How Flubs from PGA Tour Golfers Teach the Rest of Us

Although professional golfers are the best in the world to watch for quality shot-making, they are still human and hit their fair share of flubs, wayward drives, and shanks. How can we use their errors and recoveries to improve our golf game?

From Rickie Fowler blowing a one-shot lead at the Waste Management Phoenix Open to Ian Poulter's shank into the stands, pro golfers' blown opportunities remind you that they're human. Watch how a pro golfer maintains his/her composure under pressure and shakes off blunders to better your round.

Take, for instance, Rickie Fowler's current state of affairs - he is now establishing notoriety as a golfer who "can't always get it done on Sundays." Does he agonize over each shot? When interviewed after his fourth messy round, Fowler looked at the positives of his game.  I "was in a decent position with a few to play and just had a couple — really didn't make bad swings."

Of course, Rickie also mentioned his putting woes using one of the "best clubs in his bag" but that is par for the course ..."I know I'm a good putter, I putted well all week," confirmed Fowler.

Learn from these three famous Ben Hogan quotes; you can then understand the mind of a professional golfer and be a better player in the long run:

"This is a game of misses. The guy who misses the best is going to win."

"A good round of golf is if you can hit about three shots that turn out exactly as you planned them."

"The most important shot in golf is the next one."

Golf is not an easy sport - a positive attitude combined with determination, solid planning and practice will help you to not only improve but to elevate your game.

READ: 3 Steps to Achieving Your Golf Resolutions

Do you watch the pros and what do you learn from them? Leave your comments on our golf blog and be sure to follow us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners for more golf tips!

Improve Your Short Game in 2 Easy Steps

Did you know that PGA Tour golfers get "up-and-down" only about sixty percent of the time? According to Dave Pelz, that number drops greatly for the average golfer.

Driving the ball moves you down the fairway (maybe), but getting on the green, and finishing in the least number of strokes, is really what the game is all about!

The short game, whether it's chipping, sand saves or putting, should be worked on only at the practice facility - you don't want to start working on your game during a round as that could prove to be disastrous.

Golf for Beginners has compiled a few video tips and drills to help you score better down the stretch.

1. CHIPPING: I just came upon this simple golf video tip from PGA instructor Meredith Kirk yesterday - getting into a good chipping stance.




Read: Tips to Improve Consistency in your golf game


2. PUTTING: According to Dave Pelz, good putts start with tempo. Think "pendulum". Vary the length of your backswing to control the speed of your putts. Watch this Youtube.com video to see how the Master does it:




REMEMBER: Final putting tip for today: 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!

What golf short game tips can you share with our readers? Post in the comments section below and on Twitter, tagging @Golf4Beginners.

Photo: Wikimedia

Managing Expectations: Can a Great #Golf Start Hurt Your Round?

Golfers have expectations, (as do all humans) whether they believe it or not when starting their round; a great score, awesome putting...the list is endless. Managing expectations is probably one of the most difficult issues to overcome for golfers of all levels.

On his first hole (the tenth tee) of the OHL Golf Classic at Mayakoba, Kevin Mitchell scored a hole-in-one. You would think everything would be coming up roses for Mitchell after that pumped-up start, and it did...sort of...Mitchell followed through with a birdie on eleven. Then Mitchell took a par, birdie, bogey and finally wound up with a 66 and tied for 68th place after four rounds. (Please note ESPN has his name listed as Keith while Golf Digest lists it as Kevin).

espn.com/golf/leaderboard

Can anyone maintain such high expectations after an ace? Should you try?

READ: Try to Win and You Won't?

On the flip side, Zimbabwean golfer, Marc Cayeux, left all expectations behind after a devastating motor vehicle accident left one leg shorter than the other. “It’s been a tough seven years, so, on my first year back, I had no expectations. I just basically tried to get back into the swing of things and learn all over again...". Caveux made the cut!

Managing expectations requires determination. Here are a few tips to help overcome thoughts that consume, in order to get positive results during a round.

1. SLOW DOWN: According to mind coach Gary Leboff, "signs of excessive intensity include rushing your food, driving too fast and shortness of breath." Identifying these changes and consciously doing the opposite will help you get into a calm mindset.

2. MANAGE HIGHS AND LOWS on the course: According to PositiveMentalImagery.com, you will lose momentum if you have a good round going and start to dwell on it. Conversely, don't believe that if you have been blowing all of your putts that it will continue to happen. Maintain realistic expectations about your game and stay grounded.

3. STAY IN THE MOMENT: It's common practice to think about the next shot but, in many cases, golfers think way too far ahead. According to GolfMentalGameCoach.com, when French player Alexander Levy was, " totally immersed in the moment: seeing the shot, playing the shot, seeing the result and then playing the next shot," his game took a turn for the better.

Managing your expectations takes practice and strong resolve; understanding where your weaknesses lie and lessening the pressure you put on yourself is the first step to better enjoyment of the game.

How do you manage your expectations on the golf course? Share in the comments section of Golf for Beginners blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

3 Simple #Golf Tips for More Distance

Every golfer wants more distance, right?

While trying to come up with a golf blog that resonates with almost every player this week, although accuracy is of utmost importance, if you can't get down the fairway, you won't be able to score.

"Simple" is better. Golfers tend to remember easy golf tips and to unknowingly incorporate them while at the range or on the course.

Golf for Beginners was originally conceived of by my husband, Barry, and myself as a way to break down complicated tips into simple thoughts. Therefore, this blog will offer up a few simple tips that should help you get more yardage during your round.

1. Think Short to Go Long. 

Basically, just shorten your backswing: I can't lay claim to thinking of this tip on my own but, when I implement it, I most certainly hit the ball longer...or, at least, I make better contact. Most average golfers believe, the longer the backswing, the more power, but the opposite is true. Bubba Watson can achieve that kind of contact and results (according to Golf.com), but, the weekend golfer is just going to wind up releasing the hands too soon leading to less-than-perfect impact.

2. One Deep Breath then GO!

This is always my last thought just before impact. Take a deep breath and pick out one point on the golf ball - after you exhale, take your swing. Your body will be more relaxed and, chances are, your mind will be on the task at hand instead of thinking of all those positions you should be in!

3. For more advanced golfers, transfer your weight. Many amateurs lose speed and distance because of poor weight shift. RST instructor Chris Tyler offers up a simple drill to aid in weight shift:




More simple tips to consider when trying to go longer include Hank Haney's golf tip to me in our Golf for Beginners podcast about the biggest misconception about distance, "you have to create clubhead speed to get distance."

What golf tips have you successfully used to get more distance? Share in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

After a Pro Tip, Do You Tip the Pro? #golf

Golf beginners have so many unanswered questions, not only about how to play the game but concerns that are taken for granted by amateurs who have already been "around the turn". Golf for Beginners answers several of these questions in this blog with the hopes of making newbies feel more comfortable around the course, not just on it.

Question 1 - The Bag Drop Dilemma
Have you driven up to the bag drop area and felt uncomfortable with someone reaching into your trunk to pull out your golf clubs? You can screech to a stop and try to outrun the greeter but, chances are, he or she will be waiting with a smile.

Let's start by saying that these ambassadors work for the golf course and get paid to help you. My suggestion? Don't fight it, always have a few small bills at the ready - it's just one of the courtesies extended by the course. Instead, focus on the game ahead and let these "friendlies" work for you. Ask them where to check in, where the putting green is located and any other uncomfortable questions you have so that you can relax and ready yourself to play your best game ever.

Question 2 - What to Do at the Front Desk
Queasy at the thought of calling a golf course for a tee time? Not sure what to do when at the desk?

There are several ways to make a tee time - you can call the course or find an online booking company who will reserve your tee time for you. Start by planning ahead and knowing the date and approximate time you (and your foursome) wish to play. Have several dates/times at the ready and a credit card although you can pay for your tee time at the front desk of many courses.

Call the course and set up your golf game. Once you know your tee time, get to the course at least a half an hour in advance so that you are on time for your tee-off!

When at the front desk, the associate will give you a receipt. Give that piece of paper to the starter - the starter has a list of all of the golfers playing golf that day. He or she will take the ticket and let you know which group you will follow...and will give you helpful tips about the course such as where the bathrooms are, where you can find drinking water on-course, where the pins are located for the day and whether or not it's a "cart-path-only" day.


Question 3 - A Teaching Pro Tip
After a lesson (or a group of lessons), are you supposed to tip the pro?

You already paid for lessons and the instructor isn't offering you a service like cleaning your cleats so I would say there are better ways to show your appreciation to your teaching pro.

A few suggestions... leave a great review on his or her website (or Facebook page). If you really like the results, and your game is improving, you may want to take more lessons - this, more than anything, will probably make your pro feel like a million bucks!


Read next: Can Online Tips Hurt Your Golf Game?

What concerns do you have around the golf course? Write them down in the comments section of this golf blog and tag us with your questions on Twitter @Golf4Beginners. We will answer questions here and on social media.

What Type of #Golf Do YOU Play When Score Matters?

How do you think you would play golf if your PGA Tour card was on the line? Would you calmly navigate the golf course or would your grip tighten on every club and suddenly come down with a case of "the yips"?

Some familiar names on the Web.com Tour, like Sam Saunders and Peter Uihlein, rose to the occasion this past week and snagged a spot for the 2018 season. Other golfers, like Matt Harmon, could not muster up the skills needed to deal with the situation at hand, missing short putts when they mattered most.

With only two holes left to play, Matt Harmon unraveled.

It wasn't necessarily his putting that let him down, although he missed several short putts on 17 and 18 - it was his mental game which collapsed and, to wit, Harmon snapped his putter in two further allowing his emotions to get the better of him.

Even more upsetting to this competitor is that, according to Golf Digest, Harmon is number one in driving distance on the Web.com Tour which means he had no troubles in getting to the green in regulation, just holing out.

What was the difference between Harmon's journey to claim his Web.com tour card and Sam Saunders' triumphant 59 with his PGA Tour card at stake? In my opinion, attitude under pressure.

You can either give in to nerves or take a deep breath, assess the situation and not let pressure take control of you. Ok, easier said than done.

Golf for Beginners has compiled a short list of ways to combat nerves on the course.

1. Divide and Conquer: You wouldn't eat an entire cherry pie, would you? Ok, maybe some of you would... Instead of looking at the golf course as a whole, try separating the entire eighteen holes into individual slices, making each into its own journey.

2. Breathe: Sounds simple, doesn't it? Try taking a deep breath right before you take your next shot. Stand up to the golf ball and, just before you are ready to take that swing, slowly inhale and exhale. You will be amazed at how this simple fix gives you better tempo and ease of mind.

3. Opportunity Awaits: You made a bad shot, or the hole is lost. Time for positive self-talk instead of drowning your sorrows. Stay in the moment, tell yourself that the shot is over and you can't get it back and look forward to the next shot or the next adventure. Dr. Bob Winters says to create a "now" mentality. "It is far better to accept what is than to pout and become irate over something that is history and now entirely out of your control."


What do you do to combat nerves on the golf course? Post your golf tips in the comments section of Golf for Beginners and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

How to Strengthen Your Grip on Putting

Adam Scott knows his weakness is putting, according to a Golfweek.com article, and knowledge is power. He continues to strengthen the "grip" he has on this essential flaw in his golf game by testing new putters, grips and even methods of putting (at one time, Scott was known for using the belly putter). 

Note: Golf for Beginners also suggests reading: Which Golf Clubs Can I Use as a Putter?

The difference between Adam Scott and the average golfer is that many of us are not at that level of expertise to be able to know that we have a fault and be willing to change it nor do most of us ever even visit the putting green when we have the opportunity (for the small stuff, like bump-and-run or chipping practice). Isn't it much more fun to head over to the driving range to "grip it and rip it"?

That being said, let's try and focus on how we can improve our golf game with the tools in our possession.

I am not saying that you shouldn't go out and try new putters (Chesson Hadley won the Albertsons Boise Open after a last-minute putter swap), but putting is about feel, alignment, and green speed; if any of those details are a bit off, chances are you will miss the cup and your score will suffer.

Just last week, while playing at the magnificent Grande Dunes Resort Course, one of my playing partners, (a fourteen-year-old with a heck of a game), mentioned to me that I could have saved so many more strokes if I had not three-putted so much (thanks for the tip Jonathan). At that point, a light bulb went off above my head ... I needed to start working on my short game.

I read a lot of golf tips on the internet and so I will pass along a few tips to help you regain your feel on the green. These may or may not work for you so try them on the practice green a few times before taking them to the golf course:

- Keep Your Backside Quiet? PGA Tour winner Johnson Wagner believes that, on short putts, keeping your butt still is more effective than a restricted head. Wagner says to, "forget about my head and instead try to keep my rear end still. If that doesn’t move, the core of the body stays in place. That gives me a stable base on every putt, which helps with consistency." This tip is worth a try...

- Chill out: Sounds simple enough - Steve Stricker's golf tip to Gary Woodland just before the PGA Championship was to get comfortable, and you will sink putts. Right before a round is NOT the time to change your swing or your putting stroke. Take advice from a pro who knows...another great tip!

- Work on your lag putting and try not to come up short, says Dave Pelz. Get as close to the hole with your first putt so the second one is an easy drop.

Share your putting tips in the comments section of this golf blog and tag/tweet us on @Golf4Beginners!

Never Be Afraid to Bump-and-Run

This guest golf blog is written by Brian Adams, bio after his article. Feel free to comment and, if you want to publish your own thoughts on Golf for Beginners, please contact Stacy: golfforbeginners@aol.com.


You're 20 yards off the green at the end of the fairway, and here it is again, that time of the round where you lose those precious strokes, turning your tally into a number too long to fit on a regulation score card.

Do you take out your pitching wedge and try your best Phil Mickelson flop shot? Best leave that to Phil! Maybe you take out your putter, then grip it and rip it to sink that 60-footer from the fairway? Only if you're prepared to 12-putt.

Your best bet? Take out a high iron and prepare to bump-and-run.

The bump-and-run shot is easy to execute and carries relatively low risk, especially if you've got two particular conditions in your favor.

Condition #1: A green that runs towards you. In other words, a "backboard" to protect your ball, should you skull it. Don't worry, you're not going to skull it. (Ok, who are we kidding? You might skull it, but that's what the backboard is for!)

Condition #2: a slight hill running up to the green, allowing your ball to "bump" before it runs.

You don't always need these conditions to apply, but having one or both will certainly increase your chances of success.

I often use this shot on the second hole on my home course (Pine Meadows in Lexington, MA). This hole features Condition #2, a slight hill before the green, but lacks Condition #1, the backboard. The reason I often use the bump-and-run on this hole is because the green is a "turtleback" design. This means that the edge of the green runs away from the hole in all directions in a way that makes you want to travel back in time and slap the course architect and ask them what you did to deserve a green like this. ALL directions? Three wasn't enough? Sorry...back to our shot.

For the bump and run, I always use an 8-iron to give me enough loft to get the golf ball in the air, but still have some of the forward momentum I need. You can play the ball right from the middle of your stance or towards the inside of your back foot. Playing it too far forward could give you more lift than you want for this shot.

Now, pick a spot a few yards short of the green. If the pin is close to the slope you're aiming for, then you can either take some power off your swing or aim lower on the slope.

Once you've picked your spot, take a quarter or half backswing and finish with your club low. If all goes to plan, the ball will have a low flight, hit the slope, and roll into the cup, as your golf buddies carry you triumphantly to the clubhouse until realizing that you're only on the second hole. The good news is that you've got sixteen more holes to bump-and-run!

Here is PGA Tour professional golfer Jim Furyk with a visual golf tip on the bump and run shot.



BIO: Brian Adams
Brian Adams is a left-handed golfer and financial professional from the Greater Boston area who occasionally writes, performs stand-up comedy, and directs music videos in order to scratch his artistic itch. You can find some of his videos on the Orange Aura Productions Facebook page.

Join the conversation! Place comments about the bump-and-run in the comments section of this golf blog and tweet us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Why the Line on Your #Golf Ball Could Hurt Your Putting

Do you draw a line on your golf ball and use it to point to where you want your ball to roll on the green? If so, you could be diminishing your chances to hole out.

During a recent lesson with my PGA instructor, Dale Ketola, at the Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center, the focus was on putting and the mental game. Dale made me realize that I don't need the line which I currently place on my ball to point to the target - the line, speed, confidence, and feel are all in my head.

Dale incorporates really high line golf technology into his lessons to show where players need improvement or if they are on the right track. Along with V1 software, BODITRAK and Flightscope, my very able instructor utilizes FocusBand with his students.

FocusBand is a mind-sensing neurofeedback device which shows when a golfer is thinking too much negative thoughts when playing the game. Sounds like it comes from the head of Gene Roddenberry, doesn't it? Several well known PGA Tour, LPGA and Web.com Tour players, such as Jason Day and Michelle Wie, use this apparatus...and now it is my turn to try it out!

We used this headband during my putting lesson to help measure my subconscious thoughts while standing over the ball. Am I:
- Overthinking (Excessive Fear or Anxiety)
- Having Fear of Failure
- Frustrated
- In the Zone

Dale dropped a ball on the green (as if it landed in that perfect position) and watched as I performed my pre-shot routine.

The simple interface showed that, while standing over the ball ready to putt, my brain was "in the red zone".

Uh, oh,...I was definitely thinking too much! But, what was I thinking of? That was for my instructor to determine as machines cannot give you that piece of the puzzle...yet.

It is his experience as a teacher and player that made me understand what I am thinking, sensing and how to limit my thoughts to one visual before striking the ball.

I asked Dale what he does during his pre-shot putting routine. He says that, before taking his putt, he analyzes the green, then stares at the dirt in the bottom of the cup and puts that thought of the circle into his mind; he goes up to the marker, places his ball (with a small circle drawn on top) into position, aims and shoots.

At address, I need to, "Occupy my mind with what's going to happen, not how it's going to happen."

You can also relate putting to driving a car and how you don't consciously think of pressing down on gas or brake pedal or placing your hands on the steering wheel or turning your car to the left or right - you just know how to do it already and make it happen.

I learned quite a bit during my putting lesson at the Golf Performance Center - thank you, Dale! Now, I need to practice my new routine so that, when I get onto the course, my brain is in the "green zone" on the green!

A parting thought about the importance of putting...

After his sobering loss at the 99th PGA Championship, David Duval said of Hideki Matsuyama, "On a Sunday, I don't think you have to make a ton of 15-footers, but you have to make the four and five footers to win a golf tournament."

Here is a great putt from Justin Thomas during the 3rd round of the U.S. Open which helps prove that the mind is what gets the golf ball to the hole:

ARE YOU KIDDING? WHAT. A. PUTT! @JustinThomas34 #USOpen (🎥: @usopengolf) pic.twitter.com/foKFJsNo1K

— GOLF.com (@golf_com) June 17, 2017

What techniques do you use to "see" the ball to the hole? Let's talk putting! Post comments below on this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

If You Only Take Away One Golf Tip from The Open...

There are more golf tips from The Open than you can shake a club at, as Barry Solomon states in his article (below). One major takeaway can lead you to a win as it did for Jordan Spieth.

Read Barry's tips below and apply them to your next round.

Article this week written by Barry Solomon

There is one thing golfers can take away from last week’s (British) Open tournament.

NEVER throw in the towel.

Whether playing alone, with friends or in a competition, you should never give up.

Golf is a game of errant shots; it’s how you handle them that can turn your game around.  Here are a few tips that can help you stay "in the zone":

- Sometimes it’s as simple as putting on a new glove or retying your shoe laces.
- Take a deep breath before addressing the ball.
- Try to forget your last shot.  Concentrate on the shot in front of you.
- Before you take your next shot, remember when you’ve hit a similar shot with a great outcome.
- Never allow yourself to give up on the possibility of a win.  Your playing buddies can run into difficulties and give up strokes while you sink that par or birdie putt.

Jordan Spieth showed us the way this past weekend at The Open.  Although we are not pro golfers, these are things we can all do just as well.

And last but not least: Play happy golf.  It’s a great game.

In case you missed The Open Championship 2017, here is the final leg:



Which tips can you share from watching The Open? Tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and leave your comments in the section of our golf blog below.

Golf Tips to Keep Players on the Short Grass

Getting out of trouble and back into play may be a fundamental of golf but wouldn't it be nice to improve your chances of success? Staying in the fairway involves not only a repeatable golf swing but also playing smarter, not harder.

Golf for Beginners offers a few tips to help golfers of all skill levels keep the ball on the short grass.

1. Club Selection: If you hit a bomb of a drive grumbling, "I shouldn't have taken out my driver!", you chose the wrong club...a common problem among amateur golfers.

Instead of always reaching for the driver, think about the hole which lies ahead - note the distance to water, traps, and trees to determine whether or not you should pull out a different club.

2. Straight Shooter: If you know you are slicing or hooking the ball during the day, it is better to compensate than to change your swing. "Set-up to play the fade," according to Keiser University's College of Golf and Sport Management.

3. Center Your Shots: Don't try to "place" your ball in a certain spot - instead, aim for fat parts of both fairways and greens.

4. Playing it Safe: Golfers have a tendency to "go for it" when playing it safe could keep you in play and, with a nice lie. Although you may have some great shots in your bag, you are not Phil Mickelson or you would be playing in The Open this week. Use wise course management and minimize your penalty strokes.

5. BREATHE!!! - Before every round, my husband always reminds me to take a deep breath while over the ball; it relaxes my body and hands and the overall result is a more comfortable, lazy swing. Think TEMPO. Try it next time you are standing over that little white orb.

What creative ideas can you share to keep your golf ball in the fairway? Let us know on this Golf for Beginners blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamental Tips for #Golf

When an advance copy of Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamental came to me via snail mail, my husband, an avid player, snagged it for himself.

Uncovering golf tips from a legend who was one of the best technicians of the game can always help those who want to learn.

My better half took some of Hogan's "secrets" to the range and, when he returned, acknowledged that this book helped him through some of his rough moments.

That being said, it was my turn to read golf tips offered by the great Ben Hogan, written by direct protege, Larry Miller, and to learn a few secrets to take to the course with me.

What is Ben Hogan's well-guarded "Secret"?

According to Miller, some of the best golfers in the world had their own opinions; Sam Snead said, "hands never cross" and Harvey Penick, in his "Little Red Book" touches upon the secret, basic geometry of right angles and parallel lines which Hogan used to create his "perfect golf swing". This new book, in my opinion, is NOT for beginners, unless, of course, that newbie has the fundamental knowledge of the golf swing and can put these tips into practice.

In this Golf for Beginners Podcast, we help break down Ben Hogan's secret into simpler terms.

How Ben Hogan Created Power

Hogan was not a big man and created a tremendous amount of lag but there were other factors which were present in his golf swing. "The Hawk" had a very consistent golf swing, kept his swing on track, considered geometry in relation to his hands, knees and position and had perfect acceleration and speed through to impact. 

Putting Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamental to Work for You

Ben Hogan once said, "Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing."

Read the book with Hogan's quote in mind, considering the scientific aspect behind the golf swing.

There are some really good golf tips within this book, starting from the basics and moving deep within the geometric framework of your body in correlation to the golf club. A few thoughts to consider when swinging away involve:

- Starting from a completely neutral address position

- Keeping the triangle intact from your shoulders at takeaway until the shaft of the club is horizontal

- Keeping your golf club on the line in which it began.

Ben Hogan was also terrific with keeping his focus / concentration and course management, to such a degree that, when you turn to page 123, Miller states, "Implementing this section is a guaranteed way to lower your scores even if you ignore the rest of the book."

From Hogan's strategic way of mapping the golf course to walking the course backward and the value of "pin high", just reading this section starts the average golfer thinking of ways to better visualize shots, approaches and how to avoid trouble.

One drill which was regularly used by Tiger Woods and Johnny Miller is called the "Nine Shots Drill", where you practice hitting different trajectory shots - draws, straight shots and fades.

"With each club you are hitting nine different shots," mentions the author. The idea behind this drill is to gain confidence in your ability to use each club in a different way - the more shots in your bag, the more comfortable you are when in a particular situation using the idea of "I can do this!"

Watch as Johnny Miller on this YouTube.com video explains the Nine Shots Drill.

Ben Hogan's Secret Fundamentals book should be added to your "must-reads" list if you are ready to attack your golf game and take it to the next level. I am personally going to re-read sections of this book and take parts from it that I need help with, mostly to improve my course management skills.

Which Ben Hogan Golf Tips Do You Use? Post your comments in this golf blog and tag @Golf4Beginners on Twitter with your responses.

How Bad is YOUR Bad on the #Golf Course?

Tiger Woods, at his own Hero World Challenge Tournament last week, mentioned a concept that resonates with many amateurs on the golf course: Just "how bad is your bad?"

Do you double bogey after sinking a thirty-foot putt for birdie? Do you choke after looking at your scorecard? Does your round take a downhill spiral and not bounce back or do you recover and shake off the bad golf shots?

Highs and lows have no place on the golf course - a sound and even mental attitude is how to keep the "bad" from seeping into your round.

Here are a few golf tips to get your mind fit for the round and help you to stay focused on par:

1. Stay Positive! Possibly one of the hardest things to do during a round is to keep smiling (like Phil Mickelson does) after flubbing an chip shot when you just struck a miraculous two-hundred-fifty yard drive. Don't beat yourself up - golf is a game of mis-hits and, according to Bob Rotella, it is also a game of confidence and competence. Today, you may not have the most perfectly aligned swing, but your putter might be lightning hot - eighteen holes is a long journey.

Read these Tips for Getting Rid of the Shanks

2. Gimme NOTHING! In order to understand golf tournament pressure, don't accept gimme's during your rounds - MAKE EVERY PUTT. Dr. Joseph Parent say's, "Act like the shot matters, and you'll be more ready to hit it when it really does."

3. What Scorecard? I let my husband score each round and, when I am playing golf in a tournament, I let someone else handle putting my score down on paper...know why? It's too much pressure seeing how many birdies and bogeys I made and calculating what it would take for me to score in the 80's for the round. Focus on the shot right in front of you and let the score take care of itself!

What golf tips can you share that makes your bad on the golf course...better? Comment below in this golf blog and share with us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Playing Golf - A Matter of Life and Death?

Is golf good for your health? Many people agree that there are physical as well as mental benefits to playing the sport that is said to last a lifetime but can the sport also be a life saver?

In a recent tweet, Annika Sorenstam asked her followers this simple question, "Want to be healthy and live longer? Play golf."

Want to be healthy and live longer? Play #golf @GolfAndHealth

— Annika Sorenstam (@ANNIKA59) October 16, 2016

Normally, I might retweet this statement and move on to the always updating thread of my Twitter feed, @Golf4Beginners (...follow me) but Annika got me to thinking about the whole "mind-body" relationship of golf and whether or not the sport can truly help players to live a longer, healthier life.

I visited the site she linked to, GolfandHealth.org, to review an infographic on the benefits of golf which included:

1. Live Longer
2. Healthy Mind
3. Healthy Body along with wellness benefits
4. Reduced Risks of Chronic Conditions

Still, I was not totally convinced - I even typed this query into Google: "Do you live longer playing golf?" When I did, the results were an overwhelming, "YES!"

Researchers located at the purported home of golf, namely, Scotland, conclusively stated that golfers live five years longer, that the sport improves mental health, helps to prevent chronic diseases and can burn up to five hundred calories.

Related Story: 5 Minutes to Tee Time - Are You Ready?

Although "injuries and illnesses associated with golf have been identified", lead researcher, Dr. Andrew Murray states in the British Journal of Sports Medicine,  "golf's contribution to muscular strengthening, balance and falls prevention" as well as the ability to offer "moderate intensity aerobic activity" with an improvement in "self-efficacy, self-worth... improved confidence, interpersonal skills and emotional control", all lead to the conclusion that golfers can have an increased life expectancy.

So, the next time your spouse says you have something more important to do than to go out with your Sunday foursome, just say, you have to go; it's a matter of life and death!

Do you agree that playing golf can add years to your life? Comments welcomed in the section below of this golf blog and on our Twitter page, @Golf4Beginners.


Read About: New Ways to Mark Your Golf Ball!

What Did YOU Learn from Watching The Ryder Cup? #golf

Every golf tournament can be considered a learning experience by players and fans; the Ryder Cup is no exception. Some writers looked into the seriousness of the individual golfers and teamwork displayed while others wrote about the validation of the USA "family".

It was said many times during the Ryder Cup that this tournament is like no other event in golf; the seriousness is there but the cheering and jeering elicits so many different responses in the players that they must seek out their zen place in order to close out distractions. In a recent article by Golf Digest, it was suggested that players do not try to block out pressure but, instead, embrace and channel it.

"You probably aren't playing in front of a 50,000-person gallery, but everybody will get to a shot that gets the butterflies going," related top PGA Teacher Randy Smith.

 "The trick is to practice drifting into the past, to access the good shots you've hit on that hole or in a similar situation. When you do that, you're reminding yourself that the situation isn't completely foreign. The nerves are there, but they're part of the experience."

The Golf for Beginners mantra is that we are always learning...and sharing our thoughts with golfers of all levels so, here are a few observations as to how to use Ryder Cup model to your advantage during a friendly competition with your mates.

1. Managing Emotions: As discussed above, emotions do play a role on the golf course but the key is how to use those feelings to your advantage.

Preventing a meltdown is easier said than done when you slice your ball so badly that it splashes into the green-side pond or when you have a few shekels on the line and miss that three-footer to go down by three in the match. Dr. Deborah Graham suggests using Dave Stockton's "2 Second Rule" as a quick fix to a possible emotional disaster.

Basically, give yourself two seconds to react to a bad shot - release frustration and then change your thoughts to something you can control and move on to the next shot.

2. Try a Different Format: Match Play format is sometimes the better format when going out and playing with friends. You can have a blowup hole without losing the match as in stroke play; the game also moves along faster because of gimmee putts and takes less time for when you need to finish in under five plus hours (ah, the publinks experience!)

3. Try Playing as Teams: The team experience can be very rewarding, creating a sense of cameraderie during the round.

About the idea of playing with a team, Karen Stupples mentioned that solo golf can be very "selfish" and said with regards to her experience in the Solheim Cup, "You have to be aware of what everybody else needs as well and you may have to make some sacrifices. You will definitely feel more pressure in this type of format because you don't want to let your team down."

I personally like the option of playing best ball and believe that the joint strategy offers less pressure because the team is shouldering some of the weight. Ham and egging it has its advantages!

What did you learn from watching the Ryder Cup matches?

Now that the Ryder Cup is officially in the books, we congratulate both teams for their incredible winning spirit. Next up in the way of team sports is the Solheim Cup slated for mid-August of 2017 and then the President's Cup at the end of September, 2017.

Are you a fan of team sports? What can you offer about your experiences playing with a team? Tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and feel free to comment in our golf blog below.

#Golf Tips for Breaking 90 - You're Almost There!

For golf beginners, there are certain milestones which, when achieved, make playing the game even more fun; breaking one-hundred is one of those moments. The satisfaction of knowing you can get from tee to green in double versus triple digits is the first goal of many to conquer for newbies.

To break 100, what is the best course of action?

PGA Pro Ron Labritz states that, "instead of going out to work on your full swing, work from the green backwards."

In other words, work on your putting, then chipping, until you get to your driver, which should come last in the rotation.

Once you can honestly say that your short game is getting into shape, get out onto the golf course and take stock of the positive results.

What about breaking 90? The next goal in golf is where the focus and attention turn more to improving your tempo and the execution of shots according to Lynn Marriot and Pia Nilsson.

Dean Reinmuth says that it's not necessarily about breaking 90, its celebration time whenever you shoot a score better than your current personal best. Also, play shots that have a high success rate, learn to manage your emotions and "use shots that you can perform with a high degree of consistency and will accomplish what you need."

My husband, Barry, has been working on his game and is now regularly in the 80's. I asked him how he did it; here are a few of his golf tips.

1. Stay focused on every shot
2. Always take the low risk, smart shot
3. Don't let an errant shot blow up the hole - get back in play and quickly forget the bad shot
4. Have fun and play the round with a light heart
5. Keep accurate score for the hole but don't total your score until the end of the round

Correct practice makes perfect...don't just hit golf balls at the driving range - have a purpose, play smart and you will see that score hit 89 and lower before you know it!

Comments for this golf blog are welcome below and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

What the #Golf Bug Does to Your Game

Jordan Spieth caught the golf bug as a youngster watching the Byron Nelson tournament live in his hometown. Phil Mickelson's father helped spark a love of the game and watching Tiger Woods on television helped inspire practice with success on the course for Jason Day.

How did you catch the golf bug...from a family member, friend or, perhaps, by tuning into a Shell's Wonderful World of Golf as a kid? For me, it was my husband's doing - after I questioned him a bit about the game, he purchased a set of golf clubs off of the internet and brought both the clubs and me to a qualified instructor saying, "here, you teach her." This was one of the best things he ever did for me...the game has improved my life in so many ways.

If You Are Reading This Blog, You Probably Have The Golf Bug in a Big Way. If you use golf terminology on and off of the golf course and can name every golf club in your bag (including shaft), if your swing thoughts break into the middle of a conversation, if you are passionate and obsessive when talking about your game, you've caught it.

Do you listen attentively when golfers offer advice to each other? When pros give golf tips, do you pull out pen and paper to take note and watch drill videos from golfers like Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson with the hopes of gripping and ripping it with ease?

For beginners, catching the golf bug is the incommunicable moment which comes from hitting that one shot which takes off; tempo is effortless, swing is easy-breezy and belt buckle points at the target ...all with a flourish. You say to yourself, "I can do this!"

As you progress as an amateur, the golf bug transforms itself - you want to know more - you learn the basics of swing, hit several shots in succession which don't dribble down the fairway and even begin to place shots in the areas which your mind visualizes. When you hit that one shot which you saw a pro hit on television and it goes in the hole for birdie or eagle...you're hooked for good.

You may or may not want to immediately step out onto a golf course - it took me over a year to make the transition from driving range to evening, nine-hole rounds - this period gave me time to practice and improve upon the basics but you might be in a hurry to test your soundness on the course.

The golf bug is no ordinary virus - it transforms itself over time. You go from learning about hitting shots to shot-shaping, you want to improve so you begin to consider not just aiming and shooting but course management to avoid trouble.

For those golfers who have taken this journey and have years of study under their collective belts, the golf bug may take on an entirely new dimension. Where you previously might have been watching You Tube videos on grip, stance, alignment and the forty-yard flop shot, you might now be watching more technical directions.

Professional golfers share their drills and tips with the public to show that even amateurs, with a little practice and if they follow specific directions, can become the next Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson or even Arnold Palmer.

After Jordan Spieth's win at the Colonial, Golf Digest quickly came out with an instructional video from his swing coach, Cameron McCormick. The "Heart Array" teaches amateurs the art of shaping the ball using three different trajectories.You'll notice at the beginning of the video, even Spieth has a little trouble getting out exactly how he wants to teach people his method.

Yes, as the golf bug takes hold, it never lets go. The quest to get better is endless - the bug keeps you adapting to new conditions and ever challenging situations...it keeps your mind fresh and your body healthy. Keep feeding the golf bug and sharing its strong grip so that it grows and thrives within other hosts and helps continue to grow the game.

Have you given the golf bug to anyone - have you received the golf bug from someone? Share your story in the comments section of our golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.


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photos: Pixabay.com

Golf Tips to Improve Your Game from Tee to Green

Some of the most interesting emails we receive at Golf for Beginners are tips which are begging to be shared with our readers! In addition, we are always scouring the internet for interesting and relevant ways to improve your game.

Compiled below are a few game improvement tips - we hope that the journey to lower your score this season is an educational and joyous one.

Golf Tips to Improve Your Game from Tee to Green

1. How Many Ways Can You Play a Par-4 hole?

It's short enough to be a driveable hole but that par-4 may have bunkers or water in areas which are reachable if you don't hit perfect shots. Do you play it aggressively or conservatively? The choice in shot, and score, are up to you. Steve Elkington provides you with two different thoughts in strategy in his video, "How To Play A Short Par-4."

2. The 40-Yard Chip Shot - Awkward Distance

Use More Body, less arms says instructor Stan Utley. "When your clubhead speed is generated by turning your body, instead of by throwing your hands, you make a much more consistent swing and will have better contact." More tips: GolfDigest.com

3. Putting - Focus on the Mental Game

"The fastest and easiest way to improve your putting is to adopt a routine that gets your eyes up on your target and allows you to feel the length of stroke needed to get the ball to roll the right distance," says instructor Craig Jones of FaceFirstGolf.com.

Improving distance control will help you eliminate three putts that can drive up your scores quickly.

Read Putting tips that are Elementary for Mr. Watson.

Finally, don't have a golf course meltdown when you find that things are not going your way. Take a step back, a deep breath and refocus on each shot. Remember, a successful journey in golf usually takes you through a winding path.

Do you have golf tips to share with our readers? Place your tips in our golf blog below and follow us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Five Tips to Increase Your Lead When Playing With Your #Golf Buddies

Have you ever been in the lead of a golf tournament only to have it slowly slip away before your eyes with you scratching your head and wondering what happened? What about the times where golfers backed up to meet you and give YOU the chance at a win?

The leaders at the Valero Texas Open on Sunday were missing opportunities and backed up to meet Charley Hoffman but, is that just the game of golf (taking good shots with the bad) or are there mental errors stopping the win?

Patrick Reed had this to say after going up against Hoffman, "I put the pressure as much as I could on Charley. It shows he was ready to win a golf tournament, and I had way too many mistakes to close one out." Did concentrating on Charley's game and knowingly increasing pressure cause Reed's failure?

When you are in the lead do you change your game plan and become defensive to maintain your lead or do you keep playing same game that got you into the lead? Which do you think works better?

A frustrated Rory McIlroy had two leads slip away in back-to-back tournaments, at Riviera and at the WGC Cadillac Championship, going into Sunday at the later event with a three-stroke lead.

"I was leading the golf tournament with sixteen holes to play in Riviera. To not get the job done in either two of those instances is very frustrating."

Golf tournaments, at any level, are pressure cooker situations and, when you are in the lead, the pressure always increases. Many golfers may start to play safer and more defensively when they glance up at the leaderboard which, IMO, often gets them into trouble and ultimately loses the match.

Remember the former number one golfer in the world during his prime? Tiger Woods mostly maintained the same game that got him in the lead in the first place - he kept attacking the course. I believe that physical ailments and mental changes in his original plan has stopped him from greatness; the physical problems have caused Woods to swing the club differently and the mental issues, well, we know where that got him...

Golf Tips to Help Keep Your Lead When the Pressure Increases:

1. Stay in the present moment. What is being in the moment? Wade Pearse contends, "The only thing you EVER have is RIGHT NOW. There is no such thing as the past or the future."

2. Tune out distractions and don't fall prey to mental tricks or excuses. At the WGC Cadillac Championship, Justin Rose used excuses to describe why he bogeyed the eighteenth hole...the roar of the crowd for Luke Donald, it felt "tricky coming in", etc.

3. Look, Don't Look, at the Leaderboard...? Golf is a game played alone - it's just you against the golf course. Please see number 2!

4. Don't second guess your shots ... Confidence Rules, from stepping up to the tee knowing you are going to hit a good shot to picking the right golf driver to hit that great shot.

Speaking of that next great shot, if you are holding the lead, consider playing the next shot safe instead of sorry if there are possible pitfalls.

5. Engage in positive self talk. Charley Hoffman finally said to himself at the 18th hole, "Let's finish this here. Let's not play anymore."

"Everyone knows that it is not technical ability which separates the winners from the losers in tournament golf.  It is your mind which makes the difference," states avid golfer and specialist in golf hypnosis, Roseanna Leaton.

Are you ready to win?

Join the conversation on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and feel free to comment on our Golf for Beginners blog.


photo credit: Texas Enterprise

Easy Tips to Play a Better Round of Golf

After returning from a round of golf this week, my husband offered his usual outpouring of what he did right and what he could have improved upon from tee to green. I listened attentively (as all good wives do) and took a few notes to share with our readers.

Together, we came up with a short list of basics which we all should remember but sometimes, as we we get caught up in the overall experience, tend to forget out on the course...in real life situations.

These golf tips, because of their simplicity, should enhance your round and improve your overall golf experience. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section of this Golf for Beginners blog - your notes could help improve someone else's game!

Easy Tips to Remember During a Round of Golf

1. Eliminate three-putts. Get into the "circle of trust" when making longer putts (snuggle up to the pin) so that your next putt is an easy drop-in.

2. Choose the right club. Hank Haney once mentioned to me that beginners and amateurs rarely take enough club when moving the ball down the fairway. Click on the Haney link (above) to listen to the entire interview.

3. Don't go for low percentage shots. What is a low percentage shot? It's a shot that you aren't likely to make and where your downside is adding more strokes. An example of such a shot is when you are looking down the fairway to get as close as you can to the green but the fairway gets really skinny with traps or water surrounding it; don't try to go for it, Lay-up instead in a safe spot. Play smart - plan each hole.

4. Swing easy and let the club do the work. Don't rush your swing which is the tendency when you are excited or anxious. When you over-swing or when you swing too hard, you are much less likely to make good ball contact.

What golf tips can you add to ours in order to play a better round of golf? Share in the comments section or on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.