Golf Instruction Blog » admin http://golfinstructionblog.com Golf Instruction Blog Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:36:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Gutta-Percha Ball http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-history/gutta-percha-ball http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-history/gutta-percha-ball#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:51:26 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1389 Zzz.......
Creative Commons License photo credit: Andy on Flickr     The advent of the gutta-percha ball led to several changes.   Harder than a featherie, which came before the gutta-percha, it could damage the skinny wooden-headed clubs.   Many golfers found their clubs breaking where the neck joined the head.   Clubmakers designed smaller, deeper heads to better absorb the blow against the harder “guttie.”   The clubhead began to assume its squat appearance.  

Later a  club called the “bulger” (the face bulged forward), was used.   A “brassie” found its way into the game, so called because of a piece of brass put on the sole of the club to prevent damage when it hit the hard ground such as roads or footpaths which were found on courses.   The brassie was close in loft to the driver  and eventually became the 2 wood.

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-history/gutta-percha-ball/feed 0 Ancient Courses http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-history/ancient-courses http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-history/ancient-courses#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:58:07 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1385 cCog Hill Golf - Ravines Course, Lockport, IL
Creative Commons License photo credit: danperry.com     In golf's early days, course conditions were far from what they are today.   Back then, the game was played on fields barely cleared.   Courses weren't maintained, they were just accepted.  

The first ball in use was called the featherie and it  was prone to splitting.   It also got much heavier when wet.   What followed wasn't much better: the gutta percha ball was introduced in 1848 and was a rounded piece of tree resin.

Greens were hardly distinguishable from fairways (the word fairway wasn't used until the late 1800's), nothing like today's manicured surfaces.  

Golf  began in the British Isles and was played  under horrible  conditions.   Once the game started, it was customary to complete the round, even in a raging blizzard.   How would today's players fare under those same  conditions?

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-history/ancient-courses/feed 0 Fed Ex Playoffs http://golfinstructionblog.com/in-my-opinion/fed-ex-playoffs http://golfinstructionblog.com/in-my-opinion/fed-ex-playoffs#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:36:20 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1383 The_Players_2009B_004
Creative Commons License photo credit: nsaplayer     The PGA Tour was the only major sport that did not have playoffs and its own “super-bowl.”   Then came the Fed Ex playoffs, a series of four tournaments, played within about five weeks of each other.   Who ever has the most points at the end of the 4th playoff event, wins the Fed Ex cup and becomes the so called “best player.”

Unfortunately, the  schedule and method  of play is a failure.   There is little excitement generated with the way the schedule is now  played.   It is my view that there should be only three tournaments,  with the final playoff  being a match play event.  

In the first half of the  1900's,  most tournaments were match play.   Match play is more exciting, and excitement is what golf has been lacking.

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/in-my-opinion/fed-ex-playoffs/feed 0 “Go in the Hole!!” http://golfinstructionblog.com/in-my-opinion/go-in-the-hole http://golfinstructionblog.com/in-my-opinion/go-in-the-hole#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:16:47 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1380 tiger woods on putting green
Creative Commons License photo credit: linein     Tiger is on the tee, you could hear a pin drop.   He hits his drive and  you hear “go in the hole!”   If he's hitting a fairway bunker shot, if he's in the woods behind a tree, if he's got a 99 foot bogey putt, someone yells, “go in the hole!”   Can you imagine what this must be like for Tiger?

Where did it start?   If  you know, let us know,  but I think it actually started  with  Tiger's ascension into the limelight.   People who yell, “go in the hole,” are obnoxious, rude and insecure and I think it demeans the magnificent game that golf is.   It lowers golf to the caliber of the NFL,  permeated with  players with criminal records.   Golf fans should be above that !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

its “go in the hole!”

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/in-my-opinion/go-in-the-hole/feed 0 Putt vs. Chip http://golfinstructionblog.com/putting-smart/putt-vs-chip http://golfinstructionblog.com/putting-smart/putt-vs-chip#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:18:14 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1373 Golf Course - Early Morning
Creative Commons License photo credit: Elite PhotoArt     Some players feel compelled to chip the ball even when their ball  is on the green's fringe.   Putting from the fringe, if you've got a clean lie, is always a surer bet than chipping.   The reasons:   1)   Too many things can go wrong  when using  an iron.   2)   There is a possibility of “chunking” the shot with a lofted club.   3)   With a pitch shot, the ball will  be in flight which can be unpredictable at times.

In almost every case, using a putter when off the green is a sure bet.   Putting is all about feel, its much easier to “feel” the distance your ball needs to travel by putting it.   Stroking the ball with an iron can have serious consequences.   Putting puts the odds in your favor !

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/putting-smart/putt-vs-chip/feed 0 Don’t Sway http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-instruction-tips/dont-sway-2 http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-instruction-tips/dont-sway-2#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:41:39 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1371 A Good Stroke
Creative Commons License photo credit: spaceamoeba     The correct address position should duplicate the exact position you should be in, when you make contact with the ball.   Many players do not fully understand this important swing  fundamental.    

Swaying to the right on the backswing (right handers) will make it  nearly impossible to  return the  clubhead squarely to the ball.    During the backswing, do not move your  weight to the right, if you do, your head will move off center and that can be  detrimental to hitting a good golf shot.   Try placing  about  75% of your weight on your left side at address.    Place your weight on the inside of your  right foot.   On the backswing, make sure that  your weight does not move to the outside of the right foot.

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-instruction-tips/dont-sway-2/feed 0 Flexed Knees on Bunker Shots http://golfinstructionblog.com/bunkers/flexed-knees-on-bunker-shots http://golfinstructionblog.com/bunkers/flexed-knees-on-bunker-shots#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:31:50 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1369  Bunkered at Carrick Knowe golf course, Edinburgh
Creative Commons License photo credit: www.theedinburghblog.co.uk      When playing a bunker shot, one of the most critical parts of the set-up  is  establishing the  correct knee flex.   All great bunker players have a lot of knee flex, they look like they are preparing to sit down.   The good bunker player executes the shot with the arms accelerating through the ball  and a full follow-through.   Very little movement occurs in the legs.

Using just the arms during a sand shot means that you will not very likely raise up or drop down during the execution of the shot.   Swinging with just the arms makes it easier to cut through the sand with the clubhead.   Once contact is made with the sand, the club's bounce will do the rest.

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/bunkers/flexed-knees-on-bunker-shots/feed 0 Strong Left Hand http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-instruction-tips/strong-left-hand http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-instruction-tips/strong-left-hand#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:00:46 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1365 grip_sietze
Creative Commons License photo credit: klavr     Every golfer should be concerned about utilizing the proper grip.   Because the swing can be so intricate, your only attachment to it (your hands), should be correct.   (For right handers) – The most important part of your grip is your left hand, if it is set on the club properly you are  on your way to a good shot.  

The “V” formed by the forefinger and thumb  on the left hand should point to the right shoulder.   This will put you in a “strong” grip posture.   Make sure that the thumb of the left hand rests on the right-top part of the shaft.   The strong grip (left hand turned clockwise) will give you the tendency to fade or hook the ball.   A weak grip (left hand turned counterclockwise) creates the tendency to fade or slice the ball.

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/golf-instruction-tips/strong-left-hand/feed 0 Short Pitch From Deep Rough http://golfinstructionblog.com/short-game/short-pitch-from-deep-rough http://golfinstructionblog.com/short-game/short-pitch-from-deep-rough#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:39:03 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1363 Approach shot
Creative Commons License photo credit: eMaringolo     If you are just off the green and face a short pitch from deep grass, the best way to extricate yourself from this position is to play it like a bunker shot.

Thick grass has more resistance than sand, you have to swing  pretty hard to get the ball to the green.   Open the clubface and choke down on the club a couple of inches for more control.   Remember, the clubface will have a tendency to close so make certain you open it.   Accelerate through the shot and make  sure you complete your finish.

Be carefull not to just chop down into the grass.    The shot  will not have much spin on it because you are not actually hitting the golf ball, your hitting the grass first.

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]]> http://golfinstructionblog.com/short-game/short-pitch-from-deep-rough/feed 0 Chipping From a Bunker http://golfinstructionblog.com/bunkers/chipping-from-a-bunker http://golfinstructionblog.com/bunkers/chipping-from-a-bunker#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:52:59 +0000 admin http://golfinstructionblog.com/?p=1361 Prairie Isle Golf Club, Crystal Lake, IL
Creative Commons License photo credit: danperry.com      If you are lucky enough to have a perfect lie and a shallow front bunker lip, a chip shot may be the best play.   This shot requires some good technique.

Use a seven-iron and play the ball in the middle of your stance at address.   Make sure your hands are ahead of the clubface and keep most of your weight on your lead foot.   This shot (as does a long fairway bunker shot) requires that you keep your lower body perfectly still throughout the swing.   Any movement with your legs can mean that you may be faced with the very same location with your next shot.   Your foremost thought, when executing this shot, is that your hands lead the clubhead through the ball.   The ball should be picked cleanly off the sand, unlike a typical explosion shot.

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