Ball Mark Repair Tool

photo credit: badkleinkirchheim   It was 1960 when the PGA first allowed ball marks on greens to be repaired.  Soon thereafter, repair tools started to appear.

Repair tools are elongated with two pointed extensions (horns) on one side.  When a ball lands on the green it will usually make a small divot in the green’s surface.  Sometimes an actual divot can be located nearby lying on the green. 

When using a repair tool, stick the pointed end into the side of the divot hole and push the tool forward towards the hole itself.  Do this as needed, depending on the extent of damage.  When finished, tap the entire repaired surface thoroughly with the bottom of your putter and voila, it’s as good as new!

Travel-bag

photo credit: teamstickergiant   Once you have developed your game and decide to take it on the road (on vacation) you are going to need a travel-bag.  Not that long ago, a cover was used to cover only the top half of the golf bag.  The cover snapped to the bag itself and away you went.  More often than not, clubs were damaged or lost in transit.  Once from Phoenix to Cleveland, in the late 70s, my clubs ended up in Hawaii.  When they were finally delivered, my wooden driver had a huge crack in it.

Travel bags are an absolute necessity.  When you purchase one, get the best you can afford.  It will be well worth the cost and unnecessary worry of having your clubs damaged in transit.  They can be purchased at any golf retailer shop.

Hitting from the Sand

photo credit: nsaplayer   For a newcomer, landing in a sand trap can be an intimidating feeling unless you are confident about playing a good sand shot.  The most important goal about a sand-shot is GETTING OUT OF THE TRAP.

No matter what sort of lie you have, there are some fundamentals to follow:  A.  maintain an open stance facing slightly left of target.  B.  open the face of your sand-wedge.  C.  bring the club back in a more upright fashion.  D.  let the clubhead get ahead of your hands through impact.  E.  be sure to make a strong follow-through.

During the shot, you should feel as if you are flicking your wrists and bouncing the club under the ball.  The ball will land softly without much roll.

Ball Position

photo credit: petersbar   The position of the ball during address (set-up) is extremely important.  Rather than play the ball in the same position (center of stance) with irons, many players move the ball around for different clubs.  The driver is always played off of the left heel.

For mid-irons (5-6-7), play the ball in the center of your stance.  For long-irons (2-3-4) play the ball slightly forward of center.  For short-irons (8-9-wedges) play the ball slightly behind center.  How much forward or behind center depends on the individual.

Shots with long-irons should be swept off the turf.  With mid-irons, a smaller divot is taken and for short-irons a much larger divot is taken.  The driver is always played off of your left heel.

Putting Methods

photo credit: Drew Coffman   Putting is personal.  There is no instructor that can tell you or show you the method that will work best for you.  An instructor can guide you but only you can find what really works.

Here are some guidelines:  1)  Your eyes should be directly over the ball at address.  2)  Left arm and putter shaft should form a straight line when looking from the front or from behind.  3)  Both thumbs should point straight down while resting on top of grip.  4)  The putter should be square when contact is made.

Folks, the rest is up to you.  Find a stance and address position that you are comfortable with and can be repeated on a consistent basis.  It’s a necessity to find a method that “fits.”

The Dream is Over

photo credit: Wootang01   Tiger Woods owned the Bridgestone Invitational tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.  Woods won this event seven times. 

As of this writing, Woods is about to finish the tournament in the bottom ten percent.  Last year at this time, Woods was on top of the world and just his presence was enough to intimidate his fellow PGA competitors.

The scandal, the inquisitive press and the apologies are behind Woods but his game is in shambles.  Winners don’t regularly miss greens, fairways and putts which Woods is now doing.  

I stand by my earlier prediction:  Woods’ career is over, the dream is over, killed by an insatiable desire for self gratification.  Long live Jack Nicklaus!  Maybe Woods will prove me wrong.

Pace of Play

photo credit: Digital Sextant   No question, one of the most irritating aspects of playing golf is being behind slow players who are oblivious to the group/s behind them.

Being new to the game, keeping a good steady pace while playing should be job-one.  The next question:  What is a good pace?  The answer is really simple, keeping a good pace of play means keeping up with the players in front of you.  If you find yourself staring at an empty green as you walk on the tee, you are playing way too slow.

Tips:  1) think about your next shot immediately after you hit the previous shot.  2)  take only one practice swing.  3)  once everyone is finished putting immediately move off the green.  4)  always be cognisant of other players.

Age Related Facts

photo credit: billypoonphotos   In 1998, Gay Brewer was 66 when he became the oldest player to shoot par 72 at the Masters.  He became one of just a handful of Masters players who were within eight shots of shooting their age.  The others were:  Arnold Palmer (age 66 shot 74), Gene Sarazen (age 68 shot 74), Doug Ford (age 73 shot 81) and Sam Snead (age 66 shot 74).

Ridge Wilson, 70, Eugene Sanford, 72, and John Vyverberg, 77, each scored an ace within a 90 minute span on the par 3, third hole at Ponte Vedra Inn & Spa in Jacksonville, Florida.  Each used a 5-iron.

Once a person becomes a senior golfer, the predetermined goal of everyone is to shoot ones age.  Easier said than done, so they say!

Scoring Terminology

photo credit: danperry.com   Depending on the yardage, every hole has a par designation.  On average, holes between 240 and 450 yards are considered par 4s.  Holes that are between 480 and 625 yards are par 5s and holes that are under 240 yards are par 3s.  A par is when you shoot the designated score.

If you score a 5 on a par 4 hole, you scored a “bogey” (one over par).  If you had a 6 on the par 4 you had a “double-bogey.”   A 7 is a triple bogey and an 8 is called a “quadruple bogey,” sometimes referred to as a ”snowman.”  Whereas a 3 on the par 4 is a birdie, a 2 is called an “eagle” and a 1 is a hole-in-one !

Becoming a Mentor

photo credit: The-Lane-Team   The old saying “it’s better to give, than to receive” is very true when it comes to the game of golf.  Becoming a mentor is a high calling that can be extremely rewarding for both teacher and student.

Conveying your knowledge of the game to a youngster who has a sincere desire to learn, can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  A mentor not only teaches but also influences.  Most kids need direction, something they may not be getting from their own parents.  Most of the time, you can leave a lasting impression by what you say and/or do.  Patience is the key to any lasting friendship and it is a prerequisite to being a good mentor and friend.

If you ever get the opportunity to become a mentor, take it, you won’t be sorry.

« Previous Page — Next Page »