Golf Tips to Help You Improve Your Game

How to Fix a Slice in Golf

Seeing your golf ball start left and then peel dramatically to the right is one of the most defeating feelings in golf. That banana ball, the slice, robs you of distance, sends you into trouble, and chips away at your confidence. This article is your step-by-step guide to turning that slice into a powerful, straight shot or even a gentle draw, starting with understanding the root cause and then making simple, effective changes to your setup and swing.

By Spencer Lanoue

Latest articles

What Is the Tour Twist in Golf?

You’ve seen it on Sunday broadcasts - that powerful, athletic rotation the pros use to generate blistering club head speed seemingly out of nowhere. Announcers might call it a dynamic transition or praise their separation, but many golfers simply know it as the Tour Twist. It’s that signature move where the lower body starts the downswing while the upper body waits, creating incredible torque. This article will break down what the Tour Twist is, why it's so effective for generating power, and how you can begin to integrate its core principles into your own golf swing.

What Is an Outside Agency in Golf?

A golf ball moving on its own is one of the strangest and most confusing things you can face on the course, but understanding the rule for an outside agency will save you penalty strokes and headaches. This guide will walk you through exactly what an outside agency is and how to handle every situation that comes up, so you can play on with confidence. We’ll cover what counts, what doesn't, and the exact steps to take when the unexpected happens.

What Is a Countback in Golf?

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your name at the top of the leaderboard after a competition round - until you see someone else has posted the exact same score. A tie! Now what? In most club events and amateur tournaments, this is where the quiet, often misunderstood tie-breaker known as the countback comes into play. This friendly, in-depth guide will walk you through exactly what a countback in golf is, how it works step-by-step, and why it's the go-to method for separating players with identical scores.

What Happens if You Play Off the Wrong Tee in Golf?

Hitting a drive from the wrong set of tees is one of those surprisingly common oops moments in golf that can happen to anyone, from a total beginner to a seasoned player. The good news is, it’s not the end of the world. The penalty and procedure for fixing the mistake, however, depend entirely on the format you’re playing, which is why it often causes confusion. This article will walk you through exactly what happens, the official rules for both stroke play and match play, and the best way to handle it so you can get back to your round with confidence.

What Is a Staggered Start in Golf?

Ever tuned into the PGA Tour’s final event and noticed the leaderboard already shows players with scores like -10 or -7 before the tournament even begins? This unique format, known as a staggered start, turns the final round of a competition into a gripping, real-time race to the finish line. This article will break down exactly what a staggered start is, how it works, the strategy involved, and why it creates some of the most exciting moments in golf.

What Does PING Stand for in Golf?

PING isn't actually an acronym, but the signature sound heard by an engineer named Karsten Solheim in his garage back in 1959. That pleasant, metallic *ping* from his prototype putter not only gave the company its name but also signaled the start of a revolution in golf equipment design. This article will tell the story behind that sound and explore the groundbreaking innovations that made PING one of the most trusted names in golf.

What Is Lateral Relief in Golf?

Your ball just sailed right, heading for that line of red stakes bordering the woods. You hear a faint thwack as it hits a tree and disappears. Now what? Knowing exactly what lateral relief means and how to use it is one of the most practical pieces of rules knowledge that can save you strokes, frustration, and a long, fruitless search for your ball. This guide will walk you through exactly how to handle this common on-course situation, explaining your options clearly and giving you the confidence to make the right call.

What Does DBW Mean in Golf?

If you've heard the term DBW used in a golf conversation and were left scratching your head, you've stumbled upon a core principle for crisp, powerful iron shots. While DBW isn’t a standard, official acronym you'll find in the Rules of Golf, it points directly to the goal that separates high-handicap golfers from consistent ball-strikers. This article will break down what the idea behind DBW really means, why it’s so important for your game, and provide actionable drills to help you finally achieve that pure, compressed feel at impact.

What Does RETD Mean in Golf?

Seeing the acronym RETD next to a player's name on a scoreboard, instead of a score, can be confusing. It happens in professional tournaments and even in club competitions, and if you haven't seen it before, you probably have a few questions. This article will break down exactly what RETD means in golf, why it happens, and how it impacts a player's score and handicap, giving you a complete understanding of this common tournament term.

What Is an Open Tournament in Golf?

An Open tournament in golf is exactly what it sounds like: a championship that is open to all comers, both professional and amateur, provided they can meet the entry requirements. Unlike invitational events or standard tour stops with restricted fields, an open championship carves out a path for any skilled player to earn a spot alongside the biggest names in the game. This article will break down how these beloved tournaments work, from the exemption categories for the pros to the grueling multi-stage qualifying process that embodies the very spirit of the game.

What Time Is Twilight in Golf?

The time for twilight golf isn't a set hour on the clock, it's a floating window that offers one of the best deals in the game. It’s all about getting a discounted green fee to play late in the day when the sun is starting to creep toward the horizon. This article will show you exactly how golf courses determine that special time, the real pros and cons of teeing off late, and a handful of simple strategies to help you squeeze every last drop of daylight out of your round.

What Is a Butter Cut in Golf?

A butter cut is one of the most envied shots in golf - a thing of beauty that blends power with supreme control, floating softly from left to right before landing right by the pin. This article will show you exactly what a butter cut is, why it's different from that dreaded slice, and provide you with a step-by-step guide to adding this game-changing shot to your own repertoire.

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