Junkyard Putting: Geometry for Improvement

DJ Winger — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:35:03 +0000

Junkyard Putting

A good friend of mine has published an ebook called Junkyard Putting. It gives you the methodolgy to use some simple tools to improve your putting. Here’s a brief introduction:

What would you think if you were told that tape and a coat hanger could help you improve your putting to point that you might putt like a Pro? Hard to believe but that’s Junkyard Putting.

• Using simple geometry Junkyard Putting will improve your game.

• It starts by making sure you have the right putter by determining the length and lie angle to fit your set-up.

• Next but probably the most critical to excellent putting is to have an alignment tool that can be used on the course to insure your eyes are in the proper position.

• Once you have your eyes in the proper position you now can lock in your stance! Again using alignment tools that can be used on the course.

After you have a repeatable setup, then good putting is just having a good stroke.

In summary, Junkyard Putting uses simple tools to determine your putter specifications, secures your eyes into the proper position, and then locks your stance for putting repeatability.

If you’re interested, you can buy it at Redwing Golf.

Golf Etiquette: A Brief Primer

DJ Winger — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:54:16 +0000

Here a summary of the important elements of good golf etiquette, starting with the all important “Fore”!

Safety

It is common, and required, etiquette to yell “Fore” if your shot is going in the direction of other golfers. This will warn the other golfers that the ball is headed at them.

As a beginner, you will make many bad shots. Don’t get so frustrated that you begin throwing clubs or other objects. It won’t help, and you may injure your playing partner.

Maintaining the Course

One very important rule is that you should leave the course as you have found it. This allows the course to be enjoyed by other who follows you. If you take a divot while striking the ball on the tee or in the fairway, immediately replace the sod. The will allow the grass to grow back for the next person who hits from that spot. Placing the grass back and gently tapping it down with your feet takes little time and maintains the course’s beauty.

On the green, repair any ball mark you might have caused by your ball landing on the green. Even if you didn’t cause it and you see one in the area your ball landed, please repair the mark to allow the green to heel and allow the ball to roll smoothly over the mark. For beginners, have an experienced golfer show you the proper technique for repairing a ball mark.

There will be sand on many golf courses. These act as hazards or areas to avoid hitting your ball into it, but occasionally your ball will land in one and you will have to hit your ball from that position. Make sure to rake the trap to remove your footprints and damage made from the ball and your club. Again, newcomers should have an experienced golfer show you the proper technique.

If you drive a cart, make sure to observe any cart rules by the golf course. You may see signs stating that the carts should be on the “Cart Path Only” or to follow the “90-degree rule” when crossing the fairway. Never drive the cart on or near greens and hazards. There is usually a white line marked by the golf course superintendent to denote areas to not cross with the golf cart. Please follow these rules. Newcomers should allow the more experienced golfer to drive the cart. Pay close attention to how that golfer maneuvers the cart around the course.

It goes without saying to put trash in designated trash cans. These are found on the tee boxes or at the club house when you are finished with your round.

Enjoyment for Others

One of the reasons to get involved in the game of golf should be to have fun. However, the fun should not only be for you, but the others on the golf course as well. Having a conversation with a fellow golfer on the course is commonplace, but try to keep that volume to a minimum. That means no yelling to one another on the course (except to warn someone of immediate danger) and not to talk while someone is getting ready to hit the ball. Extend the same courtesy as you would when you are trying to concentrate on hitting the ball. Cell phone usage is also discouraged on the course.

The pace of play is important for not only you and your playing companions, but all others who follow you on the course. Tee times are usually set so many minutes apart to allow a certain pace of play. Generally, golf course wants you to play each hole in approximately 15 minutes. This means that for each 9 holes, 2 hours and 15 minutes should be sufficient time to complete each side. A ranger might be present on the course to tell you to pick up your pace.

Here are some additional tips:

The person furthest from the hole is the first to hit
Be ready when it is your turn to hit
Don’t spend too much time looking for a lost ball, help look for your playing partner’s lost ball to save time
Know where to drop your ball if it lands in a hazard, is lost or goes out of bounds
If you have to keep your cart on the path, then take more than one club when you go to your ball when it will be a distance from the cart
On the green, do not stand where you can cast a shadow or walk in the line of another golfer’s putt
Wait until the last person has putted out before going to your cart or going to the next green

Wear appropriate attire at the golf course you will be playing. This usually means a collared shirt, shorts that come close to the knees and golf shoes (or at worst) tennis shoes with socks. If you do not know, ask ahead when you make reservations or the host you will be playing with.

This may seem like a lot to know, but many of these rules of etiquette should be common sense, while others will take a little time to learn the more you play this wonderful game. Playing with more experienced golfers will help educate you so you are able to share those same values when it is your turn to play with someone new to the game.

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Junkyard Putting: Geometry for Improvement

Golf Etiquette: A Brief Primer