A Girl's On-Course Survival Guide to Golf

Thomas Nelson

Contents

FundamentalsGrip.............................................................................................13Posture be athletic, girls.......................................................................18Stance and Ball Position.........................................................................22Alignment square for more pars...................................................................32Pre-Tee-OffStretching vital at every age....................................................................38Range Play.......................................................................................42Chip and Putt....................................................................................44On The Tee BoxPre-Shot Routine.................................................................................47How and Where to Tee It Up.......................................................................52I Want More Distance and I want it NOW!!!........................................................56Bad-Shot Fixes uh, ooohh, my ball went right AGAIN $!!%!!?.......................................72Swing Sequence...................................................................................90On The FairwayIrons more accuracy, more greens.................................................................91Woods sweep it...................................................................................94Know Your Divots they are your friends...........................................................96Utility Clubs to the rescue......................................................................98Know Your Distances..............................................................................102Bad-Shot Fixes when bad shots happen to good people..............................................104Specialty and Tough ShotsThe Sand Divot...................................................................................121Shaping the Shot.................................................................................122Over and Under a Tree............................................................................130Out of the Rough don't let the rough, rough you up!..............................................134Flop Shot no green and over a bunker, what's a girl to do??......................................136Uphill and Downhill Lies the world is not flat, and neither are golf courses.....................138Wind and Rain messes up more than your hair......................................................142Around The GreenClub Selection...................................................................................151Chip and Pitch what the heck is the difference?..................................................152Lie Assessment and not the fib you told..........................................................154Chips all sorts..................................................................................156Pitches all sorts................................................................................166The Roll Ratio Formula...........................................................................170Alignment........................................................................................172Bad-Shot Fixes uh, oh, I skulled AGAIN $!!*!!?...................................................174Bunker PlaySand Shot setup and such.........................................................................184A Sandwich? no, a sand wedge!....................................................................190Long Greenside Bunkers...........................................................................192Tough Lies.......................................................................................194On The GreenPutting setup and such...........................................................................205Pre-Putt Routine.................................................................................208Distance Control lag it close....................................................................210Breaking Putts...................................................................................212Short Putts and Long Putts.......................................................................214Bad-Putt Fixes when putts go wrong...............................................................218Reading the Green................................................................................232Course Management and Mental StaminaFear of Water Syndrome...........................................................................233Think Like a Pro.................................................................................234Good Nutrition...................................................................................236Get Out of Trouble ego, step aside...............................................................238Jokes when all else fails, laugh.................................................................243Rules and EtiquetteTen Most Common Rules............................................................................250Know Your Etiquette..............................................................................260Glossary of Terms what the heck is a square?.....................................................274

Chapter One

GRIP LEFT HAND

The shaft is placed in the base of your fingers for optimum hinge, clubhead control, and feel.

STEP 1

The shaft runs diagonally from just below your pinkie across to the base of your forefinger.

DO THIS

DO grip down at least an inch from the butt of the shaft for more control.

STEP 2

Now just wrap your fingers excluding your thumb, around the shaft so it feels like the club is in your fingers.

STEP 3

Drop your thumb into place. When the left hand grip is complete, your thumb should sit just right of center, and the shaft should fit securely in the heel of your palm.

GRIP RIGHT HAND

The shaft is placed even more in your fingers for optimum clubhead speed.

STEP 1

The shaft runs diagonally from the base of your pinkie across to the center of your index finger.

STEP 2

Close your right hand. Your V should point to an area between your right ear and right shoulder.

FINISHED GRIP

A Neutral Grip

YES

Both V's created by your grip point to an area between your right ear and right shoulder, resulting in a square clubface at impact. Most common grip.

A Strong Grip

NO

Both V's are pointing toward the outside of your right shoulder, and the back of your glove is almost entirely visible. This will cause a closed clubface at impact, which tends to make your ball go left. An anti-slice grip.

A Weak Grip

NO

Both V's are pointing toward your left shoulder. This will cause an open clubface at impact, which tends to make your ball go right. An anti-hook grip.

GRIP PRESSURE

is one of the most important aspects of your grip. Grip too tightly and you will not be able to hinge properly. Valuable clubhead speed and control will be lost. Grip too loosely and you will lose control of the club during mid-swing, accidently sending your club flying and knocking your buddy across the head.

STEP 1

Hold...