The Natural Way to grip the club – by Jessica Korda.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Jessica Korda is one of the most popular players on the LPGA Tour and one of the longest hitters. Her strong play has had her represent both the Czech Republic and the United States in international competitions. In this article, Jessica explains the way she grips the club in the most natural way possible. I think this will help you grip the club more naturally as well!
Use these tips from LPGA Pro Jessica Korda to rip your driver using your body’s natural positioning.
1. Stand behind the ball and grip the club with your left hand only. It’s simple: Just grab the handle without looking. This sets your left hand in its natural power position. Wrist angle varies from player to player—I like to keep my wrist slightly bent.
2. Depending on your anatomy, your left wrist will be either flat or flexed (like mine). What’s important is that you maintain your left wrist position as you swing. Changing it disrupts your hitting instinct. Take note of the flex and accept it.
3. Put your right hand on the club and take your address, maintaining the position of your left wrist. Take a last look at the target and start back. Have no fear—you’re one step away from catching the ball smack on the sweet spot!
4. As you swing to the top, hold the left wrist angle you established when you first gripped the club with your left hand. Don’t manipulate your left wrist or “flatten” it as many experts advise. Trust me: When it comes to big hits, your body knows best!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Continuing our series of “Women at the Helm.” we are happy to announce that #4 is the future President of the USGA, Diana Murphy.
She will officially take over the post in February 2016. Diana joins Molly Soloman, Condoleezza Rice, and Suzy Waley (who incidentally is now Secretary of the USGA and could be a future President in 2019) as another honoree to our “Women at the Helm” list! Thanks to Chris Chaney, Wrong Fairway of the Back9Network, for this interesting report!
Murphy has a long and encompassing résumé that includes her current role as a USGA vice president and Executive Committee member. She chairs the Championship and Compensation committees and serves on the USGA’s Audit and Corporate Partners committees. Murphy will be the second female to lead the governing body, joining Judy Bell, who served her term as president in 1996-97.
Murphy’s husband, Reg, served as USGA president in 1994-95.
Ladies – which set of tees should you be playing from?
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
I have played with young women and older women for fifty years but have given little thought to their set of tees. Thanks to SPH at golfwrx for this no-brainer idea.
Different ages and different abilities should not determine which tees players should play. How far each player hits the ball should be the determining factor.
Women, regardless of age, generally play golf from the red tees.
Men usually play from the blue or white tees, unless they are 60 years of age which entitles them to move up to the forward yellow tees. (that age is variable at many clubs and recently, age has given way to handicap as the indicator of who gets to move forward) These ‘senior tees’ allow older golfers, who don’t have the clubhead speed of the young guys, to advance to the green quicker, resulting in a more enjoyable game for all.
But what about the mature female golfer?
Have you watched a 25-year-old woman tee off, followed by her mother or grandmother? Makes sense to designate different tees for different golfers regardless of age or gender!
Here are my thoughts on this subject after a long and fruitful discussion with my wife. Players should choose which tees to play based on how far they hit the ball. There should be no gender or handicap involved. An 18 handicap man is going to shoot lower than an 18 handicap woman if they play from the same tees. (proponents for tees based on handicap only, would put the women at a distinct disadvantage.)
A 50-year-old man is going to hit the ball further than a 50-year-old woman from the same tees.
Proponents of no gender tees would again put the women at a distinct disadvantage. I hit my drive 280 yards and my 6 iron 180 yards, so I can play a 460-yard par 4 with a drive and 6 iron.
My wife, hits her drive 190 yards and her 6 iron 120 yards. So she should play the same hole at 310 yards. We now both have a chance of competing equally against each other! For this to work in the real world may be a little difficult.
Instead of gender tees or handicap tees, let’s talk about percentage tees.
Based on the description above, if my wife took 67% of the hole’s yardage that I am playing, and teed off from that distance, we would be pretty equal. So the next time we go out to play, if I decide to play the Blue tees, which at Pawleys Plantation in SC, are 6522, my wife should be playing the course at 4370 yards, which is 67% of 6522. (my yardage). But if she plays from the regular Red Tees at PP which are 4976 yards, she is giving up over 600 yards! There is no contest, I would beat her 90% of the time based on our current handicaps. Not fair!
I know this all sounds too complicated, but it is fairly simple really. As long as each person knows how far they hit their driver and 6 iron, you can work out the percentage difference and apply it to the course you are playing. The more I write about this, the more I like it! OK, let me have it with the comments. Keep it nice!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
A couple of years ago, I was asked by my good friend and entrepreneur, Joyce White Nelson, to give a talk at a membership drive for the Green Bay, WI Chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association.
Not only did I have a great time, but I met a bunch of really enthusiastic women golfers who were determined to not only grow their organization but make sure they were having fun while doing it. I think they succeeded on both counts. This is a great way for businesswomen to get started, meet new people, network, and have a good time. There are 120 Chapters in 41 States, so check them out here.
Groups of Ladies like these join the EWGA to get together, network, play golf and have fun and encourage each other. Photo of EWGA Pittsburg!
The EWGA is an organization that is passionate about golf like those here in Golf Industry Professionals. There are more than 120 local groups throughout the U.S. and international locations including Canada, South Africa, Ireland and Italy. As a member you can enjoy local, national and international events. We offer an extensive range of organized activities and social and networking opportunities for golfers where you can meet and engage among golfers of all ages, backgrounds and golf levels.
With over 120 chapters in 41 states, we have hundreds of programs and events all over the country. Join your local chapter today:
An Inspirational Story of Golf following Breast Cancer!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Every now and again, I come across such an inspirational story that brings tears to my eyes.
In researching a related article, I came across this lovely story by Frankie Colletta from overthetopgolf.blogspot.com about playing golf with a beautiful woman and the inspiration he gained from her. We all are given crosses to bear throughout our lives, and how we handle them defines our character. Thanks, Frankie!
Life is sweet after beating Breast Cancer!
Yesterday I had the pleasure of playing 18 holes with a beautiful woman. She was not only pretty but also had a knockout figure. And as our round of golf progressed, I became more and more impressed with her golf game – in particular, her irons. In order to paint a better picture, I’ll say that she didn’t hit it extra-long but had a classic swing and drew the ball consistently. Personality-wise, she was a pleasure to be with, had a great sense of humor and didn’t take herself too seriously.
Naturally, she was impressed as heck with my OVER THE TOP GOLF swing. Thank God I was also hitting good shots. So golfing-wise, the day couldn’t have gone any better.
Finally a United States Senior Women’s Open is on the schedule!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
There is a US Senior Men’s Open. Has been for many years. So why not a Senior Woman’s Open?
Well, the powers that be always said there is not enough interest in senior women’s golf. Said the crowds and TV viewership would be low. But the likes of superstars like Nancy Lopez, Jane Blalock, Julie Inkster, and Jane Crafter, plus Annika Sorenstam turning 50 in 2021, I think there is enough star power to draw the crowds to see these women play!
Would Nancy Lopez compete in the newly announced Senior Woman’s Open?
Great news today for the Legends Tour and inspiration for LPGA stars to keep playing. And here’s a prediction: Annika in 2021.
New York, N.Y. – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the establishment of a new championship The U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship, which will debut in 2018.
The addition of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open increases the number of national championships conducted annually by the USGA to 14.
“We have studied and discussed the need for this championship for many years. And now we can celebrate its introduction,” said USGA President Thomas J. O’Toole Jr. “The USGA has been leading and supporting women’s golf since 1895 and it has never been stronger. We hope that current and younger players will be inspired to see national championship competition long into their playing careers.”
THE U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN IS THE THIRD NEW CHAMPIONSHIP ADDED TO THE USGA SCHEDULE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball were announced in February 2013. With the inaugural championships to be contested in 2015.
“The necessary equation for success and long-term viability of this championship has gradually and finally come together,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “Even though we have not yet decided on a venue or an exact date for the inaugural championship, we wanted to celebrate its coming.
“We feel strongly that factors such as the international strength of the LPGA and the increasing number of age-eligible quality competitors from around the world, as well as the growth of women’s golf, are key to reaching this historic announcement. The number of entries in our women’s championships continues to grow. We hope this new championship will inspire both amateurs and professionals.”
Laura Davies would certainly be a hot favorite for the very first US Woman’s Senior Open.
The addition of the championship further illustrates the USGA’s continued commitment to supporting the needs of competitive golfers. And promoting a welcoming and accessible game. As well as fostering its ongoing dialogue with the golf industry and its varied constituencies.
Eligibility for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open championship will be limited to professional and amateur female players, age 50 and older.
The championship format will mirror that of the U.S. Open: 72 holes of stroke play on four consecutive days with a cut after 36 holes. To mirror the other Open championships run by the USGA, the U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be a walking-only competition.
The USGA will announce the field size and composition, playoff and other competitive format details of the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open at a later date.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
It’s true that more men attend Golf Demonstrations days, which are often set up by golf club manufacturers.
But I highly recommend that women of all ages & skill levels check out these exhibitions for tons of free info. Beginner golfers can watch demonstrations and then try out equipment themselves before even buying a set of clubs. More seasoned golfers may be looking to upgrade some or all of their clubs, and Demo Days allow you to roam around for as long as you like, testing out the latest equipment without pressure.
Demo Days are a great way to check out new equipment before buying.
No need to feel intimidated…. the staff is happy to provide a wide range of information for you. And don’t forget to hold onto all discount coupons that are offered to attendees. Who doesn’t like to save money?
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
I love teaching women golfers. They tend to listen better than men.
I also think women who golf can do a lot of business on the course, but some do not know how to go about it. Here are some thoughts from Nancy Berkley on this very thought-provoking subject.
Looks like a great drive!
Almost every book written for women golfers ” from beginners to experts ” includes advice about how to use golf to advance your professional career. Here’s my advice, and it may not be what you expect.
First let’s talk about accepting an invitation from a business colleague, client or customer to play golf
Tip Number One:
Be prepared to stand out in the crowd. At most corporate golf events and even on most courses, there will not be many women. You will be noticed. For starters: Wear an outfit that you are comfortable in. Confidence is very important in the game of golf.
Remember: When you bend down to tee your ball up on the tee, three other golfers will see your backside. Be brave and check that view in a mirror. You may decide to wear a longer skirt or perhaps even a shorter one! (If you are a left-handed golfer, you can relax. Most tee boxes are set up for right-handed players.)
Tip Number Two:
Know your comfort zone. That means play in situations where you will not feel intimidated. If you are a super golfer with a handicap of 10 or less ” only 10 percent of women golfers are in that zone, you should accept an invitation to play golf with anyone anywhere. Your male business colleagues or clients will love to play with you, especially when you tee it up from their tees.
At the other extreme, if you have played only a few times and are still whiffing or dubbing balls, my suggestion is to decline the invitation until you improve your shot-making. I would make an exception if you are invited by another beginner golfer and together you can manage your expectations. I would also probably make an exception to the comfort-zone-rule if you are invited to a corporate golf event that is advertised as “fun” and uses a scramble format.
Most women golfers fall in between the extremes. So how good do you have to be for business golf?
Here are my guidelines: Most-of-the-time, you should be able to hit a ball about 100 yards off the tee, hit a middle iron (or hybrid club) at least 75 yards on the fairway, hit out of a bunker successfully two out of three times, know how to reach a green when you are 50 yards from the flagstick, take only one practice swing, three-putt ” or less on most greens, know proper green etiquette, and know when to give up and put the ball in your pocket.
Most important: Take this pace-of-play test on a day when your course is not busy. If you can play nine holes just by yourself and finish the nine holes in 90 minutes or less ” or 18 holes by yourself in less than three hours, you are good enough to accept most business golf invitations. Even if your game is not great that day, you will not slow your foursome or those behind you. Unless you are playing in serious competition, if you are having a very bad hole it is usually okay to pick up your ball and hope for miracles on the next tee.
Tip Number Three:
Know when to talk about business. Believe it or not, men seldom talk shop on the course. So, if you are playing with men do not talk about the office or your new product or the next sale until the round is finished ” maybe over a drink on the 19th hole. Build the relationship on the course, but make the sale the next day.
The business-talk rule is different if you are playing with women. We are very busy. We love to multi-task. If we can play golf and talk business at the same time, it’s usually a win-win.
Let’s move on to situations where YOU do the inviting.
Business tips for women who play golf.
For another 3 more tips from this article, go here.
