Joe,
Since golf offers many pleasures, which is your favorite sight, a ball hanging on the lip of the cup and then falling in, or a flop shot over a bunker that trickles down next to the pin, or a low rising drive that splits the center of a narrow tree-lined fairway?
Answer: All those are nice, but my favorite sight which gives me the most pleasure is my opponent throwing a club. The full backswing, the delayed wrist action, the flowing follow-through, followed by that unique whirring sound, reminiscent of a passing flock of birds, this is a real thing of beauty.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Joe,
My friends tell me my biggest problem is that I overswing, but I feel natural on my backswing, so this is hard for me to correct. What should I do?
Chris
Hello Chris,
Habits can be hard to break, so let’s try a different approach. Next time you are on one of those driving range mats with the permanent rubber tee, go to the top of your backswing and pose like a baseball player waiting for a pitch. If your backswing is too long, you will not feel that you are in a strong hitting position. Adjust your posture as a baseball player would until you feel in a strong position to begin your swing from the top. Make sure your weight is on your back foot. From this position, see if you can strike the rubber tee every time. If you cannot, then adjust your posture at the top, for example, you might find that you can strike the rubber tee every time if your backswing is shorter and your tempo is not too quick. If you can view yourself in a mirror it will help. Good luck.
Joe
My friends tell me my biggest problem is that I overswing, but I feel natural on my backswing, so this is hard for me to correct. What should I do?
Chris
Hello Chris,
Habits can be hard to break, so let’s try a different approach. Next time you are on one of those driving range mats with the permanent rubber tee, go to the top of your backswing and pose like a baseball player waiting for a pitch. If your backswing is too long, you will not feel that you are in a strong hitting position. Adjust your posture as a baseball player would until you feel in a strong position to begin your swing from the top. Make sure your weight is on your back foot. From this position, see if you can strike the rubber tee every time. If you cannot, then adjust your posture at the top, for example, you might find that you can strike the rubber tee every time if your backswing is shorter and your tempo is not too quick. If you can view yourself in a mirror it will help. Good luck.
Joe
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Joe,
The golf magazines say if you hit a chip or pitch just right, it will check up for you, and I have watched pros do this in a local tournament, but on the same course I tried chipping from the same spot and the ball refuses to check up, it just keeps on rolling. I even tried high spin balls but I see no difference. So what is the secret of making the ball check up?
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
The average golfer cannot do this for several reasons. Even if you played the same course as the pros, there is a difference between tournament conditions and everyday conditions. Tournament conditions are a bit more plush than the everyday public conditions. High spin balls can only make a difference if conditions are right, and only if the grooves on your clubface are new. Once the grooves get a little worn, you cannot spin the ball as well, no matter what you do. The pros can afford to replace their irons a lot more frequently than the average golfer, and they will not use a set once the grooves get worn, but the average golfer cannot afford to replace irons so often. You can conduct an experiment by comparing chip shots with a distance ball and a high spin ball. If neither one of them checks up, then either the green is too firm or your grooves may be too worn. It may help somewhat to keep your grooves clean with a stiff wire brush, but most people may be better off not counting on much spin, just do the bump and run instead.
Joe
The golf magazines say if you hit a chip or pitch just right, it will check up for you, and I have watched pros do this in a local tournament, but on the same course I tried chipping from the same spot and the ball refuses to check up, it just keeps on rolling. I even tried high spin balls but I see no difference. So what is the secret of making the ball check up?
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
The average golfer cannot do this for several reasons. Even if you played the same course as the pros, there is a difference between tournament conditions and everyday conditions. Tournament conditions are a bit more plush than the everyday public conditions. High spin balls can only make a difference if conditions are right, and only if the grooves on your clubface are new. Once the grooves get a little worn, you cannot spin the ball as well, no matter what you do. The pros can afford to replace their irons a lot more frequently than the average golfer, and they will not use a set once the grooves get worn, but the average golfer cannot afford to replace irons so often. You can conduct an experiment by comparing chip shots with a distance ball and a high spin ball. If neither one of them checks up, then either the green is too firm or your grooves may be too worn. It may help somewhat to keep your grooves clean with a stiff wire brush, but most people may be better off not counting on much spin, just do the bump and run instead.
Joe
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Joe,
What is your take on the controversy of a golf channel announcer’s comment that the only way to beat Tiger is to lynch him?
Tim
Hi Tim,
In today’s world of political correctness, it is too dangerous to tell a joke anymore, and that is sad. Kelly Tilghman is a delightful announcer and there is no way she meant any harm. Tiger even said this was a non issue, yet some other people insist on making a big deal out of it. I might be politically incorrect for saying this, but there is a phrase in The Bible which says to watch out for people who have a morbid craving for controversy.
Joe
What is your take on the controversy of a golf channel announcer’s comment that the only way to beat Tiger is to lynch him?
Tim
Hi Tim,
In today’s world of political correctness, it is too dangerous to tell a joke anymore, and that is sad. Kelly Tilghman is a delightful announcer and there is no way she meant any harm. Tiger even said this was a non issue, yet some other people insist on making a big deal out of it. I might be politically incorrect for saying this, but there is a phrase in The Bible which says to watch out for people who have a morbid craving for controversy.
Joe
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Joe,
I am amazed how the pros on TV can sink so many long putts, no matter how many different courses they play on with different types of grasses. I know whenever I travel and play different courses, the different types of grasses and speeds really mess me up. How do they adjust? Is it just natural ability or else what is their secret?
John
Hi John,
The best way to understand is to attend a practice round before a tournament and watch what the pros do on the greens. They take the time to stroke putts on all quadrants of each green while their caddies take notes. So even if they have never played the course before, during the tournament they have a pretty good idea on how each putt will behave, no matter where the pin placement is. The general public does not have this luxury, you might get kicked off the course for slow play if you try that. Therefore it is much more difficult for the average golfer to sink putts because they have no help at all in reading greens, it is just a guessing game. You can own the greatest expensive putter and have the best possible putting stroke, but if you do not read the green correctly, you will not make very many putts. Even if you do read the green correctly, but hit the putt at the wrong speed, the amount of break will be different and you might miss it anyway. If you have ever played in a scramble event, you will have noticed a lot more putts being sunk because everyone on your team gets the benefit of watching the first putt and therefore having a lot more confidence in the read. Those of you who do not play in scrambles, the next time you are on an uncrowded course, whenever you miss a putt, try it 3 more times and chances are pretty good that you will sink one of them because your confidence in the read improves with every putt.
Joe
I am amazed how the pros on TV can sink so many long putts, no matter how many different courses they play on with different types of grasses. I know whenever I travel and play different courses, the different types of grasses and speeds really mess me up. How do they adjust? Is it just natural ability or else what is their secret?
John
Hi John,
The best way to understand is to attend a practice round before a tournament and watch what the pros do on the greens. They take the time to stroke putts on all quadrants of each green while their caddies take notes. So even if they have never played the course before, during the tournament they have a pretty good idea on how each putt will behave, no matter where the pin placement is. The general public does not have this luxury, you might get kicked off the course for slow play if you try that. Therefore it is much more difficult for the average golfer to sink putts because they have no help at all in reading greens, it is just a guessing game. You can own the greatest expensive putter and have the best possible putting stroke, but if you do not read the green correctly, you will not make very many putts. Even if you do read the green correctly, but hit the putt at the wrong speed, the amount of break will be different and you might miss it anyway. If you have ever played in a scramble event, you will have noticed a lot more putts being sunk because everyone on your team gets the benefit of watching the first putt and therefore having a lot more confidence in the read. Those of you who do not play in scrambles, the next time you are on an uncrowded course, whenever you miss a putt, try it 3 more times and chances are pretty good that you will sink one of them because your confidence in the read improves with every putt.
Joe
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Joe,
I am getting contradicting information about different ways on how to hit chip shots. None of them seem to work for me. Is there only one right way to chip?
Charles
Hello Charles,
Different people have had success with different methods, so you may hear or read some conflicting advice about which method is best (most methods agree on proper setup and ball position, so we will skip that). They all have one thing in common. No method will work unless you keep your hands ahead of the clubhead at impact and keep the face of the club pointed at the target during your follow thru. If you can do that, then the main issue becomes distance control.
Here are 3 chipping methods for distance control, find the one that works best for you.
Method 1 - use the same stroke and tempo for all distances, just change the club to adjust for longer or shorter shots. This usually works best for those who have enough confidence in their stroke that they never hit it fat or thin, they can hit the sweet spot every time.
Method 2 - use only 2 clubs to chip (one for minimum loft, one for maximum loft) depending on the amount of loft and carry needed to clear the taller grass. Use the same backswing, but vary the tempo or acceleration depending on the distance desired. This usually works best for those who have a good sense of touch.
Method 3 - use only 2 clubs to chip depending on the amount of loft needed. Vary the length of the backswing for distance control, and keep a consistent tempo. This usually works best for those who do not have enough confidence to rely on touch.
I am getting contradicting information about different ways on how to hit chip shots. None of them seem to work for me. Is there only one right way to chip?
Charles
Hello Charles,
Different people have had success with different methods, so you may hear or read some conflicting advice about which method is best (most methods agree on proper setup and ball position, so we will skip that). They all have one thing in common. No method will work unless you keep your hands ahead of the clubhead at impact and keep the face of the club pointed at the target during your follow thru. If you can do that, then the main issue becomes distance control.
Here are 3 chipping methods for distance control, find the one that works best for you.
Method 1 - use the same stroke and tempo for all distances, just change the club to adjust for longer or shorter shots. This usually works best for those who have enough confidence in their stroke that they never hit it fat or thin, they can hit the sweet spot every time.
Method 2 - use only 2 clubs to chip (one for minimum loft, one for maximum loft) depending on the amount of loft and carry needed to clear the taller grass. Use the same backswing, but vary the tempo or acceleration depending on the distance desired. This usually works best for those who have a good sense of touch.
Method 3 - use only 2 clubs to chip depending on the amount of loft needed. Vary the length of the backswing for distance control, and keep a consistent tempo. This usually works best for those who do not have enough confidence to rely on touch.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Joe,
I thought it was supposed to be a Fundamental to have the club pointing at the target at the top of the backswing, but I see photos of Phil Mickelson, John Daly, and even the great Bobby Jones pointing the club way across the line. How do you explain that?
Pete
Hello Pete,
In my opinion, that is a mannerism, not a fundamental. It sure does look picture perfect when someone can point the club straight at the target, but that is no guarantee to result in a good shot. Starting from the top of the backswing, what happens next is an inside-out swing path, which the body turn brings to a square path at the point of contacting the ball (like the knob on a swinging door). When you think about the plane for an inside-out swing path, pointing it across the line at the top only helps to put the club on that plane, so I do not see anything wrong with that, as long as your position is consistent and your results are good. If, however, you have a hook problem, then you might be pointing it too far across the line, but most people slice, so this idea may help to cure it. However, one good thing about pointing the club at the target at the top of the backswing is this. It establishes a consistent point of reference which you can photograph and go back to if you get into a slump. If you go across the line, this point of reference is a little harder to view because you cannot be sure how far over the line is good for you. In the final analysis, I think it is more important to view the position of the clubface no matter how far over the line you go. The clubface should be parallel to the angle of your leading arm.
Joe
I thought it was supposed to be a Fundamental to have the club pointing at the target at the top of the backswing, but I see photos of Phil Mickelson, John Daly, and even the great Bobby Jones pointing the club way across the line. How do you explain that?
Pete
Hello Pete,
In my opinion, that is a mannerism, not a fundamental. It sure does look picture perfect when someone can point the club straight at the target, but that is no guarantee to result in a good shot. Starting from the top of the backswing, what happens next is an inside-out swing path, which the body turn brings to a square path at the point of contacting the ball (like the knob on a swinging door). When you think about the plane for an inside-out swing path, pointing it across the line at the top only helps to put the club on that plane, so I do not see anything wrong with that, as long as your position is consistent and your results are good. If, however, you have a hook problem, then you might be pointing it too far across the line, but most people slice, so this idea may help to cure it. However, one good thing about pointing the club at the target at the top of the backswing is this. It establishes a consistent point of reference which you can photograph and go back to if you get into a slump. If you go across the line, this point of reference is a little harder to view because you cannot be sure how far over the line is good for you. In the final analysis, I think it is more important to view the position of the clubface no matter how far over the line you go. The clubface should be parallel to the angle of your leading arm.
Joe
Friday, January 04, 2008
Joe,
I can hit the ball better than my buddies, but they usually beat me because they putt better. I don’t understand why I cannot putt as well as my buddies if they are not as athletic as I am. Help!
Harold
Hello Harold,
Sometimes we overlook the little things. Any one of the following points might make a difference. For example, are you more like Golfer A or Golfer B?
Let’s assume Golfer A and Golfer B have similar putting strokes and they can both read a green equally well, but Golfer A makes more putts and 3-putts less often than Golfer B. How can this be?
Golfer A uses a putter design that is weighted at the toe and at the heel, but not in the center. Golfer B uses a straight blade. Since they both have similar strokes, they both miss the sweet spot on the putter by the same amount. Golfer A gets better results due to a larger sweet spot.
Golfer A has confidence in the read and can concentrate fully on executing the stroke. Golfer B changes the read as he/she stands over the ball (why bother with the original read in that case?). This can result in a tentative stroke due to worrying about the read instead of executing the proper pace of the stroke.
Golfer A aims at a spot on the green on the way to the hole, a spot that is close enough to hit every time. Golfer B does not use an intermediate target.
Golfer A improves touch for distance control during practice by noticing how far the backswing goes for certain distances, and then steps off those distances. Golfer B just relies on feel without thinking about the exact distance. As a result, Golfer A’s second putt is usually 1-2 feet long, while golfer B’s second putt is usually 3-4 feet long.
Golfer A’s putter has a fat grip, Golfer B’s putter has a skinny grip. In both cases, any accidental hand rotation will cause the putter face to rotate off line. Due to the fatter grip Golfer A’s putter face will rotate less off line than Golfer B’s putter.
Golfer A observes the terrain while walking up to the green from 100 yards on in, and can see which way water would most likely drain off the green, because this is the way all putts will break if you are not sure of other reads. Golfer B only reads putts after he/she gets on the green.
Both golfers have the Yips, but Golfer A uses a belly putter, which reduces the effect of the Yips.
Good luck Harold, I hope this helps!
Joe
I can hit the ball better than my buddies, but they usually beat me because they putt better. I don’t understand why I cannot putt as well as my buddies if they are not as athletic as I am. Help!
Harold
Hello Harold,
Sometimes we overlook the little things. Any one of the following points might make a difference. For example, are you more like Golfer A or Golfer B?
Let’s assume Golfer A and Golfer B have similar putting strokes and they can both read a green equally well, but Golfer A makes more putts and 3-putts less often than Golfer B. How can this be?
Golfer A uses a putter design that is weighted at the toe and at the heel, but not in the center. Golfer B uses a straight blade. Since they both have similar strokes, they both miss the sweet spot on the putter by the same amount. Golfer A gets better results due to a larger sweet spot.
Golfer A has confidence in the read and can concentrate fully on executing the stroke. Golfer B changes the read as he/she stands over the ball (why bother with the original read in that case?). This can result in a tentative stroke due to worrying about the read instead of executing the proper pace of the stroke.
Golfer A aims at a spot on the green on the way to the hole, a spot that is close enough to hit every time. Golfer B does not use an intermediate target.
Golfer A improves touch for distance control during practice by noticing how far the backswing goes for certain distances, and then steps off those distances. Golfer B just relies on feel without thinking about the exact distance. As a result, Golfer A’s second putt is usually 1-2 feet long, while golfer B’s second putt is usually 3-4 feet long.
Golfer A’s putter has a fat grip, Golfer B’s putter has a skinny grip. In both cases, any accidental hand rotation will cause the putter face to rotate off line. Due to the fatter grip Golfer A’s putter face will rotate less off line than Golfer B’s putter.
Golfer A observes the terrain while walking up to the green from 100 yards on in, and can see which way water would most likely drain off the green, because this is the way all putts will break if you are not sure of other reads. Golfer B only reads putts after he/she gets on the green.
Both golfers have the Yips, but Golfer A uses a belly putter, which reduces the effect of the Yips.
Good luck Harold, I hope this helps!
Joe
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Merry Christmas - here are some free things to have some fun with. If the links do not work, just copy and paste to your browser window.
http://www.stmulligan.com
http://www.orbitzgames.com/puttputt
http://www.cincinnati.com/golf/golfquiz/html/brand.htm
http://www.stmulligan.com
http://www.orbitzgames.com/puttputt
http://www.cincinnati.com/golf/golfquiz/html/brand.htm
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Joe,
I cannot sink a 3 foot putt for the life of me. I have heard about the yips but this is ridiculous. I have tried just about everything. I need one more idea please.
Blane
Hello Blane,
Never fear, here is an idea that works so good you can do it with your eyes closed. First with your eyes open, take the clubhead back about 2 or 3 inches and stop. Before you complete the stroke, make sure the clubface is pointed directly at the hole, and convince yourself that your forward stroke is going to keep the clubface square to the hole all the way during the follow thru. The reason this works is because some twisting may be taking place during a continuous backswing and forward stroke. By stopping after the backswing you can be fairly sure that no twisting has taken place, and you can remind yourself that you are not going to allow any more twisting during the forward stroke. If you can get your mind to believe it can feel keeping the clubface square, you can close your eyes before the forward stroke and you will make the putt just about every time because there are no visual distractions that might be causing your yips. In other words you cannot look up too soon if you are not looking at all. Just feel the clubface staying square.
Joe
I cannot sink a 3 foot putt for the life of me. I have heard about the yips but this is ridiculous. I have tried just about everything. I need one more idea please.
Blane
Hello Blane,
Never fear, here is an idea that works so good you can do it with your eyes closed. First with your eyes open, take the clubhead back about 2 or 3 inches and stop. Before you complete the stroke, make sure the clubface is pointed directly at the hole, and convince yourself that your forward stroke is going to keep the clubface square to the hole all the way during the follow thru. The reason this works is because some twisting may be taking place during a continuous backswing and forward stroke. By stopping after the backswing you can be fairly sure that no twisting has taken place, and you can remind yourself that you are not going to allow any more twisting during the forward stroke. If you can get your mind to believe it can feel keeping the clubface square, you can close your eyes before the forward stroke and you will make the putt just about every time because there are no visual distractions that might be causing your yips. In other words you cannot look up too soon if you are not looking at all. Just feel the clubface staying square.
Joe
Monday, December 03, 2007
Joe,
My buddies and I like to make silly little bets on trick shots. I am two down to them so I am counting on a sly dog like you to give me two ideas on how to get back at them.
Answer: On the putting green, bet that you can get two balls into the hole from 20 feet with only 3 strokes. They will think you must hole one of the putts so they will take the bet. Then you put both balls together against the face of your putter, so a single stroke will send both balls close to the hole, and hopefully from there you will have two tap ins. Next, bet that one swing with your wedge can make a ball pop straight up in the air and you will catch it in your hand. Then stack one ball on top of another, since balls have dimples this is not hard to do. Then hit the bottom ball with your swing and the top ball will pop straight up in the air and it should be easy to catch. OK readers, now it is your turn, have you got any other trick shots to share with us?
My buddies and I like to make silly little bets on trick shots. I am two down to them so I am counting on a sly dog like you to give me two ideas on how to get back at them.
Answer: On the putting green, bet that you can get two balls into the hole from 20 feet with only 3 strokes. They will think you must hole one of the putts so they will take the bet. Then you put both balls together against the face of your putter, so a single stroke will send both balls close to the hole, and hopefully from there you will have two tap ins. Next, bet that one swing with your wedge can make a ball pop straight up in the air and you will catch it in your hand. Then stack one ball on top of another, since balls have dimples this is not hard to do. Then hit the bottom ball with your swing and the top ball will pop straight up in the air and it should be easy to catch. OK readers, now it is your turn, have you got any other trick shots to share with us?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Another Season Comes To A Close
This is a sad time of the year in the northern midwest. Where did the summer go? How did time slip by so fast? The cold air is already slipping down from Canada. The fall colors have gone. We probably have already played our last round of the year. No more Indian Summer, even global warming is not helping. Even if it were warm enough one more day, there are so many leaves fallen to the ground that it is hard to find your ball in the middle of the fairway, but then most of us are not used to being in that position anyway. All we have left of the season are memories of some remarkable shots, like the awesome majesty of a moon-shot popup drive, the graceful curve of a banana-peel slice, the feeling of helplessness as the ball heads toward the water hazard, the perfect symmetry of ever-growing circles of ripples created by your ball, the impressive rooster tail from the morning dew being ripped apart by a sizzling worm-burner, some almost-good rounds, and plenty of laughs with good friends. That last part is the best. There is no better therapy for life’s daily stresses. Hurry, 2008.
This is a sad time of the year in the northern midwest. Where did the summer go? How did time slip by so fast? The cold air is already slipping down from Canada. The fall colors have gone. We probably have already played our last round of the year. No more Indian Summer, even global warming is not helping. Even if it were warm enough one more day, there are so many leaves fallen to the ground that it is hard to find your ball in the middle of the fairway, but then most of us are not used to being in that position anyway. All we have left of the season are memories of some remarkable shots, like the awesome majesty of a moon-shot popup drive, the graceful curve of a banana-peel slice, the feeling of helplessness as the ball heads toward the water hazard, the perfect symmetry of ever-growing circles of ripples created by your ball, the impressive rooster tail from the morning dew being ripped apart by a sizzling worm-burner, some almost-good rounds, and plenty of laughs with good friends. That last part is the best. There is no better therapy for life’s daily stresses. Hurry, 2008.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Point and Counter-Point:
Purist Point - Prayers are not allowed on golf courses. If you call on God to improve the results of a shot while it is still in motion, you are using an Outside Agency and subject to appropriate penalties under the rules of golf.
Counter-Point – So penalize me. Let us pray. May thy ball lie in green pastures and not in still waters. Amen.
Purist Point - Prayers are not allowed on golf courses. If you call on God to improve the results of a shot while it is still in motion, you are using an Outside Agency and subject to appropriate penalties under the rules of golf.
Counter-Point – So penalize me. Let us pray. May thy ball lie in green pastures and not in still waters. Amen.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Joe,
I like my long irons but people keep telling me hybrids are better. I do have occasional bad shots with my long irons but I figure the same thing would happen with a hybrid. Do you agree?
Lem
Hi Lem,
I suspect your bad shots with a hybrid will be better bad shots than those with your long irons because there is more mass behind the ball with a hybrid. If you look closely at all your irons you will notice that the mass gets smaller and smaller as the number of the irons gets lower, making the sweet spot smaller as well. Hybrids have a much larger sweet spot so your off center hits should still produce decent results, while an off center hit on a long iron usually loses too much distance.
Joe
I like my long irons but people keep telling me hybrids are better. I do have occasional bad shots with my long irons but I figure the same thing would happen with a hybrid. Do you agree?
Lem
Hi Lem,
I suspect your bad shots with a hybrid will be better bad shots than those with your long irons because there is more mass behind the ball with a hybrid. If you look closely at all your irons you will notice that the mass gets smaller and smaller as the number of the irons gets lower, making the sweet spot smaller as well. Hybrids have a much larger sweet spot so your off center hits should still produce decent results, while an off center hit on a long iron usually loses too much distance.
Joe
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Question - is golf a dying sport?
Well I hope this does not happen, but here is a nightmare scenario. In this ever changing world there are times when things must adapt or die, and golf purists refuse to adapt by trying to make the game more fun for the masses. Once upon a time, golf was a sport only for rich people. Today it is for all people, but I see municipal courses closing because the land is very valuable near cities, so new courses must be built in the boonies, and it is becoming more expensive to play, not to mention the price of gas to get there. What few courses remain near cities are already overcrowded because they are the only places people can afford to play. The pace of play is horrible, so with these factors there is danger that many people might give up the game. If overcrowding gets bad enough, we might have to do what other countries are already doing, and that is to prove that your game is good enough to qualify to be allowed to play at certain courses. This leaves out lots of people who enjoy the game but are not good enough to qualify, which is the opposite of growing the game. As a result, golf may go back to being a game only for the rich, and then it will be even more difficult to grow the game. Today there are admirable programs that are trying to get kids involved, but will these same kids be able to afford to play later on? And when Tiger retires, will anyone else be able to capture the interest of the fans as much? If not, this downward spiral may begin. Prize money will come down, and the popularity of the game will decline. Then more courses might close. Somebody stop me before I start to cry. We need more ideas on how to grow the game, and we need them quick. Insanity is expecting things to get better while you continue to do things the same way.
Well I hope this does not happen, but here is a nightmare scenario. In this ever changing world there are times when things must adapt or die, and golf purists refuse to adapt by trying to make the game more fun for the masses. Once upon a time, golf was a sport only for rich people. Today it is for all people, but I see municipal courses closing because the land is very valuable near cities, so new courses must be built in the boonies, and it is becoming more expensive to play, not to mention the price of gas to get there. What few courses remain near cities are already overcrowded because they are the only places people can afford to play. The pace of play is horrible, so with these factors there is danger that many people might give up the game. If overcrowding gets bad enough, we might have to do what other countries are already doing, and that is to prove that your game is good enough to qualify to be allowed to play at certain courses. This leaves out lots of people who enjoy the game but are not good enough to qualify, which is the opposite of growing the game. As a result, golf may go back to being a game only for the rich, and then it will be even more difficult to grow the game. Today there are admirable programs that are trying to get kids involved, but will these same kids be able to afford to play later on? And when Tiger retires, will anyone else be able to capture the interest of the fans as much? If not, this downward spiral may begin. Prize money will come down, and the popularity of the game will decline. Then more courses might close. Somebody stop me before I start to cry. We need more ideas on how to grow the game, and we need them quick. Insanity is expecting things to get better while you continue to do things the same way.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Joe, I read in a magazine recently that if you start your swing and while you are swinging the ball happens to move either by wind or soft grass giving way, that you are deemed to have moved the ball and therefore it is a penalty. What do you think about that?
Answer: It takes a lot of wisdom to say you are deemed to have moved the ball when you clearly did not, so by the same logic I think the rules makers are deemed to be idiots.
Answer: It takes a lot of wisdom to say you are deemed to have moved the ball when you clearly did not, so by the same logic I think the rules makers are deemed to be idiots.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Joe,
I am bigger and stronger than my buddies and I can hit a softball farther than them, but they hit a golf ball farther than me. How do you explain that?
Big John
Hi John,
There is a big difference in the weight of a softball and bat versus golf club and golf ball. Since you are stronger, you are more able to drive the heavier bat thru the heavier ball, more so than your smaller buddies. You probably have more of an arm swing than your buddies, and it might be harder for you to generate any extra speed with a golf club. Since a golf club and ball are much lighter, your buddies can use more wrist action to generate speed, especially if their timing is right. This can best be illustrated by using a ping pong ball and paddle. If you swing very hard with your arms, but with no wrist action, the ball will not go very far. If you swing with all wrist action, but no arms, the ball still will not go very far. So obviously the answer is the combination of arm and wrist action. However, timing makes the biggest difference for distance. If you use the wrist too soon, you end up with only arm action at the point of impact, hence the term "hitting from the top", and you get poor distance. You can send the ping pong ball the farthest by swinging your arms first, and delaying the wrist action until the last possible instant. This timing of the wrist snap is most important because it does not just ADD arm speed plus wrist speed, it actually MULTIPLIES them. Think about swinging easy with the arms and hard with the wrist at the last possible moment. Try this with the ping pong ball and paddle and you will see how this will increase distance, then use the same idea with a golf club. Watch the slow motion replays of the pros on TV, this is exactly how they get great distance with a seemingly effortless swing.
I am bigger and stronger than my buddies and I can hit a softball farther than them, but they hit a golf ball farther than me. How do you explain that?
Big John
Hi John,
There is a big difference in the weight of a softball and bat versus golf club and golf ball. Since you are stronger, you are more able to drive the heavier bat thru the heavier ball, more so than your smaller buddies. You probably have more of an arm swing than your buddies, and it might be harder for you to generate any extra speed with a golf club. Since a golf club and ball are much lighter, your buddies can use more wrist action to generate speed, especially if their timing is right. This can best be illustrated by using a ping pong ball and paddle. If you swing very hard with your arms, but with no wrist action, the ball will not go very far. If you swing with all wrist action, but no arms, the ball still will not go very far. So obviously the answer is the combination of arm and wrist action. However, timing makes the biggest difference for distance. If you use the wrist too soon, you end up with only arm action at the point of impact, hence the term "hitting from the top", and you get poor distance. You can send the ping pong ball the farthest by swinging your arms first, and delaying the wrist action until the last possible instant. This timing of the wrist snap is most important because it does not just ADD arm speed plus wrist speed, it actually MULTIPLIES them. Think about swinging easy with the arms and hard with the wrist at the last possible moment. Try this with the ping pong ball and paddle and you will see how this will increase distance, then use the same idea with a golf club. Watch the slow motion replays of the pros on TV, this is exactly how they get great distance with a seemingly effortless swing.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Bob writes about Denis Watson losing the 1985 US Open due to the ten second penalty, which I said was an atrocity:
Joe, if you knew the rule, perhaps your comments would hold more water. Many times your humorous replies are not only demeaning to those of us who play by the rules but your answers are incorrect, thus further confusing those who read your rants on the rules. The ten seconds does not start until the player reaches the ball, without undue delay. If the ball is not holed within that 10 seconds, it is deemed to be at rest (which is the part of the rule Denis violated). If it subsequently falls into the hole the player is deemed to have holed out with his previous stroke and must add ONE penalty stroke to his score. It is interesting that you use Denis Watson as his example. Following this incident, the USGA changed the penalty for this infraction because they felt two strokes was too severe.
Response: They changed something? What a concept, I thought that was not allowed. I guess losing the US Open on a technicality does seem a bit severe. Using the same logic, maybe all 2 stroke penalties are too severe, right?
Bob continues: When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be at rest. If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke, and he must add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole; otherwise, there is no penalty under this Rule.
Response: Was an official Olympic stopwatch used to time the ten seconds or how many seconds constitute an unreasonable delay to reach the hole? If not, how do you know if it was not 9.9 seconds when the ball fell in the hole? Furthermore, if you try to beat the ten second rule, and the ball really was moving while you tap it in, that should also be a penalty, right?
Bob continues: Additionally, there are only 34 rules and the "Rule Book" is no where near 150 pages. The rule book will easily fit in a small pocket on a bag or even in a back pocket.
Response: I do not know which version of the rule book you are holding. I am holding the USGA 2006-2007 version, and the text with Appendices goes up to page 140 followed by the index which goes to page 164. Geez what a complicated game. No wonder some new people are too intimidated by this to stay with this game.
Bob continues: It takes no longer to play by the rules than is does not to, and to many of us it is very enjoyable to do so.
Response: Tell that to the recreational golfer waiting on the tee while the group ahead marches back to the same tee to replay a shot instead of dropping at the spot where a ball was lost. Bob, I mean no disrespect. Obviously you are passionate about the game, so all your comments are appreciated and should be discussed. I just think the rules are overly complicated and could use a good dose of common sense.
Joe, if you knew the rule, perhaps your comments would hold more water. Many times your humorous replies are not only demeaning to those of us who play by the rules but your answers are incorrect, thus further confusing those who read your rants on the rules. The ten seconds does not start until the player reaches the ball, without undue delay. If the ball is not holed within that 10 seconds, it is deemed to be at rest (which is the part of the rule Denis violated). If it subsequently falls into the hole the player is deemed to have holed out with his previous stroke and must add ONE penalty stroke to his score. It is interesting that you use Denis Watson as his example. Following this incident, the USGA changed the penalty for this infraction because they felt two strokes was too severe.
Response: They changed something? What a concept, I thought that was not allowed. I guess losing the US Open on a technicality does seem a bit severe. Using the same logic, maybe all 2 stroke penalties are too severe, right?
Bob continues: When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be at rest. If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke, and he must add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole; otherwise, there is no penalty under this Rule.
Response: Was an official Olympic stopwatch used to time the ten seconds or how many seconds constitute an unreasonable delay to reach the hole? If not, how do you know if it was not 9.9 seconds when the ball fell in the hole? Furthermore, if you try to beat the ten second rule, and the ball really was moving while you tap it in, that should also be a penalty, right?
Bob continues: Additionally, there are only 34 rules and the "Rule Book" is no where near 150 pages. The rule book will easily fit in a small pocket on a bag or even in a back pocket.
Response: I do not know which version of the rule book you are holding. I am holding the USGA 2006-2007 version, and the text with Appendices goes up to page 140 followed by the index which goes to page 164. Geez what a complicated game. No wonder some new people are too intimidated by this to stay with this game.
Bob continues: It takes no longer to play by the rules than is does not to, and to many of us it is very enjoyable to do so.
Response: Tell that to the recreational golfer waiting on the tee while the group ahead marches back to the same tee to replay a shot instead of dropping at the spot where a ball was lost. Bob, I mean no disrespect. Obviously you are passionate about the game, so all your comments are appreciated and should be discussed. I just think the rules are overly complicated and could use a good dose of common sense.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Your putt stops at the lip of the cup. When you about to tap it in, you notice it is still moving slightly and you mention this to your opponent, but your opponent says you only have ten seconds to tap it in. You cannot hit a moving ball, so you wait an extra moment, and then the ball falls into the cup, and your opponent calls a two stroke penalty on you for taking longer than ten seconds. What would a rules official say about this?
This actually happened to Denis Watson in the 1985 US Open. The rules official imposed a two stroke penalty, and Denis lost the tournament by one stroke.
My Opinion: The ten seconds should begin at the point where the ball comes to rest. If the ball is still slightly moving, the ten second rule should not have been imposed. You cannot say it is ten seconds from when the putt was stroked, some long putts take longer than that to get to the hole. Besides, ten seconds is nothing compared to how long it takes some people to line up their putt and then freeze over the ball. Maybe there should be a time limit for that instead, after all, that is what holds up the pace of play much more than the ten second rule.
Losing the US Open because of this is an atrocity, and one of many reasons why the rules need to be updated and simplified. The object of the game is only to hit a ball into a hole, so unless you love beaurocracy, there is little reason for the rule book to be over 150 pages long.
This actually happened to Denis Watson in the 1985 US Open. The rules official imposed a two stroke penalty, and Denis lost the tournament by one stroke.
My Opinion: The ten seconds should begin at the point where the ball comes to rest. If the ball is still slightly moving, the ten second rule should not have been imposed. You cannot say it is ten seconds from when the putt was stroked, some long putts take longer than that to get to the hole. Besides, ten seconds is nothing compared to how long it takes some people to line up their putt and then freeze over the ball. Maybe there should be a time limit for that instead, after all, that is what holds up the pace of play much more than the ten second rule.
Losing the US Open because of this is an atrocity, and one of many reasons why the rules need to be updated and simplified. The object of the game is only to hit a ball into a hole, so unless you love beaurocracy, there is little reason for the rule book to be over 150 pages long.
