The Pin

photo credit: foxypar4     The pin's primary purpose  is to designate where the hole (cup) is located.   From any distance, the pin allows the  golfer to get a  visual idea of just where to hit  an  approach shot.   Since range-finders have become popular, pins have built-in reflectors in them  that reflect  the beam from the range-finding for an accurate yardage reading.

The pin can also be used as a “stopper” when making an approach shot.   If you are hitting an approach shot from off the green and your ball hits the pin and goes in the cup, there is no penalty.   If your ball is on the green and hits the green, there  will be a  penalty.

As you can see, the pin plays an important role in the game of golf.

Weather Related Dangers

photo credit: jlwelsh     Lightening is always a serious worry.   Everyone knows how dangerous lightening can be, but it's especially dangerous when you are out in the open  on a golf course.  

There is one good rule of thumb:   if you hear thunder, no matter how far the distance, you can be struck by lightening.   It is important that you head for shelter immediately.   If you cannot make it back to the clubhouse in time, head for an outdoor lavatory building.   If caught in the middle of a storm, seek the lowest spot you can find and lie flat on the ground.

A lightening strike can result in, shock,  severe burns and lasting injury to the central nervous system.   Lee Trevino was hit by lightening and it took him years to recover.

Advice for Beginners

photo credit: mahalie     Beginners tend to put too much pressure on themselves.   Their addiction to golf is reinforced by reading and learning everything they can.   In many cases they seem to miss their primary goal, which is to have fun.

Playing golf is about advancing the ball from point A to point B.   New players should not make the game too complicated for themselves.   This happens, in many cases, by taking lessons from a teacher that is too caught up in  swing details and doesn't understand that the game of golf is about having fun.   In order to enjoy the game, having fun must be job-one.

Keep the game simple for yourself.   Advance the ball as best as you can there is plenty of time to learn the intricacies of the golf swing.

Raise or Lower Your Arc

photo credit: nsaplayer     Almost every new player  has a  difficult time making good ball contact because of  their inconsistent swing-arc.   What is  a “swing-arc?”   It is the outer circumference (rotation) of your clubhead.   Having an inconsistent swing-arc means that you dip or raise your body during your swing.

Presuming your swing arc is consistently the same, how would you purposely alter your arc?.   1)   choke down on the grip > raising your arc.   2)   grip the  club at the very end of the handle >  lowering your arc.    3)   bend your knees a bit more at address > lowering your arc.    4)   stand more upright at address > raising your arc.  

It's necessary to raise or lower your swing-arc to compensate for uphill, downhill or side-hill lies.

Tempo and the Beginner

photo credit: jmettraux     Players new to the game have a hard time understanding that it's not how hard, but how fast you swing that adds distance to a golf shot.   Swinging hard at the ball creates all sorts of swing faults and makes a repetitive, consistent swing nearly impossible to make.

The best way to achieve   greater shot distance is by maintaining a smooth, consistent tempo.   Learn to swing in a relaxed manner and within your own capabilities, allowing your muscles to maintain their elasticity.   Squeezing the grip too hard tightens the muscles and ruins your tempo and timing.  

The key to a good tempo is not gripping the club too tightly, also, keep your pace of play, relatively slow.   If you find yourself speeding-up, slow down immediately.

The Tee-Box

photo credit: rioncm     The tee-box  does not consist of the  entire tee-off area.   The tee-box extends between the tee-markers and two club-lengths behind the markers.   In other words, you can tee your ball anywhere between the tee-markers  within two club-lengths behind the markers.   That  is the designated teeing area.

The USGA rules do not stipulate what club you can use for measurement purposes.   It would certainly  be appropriate to use a driver, since it is the longest club in the bag, if required.    

The question is, why would you want to tee  your ball  that far behind the markers?   If  the hole is a par 3, you may want to move the ball back so you don't have to “let up” on the shot.

Good Luck or Bad Luck?

photo credit: michael_reuter     Even Jack Nicklaus will tell you that golf is skill with a little luck thrown in.   Major championships have been won or lost because of luck, bad or good.

Never  attribute a good shot to “just lucky”  as beginners sometimes  do.   Granted,  beginners will hit their share of bad shots but they are also capable of hitting good shots.   Ben Hogan once said:   “If I hit  four really perfect shots in an 18 hole round, I'm very happy.”   Ben Hogan was one of the greatest golfers that ever played the game.

Luck is when your ball bounces off a rock in the rough and then lands a few feet from the hole.   Keep things in perspective and allow yourself more credit than you sometimes  do.

Approach Shots

photo credit: D.Hilgart     Do not ever forget what you are about to read:   Most of the trouble is located in front of the greens.   Next time you're on the course, notice where most of the traps are located near the green.   Notice where the water hazards are located.   Notice where mounds, trees, shrubs streams etc. are located.

The key here is that if you are consistently short with your approach shots (most golfers are, regardless of their level of play) you will be constantly  in jeopardy and you better get used to playing from the sand.

When hitting an approach shot always use one extra club and aim for the back of the green.   If you miss-hit it slightly you will still be on the green.

Finding the Right Putter

photo credit: MelvinSchlubman     Purchasing a putter is like buying a pair of shoes, it has to fit correctly.   No-one can give you advice on finding the right putter, only you can choose it.

The criteria:   First, it has to feel good.   When looking down at the putter, how does it look to you?   If it looks clumsy or bulky or too long, too fat or too short, find another.   Second, the weight of the clubhead has to feel right.   How does it feel when you swing it?   Maybe it's too heavy or it might be too light.

How does the putter's grip feel?   Is the shaft too long or short?   All of this has to be weighed-in to choose your very own “Calamity Jane (the name of Bobby Jones' putter).

Fairway Metal-Woods?

photo credit: teamstickergiant     The hardest clubs to hit for a beginner are the fairway metal-woods.   In order to hit a good shot, contact has to be crisp and clean.   Hitting shots cleanly off the fairway is not something done easily by beginners.   Getting the ball airborne with a fairway-metal is extremely difficult  when you are just learning the game.   Why make the game harder for yourself?

Rather than carrying a metal fairway wood/s, why not just stick with hitting a  long-iron?”   You will have a much easier time getting the ball airborne to achieve maximum distance.   It's no shame not to carry a fairway metal wood.   Wait until your swing becomes more dependable before you think about using a fairway wood.   This also applies to some varieties of hybrid clubs.

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