Golf for Beginners, Because We're Always Learning!: Recent Episodes

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Why does golf sometimes seem intimidating to newcomers - is it because of all the technical jargon and rules? Do beginners and most amateurs feel pressured when playing with others? Sometimes, a fresh perspective from someone who isn’t immersed in the sport can provide valuable, simple, and relatable advice. Here are a few beginner golf tips inspired by insights from non-golfers. I suggest that golfers who have been playing for many years read this as well as we sometimes forget that golf is supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing as well as a test of our skills! And, why not ask your friends, the ones who don't play golf, why they haven't picked up the sticks? You might just uncover ideas that can change your mind about the sport.

1. Keep It FunWhen you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get bogged down by technique and trying to hit perfect shots. Non-golfers often remind us to keep things fun and not take the game too seriously. Approach your practice sessions and rounds with a sense of humor and enjoyment. Remember, golf is as much about the experience as it is about the score.

2. Don’t Overthink ItOverthinking can be a big trap in golf. Non-golfers suggest adopting a more relaxed attitude. Instead of analyzing every aspect of your swing or strategy, try to stay loose and just enjoy the flow of the game. Sometimes, simplicity can lead to better results.

3. Dress ComfortablyNon-golfers might not know the latest trends in golf fashion, but they do know that comfort is key. Make sure your clothing is not only appropriate for the course but also comfortable and allows you to move freely. If you’re comfortable, you’re more likely to play well.

4. Take BreaksMany non-golfers stress the importance of taking breaks, especially during activities that require focus and patience, like golf. Don’t be afraid to step back, take a breather, and relax between holes or after a tough shot. This can help reset your mind and keep you from getting too frustrated.

5. Enjoy the OutdoorsGolf courses are often set in beautiful locations, and non-golfers might remind you to take in the scenery. Enjoy the fresh air, the green grass, and the overall environment. It’s not just about playing the game; it’s also about enjoying the time spent outdoors.

6. Be Patient with YourselfNon-golfers can be great at reminding us to be patient. Golf is a challenging sport that takes time to master. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re not hitting perfect shots right away. Improvement comes with time, practice, and patience.

7. Play with FriendsEven if they don’t play golf themselves, non-golfers might suggest that you make the game social. Playing with friends can make the experience more enjoyable and less intimidating. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with others and share laughs, even if your game isn’t perfect.

8. Try Different ClubsNon-golfers might suggest experimenting with different tools until you find what works best for you. In golf, that means trying different golf clubs to see which ones you’re most comfortable with. Don’t feel like you have to use every club in your bag—focus on the ones that feel right.

9. Start SmallNon-golfers might suggest that you don’t need to start with 18 holes or aim for a perfect round. Start small, perhaps with a shorter course or even just practicing your swing. Build up your confidence gradually.

10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for HelpNon-golfers often remind us that it’s okay not to know everything right away. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from more experienced players, watch tutorials, or read beginner guides. Everyone starts somewhere, and asking questions is a great way to learn.

READ: Advice for the Average Golfer

These tips from a non-golfer’s perspective can be incredibly refreshing for beginners. They remind us that golf, while complex, is still a game meant to be enjoyed. Keep these in mind as you start your golfing journey, and you might find yourself falling in love with the game even more.

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In morning mist and golden light,On rolling greens, we chase our flight.
Golf, a game of joy and pain,
Where struggle and success meet again.The ball might drift, the putt might miss,
Frustration’s sting is hard to dismiss.
Yet every swing, though far from pure,
Holds the promise of a win, a cure.

We seek the perfect arc, the flawless drive,
In every round, we long to thrive.
With each lost shot, frustration may grow,
Lessons you may learn, and skill you may show.

Fairways wide and bunkers deep,
Test patience as the moments creep.
But oh, the joy of a well-placed shot,
The thrill of the hole-in-one we sought.

Golf mastery is a skill of heart and mind,
Where practice meets with courage kind.
Refine your grip, perfect your stance,
In every game, give finesse a chance.

Revel in the game’s sweet flow,
Where highs and lows together grow.
For in the struggle, and the joy we find,
The essence of the sport entwined.

So, golfers brave, embrace the chase,
For every round brings us a grace.
Through ups and downs, through joy and strife,
Golf mirrors the journey of our life.

Read our holiday poem: Christmas Golf Poem Scores a Hole-In-One

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Golf enthusiasts, it’s been a thrilling week on the on the fairways and greens! From historic tournaments to rising stars current mega-status golfers, the world of golf has been buzzing with excitement. Here’s a round-up of some of the golf stories making the internet buzz, packed with insights and key moments that had fans glued to their screens.

1. Tour Championship 2024: Scottie Scheffler's DominationScottie Scheffler has been the talk of the town at East Lake Golf Club, leading the Tour Championship with a commanding performance. He started strong with a 6-under 65, placing him seven shots ahead, making him a favorite to take the FedExCup. Fans are eagerly watching to see if any dark horses, like Justin Thomas or Viktor Hovland, can close the gap or if Xander Schauffele will surge ahead. Read more​: Tour Championship news

2. AIG Women's Open 2024: Players to WatchThe AIG Women’s Open is underway at St. Andrews, and all eyes are on Jin Young Ko, Nelly Korda, and Lydia Ko. Each player is bringing their unique strengths to the course, making this tournament one of the most competitive in recent memory. Special attention is also on the legendary Karrie Webb as she makes a rare appearance.Read more​ Golfshake.com

3. Tiger Woods' 2024 Comeback: Will He Play in the Majors?Tiger Woods remains a perennial favorite in golf discussions. Despite his injuries, fans are hopeful for his return to the major championships in 2024. Woods has hinted at playing once a month on the PGA Tour, sparking excitement about his potential appearances at major events.Read more​ National Club Golfer Tiger has returned again - here is one of his previous moments: Golf for Beginners: Ready or Not, Here Comes Tiger Woods...Again!

4. LIV Golf's Ongoing Ranking StruggleLIV Golf continues to battle for Official World Golf Ranking points, with their latest application being rejected. The implications are huge for the players involved, as their rankings continue to slide. This ongoing saga remains a hot topic among fans and analysts alike.Read more​ in above link.

5. 2025 PGA Tour Schedule RevealedWhile the 2024 season is still in full swing, the PGA Tour has already unveiled its schedule for 2025. With new Signature Events and playoffs, fans are looking forward to an even more thrilling season next year.Read more​ Sports Illustrated 2025 PGA Tour Schedule-Dates, Winners, Purses

Final Thoughts

This week in golf has shown us that the sport is as dynamic and unpredictable as ever. Whether you're a Tiger Woods fan or following the latest developments in the Tour Championship, there’s plenty to keep you engaged this Labor Day weekend!

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Hey, golf enthusiasts! 🎩⛳️ Ready to take your game from mediocre to magnificent? It’s time to harness the power of positive self-talk. This mental strategy is more than just a feel-good practice—it’s a game-changer for lowering your scores and enhancing your overall golfing experience. Let’s tee up the benefits of positive self-talk and how it can transform your game.

Why Positive Self-Talk is Essential for Your Golf Game1. Eliminate Negative Golf Mindset 🗣️💥
Negative self-talk, like cursing after a bad shot, or saying, "oh no, this is the same hole where my ball once went into the water", creates a golf mindset that undermines your performance. Instead of thinking about what happened in the past or throwing a mind-blowing temper tantrum, positive self-talk fosters a growth mindset, helping you stay focused and resilient. 2. Boost Confidence and Lower Golf Scores 🚀
Confidence is key to success in golf. Positive affirmations such as “I’ve got this” or “I’m in control” enhance your self-belief, which can translate into better swings and lower golf scores. Being objective and present also helps focus your attention. 3. Enhance Focus and Improve Your Golf Performance 🎯
Positive self-talk sharpens your mental focus, essential for executing precise shots. Visualizing successful shots and affirming your skills helps you stay mentally sharp on the course. 4. Reduce Golfing Stress and Anxiety 😌
Stress can ruin your game. Using positive self-talk to manage stress and anxiety improves your overall experience, leading to more relaxed and enjoyable rounds of golf. 5. Build Resilience and Bounce Back from Mistakes 💪
Golf is full of ups and downs. Positive self-talk helps you recover from mistakes and stay motivated, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for growth.

Golf Self-Talk in Action: Horvat & Shiels’ Stroke Play MasteryWant to see positive self-talk in action? Check out the Grant Horvat - Rick Shiels stroke play YouTube video. These two YouTube golfers not only showcase their exceptional golf skills but also demonstrate how positive self-talk can keep your game on track. They handle the highs and lows of golf with a smile, focus and encouraging words.

How to Incorporate Positive Self-Talk into Your Golf Routine1. Develop a Personal Golf Mantra 🗣️
Create a mantra that resonates with you. Phrases like “I’m a great putter” or “This drive is going straight” can boost your confidence and performance. 2. Practice Golf Self-Talk Off the Course
Build the habit of positive self-talk in your daily life. If you can’t be your own hype person outside of golf, it will be harder to do it on the course. 3. Visualize and Affirm Success 🌟
Before each shot, visualize a successful outcome and affirm it with positive self-talk. This mental rehearsal helps reinforce confidence and improve execution. 4. Be Consistent with Positive Self-Talk ⏱️
Just like physical practice, mental practice is crucial. Make positive self-talk a consistent part of your golf routine to see lasting improvements. 5. Celebrate Every Win 🎉
Acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement after good shots helps build a winning mindset.

Final ThoughtsHarnessing the power of positive self-talk is a proven method for enhancing your golf game. It helps eliminate negativity, boosts confidence, improves focus, reduces stress, and builds resilience. So next time you’re on the course, embrace positivity, and watch as your game transforms from average to exceptional.

Ready to take your game to the next level? Start integrating positive self-talk into your practice, and see the difference it makes. Happy golfing, and may your drives be long and your putts be true! 🏌️‍♂️✨

Share your favorite positive self-talk strategies and mantras in the comments below!

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I asked Chat GPT for tips to improve putting. Since AI isthe future of the internet, maybe it can also help my golf game! Here is theresponse. Do you agree and would you add anything to these putting tips?

Written by Chat GPT

Putting is often considered the most crucial aspect of golf.It’s where the game is won or lost, and improving your putting can drasticallylower your scores. Here are some key putting tips and techniques to help you become amore confident and consistent putter.1. Focus on the Fundamentals

• Grip: Your grip should be light but firm enough to maintain control. Experiment with different grips (such as the conventional, cross-handed, or claw grip) to find what feels most comfortable and provides the best control for you.
• Stance and Alignment: Your stance should be balanced and comfortable. Position your eyes directly over the ball or slightly inside the line. Use alignment aids on the putter or practice with a chalk line to ensure your shoulders, hips, and feet are parallel to the target line.
• Ball Position: Place the ball slightly forward in your stance. This helps in achieving a slight upward strike, promoting a good roll.

2. Master Your Stroke

• Pendulum Motion: Imagine your arms and shoulders forming a pendulum, with your shoulders controlling the stroke. This motion helps to keep the putter on a consistent path and ensures a smooth, controlled strike.
• Maintain a Square Face: It’s crucial to keep the putter face square throughout the stroke. Practice with alignment rods or a putting mirror to ensure that your putter face stays square to the target line.
• Distance Control: Practice different length strokes to gauge how far the ball rolls. The key to good distance control is consistent rhythm and tempo, not necessarily the speed of your stroke.

3. Reading Greens

• Study the Slope: Before making your putt, walk around the hole to get a feel for the slope. Observe how water would flow across the green; this can help you understand how the ball will break.
• Visualize the Path: Imagine the ball’s journey from the putter to the hole, including the break. Some golfers find it helpful to pick an intermediate target, like a spot on the green that the ball needs to roll over to stay on line.
• Practice the Process: Spend time on the practice green, not just hitting putts but practicing reading greens. Set up drills where you have to read the break and hit putts to a certain spot.

4. Practice with Purpose

• Short Putts: Focus on mastering putts within six feet. These are the most common putts and can be a game-changer. Use drills like the "clock drill" where you set up balls around the hole at different angles and distances, and practice making each one.
• Lag Putting: For longer putts, work on your lag putting to ensure you leave yourself with easy tap-ins. Practice hitting putts to specific zones on the green rather than always trying to make the putt.
• Pressure Situations: Simulate the pressure of real rounds by setting up drills that require you to make a certain number of putts in a row before moving on. This helps build confidence under pressure.

5. Mental Approach

• Stay Positive: Putting can be frustrating, but maintaining a positive attitude is essential. Focus on the process rather than the result and trust your stroke.
• Routine is Key: Develop a pre-putt routine that you follow every time. This routine will help you stay focused and calm, especially under pressure.
• Visualization and Confidence: Before each putt, visualize the ball going into the hole. Positive imagery can enhance your confidence and increase the likelihood of making the putt.

6. Use Technology and Tools

• Putting Aids: Consider using tools like putting mirrors, alignment sticks, or even apps that analyze your stroke. These can provide valuable feedback and help you identify areas for improvement.
• Putter Fitting: Ensure your putter is suited to your stroke. A putter that fits your height, stroke type, and personal preferences can make a significant difference in your putting performance.

7. Continuous Improvement

• Keep Learning: Watch professional golfers and analyze their putting techniques. Pay attention to their routines, how they read greens, and their overall approach.
• Take Lessons: If you’re struggling with a particular aspect of your putting, consider taking a lesson with a golf professional. A fresh set of eyes can identify issues you might not be aware of.

Conclusion

Improving your putting is about more than justtechnique; it’s about confidence, consistency, and practice. By focusing onthese key areas and dedicating time to practice, you’ll find yourself sinkingmore putts and lowering your scores. Remember, the best golfers are the oneswho put in the work on the greens!Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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There was a time in the annals golf history when every fan and media outlet jokingly referred to Phil Mickelson as one of the only top tour players to never have won a major. Lefty has now come full circle and added a title that is one for the record books that may stand for quite some time - the "OLDEST golfer to have won a major" with his victory at the 2021 PGA Championship in my home state of South Carolina.Mickelson's first major championship win at The Masters 2004 came during his thirteenth year on the PGA Tour and, although he won PGA tournaments like the 1996 Byron Nelson Golf Classic, his eyes were on the elite of championships which has confounded him. Phil's last major win came at the Muirfield 2013 Open and time seems to have stopped since then while Lefty battled with physical maladies.

The one major tournament which has eluded Mickelson's grasp to date is the U.S. Open. With 29 appearances, the heartbreak is painful for Phil who considered not playing in the 2021 U.S. Open but finally giving it one more college try by recently accepting a special exemption to the event.

“Winning the U.S. Open has been a lifelong and elusive dream, and I’ve come close so many times,” Mickelson said. “You can’t win if you don’t play. I’m honored and appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity and look forward to playing in my hometown on a golf course I grew up on.”

Perhaps Mickelson has found his groove with a combination of diet and exercise changes designed to enhance his mental and physical prowess.

This week, it appears that the former "fun" Phil Mickelson who took wild and crazy chances had been replaced by a safe and strategy-oriented golfer...and the results proved themselves as Lefty wound up lifting the Wanamaker trophy.

As the next chapter of Mickelson's career gains momentum from a rockstar win at the 2021 PGA Championship, Golf for Beginners looks forward to reporting a win for Mickelson at his hometown golf course at the U.S. Open.

Photo: Wikipedia

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Almost every golf fan caught at least a glimpse of The Masters this past week and many of us had favorable weather where we could go out and imagine ourselves at Augusta National, fist-pumping as we rolled in birdie putts.Mike Bender, top-five-ranked PGA teaching professional and director of instruction at The Mike Bender Golf Academy at Magnolia Plantation Golf Club (and Zach Johnson's instructor as well as many other greats of the game) was inside-the-ropes this week at the first major tournament of the year.

Bender sat down for a Q and A Zoom video with V1 Sports’ Mandy Von See, host of “Tuesday Traces".

Golf for Beginners took a few snippets from the conversation that related to the way the average golfer can improve his or her game. We hope that you take away some lessons for the golf season!

Golf Questions and Answers with Mike BenderHow do you coach your players to deal with the nerves on the opening shot?I will tell you a funny story. Back in the day, I remember Zach Johnson playing in (The Memorial Tournament) at Muirfield Village and tee times came out and he said he called his wife and he said, "Guess who we're playing with?" and she said "Tiger Woods?" He says, "No, bigger than that." After this long silence, she suddenly realizes it's Jack Nicklaus. Zach was paired with Jack Nicklaus at his own tournament, and they had like a 12 o'clock tee time with 10,000 people around the first tee. So anyway, I called Zach on Thursday night and asked, "How was that opening tee shot?" He said he was so nervous he couldn't swallow a BB. He said, "Well, I knew I couldn't pass. I had to play, so I visualized great shots I've had in the past, and I ran my routine." I striped it right down the middle. Everybody gets nervous but the players, you know, stick to the routine and they're OK. They've hit so many great shots under pressure and so forth and they're off to a great start."What is the key to hitting irons consistently?Everything comes down to the proper delivery of the club into the ball. You could say anybody who's very consistent in golf is delivering the club the same way into the ball. Being able to hit down on your shots and compress the ball - which helps to stabilize the clubface - and controlling that clubface is another key component to hitting good iron shots. I try to make sure people come in on the correct plane because that helps them produce more lag. Lag helps to get your hands more forward. That, in turn, helps you get down on the ball, so it's kind of a domino effect. I definitely want to hit down on the ball and control the clubface.Read: How Much Does It Cost to Attend The Masters?What one drill would you do to get a consistent downswing?I look at things like one domino falling against the other and they run down the list. So many times, I see people with so much tension in their shoulders and their forearms and they start their downswing more with their upper body, and they start rotating a little early and that's where they can shift the plane and come in and have all kinds of different release habits. If that's the case, I have the drills I get people to do. We work on trying to accelerate and be more relaxed in their arms and get their hands moving toward the golf ball. We do a lot of things when we do a fold-up drill with an impact bag up against the wall that helps get people to do that. We have a handful of drills that we do to work on that particular aspect of the swing because it is such a big deal.Where do you prefer to see a golfer’s weight in the putting stroke?I like players that have more weight on their left side (for right-hand golfers). Primarily, it's so there isn't any transfer of weight during the stroke. Favoring the left side and keeping the weight, consistent, you can minimize any lower body motion and you can have a little bit more of a pure stroke with your shoulders, as opposed to having any kind of movement in the lower body.Although Tiger Woods was noticeably invisible from this year's Masters, this was, as always, a terrific tournament as only Augusta National can offer. Congratulations to Hideki Matsuyama for his brilliant performance!Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like our Facebook page!Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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A certain level of etiquette is expected when playing a sport like golf. But with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at play, an added layer of manners is required. Here’s how you can keep yourself safe and respect the safety of others while playing golf during the pandemic.

Show up early. Generally, golfers will arrive 15 minutes before their tee-time. But with the coronavirus, each course has its own safety requirements. Depending on wh/ere you’re planning to play, you could be subject to a brief COVID-19 questionnaire or need to have your temperature taken before you hit the green. Arrive 20-30 minutes before your tee time to ensure you don’t delay your game or those scheduled to start after you. READ: Is Golf Becoming an Impolite Game?Pay attention to your surroundings. It’s one thing to take your time practicing when the place is empty. But if you notice the course you’re golfing on appears to be crowded, limit yourself to two or three practice balls. As you’re moving throughout the clubhouse and golf course, maintain a distance of six feet from other golfers. Not only are you protecting yourself, but you’re respecting the boundaries of others, allowing everyone to enjoy their day on the links.

Avoid crowding on the course. Under normal circumstances, golf can be a fairly social game. With the threat of the coronavirus, socializing with others in a crowd isn’t a good idea. Maintain a distance of six feet from others outside of your golfing party. Walk around other groups if you need to pass them. And when it comes to using golf carts, limit yourself to one rider per car whenever possible. Most courses are mandating this policy unless you’re golfing with someone from your household.

Respect the course. The rules and safety restrictions at the golf course will vary depending on where you golf. Regardless of whether you’re playing at the golf resort in Pinehurst or somewhere in Monterey, it’s essential to follow the rules imposed by the location. Those rules exist to keep guests and the staff safe. Before you arrive, make sure you’re aware of that club’s COVID-19 guidelines as well as the guidelines in that county if you’re traveling out of state. Ultimately, doing your part and following said rules will help stop the spread of the coronavirus so that life can one day go back to normal.

Get creative with your golf tradition. Typically, when a round of golf concludes, a ceremonial handshake occurs. In COVID-19 times, golfers have had to get creative with how they wrap up their game. Instead of shaking hands and risk transmitting the coronavirus, tap putters or do an air five. Any way you choose to celebrate the conclusion of your time on the course will work — as long as it doesn’t require physical touch.

Stay home if you’re sick. Most importantly, if you don’t feel well, reschedule your tee time until you’ve confirmed you aren’t ill or cancel it. You should also do the same if you’ve been in contact with someone who has the virus or has been exposed. Golf courses will always be around, and if you have to reschedule to prevent spreading the virus, it’s worth it!

Golf is one of the few sports people have been able to enjoy during these unprecedented times. To keep that option available, follow these etiquette tips! Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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Amy Olson is still chasing her first major accolade since turning pro in 2013, but the grit she put on display amid difficult circumstances, including a heartbreaking loss, really is the stuff of champions and there’s little doubting how bright the future could be.

The 28-year-old tied for second place in the recently culminated U.S. Women’s Open, coming in behind A Lim Kim. But it hardly felt like a loss considering the dire circumstances. One might have been fooled into thinking she’d come out on top after she sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole of the final round, given her reaction.

Amy pumped her fists into the air before removing her ball from the cup and looking to the sky. The tears streamed down her face as she found another moment to mourn the loss of her father-in-law at the end of what was a very challenging journey. Two days before, she had been informed that her husband’s father, Lee Olson, had passed away unexpectedly. Many questioned whether she would be able to continue the tournament but, continue she did, although she would have been forgiven for calling it quits and packing up.

The North Dakota native finished 2 under, one stroke back from Kim.

"Coming out this morning, I had no idea what to expect," she told reporters after her round. "I felt very weak and helpless for the last couple of days. ... I really believe the Lord just carried me through. It makes you realize how much bigger life is than golf."

Olson said the words of the song “You Raise Me Up” played through her mind with every swing.

Having shot an even-par 71 two days prior, she went into the final round a single stroke ahead of Hinako Shibuno. The weather in Houston made it difficult for all of the participants, with muddy conditions presenting a struggle to find pars. Olson, though, fought through it. And, despite making two bogeys in her first six holes to drop down the leaderboard, she didn’t waver. The mud balls made it so that every single shot was a painstaking affair yet, by the end of the day, she was still in contention for a first LPGA Tour win.

As muddy as the balls were, as frustrating as the strokes became as a result, Olson found out that they were all minor as she would receive some terrible news in the wake. When she showed up with her caddie the following day, news of the passing of her father-in-law was already rife around the course, with people harboring doubts over whether she would still be able to compete. Heavy rain caused play to be suspended, seeing to the first U.S. Women’s Open finish due to the weatherin nine years.

The weather could continue to pose difficulty for the upcoming tournaments, with the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions set for next month. Sportsbookreview will have you covered in terms of golf updates should things change on that front.

Questions over Amy's participation continued to swirl and the speculation intensified after her husband was reported to have returned home.

Amy and Grant Olson tied the knot in North Dakota in 2017 after meeting in college at North Dakota State. Both of them remain the most decorated athletes in uni’s history. Grant is now a linebacker coach at his alma mater.

The former football player went to Houston to support his wife but was forced to leave her after the news of his dad’s passing - his mother and brother needed him a lot more. Amy said she had a “special relationship” with Lee, who had a “particular soft spot for the women in his life, particularly his wife and daughter in law.”

Fighting through the indescribable struggle one goes through after losing a loved one, Amy showed up again on Monday to tee off, showing remarkable resilience in her 18 holes. After three bogeys in four holes, Amy hit back-to-back birdies that helped her lead all chasers for hours. A bogey on the 16th hole set her back, however.

When she dropped that putt in the 18th hole, the ordeal was over and it showed. In spite of her loss, she must have been relieved to put the tourney behind her after digging deep and giving everything she had.

In those final hours, Amy showed the will and the spirit that only a precious few athletes could claim to call on in difficult times. She will probably look back on the competition as the most challenging of her career but it’s also one from which she learned a whole lot about herself.

"I knew I had to stay very mentally disciplined just to get through the day," she said afterward. "I allowed myself to think about what I'm grateful for, and I've got a long list.

It did appear that Amy was poised to win her first golf tournament but, following that last bogey and Kim’s birdies in the final three holes, the latter’s victory was all but sealed and made all the more impressive by the fact that this was her first major championship appearance.

Amy’s strong finish, though, was just as monumental.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons

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Golf for Beginners knows that there is no substitute for taking instructions from a professional golf instructor but, what happens when you want to hit a few but you're not taking a lesson?

Practicing on a driving range is good - proper practice is essential! No one wants to ingrain bad habits into the golf swing or into your round; they're so difficult to break! Instead, when you are alone with your golf clubs and no pro in sight, practice your lessons and keep these tips in mind:

1. Just because you are practicing on a range doesn't mean you shouldn't first warm up your body - stretching before you begin will help improve the fluidity of your swing and, chances are, you won't pull a ligament or tendon.

2. Get your tempo down before you start swinging - practice tempo either with a training aid or think "1, 2, 3" (like a waltz) to the top of your back swing and then again "1, 2, 3" to the finish. Also, try holding your position at the top for a sec before your downswing - this will slow you down and improve your rhythm.

3. Practice a comfortable hold on your grip - if you're holding on too tight it can cause a pull hook and callouses on your fingers. If you have problems with your grip pressure, there are grips that you don't play with but can help properly align your hands and fingers.

4. You're not John Daly so don't practice with a "grip it and rip it mentality"- there's no need to take a mighty swing every time. Instead, start your routine with quarter and half swings to improve ball contact. And, since golf is a target sport, pick the smallest specific target you're aiming at before you take your practice swing. Practice your visualization - how you look at a hole and the course.

5. Make sure you spend some time each session on the putting green - practice your putting stroke which is the beginning of your golf swing so you can see and hear the ball fall into the cup.

What practice tips can you share? Share on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on this golf blog.

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Golf for Beginners wishes all of our readers a Very, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year. In the spirit of the season, Stacy Solomon has written this poem, "Does Santa Claus Play Golf?" for your enjoyment.

A man and his sleigh ride quietly in the night,
Hoping toys are delivered before first light.
Why is it so important to finish his work tonight?
Because Santa Claus is catching an early flight.

An untold story is that Kris Kringle plays an outdoor sport,
Dusts off his clubs, heads for a resort.
Off to warm destination leaving family behind,
For a week of rest, rejuvenation and feet reclined.

He packs his sunglasses, aloha shirts and flip flops,Off go the red hat, red outfit and props.Santa is now ready to fly in disguise,He kisses his wife and says his goodbyes.

Next stop, warm weather, three courses to play,He hopes that his ho-ho-ho won't go away.The fairways are tight, the greens undulating and small,So Santa has practiced his best Villegas Spiderman crawl.

First off the tee and with a big swing,
His ball finds the fairway, his drive is amazing!
His GPS, received as gift from his wife,
Gets Santa out of trouble-this is indeed the good life.

Claus plays his first round making par,
He thinks he could be the next Myrtle Beach Big Break Star!
He heads to 19th hole with scorecard signed,
And proudly asks bartender to pour - he finished his grind.

Thinking forward to two more days of play,
Santa is happily sipping away.
Planning his strategy for his next two rounds,
Dreaming of sunshine and background surf sounds.

But what should awaken Santa from his mirth?
His alarm clock is ringing, he's brought back to earth.
Gone is the sun, sand, vacation and play,
It was just a dream, a moment away.

It's back to the drudge and starting work for next year,
Perhaps someone will give Santa a gift of good cheer.
Is it too much to ask for, a vacation, golf travel,
For the merry man who gifts toys for kids to unravel?

photo credit: TheSpiritofSanta.com

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President of MindRev™ Labs, Bill Beausay, has a lifetime of knowledge about the golf game. In this guest blog, Bill offers sound advice not just for golf beginners, but for anyone who takes themselves too seriously! Bill's bio can be found below. Enjoy...and feel free to share your comments.

My Best Beginners Advice: Laugh a Little! 😄Earlier this summer I was following a very entertaining foursome. There was an older guy showing his wife and a younger couple how to play golf. They were in carts and playing fast, but they clearly had very little idea what they were doing.

And they were really having fun: thoughtless, carefree, and lost-in-the-moment fun. They were laughing a lot and making fun noises - probably breaking unwritten golf club etiquette. And I really wanted to be with them.

Unfortunately, I was playing with three grumps; experienced players, really good players who had lost something important along the way. And sad to say, they are the role-model for too many more inexperienced players.

I’m a sports psychologist, trained to take things seriously and always seek sharper ways to get people’s psychology primed and working at peak. It’s great to work and I’ve had the profound pleasure of helping people at all levels of the game.

And, from my perspective, I think the game needs an injection of something bright and fresh and vital; something I saw in those new players.

Let me explain it like this:

Golf is like a casino for most beginners. Just like with a slot machine or a card game, you line up a shot, address the ball, swing the club and…..well, you really have no idea what you’re going to get. Sometimes you connect with the golf ball and get that rush of adrenaline that says “YES!” Other times, (most of the time) you get a “thud” or a clump of dirt or wild twist in your ball flight.

And you feel like crap.

And you get mad and stomp around and yell at yourself.

Then comes the irresistible lure of another pull on the slot machine, another chance on the blackjack table….and you’re hooked on golf for life. And the fun stops.

As a professional in the "head-game" of golf let me make a suggestion: don’t let this happen to you.

At my research outfit, MindRev™ Golf, we are running a trial on the technique we call “Neuro-Ecstatics.” What that means is that we believe anyone can control their mental chemistry (and thus your playing and your score) by practicing some very specific external behaviors when you screw up.

In particular, we are studying making yourself laugh…out loud….like REAL LOUD, on purpose when you mess up.

We refer to mental routines you do after a shot as a “post-shot-routine”. They are especially important to apply after a bad shot. I know it sounds weird but the feedback we’re getting from our test-players is that this post-shot routine releases something inside. It makes these players relax, clear their mind, and enjoy their game way more.

In short, it helps them have more fun. Which is why we play in the first place, right?

So laugh a little, just to do it, and love the game more!

BIO:

Bill Beausay is the President and Technical Director at MindRev™ Labs. He is the former Director of Research and Development at the Academy of Sports Psychology, a full-time inner-game trainer and researcher. If you have an interest in having more information on virtual training programs or to join one of MindRev™ Golf’s FREE research trials, visit www.mindrevgolf.com and checkout the “Research Portal” in the catalog of courses.

If you enjoyed this golf game advice, the editor suggests you read: How to Play Happy Golf (even when it rains on your Myrtle Beach vacation!)

Photo by Jopwell from Pexels

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The golf article presented on Golf for Beginners this week was written by Golf Digest Writer and PGA Teaching Professional, Ernie Boshers (bio below). Feel free to write your comments below and add if you regularly break 90 on the golf course and, if not, what you feel you might be doing to inhibit your progress. Enjoy the article!

This is one question or the same question with a different number, for most, if not all golfers.

This is both a mental thing and a physical thing. Let me explain. My experience with more than 80,000 golf lessons has demonstrated that anyone with average physical ability should be scoring in the ’90s or lower. The reasons most golfers do not actually accomplish their personal goal is actually quite simple.

Golfers hit balls and visually interpret the information from the shot. A very high percentage of the time the information they interpret is wrong. This wrong information causes the golfer to incorporate actions into the swing to correct this wrong information.

How can ANY problem be solved based on incorrect information?

This vicious cycle is repeated over and over every day on every driving range in the world.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS:

As you may have guessed, the physical actions that golfers develop from this cycle create a flawed golf swing. This flawed golf swing leads to a swing that has extra movements and actions that complicate the basic swing. Complicated swings are not as repeatable as simple swings. This is why most ranges are full of golfers wondering and scratching their heads why the shots don’t look the same, but it feels the same…or “why am I able to do this on the range, but the instant I go to the course, I look like a totally different golfer.”

Good teachers are able to educate their students on their specific steps to improve and they are able to coach them through the necessary changes to get better. It is rare for golfers to improve or reach certain quantifiable goals without the assistance of a good teacher. Physical changes are nearly impossible to accomplish without professional assistance. There is an old phrase in golf “feel is not real”. This is in reference to making a golf swing. In actuality, the swing takes place so quickly that the brain cannot process the emotion of "feel" in the milliseconds it would take to make any difference in the swing. Not to mention, our “feel” is based on some degree of our visual information – which we already know, is likely flawed.

With the modern camera technology that allows us to video our golf swing as easily as pulling out our phone, is both a good thing as well as a bad one. Anyone can look at a golf swing and identify a specific part that does not look like a professional. The dangerous part is, that part may not be the problem. That unusual image that a golfer sees, may be a symptom of a much bigger problem. A great way to understand this is a disease has symptoms and treating the symptoms does not cure the disease. It does provide temporary improvement. This is why many students only get slightly better after a series of lessons, but slowly revert to their previous behaviors and habits and the scores return to where they were prior to the lesson. If you are determined to work and fix your own swing without professional help… my advice is to focus on these steps:

1) Use the video images from the best players in the world on the LPGA and PGA Tour to capture the start and finish image that you are trying to emulate

2) Create a perfect set up – making note of the smallest of details such as the tilt of the upper body, where the grip end of the club is pointing, the bend (or lack of) of the knees, the tip of the body forward (or the lack of), straightness of the target arm and relaxation of the trailing arm. Notice everything… especially the overall athletic appearance.

3) Finish with a perfect pose with balance – again notice all the details of balance, complete weight shift onto the target leg, complete turn, the control of the club in the hands, and the frame that is maintained with the target elbow, forearm, and upper arm at the top of the finish position.

4) Start Perfect – End Perfect …These are the easiest parts of the golf swing to emulate because they are essentially a stagnant position and not moving. Moving parts are much more difficult to change and correct and should be left to the professionals.

READ: Golf Tips for Breaking 90

MENTAL ASPECT OF GOLF: The control of the mental aspect of golf is a key element to improvement. Positive feelings and attitudes are only small parts of the mind game that is played before, during, and after the round has ended. How we process our successes and failures can have lasting effects. Our ability to quiet the distractions (both current and past memories) have a direct impact on our ability to focus, concentrate, and perform.

My suggestion is that you listen to some of the great teachers of the game. Read their books. Listen to their wisdom. Don’t look for the magic pill. It does not exist. Learn the game, study the game but do not take what you read and start making physical changes to your swing. I have read and been privileged to know and even work with some of these legends. I have taken all of their wisdom and applied it to my teaching and into the next few sentences: “You don’t have eyes of in the back of your head… This is because we were not intended to look backward on what we have already done but, forward on what we must do. Golf is played one shot at a time.

After that shot, then you have the next one-shot until you finish the round. ‘Stay in the present!’ Each shot has a goal. Sometimes we meet that goal, other times we do not. We cannot let the last shot affect the next. The only time that we should let the past affect the future is when we take positive memories from the past and replay them in order to promote a positive occurrence in the present. It is ok to be angry over a failed shot, but you are only allowed to be angry for 5 seconds and you are still required to conduct yourself in a respectful and considerate manner to others.”

When being challenged to shoot that certain score or to beat one of your golfing buddies in a $2 Nassau, remember to focus on the present and play one shot at a time. We have all seen golfers self-destruct after a bad hole or even a single swing. This is usually because the golfer is reflecting on the previous swing and not in the present. Remember – one shot at a time. The next time you find yourself looking at the score, feeling the nerves or distracted. You need to focus on positive thoughts and stay in the present for the next shot. If your “90” demon still tells you that you can go bogey-bogey-bogey and shoot an 89, tell your demon that you are going to play "one shot at a time" and go par-birdie-par and shoot 85! Good Luck!

The Links Advisor, Ernie Boshers, PGA

Bio: Ernie Boshers, PGA, is a Teaching professional with more than 80,000 lessons to his credit. He has been published in GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest, and Golf Week and is recognized since 2002 as one of the best teachers of the game.

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It is an honor to support our heroes and to share the following press release about how to enter the 13th annual Patriot Golf Day Shootout.

Held at the magnificent Treetops Resort in Northern Michigan, the Patriot Golf Day Shootout pays tribute to fallen heroes of our magnificent country and raises funds for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a charity that provides scholarships to families of our fallen or wounded heroes.

Patriot Golf Day Shootout

Hosted by Treetops Resort

Friday, September 4th – Sunday, September 6th, 2020 – Labor Day Weekend

Treetops Resort is Celebrating the 13th annual Patriot Day Golf Shootout. The event raises funds for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a charity that provides scholarships to families of the fallen or wounded. In addition to great golf, Treetops will pay tribute to those who have served and are currently serving.

Since 2007, the Folds of Honor has provided educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, became painfully aware of the reality families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled.

Lt. Colonel Rooney decided he had to do something.

Not only would he pay tribute to American service-members and their families, he would live as a reminder among civilians that it is our duty to honor the sacrifices of those who preserve the freedoms we so easily take for granted. Lieutenant Colonel Rooney committed to spend his life-changing the future of America’s grieving spouses and children. In 2007, he formed the Folds of Honor Foundation; a 501C-3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to the families of these heroic Americans.

When asked about the storied golf event, General Manager Barry Owens commented how proud he is of this event, “Without the passion shared by our Assistant General Manager, Kevin McKinley this event would not stand as tall it does each year. Kevin became true friends with Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney after the fellow PGA Golf Professional told his story. Standing true to both Lt. Colonel Rooney’s and Kevin McKinley’s passion to honor the fallen and educate their legacy, this Treetops Resort event is a gift each year – we are proud to host this event each year with the intention of giving back to the many military families who serve our country.”

Read more about how Patriot Golf Day Benefits American Heroes

In addition, on September 2nd prior to the event Assistant General Manager Kevin McKinley, and Erik Meisner (retired Army Ranger from the 2nd Battalion) will play an 81 hole golf marathon to raise funds for the cause.

Patriot Golf Day Weekend is full of events including an individual golf event where golfers compete to honor or memorialize someone who has meant a lot to them and their affiliation with the military, as well as a partner event where teams compete for the coveted Brook Bucklin Cup.

How to Enter:Active / Retired Military - choose your financial commitment level:

• Raise $500 - for Entry Fee & 1 Lodging Room (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team sharing a room)
• Raise $750 for Entry Fee & 2 Lodging Rooms (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team NOT sharing a room)

Public / Non-Military - choose your financial commitment level:

• Raise $1,000 - for Entry Fee & 1 Lodging Room (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team sharing a room)
• Raise $1,250 for Entry Fee & 2 Lodging Rooms (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team NOT sharing a room)

This event has many valuable but moving parts, so any and all questions about how you can be a part of it should be directed to Kevin McKinley -kmckinley@treetops.com

About Treetops Resort

Known for its majestic rolling hills and natural valleys overlooking the Pigeon River Valley Fall is the perfect time to visit Treetops Resort with its spectacular views. The resort is home to Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s final design; the Masterpiece, and is the course that is largely acknowledged to be the architect’s crowning glory. The equally magnificent Premier course is the only course in Michigan designed by the famed Tom Fazio. The Signature course is rated a Top 100 Resort Golf Course. The Tradition course bears its name by the ‘traditional’ wooden pins and pennant flags paying homage to golf’s origin. Treetops Resort is home to North America’s #1 Par 3 Course – "Threetops".

READ: Why Businesses Should Sponsor Golf Tournaments and Events

Photo, American Flag: Tony Hathcock from FreeImages

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Golf is a dynamic sport that engages muscles throughout the body. From the external obliques to the muscles located in your forearm, golf requires coordination and strength. Although strength is a crucial part of improving your golf game, many people still believe that they can succeed by just practicing - as important as it is to temper the mind, it is also important to consider proper strength training if you are serious about scoring well.

Practicing with a purpose is extremely important - you expand your ability to play well when you incorporate strength training into your weekly regimen.

In this guest post by Brian from Home Gym Strength, Golf for Beginners helps you realize the benefits of strength training in your overall golf game. In addition, Brian will explain some of the best exercises that golfers should incorporate into their routine.

Benefit 1 of Strength Training for Golf: Increased MobilityA proper golf swing requires a wide range of motion. In order to move your body fluidly, you must have flexibility and mobility. Two important parts of any strength training regimen are stretching and engaging in functional exercises. Stretching allows your body to become more flexible. When you increase flexibility, you will likely be able to increase the power and length of your backswing. In addition to increased power, mobility allows you to change the mechanics of your swing. When you have enhanced mobility, you are not limited to one type of swing.

Benefit 2 of Strength Training for Golf: Improved CoordinationWhen you engage in strength training, your muscles learn to work cohesively. Through training, muscles are activated and begin to work efficiently. When your muscles are engaged, they are likely going to work together in unison, enhancing strength and coordination.

You never work just one individual muscle, every movement is composed of fibers from many different muscles. In order to maintain coordination, all muscles need to learn how to work together. In golf, it is crucial that you have good hand-eye coordination. As you activate the muscles in your body through your swing, the muscles in your brain direct your body where to point, shoot, and hit the ball. This coordination is potentially the most important aspect of golf. By strength training, your body will fall into a rhythm of coordination.

Benefit 3: A More Powerful Golf Swing When you have more strength in your arms, legs, and core, you will be able to drive the ball further down the field. Not only must you have balance and coordination, you also must have the power to send the ball flying across the course.

Many people believe that if they can strengthen their forearms then they will thrive in their golf game. If you want more power in your swing, you must strengthen your abdominal and leg muscles. Your legs are used to support your body as you move forward into your swing. The muscles in your core are needed to position your torso correctly so that your ball can reach the green. Powerful swings start with a robust, full-body strengthening regimen.

Best Strength Training Exercises for GolfersThere are many great strength training exercises that golfers can complete to take their game to the next level. The three categories of muscles that are crucial for golfers are:

• Abdominals and Obliques
• Upper Body - Forearm, Shoulders, Upper Back
• Hamstrings and Quadriceps

Many people do not recognize that golf is a sport that requires full-body strength. There are exercises in each muscle group that will help you improve your game today.

Abdominals and Obliques - Core Exercises for GolfersIt is important to find exercises that work the entirety of your core. A strong core will stabilize your body as you swing the golf club. Some of the best core exercises for golfers include:

• Side Plank
• Russian Twist
• Glute Bridges

By engaging in these exercises, you will activate muscles throughout your entire core.

Upper Body StrengthYour upper body plays a huge role in the power of your golf swing. As these muscles strengthen, they help to reduce any tension being held in the lower back. Some of the most effective upper body exercises for golfers include:

• Push-ups
• Bench Presses
• Preacher Curls

When you work your upper body, it is important to engage the muscles in both your shoulders and your back. For golfers, it is important to complete exercises that increase the strength of their forearms.

Hamstrings and Quadriceps - Leg ExercisesYour leg muscles help you to complete a controlled, strong golf swing. By working the muscles in your legs, you are more likely to keep your body in the correct position for the entirety of your swing. The following leg exercises are effective for golfers:

• Single Leg Deadlifts
• Back Squats
• Reverse Lunges

These exercises fire up your hamstrings and quadriceps. By focusing on these muscle groups, you will see improved posture and power in your golf game.

ConclusionStrength training is one of the most underrated components of an improved golf game. As people gain strength and coordination, they are likely to see more power in their swing. Strength training routines should include exercises that work muscles throughout the core, legs, and upper body. Do not be worried if you do not have a gym to go to during COVID or when you are out of your daily grind - the majority of these exercises can be done in the comfort of your home. By engaging the muscle groups throughout your body, you can take your golf game to the next level.

Bio:Brian runs Home Gym Strength a site that is all about helping people affordably maintain their health, fitness, and strength during the Global Pandemic!

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Golf bag weighing you down? Did you know, even a light stand bag can weigh as much as twenty pounds on average after golf clubs, balls and accessories are placed into it. Over time, this extra weight can result in back, shoulder, and neck problems as well as taking your focus away from the game and placing it into searching for the Advil you had stuffed into your bag before the round. We would like to introduce you to a golf bag that is perfect for those who play executive courses, par-3's, and even for golfers who want to walk but don't want to carry the extra weight around.The Sunday Golf Bag introduces a lightweight option to carry your clubs; it was introduced to Golf for Beginners in a guest post entitled, "5 of The Best Golf Wedges For Beginners". We wanted to learn more about the Sunday Golf Bag so we asked for a sample to test and, in this article, we share our unbiased opinion with you.Where the Sunday Bag weighs in at about 1.5 pounds (empty), the average "light" stand bag can tip the scales at about three or more pounds. Add fourteen golf clubs to your bag, along with a host of other accessories, and you have one heavy bag to lug along! If you already have shoulder and back pain, this might be one reason for the dreaded "backpack hunch".Although the maximum number of golf clubs you can have in your bag during regulation play is fourteen, a Golfweek article states, "Some golfers find that they can carry fewer clubs, nine or 10, and score just as well."Golfdigest says that beginners need even fewer golf clubs when they are first learning the game. > "Start with a driver, a putter, a sand wedge (it's the club that has an "S" on the sole or a loft of 54 to 56 degrees) and supplement those with a 6-iron, an 8-iron, a pitching wedge, and a fairway wood or hybrid with 18-21 degrees of loft. These are the clubs that are the most forgiving and easiest to get airborne."The Loma Sunday Golf stand bag can carry up to eight clubs, so it's a good choice for beginners. Only taking what you need along to the course, and focusing on the golf, is a recipe for a more targeted approach to the game.Features of the Sunday Golf Bag:Pros: Great looking, well-constructed stand bag. * Slim, well-made, durable material. * Nice amount of storage and keeps its shape even when it is loaded up. * Handle and strap hooks up for lefties or righties. * Insulated "frosty" pocket. * Velcro glove holder. * The Sunday golf bag seems durable, comfortable to carry, great for driving range practice, par-3's, executive courses, and even regulation courses if you know the course well and know which clubs you can leave it home. Makes for a more comfortable and easy round, especially for people with back or shoulder pain, seniors, and women. Cons:*I would say that there are no real "cons" so far. The Sunday Golf Bag does exactly what it professes to do, that is, to keep the load light, make it easy and fun to carry the clubs you want, and to take along accessories that you need.Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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Do you know the brand and model of your wedges? Are they one of the best golf wedges for a beginner or high-handicapper?

When you’re just getting started in the game of golf, one of the challenges is how to build your set of clubs. Do you go out and buy them all at once or do you purchase them over time? A full set can be expensive, so most golfers will take the latter approach. Buy new clubs here and there and use borrowed clubs in the meantime.

If this is your approach, where should you invest first? The common answer is, "I want a big, new driver or maybe the putter I see on TV". There is nothing sexy about buying a new wedge, but it will have a larger impact on your score than that expensive driver. Nothing saves strokes more than a great short game; chip it close and one putt. Let's look at 5 of the best golf wedges for beginners.

Cleveland CBX 2 WedgeThe Cleveland CBX 2 wedge is a game improvement club that looks and feels like something a tour professional would have in their bag. It has a hollow cavity design that provides forgiveness if you’re chipping greenside or hitting a full shot from the fairway. The face is designed with Tour Zip Grooves and aggressive face milling to provide you with spin and control.

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Pros:* Award winning wedge - Golf Digest 2020 Hot list Gold - one of the best golf wedges on the market. * Proven brand - Cleveland golf has been producing high quality wedges for years * Unique Offering - a rare combination - a wedge designed for the beginner that could be used by elite players as well.

Cons:* Premium Club - Premium Price - this wedge will be an investment in your short game.

Callaway Sure Out 2One of the most difficult shots you hit with your wedge is the bunker shot. Beginners are often petrified of the sand, but the Callaway Sure Out 2 is here is to eliminate that fear. Change your bunker game from a nightmare to a strength. Callaway has designed a sole that easily cuts through the sand and provides playability from all lies. It also has full face grooves, so no matter where you hit the ball, you will have control and spin.

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Pros:* There are no shortcuts or magic wands in golf, but this wedge will improve your bunker play - one of the best golf wedges if you are learning how to hit sand shots. * Full face grooves is a nice feature - provides spin even if you strike the ball way out on the toe of the wedge. * Step Down Grip - standard grip has 3 different lines to help you consistently choke down, depending on the shot you are trying play.

Cons:* Callaway designed this club to help you from the sand, but the look is a bit unusual and may be more challenging to play from the grass for some golfers.

Pinemeadow PGX WedgePinemeadow provides quality golf clubs at a fraction of the price of other golf manufacturers and the PGX wedge is no exception. The wedge features a wide sole that narrows towards the toe of the club. This allows the golfer to hit a variety of shots from a variety of different lies.

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Pros:* You can’t beat the price - if you need a new wedge, but aren’t ready to make a significant investment, give the PGX a look. * You have options - even with the lower price, you can select right-handed or left-handed and choose your loft of 52, 56, or 60 degrees.

Cons:* If you are looking for the best golf wedge, with the most features, the PGX isn’t that club - this wedge is for the casual golfer looking to make a small investment in their short game.

Callaway Mack Daddy 4 WedgeIf you are a fan of Callaway wedges, but the Sure Out 2 shape is a bit too strange for you, the Mack Daddy 4 is the club you need to try. One of the best wedges on the market, the grooves are designed based on the loft, for maximum playability. You have the choice of 4 different sole grinds and a broad range of loft and bounce options. You can even choose the finish, picking from platinum chrome or black matte.

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Pros:* Designed for all levels - the Mack Daddy 4 will be used on the PGA tour, but a beginner can also be successful with this wedge * Options, options, and more options - you have so many choices, it feels like the club is being built just for you * Great spin, great control from all lies

Cons:* The Mack Daddy 4 is a significant investment in your short game - you are getting the best golf wedge available, but if you are a true beginner it may be overkill

Wilson Harmonized Classic WedgeThe Harmonized Classic wedge is part of Wilson’s “Super Game Improvement” line of clubs and it has been built with the beginner in mind. These wedges have a simple and classic look that appeal to the eye and you can choose from a high-polish finish or anti-glare black chrome. It has been designed with a sole grind that allows you to easily open the face if you need to execute a higher shot.

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Sharpen Your Wedge Play For Better ScoresYour ability to play a variety of shots with your wedges has a significant impact on the score you shoot. From the bunker, chipping out of the rough, hitting a flop shot when you are short-sided, and playing a pitch shot from the fairway are all done with your wedges. Phil Mickelson once said “The only way to win tournaments is with the short game. Over half of your shots are within 30 or 40 yards….”. Do you spend half of your practice time on your short game?

One of the best ways to work on your wedge game is to play a par 3 golf course. All of the holes are typically between 75 and 130 yards. You not only get to hit different wedge shots off the tee, but you will also be challenged with different types of chips and bunker shots. Unlike the driving range, you are playing holes and keeping score, so it better simulates how you feel when you play a normal course.

You only need a few clubs to play a par 3 course, so grab a Sunday golf bag which is designed for this type of activity. It will perfectly hold your wedges, putter, balls/tees, and a couple of your favorite cold beverages. It won’t feel like practice, but you will quickly get better at the wedge shots that are so critical to your game.

ConclusionImproving your wedge play will lower your scores and increase your enjoyment on the course. Take some time to find the best golf wedges for your game and spend a few afternoons playing a par 3 course. Your short game will improve, your round will take a fraction of the time, and you will become a better golfer.

Author Bio:
My name is Ray, I’m a writer for Sunday Golf. I have played golf since I was 10 years old – enjoyed playing on my High School and College golf teams. I continue to play competitive amateur golf, but my true passion now is watching my two sons play the game. I also enjoy coaching golf and currently act as an assistant coach for our local high school team.Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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While the PGA Tour is back, and many golf courses have reopened, thousands of golf industry workers and their families are still suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Vie, Inc., a new sports and entertainment philanthropy company, has invited golfers of all ages and skill levels to participate in the “Chip Shot Challenge” to support the Golf Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) and provide assistance to thousands of golf industry workers impacted by COVID-19.

“We intend to launch the Vie brand and proprietary technology later this fall,” said Steven Schwartz, Vie CEO. “But the increasing severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on golf-industry workers compelled us to act NOW. So we fast-tracked Vie’s donation engine technology to power the ‘Chip Shot Challenge’ and help bridge the funding gap for these families.”

Golfers ...your help is needed! TAKE THE CHIP SHOT CHALLENGE! Fuel the fund by sharing a video of your best chip shot, trick shot, or juggling a golf ball, and donating, of course! When you do, you have the chance to win big with great prizes while doing good.

Participation only takes four easy steps and automatically provides an entry for prizes including Titleist golf equipment and apparel with the Grand Prize including a private dinner and a round of golf for two with 2018 Ryder Cup Captain and PGA Legend Jim Furyk at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

#ChipShotChallenge Steps

1. Donate: at www.giveforgolf.com

2. Capture Your Chip: golfers set the challenge and take the shot, while capturing it on video (watch Suzy Whaley video - click on the link).Creativity and trick shots are encouraged.

3. Just have fun, and be as creative as you want!

4. Chip in to a cup in your living room, nearby park, backyard trick shot, etc.

5. Or challenge your foursome to a “closest-to-the-pin” wager – with the loser donating quadruple the bet!

6. Challenge: someone to match or beat your shot and your donation

7. Tag/Share: your video and challenge with #ChipShotChallenge and giveforgolf.com. The best shots will be posted at giveforgolf.com/gallery.

“On behalf of our 29,000 PGA professionals, and those individuals and families suffering physically and financially from COVID-19, we express our heartfelt thanks to Vie for powering the ‘Chip Shot Challenge,’ said Suzy Whaley, PGA of America President. Whaley was the first to chip, post, and share a video offering the challenge of the world’s largest sports organization and their customers to participate.

| | | Suzy Whaley - #ChipShotChallenge |

The good doesn’t stop there as your donation may be able to receive a corporate match, courtesy of Vie. And now for the best part, on top of Vie’s fund-matching efforts, the PGA of America has established a $2.5 Million matching pool meaning each donation will be matched dollar for dollar, to the extent funds are still available.

Golf for Beginners asks that you visit www.giveforgolf.com now to learn more and donate to the Golf Emergency Relief Fund.

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Picture this scene on a true links golf course with a 25 to 30 km predominant crosswind...let's say, for arguments sake...St. Andrews Links in bonnie Fife, Scotland.

What clubs should you add/take out of your bag for this round of links golf?

This is what you need to do:

Take out of your golf bag (remembering to always keep 14 clubs or fewer at all times):

• High lofted fairway woods

• Lob wedge

Add to your golf bag:

• A 1, 2, 3 iron or low lofted Hybrid

Your entire golf plan for the day will be centred around keeping the ball flight low and reducing spin on the ball.

Let us work through a Par 4 and a Par 5 scenario:

• Driver - Firstly we will peg the ball up a little lower than normal.

• Take your set-up for the shot on the right of the Tee box. (Left to right wind and vice versa for wind off the other side)

• The object is to hit the ball at the left-hand side of the fairway and let the ball drift backto the centre.

• On a Reachable Par 4, the plan is similar—aim for the left side of the green and let the ball drift back. Always assess where the hazards are and plan accordingly.

NOTE: Bunkers are mostly very penal on a Links!!

• On a Par 5 the plan is to keep your 2nd shot on the fairway...

• This is where your long irons come into play.

• Work your yardage out and tryhit the shot to your favourite distance (say 100 yards)

• Your approach to the green will be different to that of a calm day. (No Lob Wedges)

• Take a 6, 7, or 8 iron, hold the golf club slightly down the shaft,and move the ball back of centre in your stance.

• Now the trick is to take a three-quarter or half swing at the ball

• Your Target landing area is the front edge or just short of the green, depending on circumstances

• This will allow the ball to roll out towards the pin

Chipping Tips:

• Should you miss the green, opt for a 7, 8 or 9 iron and run the ball to the pin. (NO Fancy Lob Shots!!)

• On this kind of day, you will miss many greens due to the wind, and therefore this is where you can save your score!!

• Object is to get the ball on the ground ASAP to negate the wind's influence.

Putting Tips:

• Possibly the most difficult part of the game under these conditions!

• Widen your stance, make sure you are balanced and set your putter. Remember, the wind will have an effect on the ball speed and roll, so establish a few factors:

• Uphill

• Downhill

• Slopes

• Wind direction

• The biggest mistake most amateurs make is to rush the putt. (try beat the gusts of wind!!)

• Select your line (pick up a mark on the green where you want the ball to start out and set the putter for this target)

• Don't overthinkthe putt and keep your stroke as smooth as possible

• When ready, pull the trigger remembering to watch the ball through the strike

• Your objective is obviously to hole it, but at worst you only want a 2 footer for the next putt

Putting tip for all conditions on a long putt – Imagine the hole size to be that of a 2 foot drum and try to get the ball inside this every time.

RESULT: NO 3 PUTTS!!

In Summary:

Playing links, or any other course for that matter, requires a pre-round plan and thought process beforeand on the golf course.

Your chipping will MAKEor BREAK your round. So do as the Pros do and practice your chipping and putting regularly.

A final thought to playing Golf in windy conditions: DO NOT TRY TO HIT THE COVER OFF THE BALL. This will only add spin and miss directed shots.

Try to hit every shot at 75 – 80% velocity.

Use a longer iron when approaching the green.

Try to keep your rhythm throughout.

GUEST BIO:

Joel Steenekamp has played golf for over 45 years and participated at Top Class Representative level in South Africa.(current handicap index of 4.5 @ 71 years of age).

As a previous co-owner of one of the largest golf retail businesses in SA, he enjoys sharing his Vast Knowledge and Expertise, with Beginners and Accomplished golfers alike.

Joel believes in keeping Instruction Simple. (KISS). His latest venture, Golf and Wildlife Experiences, a tour business with a Difference, in SA, has been stalled, due to COVID 19.

The Website is in Development.

Photo: By Chris, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32927609

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Mobility in golf may be one of the most underrated factors that leads to playing better golf. You wouldn’t go run a race or play a soccer game without stretching properly beforehand, and golf should be no different! While amateur golfers don’t need the same mobility as a soccer player, it’s very important to warm up properly to play your best. In fact, studies have shown that .golfers are more prone to injury than rugby players or hockey players! Mobility workouts decrease your risk of injury while playing golf, and also allow you to fully rotate your body and generate more power during your swing. Limited mobility, especially in the hips, makes it harder to generate a full-body rotation, making it much harder to gain power during your downswing. Doing a few mobility exercises and stretches before your round will allow you to achieve a full range of motion, and produce better golf shots while you’re on the course. Here are our top four mobility exercises you should do before your round: 1. Foam Rolling: For Back and Leg Mobility If you don’t have a foam roller, you need to invest in one straight away. They’re cheap, yet incredibly effective in loosening up tight muscles and helping you with mobility. For golf specifically, you should use a roller on the back of your legs from your calves up through your hamstrings, and then spend a good amount of time using the roller for your back. To use a roller effectively, lay on the ground and put the roller underneath your shoulders. Lift your knees off the ground so that your body is pressing against the roller, and push yourself back and forth on the roller. Here’s a good video demonstration of how you should be using a foam roller on your body before you hit the links: 2. 90/90s For Hip Mobility: The 90/90 stretch meant to stretch out your hips, which is vital for a full golf swing. To perform this stretch, start by sitting on the floor on a yoga mat. Place one leg in front of you at a 90-degree angle, and the other leg to your side also at a 90-degree angle (hence the 90/90). From this position, put your hands on either side of your front leg and slowly lower your chest towards your front knee. Hold this position for about 30 seconds to a minute, then switch to the other leg. Here’s a video demonstration of this stretch:3. Wall Slides For Shoulder Mobility There are several variations of wall slides depending if you’d like to work on strength or mobility. This is a basic movement that works on shoulder mobility and posture, both of which are important to your golf swing. This move greatly improves shoulder rotation and posture, which translates to better ball striking on the course. To perform the wall slide, stand with your feet, butt, back, shoulders, and arms flat against a wall. Your arms should be out at a 90-degree angle, similar to the starting position of a shoulder press. From here, slide your arms up until they’re fully extended, and slide them back down until you feel a good stretch in your shoulders and upper back. Repeat this as necessary for about 10-20 reps. Watch this video for a great demonstration of this move:4. Mobility on the Range: While these exercises are all excellent for your golf game, there are a couple quick things you can do once you get to the course to further loosen up, all of which can be done with a golf club in hand. Here’s what I like to do before I hit a single shot: 1. Take a golf club with one hand near the grip and one near the head, and fully extend it above my head for about 20-30 seconds. 2. From this position, pull the club behind my head as close to my shoulders as I can, and hold this position for another 20-30 seconds. 3. Next, I reach down to touch my toes to stretch my hamstrings for another 30 seconds. 4. Lastly, I hold the club out in front of me and rotate from right to left, mimicking the rotation of a golf swing. Doing all these moves loosens up your muscles before your round, and helps you hit better shots from the get-go. Try doing these moves to improve your mobility in these key areas and you’ll be sure to notice your swing improve! Bio: Brandon runs a golf website called Fairway Approach, focused on helping golfers take a smarter approach to golf by offering game improvement guides and equipment reviews. He’s been playing amateur golf for over 15 years, and is originally from Syracuse, NY. During the day he’s a technical recruiter within the financial industry, helping software engineers land jobs. Instagram: @fairwayapproach Site: fairwayapproach.comFollow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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Golf is alive and well in Myrtle Beach as this is one of the only outdoor sports which requires no group participation to have fun and where fist pumps (not necessarily "bumps") are the norm!

According to an email that I received, there are a few tips which golfers (and all of us) can practice to avoid the spread of Coronavirus - COVID-19.
Golf Tips to Minimize Exposure and Spread of Coronavirus (aka COVID-19):
* At tee boxes, fairways and greens, practice "social distancing" by keeping six feet or more from others whenever possible; * Replace handshakes with other celebratory gestures that don't involve the use of your hands, like "elbow bumps" or "shoe bumps"; * Frequently use hand sanitizer; * Refrain from handling the golf clubs of other players in your group.

As promoted through articles from multiple national media outlets including Golf Digest and Golf.com, golfers are also asked to exercise their own share of due diligence in minimizing their exposure while enjoying their round of golf. We hope that you will continue enjoying the golf courses in Myrtle Beach and around the country that are open for play and will remain diligent in enforcing proper hygiene to stop the spread of Coronavirus.Golf for Beginners thanks you for your help. Play good golf!Photo: Emerald Group PublishingFollow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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PGA Tour connects with ViacomCBS, Comcast/NBC Sports Group, The Walt Disney Company’s ESPN+ - TOUR will significantly expand its content offerings. LPGA will also receive expanded exposure.In my experience, golf beginners are so absorbed with all aspects of the game that they tend to flip to every event they can find, whether it be on television, or on the web. As you become more of a player, experience tends to lend itself more towards playing the game and watching the higher-level tournaments.

Whatever your desire, if you are itching to watch more golf on TV, the PGA Tour is now going to make it easier than ever to find content. The below press release describes the current portfolio-building efforts of the PGA Tour.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, March 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marking the culmination of a long-term strategic planning process designed to best serve fans through traditional broadcast, Over-the-Top streaming (OTT) and emerging technologies, the PGA TOUR today announced its new nine-year domestic media rights portfolio for 2022-2030.

“Following a comprehensive process of studying the market, talking to all interested parties and analyzing our various options, we’re excited to announce that we have entered into new agreements with our existing partners ViacomCBS and Comcast/NBC Sports Group, while establishing a new long-term relationship with Disney and ESPN+,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan.

“We were extremely pleased with the interest we received from the market – both with incumbents and other media companies – and are excited that our current partners shared our vision for the future, and we are equally excited to be back in business with Disney and ESPN+. These new deals will be a major win for our fans, bringing an elevated commitment from all three partners to help us expand and innovate our content and its delivery.”

Financial details will not be disclosed, but Monahan continued, “The nine-year deals will put us in a position to significantly increase player earnings, deliver more value to our tournaments and sponsors, and ultimately allow us to continue to grow our charitable footprint. Additionally, we are now able to reinvest in our sport in a way never before possible, including production, personnel and technology, and are well positioned to best serve and grow our fanbase in the years to come.”

Broadcast & Cable Television
CBS and NBC will maintain weekend coverage of most FedExCup tournaments, with CBS averaging 19 events and NBC eight events each season through the life of the agreements. Under the new schedule, one network will televise all three FedExCup Playoffs events each year, starting with NBC in 2022 and generally alternating with CBS, creating powerful, three-week coverage of the conclusion of the race for the FedExCup.

NBC Sports Group also will continue as the TOUR’s cable partner, with GOLF Channel providing all early-round coverage and early weekend coverage of every FedExCup event each season, along with PGA TOUR Champions and the Korn Ferry Tour. Further strengthening the ties, the TOUR and NBC Sports will expand their collaborative content and programming relationships.

Another central component of the new agreements will see the PGA TOUR assume responsibility of the onsite production area and technical infrastructure each week, enabling the TOUR to more efficiently aggregate, distribute and develop content for its various platforms worldwide. CBS and NBC will still use their own production and announce teams, led by their producers, directors and production personnel.

Additionally, the TOUR and its media partners will collaborate on creating more sponsorship and marketing opportunities, inside and outside PGA TOUR golf coverage, including access to the vast resources of ViacomCBS, Comcast/NBC Sports Group and Disney and ESPN+.

“We’re excited to extend NBC Sports’ historic partnership with the PGA TOUR as its foundational media partner. We will continue to utilize our extensive platforms to showcase golf with unparalleled live tournament coverage, comprehensive news and high-quality content. Golf is a part of NBCUniversal’s DNA across our broadcast, cable, streaming and digital properties – nowhere more so than GOLF Channel,” said Pete Bevacqua, President, NBC Sports Group. “With more live golf coverage than all other U.S. media companies combined, our relationship with the PGA TOUR also includes THE PLAYERS and Presidents Cup, as well as elevating the PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry TOUR and LPGA Tour via our world-class coverage.”

“Extending our successful long-standing relationship with the PGA TOUR was a top priority and we are thrilled to add nine more years to this terrific partnership” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “As the PGA TOUR’s primary broadcast network, we are excited to showcase over two-thirds of all broadcast network coverage of the PGA TOUR, expand our schedule with all three FedExCup Playoffs events in alternate years, and to increase our use of PGA TOUR content across all CBS Sports platforms, with even more expansive content exclusivity. For over 60 years the PGA TOUR, its tournaments and sponsors have been outstanding partners. We look forward to many more years of growth and success together.”

PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+
For the first time, the TOUR’s digital rights were negotiated concurrently with its linear offering and will have a new, exciting, direct-to-consumer home: ESPN+. As a result of the new agreement, PGA TOUR LIVE – the TOUR’s subscription video service that was launched in 2015 – will live exclusively on ESPN+ beginning in 2022 and will be dramatically expanded to include multiple live content channels nearly every week of the FedExCup season.

Jimmy Pitaro, President, ESPN and co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks said, “We are looking forward to working with the PGA TOUR to bring current and future golf fans the next generation of TOUR coverage. ESPN+ will offer golf fans unprecedented access and storytelling at an incredible value on the industry’s leading sports streaming platform.”

Rick Anderson, Chief Media Officer, PGA TOUR added, “The relationship with Disney and ESPN+ gives the TOUR the opportunity to expand and diversify audiences and the TOUR and ESPN will work together to bring new and unique content to our fans.”

ESPN+, the leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN, has grown quickly to reach 7.6 million subscribers (as of February 3, 2020) and the new relationship will provide a significant growth opportunity for PGA TOUR content via ESPN+’s digital reach, innovative platform and young and diverse audience.

PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will bring fans more access to the 30,000-plus golf shots hit each week on the PGA TOUR by delivering more than 4,000 hours of live streaming coverage annually. PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will include live coverage from 36 tournaments – from the TOUR’s Hawaii events in January all the way through the year – with at least 28 events having four full days of coverage, with four simultaneous live feeds each day. PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will also feature on-demand replays of PGA TOUR events, original golf programs, edited speed round recaps and more.

All of this will be available to ESPN+ subscribers as part of the base subscription, alongside more than 12,000 other live sporting events, an unmatched lineup of studio programs, original series and documentaries, along with a library of other, on-demand programming.

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com. It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ at a discounted price.

LPGA
As part of its Strategic Alliance with the LPGA, the PGA TOUR also successfully negotiated rights agreements that will see the LPGA Tour continue as anchor programming on GOLF Channel, along with expanded exposure for LPGA Tour events on NBC and CBS each year, beyond the U.S. Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and AIG Women’s British Open, which are already on network.

Specifically, the TOUR secured the long-term extension of the LPGA/GOLF Channel partnership (2022-2030) with ancillary programming, including a season preview, season review and Road to the CME Group Tour Championship. In addition, GOLF Channel will provide dedicated programming for the Symetra Tour each year, as well as enhanced marketing and promotional assets and expanded benefits for LPGA sponsors.

As part of the agreement, the LPGA maintains control of all of its media rights outside the United States and receives expanded digital content rights.

“This agreement is an important milestone in the strategic partnership between the LPGA and the PGA TOUR and a great example of the collaboration happening among golf’s biggest stakeholders,” said LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan. “Thanks to the enhanced agreement with GOLF Channel and increased network coverage on NBC and CBS, more viewers in the U.S. and around the globe will experience the quality and diversity of the LPGA Tour. This gives us a domestic broadcast partner to help deliver another decade of unprecedented growth and provides a foundation that will springboard the women’s game into the future.”

“The LPGA is a very important industry partner, and we are proud that our strategic alliance has enabled these results,” said Monahan. “I’m so impressed with Mike Whan’s leadership and the world-class talent of the LPGA’s athletes, and it’s exciting to know that when fans want to watch professional golf at the highest level, they are going to see both Tours on the same platforms – with the same partners – for the foreseeable future.”

Evolution Media Capital, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), served as the media advisor to PGA TOUR.

About PGA TOURBy showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.

The PGA TOUR, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, co-sanctions more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series-China. Members on the PGA TOUR represent the world’s best players, hailing from 29 countries and territories (93 members are from outside the United States). Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to 226 countries and territories in 23 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving. In 2019, tournaments across all Tours generated a record $204.3 million for local and national charitable organizations, bringing the all-time total to more than $3 billion.

Fans can follow the PGA TOUR on PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, on the PGA TOUR app and on social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram (in English, Spanish and Korean), LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat, Weibo, Toutiao and Douyin.

About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 Members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.

The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental, humanitarian and golf community initiatives, including LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.

Follow the LPGA on its television home, GOLF Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo, and on Instagram at @lpga_tour.
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By now, most fans interested in Tiger Woods Masters menu already know what the Cablinasian is serving...does it make you hungry?

FYI...As defined by Wiktionary.org, "Cablinasian (plural Cablinasians) (rare, of Tiger Woods) A person who is Caucasian, Black, American Indian, and Asian."

The Champions dinner is a mix of sushi and sashimi, fajitas with possible milkshakes for dessert - that's fish, meat, and vegetables with a slider of milk at the end of the meal to coat the stomach lining.

To be fair, Augusta National will prepare this meal to its highest level but is this what you would serve your guests at one of the most sought-after tables of the year?

I guess that the winners will be happy to appear at the Champions dinner table no matter what is served no matter what the possible side effects will be on Wednesday morning! Guys, some advice...keep Pepto-Bismol on hand.

That being said, here is the menu, in the words of Tiger Woods,

"Being born and raised in SoCal, having fajitas and sushi was a part of my entire childhood, and I’m going back to what I had in 2006,” explained Woods, a five-time winner at Augusta National. “So we’ll have steak and chicken fajitas, and we’ll have sushi and sashimi out on the deck, and I hope the guys will enjoy it."

The Tiger Woods Masters menu from 1998, back when the champion was just a teenager included cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, milkshakes. In 2002, Woods decided porterhouse steak, chicken with a sushi appetizer.

If given the opportunity, what dishes would you serve at the Masters Champions Dinner?Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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When it comes to raising money for an effort or an organization, there are all sorts of ideas out there for people to generate giving or loyalty through a golf tournament fundraiser.

Some fundraisers are spread over days, if not weeks. Others don’t sound like very much fun at all. Some fundraisers can be localized to just one day, can be a lot of fun and have the potential to generate some really amazing fundraising results. One that’s a favorite of ours, of course, is a golf fundraising event.

There are a lot of positive things to consider hosting a golf fundraising tournament. For starters, lots of people love to play golf, whether they are experts or simply just want to get out on the greens for a day of sun and fun.

And then there’s the money-raising potential.

Not only can you make remunerations by people who are donating to play, but there is a huge potential to generate donations from sponsorships by corporations who want to be associated with your efforts. Here are some pointers to use.

Thanks to givingassistant.org for this graphic.

The origination of this article can be found at GivingAssistant.org where you will find tips on how to plan a successful golf fundraiser in seven steps.

Thanks to Laura Newcomer for writing the introduction to this article.
Looking to Start a Fantasy Golf League? White Label Fantasy Sports Software

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Quora.com is a question and answer site that receives between 3,000 to 5,000 questions every day, so Golf for Beginners gathered a few of the frequently asked golf questions for our readers. Whether you are a beginner or have been playing golf your entire life, you will be interested in the responses.

You may think these are all basic questions but how many of you actually know all the answers?

5 Frequently Asked Golf Questions from Quora.com(click the links to read answers in their entirety)
1. How and when did golf originate?

Richard Fellner, Editor of Inside Golf (www.insidegolf.com.au). "It is widely accepted that the MODERN game of golf originated in Scotland in the 1400s (or even a bit earlier). The first written record of golf was when James II banned the game as it was distracting to the soldiers who were supposed to be learning archery."

2. What is behind the historic low scoring on the PGA Tour?

Clay Nicolsen, Rules of Golf Tournament Official states, "Because of high-speed analysis of golf swings, plus the sum of all the study of past decades more is understood about the physics of the golf swing than ever before."

READ: The most frequently asked golf questions from Ask.com

3. What's the best driver to buy to maximize your chance of hitting fairways?

Matthew Alexander, "I don't think there's a definitive answer here. If there were a clear best (longest or most accurate or whatever) driver, you'd see everyone playing that driver..."

I'd suggest going to a demo day in your area. Try out all the popular brands...

1. What's the biggest difference between a scratch player and a tour player?

Jenni Jenq, former Symetra Tour Professional Golfer at LPGA (2012-2017), "...to call yourself a professional tour player who successfully makes money playing golf, you need to possess a golf game that can produce scores of par or better. For men, they need to shoot 70 or better on medium difficulty golf courses. To be a successful tour player, you need to be a 60s shooter. Shooting par would be on an off day."

1. If you had to hit the green from 125 yards, what golf club would you use? Click the link to read the entire answer.

Lewis Greer, "One of the great things about golf is that the circumstances surrounding any shot can change from day to day and even hole to hole. Understanding, imagination and adaptability are very important."

Interesting questions! For example, what golf club would you use for a 125-yard distance?

Learn more about golf and your game! Subscribe to the Golf for Beginners blog (on the top of this page) and follow us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners!Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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Golf for Beginners enjoys being objective about all news and wonders about the validity of some claims, so today we briefly review the infractions and conversations over Patrick Reed - is he really a villain? Did he break the rules in the 11th bunker at the Hero World Challenge?

Michael Bamberger, on Golf.com, stated yesterday that, until "Reed owns his rules blunder, he will remain hard to root for..."

Here is the video which alleges the rules violation that Patrick Reed has, indeed, "improved his lie":

Are YOU finding it difficult to root for Patrick Reed?

Well, I don't think he cares, as Patrick Reed says, "he doesn't listen," and that all the rantings, "didn't bother me at all. “I'm on the golf course. I'm focusing on what I need to do."

Your comments are welcome at the bottom of this golf blog!

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Golf for Beginners brings to you this Guest Post by Brian Peña @ Red Birdie GolfGolf In Las Vegas - an OverviewOver the years Las Vegas has made a name for itself by constantly rebranding. Whether it was catering to families in the late ’90s or transitioning itself to the adult playground where “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, Las Vegas is always going through changes.Most recently, Las Vegas has positioned itself as a complete tourist destination by attracting visitors with incredible nightclub venues, daytime pool parties, and some of the top celebrity chefs in the world.While understandably most people always associate Las Vegas with gambling, it has begun to position itself as an outstanding golf destination as well. Currently, there are over seventy courses within a 30-mile radius of the Las Vegas strip, including a couple located right on the Las Vegas strip; Bali HaiGolf Club and The Wynn Golf Club.In this article, we’re going to take a look at three of the best ways for beginners to experience golf in Las Vegas. So if you’re ready to pack up your clubs and experience golf in Vegas, let’s get started!Top Golf at MGM GrandLocated right behind the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip, Top Golf is a great way for beginners or even those haven’t even started playing, to experience golf.Although Top Golf isn’t your traditional golfing experience, it’s still a fun way to experience the game. For those that haven’t been to a Top Golf venue, the best way to think of it is as a driving range on steroids.You can play competitive games, enjoy some drinks, and experience golf in a non-stuffy way it’s so commonly associated with.This approach to introducing beginners to golf seems to be working as the numbers have shown an increase in millennials starting to show an interest in the game.Cloud 9 at Angel ParkLocated about 12 miles west of the Strip is a twelve hole Par-3 golf course called Cloud 9 at Angel Park Golf.

Some of the holes on this course are inspired by some of the most famous par-3 holes in the world and one of the cool things about this course is that it can even be played at night.When playing this course you definitely won’t need your driver or fairway woods but it can still be very challenging setup, especially hole #10 which is a tribute to hole #17 at TPC Sawgrass!Royal Links Golf ClubFinally, we come to a full-length 18-hole golf course located about eight miles east of the Strip called RoyalLinks.
As the name implies, this isn’t your typical desert golf course setup, it’s a links-style course in the middle of the Mojave desert!This course features holes inspired by eleven different courses in The Open Championship rotation. In fact, hole #10 at Royal Links is inspired by the 17th hole at St Andrews or the “Road Hole”.At this course, you have the option to use fore caddies to simulate a complete golf experience, just make sure to stay out of those pot bunkers!Vegas Baby!There you have it, next time you make a trip out to Sin City don’t forget your clubs and make it a complete vacation experience. Whether you’re in Las Vegas to have a traditional golfing experience or just hitting some balls in a party-type venue like Top Golf, this city has a variety of options for the beginner golfer to enjoy the greatest game made.

More about Red Birdie Golf: Our vision is to help beginner and intermediate golfers better understand the game and inform them about the best products on the market so that they can play their best and enjoy the game to the fullest.Follow @Golf4Beginners on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

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If the ranger has ever told your golf group to "pick up the pace", or if you are playing with one "turtle" in the foursome, this article might just help keep you on track to a four-hour round.
In golf, there is nothing worse than being stuck behind a group with empty holes ahead of them.

Your choices are slim as to what to do - you can "play through" making the group ahead wait for you to finish or you can drive past, politely letting them know that you are skipping the hole. Neither option is ideal as it throws you off of your game, interrupts your pace and may not allow for an accurate score.

If you or your group is guilty, it can throw off your timing and pace and your round will suffer. Amateurs see this problem occurring on a regular basis but it does happen within the ranks of the PGA Tour pros as well.A Golf.com poll recently confirmed that there is a pace-of-play problem among top amateur junior golfers. Although measures are starting to be taken within the professional ranks, slow play is harder to control among average players.Recently, Golf for Beginners offered three tips to speed up slow play on the golf course based on a recent occurrence by a tour pro. Since this hot topic is not going away any time soon, let's start by stating the pace of play rules for our readers and penalties for the infraction.The R and A states that “The player must play without undue delay...”. The penalty for a breach of Rule 6-7 is loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play, and for a repeated offense, disqualification." Depending on the number of times the infraction occurs is directly relevant to the consequences.In addition, the R and A has come up with a possible way to monitor the infraction at the club level. "Formulate a simple condition whereby the management establishes a time limit that it considers is more than adequate for players to complete the round and/or a certain number of holes (which will vary depending on numbers in groups and form of play). In the circumstances where a group exceeds the prescribed time limit and is out of position on the course, each player in the group is subject to penalty."
Golf for Beginners offers a few tips for those who are personally guilty of slowing down the pace of play. If you are new to the game, start at a forward tee box, count your number of shots and pick up your ball and move it forward if you find yourself slowing the group.

Be considerate and you will still have fun - you will continue to learn no matter where you are on the course.

For better amateurs, the USGA suggests that golfers become, "more efficient with your valuable time, as well as everyone else’s." Make assessments before you get to your ball so you are ready to hit your shot.

Speeding up pace of play will only happen if golfers recognize the gaff and take positive action while maintaining the decorum of the game.

How do you help speed up slow play? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

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It's easy to discuss what you would do to recover from a bad round of golf but how do you follow up after your BEST round?

When you shoot a really low score in golf, do you tell anyone? Sure you do...you probably shout "I scored a 36" from the rooftops to whoever will listen...even if they don't play golf. Subsequently, when the score is not so great, it may still go into your GHIN but without any fanfare.

So, when you shoot your best round of golf EVER, is it followed up by an equally amazing performance?

How well do you recover?

It isn't easy but Golf for Beginners has a few tips to help you become more consistent from round to round.

Although I have several 9-hole rounds in the '30s, my average 9-hole/18-hole round is in the '40s and I am regular '80s golfer. That being said, future rounds have fallen quite short of my expectations...even my husband has to give me the "what's wrong with you" stare when we play golf, making me even more self-conscious of my shortcomings.

I am getting rather good at making excuses, and the weather, being hot and extremely muggy, is actually helping my defense, even though I should be able to shake off the heat and concentrate on one shot at a time.

SportsPsychologyGolf says that, in order to shoot a low round, "it takes a hot putter, a short game that is more precise than usual, plus a modicum of luck. But it also takes smart course management, complete focus on the task at hand, and total self-composure."
Whew, sounds like a lot of things have to fall into place in order to shoot a low score...right?

How often are all of the above ingredients put together in one round, artfully blended together on the course into one "professional golfer" package"?

For the vast majority of golfers, whether beginners or strong amateurs, Golf for Beginners suggests the following tips for a quick comeback in golf:

1. Have a short memory: Where it's good to fist pump after draining a long putt, it's just as bad to keep with you that snowman you made on the previous hole.

2. Overcome Obstacles: Pressure affects everyone differently but, according to Dr. Bob Rotella, "Having control of your mind and using it properly can separate you from the competition." Instead of thinking that you will ever get the perfect score, consider that "the essence of golf is reacting well to inevitable mistakes and misfortunes." Once you understand that the challenge and fun are in overcoming obstacles on the course, you will have a much happier time and perform better.

3. GASP: Not hitting the ball well? Sometimes, you just need to go back to the basics - Grip, Alignment, Stance, and Posture. Make sure you start, and finish, in balance!

We hope that your next round of golf is your best one ever and that you follow up with equally great rounds, one shot at a time.

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In Wiktionary.org, the comeback kid is "a person who repeatedly demonstrates the propensity to overcome downturns or periods of bad publicity and rebound to victory or popularity." In golf, the comeback kid has been related to Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Cantlay, and Rory McIlroy for rebounding after trying circumstances during a tournament.

After nearly five years on the European Tour without a win, Paul Casey finally broke through and has now earned the title! Rolling in two clutch birdies on the 16th and 17th holes on Sunday at the Porsche European Open secured Casey's win.

Overcoming adversity on the golf course or coming from a stroke (or more) back may be easier for the tour pros but not so simple for the average golfer.

Although not everyone has the longest drive or can make all of their GIR's (greens in regulation), golfers can learn to master the art of putting. Almost any golfer can learn to putt well to save the hole. (How many times have you breathed a huge sigh of relief after sinking a long bogey putt?)

Here are a few tips to help you assess your round, stop the slippage and use your putter to be the comeback kid on the golf course.

1. Visit the practice green before every round and roll a few putts to get down the speed and see the line.

2. While practicing, try to get within the "circle of trust" near the hole.

3. "Think Roll, Not Hit" - according to Dave Stockton, this mental golf tip is the key to distance control while putting. The two main thoughts surrounding putting are speed and line - you get the idea behind distance control and you are halfway to being a better putter.

Let's end this golf blog with a few statistics. Short game guru Dave Pelz states that "putting accounts for approximately 43 percent of your total strokes." Both putting and chipping account for "fifty percent of shots are hit within forty yards of the hole," according to GolfStateofMind.com.

I will leave you with this great putting demonstration by way of Phil Mickelson on Twitter. Enjoy!

A little taste of Augusta. Spending all week putting on my green with speed at 15.6-16😎⛳️ #Lefty pic.twitter.com/GprpRJCXTB— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) April 5, 2019

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