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Golf Handicap

A golf handicap is a simple way of allowing golfers to compete on equal terms. A handicap is assigned to a golfer based by a club or association. Generally, the higher the handicap, the worse the golfer.

The handicap shows potential or consistency. As a golfer has a lower average score, the handicap decreases.

Using a Handicap

A simple explanation of a handicap the number of strokes a golfer may subtract from their gross score. For example, if the golfer shoots an 80 on a par 72 course and their handicap is 8, they count their score as a 72 when comparing to other competitors.

A more expanded explanation can be found here.

Calculating a Handicap

A formula is used to assign a handicap. The formula takes into account course rating, course slope, and score averages. Here is the first formula:

(Score - Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating with 113 representing the slope rating of a golf course of average difficulty, as set by the USGA.

Here is a free handicap calculator.

Detailed explanation of calculation.

USGA official formula.

Master the techniques involved in the game of golf

If you know the role of a golfer, it will be easier for you to understand the stroke of golf. The golfer never hits the ball; he only swings the club, the impact of which strikes the ball. Golfers begin with the non-dominant part of the body facing the target. At address, the club and the body are parallel to the target line. For putters and middle irons the feet have to be placed shoulder -width apart. They are narrower in case of short irons and wide in case of long irons and woods. The golfer must select a golf club, stroke and grip that are apt for the distance:

It is vital to know the techniques of playing golf. There are several DVD's available from where you can muster these techniques. The internet is full of demonstrations about golfing techniques. This is the way you can attain success in this game.

The drive is used to tee-off long distances on the teeing ground.
For long to mid distance shots the approach is used.
The chip is made use of for short distance shots mainly around the green. The main aim of the chip is to land the ball on the green safely.
For short distance, the putt is used. It aspires to get the ball in the hole.

If you are a dedicated player playing regularly, you will soon attain proficiency in the techniques of golf swing, golf grip and perfect putting. If you can complement this technique with practice, you will soon become a successful golf player.

Wedges, hybrids, putter, chippers

Wedges are irons having higher than nine iron which are usually lofted at about 42 degrees. Wedges are used for high altitude, short distance and high accuracy shots. These may arise while heating the ball into the green or the "approach shot", placing the ball on the fairway to get a good shot at the green or the "lay-up shot" or hitting the ball to get away from hazards on to the green or "chipping shot".

There are usually wedges of six types. The loft in their cases range from 45 degree to 64 degree. Putters are a special type of club. They have a loft not exceeding ten degrees. Chippers are an exception. Putters are designed to enable the ball to roll along the grass, usually from any point on the putting green towards the cup. It is often believed that putters have no loft. The actual position is that they do have a loft of around five degrees. The loft allows the ball to be lifted from any indentation it has made. New design of putters includes grooves on the face to allow the ball to roll. Rather than skid on impact.

A chipper is designed for low speed swings. It can lift the ball a short distance of around 25 yards on to the green. The chipper can be used in place of the pitching wedge. This club is the finishing club for a hole and used only on the greens. Golf balls are usually white and pock marked to decrease aerodynamic drag.

Golf Clubs: Irons

Irons are golf clubs have a flat angled face and a shorter shaft compared with the wood. Irons are designed for shots towards the green or from relatively more difficult locations such as the rough over or through the trees or base of hills. There are short, medium or long irons. All these have flat heads. "Wedges" are a special type of iron, heavy and shorter than other irons with a less flat face. These are designed to loft the ball higher.

Irons get their name because, originally, they were made from forged iron. These days, of course "Woods" are also made of metal, but the nomenclature has not changed. Club heads of irons are contoured to be thin from front to back. The club faces are grooved to allow the ball to spin. Recreational players prefer a cavity back , while seasoned players would prefer a blade style of iron- also called muscle-pack iron. The difference between the two is that in the case of the blade style, the rear of the club head is full, whereas, in the cavity back the rear of the club is partially scooped out.

Long clubs which have a smaller degree of loft are used to propel the ball to a larger distance. Short clubs have a higher degree of loft and are used to drive the ball to a shorter distance.

The largest headed and longest headed club is the driver. Woods are slightly shorter but are still comparatively large headed clubs used for long distance Fairway shots.

Perfecting Golf

If you aim at playing a perfect game of golf, then you should have the right grip, a good swing and above all your posture - the head and shoulder alignment, the club face alignment should be correct. All these collectively maximize your success rate in golf.

In order to muster the basic golf techniques, you must have a pre-shot routine in which you practice the fundamentals of golf. A few components of a pre -shot routine include: Spontaneity, Consistency and Quality shots.

Features of a pre-shot routine include:

A few directions for a good swing are mentioned below:

Standing behind the ball and observe the target. Then identify the line of shot to the target.
Mentally visualizing the shot that is about to play. And approaching the ball from the left by placing the right foot forward.
Setting the club -face behind the ball. Aligning the right hand square to the line where the shot is.
Bringing the left foot in front and parallel to the target.
Applying the left hand to the swing, and taking proper aim and then begining the swing. The grip has to be firm and proper.
The hands should be a little ahead of the ball. Feet have to kept wide apart.
Club should be held low to the ground.
Breaking - wrists must be at the top of backswing the shoulders turned 90 degrees, the right knee should be fixed during the turning of the upper body. Both the knees should be bent.

Golfing Grip

A good golf grip is the basis of a perfect swing. The grip is your one and only contact with the golf club and also the golf ball ultimately. So the golf grip can be regarded as a basic golf technique. It is essential to master this grip to improve your game.

The functions of the perfect grip are as follows:

Golf grips are of three types:

It can establish and maintain the control over the club-face
It can cock as well as uncock your wrists in the event of a golf swing.
It can create a link physically between your body and the golf club.
Your golf grip must be spontaneous and instinctive by nature.

There are few factors which determine the power of your grip in golf.

Interlocking grip: this is a popular grip in which the little finger interlock with the index finger.
Vardon grip: this is a low handicap grip in golf. The little finger rests in between the index and the second finger.
Baseball grip: this is the best grip for juniors. Hands to be kept side by side, this way it is easy to break the wrists and swing easily.

Neutral: this is the best grip. There is balanced power from both right and left hand.
Strong grip: the left hand is dominating here. You will observe three knuckles on your left hand. Topping or hooking
Strong grip-the right hand dominating: You will see three or more knuckles in your left hand. It will slice or block shots towards the right.

Constructional Features in Golf Clubs

The shaft in a golf club is a tapered tube usually made of steel or graphite. The shaft is usually 34 -48 inches in length and approximately 0.5 inches in diameter near the grip. The weight of the shaft varies from 45 -150gm depending on the length and material used.

There are a number of ways to quantify. Shaft flex is the most common of them. The shaft flex is the amount of a deflection when placed under a load. A stiffer shaft will bend less and will need more power at point of impact to achieve a higher distance. A more flexible shaft will whip and would need lesser power for more distance on slower swings. If excess power is used, it would flex excessively and would result in an inaccurate strike.

A variety of flexes are made by manufacturers. Most common among these are:

These clubs are sometimes referred as Rescues after the name of a club to use this design.

A (Soft, Regular, Intermediate or Senior) R (Regular) S (Stiff) X (Extra Stiff) and L (Lady). For an average head speed of 80-94mph, a regular flex shaft is suitable. The S-Flex or X-flex is meant for players with an average swing speed of 100mph. the choice of the flex depends on the individual player.
A hybrid is a Cross between a wood and an iron which combine the wood's long distance with the iron's swing. Most hybrids take the place of iron. However, the hybrid is easier to hit than the corresponding iron.