Brent

What is your favorite golf quote? They can be quotes made by pros or quotes pertaining to pros or the game of golf. "Man blames fate for other accidents but feels personally responsible for a hole in one." ~Martha Beckman

Thanks for the advice. I don't expect to become Tiger Woods over night, but I do expect to improve at a relatively quick pace, based off my extreme obsession with the game of golf. I don't own a video camera, but I hope to get one soon so I can videotape my swings and get some good analysis to go along with my instructors advice. My instructor usually has my practice with an 8 iron, so I am quite surprised he didn't tell me that I should hit the ball on the descending stroke, because I have just been trying to hit the ball square. Putting is my favorite part of the game of golf, and I am relatively okay at it considering I am very new. I expect to improve my putting and it will probably be a good part of my game, but only time will tell. One Last Question: When playing a chip shot from a short distance, is it ever okay to flip your wrists? I seem to get a good lie out of this, but I don't know if its consistent. I assume I should still hit the ball on the descending stroke to promote backspin. - Brent

My mom's obsession with 'Dancing with the Stars' has thwarted my plans to watch the premiere. Luckily I see that they will be showing it again at 11 CST.

Generally when I am hitting around in my yard (primarily chip shots), I try to hit the ball on the descending stroke, but when I went golfing last Friday, something inside me said that I should be hitting the ball square, even though hitting the ball on the descending stroke seems to produce nice shots. Thank you for your help, I will certainly take your advice and I will be hitting the ball on the descending stroke, which I assume is what the pro's do to get such amazing loft out of the ball. Will hitting down on the ball cause it to check once it hits the green? - Brent

I myself am taking part in a very serious struggle striking the ball well with my woods. Sometimes I hit my driver decent, but even then, it usually have an intense slice. The 9-Hole course I call home has trees everywhere. If you hit the ball semi-deep in the trees you wont find it. It goes without saying that my woods have lost me many a golf ball. Trying to hit any wood or hybrid off of a fairway lie is just impossible for me. I can putt the ball farther than I can hit it with a wood. I am going to tell my instructor about this problem and hopefully he can help me improve my ball striking with the woods. - Brent

15 Years Young.

This thread will certainly show that I am a newbie at the game of golf, but this is an important question that is vital to my improvement. I have heard conflicting theorems as to how the ball should be addressed using irons. Some people say that the ball should be scooped , which I certainly disagree with even though I am not very knowledgeable of the game. Others say that the ball should be hit at the absolute lowest point in your swing. Even yet, others say that the ball should be hit on the downswing in order to produce spin which would cause the ball to rise, obtain more spin, and stop quicker on the green. I don't know if the way you would address the ball changes based on the shot you are playing, but I really seem to have trouble getting the ball high in the air so that it will stop when it gets near or on the green. I assume that to hit the ball higher you move it in your stance, but I am not really sure where to move it, or if this is even accurate. Any help will certainly be appreciated. - Brent

Even though I am 4 months late, as a novice golfer, I do have some goals for this year. Make the best of my practice with an instructor. Practice by myself daily. Take my time on each and every shot. Shoot a 75 or lower.

I would have to respond with "no." They are the professionals, they should do all of the work themselves. The caddies job is to carry the clubs and help with distances, not to basically play the game themselves.

Just keep on swinging.