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 Happens When You Hit the Wrong Ball in Golf?

It's a sinking feeling every golfer dreads. You flush what you think is your ball from the rough, watch it land softly on the green, and stride up with your putter, only to see the unfamiliar scrawl of a Sharpie or a logo you don't play. Hitting the wrong ball is one of the most common - and easily panicked-over - mistakes in the game. This guide will calmly walk you through exactly what constitutes a wrong ball, the specific penalties in different formats of play, and the simple habits that will help you avoid this mistake for good.

What Is a Head Pro in Golf?

The term ‘Head Pro’ gets thrown around a lot at golf facilities and country clubs, but their actual role is often a bit of a mystery to the average golfer. They are far more than just skilled players, they're the directors, teachers, and business managers who keep the entire golf experience running smoothly. This article will pull back the curtain on what a Head Golf Professional does, from managing daily operations to shaping your golf game, and explain how you can benefit from their deep well of knowledge.

What Does Stripe Mean in Golf?

You’ve heard it on the driving range or while watching the pros on TV: He absolutely <em>striped</em> that one. It's a phrase said with reverence, a nod of respect for a shot executed almost perfectly. This article explains precisely what that means, what it feels like, and - most importantly - how you can start hitting more striped shots yourself.

What Is a Knuckleball in Golf?

A golf shot that feels perfectly struck but mysteriously drops from the sky, landing 20 yards short of the green, is one of the most confusing and frustrating moments in the game. You hit it flush, yet it seemed to have no engine. This baffling shot is often a knuckleball, and understanding what causes it is the first step to eliminating it from your game. This article will show you exactly what a golf knuckleball is, the common swing faults that produce it, and provide you with actionable drills to get you back to hitting crisp, powerful shots that fly with authority.

What Is the Power Joint in Golf?

If you've ever watched a long-hitting pro and wondered how they generate so much effortless power, a huge part of the answer lies in something called the power joint. This isn't some mystical, secret move, it's a fundamental part of the golf swing that anyone can learn to use correctly. This article will show you exactly what the power joint is, how it works during your backswing and downswing, and provide you with actionable drills to start building a more powerful, consistent swing today.

What Is Pin Position in Golf?

The number on the sprinkler head says 150 yards, but where the flag is sitting on the green, it could be a 140-yard shot or a 165-yard shot. That's the challenge of pin position, and understanding it is one of the fastest ways to start making smarter decisions and shaving strokes off your score. This article will show you exactly what pin position is, why it matters for every shot you hit into a green, and how you can use it to play with the cool confidence of a seasoned strategist.

What Happens When You Lose a Ball in Golf?

Watching your beautifully struck golf ball sail towards trouble and disappear is a uniquely frustrating part of the game. That feeling of uncertainty - is it in the rough? The woods? Simply vanished? - can add stress and slow down your round. This guide cuts through the confusion, explaining exactly what to do when your ball is lost, covering the official rules, time-saving procedures, and practical tips to help you avoid losing balls in the first place.

How to Control Your Backswing in Golf

A wild, uncontrolled backswing is a primary cause of inconsistent ball striking, robbing you of both power and accuracy. If getting your swing on the right path fees like a guessing game, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process to build a reliable, controlled, and powerful backswing by focusing on the fundamentals that truly matter.

How to Hit Down on a Golf Ball with a Hybrid

Confused about whether you should sweep your hybrid like a fairway wood or hit down on it like an iron? You're not alone. The answer is surprisingly simple: for consistent, powerful shots, you want to hit your hybrid with a descending blow, just as you would an iron. This article will break down the exact setup and swing thoughts you need to stop sweeping and start striking your hybrids with pure, compressed contact from any lie.

How to Recondition Golf Clubs

Breathing new life into your trusted golf clubs is more than just a cost-saving project, it's a deeply satisfying way to get more performance from your gear and connect with the tools of your trade. Restoring that original gleam and tackiness isn't just for show - it directly impacts how you play. This guide will walk you through the entire reconditioning process, from a professional-level deep clean and polish to confidently regripping your clubs yourself.

How to Play a Provisional Shot in Golf

There's a sinking feeling every golfer knows well: you make a swing, the contact is a little off, and the ball sails toward a thick patch of trees or a notoriously unforgiving patch of fescue. Is it lost? Is it out of bounds? You're not sure. This article is your guide to navigating that exact moment by properly playing a provisional shot. We’ll walk through what a provisional is, when to hit one, the step-by-step procedure, and what to do once you've played it, so you can handle this situation with confidence and keep your round moving smoothly.

How to Qualify for the US Amateur Golf

Playing in the U.S. Amateur is the ultimate goal for any competitive amateur golfer, a chance to walk in the footsteps of legends like Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. This guide breaks down the entire process into simple, actionable steps. We will cover the specific eligibility requirements, how to register, and how to prepare your game and mind to give you the best possible shot at earning a spot in the most prestigious amateur championship in golf.

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