Score | Golfing Books, Clubs, and Courses

Even the best golfers can end up at the bottom of a sand trap every once in awhile and it pays to know how to get out of one. This is probably one of the most frustrating hazards you can run into while you’re golfing, but there are some tips that you can use that will help you keep your score intact. While it’s always best to avoid sand traps, when you do end up in one, these tips will help get you out.

1. Get the right kind of sand wedge.

There is a lot of variation in clubs, especially with different manufacturers. Ideally, you’re going to want to purchase a sand wedge that has a degree of 55 to 58 in loft. 57 or 58 is the best, but if you’re really a good player, you can get away with a 55. Simply by purchasing the right kind of sand wedge, you can conquer just about any trap. The bounce rate is also important here, and can have a big impact on where you end up on the green. Look for one that has a bounce rate on the lower end of the spectrum for greater control.

2. Correct your position.

If you are standing wrong, you’ll be putting the wedge too far underneath the ball, and the only place you’re going to go is down. It is important to open up your stance, and make sure that the club face is not closed. Work on this at home or in a practice trap until you develop the right feel. You should be able to see most of the club face when you are looking down at it from above.

3. Work on your swing.

It can be tempting to get really choppy with your swing, but this can spell disaster. Even though it is a pitch shot, you’re going to want to stay as fluid as possible. Work on bringing your club back slowly, along a straight line. The power will come when you connect with the ball, not with your backswing.

4. Learn how to snap your wrist.

We mentioned above that the point of impact is where you want to focus your power on this swing. Practice snapping your left wrist so that your hand is bent to left. Put your hands together without a club in a praying position and then snap them to the side. Add the club and make the same movement. That’s what it will feel like at the point when you are ready to hit the ball.

5. Putting it all together.

When you practice your sand trap shot, try to put all of these tips together so that it is one fluid motion. Start by working on the backswing and then add the snap at just the right moment. It can take a few tries to perfect this, but once you do you should see a big change in the way you play in the sand.

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Out of all of the mistakes you can make out on the course, a slice is probably the most common. This refers to a ball that goes to the right after you hit it, usually right into a nice stand of trees or a nearby water hazard. A slice is devastating to your game, and fixing it can be a little complicated. Here are some great tips to help you get over your slicing problem and get your score back on track.

One of the first things that many golfers try to eliminate their slice is to angle their body to the left. This is a natural compensation, and logically, you would think that it would work. However, this is a huge mistake and can actually result in slicing worse than before. Your stance may need a little work, but aiming the wrong way is not going to be very helpful.

To correct this, stand in front of your golf ball, without your club. This is an exercise that will help you get aligned properly. We’ll be adding the club in a second, but first, you need to focus on your feet and your hips. Your feet should be facing perfectly forward and should be slightly apart. As a result, your hips should also be facing the same direction.

If you notice that you’re leaning a little bit, or that your hips are not perfectly in line with your feet, bring them into line. Now, put your arms into position for your shot. If your hips move, correct them. Pretend that you are swinging your club back and again, mentally check the position of your hips. Correct them if necessary.

Repeat this until your hips are no longer pulled in the wrong direction. Once you’ve got it down, add the club back into the equation and start again. Get the feel of the right body position down until it comes absolutely naturally. This is a good exercise that you can do at home, in your backyard or even in your living room. The key is finding that “sweet spot” when your posture comes together and everything just feels right.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at some common swing issues that can exacerbate a slice. The most common problem occurs when you actually hit the ball. Instead of following through, you may pull up. This force sends the ball careening in the wrong direction.

To fix this, practice your downswing and don’t stop when you get to your golf ball. Keep the club traveling in the exact same direction for a few more inches. You’ll be using that force to literally guide the ball in the proper direction. Work on this until you have your club going perfectly straight in the right direction.

With a little practice and using these tips, you can cure even the nastiest slice and make it a lot easier to get a better score during your next round of golf.

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Washoe Golf Course is located in: Reno, NV

Phone: 775-828-6640

Washoe Golf Course, Reno, NV

Website: http://www.washoegolf.org

Course History:

Washoe Golf Course is a public course that is extremely friendly and fun to play. No matter what your skill level is, you’ll feel right at home on this great course. It has much to offer, and the prices are truly remarkable. It has a rich history that dates back to the first World War, and it is one of the oldest courses in this area. It’s nickname is the “Shoe” and it has remained incredibly popular with residents and guests since the day it first opened. If you just want to play a simple round of golf in a great environment, this the perfect course.

What You Need to Know:

You can book your tee time by calling the number listed above. This course offers lessons as well as special Ladies and Mens groups that are very popular. The pro shop is surprisingly well stocked given the overall size of the course, and you’ll find pretty much everything you could ever need right there.

If you don’t have your own clubs, they do offer rentals at very good rates. Overall, this is one of the most economical courses in the area that still provides that great traditional golf experience. Odette’s restaurant, located on site is a legend and with good reason. You won’t find better food anywhere else in this area. We really can’t say enough nice things about this great course.

Playing Hints:

The front nine all play very straightforward. This isn’t the most challenging of courses, but it is a great place to really work on your game. Like most courses, accuracy really helps, but this one is a little more forgiving than others. The third hole is a deceptively easy Par Three, but it will take a few times of getting to know the course to par it.

One of our favorites holes on the course is the 18^th, which is a very long par five. You’ll have plenty of chances to make up any slack on your score with this hole and you’ve got a great chance of making a birdie, even if you’re a novice.

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Fees:

Summer Rates

Adult

$20.00 - 9 Holes

$30.00 - 18 Holes

Senior (62 and Older)

$15.00 - 9 Holes

$25.00 - 18 Holes

Junior (under 18)

$10.00 - 9 Holes

$20.00 - 18 Holes

Winter Rates

Adult

$20.00 - 9 Holes

$25.00 - 18 Holes

Senior (62 and Older)

$15.00 - 9 Holes

$18.00 - 18 Holes

Junior (under 18)

$10.00 - 9 Holes

$15.00 - 18 Holes

Twilight Rates

Weekdays Noon, Weekends/Holidays 2 PM - Summer

Adult

$20.00 - 18 Holes

Twilight Senior (62 and older)

$15.00 - 18 Holes

Twilight Junior (under 18)

$10.00 - 18 Holes

Twilight Rates

Weekdays Noon, Weekends/Holidays 2 PM - Winter

Adult

$20.00 - 18 Holes

Twilight Senior (62 and older)

$15.00 - 18 Holes

Twilight Junior (under 18)

$10.00 - 18 Holes

Pull Cart

$3.00 - 9 Holes

$4.00 - 18 Holes

Golf Cart Rental (per player)

$8.00 - 9 Holes

$14.00 - 18 Holes

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putting No matter how well you can drive or chip, the key to your score often lies right on the green. The exercise of putting a little ball in a little hole is one of the most frustrating known to men and it can be the deal breaker when it comes to getting a great score. If you’re ready to putt like a pro, there are some secrets that you need to know. These will make an enormous difference in the way that you put, and you’ll find that your score improves naturally as you begin implementing them.

The first step is to learn how to gauge distance properly. We don’t really stop to think about how far we are from the hole. We look and decide, too far or not close enough. However, there is a lot to be said to learning how to tell exactly how many feet you are from the hole. You’ll be able to fine tune your swing to reach a set amount of distance after you try these exercises.

First, let’s work on gauging distance. Off the course, set up a little test on your lawn or even in your living room. Measure off a variety of different distances and mark them with chalk, or with pieces of paper inside. Now, remove the measuring tape and try to gauge exactly how far away each one is from you. Work until you can correctly guess each measurement. Try changing it up, and moving things around until your accuracy increases. If you have natural terrain changes in your yard, take advantage of those as well.

Now, let’s work on reaching a set distance. Set up your measurements again and grab your putter and some practice balls. Work on reach the exact end of each measurement until you start to feel in your arms how much strength you need to reach a set distance. There will be some factors here that may change, such as green density and slope, but this will help you start to “feel” distance as well as see it.

After you are successfully reaching the right distance, it’s time to head out to the course and try a few more exercises. You’ll be taking advantage of a practice green in this situation, but if your course doesn’t have one, you can easily take your exercise on to the regular greens. Chip your way up to the green and then try to see how far away you think you are. Grab a measuring tape and check your distance. If you’re wrong, you’ll need to go back and work on seeing distance again. If you’re right, try to putt that correct distance, relying on your muscle memory. If you don’t make it, grab that measuring tape again to see where you went wrong.

By consistently “seeing” and “feeling” distance, you’ll be able to work up to handling terrain changes on the green as well. You may even find that your long game improves as a result of these exercises.

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golf gear If you are finding that no matter what you try, your golf game is just not getting to the point where you want it, the answer may be in the tools and equipment you are using. Many players go their entire lives without a proper fitting for their clubs. Others may never realize that their feet may be the culprit. Here are some tips on how to get the best equipment and the best results for your game.

Schedule a fitting.

A club fitting is vital for any golfer and the good news, most pro shops will offer a free fitting, especially if you’re ready to make a purchase. Everyone is built differently, and off-the-rack clubs may not be suitable for your needs. For example, if you have arms that are a bit short, you will need to find a club that is longer to compensate. Otherwise, you’ll be throwing off your stance. If you are shorter in the legs than the torso, this can also affect the type of club that you should be using.

By getting a proper fitting, you’ll be able to get an expert’s advice on the types of clubs that you will need. It may be that a custom set that is built specifically for you may be the answer to your game problems. They may cost a bit more, but in the end, custom clubs are well worth it, especially if you’re trying to work towards a better score.
Wear the right shoes.

Our shoes make a huge difference in the way that we play golf. If you’re pitched wrong, or using shoes that are not intended for golf, it can completely throw off your swing. For example, let’s say that you are an overpronator. This means that your feet tend to bend in a little towards the inside. If you are not wearing a shoe that corrects this problem, you won’t be able to get as much power into your swing as you would like.

To see whether or not you may need a special pair of golf shoes, here is an easy test. After your shower, before you get out of the tub, place a towel on the floor. Get out of the tub and stand on the towel. Step away and take a look at the footprints. Do they seem like they disappear in the middle of your foot? You may be over or under pronating. Do they seem very flat? You may need special arch support to improve your posture, and your swing.

The type of spikes that you’re using can also affect your swing and how you play the game. Most courses are now switching to soft spikes, but you’ll need to play around a bit to find the spikes that are best for you. You may not need a full shoe of them, or you may need quite a few. Experiment to find the best spike configuration for your unique needs.

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Valley Oaks Golf Course, Visalia, CA

Phone Number: 559-651-1441.

Website: http://www.playvalleyoaks.com