Women's Golf: The Basics

Conquering the basics for women’s golf has become a dream of mine and I find myself chasing that dream more every day.

I am Tammy O’Brien and I am (strange as it may seem) a beginning golfer.

Just over a year ago I made a life changing decision. I decided that I would no longer accept being a golf widow.

My husband, who loves me dearly, also adores the game of golf… and found every excuse under the sun to play a round of golf…. leaving me at home in the process.

At first I didn’t mind… but then I began to wonder what made this game of golf so addictive.

So I decided that not another day would pass that I would be home alone while he enjoyed a round of golf. After a bit of convincing, my husband agreed to teach me how to play golf. It has been and will continue to be a wonderful partnership.

So, I have been happily toiling away on the practice range and on the golf course all in an effort to spend more time with my husband. But the funny thing is that I have found myself a new hobby, a new sport that I really enjoy… never thought that would happen but it did and I couldn’t be happier!

Now it’s me bugging my husband to head to the course. So I started with trying to really understand basics for women’s golf. I figure if I can really tackle the basics of women’s golf then I will be able to really enjoy a round.

So I decided to create this space on Jeff’s website to have a place to chronicle my journeys into learning the game of women’s golf and to find some new friends who, like me, truly love the game of golf.

I am hoping that we can all learn from each other. I am confident that I will continue to grow and learn the game and most importantly be able to take what I have learned and translate that into a lower score on the golf course.

After all, we were all beginners at one time or another! If you have ideas for articles, discussions, questions and answers, etc, just drop me an email… I’d love to hear from you!

Jeff, my husband, is an accomplished golfer and has played the game for many years. Of course I have always found this to be quite intimidating. Thus the reason I have never ventured out onto the golf course… until recently when I decided that I didn’t want to be left home alone anymore! So I swallowed my pride and asked my husband to teach me how to play golf.

Jeff has taught so many people how to play golf. He’s an instructor and works with both youth and beginners, but I was convinced he could never teach me to play golf.

But guess what! I was wrong!

After a few lessons with my loving and most patient husband, well sometimes patient (just kidding honey), I started to at least consistently make contact with that little white, dimpled nemesis.

I started my journey as a beginning golfer with an old set of golf clubs that belonged to my husband.

That sounded like a good plan but there’s one important piece of information to remember. Jeff is 6′2″ and I am only 5′6″. So Jeff cut the clubs down for me so I could get started and see if I really enjoyed learning to play.

I was so happy that I cleaned and polished those golf clubs until I thought I was going to rub a hole through the shaft.

Then my husband scored major points when he bought me my very own set of women’s golf clubs for my birthday. That’s all it took… if I wasn’t hooked on the game of golf before, well now I was totally hooked and in love with the game.

My new ladies golf clubs fit me so much better! I was immediately convinced that they were going to be the reason that my game suddenly turned around. But I had to remember that nothing was going to replace practice… so it was off to the course with my new clubs and a renewed commitment to learning all the basics for women’s golf.

So, welcome to my journey! Won’t you join me?

I hope you come along with me as I continue to learn the basics for women’s golf.

Women's Golf: Getting Started

Welcome to My 1st Tee!

I am so happy you stopped by.

My name is Tammy O’Brien and I am a beginning golfer.

After watching and living and dying from the gallery for way too long, I have taken the plunge… and dare I say have gotten hooked on ladies golf.

You see, my husband Jeff (golf-ology.com) is an avid golfer and teacher and so – for many years – I have found other things to do while he was out enjoying a round, working on his golf game or off to a tournament.

I’ve watched over the years as he bought a set of golf clubs every few years, followed by new golf putters, hybrid drivers, golf irons, and way too many golf gloves and golf shoes to count!

Don’t get me wrong, I never minded the money he spent on golf equipment but I did come to mind all the time he spent on the golf course and away from me!!!

So in an attempt spice up my love life, I took up the game of golf… in a twisted way of spending more time with my husband.

My part of this website is dedicated to you… beginning golfers… women golfers… who like me are looking to learn a little more about the game of ladies golf and looking to have a good time while learning.

In my section of golf-ology.com, I plan to share my golf equipment store and my personal journey into the wonderful world of ladies golf with you and hopefully you will learn a bit from my experiences, find some golf equipment that you too fall in love with and who knows…

So, don’t be shy… sign up for Jeff’s newsletter (just to the right). I’ve watched him meticulously write it and he puts a lot of effort into improving your game… and it’s absolutely free!

Maybe someday we all find that one piece of the game that is eluding us and in that one magical round, everything will click and we all will have the round of our lives.

So I hope you enjoy the journey with me… get those clubs out and head to the course… ladies golf… it’s where my new dreams lie…

Buying Used Golf Clubs

Buying used golf clubs can certainly have a great advantage over buying new clubs off the shelf.

First and foremost is the cost savings you’ll realize.

Particularly if you are a beginner, or just a weekend golfer that enjoys getting out with some regular friends on an occasional basis.

I will assure you that unless you play on a regular basis or more competitively, equipping yourself for less money with a good set of used golf clubs will not affect your game in a negative manner.

And while we’re on the subject let’s not forget the big advantage dollar wise to buying used golf balls as well.

By putting your ego aside, if you are a mid to higher handicapper, your game is not going to notice the difference with used golf clubs or used golf balls but your wallet will.

Buying used golf clubs on the internet:

Callaway Golf  Preowned is a super website for getting a good set of reconditioned used golf clubs at a good price. They offer different levels of buying conditions and have an excellent selection of used golf equipment for you to choose from. They drivers, fairway woods, complete golf iron sets, individual irons, wedges, putters, even starter sets, and golf clubs for juniors.

Needless to say the internet is chalk full of places to buy used golf clubs. As I mentioned the Callaway Golf  Preowned is a great site to work with and you get the Callaway name and backing on their golf equipment. You can literally get a great set of clubs delivered right to your door at a fraction of the price.

For custom made golf clubs, clones and knock-off gosf clubs, another good store that I have used via the internet is Pinemeadow Golf. Pinemeadow custom makes drivers, woods, irons, wedges, and putters. I would strongly encourage you to visit the Pinemeadow Golf  site.

With the competition in the market place for your business, you are only a few mouse clicks away from saving some good money on your golf equipment. And with the two sites mentioned here you can get some great clubs at a discount prices.

Don’t get hung up on the idea of getting used golf clubs. Be realistic about the requirements of your game and taking a load off your wallet.

Golf Driver: The Shaft

The laws of physics are still in play with the golf driver shafts just as they are with the driver heads.

Steel shafts are heavier than graphite shafts. You can get steel or graphite shafts fitted to steel heads.

However, a with titanium head, graphite is your only option. And, as with the golf driver heads, titanium will carry a higher price tag.

Generally, stronger, higher swing speed golf swings match better with steel shafts because they will offer more control.

If your swing and physiology isn’t as strong, you may want to consider the titanium avenue because the titanium is lighter and just as strong, you will realize more distance for your particular swing.

Golf Shaft Flexibility:

This is the amount of bend that will occur in the shaft as a result of your swing. You will want to match the flex of your club shaft to your swing.

Generally speaking beginners and those with less powerful swing speeds will want more flex in their shaft. An average player’s swing speed will be up to around 95mph and will be in the regular stiffness category. If your swing speeds is much higher you will benefit more from a stiffer club shaft as this will provide more control for the more powerful swing, so you’ll want to go with a stiff or firm shaft.

Golf Shaft Swing Weight:

Again, our old friend physics comes into play. The lighter the swing weight of the golf driver, the greater the swing speed (with less effort) can be generated; which means a longer ball flight. Just as with our prior discussions, the lighter swing weight of the golf driver will be of more benefit to the mid to higher handicap golfer. For the more powerful swings, a slightly higher swing weight will offer a bit more control.

Golf Driver: The Head

The strength combined with the weight of the golf driver is the key especially if your handicap is higher.

Titanium club heads fit this bill on both aspects.

Titanium club heads are both stronger and lighter weight than steel club heads.

Since you can create more clubface surface area with a titanium driver head for the same amount of weight as a steel club head, you then produce by default, a larger sweet spot on the club face.

Hence, higher handicappers will find this type of driver more forgiving for their golf game.

So, why doesn’t everyone go with titanium?

Although steel club heads are heavier than titanium, they are cheaper. Good quality steel clubs heads will provide the same distance provided you hit the smaller sweet spot.

Lower handicap players will generally go with steel clubs because they provide a greater ability to work the flight of the ball. Remember, the more ‘forgiving’ the club the less control YOU have over the flight characteristics you can impart on the golf ball. This is why lower handicap players prefer the trade off of forgiveness to get more control.

Let’s talk briefly about clubface loft. Most generally a typical golf driver has a loft of 8-12 degrees. The lower the number the lower the natural trajectory of the ball flight will be. A lower loft (lower number) will produce more distance if all things are equal. How does this equate to your game? Well, if you tend to slice the golf ball of the tee, you will want to opt for a higher lofted driver. Lower lofted drivers tend to accentuate any spin you put on the ball. Thus, a lower lofted driver will often add to your slice and your handicap.

Put a number on it?

O.K. Higher handicappers will probably want to go 10 degrees or higher on their drivers.

Hope this is somewhat helpful. Let’s talk about the golf driver shaft.

The Golf Driver: Big And Sexy

As you know, technology has changed the game of golf immensely over the past several years.

One of the biggest (or at least the most marketed) is that surrounding the golf driver. The driver is the biggest, longest, bad-est, sexiest, and most expensive golf club in your bag.

For the golfer, no other club in the bag sets the tone for the for round like our driver. The golfer’s driver…truly a love/hate relationship. And with today’s technology, who doesn’t like to go for the green in one on those beguine par fours!

As I mentioned a moment ago, no other golf club receives the marketing hype that the driver does. A lot attention to a golf club to be sure, but a club that, if you are not comfortable with will add strokes to your round off some 14 different tee boxes if you are really struggling. That’s a lot of strokes.

So, what type of golf driver should I be looking at? The short answer is one that gives you a feeling of confidence when you address the ball and execute your swing. If you’d like a bit more information on getting custom fitted clubs, I have a couple articles on custom golf clubs already written.

Where can you buy good clubs online?

Here are a couple of good resources for golf club drivers, irons and complete sets that I have had very good luck with.

There are some great variations for your that aren’t covered in our discount warehouse that I would recommend that you check out.

For custom made clubs and clones, Pinemeadow Golf has always been one of the top 50 custom golf club manufacturers in the world.  They sell a complete line of custom golf clubs.   If you are looking for a nice driver but don’t want to pay brand name PRICES then consider a clone golf driver. Compare to name brands such as Adams, Callaway, Cleveland, King Cobra, Taylor Made, Nike, Titleist and Ping but at 1/3 the price.

They also have an automated Custom Fitting Wizard to tailor the clubs for your frame. And if you are perhaps thinking about introducing a junior golfer to the game the Pinemeadow Nitrix Junior Golf Set for Ages 10-14 set is perfect for players between the ages of 10-14. The woods and irons are built with custom matched Pinemeadow NRG graphite shafts that are lightweight yet durable enough for junior golfers. All the clubs are built and designed with easy to hit characteristics making it simple for the new player to pick up the game.

Callaway Golf preowned is another very good option for you they offer largest selection of used Callaway golf equipment.  You can choose from over 40,000 thousand used Callaway golf clubs, drivers, fairway woods, iron sets, individual irons, wedges, putters, starter sets, and junior sets.  These are excellent clubs at a fraction of the price of new.

Golf Tips: Pre-Shot Routine

Most golfers have some sort of pre-shot golf routine, at least occasionally.

Good golfers have a very consistent one.

Pre-shot routines are more than just a ritual or habit that is performed before you hit the golf ball; they actually serve a very important purpose in your game.

When you approach your golf shots with the same pre-shot routine each time, you are significantly increasing your focus on each golf shot. And with an increased level of focus on the task at hand, your shot will be much less susceptible to any outside distractions or variables.

Whenever I get asked the question about developing a pre-shot routine, the first answer I give is very pragmatic… find one that works for you. No two pre-shot routines will look the same; and even if they appear to look the same, what is going on mentally will be different for each golfer. Having said that, I won’t leave with such a general (but true) answer, so let’s take a look at a couple of different areas and ideas.

Again, the bottom line for any pre-shot routine is to get you into a positive frame of mind for your shot. Now, how you arrive there is strictly personal preference, but most will involve, picking the target, a couple practice swings, stance, grip, and perhaps a deep breath.

The details within each of these items aren’t as important as just making certain you do the same thing each and every time.

Keep in mind that a good pre-shot routine isn’t time consuming. It is quick, concise, and repeatable. Go through your routine, trust it, and then pull the trigger with your golf shot.

O.K… I lied. Remember when I said it really doesn’t matter what your pre-shot routine is as long as it works for you.

Well… there is one aspect that I insist upon when working with people; especially higher handicappers or those just beginning to get their golf swing under them; and that is your line. Somewhere as part of your routine you must include alignment to your intended target.

I work with so many golfers that waste relatively good swings and good contact by not being aligned properly to their target. I see so many golf shots head for the rough, the trees, the traps, and the water; only because that’s exactly where the person was lined up to hit the ball!

Don’t waste your precious good swings on bad alignment.

Make alignment to your target part of your routine… and don’t just trust the fact that you ‘think’ you are lined up properly; make sure.

If you’d like more detail on ensuring that you’re properly aligned, sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive my free mini-course that covers this in more detail. Just check the menu down the right of the page for the newsletter sign up!

Golf Club Grips And Shafts

As your swing progress and improves it becomes more important to start matching the golf club shaft to your swing.

Golf Club Shafts

The shaft of the golf club will flex when you swing and although the golf club shaft is not directly responsible for the power in your swing it does transmit this stored energy via the flexing to the club head at (hopefully) the precise moment.

In terms of golf shaft materials there are two basic types; steel and graphite. Steel shafts are less expensive but heavier and are preferred by advanced golfers and the pros.

The graphite shafts are lighter, but more expensive and are preferred by average and older golfers. Remembering that the distance you get on your golf shot is a matter of physics is the main allure of the graphite shaft. Since it is lighter than the steel, the average golfer can generate a higher club head speed. And with the lighter weight of graphite, more weight can be added to the head without increasing the actual swing weight of the golf club.

A shaft that is too flexible for your swing speed will produce much inconsistency at contact since the flex of the shaft is going to vary greatly based on your swing. If the shaft is too stiff for your swing you will have a tendency to leave the ball out to the right (for right handed golfers). This is why it is very important to match the type of shaft to your swing once you get your swing to a fairly consistent level of execution.

Golf Club Grips

The size of your golf grips can indeed play an important role in the results of your golf swing. Remember, it is on the grip where you have the only contact on the golf club and such is the on point from which you send information about the feel of your upcoming shot to your brain.

If your golf grips are too small or thin you will have the tendency to introduce more hand action into your shot and vise verse if your grips are too thick. The proper fit for your golf grips would be to have your middle finger just able to touch the pad on your thumb once around the golf grip.

Most grips are either of a cord material or rubber. These materials offer good resistance to wear and good playability. I wouldn’t recommend leather wrap grips for those just starting out as they are more expensive and less durable.

Golf club grip maintenance is a must. You should replace your grips on a regular basis. You won’t have to replace all of your grips each go around only the ones that are the most heavily used.

But it’s important to keep your grips fresh and of consistent feel across all of your clubs. Any pro shop can do this for you or you can certainly replace them yourself.

See my article on replacing your golf club grips.