Friday, January 11, 2019

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

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

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

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

cart path only or walk the golf course

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, January 04, 2019

New Year Resolutions for a Happy Golf Year

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

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

This golf writer has created several golf goals:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, December 27, 2018

3 Cool Golf Gadgets to Improve Your Game

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

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

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

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

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

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

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