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As a beginner golfer, you might want to consider buying used golf clubs as a starter set. Of course if you have the money to burn then go ahead and get a new set of clubs, but used golf clubs are more than appropriate for the majority of newcomers to the game. There are quite a few people, especially kids and teenagers, who play for a while but lose enjoyment and end up wasting those new clubs.

The main factors when buying any type of clubs, even used golf clubs, is to make sure that they fit close to your height, arm length, and swing speed. When buying used golf clubs, another important factor is how all of the drivers, irons, and putters feel in your hands and when you swing.

 Used golf clubs can be found in most used sporting good stores, weekend garage sales, classified ads in the newspaper, and of course, through online shopping. You can even check some of the local pro shops at the nearest golf course for any available used golf clubs.

However, I would like to point out that if you can afford used clubs then you can probably afford a set of custom golf clubs from Triangle Custom Clubs.
Our clubs are custom made to your specifications, and are hundreds less than name brand clubs.

Another option would be to learn how to build your own golf clubs. If that interests you then take a look at this…

The official rules of golf state that when playing your shots from the green, you have to make an important decision regarding the flagstick. You have to decide whether you would like to remove the pin from a hole or leave it in and have your golf partner or
caddie watch over it.

This may not seem like a hard decision, but what happens when you have to play a very short shot, what should you do? There is no right or wrong answer to this question, however there are definitely pros and cons to making each choice. Here are a few scenarios to help you make an informed decision about whether or not to remove
the flagstick when the time comes:

Pulling The Flagstick

Pros: The benefit of removing the flagstick is that you totally clear the pathway of the hole so that the ball can make it inside without any obstructions getting in the way. When the pin is removed, there is no worry about the ball bouncing against the flagstick and back out of the hole, which can be very upsetting to watch.

Cons: If you just made a shot and the ball is heading directly for the hole, but is moving too fast, it now has an opportunity to roll right over, skipping the hole entirely.

Keeping The Flagstick Inside

Pros: If you decide to keep the flagstick in the hole, it can serve a good purpose by blocking a ball which is traveling at high speeds. Also, you may even sink the ball into the hole as a result of the pin remaining inside, due to it stopping the ball from passing over so fast.

Cons: If you do not remove the flagstick, it may prevent the ball from falling into the hole. It may bounce right off of the pin and depending upon the terrain of the green, especially if it is downhill from the hole, the ball may roll far away from the intended target.

Last Minute Tip: As we stated earlier, there is no hard and fast rule to making the decision of whether or not to remove the flagstick. We have given you some sensible pros and cons when it comes to the flagstick, but you must also keep stock of other variables on the course you are playing on. Take note of the green. You may want to leave the
flagstick in the hole when hitting the ball on a downhill slope, or leave the pin in if you are making a shot up hill towards the hole.

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Hit ‘em straight

Ben

You have probably heard this advice before, but it is worth repeating:

Every shot you hit a golf should have a goal behind it.

Your scorecard can only be improved by increasing your skills and having an understanding of just how to properly prepare and push yourself on every shot you make. You should be asking yourself:

What do I expect from this shot? What is a reasonable result?

Reasonable Goals To Better Your Score

The key to becoming a better golf player and lowering your score is to totally avoid taking too many putt shots on the green.

Regardless of how well you can skyrocket the ball from your tee shot and landing it on the green within regulations, if you take an unacceptable amount of strokes to get the ball into the hole, the opportunity to better your score has been wasted.

There is no excuse for this.

The Initial Goal

Do not confuse goals with expectations. An expectation is an action that is reasonable and one that should happen every time you decide on the outcome. A goal, on the other hand, is something in which you are reaching high for, but may take a little time to reach. Once reached, the goal can then become an expectation through repetition.

The initial goal you should have in golf is to send the ball into the hole within 36 putts or fewer, on an 18 hole course.

This means that you must hit two putts or less on every green.

This goal obviously becomes easier to achieve the closer you can hit the ball to the green, but those times where it lands 30 to 50 feet away from the hole, you’ve got yourself a major feat to accomplish. It’s going to take extreme focus to make long putt
shots successful.

Make Every Putt Count

By accepting the challenge of this article to play every golf game with the goal of 36 or fewer putts, you’ve taken a big step towards improving yourself and your skill. However, do not let this challenge get in the way of your confidence.

When facing a long putt, you may have the tendency to get lazy and lose confidence in knowing that you could make the shot. This may cause you to swing at the ball in a halfhearted matter and quit your goal before even trying.

Too Much Confidence Can Hurt

Even if the shot appears to be too easy, the same negative outcome may happen as well. You may have been very successful in getting the ball close to the hole, but feel overly confident and attack the ball with too much aggressiveness. Instead of staying focused,
your overconfidence and lack of concentration may cause an easy 2′ foot putt to completely miss the hole.

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Hit ‘em straight

Ben

As you become a more experienced golf player (classified as intermediate), you will need to figure out different methods in order to find out how well you are progressing.
The easiest way to do this is by determining your score.

Your score shows your handicap. A decrease in your handicap proves that you are getting better with your game.

However, if you want to know precisely what your handicap is, you need to turn in your real score for each hole.

How Can Cheating On Your Score Help Your Skills?

The answer is that it can’t. By bending the rules of the game, you are only turning in inaccurate scores. Fabricating your handicap may look good on paper and may even impress other players, but it will not do you any good when it comes to determining
your progress with the game.

In fact, lowering your handicap can harm your play by putting you at a disadvantage in competing. If the score shows that you are a 12 handicap, although in reality you are more likely an 18 or 20, then you won’t get as many shots as you should when playing with people that match your handicap (which is based on a lie).

Long Term Effects Of Cheating

Cheating with your score also has long term effects on your competitive play. Once your golf buddies realize that you are forging your scores in one way or another, whether you are using an offbeat way of keeping scores or bumping your ball so you can better the lie, they will no longer trust you, even when you are not cheating anymore.

Worse yet, these people may decide not to play with you again. So even if you turn over a new leaf choose to start playing by the rules, you’ll probably have a hard time convincing your golf friends that you can be trusted.

In the great game of golf, keep in mind that first and foremost, you are in competition with yourself, and your score indicates how far you are progressing. By forging with your score, you are only cheating yourself of having the real feeling of accomplishment. And when playing with others, it is just as important to document your scores accurately.

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Hit ‘em straight (and TRUE…)

Ben

It takes a very dedicated golfer to enjoy playing a full 18 holes in the rain.

I’ve got a friend who is so passionate about golf that he is on the course everyday, regardless if it is raining or snowing. So long as the course is open, he is out there!

While you wouldn’t catch me getting drenched in the storming rain on the golf course, I will admit that a person who appreciates these poor weather conditions will learn more about their swing and adaptation skills than any other golfer who only plays during perfect weather.

When playing golf in the rain, there are three things that make it very difficult to enjoy the game:

1. You are no longer comfortable due to being wet and soggy, which can have a negative impact on your focus and concentration levels.

2. You have less control over the club because your hands are wet, thus loosening up your grip.

3. The game also takes a lot longer to complete, due to the ball not traveling as far, slower plays through each hole, and of course, having to take more shots to finish each round.

Playing Golf In The Rain Has It’s Pleasures

The upside to playing golf in the rain is the fact that the ball stops very quickly on the green so instead of worrying about unwanted distance, the ball practically sticks when it
lands, like throwing a dart at a dart board. Your putt shots will also roll a lot slower than normal, making it easier to control the ball.

Here are a few tips for the golfer who is on the course when it rains:

1. A wet grip can cause a good shot to go bad, so carry several small towels with you.  Stuff them in your golf bag and use the towels to keep your grip as dry as possible during the game.

2. Always keep one or two umbrellas with you at all times. The extra umbrella can come in handy if one of your playing partners forgets to bring one.

3. Have two or three extra golf clubs with you as well. They will inevitably get wet and can be quite uncomfortable to swing with.

4. Your body and hands are not the only things that should be kept dry. Your golf bag needs to be free from moisture and rain with a plastic covering. Most new golf bags have a fairly decent cover that comes with them at the time of purchase, but if you
do not have one, visit the nearest golf sporting store to see what is in stock.

5. If you plan on playing golf in the rain on a regular basis, invest into a high-quality, full bodied rain suit. You can also find these at most golf sporting stores. Your game in the rain will be much more enjoyable with a rain suit.

6. When it comes to your swing during rainy weather, ease back slowly and swing much smoother than normal, with less strength you would normally use. Consider this a safety tip because the wetness could cause your club to literally fly out of your hands and cause a bad accident.

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Hit ‘em straight (and dry…)

Ben

Since you are probably thinking about your wish list for Christmas, I thought I’d put up a post about the golf gift that keeps on giving - a new golf bag… 

 A high quality golf bag is an invaluable investment for the regular golfer. This is especially true if you enjoying walking the course and prefer not to use a cart.  Besides, it is highly recommended to walk as often as possible when playing golf.  And during your game, you want a golf bag that will be comfortable, yet durable.

Tour Bags

When shopping for a quality golf bag, there are several sizes for you to choose from. If you have ever watched a professional golf game on TV or in person, you will notice that the pros typically use giant leather tour bags. They are waterproof and equipped with large pockets that are able to carry most anything a caddie may need during the game.

Needless to say, these bags are extremely heavy, some weighing over 50 pounds.  Luckily for these players, they pay someone to carry their golf bags for them. Many Caddies get paid very well, with some even earning a percentage of their player’s tournament wins.

Cart Bags

The average golfer like yourself will probably never need a 50 pound tour bag just to carry your clubs around the golf course on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  So the next size down that is more ideal for normal, everyday players is called a cart bag.

Cart bags are typically made of leather and nylon. They are also made to fit on a golf cart. On the other hand, cart bags are still a bit bulky and are best suited if you plan on driving the golf cart around all day. Personally, my favorite is the carry bag, as described below.

Carry Bags

Although cart bags are ideal, an even better solution for recreational golfers are called carry bags. These golf bags are much smaller and weigh far less than a full-size bag such as the tour bag and cart bag. You will find that cart bags are able to carry all of your clubs, a few  accessories, and of course your golf balls. However, there is little room for anything else.

Carry bags are available in a wide range of sizes, designs, and price. For children you can find these bags in smaller ¾ sizes. For adults who would like a little “extra”, you can pick up a deluxe model carry bag that has more pockets and a backpack strap which enables you to hold onto your bag using both shoulders – quite comfortable.

As far as prices are concerned, with carry bags, you get what you pay for (like any product for that matter). Low-quality bags can sell for $40-$50. However, cart bags in this price range do not have the most aesthetic appeal and are not very comfortable. Cheap carry bags such as this are fine if you only plan on playing golf once or twice per year. It would be a better choice to invest at least $100 into a high-quality carry bag.

Of course, it’s even better if you get wrapped up with a bow under (or beside) the Christmas tree.
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Hit ‘em straight

Ben

There is one variable about golf that you cannot control: The weather. 

Perfect temperatures, bright sunny days, and zero wind can be few and far
in between in many areas of the country. However, being passionate about
golf means welcoming changes in weather, regardless of the circumstances.

In fact, the sign of a good golfer is one that can adapt and use poor
weather conditions to his or her advantage.

Severe Temperature Conditions

When you think of bad weather on the golf course, heavy rains and wind first
come to mind. In addition to these variables, extreme temperatures can also play
a role in interfering with your game.

Most parts of the country experience drastic changes in climate and temperature
when the seasons shift. From the hot, humid months of summer, to the cold,
rigid feeling of winter, learning how to play golf during each season is crucial
to getting better at your game.

So long as there isn’t any snow or frost on the ground, golf can be played in
just about any condition that mother nature gives you. Cold weather can offer a
private and peaceful game, considering most players will not be on the course.

Beginner golfers should take advantage of this opportunity during the cold, as
there is little interruptions and very few groups playing behind you, therefore there is no
rush on each hole.

Tips When Playing Golf During The Cold Season

1. Check your golf shoes and make sure that they are waterproof.
If not, consider purchasing a new pair. The cold weather brings
with it frost and moisture on the grass, which can saturate your
shoes if they are not waterproof. In addition, a thick pair of
socks will provide more comfort. I personally like to double
up on socks during the cold weather.

2. When dressing for the cold, put on layers of clothing as
opposed to wearing thicker items, such as a large coat.
Not only will the extra layers provide more warmth, you
will have far more room to maneuver when making your shots.
Turtlenecks are perfect for these occasions.
And consider thermal underclothing if the temperatures
are dipping low enough.

3. Always wear a hat that provides warmth for the head and protects
the ears. I prefer the type of hat that comes with ear muffs, or
flaps. You might not look fashionable, but you’ll never have to
worry about frostbite, or a headache from the cold.

4. As far as your game is concerned, the ball will not travel as
far as it usually does. During cold weather, the air is dense and
you may have to use a different club than you normally would.
For example, a 6-iron would be used instead of the 7-iron,
and so on.

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Hit ‘em straight

Ben

Golf is all about giving yourself the absolute best opportunities to make shots onto the green. 
This is done by keeping the ball on the fairway, which means that accuracy should be one of the focal points of your game. You can increase your accuracy when playing golf by keeping in mind the following points:

1. No matter where your ball is, you should always be aiming for a target. Developing accuracy and playing with a strategic mindset means choosing a target to shoot at, even if you cannot see the hole.

By choosing a small target, such as an object or a location on the fairway, visualize the ball heading in that exact direction. This technique has been proven to help thousands of golfers to hit more accurate shots in line with their target.

2. Just because you are hitting the ball from the tee, that does not mean that the driver should be used each and every time.
Yes, the driver will hit the ball the farthest, but it also has the least accuracy of every club in your bag. You may be facing a shot with a narrow fairway, or perhaps risking advanced hazards on each side of the fairway.

Either way, your driver may not be the best choice. Instead, consider using your woods, preferably a 3-wood or the 5-wood. You could even use an iron when hitting the ball from the tee if it is deemed necessary.

3. Learn to take your ego out of the game when necessary. Always take the safe shot if you are unsure of what strategy to use. Trying to be the golf hero of the day may ruin your score. Have the mindset to simply keep the ball on the green and finish
the job with your putter.

4. Regardless of playing skill level, all golf players who have been involved in this sport for any amount of time have one thing in common: We all have a “lucky club”.
Beginner golfers may not have such an experience yet, but in time you will. We like to call it our “go to” club. It is the one club in our bag that we consistently
hit the ball well with.

Always use your lucky club whenever you have a very important shot to make. Remember, different clubs are designed to hit the ball in different manners, but any club will work for any shot, most of the time. 
For example, even if your tee off is on a par-5 hole, but the shot absolutely must go well, and your lucky club is a 5-wood, then use it!  Does the 9-iron do the trick for you every time, regardless of the circumstances? Use it!

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Hit ‘em straight

Ben

OK, I have to admit it - I’m getting old.

I know that because my eyesight is betting pretty bad. It’s hard to see my ball when I hit it these days.

…or maybe that’s because it’s always landing up in the forest

But seriously, some lies you find yourself in on a golf course make you feel like you;’re blind anyway. Shooting for a target on the golf course that you cannot see, due to trees or other obstacles, can be extremely frustrating.  

Since it is difficult to determine exactly where to aim, here’s what you have to do -

You have to either walk or drive up to see the target to get a better estimate of the distance (make sure that this won’t slow down play too much, though). Next, find a spot where you can see both the target and your golf ball. Look for a midway target on the ground, or close to to the ground, and make that your target.  If the target is located at the other side of a hill, walk or drive up to the top of the hill. Next, find a tree, preferably one that stands out and grows in the background right behind that target. When you are ready to take your shot, aim for the top of that tree. Tight Squeezes  

If you are stuck in a tough spot, such as trees or bushes, but have a small passage out to the fairway, your best option is to hit the shot as close to the ground as you can. Your ball should take a low, fast hop, and then roll on the ground back into the open space and onto the fairway. Some people call that a punch-out. Just get it out and try to make up the distance with your next shot.

I know - easier said than done, right?

Hit  ‘em straight (next time)

Ben

OK, we all know that most golf courses have 18 holes.

However, in addition to these popular 18-hole courses, there are also locations that only have 9 holes.

A typical 18 hole full-size golf course can take five or more hours to play through, especially if you have a large group playing with you. The 9-hole course, on the other hand, can be finished in less than half that time.

For many players, especially beginner golfers, the 9-hole course offers more fun and enjoyment while in the beginning stages of their game.

For regular folks whom have busy lives, careers, and family, the 9-hole golf course offers a more realistic time period to get a decent game in. It’s just not practical to spend five to seven hours a day playing through a full 18 hole course.

Hey, and it’s cheaper, too

 Tip: Even if you prefer playing on an 18-hole golf course, stop by the 9-hole location on the weekends. It is never quite as busy as full courses and you will have more time to concentrate on your game skills.

 Hit ‘em straight

Ben