Keep Your Clubs Clean

photo credit: lucianvenutian   It’s amazing how many golfers play without a towel to clean their clubs.  I’ve noticed clubs so filled with turf there might as well not be grooves, these same players will complain about their ball not checking-up on their approach shots.

Every player should carry a clean towel, whether attached to their golf bag or not.  I use a towel that’s half wet and half dry.  After I hit a shot I clean the clubface with the wet section and then immediately dry it.  I dry my clubs because a wet clubface can nick a golf ball much easier than a dry one.

I always carry an old tooth brush with me to keep my grooves perfectly clear of any sort of debris.

Potpouri of Do’s and Don’ts

photo credit: Kevitivity   Don’t walk in the line of someones putt.  Do fix your ball mark on the green.  Don’t hold the pin at an angle when attending it.  Do not pull the pin when someone is playing from off the green.  Do keep out of the sight-line when someone else is putting.  Don’t drag your feet on the greens.  Do wave faster players through when on the green.  Don’t leave trap rakes on the fringe area of greens.  Do rake the sand trap after use.  Don’t park golf carts near greens. 

Most of the above is simply good common sense but every once in a while, we all need a reminder or two.  Golf is a true gentleman’s game and those of us that participate, should feel grateful that we can play such a wonderful sport.

Purchasing New Clubs

photo credit: fredcamino   Purchase new clubs with caution.  Not every salesperson is as knowledgeable as they may appear to be.  Bring someone to help you with your purchase, such as your golf instructor.

There are many factors to look for.  Because of fierce competition, most brands offer excellent quality.  Some are more expensive than others but don’t be fooled.  You should be looking for a set of clubs that “feel” right to you and the only way to decide, is to handle as many as possible when in the store.  You will find that some clubs just don’t feel right and others feel quite good.  Go with the clubs that feel the best, not with clubs that are the most expensive.

Once you’ve chosen the clubs they can be fitted to your liking.

“Draw” Clubheads

photo credit: ArchiM   What is known as the “draw” design, has made a huge gain in popularity.  One of the prevalent problems that most golfers face is the inclination to slice the golf ball.  The slice is caused from an outside to inside swing path. 

A club with the “draw” design has it’s clubface angled slightly inward (toe forward).  The angled clubface is meant to counteract a golfers tendency to slice or push the ball.  A ball slices from excess left to right spin, caused by an outside to inside swing path.  Because of the clubhead angle, the “draw” tends to put  right to left spin on the ball which counteracts the slice.

Many players are not inclined to use the new design, however those that do use this modified club, swear by them.

Concentration is the Key

photo credit: il Quoquo   One of the biggest differences between low and high handicappers, is the ability to concentrate intensely.  If you intend to lower your handicap, other than plenty of good old fashioned practice, you must learn how to concentrate.  This means that you have to be completely immune from all distractions.

There are so many ways to be distracted during play, one of the biggest is conversation.  Nothing is more distracting than unnecessary conversation.  If you notice, most amateurs spend most of their time kibitzing about irrelevant topics.  Don’t get me wrong, you should not be a prude but to play good golf, you have to have strong concentration skills.  Try playing alone for a change, you will notice a big difference in your scores.

Uneven Competition

photo credit: avlxyz   When the starter teams you up with golfers you haven’t met before, you can be in major trouble before the game even begins.  When strangers play  in your group it can be a trying experience for all, to say the least.

The starter cares not about how well he matches players with each other, essentially, he’s just trying to fill an open slot/s.  Many believe this is unfair because it more than likely will put someone at a great disadvantage.

You need a little bit of luck in hopes that the golfer/s that are placed with your group play about as well as the rest, otherwise, your game on that day could be ruined, unfortunate but very true.  Advice:  Don’t allow anyone else to play in your group.

Bobby Jones

photo credit: japedi   Bobby Jones was one of the greatest golfers in history.  As a young man he practiced relentlessly and was greatly influenced by those around him.  Jones achieved the Grand Slam when he won the US. Amateur, US. Open, The Masters, The PGA and the British Open in the course of a single season.

Jones was continuously prodded to become a professional, however, he remained an amateur for the duration of his career.  Soon after his completion of the Grand Slam, Jones retired to his law practice becoming golf’s premier ambassador. 

Augusta National was purchased by several individuals, Jones being one of them.  The course was originally an apple orchard but was turned into one of the most beautiful courses in the world with the keen foresight of Jones.  Bobby Jones contracted a neuromuscular disease and died at an early age.

Golf vs. Baseball

photo credit: jiazi   Comparisons:  Both are played with a glove.  The ball is hit on the ground or in the air.  There are spectators.  They both last approximately 3 hrs.  Both are played on grass.  Outfits are worn in golf and baseball including hats.  Golf has caddies, baseball has bat boys.  Both use an instrument to hit the ball, golf uses clubs – baseball uses bats.  Golf has out of bounds, baseball has fowl ball.  Baseball has a home-run, golf has a hole in one.  Baseball changes balls often, golf does likewise.  Golfers and ball players use spikes on their shoes.  Both sports swing the club in the same manner, golfers swing the club vertically and ballplayers swing the club horizontally. 

Major difference:  In golf the low score wins, in baseball the high score wins.

Point Your Beltbuckle

photo credit: JohnHallAssociates   I received a great tip from my good friend Chuck Webb, PGA Pro at the Harbor Golf Club in Saybrook, Ohio.  During a match in the mid eighties The Pro, as we called him, gave me one of the best tips I’ve ever gotten. 

I was swinging from the outside in, not enough to cause a serious problem but my accuracy was not what it should have been.  I asked for The Pro’s help.  His solution was simple and I use it to this day.

Tip:  Once you complete your address position and just before you start your back swing, swivel your hips slightly to the right (for right handers) and point your belt buckle behind the ball.  This creates an inside to out swing path for more distance and greater accuracy.  Try it, it works.  Thanks Pro !

Who Needs 5 More Yards?

photo credit: lrargerich   You know, most golfers in America are between a 15 and 20 handicap.  How does this relate to the five dollar golf ball?  Well, a ball such as the Titleist Pro V1x won’t do the average golfer much good unless their swing is over 100 mph.  So why use them?  To become a better player ! 

I get a charge out of manufacturer claims that you “get 10 or 20 extra yards with our golf ball.”  If your swing speed is too slow the ball is useless to you.  This isn’t to say that your average player doesn’t deserve an expensive ball, it’s just not very practical if you lose 3 balls per round.  Too many golfers are “sold” on hype and they shouldn’t be.  But oh well, that’s golf !

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