Play Better Golf - Golf Fundamentals

• Home
• Product Review - The Simple Golf Swing
• Product Review - How to Break 80
• Link Partners

Golf Scoring Part 1

May 17th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

There are lots of different ways of scoring golf and with the golf handicap system it means that players of varying standards can compete against each other.

Golf Scoring 1: Strokeplay
In strokeplay the scores for each hole are added up to give a total gross score. If the players are amateurs then their handicaps are deducted from the gross score to give a nett score.

Golf Scoring 2: Matchplay
This is a competition between two players or two partnerships If played off handicaps the player with the lower handicap gives three quarters of the difference in the handicaps to the player with the higher handicap. The strokes are given by following the stroke index on the scorecard. If a player wins a hole he goes one up (or one down if he loses)and if the hole is ties then the hole is halved and the players remain on whatever score they are on.

Golf Scoring 3: Stableford or Stableford Bogey
In stableford the player takes seven-eighths of his handicap against par. For example a 16 handicap would get 14 strokes on the holes marked 1-14 on the stroke index. If the player handicap means that he gets more than 18, say 21,  strokes then he gets a stroke per hole plus a stroke on the holes marked 1-3 on the stroke index. On the scorecard he marks the gross score and then mentally deducts any strokes he has been given on that hole. If he is left with a nett par he scores 2 points, one over scores one point, a nett birdie scores three points and a nett eagle scores 4 points. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins.

Golf Scoring 4: Four Ball Better Ball
In this game four players play together each using a ball. The players are in a partnership and the lower score of each partnership is taken in a matchplay format. It can also be played using strokeplay where the handicapping is on a three quarter basis with the players taking strokes from the player with the lowest handicap.

How To Calculate Golf Handicap: Different Systems

May 4th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

In the game of golf the rating of a player’s skill relative to the par for the course is what is known as a handicap. To calculate their golf handicap, amateur players are usually given a handicap based on their last ten scores adjusted for the course difficulty. This is the US Golf Association Handicapping System but there are other systems to consider when deciding how to calculate golf handicap.

How To Calculate Golf Handicap: he Second Best System
The USGA has approved a system that is called the “Second Best Score System” or the “Second Best Handicap.” This doesn’t mean that the system is second best, but that the second best score is the one used in determining how to calculate the player’s golf handicap.The player provides his three best scores from the last year in rounds played on regulation courses with a par of 68 or more. The committee combines them with any scores from previous tournaments and chooses the second best score minus 70 for men and 73 for women as the handicap for the current tournament. For new players who can only provide a single score, the system subtracts 74 strokes for a man and 77 for a woman to calculate the golf handicap. In any case, a score for a 9-hole round is doubled first.

How To Calculate Golf Handicap: The Callaway System
The Callaway system is a worst holes system that works according to a chart. The golfer plays one round and compares score to the chart. If his score is 70 or above, he will receive a deduction based on the worst score in the round and/ or a set adjustment.

Depending on how many strokes he has made, a player may be given a golf handicap of half the number of strokes on his worst hole to the total of the six worst holes plus the adjustment of -2 to +2 to a maximum of 50 strokes. The chart makes this much simpler than it sounds and since this system is based on a game that all players played in the same weather conditions, it works out very fairly.

How To Calculate Golf Handicap: The Peoria System
A golf handicap doesn’t have to be set prior to the tournament. Using the Peoria System means giving the players their handicaps according to the way they play during the tournament. The committee secretly selects six holes before play begins.

There is a par-3, par-4 and par-5 hole each from the front and back nine holes. After the round is played, the golfer’s over par strokes (up to three on the par-3s and par-4s and 4 on the par-5s) on those six holes are multiplied by 2.8. The result is subtracted from the round’s total as the handicap.

Ladies Golf Apparel– Make Sure You Have the Basics

April 24th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

When you take up golf there is a lot more to consider than what type of clubs to buy – female golfers also have to look the part on the course and luckily the range of ladies golf apparel has increased enormously over the last few years. But it’s not just about how you look as there are various items of ladies golf apparel that actually help your game too.

Basic Needs and Necessities

Manufacturers and designers have produced many lines of lady’s golf apparel, catering specifically to the female golfer. A basic set of ladies golf apparel would include shirts, slacks or shorts, rain and wind gear, hats and caps, rain suit, golf shoes, gloves, sunglasses and so on. Just like any golf accessory, it is not a must to have a complete set of ladies golf apparel, but having most of them at least will beneficial to you in many ways.

Another essential item of ladies golf apparel is the golf shoe. Golf shoes are specifically made for golf and a good pair of golf shoes will protect your feet and at the same time provides you with comfort and grip you need for playing the game at your best. Most golf shoes are made by the professional and famous shoe makers such as Adidas, Nike, Callaway and others. Those shoes are very flexible in nature and listen to the movements of the ankle and feet.

Besides that, a rain coat or suit is also very important ladies golf apparel, especially if you go for golf vacations in places like England or Ireland very often. Many times we have seen many golf matches taking place during coarse and rainy weather, and all the players wear stunning branded rain coats, because they would not want to postpone the game.

Gloves and sunglasses are also an important aspect of ladies golf apparel. A glove is worn on the left hand if you are right handed (and vice versa) to even out the grip. Sunglasses on the other hand, screen the glare of the sun, which helps the player to keep an eye on her ball play as it is flying down the fairway (or if you’re unlucky - into the rough)!

Simple Golf Etiquette Tips Part 2: In and Around the Greens

April 17th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Golf etiquette in and around the greens can be a minefield for the inexperienced golfer. So do yourself a service and familiarize yourself with what you should and should not be doing so that you remain welcome on the course. Here are some guidelines to assist you when you are playing in and around the greens.

Golf Etiquette Tip #1
When approaching the green always ensure that the players ahead of you have cleared the green and are out of range before you play up.

Golf Etiquette Tip #2
If you end up in a bunker make sure you enter the bunker from the back and not down the face. When you have finished always smooth out your footprints with the rake provided. If there is no rake then you can use your club head.

Golf Etiquette Tip #3
Never put our bag down or wheel your trolley on to the green. Always leave them on the side of the green that you will exit from to get to the next tee.

Golf Etiquette Tip #4
Always repair pitch marks on the green.

Golf Etiquette Tip #5
Never walk across the line of another players putt but step over it carefully.

Golf Etiquette Tip #6
When you tend the flag make sure it comes out of the hole with ease and stand away from the hole to the side, making sure you are not casting a shadow over it. Hold the flag so that it doesn’t make noise flapping in the wind as this can be very distracting to your opponent. Be sure and pull the flag out as soon as the player has struck the ball to make his put.

Golf Etiquette Tip #7
Use a ball marker or small coin to mark your ball on the green. Place the marker behind the ball before you pick it up. When replacing the ball make sure you place it in the exact spot you took0 it from before you remove the marker. If you have to mark your ball to the side for some reason, make a note to remember.

Golf Etiquette Tip #8
When you have finished a hole avoid holding up play by standing around the green marking your card - do it en route to the next tee.

These tips are basically common sense and good manners. They are not difficult so follow them closely and hopefully a good game will be had by all!

Simple Golf Etiquette Tips Part 1: Tees and Fairways

April 13th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Golf etiquette is very much part of the tradition of golf and is a crucial aspect of the game. In fact, if you take a look at the Official Rules of Golf as set out by the United States Golf Association you will see that golf etiquette makes up the first section. Golf etiquette is not just about tradition though, it is also very important from a safety point. Here are some useful tips to follow to ensure that you do not inadvertently upset anyone on the course.

Golf Etiquette Tip #1
Punctuality - Make sure you arrive at the first tee at your allotted time.

Golf Etiquette Tip #2
Do not take practice swings on the tees.

Golf Etiquette Tip #3
Always stand to the right of someone taking a shot and never directly behind them. Never get ahead of someone who is playing.

Golf Etiquette Tip #4
Do not walk or move while others close to you are taking their shots.

Golf Etiquette Tip #5
Show consideration to the people playing in the group behind you. If you start to hold them up and the group in front of you are getting further and further ahead then let them play through.

Golf Etiquette Tip #6
If you think a ball might be lost then always play a provisional one to save you having to return to the tee. If you do lose a ball the rules allow you five minutes to look for it. Check your watch when you get to the area of the ball and call the players behind you through if necessary.

Golf Etiquette Tip #7
Ensure that you move quickly between shots. There is nothing more infuriating than players ahead of you acting as if they are out for an afternoon stroll when you are waiting to play your shot.

Golf Etiquette Tip #8
If you take divots out of the fairway then make sure you replace them.

Golf Etiquette Tip #9
If your ball lands in a bunker make sure you enter the bunker from the rear and not down the face. Always rake your footprints when you have finished, but if there is no rake available then you may use your club head.

Golf Etiquette Tip #10
Never turn your back on someone playing however good they are and if there is any chance of your ball hitting someone else then shout ‘fore’. If you hear someone shout ‘fore’ don’t stand around looking for a stray ball, just bend down and cover your head with your arms.

Even if you are a beginner at golf, taking the trouble to learn about golf etiquette early on will ensure that you are always welcome on the course.

What Kind Of Golf Cart Battery Do You Need?

April 11th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Obviously different types of vehicles require their own particular kind of battery. But why is that so? Isn’t one battery much the same as another? After all they all work on the same principal. So do you have to have a special golf cart battery for your buggy or can you just get one from your local car dealer? Unfortunately the answer is no but there are places you can go to get good deals on the right kind of golf cart battery.

What’s So Special About a Golf Cart Battery?

The difference in your car battery and a golf cart battery is the way they are designed to use and distribute t electrochemical reaction. Basically, the golf cart battery is designed to provide a steady amount of current over a long period of time instead of a large amount of current for a short period of time. This means that your golf cart battery is specially designed for the purpose of running your cart and not for starting your car. This also means that you have to buy that specific battery to run your golf cart.

Golf Cart Battery Brands

Name brands for car batteries are different than those who provide golf cart batteries. Among the leaders in this area are Exite Technologies, Trojan Battery Company, and
Exide Technologies is advertised as the “Global Leader in Stored Electrical Energy”. Their golf cart battery selection can be found at authorized dealers which are searchable on Exide’s website (www.exideworld.com).

Trojan Battery Company states on its website (www.trojanbattery.com) that “More than 98% of America’s top golf courses use Trojan Batteries in their fleets.”  And MK Battery Company (www.mkbattery.com) states that their commitment to products, service, and quality makes them “one of the largest sealed lead acid battery distributors in North America.”

With all these claims, how do you know what golf cart battery to buy?

Selecting Your Golf Cart Battery

As with most out of the ordinary products that you buy you would probably talk to your friends and family first to see if they have any experience of them before purchasing a golf cart battery. Sellers may try to get you to buy a more expensive battery than you actually need so always do your research. A company may claim to provide the best golf cart battery but do yourself a favor and check out the results of consumer tests. Consumerreports.org  carry out such tests and are available for a small subscription.

— Next Page »

Copyright © 2007 Play Better Golf - Golf Fundamentals

Credits: Make Money Online | Matteo Turchetto | Andreas Viklund