then, where will my target be off the tee to get to my ideal approach shot?  Pick targets to hit targets to make more birdies!

3. More Control for More Precision: Watching the pros on Hole 17 at TPC Sawgrass this weekend, you may have noticed that many of them choke up on the golf club and make a shorter, more controlled swing.  The reason for this is, the shorter the swing, the less room for error!

A chip is easier to get close to the hole than a pitch shot or a full swing shot.  Makes sense, right?     Next time you face a shot into a small green that requires more precision, try taking one club longer than usual for that shot, grip down about one inch from the end of the club, and make a smooth 3/4 length swing.  This will give you a bit more control over the golf club and add some more precision when the pressure is on.

Let’s not let the pro’s have ALL the fun; you can enjoy watching them achieve greatness, and then go achieve greatness within your own golf games!

Here's to your golf game and making more birdies!

If you enjoyed reading these tips you can find Stephanie Wagemann sharing more golf instruction, coaching and insights at www.coachbirdie.com.

Stephanie Wagemann is a former competitive golfer, college coach and Michigan golf instructor whose mission is to help beginners enjoy the game.

Ask golf questions on Twitter to Stephanie on @CoachBirdTweets and to GFB on @Golf4Beginners.

Five Questions You Need to Ask Your #Golf Instructor

You head to the driving range every week or so with your golf instructor and receive valuable tips and drills on the swing, on course management and more but how does that information translate when you're out with your foursome during a round?

So you can recognize and correct mental and physical blips when your instructor is not with you, here are a few really good questions to ask your pro compiled by Golf for Beginners.

Your instructor should be able to provide you with mental keys for each of the five situations below. We have started you off with a few quick golf tips and suggest you make your own list based upon your weaknesses.

How do I correct my aim when I start to pull or push the ball on the golf course?

Dr. Jim Suttie, 2000 National PGA Teacher of the Year suggests, "If you are a puller, go ahead and close up your stance a little, and you will immediately hit it better. Also, check the lie angles of your irons. They may be too upright if you are pulling a lot of short irons."

How do I stop topping (or chunking/hitting behind) the golf ball?

Tom Stickney, PGA Instructor's quick fix for a topped shot: "To cure the topped shot in a hurry, imagine you’re hitting two golf balls at the same time. The first is where you normally tee it up. The second is a few inches in front toward the target. By concentrating on the second ball, you’ll be more inclined to make a sweeping motion through the first ball, thus preventing the topped shot." Golf Tips Magazine

How do I stop a downward mental spiral?

Betsy Shoenfelt, Ph.D. suggests you replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations, 

"Positive self-talk focuses on what you can do, what is right about this situation. Tell yourself - This is a difficult shot, but I can make it. I don’t like this lie but I can deal with it. This is not fair, but life is not fair and I can deal with it."

How can I stop the yips on the green?

"The yips are a fear," caused by stress and all in your mind says Golfsmind.com. Best way to cure them if they start to appear on course? "Control your breathing. Start breathing deeply, in and out regularly....Take a deep breath in, hold it for a second, let it go with a sigh. All of your muscles relax instantly."

How do I remain focused on my shot?

Golf course maintenance crew mowing the lawns, change jingling around in your playing partner's pocket and more are distractions which the average golfer may, or may not, brush off while taking a shot. This is all part of the mental game of golf.

Take a tip from PGA Tour golfers; 

Create a specific pre-shot routine and follow it.

Keep your mind focused on your golf ball in front of you.

Take a nice deep breath walking to your ball and visualize your shot.

One more deep breath before you take your swing.

Walk to your next shot with confidence and enjoy the scenery.

Easier than it sounds but focus comes with practice.

Remember that your golf instructor is your link to playing better golf. Just like going to the doctor, if you tell them the problems you are having with your game, they will help figure out solutions!

Voice your opinions below on our golf blog and through Twitter on @Golf4Beginners!

Photo credits: wikimedia.org, womenoncourse.com

Life Lessons Your Kids Can Learn Through #Golf - Guest Blog

We are aware that golf is good for the health and the heart. It helps one to stay fit, improve muscle tone and endurance, and lose weight and body fat, but what make this game even more great are the priceless life lessons it instills in every player, including your little ones.

“Golf is played on an uneven terrain designed to surprise. Good and bad bounces are built into the essence of the game. The reason golf is so much like life is that the game — like life — is all about how you react to those good and bad bounces”. - Thomas Friedman

Teaching kids to play golf can be beneficial in imparting values and helpful lessons about life. The sport instills the value of honesty and integrity at an early age. The game builds on the honor system because the player keeps track of his own strokes and most of the time, the rest of the foursome will keep track of their own progress considering honesty as the best policy.

Water, bunkers and dense vegetation can make for a difficult day of tournament play. These hazards are very much part of the game and cannot be altered in any way. These course conundrums can be a favorable circumstance for ingenious problem solving and personal growth for your kids.

Like any other sport, success in playing golf doesn’t happen overnight. Constant practice teaches your kids discipline and the value of determination. They may have more misses than hits, but with practice and persistence, all efforts will eventually pay off. These values will help kids face tough challenges in life.

Listen to this great Golf for Beginners interview with Hank Haney - Tiger Woods former instructor - as he offers golf tips for beginners to tournament players.

These are just few of the many virtues kids can develop through healthy sport. It would be wise for parents to invest in an activity that their kids would both enjoy and learn good habits.

What makes golf more amazing is that golf can be a wonderful and fun activity for the whole family – dads, moms, kids, gen-y'ers, even senior citizens find it a great way to stay active! It’s a game you can play from the moment you’re able to hold the club until the time your arms could no longer swing. Introducing golf to your kids might be introducing them to the sport of a lifetime.

Kids as young as three (but more likely five to seven years), can already begin formal instruction – even if it’s just hitting balls at a practice range.

You can provide them age-appropriate clubs. A lot of sporting good stores offer cost-effective clubs designed for kids of specific age, height and skill level. You may even get your little girls some special golf clubs with a great range of colors like purple and pink or your little boys some fun and fancy junior golf headcovers. These could be great gifts or rewards for that awesome and perfect first swing.

To inspire kids pursue and excel in this sport, you may also want to take them to events like the U.S. Kids Golf Tournament or Junior World Golf Championships. Tickets to these events may be bought online through the organizers’ website or event ticket brokers with a reliable event ticket broker merchant account.

Spending time for special rounds of golf with family is a great way to devote quality time with them and an avenue to grow, learn, and have fun time together. On top of that, it’s a very amusing and engaging way to stay healthy as a family.

Blair Thomas is a successful entrepreneur who co-founded eMerchantBroker.com, the top high risk credit card processing firm voted by top credit card processors. He has managed several successful agent offices and registered ISO's.  When he isn’t working hard in the payment’s industry you can find him hiking the hills of Los Angeles.  Check him out on Google Plus.

photo credit: http://www.pequesymas.com/

#Golf Tips - Focusing on Basic Key Elements to Improve Your Swing

The golf blog below was sent to me by Megan Newton from HC Golf, a mobile application which allows a player to "connect with a coach for immediate swing feedback on the course or at the range."

Sounds like an interesting concept and, since Megan wrote about how she is trying to improve her golf swing and lessen mistakes which lead to higher scores, I felt this blog would help many beginners both with the psychological aspect of the game (as Megan is improving, so shall you) and the obvious physical lesson. Enjoy!

**********

As the marketing manager for a recently launched golf app, HC Golf, it’s a little embarrassing to admit that my golf game needs a lot of work!  I grew up playing miniature golf, so my short game is pretty on point, but when it comes to driving, I’m a mess!

After accepting the position at HC Golf, I made it a personal mission to improve my golf game so I can really walk the walk and talk the talk!  To get the ball rolling (no pun intended) I reached out to Sean McLoughlin, one of HC Golf’s certified PGA instructors to identify three mistakes that many beginning golfers make when hitting off the tee, and how those errors can be fixed.


1.  The Grip:  Although it seems simple, gripping the club properly is one of the biggest challenges beginning golfers face.  A quality grip will help control the face position of the club and keep the ball path straight.  Good grip will also create the right amount of wrist hinge and allow golfers to feel the position of the club in the air.

For right handed golfers:
1. Hold the club 3 feet in the air in front of body.  Make sure face of club is square.
2. Place the club at an angle in the fingers of left hand.  The club should touch the base of the little finger and just above first joint in index finger.  Place left thumb at 1 o’clock position.

3. Place club in fingers of right hand at a right angle.  Cover left hand thumb with the life line of the right palm.









4. Interlock the back hand pinkie finger with the right hand pointer finger. The left hand thumb should also run down the front of the grip, just below the lead hand thumb.

Lastly, avoid the death grip.  A light grip pressure will help to hit the ball farther.


2. The Approach and Posture:  The ball should be positioned so that there is equal distance between the front and back foot.  The club should be point to where you are hitting the ball. Now, put the club head behind the ball. It should come up at a 45­ degree angle and fit naturally in your hands.

1.  Slightly bent knees.  To determine the correct amount of flex, golfers should look down and line up their knees with the balls of their feet.

2.  Upper body leaning over the ball, but not hunched.
3.  Feet shoulder width apart.

This position should feel relaxed and comfortable.

3.  Practice, Practice, Practice:  As with mastering any skill, it takes a lot of practice.  It takes time to develop as a golfer, so be patient and persistent.  Repetition makes the mechanics of a swing seem second nature over the course of months or years, so be sure to form good habits early on.

Also, think about identifying one or two areas of the game to improve at time rather than trying to master everything at once.  This will help golfers stay focused and set realistic expectations.


The golf swing is a complicated action, but by breaking it down and focusing on a few key elements at a time, any beginner can take their game to the next level.

Happy hitting,
Megan, HC Golf


Check out HC Golf app on iTunes.

editor: Don't have a smartphone and want more instruction? Check out PGA.com Free Lesson Fridays!

Voice your opinion on our Golf for Beginners blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners!

How Science and Golf Converge on the Green

From the flight of a golf ball to the friction and path of that same ball rolling along a green towards its destination, science and golf are naturally connected. If we pay more attention to the physics of the sport, we may just improve our game!

Short game instructor, Dave Pelz may very well agree with the above analysis. A former senior NASA physicist, Pelz has applied his own technical logic to his Putting Bible after leaving the Goddard Space Flight Center, from aim line to actual path of the golf ball. 

Mr. Pelz has also helped research and test a SYNLawn golf green which he says reacts and performs as if it were real grass. The SYNLawn Precision Putting Green, for example, comes complete with heat-block and UV stabilization and offers the same level of performance expected from a professional golf course.

It is one thing to look like a golf green…It’s quite another to actually perform like one. 

Mr. Pelz’ teaching philosophy? “If we can't test it or prove it or show it, we don't teach it.” So science and golf do converge on the green!

A few of Dave Pelz’ scientific putting tips include:

1. “Years of experiments have shown us that the optimum speed for making putts is one that would, if the hole were covered or missed, roll the ball seventeen inches past the back edge.” - minimizes the chance of the dreaded three-putt coming back. from Dave Pelz Putting Bible

2. Let Face Angle Be Your Guide - Research data shows that where the face angle of your putter is aimed at impact determines where the ball travels. 

Study the two factors of a solidly struck putt and you'll discover that face angle determines eighty-three percent of the starting line while putter path direction determines seventeen percent. In other words, a square face angle is five times more important to starting putts on line than putter path. – taken from Golf.com Article – “All My Secrets”

3. “Almost every golfer I know could improve simply by remembering this one rule: All putts are speed putts.”

Why not try Pelz' 20-Foot Putting Game for practicing a reference 20-foot putt.

Dave Pelz on SYNLawn Golf Green showing 20-foot putting game.

What about those golfers who seem to take a more haphazard approach to putting?

If trusting your instinct is all you feel that you need when standing over a long or short putt, think again. 

“Putting is pretty much what your eye sees and then the signals the eyes give your body, nerves…and then it finally translates out to the club,” Suzann Pettersen says in The Science of Golf Video presented by NBC Learn and the United States Golf Association. 



If you cannot see above video, here is the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB36sW-iYBY

Although LPGA Tour golfer Pettersen may not be thinking of the science behind the putts that she takes during a golf tournament, know that the physics principles of “work, energy and power” are always operating behind the scenes.

That being said, no need to have to drive to a green; you can now hone these scientific principles with the accuracy of a professional golf green in your own backyard!

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Golf for Beginners blog.
Follow @SYNLawn_Grass on Twitter and LIKE on Facebook!

Photo credits: SYNLawnGolf.com, DailyMail.UK

How To Use Your Mind to Play Winning #Golf

Golfers know that the mind plays an important role in every golf shot taken whether it be playing in a tournament under pressure or during a friendly round with your mates - so why not use the mental game to our advantage?

In his new book, "Own Your Game", Dave Stockton offers stories from his own experience as a major champion winner and coach to complement decision-making advice he gives on everything from attitude to the essentials of strategy.

How would you like to ride eighteen holes with Dave Stockton, learning to acknowledge and improve mental strategy on every hole?

We'll give you a few of golf tips from this short game golf guru 'to get you started in using your mind to ultimately determine how well your going to play', to paraphrase Mr. Stockton in this mental challenge game book.

1. "By developing the ability to control my emotions, stay in my comfort zone and never give up on the course," Mr. Stockton states, "I had a very successful career." Giving up on the golf course early in the round, in my opinion, is a hard task to overcome.

2. "It's not how you hit the shots, it's how you use your mind to picture them." Creative Visualization, says Tiger Woods, is a key to low scoring.

3. "Look for that personal balance between playing it safe and standing over a shot believing you're going to hole it. Every time you put yourself in a better position to hit a scoring shot, you're learning when to push the accelerator."

4. An essential strategy - "To maximize your chances for a good score on a given hole, you have to start seeing each hole as a combination of shots you know you can play." Don't go for shots that you can't make...instead use what you've practiced to get that ball in the hole in the least number of strokes.

5. When playing golf in a business setting, "even if you're on the losing end, ask yourself if it's worth spending a few bucks to be in good with your boss or your client. The answer is almost always yes, Stockton says. "Relax, enjoy yourself and play to the best of your ability." Que sera, sera?

I have definitely gotten a few mental game tips from "Own Your Game" but now I need to translate those words of wisdom from the book to the golf course...a lot harder than it seems!

Dave Stockton Bio:
In "Own Your Game: How to Use Your Mind to Play Winning Golf", renowned tour instructor Dave Stockton draws from his experience as a champion tour player and a revered coach. From Annika Sorenstam to Phil Mickelson to Rory McIlroy, Stockton's approach is the same, that is, "trying doesn't work."

Get in touch with Dave Stockton on Twitter @StocktonGolf, Facebook/StocktonGolf and through his website, StocktonGolf.com.



What types of challenges do you face in your mental golf game? Voice your opinion on this Golf for Beginners blog and on our @Golf4Beginners Twitter page.

Easy Golf Tips to Inspire Confidence on the Putting Green

Whether you wish to lose weight, get a new job or correct a golf swing, almost everyone starts the New Year with at least one "improvement" resolution.

Golfers usually pull out training aids searching for swing improvement but, in this players opinion, it is equally as important to work on putting skills.

As short game guru Dave Pelz says, "More than 40 percent of all golf shots are putts, and over half of those are short ones."

In his new book, The Grumpy Old Golfer's Putting Tips, E.P. Murphy dispenses "subtleties of the game within the game" that he has learned in his forty-plus years on the golf course.

At Golf for Beginners we are always learning...and sharing...so we would like to begin the New Year with game improvement tips for all players.

Here are a few golf putting tips, sent in by E.P. Murphy, aka the Grumpy Old Golfer, to help inspire all players before the start of the new season:

Tip #4 –  The only golf club in the bag specifically made to hit the ball into the cup is the putter – master it first, master it best!

Tip #22 – Touch is one thing very good putters have in common. Touch is the core ingredient for long term success.

Tip #30 – Putt to stroke it, not to sink it.

Tip #34 – Aim makes you a contender – pace makes you a finalist.

Tip #58 – Another drill on the practice green is to aim for no hole, but just putt to the fringe of the green so that you concentrate intently and completely on pace and not on a hole.

Tip #70 – On elevated greens it is better to observe the putt path below the level of the green than from above.

Tip #94 – Make cleaning off your putter face part of your setup routine.

Tip #128 – Speed is more important than break on long putts.  The distance, short or long, is more often greater than the distance right or left of the hole.

Tip #201 – The three mind-set qualities of the putting stroke:  No Doubt – No Effort – No Thought

Tip #264 – One way to weaken the firmness of a downhill putt is to strike the ball closer to the toe of the putter.



Thanks to the Grumpy Old Golfer for his usable putting tips.

The Grumpy Old Golfer and his plain talking tips will help you take your putting skills to another level.  These golf tips come from notebooks he carried on the course and from conversations and other experiences over the past 40 years. There are 300 practical tips to help guide you in your quest to grasp the game within the game - the art of putting. 

Do you have tips to add to this list? Feel free to leave them here on our blog, on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and LIKE our Facebook page.

Ten Golf Swing Tips for a Female Golf Beginner - Men You Too Can Benefit!

Golf blog courtesy of Melinda Bailey, 9 & Dine Women’s Golf Apparel.

Golf tips are easy to acquire. All you have to do is shank a few balls at the local driving range, and some overly tanned guy in bermuda shorts is going to come over with his unwanted tips. Hopefully, the following ten swing tips will keep the local heroes tending to their own problems while you're smacking the ball out of sight.

What Are You Looking At?

Hopefully, the ball. Do not let your head and eyes move up to watch the flight of the ball. You will have to wait until the end of your swing. Otherwise, the ball may stay well within your peripheral vision after your swing.

Forty Five Degrees Of Niceness

Many people rear their club straight back as though they are about hoe potatoes. Try bringing your club back at a 45-degree angle. This will help maximize the power you derive from your hips.  Many female golfers attempt to pull their golf clubs back further for more power, which often sacrifices accuracy and form.

Let's Not Do the Twist

Speaking of hips, on your approach, try turning your right toe in by about 20 degrees. This will help stop your hips from turning with your arms and shoulders on your backswing.

Slice, Slice, Baby

It's amazing how many people don't know where the face of the club should...face. You want the face to be pointed in the direction you want the ball to go. Then, grip the club accordingly so the face stays pointed in the intended direction through the entire swing.

What's Your Grip?

All of the power that your hips and shoulders generate during the golf swing will transfer through your hands when the club hits the ball. If your grip is compromised, you will lose a great deal of power in the transference. Your left hand should be especially tight. Have it turned so that at least two knuckles are visible.

The Clap

The number of people who do not know where to position their arms when they approach the ball is as incalculable as the 20% tip. Approach the golf ball with your club. Drop your club and let your arms hang natural in your stance. If you can clap your hands with comfort, that is the position your arms should maintain for your swing.

Left-Right

On your backswing, you want your left shoulder to swing or pivot so that it aligns with your right leg. As a female golfer you can practice this by holding a club across their chest and twisting their upper torso until the head of the club aligns with their right leg.

Try Easier

In golf, it seems the harder you try, the harder it is to play well. Don't try so hard. The harder you try to hit the ball, the worse your shot will be. Let go and let the club do the driving. You just provide the means.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Don't just stand there! The longer you stand still looking at that ball, the more your mind is going to yip up when you finally swing. Try to develop what is called a waggle. Use some sort of pre-swing body motion before you put the club in motion.

The Practice Swing

How many times have you wished for a Mulligan? The practice swing gives you just that. It helps you adjust your mechanics and swing away your yips before you actually swing upon the ball.  Not only does it prepare your body physically, but mentally as well.  Just a few practice strokes can get your blood moving, meaning better thinking and preparation for the mind to execute the swing.

These tips are not meant for you to try all at once. Adjust and tweak your golf swing accordingly.  Often, a beginning golfer will find just the right tip that their swing needs. There are a million voices in your head before you swing. Choose a couple of these golf swing tips, and it may help to silence some of that madness.  

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Melinda Bailey is an avid golfer and editor of the 9 & Dine Women’s Golf Apparel blog.  You can connect with Melinda via Twitter @9Dine.




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Sharpen Your Game with 365 Easy Golf Tips from the Pros

Have you noticed that, after taking a golf lesson with your instructor, your game shows a marked improvement? Shortly after however, and without continued guidance, your game slowly reverts back to its original state. Most golfers don't have an instructor on the range or course during the entire season but now you can have great golf tips at your fingertips 365 days a year.

Illustrations and one-page tips from putting to sand play offered in the golf book "365 Golf Tips and Tricks From The Pros" by Jay Morelli are designed to simplify every area of your game with a suggestion per day ...playing without fear is my favorite.

This golf book rightfully opens with tips on the rules, segues into Golf Etiquette, takes you through course management, drills, the mental game and even offers help on purchasing the right type of equipment for your game.

Below are three golf tips I selected from the book (one tip each for beginner, intermediate and advanced golfer). For a read into the other 362 tips, click on the link at the end of this golf blog.

Tip 40: LOGICAL BALL POSITION,
Dick Capasso, PGA Teaching Pro, Augusta Georgia
Many players get confused about where to play the ball in their stance for shots off the turf.

We have all heard conflicting advice on this subject. Each shot is a new experience and should be treated as such. The best place to place your ball is in the way of your swing. Try taking a few practice swings and pay attention to where the club nips the turf. That spot is where the ball should be played for that particular stroke.

Tip 179: PLAY WITHOUT FEAR, by Jay Morelli, Director of the Original Golf School, Mount Snow, Vermont

Golfers are so often afraid of bad shots that they sometimes play timidly, making timid golf swings. You are much better off going ahead and making a committed and strong swing. Commit to the shot and don't even think about what not to do. A non-swing will never produce a good result.

Tip 269: COIL UP FOR POWER, by Sandra Jaskol, LPGA Teaching Pro, Old Westbury Golf & Country Club, Old Westbury, New York

To get more power and distance, practice with a medium-sized rubber ball between your legs to feel the rotation of your upper body uncoiling above a stable, planted lower body. This springlike effect will keep you more centered over the ball while maximizing your coil with explosive power and speed.

If you expect your golf game to improve, you need a teaching pro. That being said, when your instructor isn't around and you require a brush up (even on the golf course), pull out your "365 Golf Tips and Tricks from the Pros" pocket-sized guide, thumb through it and you'll most likely find the answer to your questions.

About the Author:

Jay Morelli is Director of The Original Golf School at Mount Snow, Vermont and Plantation Golf Resort in Florida. He has been teaching and improving golfers at all skill levels for more than 40 years. He founded the Original Golf School and the Accelerated Teaching Method in June 1978. Golf Digest voted him the top teaching pro in Vermont, and he has been named New England PGA Teacher of the Year. He has produced four major DVDs and written four books on golf.

Bruce Curtis has been at the forefront of photography for more than four decades. As a photographer for Time, Life, and Sports Illustrated, he has been on the frontlines as a photographer of many conflicts around the world. He has won more than 25 awards and provided photography for more than 40 books.

Learn more about 365 Golf Tips and Tricks from The Pros

Photo credit courtesy of 365 Golf Tips and Tricks From The Pros

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@ATT Nokia Lumia 920 Opens Windows to the World of Golf #GiftMoneyCantBuy #SPON

A few weeks ago I wrote about an ATT promotion, "A Gift That Money Can't Buy", which is a website where teens can give something to their parents that they might want, and, in turn, hint at something cool for themselves...namely the new Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone running Windows 8 platform.

 

 

I am now the proud possessor of my very own Nokia Lumia 920 and have been using it for a couple of weeks. Here is why I like the new Lumia 920 and some of the cool things I can do with it...so far!

 

When ATT first introduced the Nokia Lumia 920 Smartphone, I must admit, I was one of the first people to run to the Windows store in the Westchester Mall in order to catch a glimpse of it. I'm a techie (the Bronx Science in me still remains) and the Lumia doesn't disappoint, from the slim fit in my pocket (just the right weight, yet not heavy) right down to the large 4.5 inch screen.

 

In my last post I mentioned how smooth and quick the Nokia Lumia 920 flies through the tasks I assign it but now, I can add that it loads apps and opens them lickety-split.

 

Since I am a golf fanatic, the first thing I did was load up a few apps. I use Mobitee, for example, as my GPS Golf Rangefinder: it loaded effortlessly. Gaming features like the X-Box Live Hub work great (if you are an X-Box fan like I am). The Nokia City Lens is a very interesting concept as well, helping to find local establishments using the phone's camera display.

 

Nokia City Lens on Windows 8

 

The Nokia Lumia 920 also gives you a few free business downloads like Skydrive storage for documents and Microsoft Office, a must for smartphones nowadays!

 

All-in-all, I am very satisfied with the Nokia Lumia 920. I just sent my husband his top-secret golf tip from Keegan Bradley who mentions that his golf ball is the "coolest guy in town"  What did he mean by that? Go to the A Gift Money Cant Buy website and send Bradley's golf tip to your special someone today!

 

 

Disclosure statement: M80 has contacted Golf for Beginners to write a blog post on behalf of AT&T.  Golf for Beginners is receiving free products as compensation in exchange for participation and is being compensated per FTC guidelines. http://ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedend  #SPON

 

 

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Woods and McIlroy Agree, Stress Kills Your Golf Game. Five Easy Fixes.

Why is it, on occasion, pros like Rory McIlroy begin by playing one of the greatest rounds of golf and end up with one of the ugliest scorecards at the end of eighteen holes? What happens when that mental breakdown occurs and what can be done to stop it?

I received an email today which prefaced these questions with a reminder of McIlroy's falling out at the 2011 Masters: from erratic drives to some of his worst putting and chipping, Rory's golf game completely unravelled. Why? Jon Wortmann, University of Connecticut golf coach and leading stress-relief expert Dr. Julian Ford believe that McIlroy ignored his stress instead of 'acknowledging it, labeling it and embracing it.'

Since that fateful Masters, McIlroy has considerably upped his game. Instead of stressing that he was trailing in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Rory kicked it up a notch when he needed it most and birdied the final five holes to win. European Tour Golfer Paul McGinley called Rory "Tiger-esque" as Woods "laid down the platform over the last decade as to how to go into overdrive in a tournament."

Rory McIlroy stepped up his game, acknowledged his position, embraced it and moved forward with momentum: Tiger Woods although once the teacher of stress management, has done much damage to himself and to his golf game through "suffering and self-sabotage" and, due to this ongoing trauma, may never return to his former greatness.

Although the average golfer may never achieve the focus that either McIlroy or Woods can actualize during a round of golf, the combined efforts of Wortmann and Ford have written, "Hijacked By Your Brain: How to Free Yourself When Stress Takes Over" offering easy, do-it-yourself strategies you need to know to make stress work for you, not against you.



Here are a few golf tips written by Wortmann to help improve your confidence and limit stress on the course:

1. "We try to hit the ball harder." The moment we think about hitting the ball further than we usually do, it triggers an alarm (the amygdala) in our brain. Our brain knows our driver usually goes a certain distance. It knows what our go-to or stock swing feels like. The moment we try to get a little more out of it, our brain knows it's not possible, it wants to prevent us from making a mistake, and the ensuing tightness from the stress response causes a tight swing. Tight swings produce over the top snap hooks or blocks when we don't release the club.

2. "We try to make putts." When we try to make a putt, we focus on the result rather than the process of making a great stroke. The only things we can control when putting is the direction we start the ball and how hard we hit it. Just like trying to hit the ball too far, our alarm wants us to stay focused on making a good stroke. The thinking center in the brain can only focus on one thing at a time. Thinking about making the putt (the future) makes it impossible to focus our mind and body on what we need to do in the present to make a firm, confident stroke.

3. "We think we can play our best without warming up." Our memories centers in our brains are filled with the great shots of our lives. The problem is some days we've got our "A" game; other days, we can't hit a fairway even if it's 200 yards wide. Warm up is the time where you let the brain see what the body is doing that day so it can help us focus on the shots we know we can execute.

4. "We think there is something wrong with us when we can't take the shots we hit easily on the range to the course." The pressure of playing, whether with buddies or in a tournament, is a totally different environment than the range. The brain doesn't care if you miss a shot on the range. Your alarm cares deeply if you're playing for a score. It doesn't want you to miss, so it sends a stress signal (that's the tight feeling, nervousness, or breathing quickly) to make sure you pay attention to what you're doing. The good news is that the answer to playing better on course is a fun one for every golfer: you simply have to play more on course or in competition and your brain will get used to the pressure (as long as you work on focusing on consistent swings, not hitting it harder or thinking too much about results).

5. "We think one good round means we've figured the game out." Golf is different every shot and every round. That's what makes it challenging. Our brains love a challenge; that's why even playing bad golf can be rewarding. The road to better golf is lumpy, often with more terrible and mediocre rounds than great ones. We have to celebrate the days when we have the energy, time, and serendipity to play well, and realize that the bad rounds are a chance to learn what we need to practice, both the mental and physical skills of the game we love. Celebrating the great rounds as rare and precious is how we value the memory. The stronger our emotional attachments to memories, the more easily we can repeat what we've done well before.

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Click for more information on "Hijacked By Your Brain: How to Free Yourself When Stress Takes Over"

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Improving One’s Golf Game While Building Snowmen

The snow will soon be blowing in and it will be time to go sledding, build snowmen and drink hot chocolate. Put another way, the cold is here so now it is time to bundle up and try to stay warm because it is too cold to go outside and play golf. 

Mike Baird tells us how we can keep our game fresh through the cold and silly season.

With the cold weather, there is no way to play golf, improve your swing or your overall game...or is there?


Believe it or not you can improve your game even while it is cold out and while there is snow on the ground. Here are some things to do during the winter months to help you improve your golf game:

Work out

Winter time also brings the Holiday season, which makes it extremely difficult to do anything but eat turkey, cookies, cakes and pies. But working on keeping your cardio up and strengthening your arms and legs can really help you to improve your overall game once the warm weather returns.

  

 Putt in the family room

Putting is an essential part of any golf game. Practicing your putting on the family room carpet will help you to practice and feel more confident in your putting skills for when it counts later on. The carpet is similar to how it feels out on a green and it is convenient because you can find a spot to practice in your house. Use cups as holes and the furniture in the room as obstacles.

Drills/Practice/Repetition

Drilling and or putting your strokes in the garage or a gym will help with your swings. Other golf experts have recommended a putting drill in which you place only one hand on your putter then practice five foot strokes for ten minutes. Research other drills and training aids that will help your swings and your game then practice them over and over again. Practicing those drills and repeating those drills will help with your consistency.

Do some homework

If you want to play like the golf pros you have to watch the pros and learn to do what they do. Do your golf homework by watching the Golf Channel. This will probably be the easiest thing to do this winter. Watch the pros and TV shows like The Golf Fix in order to see others learning and working out problems in their golf game. 

Mike Baird is founder of GolfGator.com and a PGA Pro who teaches golf lessons full time and also likes to write about putting aids.


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photo credit: LifeisGood.com

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