Putting - Hit Solid Putts

I can feel that I keep hitting putts on the bottom of my putter. I know this is not right. How can I hit more solid putts and improve my putting?

Typically when this is happening with someone's putting it is one of two things.



First - check you ball position. The ball should be in-line or just in front of your sternum. When my students have this problem the ball usually gets to far forward.



Second - place your hands just ahead of the ball at address and make sure they return to the same position at impact. You should be able to keep the angle that your right wrist creates through to your finish.





One of the golf training aids to help you with this challenge is the Putting and Chipping Brace

Improve Pitching From Around The Green

I need help with pitching the golf ball. I struggle with hitting pitch shots the correct distance from around the green and leave myself long putts. Do you have a drill that I could do to improve my pitching?

Anytime any is having a challenge with distance, it always comes back to if they are making solid contact or not. The first question I would ask you in a lesson is "are you hitting these shots solid?" We would then hit some of these shots and see if the answers match. A great drill to improve this comes from the last book we hi-lighted, The Red Zone Challenge by Rob Akin. With a can of spray paint draw a line on the ground about one foot long. Place your ball on top of the painted line. As you hit balls from this line, are you entering the turf on the line, in front of the line or behind the line? Until we can consistently start our divot on the line it will be difficult to control the distance of your pitch shots. The good news is that this short game drill can be used for your full swing and the work that you do for your pitching will also help your full swing.

Short Game Plan

I am determined to improve my short game this year. I know that I need to improve my short game in order to accomplish my goals. Do you have any suggestions for a quantifiable and formalized plan to improve my short game that will allow me to keep track of my progress?

Great question and you are going about your progress the right way. Most people will come up with a golf improvement plan however they have no way to quantify the results. In the book The Red Zone Challenge, the author, Rob Akin, lays out a formalized plan to improve your short game that is quantifiable. In addition, The Red Zone Challenge, offers different plans determined on the amount of time that you have to dedicate to your improvement on a weekly basis.

Should I Use A Weighted Practice Club?

I am a long time golfer and never really taken lessons. I have a 16 handicap but I now have the time and would really like to improve my handicap. Would a weighted practice club help me?

First let me say I am glad that you are excited about becoming a better player. I would suggest finding an instructor that you like and easily communicate with. Not to take lessons all of the time but someone that could check you once a month and then decide from there if you need more or less. To answer your question I believe the answer is YES! A very informative article, Benefits Of A Weighted Practice Club, has been written about the benefits of using a weighted practice club and I suggest using the GolfGym Club 38 or GolfGym Club 28.

Find Golf Gifts

I need to purchase several different golf gifts every year. I use them a lot with my business. Do you know where I can find golf gifts that may be different like a wine bottle display or maybe home decor?

Thanks for your question. You can always go to Wireless Golf Coach. You can also subscribe to the Wireless Golf Coach Blog which will feature diferent products every day or so. You can have it delivered right to your reader with the RSS feed!

Golf Stance

I am having trouble finding my balance at address. I do not know how far apart my feet should be when I set up to the golf ball. Do you have any suggestions?

Your feet should be shoulder width apart for all clubs. Your feet will be in the same position as if you are getting ready to jump in the air. To find your balanced center, monitor your weight distribution from front to back (toe to heel) as well as side to side. It is important to find your balance in both directions in order to find your true center.

Wireless Golf Coach has golf instruction books, golf training aids as well as many free golf instruction articles that will help you improve your game.

All My Clubs Go The Same Distance

I have been playing golf for some time now and enjoy playing with my husband. Currently, I am very frustrated and am getting to the point where I do not want to play. Can you tell me why I hit ALL of my irons the same distance? It just not make it much fun when it does not matter what club you have to hit.

We hear this challenge from a lot from ladies and we can help you. The reason that all your irons go the same distance is that you are using the leading edge of the clubface or the very bottom of the club. I does not have any loft therefore all of your shots go the same distance.

You simply have to much tension in your golf swing. What do I mean? During your swing, especially through impact you have too much tension in your shoulders, elbows and wrists. Here is an easy full swing drill to fix your challenge. Place a tee in the ground. Swing at the tee trying to make contact with it and knock it out of the ground. My guess is the first few swings you may miss the tee by swinging high. As you relax your shoulders you will swing "lower" your golf swing and eventually hit the tee. Once you can consistently hit the tee out of the ground or forward as the longer tees are harder to get out of the ground, add the golf ball to the tee. MAKE SURE you are still trying to knock the tee out of the ground when the ball is added. This will make sure that your clubface is low enough to use the different lofts of each club. As a result, you will hit balls different distances. If these distances are not far enough, that is a different lesson! HAHA

Good luck and let us know how it goes or if you have any other questions feel free to submit it to this blog or read the free golf instruction articles at Wireless Golf Coach.

Putting Training Aid

I am looking for a putting training aid that goes along with the theories of the straight back and straight through method that Dave Pelz teaches. Do you have any suggestions for a putting training aid?

Sure we do! Thanks for sending your question and enjoy our suggestions!

Putting Plane Alignment System
Putting Square System
The Putting Laser Line
Perfect Entry System
Bullseye Cup

Golf Technology

As the new golf season arrives, I am looking for a new driver. What new golf technology is being used that I should be aware of?

That is a good question and the answer is always changing. The article Golf Technology will give you some information that you are looking for.

Golf Book - John Daly

I am interested in learning more about the trials and tribulations of John Daly. I have followed him off and on during his career and consider myself a fan. I believe that he has a couple of books out. Can you tell me wha they are?

Here you go:
Golf My Own Damn Way
My Life In And Out Of The Rough

Golf Instruction Book For A Specific Build

I am a bigger guy. I am not built like the tour pros and that it seems like who all of the books are written for. Do you have any suggestions for a golf book that would work for me?

Thanks for your question. I am sur eyou are not the only one who feels this way. Before I give you my suggestion I would like to say this first. No mattter your size big or small, we all have the same bone structure underneath. Many times the reason a student can not do what is asked is due to their flexibility. In his book Your Golf Swing, Jim Suttie discusses the golf swing based on four distinct body types. In addition, you can read the free online golf instruction articles at Wireless Golf Coach and keep an eye on this blog!

Golf Club Fitting - Grip

I am looking at getting a new set of irons this spring. My question is about the grip. How do I know if the grip properly fits me?

First, I would suggest that you read the articles Club Fitting 101 and Golf Club Fitting Basics. Once you have done your research on who should be club fitting you in your area, this person can give you the best direction as they will see your ball flight and more importantly your hands! I will say that the general rule of thumb this that your last three fingers of your left hand (for a right-handed golfer) should just be touching your palm. With this being said, your fingers should not be digging into your palm but just touching.

Email us back and let us know what happens or if you have any other questions.

Golf Grip

I have joined the ladies group at my club. However, just begining to play golf. I am confused about the grip. At the last clininc, the teacher talked about different grips and got me confused. I am most comfortable with having all my fingers on the club because I feel that I can control it better. Can you give me some help?

I will tell you that that the grip you are using is known as a ten-finger grip or a baseball grip. The good news is that if that is what you are comfortable with that should be the grip for you! Many ladies do not feel like they have enough strength to control the club with the Inter-locking grip or Over-lapping grip. You palms should still face each other as well as follow other principles of the grip, which you can find in the article Clap For Your Golf Grip found at Wireless Golf Coach. If you ever have any questions, please, email us through our blog, Wireless Golf Coach - A Golf Question And Answer.

Control The Distance With Your Wedges

I have been working on my short game and with the help of this blog have really improved. My question is how can I get even better at further controlling my distances with my partial wedges? I am a single digit handicap and I know that better controlling these distances will help me lower my scores.

Thanks for your question and I am glad you are taking advantage and enoying our blog! I am going to give you two ways to do this. One is from Dave Pelz and the other is from Dr. Joesph Parent.

1. The first way we will discuss to control your distances involves the Dave Pelz method of controlling distance as outlined in his book The Short Game Bible. As you address the pitch shot, imagine a clock around you with twelve o'clock at your head and six o'clock at your feet. With a pitching wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge (if not carried use your nine iron)make a motion from eight o'clock to three o'clock. This would create a distance for each of these irons. Then, do this agin with your motion going form nine o'clock to three o'clock. This should give you a second set of distance numbers. Finally, use these three clubs to make the motion going from ten o'clock to three o'clock to give you a your third set of distances.


2. Dr. Joesph Parent, author of Zen Golf and Zen Putting would have you take the same clubs as mentioned above however, he will give you four different disatance numbers per wedge. For your first set of distances, make a motion that allows your hands to go to your hip pocket on your backswing and through so the shaft is parallel to the ground or the Pelz three o'clock position. For the second set of distances, take your hands equal to your belt. The third set of distances will have your hands equal to your ribs and finally the fourth set of distances will come from taking your hands equal to your shoulder.

Use both the Dave Pelz and Dr. Joesph Parent methods and figure out which method works best for you and your game!

Putting Training Aids

I am looking for some advice on putting training aids. After recently reading "The Art of Putting" by Stan Utley, I have improved my putting by using more of an arc as opposed to my old straight back and straight through method. Are there any putting training aids that are specifically designed to help you with more of an arc stroke?

Yes! In fact I have two suggestions for you.

1. Putting Plane Alignment System by Eyeline Golf - The PUTTING PLANE ALIGNMENT SYSTEM is designed to give you instant feedback on all areas of putting alignment. THE PUTTING PLANE ALIGNMENT SYSTEM allows you to putt exactly as you would on the course. Just as if you had your coach standing with you, the mirrored surface allows you to check that your eyes are over the ball, shoulders are lined up, and putter face is square to your target. The inside rail, adjustable to fit any putter and is slanted at 72 degrees, allows the putter to come slightly inside as it moves back and up during the stroke. The PUTTING PLANE ALIGNMENT SYSTEM is lightweight yet tough and will fit conveniently into your golf bag.


2. The Putting Arc Deluxe - This putting training aid is a beautifully finished solid wood for indoor or outdoors use. The Putting Arc Deluxe is a revolutionary new putting training aid, which will guide you to a simple, repeatable, and understandable approach to putting. The Putting Arc Deluxe will assist you in developing a confidence while standing over your putter that is felt by only a small percentage of all golfers. This is a confidence to putt the golf ball exactly where you intend. The Putting Arc Deluxe works because it guides the putter head in pure planar rotation about an axis which passes through the golfers spine between the shoulders. This means that the hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders all stay connected throughout the putting stroke. The Putting Arc Deluxe golf putting aid has radial lines on its top. This important feature shows the correct clubface alignment at each point in the putting stroke. This alignment is just as important as the club head path! The Putting Arc Works Because
1. The Putting Arc Deluxe is based upon natural body movement which can be quickly learned and repeated. Results can be seen in several days and thousands of repetitions are not required to show improvement.
2. The clubhead travels in a perfect circle and the projection of this circle on the ground is an ellipse in the shape of the Putting Arc Deluxe.
3. The putter is always ?on plane? (the sweet-spot/spinal pivot plane). The intersection of this plane with the ground is a straight line, the ball/target line.
4. The club face is always square to the above plane and it is only square to the ball target line at the center line of the Putting Arc Deluxe. You are learning an inside to square to inside putting stroke.
5. In this perfect putting stroke, there is only one moving part. The hands, arms and shoulders rotate as one unit and no manipulation of the hands or arms is required to follow the correct path with a correct clubface because it happens automatically.

Golf Shank

I can not swing more than three times without hitting a golf shank. It is so frustrating! What can I do to gid rid of them?

First you need to understand what causes a golf shank. Golf Shank - No More!!! will explain this by explaining the cause of your challenge and then explain the fix for your challenge. If you have any further questions, feel free to submit them and we will get you fixed so you can have some fun and not be frustrated!

Feel free to read other free golf instruction atricles at Wireless Golf Coach on the Full Swing, Putting and Short Game.

Clubhead Speed

How can I make sure that I have maximim clubhead speed?

Take your club and flip it upside down so you are gripping the shaft at the clubhead end. Take some full swings whipping the grip end of the club. The club will make a swoosh sound. You want this sound to happen past your front leg. If your swoosh happens by your back leg you are losing your hinge or lag in the golf swing and some would call it casting the club too early. Without getting technical, just start swing the club as described above and you will be surprised at how quickly you can move the swoosh to where it needs to be.

For another golf instruction article on clubhead speed go to Wireless Golf Coach.

Reverse Pivot

I am stuggling with my swing. My swing always ends up on my back foot and the ball goes to the right. What can I do so that my swing ends up on my front foot like the pros?

You have what is known as a reverse pivot. The reverse pivot is a very common problem and is fixed fairly easy. Before you take a few practice swings, place your bag or bagstand behind you as if they were your instructor watching a couple of swings. As you make your practice swings, make sure that the bottom of your shoe of your back foot is positioned so it is facing your bag or bagstand. Upon completion of your practice swing, hold your finish for a count of three. This gives you the time to evaluate if you were able to show the bottom of your shoe to your golf bag or bagstand. You should be able to pick up your back foot to make sure your weight has transfered correctly.

To find other helpful full swing, short game and putting golf instruction articles written by PGA Professionals go to Wireless Golf Coach.

Online Golf Lesson - Golf Grip

I have a quesiton about where I should put my left hand on the golf club. Everyone talks about how many knuckles they see. When I look down, I see three knuckles. My challenge is with this grip, my ball still goes to the right! What can I do to change where my ball is going?

I am going to assume that you are right-handed and speak accordingly. You need to move your ball position. Take your address with your feet together and the ball inline with the center of your feet. Small step forward with your left foot and a big step with your right foot. The ball will seem that it is way out in front of you with where you have been playing the ball. Make some practice swings and then hit a few balls. Do not be surprised if the ball starts moving left. If this happens either move the ball closer to center or weaken your grip. For an article written about how to grip the golf club go to Clap For Your Grip

For outher free articles written by PGA Professionals go to Wireless Golf Coach

Improve Your Putting With A Credit Card

I am not sure if I am lining up putts correctly. Do you have suggestions that will help me make sure that I am lining up at the target?

We have a three suggestions for you.

1. To check the alignment of your body, place a credit card in your mouth and then address the putt. Now make sure that your credit card is on the same line as your target line.


2. To check the alignment of your putter face, place your credit card on the green and aim it at the hole length-wise. Place the ball on the credit card. Address your putt and notice if you have any descrepancies between the credit card and the putter face.


3. To check your putting stroke, place a golf ball two feet away from the hole. Stroke putts from this distance. Although you will make the majority of these short putts, you will be able to tell where you are starting your putts. This putting drill, simple as it is, will build amazing confidence as well.

For other articles about putting such as Track Your Putting Stroke go to Wireless Golf Coach

Putting Different Speeds

Why does it seem that every single putt I hit is different than the putt before? What can I do to change this?

Whether stroking a putt on the practice green or on the golf course, you can learn from every single putt that you hit. Here are the 5 questions you should ask after every putt that you stroke so you can putt better.

Which is longer, your backstroke or forward stroke? As you need to be accelerating during your forward stroke, it is importnat that your backstroke is shorter than your forward stroke.

Did the ball roll true? Today, almost everyone lines up thier putts with a line or a logo on their golf ball. If your are not doing this you should be doing this. Once aligned, the line should roll in a straight line. This tells us that a true roll has been put on the ball. If the line starts to wobble to the right or left then we did not hit the ball solid.

Did the ball end up short or long of the hole?

Did I read the putt correctly? If you read the putt correctly , it should not be a surprise where the ball ends up.

Did I hold my finish for at least three seconds? If you can do this then typically many things have gone well during the putting stroke and you will putt better.

Golf Grips

I bought my clubs two seasons ago. This will be the third season that I play with them. When should I change the grips on my clubs? I have regular rubber grips on my clubs and they still feel fine to me and I am able to hold the golf club.

Great Question! To answer your question truthfully, I will say it depends. It depends on the type of grips that you have. It depends on how often you play. It depends on how well you take care of them. It depends on how they feel to you. It depends on how long your season is and it depends how you hold the golf club.

I know this is not really the answer you are probably looking for but let me also say that if you are playing on a regular basis, are occasionally washing them with soap and water and they are not slipping on you you should be fine. If your grip looks shiny then it needs to be replaced. If you are in doubt whether you should have them replaced or not you can take them to a local PGA Professional for assistance.

Find other golf related articles such as full swing, short game, golf club fitting and putting that are written by PGA Professionals at http://www.virtualgolfswing.com/.

Golf Instruction Books

Are there specific golf instruction books that you recommend for someone just learning how to play the game of golf?

There are many good golf instruction books for new golfers. Understand the quickest way to learn the game is to find a qualified PGA Professional and take some group or individual lessons. With that beinf said, first, we have suggestions of good golf lesson books listed on the right column of this blog. Second, understand that are many aspects of golf you can learn about. Examples go from the obvious such as the golf swing and/or golf instruction to golf course design and to the history of the game of golf. You can go to www.virtual golfswing.com and find many informative golf books about the previously mentioned subjects. For example you will find:

Stan Utley - The Art of Putting
Annika Sorenstam - Golf Annika's Way
Harvey Penick - The Little Red Book

Cross-Handed Putting

Looking at the tour players there are many different ways to putt. What are the advantages of cross-handed putting?

Good Question! Here are a few advantages of cros-handed putting -

1. It has a tendancy to prevent your left wrist (for a right-handed golfer) from breaking down or hinging through impact.
2. With a cross-handed putting grip, your shoulders will be more level at address and impact.
3. Your putter will stay lower to the ground on the forward swing and follow-through which will lead to more consistent contact.
4. You will have the feeling that your left hand and arm are controlling the putting stroke.

For other free articles on the putting stroke, go to http://www.virtualgolfswing.com/

The Golf Swing - Starting Down

I have a question about what should move first on the downswing. It seems that I usually move my shoulders first and I know that is not correct. What can I do to make sure I am doing it correctly?

Here is a quick drill to help you. As you are hitting golf balls on the range, hit a few with only your left hand on the club for a right handed golfer. Take a few practice swings first and make sure you are clipping the grass. Once you can do that, then place a tee in the ground and swing until the tee comes out of the ground. Once that is accomplished then place a ball on a tee and make swings with only your left hand on the club. Your natual tendency will be to help the club with your upper body. To clip the tee out of the ground you will need to begin the swing from the ground up and you will feel the club fall from the top of the swing.

For more help on your golf swing go to http://www.virtualgolfswing.com/ and read the free articles such as:

Golf Swing Alignment
Golf Swing Aids That Will Work

Help!!! My Husband Thinks He Is My Teacher

I have played golf for a couple of years in order to spend more time with my husband. I enjoy playing and being able to spend time outside. My challenge is that although I take golf lessons from our club pro but my husband thinks he is also my teacher. This is making me not want to play. What do I do?

We hear this from many ladies. We actually have a articles at Wireless Golf Coach that you can read that will help your situation. The articles are:
Ladies Golf Lessons...About Your Husband
Ladies Start Playing Golf With Your Spouse

Should We Join A Country Club?

Are you thinking of joining a local club? Compared to playing at different golf courses all of the time, joining a country club has many advantages and benefits. What are the advantages to owing a club membership? Here is a list of five reasons to join a club in the article Should We Join A Country Club at Wireless Golf Coach.

How to structure your lessons

I am a new golfer and I am taking lessons at my club. Most golf lessons are done on the range and I do not feel like I am learning all parts of the game. I struggle around and on the greens but we do not seem to work on that in my lessons. Any suggestions for me?

First of all realize that when you take a lesson, the professional is working for you. If you are taking a one hour lesson, let the professional know that you would like to split the hour in half. Take 30 minutes to work on your full swing and then 30 minutes to work on your putting or chipping. If you are taking thirty minute lessons, alternate each week.

As a new golfer, the professional should have started you out on the putting green and then gone to chipping, pitching, etc. If the profesional balks at any of these plans it could be time to find a new instructor. You should "interveiw" any professional before starting lessons with him or her.

Here are a couple of articles to help you as you learn the game:
How to keep a golf scorecard
A Must Have Golf Putting Aid And Golf Book
Chipping Lessons

Let us know how your progress is coming!!! Keep sending us your questions!!!

Golf Training Aids

Do you have any suggestions for golf training aids that would help me from coming over the top in my full swing?

Here are a couple of golf training aids that can help you from starting your golf swing from the top:
The Right Touch
Club 38
Club 28

Weighted Practice Club - Short Game

I have a weighted practice club that is a seven iron. Will it help or hurt me if I chip with this weighted practice club?

Great question! This is a great idea to help your chipping. Using a weighted practice club will help you get the club through impact if you are sticking the club in the ground. In addition, if you are topping your chips the extra weight will assit you getting the golf club back down to the golf ball.

For other articles on a Weighted Practice Club, Chipping Lessons or Full Swing Instruction go to http://www.virtualgolfswing.com/