Crosshair Golf Blog
May 10, 2010
The Rhythm of the Game
I never really thought about how the Rhythm of the Game of golf could affect my score until I read an article about Skeet and Trap Shooting that involves the rhythm of the match.
When I talk about rhythm I am not talking about waiting, we wait for everything. Think about waiting for a moment. If you come to a four-way intersection and you are 20 cars back, you have to wait your turn. If all goes the way it should, one car at a time from each road goes in turn, you have rhythm. When this occurs you do not feel the wait, but let one person jump the gun and throw off the rhythm of traffic and you are now frustrated. These waiting/rhythm situations occur time and time again in daily life.
What about the rhythm in a game of golf. Here is an example. I was playing a round with some friends. We were waiting to tee off. Groups were teeing off at regular intervals, we were all behind schedule a few minutes but it did not matter as there was a steady flow, there was rhythm. Then behind us came a group, and one woman was complaining so much we let them tee off ahead of us, the first miss-beat in our rhythm. Then, this same woman on the second hole, parked the cart on the cart path, walked across the fairway to her ball walked back to the cart to get her golf club, then walked back across the fairway to play her ball. This totally threw off the rhythm of the game and our scores were not for the record books.
So remember, it is not the waiting, it is the rhythm. As long as you keep a steady rhythm to your game your scores will reflect it. Rhythm is not a fast game or a slow game, it is a steady flowing game of golf.
April 3, 2010
Meet the Clubs #2 The Fairway Woods
Why are they called Fairway Woods? The reason being they used to be made of wood. Now, they are made using the same materials as the Driver. The Golf Driver is also a wood, it is the #1 wood but it is referred to as the Driver. Sometimes people refer to fairway woods as fairway metals.
The most common fairway woods are the #3 and #5. Although you can find some fairway woods ranging from #2 up to a #15. Starting with the #3 Fairway Wood the loft is around 15 degrees (this varies +/- a degree or 2 depending on the manufacturer) the lofts get greater the higher the number fairway wood you have i.e. the #5 is around 19 degrees the #7 24 degrees and so on.
The Fairway Wood is designed for what it’s name implies, playing off the fairway. Because the head is larger and shaped like the driver you can expect to get some distance. You will not get as much distance as the driver but a #3 wood in the right hands will go 200+ yards.
Since the advent of the Hybrid Iron many golfers are opting out of the #5 and #7 fairway woods and going with comparable lofted Hybrid irons.
Deciding which fairway woods you will carry will depend on you and your personal game. I, for example, only carry a #3 fairway wood and a #1 Hybrid Iron, the #1 hybrid iron is comparable to a driving iron, more on that later. So, for the beginner, get the #3 and #5 Fairway Wood along with a Golf Driver for your wood set and once you start getting better, get rid of what you do not need and get other clubs you do need.
Take a look at our article covering all of the different kinds of clone golf clubs we offer that comprise a full set in our What are the Golf Clubs in a Set article. And be sure to follow our series with the next Meet the Clubs article where we discuss Golf Irons.
March 3, 2010
Tip #2 For the Beginner Golfer…Get on the Golf Course
Get on the Golf Course
I don’t think I am good enough to get out on the golf course. I might embarrass myself. I might slow everyone down. Does this sound familiar. How many of us have said this in the past and how many of you are saying this now. Remember, golf is a game that you play against yourself, so try not to worry about everyone else.
The golf course is full of players from high handicappers to scratch golfers. Every person you meet on the golf course fought with these thoughts before you, and more will torment themselves in the future.
If you have done everything you should have, then lets get ready to play. You have a few lessons under your belt, you spend some time at the local driving range and practice your chipping in your back yard. What else is left but to get out on the golf course and play a round. Here are a few things you can do to get ready.
First, you might want to make your first outing at a 9 hole course. You can get through a 9 hole course in about 2 hours.
Second, go to the course and see if they have a driving range, hit a bucket of balls. Then go over to the putting green and putt for a while. Just get comfortable in the environment. try and do this late in the afternoon, then ask if you can walk the course. This is a good way to see what you are up against.
Third, have a drink at the 19th hole. Meet some people, you will probably be surprised to find that there are alot of people there at your level of play.
Fourth, find out what the dress code is so you do not feel embarrassed when you show up to play.
Fifth, Play your first round late in the afternoon on a Sunday, and only play with one other person. Play with someone you are comfortable with, your best friend or spouse is a good choice. Playing this way there will be no pressure and you can laugh off the bad shots. Playing late in the afternoon on a Sunday gives you the advantage of slow play. If you hit a bad shot, put another ball down and hit it again, hell, put 2 or 3 down and practice. If you do not finish the round, who cares, you are building confidence.
Sixth, Get your butt out there and play!!
October 16, 2009
Tip #1 For the Beginner Golfer.. Take a Lesson
“Keep Your Head Down”
You will get a thousand bits of advice when you start the game of golf. Most of this useless information will come from the buddies you are going to play golf with. Keep your head down, bend your knees, loosen your grip, etc.,etc.
Now, I will give you some real useful advice. Do not under any circumstances go and play golf with your buddies unless they are all certified Pro’s. The worst lessons any beginning golfer can get are from their buddies. I am not saying they are not good golfers or they do not know what they are doing. I am saying, they do not know how to teach or observe.
The only thing your buddies are going to say is, “You picked your head up”. Well, maybe you didn’t pick your head up. A golf Pro is trained to observe your swing and adjust it for you.
So, my advice to you is to get a lesson. Most golf courses have a resident Pro and you can get a lesson for $50.00 to $100.00, you could also find a group lesson for around $25.00. A lot of new golfers, especially those that play sports, think they can teach themselves. Well, they are only kidding themselves. If you take that attitude you will be a lousy golfer and probably give up the game in a few weeks.
Get a Lesson!!! First, before you even buy your first golf club. Most Pro Shops that offer lessons will probably rent or loan a few clubs for a first lesson, just make a few phone calls.
