What you Need to Start Golfing

Equipment plays a large role in golf. You will need a set of clubs to play the game, and should expect to pay about 1000 dollars for a decent set. The set typically contains 14 clubs. There is the driver, which is used off the tee. There are then the fairway woods which are used for long shots, usually the shot after the drive. The driver ranges to about 200 dollars, and a wood is 100 dollars. Then there is the irons for the 3rd and 4th fairway shots. There are multiple irons which make the ball travel different distances. Then there are the wedges for the approach shot to the green, and coming out of bunkers. The putter is then used on the green to stroke the ball into the hole. The irons are about 500 dollars, a wedge is 100, and a putter is also 100. There should be a driver, 3 and 5 wood, 4-9 irons, pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, 60 degree wedge, and then the putter. This should complete your set. Good luck!

A Tip for Checking Your Alignment

There are 2 great techniques to check your golf alignment. The first one is simple. You start out with your regular stance, and how you think your alignment should be. Then, you place two balls directly behind and touching your heels. Come out of the stance, and reenter the stance. If you notice that your heels again are touching the balls, then you have good stance. If your heels do not touch, you may need some more practice with your stance. The second tip is to line up your shot, and place your club on the ground parallel to your stance. This will allow you to see the angle in which your ball will fly. You can also perform this by raising the club to your chest and noticing which way it is angled when it is at this point.

How to Make a Flop Shot

In order to make a flop shot, you must first have a fluffy lie. This is usually used for actions on the side of the green, even though you can use it to go over trees and get back to the fairway. What you simply do is ope the clubface so it is flat, pull the club straight back, and swing through. Do not be afraid to give the swing a lot of power. You will definitely need it. The good thing about this shot is that the ball usually sticks in the spot it lands, and has little roll.

Golf Basics

What is Golf?
◦ Golf is a sport in which a group of 4 people or less play through an 18 or 9 hole course. The object of the game is to hit a ball from a tee, down each fairway, and hole the ball in the least amount of shots possible. A driver is usually used off tees of par 4’s and 5’s. On par 3’s an iron or wood is used. The player uses an iron or wedge in the fairway to eventually hit the ball onto the green. The player then putts out on the green. The lower the score the better. To tell whether a player is up to snuff, it can be seen how many over or above par the individual is for the certain course.

Golf Grip
◦ First, place the golf club with the squared clubface in your left hand. The pads of all fingers except the thumb should be wrapped around the grip. The thumb protrudes down the front of the grip. This forms what seems to look like a v between the thumb and index finger. Next, place our right hand below the left, in the same manner as the left. The only difference should be that the thumb of the left hand fits into the pocket under the palm of the right hand. The thumb of the left hand also goes slightly left (If you are right handed).

Stance
◦ Driver/Wood - Line your feet parallel to the flight line which you intend the ball to have. Put your ball in line with the heel of your left foot if you are right handed. Keep your head down, and arms extended. There should be the width of a hand in between your body and golf club.
◦ Iron - Same as driver. Feet a shoulder width apart. Play the ball in the middle of your stance.
◦ Wedge - Feet angled slightly left if you are right handed. Stay over the ball, and down on it.
◦ Putt - Stay over the ball, watch it until you see it move off the putter face. Use shoulders, not elbow or wrist movements.

The Swing
◦ Align your feet with the target at which you intend the ball to go towards.
◦ Use correct golf stance as listed above.
◦ Make sure club is positioned naturally.
◦ Grip the golf club.
◦ Turn hips to back to begin swing.
◦ Keep left arm stiff, and right should fold up.
◦ Cock hands slightly.
◦ Shift weight right to left.
◦ Arms come down keeping right arm stiff.
◦ Turn hips so you face your target.

Chipping
◦ Keep arms stiff
◦ Loose grip
◦ Flatten club face for flop shot
◦ Backswing should be knee height for near green chips

Punch Shot
◦ Position ball in the back of your stance