How To Keep Score

Keeping score in golf is sometimes a mystery to those who are unfamiliar with the game. The confusion comes from the idea of the one with the lowest score wins.

Instructions:

1. Count the strokes it takes you to reach each hole and mark it down on the scorecard. 
2. Every time you swing at the ball, it counts as a stroke. Even if you swing and miss it counts as a stroke. (If you are playing by the rules)
3. There are things called penalty strokes. A couple examples of a penalty would be hitting the ball in the water which would be a 1 stroke penalty and you get to drop your ball close to where it entered the hazard. (Marked by a red stake). Another example would be hitting the ball OB (out of bounds). When you hit the ball out of bounds (marked by white stakes), you must place the ball where it was and take a two stroke penalty. So if you hit the ball out of bounds on your first shot, you would then re-tee your ball and would be hitting your third shot. 
4. When you're finished, add up your scores from each hole for a cumulative total. Double check it. If you're playing in a tournament, one of your competitors will be keeping your official score. You must check it and sign your scorecard to make it official. 

Extra Terms:

Each golf hole is a different length. Dependent on the length, it will be categorized as a Par 3, Par 4, and Par 5. Par 3's usually range from 100-225 yards, Par 4's range from 225-500 yards, and Par 5's range from 500-660 yards. 

• Par- The standard score for the hole (Par 4 = 4 on the hole). 
• Birdie- A hole played one stroke under par. (Par 4 = 3 on the hole). 
• Bogey- A hole played one stroke over par (Par 4 = 5 on the hole)
• Double Bogey- A hole played two strokes over par (Par 4 = 6 on the hole) 
• Eagle- A hole played two strokes under par (Par 4 = 2 on the hole)
• Hole in One- A hole played in one shot (Par 3 = 1 on the hole)
• Albatraz- A hole played three stokes under par (Par 5 = 2 on the hole). 

A scratch golfer is a player who averages a round of even par. 

Focus On Your Target

"In golf, what this stationary ball often leads to is attention being drawn exclusively toward the ball, with little or no attention paid to the target" - Andy Griffiths

Just like if you were going to shoot a basketball, you must put your focus for the shot towards the rim. There is no difference when it comes to golf except for the fact that the ball is stationary. If you stand over the ball too long, the harder it will be to perform effectively. Most amateurs place a great deal of thought on the ball and body movements, resulting in the target being lost (mentally). Your main focus should be to get the ball to end up at your target after every shot. Spend most of your time getting zoned into your target rather than being fixated on the ball or even your swing. This is the reason most peoples practice swings are better than their real swings because the don't have the ball in front of them.

Tips to becoming more target oriented:

1. During your pre-shot routine, take a long look at the target and do so with extreme care
2. Visualize the flight of the ball going to the target (or the ball rolling into the hole) 
3. Maintain your awareness of the target as you are about to start your swing/stroke. Stay connected with the target even when you are not looking at it. 
4. Be committed to where you want the ball to go

I personally would say this is the most important aspect of golf. When you are playing, you do not want to be thinking about your swing but instead where you want the ball to go. Playing good golf is about having a clear mind and playing free, allowing the body to perform without interference. The freer the mind the freer the swing. 

For more information visit: How to focus for golf

Pre-Shot Routine

Along with having strong fundamentals, another huge part golf is the pre-shot routine. The importance of the pre-shot routine is to get you mentally prepared for the shot you are about to hit. The importance of a pre-shot routine is to help you get mentally prepared for your current shot. It helps take the pressure out of the moment because you know that if you go through the same routine before every shot that in a sense it is the same shot even though there is a great deal of pressure. It doesn't matter if you are on the course or enjoying a practice session, every shot you hit should include a pre-shot routine. Here are some steps to developing your own routine.

1. Choose your target standing behind the ball. Look down the target line and choose a spot a few feet in front of the ball. Keep your eye on that spot and approach the ball by setting your clubface pointing to the target. 
2. Once club is set, align your body parallel to the target line with the butt (where the shaft meets the club head) of the club pointing to the first belt loop left of your belly button. 
3. When it comes to the grip, hold your club vertically and take your grip while looking down your target line, zeroing in on exactly where you want to hit the ball. 
4. Take a practice swing. Feel the swing and then step back up an address the ball. 
5. Take one last look at your target. Focus on your current swing thoughts and commit to the shot
6. Hit the ball! 

Study the professionals, watch for their pre-shot routine and re-evaluate yours. Find a style that fits your game and has been perfected on the driving range. Remember, it is important to know your pre-shot routine so that you will be prepared to make the best possible swing for the shot at hand.

I believe that this was a relevant topic because I have been in many situations where I needed to hit a specific shot under pressure and with a pre-shot routine it is the same as anything other shot that I had on that day. I see the routine as a way to get away from anything going on that is irrelevant to my current shot. In my pre-shot routine, all my focus is on where I want to hit the ball and how I am going to get there. It is not on my swing. If you're thinking about your swing, you are not going to be swinging as free resulting in not playing to your full potential.

pictures taken from golftoday.co.uk

The Need To Knows About Golf

There is some basic knowledge that I need to make sure you understand before I begin talking in depth about golf. A complete round of golf is 18 holes. There are many people who will only go out and play 9 holes but in a tournament, a "round" is considered to be 18. In college tournaments on the first day we will play 36 holes which can be rather exhausting if you ask me. Some of the more basic rules to golf are that you are not allowed to carry more than 14 clubs in your golf bag otherwise you get penalized. Also you must keep pace of play up. Pace of play for 18 holes is four hours. If you fall behind that an official may put you on the clock meaning that if he or she has to come tell you to play faster again you will be assessed a penalty stroke. Now to the golf swing! The basic fundamentals to a golf swing are typically messed up with most amateur golfers. The things you must take into account before hitting the golf ball are:

1. Alignment (Where am I aimed) 
2. Feet shoulder width apart
3. Eyes behind the golf ball 
4. Hand in front of the ball

If you focus on these things before you swing, it is much easier to distinguish what is wrong within the swing. I know this might be a rather hard concept to catch onto but just keep believing that it will work out and I promise you will begin to see some improvements. Here is a video on how to properly set up to a golf ball. 

Welcome

Learning how to play golf can be a challenging, yet ultimately very rewarding experience. Golf is one of the few sports that can be played for a lifetime and the exciting part is that you’re never too old to pick up the game. Most importantly anybody can play. It doesn't matter if you are tall, short, weak, or even lacking flexibility, there is always a way to hit a golf ball. There are even people out there who are playing with one arm or one leg. Hence why I believe it is the greatest sport ever played. 

With that being said I understand that in the beginning, learning how to play golf can seem like an uphill battle. To save yourself from constant frustration I will keep you guys updated with tips and help on working towards being able to play the wonderful sport of golf. I will also share a little bit on how golf impacts my life personally. 

The first thing to remember when learning how to play golf is to stay patient and positive. Things are not going to always go your way when you are practicing, even I experience that, but you just have to believe you are going to get better. Golf is a sport that until something mentally clicks for you it can seem borderline impossible. I realize that there are number of you who have not played or even watched golf before but I hope through this blog you gain some interest in the sport and hopefully one day want to try it.