Golfing News & Blog Articles

The golf term “birdie” — meaning one stroke under par on a hole — actually comes from early American slang.

Origin Story

In the early 1900s, the word “bird” was popular slang for something excellent or impressive, much like saying “cool” or “awesome” today.

According to golf lore, the term was first coined in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Atlantic City Country Club:

• During a round, golfer Ab Smith hit a great approach shot and called it “a bird of a shot.”

• After sinking the putt for one under par, the group agreed to call such a score a “birdie.”

Why It Stuck

• The term caught on quickly in American golf circles and spread internationally.

Here’s a practical overview of golf attire, focusing on what's commonly expected at most courses and what’s both functional and respectful on the course:

1. Collared Shirts Are Standard

• Men: Polo shirts with a collar (no T-shirts or tank tops)

• Women: Collared polos, sleeveless tops with collars, or golf-specific blouses

• Note: Tucked-in shirts are often expected at private clubs

2. Golf Pants or Shorts

• Men: Golf slacks or tailored shorts (no cargo or gym shorts)

Here’s a breakdown of the main types of golf chip shots, used to control trajectory, spin, and roll near the green:

1. Basic Chip Shot

• Purpose: A low shot with minimal airtime and maximum roll.

• When to Use: Just off the green with plenty of green to work with.

• Club: Usually a 7–9 iron or pitching wedge.

2. Bump and Run

• Purpose: A low, running shot that travels just over the fringe and rolls out like a putt.

Here’s a detailed look at the history of golf clubs, tracing their evolution from hand-crafted wood to high-tech precision tools:

1. Origins (Pre-1500s)

• Early golf-like games in Scotland used sticks or carved wooden clubs to hit stones or rudimentary balls.

• No standardization — players often made their own clubs from local wood.

2. 1500s–1700s: The Wooden Age

• Clubs were crafted from hardwoods like beech, holly, and apple for heads; shafts from ash or hazel.

• Balls were leather pouches stuffed with feathers (featheries), so clubs were designed for delicate impact.

• • How Big Is an 18-Hole Golf Course?

    Average Size

    A typical 18-hole golf course covers about 125 to 150 acres of land. However, larger resort or championship courses can exceed 200 acres, especially when they include extra features like driving ranges, multiple tee boxes, practice areas, or natural reserves.

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    How the Space Is Used

    The main playing areas—tees, fairways, and greens—usually take up around 50 to 60 acres.
    The rough around the fairways might add another 25 to 30 acres.
    Water hazards and sand bunkers can use up 5 to 10 acres, depending on the course design.
    Trees, natural areas, and out-of-play zones might account for 15 to 20 acres.
    Add in cart paths, clubhouses, maintenance buildings, and parking, and you get another 10 to 20 acres on top.

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    Why It Matters

    Golf courses are more than just places to play—they're massive landscapes that often include wildlife habitats, walking paths, and even water drainage systems. Managing one requires ongoing work: mowing, watering, landscaping, and environmental stewardship.

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    To Visualize the Space

    An average course of 150 acres is roughly the size of 113 football fields, three Disneylands, or enough land to fit over 500 suburban homes.

Here’s a list of unique and specialty golf shots—the kind that go beyond the standard drive, chip, and putt. These are often used in tough conditions, for recovery, or to add finesse to your game:

🪶 1. Flop Shot

• What it is: A high, soft shot that lands with minimal roll.

• When to use: Over bunkers or hazards to a tight pin.

• Club: Lob wedge (58–64°).

• Key tip: Open your stance and clubface, swing steeply with soft hands.

Men’s Golf – Most Major Championship Wins

1. Jack Nicklaus – 18 Majors

• Masters: 6

• U.S. Open: 4

• The Open Championship: 3

• PGA Championship: 5

Nicklaus holds the all-time record for most men's major victories.

Golf Strategy: Play Smarter, Not Harder

Success in golf isn’t just about perfect swings—smart course management and strategic thinking can save strokes and boost your scores. Here are key strategies to elevate your game:

1. Play to Your Strengths

• Know your game. If you hit better with your 7-iron than a risky driver, use it.

• Choose clubs and shots you’re confident with, especially under pressure.

2. Aim for the Fat Part of the Green

• Don’t always attack the flag—especially if it’s tucked behind a bunker or near the edge.

• Hitting the center of the green increases your chance for a two-putt par.

The Word "Caddie" Comes from the French

The term "caddie" — the person who carries a golfer’s clubs and offers advice — has an interesting origin rooted in royalty and language.

French Origins

• The word comes from the French word "cadet", meaning younger son or junior.

• In 16th-century France, young military cadets would assist soldiers and nobles, often in a supportive role.

Mary, Queen of Scots and Golf

• Mary, Queen of Scots is often credited with popularizing golf in Scotland.

Use Your Body, Not Just Hands in Chipping is one of the most effective tips for improving your short game. Here's why it matters — and how to do it right:

The Problem with Just Using Your Hands

• Leads to inconsistent contact — thin or fat shots

• Makes distance control difficult

• Encourages wrist flipping, which can add loft or reduce it unpredictably

How to Engage Your Body in the Chip Shot

1. Set Up with a Slightly Open Stance
   Weight slightly forward, ball positioned back or center depending on shot type.

The Longest Golf Hole in the World Is Over 1,000 Yards

The longest golf hole in the world is the 3rd hole on the Jeongeup Course at Gunsan Country Club in South Korea. This par-7 hole stretches an incredible 1,097 yards (1,003 meters), making it the only known par-7 of this length globally.

About the Hole

• Course: Gunsan Country Club, Jeongeup Course, Hole 3

• Par: 7

Here are some of the most famous golf rounds in history—performances that are legendary for their skill, pressure, and historical significance:

1. Tiger Woods – 2000 U.S. Open (Pebble Beach)

Round: Final Round (67)
Tiger won by 15 strokes, the largest margin in major history. His dominance over four rounds, especially in tough conditions, set a new standard for excellence.

2. Jack Nicklaus – 1986 Masters (Final Round 65)

At 46 years old, Nicklaus stunned the golf world with a back-nine charge, capturing his 18th and final major title. His iconic birdie putt on 17 remains one of golf’s most replayed moments.

3. Rory McIlroy – 2011 U.S. Open (Congressional)

Round: Final Round (69)
After collapsing at the Masters months earlier, McIlroy bounced back with an eight-shot win and a record 16-under total—showing resilience and brilliance.

4. Phil Mickelson – 2004 Masters (Final Round 69)

After years of near-misses, Mickelson finally won his first major with a dramatic birdie putt on the 18th green—earning a joyous leap and a place in golf lore.

Staying calm under pressure in golf (or any sport) is key to performing well, especially when facing challenging shots or situations. Here are some strategies to help maintain composure when the heat is on:

1. Develop a Pre-Shot Routine

• Having a consistent routine before each shot helps you stay focused and calm. This could include a few deep breaths, a specific practice swing, or a mental checklist.

• A solid routine gives you control over your actions, reducing the chance of nerves or rushed decisions.

2. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome

• Instead of worrying about the result of the shot (e.g., making the putt or hitting the fairway), focus on executing the right swing or technique.

• By shifting your focus to your actions rather than the result, you can reduce anxiety and stay in the moment.

Golf clubs come in different types and configurations, each designed for specific distances, trajectories, and situations. Here’s a complete overview to help you understand or choose the right clubs:

1. Types of Golf Clubs

1.1 Woods

• Use: Long-distance shots, typically off the tee or fairway.

• Key Clubs: Driver (1-wood), 3-wood, 5-wood.

• Features: Large clubheads, long shafts, low lofts.

1.2 Irons

• Use: Approach shots, tee shots on short holes, and precise control.

There are several types of bunker shots in golf, each suited to a specific lie, distance, and situation. Mastering the right shot for the right scenario can shave strokes off your score and boost your confidence from the sand.

1. Greenside Bunker Shot

• Purpose: Escape soft sand near the green and land the ball softly.

• Technique: Open stance and clubface, hit 1–2 inches behind the ball.

• Key Club: Sand wedge or lob wedge.

• Tip: Use the sand’s bounce to “splash” the ball out.

Generating power efficiently in your golf swing—especially with the driver—is all about using your body’s mechanics properly, not just swinging harder. Here's how to do it without losing control or balance:

1. Use Ground Force (Legs & Hips)

• Start From the Ground Up: Power begins in your feet and legs, not your arms.

• Shift Weight to Trail Side: Load onto your back foot during the backswing (around 60%–70% of your weight).

• Explode Through the Hips: Begin the downswing by shifting weight to your lead foot and rotating your hips before your arms move.

Tip: Think of pushing off the ground like a vertical jump—this is where power originates.

Master Your Putting with the Gate Drill

One of the most common reasons golfers miss short putts isn’t reading the green wrong — it’s starting the ball off-line. That’s where the Gate Drill comes in.

This simple, effective drill helps you develop pinpoint start-line control, which is the foundation of great putting.

What Is the Gate Drill?

The Gate Drill is exactly what it sounds like: you create a narrow “gate” for your ball to roll through — just wide enough to allow the ball to pass if it’s hit on the correct line. Miss your line, and the ball hits the tee.

It’s one of the most trusted drills used by pros because it gives instant feedback with zero guesswork.

How to Set It Up

You only need:

Swing Through, Not Just To the Ball

One of the most common mistakes golfers make — especially beginners and mid-handicappers — is treating the golf ball as the final destination of their swing. But here’s the truth: your swing shouldn’t stop at the ball.

If you want cleaner contact, better power, and improved consistency, you need to swing through the ball, not just to it.

The Ball Is Not the Finish Line

Think of the ball as simply in the way of your swing path, not the end point. When you focus solely on striking the ball, your swing tends to decelerate or collapse at impact, leading to:

• Topped or chunked shots

• Loss of power

Approach shots in golf can make or break your score — they set you up for birdie chances or force you into damage control. Here are some practical tips to help you dial in your approach game:

1. Know Your Distances (and Trust Them)

• Track your yardages for each club — not just the ideal, but average distances.

• Apps, launch monitors, or even a notebook can help.

• Play your average, not your best-case scenario.

2. Club Up When in Doubt

• Most amateurs come up short — either from misjudging or under-hitting.

1. Set Up with a Solid Foundation

• Feet shoulder-width apart, weight evenly balanced

• Eyes directly over or just inside the ball

• Grip the putter lightly with relaxed arms and shoulders

2. Focus on the Putter Face

• The direction your putter face is pointing at impact is the biggest factor in starting the ball on line

• Keep the face square through the stroke and avoid flipping your wrists