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 Shots Gained in Golf?

Moving beyond simple metrics like fairways hit and total putts, a smarter way to analyze your performance on the course has emerged: Shots Gained. This powerful statistic is the same one used by PGA Tour professionals to pinpoint exactly where they are losing or gaining an advantage over the field. This article will show you exactly what Shots Gained is, how it works with practical examples, and how you can use its principles to understand your own game on a deeper level and finally start lowering your scores.

What Is a Hard Slope in Golf?

Seeing a high Slope Rating on a scorecard can be a little intimidating, but it doesn't have to ruin your round - in fact, understanding it can actually help you play smarter. A high slope rating doesn't just mean a course is hard, it tells you something very specific about <em>how</em> it's hard and for <em>whom</em>. This article will break down what a hard slope rating really means, how it impacts your handicap, and give you a practical game plan for confidently tackling even the toughest courses.

What Is a Penalty Area in Golf?

Nothing sinks that great shot feeling faster than watching your ball take a sharp turn and sail directly into a pond or deep ravine. For a moment, your heart drops. What now? Am I re-hitting? Can I drop it a little closer? This article is your complete guide to penalty areas in golf. We'll walk through exactly what they are, how to identify the two different types, and your step-by-step options so you can handle these situations with confidence and save your score.

What Is the Biggest Event in Golf?

When you ask a group of golfers which tournament is the most important, you’ll get more than one answer, but one event consistently stands above the rest. The Masters is widely considered the single biggest event in golf, a perfect blend of tradition, mystique, and the official start of spring for a golf-crazed world. This article will break down why The Masters holds that top spot, but we’ll also look at the other major contenders for the title and explore what truly makes an event big in this sport.

What Is a Quad in Golf?

Hearing the term quad on the golf course can make even the most seasoned player’s stomach sink, as it’s a red flag for a hole that has gone completely off the rails. A Quad, short for a quadruple bogey, means you’ve scored four strokes over par on a single hole. This article will break down exactly what a quad is, dig into the common on-course scenarios that lead to them, and, most importantly, provide you with a clear, coach-approved game plan to keep these round-wrecking scores off your card for good.

What Is the Descent Angle in Golf?

Ever hit an iron shot that feels like butter, launching into a perfect arc and stopping right by the pin? That pure, compressed feeling is what every golfer chases, and the secret behind it is a concept called descent angle. Understanding this one simple metric can completely change the way you strike the golf ball, taking you from a player who scoops the ball off the turf to one who produces crisp, powerful, and controllably spinning shots. This article will break down exactly what descent angle is, why it's so important for your iron play, and - most importantly - how you can start improving yours today.

What Is a 26 Handicap in Golf?

Seeing a 26 handicap next to a golfer's name can mean many things, but it’s most importantly a starting line - a clear marker of your current ability and a launching point for a more enjoyable and measurable journey in golf. This article will break down exactly what that number signifies, where it places you among other players, and provide a clear, actionable plan to help you confidently start lowering it.

What Is a Modified Shotgun Start in Golf?

A modified shotgun start is a popular tournament format that balances the needs of a golf outing with the golf course's regular business. Unlike a traditional shotgun start that uses all 18 holes, this format uses only a portion of them, creating a fun, group-oriented experience without shutting down the entire facility. This article will break down exactly how it works, why tournament organizers use it, and what you, the golfer, need to know to play your best when you tee it up in one.

What Is Duffing in Golf?

Nothing feels quite as frustrating as taking a confident swing, only to watch a massive clump of turf fly further than your golf ball. That dreaded, jarring sensation of the duff or chunk can stall a great round and shake your confidence to its core. This article will explain exactly why you’re duffing your shots and, more importantly, give you a straightforward, step-by-step plan to eliminate it from your game for good and start making crisp, clean contact.

What Is a Rating in Golf?

Ever glanced at a scorecard and seen numbers like Course Rating: 72.1 and Slope Rating: 135 next to a set of tees? For many golfers, these figures are just part of the background noise, but they are actually two of the most important pieces of information you can have about a golf course. Understanding what they mean gives you a powerful tool to gauge a course’s true difficulty, set realistic expectations for your round, and even play smarter. This tutorial will break down exactly what golf course ratings are, how they are determined, and how you can use them to your advantage every time you play.

What Does +4 Mean in Golf?

Seeing a + sign next to a number in golf can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out if it’s a good score or a bad one. A +4 can mean a few different things depending on the context, from a tough experience on a single hole to the mark of a highly skilled player. This article will break down exactly what a +4 means in every situation - on one hole, over an entire round, and as a player's handicap - so you can understand golf scoring with confidence.

What Does Club Down Mean in Golf?

Hearing your buddy say, I think I’m going to club down here, can be one of those confusing moments in golf. It sounds simple enough, but what does it really mean, and more importantly, why would anyone intentionally choose a club that goes shorter? This isn't just about understanding a piece of golf slang, it's about unlocking a new level of strategy that separates a good round from a frustrating one. This guide will walk you through exactly what clubbing down means, when to do it, and how it will help you make smarter decisions on the course.

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