Question 1

Etiquette

Accepted Answer

1.    Golfers call penalties on themselves
2.    Safety
3.    Wear appropriate attire
4.    Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tee time
5.    Check with the starter 15 minutes before your tee time
6.    Turn off your cell phone
7.    Check the scorecard for any local rules
8.    Place an identifying mark on your ball
9.    Don’t ever pick up a ball that’s not yours
10. Count your clubs
11. Offer single players to join your group
12. If playing a match, understand format and stakes
13. Lowest score on the previous hole tees off first
14. Player furthest from the hole goes first
15. Stand still and be quiet while others are hitting
16. Follow cart path rules
17. Don’t place golf bags on tee boxes or greens
18. Don’t ask for advice or give advice
19. Don’t practice on the course
20. Don’t swing your club until others are at a safe distance
21. Never swing at someone
22. Keep your distance when others are swinging
23. Don’t hit the ball until the group ahead is out of range
24. Don’t distract your playing partners
25. Don’t stand in the line of playing partners
26. Don’t walk while a playing partner is hitting
27. Don’t make noise
28. Always take care of the course
29. Fix ball marks
30. Enter bunkers from the low side and rake them 
31. Learn the meaning of golf terms:
a.    “Ace” is a hole-in-one
b.    “Albatross” is three under
c.     “Eagle” is two under
d.    “Birdie” is one under
e.    “Par” is the scorecard target
f.     “Bogey” is one over
g.    “Double Bogey” is two over
h.    “Triple Bogey” is three over
i.      “Short Side” is a missed approach with very little green to the hole
j.      “Mulligan” is a second chance
k.    “Chunk or Fat” is hitting behind the ball
l.      “Thin” is hitting up high on the ball
m.  “Gimme” is a short put that’s voluntarily conceded
n.    “Flop Shot” is a high, soft shot
o.    “Shank” is what no one talks about
p.    “Slice” is when sidespin curves the ball to the right
q.    “Fade” is a small slice
r.     “Hook” is when sidespin curves the ball to the left
s.     “Draw” is a small hook 
t.     “Waggle” is club movement before a shot
u.    “Loose Impediments” are unattached natural objects
v.    “Ground Under Repair” is a marked area where a player gets a free drop
w.  “Scramble” is getting a pitch shot on the green and then in the hole with one putt
x.    “Scramble” is also a team format where everyone goes to where the best shot lands and hits from there
32. Avoid Slow Play
a.    Walk at a reasonable speed
b.    Begin planning your next shot as you approach your ball
c.     From club selection to hitting, 30 to 45 seconds
d.    If you’re new to the game, set a stroke limit of 8
e.    Write down your scores on the next tee box
f.     Park your cart or golf bag on the side of the green toward the next hole
g.    Limit the amount of time spent at the turn
h.    Limit practice swings to 2
i.      If the group behind you is nearby, send the first person to putt out to the next tee box
j.      It’s extremely rude to not let a group play through that is waiting
33. While on the green
a.    Don't step on your partners’ putting lines
b.    Don’t stand directly behind someone or directly in front
c.     If your ball is on a player's line, volunteer to mark it
d.    If your ball is not furthest from the cup, mark it and clean it
e.    Stand still when a player is hitting
f.     Don't make any noise when your fellow player is preparing to putt
g.    Be certain your shadow doesn’t cover a partner’s line of putt
h.    If you don't have a caddie, be aware that you may need to tend the flagstick. 
i.      Generally, the player closest to the hole will manage the flagstick
o   Make sure you don't stand on anyone's line
o   Hold the flagstick at arm's length and don’t allow the flag to flutter
o   Make sure your shadow doesn't fall across the hole or putt line
o   Ask playing partners if they want you to leave the flagstick in the hole, remove it or attend it
o   If you lay down the flagstick, place it off the green
o   After everyone has putted out, immediately walk to the next tee
34. If you suspect a shot is either lost or out-of-bounds
o   Play a second provisional ball
o   You have three minutes to find the ball.
o   If it is not found within that three-minute period, you must play your provisional ball
35. Anytime you hit a shot that you think has a remote chance of hitting someone, yell "Fore"
36. Brief displays of frustration are one thing, but outbursts of temper are quite another
37. At the end of the round, shake hands with your fellow players

Question 2

Introduction to Swing Theories

Accepted Answer

a.     There’s No Single Way to Swing
b.     The Goal is to Try Out Options With 10 Balls on the Range or Nine Holes on the Course to Fit Your Body Type and Tendencies
c.     Your Swing May Become Orthodox or Unorthodox
d.     Learning Swing Theories Will Help You Manage Your Swing Coach
e.     Your Natural Swing Motion Will Give You a Good Feeling Inside
f.      Swing Video and Pressure Plate Feedback Help
g.     You Have a Good Golf Swing in You
h.     Once You Understand the Angle of the Club, Your Mind Will Automatically Develop a Swing
i.      Rhythm and Tempo are Too Often Forgotten Parts of the Golf Swing
j.      Big Muscles are Easier to Use, More Powerful, and More Consistent
k.     Gravity Plays a Significant Role in the Swing
l.      Centrifugal Force can Help
m.   Ground Forces Generate Power
n.     Tight, Tense Muscles are Slow Wobbly Ones
o.     If Your Backswing is Smooth, There’s a Good Chance Your Downswing Will be the Same
p.     Don’t Become Confused by Inconsistency in Golf Instruction
q.     Four Swing Planes:  On-Plane, Over Plane, Under Plane, and Mixture
r.      Use an On-Plane Swing as a Baseline

Question 3

Swing Theories

Accepted Answer

a.     Use an On-Plane Swing as a Baseline
b.     Types of Grip
c.     Takeaway to Match Grip Type
d.     Halfway Into Backswing
e.     On-Plane Swing, Flatter Swing, and More Upright Swing
f.      Top of Backswing
g.     Transition to Club Delivery Position
h.     Impact
i.      Follow-Through
j.      Low Shot
k.     High Shot
l.      Release Patterns

Question 4

Driving

Accepted Answer

Topics covered:

1.  Get Fit for a Driver
2.  Tee Height Influences Distance
3.  Reference Swing Theory Videos
4.  Linear Putters are Also Linear Drivers
5.  Tee The Ball Strategically
6.  Focus on a Small Target
7.  Double Check Alignment

Question 5

Art of Ball Striking

Accepted Answer

Topics Covered:

1.    Introduction  
   a.    Most amateurs curve the ball too much and too often
2.    Nine Rules of Face-to-Path  
   a.    Straight 
   b.    Pull Draw
   c.     Pull Slice
   d.    Pull Straight
   e.    Push Draw
   f.     Push Slice
   g.    Push Straight
   h.    Straight Draw
   i.      Straight Slice 
3.    Face and Path
4.    Ball Spin is Important
5.    Creativity is Learned Through Observation
6.    Visualize Shot Shapes
7.    Four Performance Rules on Shot Shaping
8.   You’re Never In-Between Clubs
9.   Identify Where You Want to Go

Question 6

Touble Shots

Accepted Answer

1.    Know the rules
2.    Understand the 9 different shots that can be hit
3.    Go on the course late in the day alone
4.    Learn to play shots on side slopes as well as uphill and downhill lies
  a.   Ball Above Feet
  b.  Ball Below Feet
  c.   Uphill Lie
  d.  Downhill Lie
5.    Fairway Bunker Shots

Question 7

Introduction to Putting

Accepted Answer

a.     Fundamentals in Setup
   i.     Arms Hang Loosely
   ii.     See the Line in Your Unique Posture
   iii.     Putter and Forearms on Same Plane
iv.     Be Athletic
b.     Fundamentals of Stroke
   i.     The Putter Face is King
   ii.     Path of Stroke
   iii.     Tempo
c.     Three Skills:  Start Ball on Line, Control Speed, and Read Greens
d.     Drills to Improve Putter Path
   i.     Alignment Rod Drill
   ii.     Loop-Correction Drill
   iii.     Pause Drill
e.      Putting Styles – Short Putter
   i.     Conventional Style
   ii.     Lead-Hand Low
   iii.     Prayer Grip
   iv.     Claw or Saw Grip
f.      Putting Styles – Longer Putter
   i.     Arm Lock
   ii.     Broomstick
g.     Putting Styles – Counterbalance
h.     Green Reading
   i.     Science vs. Feel
   ii.     Linear vs. Non-Linear
   iii.     Start Reading Greens Before Getting There
i.      Aim Point Express
   i.     Feel Different Slopes with Feet
   ii.     Stand a Foot Behind The Ball
   iii.     Use Dominant Eye with Two Fingers Up
   iv. When Greens are Fast, The Ball Breaks More

Question 8

Short Game & Distance Wedges

Accepted Answer

Topics Covered:

Introduction
Pitching
Tricks of the Trade
Chipping
Distance Wedges
Bunker Play
Flop Shot

Question 9

Fixing a Slice

Accepted Answer

1.    Visualize your optimal swing
   a.    Find an option for eliminating a slice that’s comfortable
   b.    Improve clubface alignment
   c.     Improve path

2.    Posture and alignment are key
   a.   Train your swing to be more on plane or under it with a square clubface
   b.   Check the alignment of the clubface at address
   c.   Aim right
   d.   Drop your trail shoulder down a bit and tuck it back a little
   e.   Strengthen your grip
   f.    Move the ball up in your stance
   g.   Eliminate wrist extension at the top of the swing by generating a flat wrist position
   h.   Let the club drop or shallow toward your backside in transition
   i.    Roll the hands over through impact
   j.    Flare your trail foot
   k.   When the club is parallel to the ground and waist high, be certain the face is a little closed
   l.    Let the clubface square up at impact
   m.  Tuck the trail elbow and keep it tucked throughout the swing
   n.  Keep the upper body tilted back toward your trail side as you near impact

3.    Drills
   a.    Swing with one arm
   b.    Swing with the club traveling outside going back and inside coming down
   c.    Place a towel under one arm or even both arms to stay connected
   d.    Place a headcover on the ground outside of the ball
   e.    The driver will curve more than irons
   f.     The same options to fix a slice apply to driver and irons

4.    Setting your driver to a closed-face position

Question 10

Fixing a Hook

Accepted Answer

1. A hook is caused by the club moving from the inside to the outside with a closed clubface.

2. Righthanders swing out to rightfield:
   a. Improve clubface alignment
   b. Improve path

3. Frequently visualize the new move:
   a. Check posture and alignment
      i.  Legs and shoulders aren’t closed
      ii.  Ball position isn’t too far backward
     iii.  Grip
     iv.  Be certain you’re not regripping on the backswing

4.  Options:
   a. Check clubface alignment at address
   b. Open your stance
   c. Open the clubface a bit at waist-high on the backswing
   d. Feel the lead arm pulling the club down
   e. Rotate the body more aggressively during transition
   f.  Feel more arm extension and less wrist rotation
   g. Raise your trail shoulder a little higher

5.  Drills:
   a. Place a headcover inside the golf ball
   b. Swing with one arm
   c.  Swing with the club traveling a bit inside going back and outside coming down
   d. Drivers will always curve more than irons, but the same options apply to both

Question 11

Practice

Accepted Answer

PUTTING
1.    Start-Line Drill
2.    Short-Range Drill
3.    Tornado Drill
4.    Drawback Competitive Game
 
SHORT GAME
1.    Ladder Drill
2.    Scatter Bunker Drill
3.    Up-and-Down Game
 
DISTANCE WEDGES
1.    Cone Drill
2.    Closest to the Pin
 
FULL SWING
1.    Single Target, 9 Different Shots
2.    Single Target, Multiple Club

Question 12

Preparing to Take a Lesson

Accepted Answer

Getting the Most from Your Swing Coach
Learn Swing Theories
Manage Your Coach Effectively
Each Coach Teaches Something Different
Lessons are a Two-Way Street
Look for a Good Fit
Develop a Plan for Your Lesson
Communicate with Your Swing Coach
What to do on Lesson Day
Ask Questions
Talk About Swing Theories
Pay Attention to Mindset
Be Diligent in Trying Out Options
Ask for Feedback
Ask for Drills
After Lesson Take Notes and Practice on the Range
Practice at Home
5 Stages to Swing Adjustment

Question 13

Seniors & Players with Physical Restrictions

Accepted Answer

1.  Options to build a swing motion around physical limitations
2.  What someone should do who has very little mobility
 a.  Lock in my body and just move my shoulders, arms and wrist slightly. 
 b. You can play good golf even if you have serious mobility issues. 
 c. The legs and body of seniors and players with restrictions often move slower than their arms
 d.    Options
     i.     Start with a little more weight on your lead foot
     ii.     Aim a little to the right for right handers
     iii.    Bend your left arm a little on the backswing
     iv.    Narrow your stance
     v.     Allow the trail leg to straighten just a little on the backswing
     vi.    In the downswing, turn your trail hip aggressively
     vii.    Your knees touch in the follow-through
     viii.   Flare your trail foot
     ix.     Pick the heel of your lead foot off the ground during the backswing
     x.     Release your head after impact
     xi.     Drop back your trail foot and put 75% of your weight on your lead foot
3. Other options that don’t relate to the swing
 a. Play the proper tees
 b. Experiment with a longer putter
 c.  Replace longer irons with hybrids
 d.  Stretch every day

Question 14

At-Home Practice

Accepted Answer

1. Putting
2. Mirror Work
3. Short Game
4. Full Swing
5. Watch the Pros Compete on TV
6. Become more flexible and improve fitness.

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