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Repairing Golf Spikes

July 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Spikes on golf shoes are an extremely important part of golf equipment. Repairing your spikes properly can be the difference between sliding around during a shot and a stable foundation that will allow you the most optimal ball contact possible.

Be sure to check frequently for worn out or missing spikes on the bottom of your chosen brand of golf shoes. If worn or missing spikes are found, then they should be replaced immediately. The process is actually fast and simple. You don’t have to buy brand new golf shoes every time you lose a spike or wear down a spike (that would be very costly); you simply need to perform a simple switch. Here is what you do:

  1. Buy a Pack of Replacement spikes and a Tool to Unscrew the Spikes With. *Remember, different shoes have different spikes, so make sure you buy the correct brand.
  2. Screw-in spikes can be easily removed using the tool you purchase. Simply attach the tool to the spike and twist them off one by one. *Be sure to keep the threads clean when attaching the new spikes, you can even coat them with some petroleum jelly to add a nice easy base for tightening.
  3. You are done! See that was easy. Whether you have plastic spikes or metal spikes, the process is more often than not the same. You just need the correct spikes and the correct spike wrench.

Always keep your golf spikes up-to-date, it will give you a safer platform to swing from, and it will allow you to play a decent round even in the poorest weather.

Filed Under: Golf Equipment Tagged With: , , ,

Is Tiger Woods Done?

July 26, 2011 By 1 Comment

The fallout from Tiger Woods continues, with his latest move being to fire his caddy of a decade Steve Williams. This begs the question; is Tiger Woods done?

Woods had the world and was on his way to shattering every major golf record in history before the ugly incident that turned out to be quite a big deal. Simply put, Tiger has just not been the same since then. Who can blame him, his actions tore his family apart, and from the looks of it, mentally destroyed him in certain aspects of golf.

He continues to be outplayed – when he plays, and does not present the “terror” factor to other golfers the way he once did. The Tiger of old would never lose a playoff; the Tiger of recent can’t even make a playoff. He had a good Master’s showing, but even then you could see that it wasn’t going to be enough.

Unless Tiger can make some serious mental adjustments (a new caddy isn’t going to help), then I don’t see how he can ever be as feared as he once was. We patiently await any injury news and we all want to know when he will play next. Crowds still flock to see him play, and they probably always will.

So, is Tiger Woods done? Unless he gets something figured out, he is going to come up short of all the golfing records he was once expected to break with ease. Only time will tell.

Filed Under: Golf News Tagged With: , ,

Perfecting the Chip Shot

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Perfecting the chip shot is something that many golfers struggle with. Most of us don’t realize that there is only one type of chip shot; the basic chip shot. It is not a complicated technique, so you shouldn’t try to make it complicated.

The one and only purpose of the chip shot is to loft the ball over any uneven ground that lies in front of you, nothing more and nothing less. This is the best way to fine-tune your chipping technique without getting too complicated.

Set the Correct Address

The correct address is important during the setup for the chip shot. Here is what you want to remember: ball back, hands forward, and weight forward. This setup promotes a slightly descending angle of attack and will produce a crisp strike on the ball if done properly. You can even choke down on the club to allow even more control.

Hinge the Right Wrist on the Takeaway

The perfect chip shot requires an arm swing, which is controlled by a gentle rocking of the shoulders. You also want to create a slight hinge in the back of the right wrist (for right-handed golfers) as the club moves away from the ball. The angle you have created will help set the hands in a dominant position to lead the club head into the ball properly, which will allow the club to do the work for you.

Let the Hands Lead Through the Hitting Zone

For the most solid contact and best ball lift, you need to return your hands; arm and club head back to the position they were at address. All your weight should have stayed on the left side of your body throughout the process (right-handed golfers), which will help, produce a ball then turf contact.

Perfecting the chip shot is not difficult. It will also save you a bunch of strokes during your round if performed correctly. Take some time to practice chip shots on the driving range and before you know it you will have to technique down.

Filed Under: Golf Swing Tips Tagged With: , , ,

Golf Swing Tips, Releasing the Club Head Properly

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This is a great little video that was put together by golf instructor Golf Instructor, Jaacob Bowden. In this video he goes over the best place to release your golf club head and shows you a couple of useful techniques for practicing and perfecting the art of proper club head release.

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Simple Golf Course Management Tips

July 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A majority of golf is a mind game, that’s why it is important to keep it simple on the golf course. Trying to carry the water when you shouldn’t, not approaching the green properly, and playing long holes poorly are all things to avoid while on the golf course. Here are some tips for keeping it simple while you play your round of golf.

Carrying Over Water

Here is the problem with most amateur golfers. More often than not they think that they can carry the water, when in reality their best play is to layup and then approach the green from there. If you can’t carry the water unless you hit the very best shot of your life, then go ahead and layup. Taking one extra stroke is better then taking three extra strokes on the hole because you went into the water.

Playing Long Holes

This is more in regards to long par 4 holes, as we all know par 5’s are always long. If you are playing a long par four, then why not scope out an area for your second shot to land. You can still give yourself a chance at par. However, going for the green in two can spell disaster, as trying to hit a perfect second shot will more often than not lead to bad things. Remember, a bogey is better than a triple bogey.

Approaching the Green

Most of us love to attack the hole on our second shot (on par 4s). This is not necessary, as it is much easier to hole out with two putts from the center of the green then it is to try and play out of a bunker or other bad lie. If you don’t feel you can attack the green on shot 2, then go ahead and ease back the reins some. You will save yourself strokes in the long run.

Keeping it simple on the golf course is a great way to shave strokes off your game, as well as keep as many balls in your bag as possible. Next time you go out for a round of 18, utilize some of these tips. You will be amazed at how much smoother your golf game is.

 

Filed Under: Course Managment

Does the Brand of Golf Ball You Use Matter?

July 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Does the brand of golf ball you use on a golf course really matter? That is a pretty hotly debated topic with many golfers. You may think that the more expensive the golf ball is the easier it is to play a round with. While it is true that some balls are a bit more forgiving than others in certain aspects, choosing one certain brand of ball over another is not going to automatically shave 10 strokes off your game.

There are literally dozens and dozens of golf ball brands available to the golfer today. Each brand offers different claims regarding how their ball will allow you to shave strokes off your game, and how their ball will be more forgiving.

What is True

What we have found to be true is that certain brands of balls are made better than other brands of balls. The Noodle golf balls that claim they are longer and softer really are. The ball feels like it comes of the club softer and is a bit more forgiving. There really is a noticeable difference in a top tier Titleist or Callaway ball, then there is from a bag of range balls. The type of ball you are comfortable with is probably the best ball to use, no matter what the price is.

What is Not True

Whether you are playing with a $10 high-end golf ball brand, or a $0.50 low-end golf ball brand, if you miss-hit a shot, then your ball is going to fly the wrong way no matter what. There is no brand of golf ball that offers automatic correction of shanked shots, that is pretty much up to the golfer to learn how to hit.

Get Your Favorite Brand of Golf Balls At a Low Price Here

So what is the final conclusion? You may be comfortable with a certain brand of golf ball. This is not uncommon, as many golfers do like to stick to a certain brand. However, if you are buying high-end balls that state they will magically shave multiple strokes off your game, then you are going to find out the hard way that higher price does not equal lower score.

Filed Under: General Information Tagged With: , ,

How to Properly Drop Your Golf Ball

July 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You can look around a golf course at any given time and see golfers dropping a golf ball. What is a drop? In the rules of golf taking a drop means your ball has gone out of bounds, in a hazard, or has been lost. You drop the ball a few steps behind the point where you lost the ball. Many course have designated drop areas, so if this is the case on your course then you may drop the ball in that area.

How to Drop

  • In situations where the rules of golf state that a ball must be dropped in a certain way – if you are properly following rules.
  • Player must stand upright.
  • Player must hold the ball at shoulders height and arm’s length.
  • Player must drop the ball directly to the ground (don’t toss it up or thrown it down).
  • If the ball happens to touch the player, fellow competitors, caddies, or any equipment, then the player is allowed to re-drop the ball without penalty.
  • The ball must not be dropped nearer to the hole and must strike a part of the course where the applicable rule applies.
  • The golfer will play the ball where it comes to rest after the drop has been made.

Free Drop

Players can be allowed a free drop (no penalty stroke) if they are getting relief from interference. The drop can be made within one club length from where the original shot finished. Club length must always be farther back than original ball placement.

Penalty Drop

For a ball that is unplayable (out of bounds, water hazard, etc) a drop shall be utilized, but a penalty stroke will also be incurred. For example, if you just hit your second shot and lost it to a hazard or out of bounds, then your drop will count as stroke three, while your next hit will be stroke 4.

There are some other circumstances you may come across that you want to be aware of.

Filed Under: Golf Rules Tagged With: , , ,

Darren Clarke Wins 2011 British Open Title for Northern Ireland

July 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Darren Clarke has brought another major championship home for Northern Ireland. Clarke outlasted the rest of the field to win the 2011 British Open at Royal St. George’s golf club in Sandwich, England.

Dustin Johnson remained in contention throughout the final round, as did Phil Mickelson. However, Clarke’s three straight rounds in the 60s and a par 70 in the final round lifted him to a comfortable three-stroke victory over both Americans that were trying to chase him down.

Clarke won with a 5-under 275, following the path of younger countrymen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as a major champion. They won the last two U.S. Opens. Northern Ireland is well known for its golf, however nobody could have expected this. It had been a decade since Clarke was a serious contender in a Grand Slam event, and the one-time face of Northern Ireland golf was thought to be long past his prime.

Final British Open Standings

While this is amazing news for Clarke and all of Northern Ireland, Dustin Johnson’s struggles in the final rounds of tournaments continue to linger with him. The round one leader and contender throughout the weekend was within two strokes of the lead when he made a huge blunder, knocking an iron shot out of bounds from the 14th fairway. He wound taking a double-bogey that ended his chances at he British Open title.

Johnson settled for a 72, leaving him tied with Mickelson at 278. Last year, Johnson threw away a lead at the U.S. Open with a closing 82, and he will forever be remembered for taking a two-stroke penalty of the 72nd hole of the PGA Championship to miss out on a playoff.

Congratulations to Darren Clarke for winning the 2011 British Open.

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2011 British Open Day 3 Leaderboard Update

July 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The 2011 version of the British Open has been sloppy, windy and rainy. However, this has not stopped some pretty good drama from being played out at Royal St. George’s golf course in Sandwich, England. Day three featured some serious moving both up and down the leaderboard, as golfers battle to fight howling rain and wind, only to finish the day with sunshine.

Darren Clarke was among the group of golfers that did catch a break in the weather, and he didn’t waste any time taking advantage of it. By shooting a 1-under 69 on Saturday, Clarke secured (for now) a one-stroke lead heading to the final round, while at the same time putting little Northern Ireland in a great position to claim its third major championship in a little over a year.

While Clarke is playing well, he doesn’t have the championship in the bag yet. With one more round left, there are a number of golfers hanging around in the top ten, all of whom are ready to strike. Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler led an American charge up the board, looking to end the country’s longest drought without a major title in the modern Grand Slam era.

Check Out the Full Leaderborad

Johnson – who was the leader after round one, has played a beautiful tournament, and been one of the most consistent golfers over the first three rounds. While other golfers have had better overall rounds, none of them have played a consistent three rounds like Johnson has. This may benefit him, as his constant good play may carry him to the Open Championship title Sunday.

The British Open Championship winner and a recap of the weekend will be forthcoming.

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2011 British Open Day 2 Leaderboard Update

July 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The surprising hot play by round 1 leader Dustin Johnson continued but he still fell out of the lead, as two other golfers stormed to the top spot. Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke and Lucas Glover of the U.S. share a one-stroke lead at 4-under par during the second round of golf’s 2011 British Open.

Clarke shot his second straight 2-under 68 at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, England, and 2009 U.S. Open champion Glover finished with an even-par 70. Both of these scores would good enough to keep them high atop the leaderboard.

“It was a little bit more adventurous today than yesterday,” stated Darren Clark, who is now playing in his 20th Open. “There was some good and some not so good, but overall 68 is very pleasing.” It sounds pleasing, especially with the weather conditions that the golfers have been facing and will continue to face over the weekend.

Eighteen players are within three shots of the leaders with bad weather expected for the weekend. Heavy rain and gusting winds are forecast for tomorrow morning, with more rain called for on the final day, according to the U.K.’s Met Office. This should make for some very interesting rounds over the next two days.

Round 1 leader Dustin Johnson had yet another solid round. He shot a 2-under 68, which puts him currently tied for 7th at an overall -2. Phil Mickelson is there (currently sitting tied for 14th at -1) and will be one of the big names looking to make a weekend run.

Follow the 2011 British Open Leaderboard Live

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