Spencer Lanoue

Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.

Latest articles

What Is an Unplayable Ball in Golf?

We’ve all been there: you crush a drive, but it just drifts a little too far and ends up buried in a dense thicket of bushes, awkwardly pressed against a tree root, or nestled in a spot so nasty you’d risk injury trying to hit it. This is where knowing the unplayable ball rule comes to the rescue. This article will walk you through exactly what an unplayable ball is, what your relief options are, and how to use this rule strategically to save yourself from a scorecard disaster.

What Is the Name of the Stick Used to Hit the Ball in Golf?

The stick used to hit a ball in golf is officially called a <strong>golf club</strong>. While that's the simple answer, every club in your bag has a specific name and a job to do. This article will break down every type of golf club - from the one you use to bomb it off the tee to the one you use to gently tap it into the hole - so you can understand what each one does and when to use it.

What Is a Local Rule in Golf?

Ever glanced at the back of a scorecard and seen a block of text labeled Local Rules, only to shrug and focus on where the water hazards are? You’re not alone. For most golfers, this section is a bit of a mystery, but understanding it is a simple way to play smarter, save strokes, and avoid tough situations on the course. This guide will walk you through exactly what a local rule is, why it exists, and how to use the most common ones to your advantage.

What Is a Medley Stableford in Golf?

A Medley Stableford competition is one of the most inclusive and popular formats in club golf, yet its name can be confusing if you're seeing it on a timesheet for the first time. This guide will break down exactly what a Medley Stableford is, how the scoring and handicapping function to make it fair for everyone, and provide some simple strategies you can use to have your best round yet.

What Is a Roll Up in Golf?

Ever been standing on a fairway, watching the group ahead of you tap in their final putts on the green, and one of your playing partners quietly hits a soft, low shot that trickles up toward them? This isn't a case of bad manners or dangerous play, it's a classic golf tradition known as the roll up. This article provides a complete guide to understanding what a roll up is, the unwritten rules for when and how to do it, and the etiquette that keeps this pace-of-play custom friendly and effective.

What Is a Crooked Number in Golf?

Hearing a golfer groan about a crooked number is common on any course, and it usually means they've just had a hole they’d rather forget. It’s the kind of score that can make an otherwise solid round feel like a struggle. This article won’t just define what a crooked number is, it will break down how these card-wrecking holes happen and give you a simple, practical game plan to keep them off your scorecard for good.

What Does It Mean to Turn the Ball Over in Golf?

Hearing a golfer say they turned the ball over can mean one of two very different things: a beautifully controlled power draw or a disastrous hook that dives out of the sky. In either case, the term describes a right-to-left ball flight for a right-handed player. This article will show you how to produce the good kind of turnover, understand its benefits, and fix the mechanics that cause the bad kind.

What Is Chirping in Golf?

Heard the term chirping used on the golf course and felt like you missed the memo? It’s simply the friendly art of on-course banter, the playful jabs and strategic needling that can turn a good round into a truly memorable one. This article will walk you through what chirping is, the unwritten rules for keeping it fun for everyone, and how you can master it without becoming *that guy* in your foursome.

What Is a 4-Person Shamble in Golf?

A 4-person shamble is one of the most enjoyable and strategic formats in golf, blending the best parts of a team-based scramble with the challenge of playing your own ball. This article will guide you through exactly what a shamble entails, how its rules differ from a scramble, and provide actionable strategies to help your team come out on top. You'll learn the step-by-step process so you can show up for your next tournament or friendly match with total confidence.

What Causes a Toe Hook in Golf?

There's nothing more baffling than watching your perfectly struck golf shot start left and then take a sharp, non-negotiable dive even further left. This maddening shot, the toe hook, can ruin a scorecard and your confidence in a single swing. But it’s not some random, unsolvable mystery. This article will break down exactly what causes a toe hook - from your setup to your swing path - and give you clear, practical drills to get your ball flying straight and true again.

What Does Skulled Mean in Golf?

It’s a feeling almost every golfer knows: you’ve got a delicate little chip shot to a tight pin, you swing with what you think is finesse, and suddenly your ball screams across the green like a rocket, finishing in the bunker or bushes on the far side. That gut-wrenching moment is the classic result of a skulled shot. This article will break down exactly what a skulled shot is, the simple mechanical errors that cause it, and give you clear, actionable steps and drills to remove it from your game for good.

What Does Attest Mean in Golf?

When you're new to competitive golf, the process of finishing a round can feel almost as complicated as the swing itself. You walk off the 18th green, happy or frustrated with your play, and someone hands you a scorecard and a pen. It’s here that you'll hear the term attest. Far from being a mere formality, understanding what it means to attest is fundamental to the integrity of the game. This guide will walk you through exactly what attesting means, why it’s so important, and how to do it correctly every single time.

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