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 Block Practice in Golf?

Ever feel like you’re hitting the same great shot over and over on the driving range, only to see it completely vanish once you step onto the first tee? If so, you’ve likely experienced the unique world of block practice. This style of training is one of the most common ways golfers practice, but understanding exactly what it is, when to use it, and what its limitations are can be the difference between practicing hard and practicing smart. This guide will walk you through exactly what block practice is, how to use it effectively to build your foundational skills, and how to eventually move beyond it to a style of practice that truly translates to lower scores on the course.

What Is a Line Drive in Golf?

Ever hit a shot that takes off like a rocket, screaming just a few feet off the ground and running forever? That's a line drive, and in golf, it's a shot with a dual identity. It can either be a masterful, controlled stinger that cuts through the wind, or it can be a frustrating, bladed mishit that skips over the green. This guide will teach you to tell the difference, show you how to eliminate the unwanted line drives, and even coach you on how to hit the intentional version when the course calls for it.

What Does "In Contention" Mean in Golf?

When you hear a golf commentator say a player is in contention, it means they are close enough to the lead to have a genuine chance of winning the tournament. This article will break down what that term truly means, how it feels for both professionals and amateur golfers, and most importantly, what steps you can take to develop the mindset needed to get there - and stay there - yourself.

What Happens if You Don't Turn Your Hips in Golf?

Ever feel like you’re swinging as hard as you can but the ball just goes nowhere? Or worse, it peels off to the right in a weak, frustrating slice? The culprit is often something many golfers overlook: your hips. Failing to turn your hips properly deprives your swing of its engine, leading to a cascade of problems that kill both distance and accuracy. This article will break down exactly what goes wrong when your hips don't turn, why it happens, and give you some simple, actionable drills to get your body powering your swing correctly.

What Is a 3 Wood 260 in Golf?

A 3 Wood 260 isn't a new club you can buy off the rack, it's a performance benchmark representing a 260-yard shot with a 3-wood. For most amateur golfers, this is a serious display of power and skill, the kind of shot that transforms long par 4s and brings par 5s into reach in two. This article will break down what it really takes to hit that number, from the physical requirements to the specific techniques that will help you unleash the full potential of your fairway wood.

What Is a Pre-Shot Routine in Golf?

Every great golf shot you see - whether from a tour pro or your scratch-handicap playing partner - begins long before the club even starts its backswing. It begins with a consistent, repeatable process that prepares the mind and body for the task ahead. This article will break down exactly what a pre-shot routine is, explain why it's the hidden foundation of consistency, and give you a simple framework to build one that feels natural to you.

What Happens if Someone Plays Your Ball in Golf?

Standing over your ball, a perfect lie in the fairway, you see the unmistakable smiley face you drew with a Sharpie and freeze - that's not your marking. That's your buddy Dave's ball, and you just hit it 180 yards. This confusing and slightly embarrassing moment happens more often than you think, but knowing what to do next is what separates a minor blunder from a major scorecard disaster. This guide will walk you through exactly how to handle it when someone plays your ball (or you play theirs), covering both match play and stroke play so you can sort out the situation with confidence.

What Is a Snake in Golf?

Ever been on the first green with your buddies when someone misses a short putt, and another gleefully shouts, You've got the snake!? If you’ve just nodded along in confusion, you’re in the right place. The snake is one of the most popular and pressure-packed side games in golf, turning every putt into a high-stakes moment. This guide will walk you through exactly what a snake in golf is, how the game works, common variations, and most importantly, an expert coach’s tips on how to avoid being the one paying up at the end of the round.

What Is a Chunk Shot in Golf?

Nothing grinds a round to a halt quite like a chunked iron shot. You make a confident, powerful swing, only to watch a huge patch of turf fly farther than your ball. It’s a frustrating, deflating feeling that every golfer, from beginner to seasoned player, has experienced. This article will break down exactly what a chunk shot is, the most common reasons golfers hit them, and most importantly, give you a set of simple, actionable drills to eliminate them from your game for good.

What Are the Best Woods in Golf?

Caught on a long par-5 with a good drive, you're still looking at 200 yards or more to have a shot at an eagle. Picking the right club from the fairway is the difference between putting for birdie and scrambling for par. This guide will break down the options you have, explaining what each fairway wood does and how to choose the perfect one to attack the course and improve your scores.

What Is a Club Championship in Golf?

A Club Championship is far more than just another weekend tournament, it’s the annual event that determines the best golfer at a club. This article will break down exactly what a club championship is, the different ways you can compete in one, and provide actionable tips to help you prepare and play your best when the first tee time is called.

What Is a Forced Carry in Golf?

That stretch of water, ravine, or deep sand staring back at you between your ball and the target is called a forced carry, and it has a special talent for rattling even the most seasoned golfers. This isn't just another shot, it's a mental test a course designer puts in your way. This article will break down exactly what a forced carry is, why it feels so intimidating, and give you a clear, repeatable strategy to conquer these shots with confidence every single time.

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