The Slope System

photo credit: nsaplayer   Each course is rated on it’s difficulty by a team of four State experts who follow the USGA rating guide.  They assess how difficult a course is for scratch players and this is called the Course Rating.  These same experts, at the same time, rate the same course for it’s difficulty for the average golfer (bogey golfer).  The difference between the Bogey Rating and the Course Rating is the Slope Rating.

The purpose of the Slope System is to even out the playing field between scratch golfers and average golfers.   A Handicap is calculated over a total of 20 rounds of golf.  During the calculation period bad lies and inclement weather tend to average out to give an accurate total handicap rating.

The Shank

photo credit: tnarik   Most players know what a shank is but they really don’t understand what causes this dreadful, ugly shot.  The shank creates more fear amongst golfers than any other malady. 

A shank is a shot that veers sharply to the right.  It is caused by an outside-in swing and a clubface that is hooded at impact.  The ball is struck by the housel, which is the part of the clubface that the shaft is attached to.  Once the ball hits the housel it squirts off sharply to the right (right handed players).  In order to correct the shank, simply open your clubface and make sure you swing from inside to out.  It would not hurt to stand just a bit farther from the ball.  Good luck!

Match Play vs. Medal

photo credit: donjd2   In medal play each stroke is tallied to make a final score.  In match play each hole is a separate match.  Match play tends to level out the playing field between players.

A Nassau is a term used in match play.  There is a winner for the front 9, the back 9 and for the18 hole total.  Each hole is counted as 1 point.  Example:  Front nine- player A wins 2 holes, player B wins 1 hole (player A goes 1-up and wins the front 9).  Back nine- player B wins 4 holes and player A wins 1 hole (Player B is 3-up and wins the back 9).  18 hole total- player B is 2-up on total  Player B wins on total.  It’s a fun way to play !

Launch Monitor

photo credit: Zunami   Launch monitors are used to record the speed and direction of your swing and and how they affect ball flight.  It is critical that a launch monitor be used properly.

Tips:  (A)  Take the time to get your “average strike” data and not just your best hits.  (B)  Increase your ball speed (swing speed), since an increase of 1 mph. in ball speed equals 2 1/2 yards more distance.  (C)  Be mindful of the launch angle if your swing is under 100 mph., If your swing is faster than 100 mph., note your spin speed.  Averaging less than 200 rpm. per minute per degree of launch is ideal.  (D)  Be sure to use the ball that you use during regular play for best results.

Driver Loft

photo credit: Lisa Sanderson   How much loft is too much? 

For a long time the golfing community assumed that a drive with a lower trajectory traveled farther, research has found the opposite to be true.  Tee shots with a lower trajectory are more prone to trouble by running into hazards.  A high tee shot will remain very near to it’s landing area. 

Bottom Line:  Higher shots travel farther.  If your swing speed is between 75 and 95 mph., a 12 degree loft is ideal (most amateurs are using lofts of 10 degrees or less, typically used by touring Pros).  Make contact with an ascending Not descending swing.  Lower your right shoulder (right-handers) and play the ball off your left heel to add more natural loft to your drives.

Lefty did it Again !

photo credit: commish96   Phil Mickelson now holds the record for the most runner-up finishes in the US. Open Championship with five second place finishes.  He’s in good company with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and Bobby Jones, all with four second place finishes. 

Lefty just can’t shake the US. Open demons, the tournament that he wants to win so bad keeps eluding him. Many now think that Mickelson will never win a National Championship.

The 2009 Open was probably as close as Mickelson will ever get without winning.  When you get something implanted in you like a US. Open jinx you’re cooked ! 

Mickelson is one of the most well-liked players on the PGA Tour.  Fans love this swash-bucking golfer, maybe he’ll surprise them someday and take “the big silver trophy,” home.

Left Arm Attachment

photo credit: mandj98   Seldom mentioned by golf instructors or publications, is the left arm attachment.  In an ideal golf swing, the left arm must be attached to the torso.  This is especially important during the backswing.

Take a small towel or golf glove and place it under your left armpit (right-handers).  Assume your normal address position, followed by your golf swing.  If the object falls from under you arm at anytime during your swing, you have a problem with a “flying” left arm.  Another method is to have someone stand behind you and a few steps to your right.  During the takeaway they should not see any daylight between your upper left arm and your chest.  This ”attachment” is what brings the club in “the slot” on the downswing.  Make the attachment for lower scores.

Putting out of a Bunker

photo credit: nsaplayer   Putting out of a bunker is a viable shot only if the bunker doesn’t have a high lip.  The ball cannot be buried in the sand and you must be able to make crisp contact. 

Executing this shot is no different than a normal putt.  Keep your body very still and concentrate on making solid contact with a good follow through.  Take note of the texture of the sand, if the sand is hard or wet, don’t stroke the ball as hard.  If the sand is soft or fluffy, hit the ball much harder.  On extremely soft sand it’s probably best to go with a sand wedge.

If you ground your club, you will suffer a two stroke penalty.

Lateral Water Hazard

photo credit: nsaplayer   Lateral water hazards are marked with red stakes or lines.

(A)  Play the ball as it lies,don’t “ground” your club or it’s a two stroke penalty.  (B)  Replay the previous shot.  (C)  Take a drop within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball crossed over the margin of the hazard but no closer to the hole.  (D)  Take a drop within two club-lengths but no closer to the hole, on the opposite side of the hazard, equidistant to the hole from where the ball last crossed the hazard.  (E)  Take a drop behind the hazard, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the hazard on an imaginary line with the hole (you can drop anywhere on an extension of that line, as long as it is no closer to the hole.  Note: 1 stroke penalty for each except A.

Not Enough Club

photo credit: Zunami   A common error that many amateurs make on their approach shots, is not using enough club.  Think about how often your approach shots end up in front of the green?  What’s ironic is that most of the trouble (traps, hazards etc.) is located in the front of each green, not to the rear. 

It’s always a good idea to take one extra club (instead of a 7, use a 6 iron) and swing with a good tempo.  Pro’s know how to “force” their swing to get extra distance, this is not the case with most week-end golfers.

Landing pin high, on the back portion of the green eliminates most of the trouble on the hole.  Going past the green usually means an easy chip shot back to the pin.

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