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GOLFING
TIPS
Below
you will find some guidance notes for various types of golf shots. At
the end of the list are some of the basic rules and types of play which
have been summarised. Try to remember the basic rules for each shot and
this should help you to achieve the best results.
Click
on the hyperlinks below to find the type of shot you need guidance on,
then click on INDEX to return to the top of the page.
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Golfing Tips from here:
Golfing Tips
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INDEX
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
The
Golf Swing Basic Set Up |
|
Aim
|
The
position of the club face.
|
Bottom
edge of the club needs to be pointing straight at target. Pick a spot
just in front of the ball to aim over.
|
|
Grip
|
Hand
position.
|
Left
hand first. Right hand second. Thumb sits left.
|
|
Posture
|
Position
of your body, spine angle and distance from ball.
|
Stand
up straight with the club parallel to the ground and tip forward from
the waist until the club touches the floor. This is now the distance to
stand from the ball and from the ground.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet
position.
|
Feet
position parallel. Shoulder width apart.
|
|
Body
Alignment
|
|
The
aim of shoulders, hips and toes parallel to the aim of the club face.
|
|
Ball
Position
|
The
position of the ball in relation to your feet.
|
7 to
SW in middle of feet every other club half a ball width closer to left
heel.
Woods - opposite inside left heel. |
|
Hints
|
Stand
behind the ball and pick a closer target on the floor aiming at the hole
a few inches in front of the ball and aim over it.
Always set up to the ball in the order
listed above.
Reach out low and long.
Keep tall and let the club sweep the ball
off the ground. try not to help the ball up. Let the clubs do all the
work for you. |
INDEX
|
Type of Shot
|
Tee
Shots & Woods
|
|
Aim
|
Normal
|
|
Grip
|
Normal
|
|
Posture
|
Normal exercise but you will
be taller and further away naturally because of the length of the club.
Try and feel your right shoulder is
behind your left, and your right shoulder lower than your left, and 5 to
10% more body weight on the right. Let your body be behind the ball. |
|
Stance
|
Normal
|
|
Body Alignment
|
Normal - maybe 5 degrees
slightly to the right.
|
|
Ball Position
|
Opposite inside leading heel..
|
|
Swing
|
Keep as tall and as still as
possible. Let the club do the work and reach out down the line to the
target. Finish with high hands close to the left ear.
Sweeping through on the up-swing is the
key.
Avoid flicking, stabbing and lifting. |
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Putting |
|
Merit Award Level
|
General
|
|
Aim
|
Ensure the lines on the putter
are pointing through the middle of the ball and straight at the hole
with the head of the putter flat on the ground.
Then ensure that the putter travels over
that spot all the way through the swing. This keeps the ball rolling
straight into the hole.
|
|
Grip
|
Normal
|
|
Posture
|
Keep shoulders over toes and
stand around a hands width from the ball.
|
|
Stance
|
Keep feet close together. Keep
a nice compact set up.
|
|
Ball Position
|
between the middle and left
foot.
|
|
Swing
|
The swing is like a pendulum.
The same distance back and the same
distance through.
2 mph back and 2 mph through and the ball
will travel 1 foot for every 1 inch of swing.
Keep it smooth and keep it the same each
way. |
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Greenside
Bunkers |
|
|
This shot is mainly used for
getting over an obstacle such as a bunker, a hill, a ditch or stream, area
of rough, etc.
|
|
Club Choice
|
A sand wedge.
|
|
Aim
|
Club head straight to target.
Open club head for higher lift.
|
|
Grip
|
Slightly down on the club.
|
|
Posture
|
Closer to the ball with an extra
5% of weight on leading foot.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet slightly closer together
and wiggle them 2 inches into the sand for grip.
Open stance to allow aim of club to target.
|
|
Body Alignment
|
Parallel to stance not club
face.
|
|
Ball Position
|
Middle to left foot.
|
|
Swing
|
Similar to a pitching swing.
Purely half an ordinary swing . Keep the club accelerating through to
complete your follow through. Always pushing the ball forward. Think of
brushing the ground or brushing a tee away.
Avoid digging, flicking, stabbing, lifting
and quitting. Again let the club do the work for you.
|
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Fairway
Bunkers |
|
Club Choice
|
Whatever the lip of the bunker
allows you.
|
|
Aim
|
Normal
|
|
Grip
|
Lower down the club.
|
|
Posture
|
As tall as possible.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet slightly closer together.
|
|
Weight Position
|
50/50
|
|
Ball Position
|
Middle to left foot.
|
|
Hand Position
|
Opposite the ball.
|
|
Swing
|
Always look on top of the ball
for this shot.
Keep as tall as possible all the way
through the shot. Avoid following through with legs and feet. try to hit
using just hands and arms. A full swing is fine. You are trying not to hit
the ground but just skim the ball on the flat swing. |
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Pitching |
|
|
This shot is mainly used for
getting over an obstacle such as a bunker, a hill, a ditch or stream, area
of rough, etc.
|
|
Club Choice
|
Usually a 9 Iron, pitching or
sand wedge.
|
|
Aim
|
Club head straight to target.
|
|
Grip
|
Grip down the club.
|
|
Posture
|
Closer to the ball with an extra
5% of weight on leading foot.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet slightly together by 50%.
|
|
Body Alignment
|
Parallel to target line.
|
|
Ball Position
|
Remain normal, middle of stance.
|
|
Swing
|
Purely half an ordinary swing.
There is nothing special with this shot. Keep the club accelerating
through to complete your follow through. Always pushing the ball forward.
Think of brushing the ground or brushing a tee away.
Avoid digging, flicking, stabbing, lifting
and quitting. Again let the club do the work for you.
The percentage of bounce and roll is the
same as for chipping.
|
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Chipping |
|
|
Used when just off the green or
when there is flat ground between you and the hole. The ball is hit low
with a long roll, 0 to 45 yards.
|
|
Club Choice
|
Usually a 5, 7 or 9 Iron.
|
|
Aim
|
Club head straight to target.
|
|
Grip
|
Grip down the club.
|
|
Posture
|
Closer to the ball with an extra
5% of weight on leading foot.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet slightly closer together by
50%.
|
|
Body Alignment
|
Parallel to target line.
|
|
Ball Position
|
Normal. Middle of stance.
|
|
Swing
|
Try to keep back-swing and
follow-through same distance and just push the club back and through
brushing the ball into the air.
Avoid, flicking, stabbing and
lifting.
Percentage of bounce and roll for short
game.
Because of loft of club the ball will fly a certain distance and roll a
certain distance. These are a rough guide to the percentages:-
5 Iron 20%
bounce 80% roll
6 Iron 30% bounce 70% roll
7 Iron 40% bounce 40% roll
8 Iron 50% bounce 50% roll
9 iron 60% bounce 40% roll
PW 70% bounce 30% roll
SW 80% bounce 20% roll
|
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Rough
Shots |
|
Aim
|
Normal
|
|
Grip
|
Lower down the club.
|
|
Posture
|
Closer to the ball.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet closer together.
|
|
Weight Position
|
Keep weight 55% on left foot.
|
|
Ball Position
|
Opposite middle to right foot.
|
|
Hand Position
|
Opposite middle to left foot.
|
|
Club Choice
|
Heavy Rough
(3
ins+ / 75 mm +) SW/PW
Medium Rough (1½ins
/ 37mm) 7 or
8 Iron
Light Rough
(1 in / 25 mm)
6 Iron or 5 Wood
|
|
Swing
|
Always focus on
the bottom back of the ball i.e. as if there was a ball marker behind
the ball.
3/4 to full
swing, trying to create a steep swing angle, and then a big punch to the
back of the ball only following through a foot or so.
Ensure you keep weight on the left foot
al, the way through the entire swing or you will hit too much behind the
ball. |
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Fairway
Woods |
|
Aim
|
Normal
|
|
Grip
|
Normal
|
|
Posture
|
Normal exercise.
|
|
Stance
|
Normal
|
|
Body Alignment
|
Normal
|
|
Ball Position
|
Middle to left
|
|
Hand Position
|
Opposite the ball -
always look on top of the ball for this shot.
|
|
Club Choice
|
3 Wood / 5 Wood / 7
Wood - whatever the lip of the bunker allows you.
|
|
Swing
|
Keep as tall as possible all the
way through the shot. Avoid trying to help the ball up and flicking. You
are trying not to hit the ground but just skim the ball on the flat
swing.
|
INDEX
|
Type
of Shot |
Playing
the ball low with distance
(into wind &
under tree branches)
|
|
Aim
|
Normal
|
|
Grip
|
Lower down the club.
|
|
Posture
|
Closer to the ball.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet closer together.
|
|
Weight position
|
Keep weight 55% on the left foot.
|
|
Ball Position
|
In between middle and left foot.
|
|
Hand Position
|
In front of ball.
|
|
Club Choice
|
Into wind - 2 to 4 clubs more
than you would normally.
Under branches - enough loft to keep the
ball under - normally a 5 Iron |
|
Swing
|
Always focus on the bottom back
of the ball. As much back swing as you are able and then a hard punch
down, and through. Follow through only to about waist height.
|
INDEX
|
Type
of shot
|
Putting
- Sloping lies
|
|
General
|
For every 10 degrees of slope
hit 1 inch (25 mm) more if uphill
or 1 inch (25 mm) less if down hill.
Roughly - for every 10 degrees of slope
from right to left aim 1 inch (25 mm) to the right.
Roughly - for every 10 degrees of slope
from left to right aim 1 inch (25 mm) to the left. |
|
Uphill
|
Remember the ball will turn up
the slope and then will stay rolling straight on that angle.
|
|
Downhill
|
Remember the ball will roll straight
at first and then bend down the hill towards the hole.
|
INDEX
|
Type of Shot |
Plugged Lies
(Rough
and Bunker ) |
|
Aim
|
Normal
|
|
Grip
|
Lower down the club.
|
|
Posture
|
Closer to the ball.
|
|
Stance
|
Feet closer together.
|
|
Weight Position
|
Keep weight 55% on left foot.
|
|
Ball Position
|
Opposite middle to right foot.
|
|
Hand Position
|
Opposite middle to left foot.
|
|
Club Choice
|
Sand Wedge.
|
|
Swing
|
Always focus on
the bottom back of the ball, i.e. as if there was a ball marker behind the
ball.
3/4 to full swing,
trying to create a steep swing angle, and then a big punch about 1/2 inch
(12 mm) behind the ball only following through a foot or so.
Ensure you keep weight on the left foot all
the way through the entire swing or you will hit too much behind the ball. |
INDEX
|
Type of Shot
|
Types
of Lies
|
|
|
|
Lie
|
Uphill
|
Down Hill
|
Ball Below
Feet
|
Ball Above
Feet
|
|
Ball Turns
|
Right to Left
|
Left to Right
|
Left to Right
|
Right to Left
|
|
Aim
|
Right
|
Left
|
Left
|
Right
|
|
Grip
|
Normal
|
Normal
|
At Top
|
Lower
|
|
Posture
|
Normal
but Perpendicular to Slope
|
Normal - Get
Down to Ball
|
Stand Tall
|
|
Stance
|
Normal
but Weight on
Lower Foot
|
Normal but weight will be
on Toes |
Normal but
weight will be on Heels
|
|
Body
Alignment
|
Always
Parallel to Aim of Club Face
|
|
Ball
Position
|
Towards
Higher Foot
|
Normal
for that Club
|
|
Swing
|
Avoid
Follow-through with Legs
|
Swing
with just Hands & Arms
|
|
Club Choice
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ball goes higher
so:
|
More
|
|
|
|
|
Ball goes lower
so:
|
|
Less
|
|
|
|
Ball is on flat ground
so:
|
|
|
Normal
|
INDEX
|
Game Knowledge |
Types
of Play |
|
Foursomes
|
Team game - two players play
alternate shots and alternate tee shots.
|
|
Greensomes
|
Team game - Two players tee off.
Choose the best drive then play alternate shots.
|
|
Better
Ball
|
Team game - 2, 3 or 4 players -
All players play the hole and you only record the best net score.
|
|
Matchplay
|
Singles game - Best nett score
per hole, playing for each hole. Winner is when there are not enough holes
left to win by more than you are losing.
|
|
Medal Play or Stroke Play
|
Singles game - Add up the scores
- take away the handicap at the end and the best nett score wins.
|
INDEX
|
Game Knowledge
|
Swing
Paths & Shot Making
|
|
Wherever
the ball starts is determined by the swing path.
Out to In -
Starts
Left
In to Out - Starts Right
Wherever
the ball finishes is determined by where the club face was pointing at
impact.
|
|
OPEN
= Clubface
pointing right in relation to target
CLOSED = Clubface pointing left in relation to target
SQUARE = Pointing straight in relation to target |
|
Ball starts Left |
Ball starts
Right |
|
|
Out To In
|
In to Out
|
Club face in
relation to ...
|
|
FADE
|
-
|
Square to
target
|
|
-
|
DRAW
|
Square to
target
|
|
SLICE
|
-
|
Open to target
|
|
-
|
HOOK
|
Closed to
target
|
|
PULL
|
-
|
Square to that
swing path
|
|
-
|
PUSH
|
Square to that
swing path
|
|
PULL HOOK
|
-
|
Closed to that
swing path
|
|
-
|
PUSH SLICE
|
Closed to that
swing path
|
|
FADE |
-
LEFT TO CENTRE |
|
DRAW |
-
RIGHT TO CENTRE |
|
SLICE |
-
LEFT TO RIGHT |
|
HOOK |
-
RIGHT TO LEFT |
|
PULL |
-
STRAIGHT LEFT |
|
PUSH |
-
STRAIGHT RIGHT |
|
PULL
HOOK |
-
LEFT TO FURTHER LEFT |
|
PUSH
SLICE |
-
RIGHT TO FURTHER RIGHT |
INDEX
|
Game
Knowledge |
RULES
& ETIQUETTE |
|
Out
of Bounds & Lost Ball |
Player
must go back to last place the ball was hit. |
Penalty
1 Shot |
|
Unplayable
Ball |
Drop
ball within 2 club lengths - no nearer the hole
or
Keep
the ball in line with the obstacle and the flag and walk back as far as
you want.
or
Go
back to last place ball was hit. |
Penalty
1 Shot Any choice |
|
Moveable
Obstruction |
Move
obstruction. Play the shot and replace the obstruction. (eg. bins,
signs, benches, etc). |
No
Penalty |
|
Immoveable
Obstruction |
Free
drop 1 club length from the nearest point of relief - no nearer the
hole. (e.g. fences, benches, tractors, etc). |
No
Penalty |
|
General
Obstruction & Ground Under Repair |
Free
drop 1 club length from the nearest point of relief no nearer the hole.
(e.g. sprinkler heads, winter greens, drains, white GUR areas). |
No
Penalty |
|
|
|
Hitting
Flag Whilst Putting |
Penalty
2 Shots |
|
Touching
Sand In Bunker Before Downswing |
Penalty
2 Shots |
|
Hitting
Someone Else's Ball Whilst Putting |
Penalty
2 Shots |
|
|
|
Lowest
Handicap Plays First
|
|
Furthest
From The Hole Plays 2nd Shot First |
|
Winner
of Previous Hole (after 1st hole) Plays First |
|
Flag
Must Be Out Whilst Putting |
|
Mark
Your Ball With A Coin If In Someone's Way |
|
Never
Walk Across Someone's Putting Line |
|
Always
Stand Either Opposite The Player or 10 Yards Behind |
INDEX
|