HOW TO

GOLF
' .

BEGINNERS GUIDE

Joe Grohman and Tiger Woods - Victory Celebration 1994

By Joe Grohman PGA
Foreword by Earl Woods
HOW TO GOLF
By Joe Grohman PGA

Foreword by Earl Woods

Photography by Carmen Porto
 Dedicated to Earl, Tida and Tiger Woods, the best people I know.

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

August 7, 1996

PERSONAL
Mr. Joe Grohman
11931 Bartlett Street
Garden Grove, California 92845
Dear Joe:
Thanks for the copy of your book. It is
always great to receive tips from the real pros.
I appreciate your thoughtfulness and
kind invitation to hit the links at Navy Golf
Course. Although I never know what my schedule
will hold, I have forwarded your request to
my Directors of Scheduling and Advance for
consideration. Hillary joins me in sending best
wishes.

Sincerely,
 FOREWORD

Finally! A book written to and for the specific use and needs of
the "beginning golfer." From the simple yet descriptive illustra-
tions to the pictorial captions filled with informative "tidbits,"
this book is just what the new uninhibited golfer needs. In fact,
it will undoubtedly become a must for players of all ages and
both sexes because the basic fundamentals are the same. You
would be wise to carry it with you, share with your spouse or
friends, and generally have it readily available for reading or
reference as you start to learn about this wonderful game called
golf. I wish you success, but above all keep this book or pass it
on to some-one you would like to introduce the game to. You
will be doing them a big favor.

Earl Woods
SPECIAL THANKS
These people have helped in some way towards the completion of
How to Golf. The author would like to send a special thanks to the
following people:
Charles Lauderdale for his help in preparing and editing the text.

John Arbeznik

Shawn Bragdon

Geof Fairchild

Greg Grohman

Mom

Gil Waldo

Colleen Weule

Frank Williams

Maury Wills

Earl Woods for believing in me.

Tiger Woods, my dear friend, for showing me how to achieve.

My little angels, Ashley, Meagan, Joe Jr. and Andrew

All the wonderful military and civilian men and women that I have met
throughout my years at the Navy Golf Course in Cypress, California. And to
all of my golf students that made this book possible.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
Section One Introduction ............................................................ 1
My Background ............................................ 2
What is Golf .................................................. 3
A Warning ..................................................... 4
Terms You Need To Know .......................... 5
How to Use This Booklet ............................. 6
The Secret of Golf ........................................ 7

Section Three The Grip ................................................................. 11

Section Two The Setup .............................................................. 23

Section Four The Swing ............................................................. 27

The Takeaway ........................................... 28
The Backswing .......................................... 29
At the Top .................................................. 33
Impact ........................................................ 38
Follow-Through ......................................... 41
Finish .......................................................... 46

Section Five Chipping ................................................................ 49

Section Six Putting ................................................................... 55

Section Seven Sand Play .............................................................. 61

Section Eight Information ........................................................... 69

Helpful Hints .............................................. 71
Etiquette .................................................... 73
Terminology .............................................. 77
SECTION ONE:
INTRODUCTION
My Background

What is Golf

A Warning

Terms You Need to Know

How to Use This Book

The Secret of Golf

THE AUTHOR
Joseph Paul Grohman
Born:
January 26, 1965
MacDill AFB Tampa,
Florida Began golfing at
age 6.

Played golf for

Plattsburgh High School
in Plattsburgh, New York,
and Sunny Hills High
School in Fullerton,
California.

Played collegiate golf for

Cypress College in
Cypress, California and
Cal State Fullerton,
Fullerton California.

Has been a teaching pro

at the Navy Golf Course
in Cypress, California
since 1989.

Teaching Philosophy: If
shown how, anyone can
golf.
 INTRODUCTION
In 1989, when I began working at the Navy Golf Course in My
Cypress, California, the Long Beach Naval Station was the home Background
port to many Navy ships. This, plus the fact that the course is
centrally located between El Toro and Tustin Marine Bases, Los
Angeles Air Force Base, Naval Weapons Station at Seal Beach,
Naval Shipyard Long Beach, and the Army Air Station at Los
Alamitos accounted for a lot of active duty and dependent per-
sonnel. In addition, there is a huge retired military population in
the Los Angeles area. Couple this with the year-round perfect
weather, the finest golf course the military has to offer, and inex-
pensive golf instruction, and it translates into a lot of golf les-
sons. It also means an unusually large percentage of lessons to
people who have never played before.

Working with so many beginning golfers has allowed me to

develop what I call my beginning golf lesson. This lesson is the
simplest, easiest way for my students to achieve a fundamentally
sound swing, get instant results and at the same time gain an
understanding of the golf swing. Admirals and generals have
learned how to play with this lesson. My students have come in
all shapes and sizes, all ranks and dispositions, and I've never
had one that couldn't understand the simple yet fundamental
movements presented in this book.
What is Golf The object in golf is to hit a golf ball from a designated starting
point (called a teeing area) into a distant hole in the ground in
as few hits (called strokes or shots) as possible. There are 18
dif-ferent starting points for 18 different holes that comprise a
round of golf. Called simply "holes", they vary in length and
difficulty. The total number of strokes needed to complete a
round of golf would be a player's score. In golf, one is trying to
shoot as low a score as possible.

Golf clubs are used to strike the golf ball the various distances
one encounters during a round of golf. A total of 14 golf clubs
are allowed for the round. By virtue of different lengths and club
face angles, each club will produce a shot that travels a distinct
distance. This allows one to choose the club that will produce
the distance needed for the shot at hand.

The teeing area is defined by markers approximately 15-20 feet

apart. There are usually three sets of markers (called tee mark-
ers or tees). These tee markers are usually shaped like giant
golf balls and are color coded to designate who they are for.
Red tees are for women, white tees are the men's regular tees,
and blue or black markers are the men's championship tees.
The usually elevated area where the tees are found is called a
tee box. The teeing area is a rectangular area lying beytween
the two tee markers and up to two club lengths behind them,
away from the hole. The first hit on each hole is played from
that hole's teeing area and is known as the tee shot. One is
allowed to elevate the golf ball for the tee shot using a little
wooden peg which is also called a tee. This is known as teeing
up. The ball can only be teed up for the tee shot.

The low cut grass that is the desired landing area for the tee
shot is called the fairway. The higher cut grass that borders the
fairway is called the rough. The very low cut grass area that the
hole is located on is called a green. The location of the hole on
a green is marked by a flag that sticks out of the hole. A shot hit
to the green is called an approach shot. A shot on the green is
made with a golf club called a putter and is called a putt.
Before plunging into the lessons, the reader should heed a A Warning
word of warning. The game in which you are about to
participate is easier than hitting a baseball with a bat-for the
ball lies still-yet it is considered the most difficult game to
master. Golf will cause you to experience every emotion
attainable, from aggravation to elation, from humiliation to
jubilation, from hatred to rapture. Some days you will wish you
had never heard of it, while on others you will wish the daylight
would last a few hours longer.

Anger and frustration are part of the learning process.

However, accept that fact and learn to control those emotions
during the game and while practicing, for-unless your
livelihood depends on your performance on the course-it is
just that, a game. Thus, the very first lesson in this booklet is
to have fun. Besides, nobody likes to golf with a poor sport.
Terms You'll The following terms will be encountered throughout the
Need to lessons. It is important to understand their meanings to avoid
Know confusion while learning How to Golf.

Address-Position: one has assumed during the set up. Immedi-ately precedes
initiating the golf swing.

Alignment: How one is aimed in relation to the target.

Backswing:The complete motion of taking the club away from the ball.

Club Face: The angled part of the club head that contacts the ball.

Club Head: The entire head of the club including the club face. Downswing-The
downward swing motion from the top of the swing to impact.

Drive: A tee shot hit with the #1 wood.

Finish: The position attained when the swing motion is completed.

Follow Through: The position in a golf swing immediately after impact.

Grip: The way one holds the golf club with the hands. Also, the rubber or leather
wrap on the end of the golf club that one holds.

Hand Action: Hand or wrist movement during the swing.

Impact: Point in the golf swing where the club face contacts the ball.

Out to In: A swing made from outside the target line to inside the target line.

Reminder: A design found on some grips that outlines a proper grip.

Setup: The positioning of the body to enable a golf swing. When the setup is
completed, one is considered to be at Address.

Shaft: The shaft of the golf club.

Square: Having one's alignment or club face aiming at the Terms You'll
target. Need to
Swing Thought: A single, key thought used during a golf Know
swing. (Continued)

Takeaway: The start of the back swing.

Target Line: Imaginary straight line from your ball to the target.
Tee to Green: All shots excluding putts.
Tee Time: A reservation to play golf.
Top of the Swing: The transition area between the comple-
tion of the back swing and the start of the downswing. Also
called "At the Top."
Weight Transfer: Movement of body weight during the golf
swing. Also, the basic principle of golf.
 How to Use This publication is designed to be taken to the lesson tee at the
This Booklet driving range, but can be used anywhere that there's room to
swing a golf club. Hitting a ball is not necessary as you learn the
moves that make up a golf swing. It is only after you have
created a golf swing that you hit balls. The booklet would be
best put to use by two people, one to learn the proper positions
at the different stages of the swing and the other to ascertain
that the student is indeed emulating those positions properly.
Even a relatively distant matching of the positions in the photos
can produce more than satisfactory results.

Having mastered the positions, you should concentrate on a

whole swing process, an uninterrupted flow from address to
finish. As you make progress, it may be necessary to go back
and concentrate on a particular movement or position in the
swing. If so, it is important that only one swing thought be used
for the entire swing motion. I have never heard of a successful
golfer who can key his swing to more than one given position or
thought. In other words, for one bucket of balls the key swing
thought may be keeping the head still during the swing. For the
next bucket the swing thought might be to feel the proper
position at the top of the swing. Whatever the goal, remember,
only one swing thought per swing.
In order to retain simplicity, I have not gone into great detail on
the whats and whys behind the moves presented in the book. It
would only lead to confusion. I feel that any beginning golfer
would prefer to see how to golf, not read how to golf. Also, the
super large print next to the pictures allows one to lay the book
on the ground and still be able to read the captions while work-
ing hands-free on the lessons.

I sincerely hope the attempt to convey my actual beginning

golf lesson with this book helps you discover the wonderful
game of golf.
Just as the bowler doesn't walk up to the foul line straight- T h e Secret
legged and throw the ball solely with his arms, and the tennis of Golf
player doesn't swing the racket only with his arms, likewise the
golfer doesn't swing the golf club just with his arms. As in most
sports, the secret of golf that allows one to achieve a flowing,
unre-stricted and balanced golf swing is a proper Weight
Transfer. In a proper weight transfer, body weight is used as
leverage. The bowler pulls the ball back on his approach and,
using his entire body, transfers his weight from his back foot to
his front foot allowing him to fire the ball down the lane. The
tennis player uses his entire body to pull the racket back, swing
through with a weight transfer from back foot to front foot and
fire a fore-hand down the line. The principle also applies to golf.
Weight is loaded up behind the ball on the back foot (at
address, during the takeaway and backswing) so that at the top
of the swing, the weight is in a position to be leveraged or
transferred as energy (on the downswing and at impact) to the
ball, via club head speed, sending it on its way. And with a
proper weight transfer, the weight will end up on the front foot
at the finish of the swing, just like the bowler and the tennis
player.

To imagine the leverage in a weight transfer, imagine a baseball

pitcher throwing a pitch. Now imagine how much speed would
be lost if the pitcher threw the ball straight-legged, using just his
[Link] transfer is just as important in a golf swing and just
as much body weight is transferred. The difficulty in golf lies in
the fact that this similar weight transfer must be accomplished
just as completely and accurately, but in an area extending only
from the inside of the right foot to the center of the left.

Thus, as you read this book and develop your own golf swing, it
is important to understand that all the moves and positions
made in a golf swing are done to facilitate a weight transfer
during the golf swing. A proper weight transfer is the secret of
golf, the foundation upon which a successful golf swing is built.
SECTION TWO:
THE GRIP
The grip is the way one holds the golf club with the hands. The
rubber or leather-wrapped end of the golf club that is held is also
called the grip.

Look closely at the following sequence. Emulate the photos as

closely as possible. A good grip will save you headaches and
strokes. A bad grip can really hurt you and is one of the most
difficult things to unlearn. Practice gripping the club properly until
it's as easy as putting on a glove.

For the lessons, lay the book on the ground to achieve hands-free
ability. To gain an actual visual perspective of the grip simply turn
the book upside down.

When it comes to gripping the golf club, there are two important
aspects the beginner must know:

1. The club is held in the fingers like a butter knife,

not in the hands like a baseball bat;

2. The club is held lightly as if one were holding

eggs. Only enough grip pressure to keep from letting
go of the club is used.
THE GRIP
Laying the
hand flat
open, angle
the club
across the
index finger
and the
meat of the
left palm.
 THE GRIP
Close the
fingers,
then ...
THE GRIP
Keeping club in
the fingers,
roll hand over
and place the
thumb down
the center of
the grip. There
will be a slight
airspace
between palm
and club.
 THE GRIP
Laying the
hand flat
open, place
the club
along the
base of the
finger of the
right hand
and close the
fingers.
THE GRIP
Keeping
club in the
fingers roll
hand over,
lightly
placing the
"V" at the
base of the
right palm...
 THE GRIP

...on the
knuckle of
the left
thumb.
THE GRIP
The proper
grip,
completed.
 THE GRIP
Notice how
the reminder*
"V" on the
grip fits
between the
thumb and
fingers of the
right hand.

*See terms on page 6.

THE GRIP
The pinky of
the right
hand is
placed over
the left index
finger as in
the overlap
grip or ...
 THE GRIP
...all ten
fingers can
be on the
club, as in
the basebalI
grip. Either
style is
acceptable
SECTION THREE:
THE SETUP

The setup is the positioning of one's body to enable a golf

swing to be made. Once the setup is completed one is
considered to be at address.

Remember that the swing is to facilitate a weight transfer. With

this in mind, when we set up or "address" the ball, it is impor-
tant to be loose and relaxed and in an athletic position. The
swing we're about to make is going to use every muscle in the
body, so its important to be loose. At address we don't want
any tightness anywhere. As with the grip, the setup should be
the same every time. So practice the setup until it's
comfortable and easy to repeat.

To set up, simply follow this procedure:

1) Place feet shoulder width apart, toes pointing

slightly outward

2) For necessary knee and hip bend, assume and

hold the position you would be in as you begin to sit in
a chair

3) From this position, allow the arms to hang freely

from the shoulders. Keeping the arms relaxed and
without bending the elbows or raising up the
hands,clap the hands lightly together.
Where they meet is where the club is held in the setup.
This position never changes as one uses clubs of differing
lengths. Only the distance one stands from the ball will
change

4) Keep the chin up by looking down your nose at the ball

5) The head is behind the ball; in other words, the ball is

played closer to the front foot than the back, perpendicular to
the left ear

6) The left arm is straight

7) The weight is 80% on the right knee and centered

mid-foot (on a line from inside the right ankle, through the
right knee, into the right armpit

8) The knees are knocked in

9) To aim, simply square the club face to a spot that is a

few inches in front of the ball on the target line, then follow
steps 1-8 above
 THE SETUP
For
necessary
knee and hip
bend,
assume and
hold the
positions you
would be in
as you begin
to sit in a
chair. Weight
is centered
mid-foot.*

*See #7 on previous page.

THE SETUP
The setup
should look
like this.
Important keys:
- The ball is
perpendicular to the left
ear.

- The knees are knocked.

- The left arm is straight.

- The weight is 80%on

the right knee.

- The feet are shoulder

width apart and toes
point slightly outward.
SECTION FOUR:
THE SWING
When you thumb through this booklet you will see pictures of
positions at various stages of the golf swing. It is important to
understand that the swing is a cycle, a complete motion from
address to follow-through. It is not a series of frozen, static
positions. Nevertheless, the pictures serve as guides to be
emulated at the different stages of the swing.

As your swing develops, master keeping your head still without

forgetting the weight transfer. Head movement and/or an im-
proper (or non-existent) weight transfer account for a majority of
my lessons.

Three important aspects of the swing that beginners often over-

look are:

1) Arm extension - one wants full arm extension of

the left arm throughout the swing until well
after impact

2) Hand action - proper hand action can be induced

by imagining a magnet is stuck to the club face
and attempting to sling it off. The importance
being that the hands must rollover through
impact. Otherwise, you will forever slice* the ball.

3) Knee flex - maintained throughout the swing.

*See terminology on page 80

THE BACKSWING
The right knee
remains
stationary in a
flexed
position. Keep
the left arm
straight. Take
the club back,
rotating the
shoulders
around the
spine by
lowering the
left shoulder
and raising the
right while the
head remains
still.
 THE BACKSWING
Halfway
through the
backswing
the club is
parallel to
the ground
and parallel
to the target
line*.

*See terms page 7

THE BACKSWING
Upper body
motion is
rotational
over the
right hip
joint along
the spine.
Note the
knee flex,
many
beginners
stand up at
this point.
 THE BACKSWING
Hand
position
halfway
through the
backswing.
Achieved by
slightly
rolling the
hands open
on the
takeaway,
the left
thumb is on
top of the
shaft and the
shaft is
parallel to
the target
line.
THE BACKSWING
At this point
the left knee
has moved
towards the
right,
allowing hip
rotation. The
left heel
remains on
the ground.
The wrists
begin
cocking.
 AT THE TOP
The club is
pointing at the
target, and the
left thumb is at
the bottom of
the shaft. As at
address, the
weight is 80%
on the right
knee and in
position to be
leveraged
through the
ball.
AT THE TOP
Hand
position at
the top of
the swing.
The left
thumb is
under the
shaft, and
the club is
pointing at
the target.
 AT THE TOP
The knees
have
remained
flexed during
the takeaway.
The head has
remained still
and the
weight is still
80% on the
right knee.
Come as
close to a
stop as you
can without
stopping.
DOWNSWING
Start of the
downswing.
The hips and
shoulders
uncoil
together, as
one, initiating
the weight
transfer. The
head remains
still. Initially
it's a good
idea to over
exaggerate
the hip turn
until one
becomes
familiar with
this unnatural
movement.
 DOWNSWING
At hip level
the hands
begin to
uncock and
roll over. The
right toe is
pushing off,
creating leg
drive, hip turn
and aiding
weight
transfer.
IMPACT
At impact
the hands
are in mid-
rollover and
have
returned to
their address
position.
 IMPACT
The head has
remained
still. Note the
extension of
the arms.
Many
beginners
will have
bent elbows
at this point.
IMPACT
The effort
being made by
the right leg to
effect the
weight
transfer is
evidenced by
the lifting of
the right heel.
Hands
continue to
rollover.
 FOLLOW-THROUGH
Halfway
through the
follow-
through the
head still
hasn't
moved. The
club is
pointing at
the target,
the left
thumb is
back on top
of the shaft,
and the
right tow
continues
pushing off.
Continue arm
extension.
FOLLOW-THROUGH
Hand position
halfway into
the follow-
through. The
left thumb is
back on top of
the shaft,
completing a
180 degree
rollover of the
hands. The
wrists again
begin cocking,
allowing a
continuous
swing motion
around the
body.
 FOLLOW-THROUGH
Keep your
arms
extended as
long as
possible. You
should have
nearly all the
weight on the
left foot.
Continue
wristcock by
pulling
thumbs
towards left
ear.
FOLLOW-THROUGH
The right leg
pushes the
right hip
through until
the belt
buckle faces
the target.
 FOLLOW-THROUGH
Keep your
head still.
Keep your
arms
extended.
Continue
pushing
with the
right foot
until you
are on the
tiptoe of
the shoe.
FINISH
Only when the
swing has
been
completed is
the head
allowed to
rotate and lift.
You must
swing easy
enough to be
in
balance at
the finish with
nearly all of
the weight on
the front foot.
 FINISH
With the swing
properly
accomplished ,
one is
completely in
balance and the
ball is flying
right at the
target.
SECTION FIVE:
CHIPPING
A chip shot is a shot in very close proximity to the green. Shots
from the edge of the green to approximately five yards away
would be considered chip shots.

Chipping and putting are similar in that the legs remain "quiet"
during the stroke. The stroke is pendulum-oriented and there is
no weight transfer. These strokes look and really are very simple,
but please note: Chipping and putting are very much "feel" or
"touch" aspects of the game. The only way to develop feel is
practice. Unlike full shots, chips and putts are better played
keep-ing the club face square to the target.

Also note that when it comes to chipping, putting and sand play,
deceleration is the # I problem with my students. This means that
the club head decelerates or slows down through impact. So as
you practice putting and chipping learn to maintain a steady club
head pace or speed throughout the stroke. Matching the length
of the takeaway and follow-through helps combat deceleration.
CHIPPING
Choke down
on the
control. Place
weight
primarily on
the left side
and leave it
there during
the stroke.
 CHIPPING
Keeping the
head as still
as possible,
take the club
back with
the
shoulders
and the arms
in a
pendulum
motion.
Keep the
club face
square to
the target by
not rolling or
cocking the
wrists.
CHIPPING
Without
rolling the
wrists over,
return
through the
ball with a
pendulum
stroke. The
takeaway and
follow-
through
should be the
same length.
Distance to
the hole de-
termines the
pace of the
stroke.
 CHIPPING
Using the
shoulders and
arms, take the
club straight
back along
the target
line. Keep the
club face
square to the
targets.
CHIPPING
Swing
through the
ball along
the target line.
The length of
the follow-
through
should
match the
takeaway.
Distance to
the hole
determines
how hard to
hit it. Do not
allow wrists to
roll over.
SECTION SIX:
PUTTING
Putting is the act of hitting the ball while its on the green. The
specialized golf club used for putting is called a putter. A stroke
on the green is called a putt.

Putting is an extremely important aspect of the game of golf. A

one-inch putt counts the same as the longest tee shot, one
stroke. Good putting can save the worst of rounds and bad
putting can kill the best of rounds. Thus, it is important to
quickly learn how to putt well. It is the easiest aspect to learn
and can carry one through the .trials of learning the rest of the
game.

There are three important factors that must be present for

consistently good putting:

1) The eyes are directly over the ball

2) During the putting stroke, there is no head or wrist
movement and no tension in the body, hands, or
arms
3) One must be completely confident that the putt will
be made. Uncertainty will almost always result in a
missed putt.
PUTTING
As in
chipping,
the weight
is primarily
on the left
side and is
left there
during the
stroke. The
ball should
be directly
below the
eyes.
 PUTTING
The head
remains still
during the
stroke. The
putter is
taken back
with the
shoulders in
the
pendulum
motion.
There is no
wrist
movement.
PUTTING
Rotate the
shoulders
through the
ball,keeping
the putter
face square
to the target
line. Distance
to the hole
determines
how hard to
stroke it.
 PUTTING
Rotating the
shoulders,
take the club
back along
the target
line.
PUTTING
Keeping the
putter face
square to the
target line,
swing the
putter
towards the
hole with
shoulder
rotation. As in
chipping,
match the
length of the
follow-
through to the
take-away.
Keep a steady
pace
throughout
the stroke.
SECTION SEVEN:
SAND PLAY
Throughout most golf courses are large pits filled with sand.
These are called sand traps or bunkers. Hitting out of them is
called a sand shot or bunker shot.

Unlike typical golf shots, bunker shots in close proximity of the

greens are best performed with an out-to-in swing. Weight
transfer is typically nonexistent and we use an "all-arms"
swing. Furthermore, with typical shots the club head contacts
the ball first. On sand shots the club head is used to splash or
blast out a given amount of sand with the ball riding atop it. To
accomplish this one must take the club back at a much
steeper angle than typical shots to create a chopping-motion
type pf swing. The golf club used for this shot is called a sand
wedge.

Due to the relatively soft nature of the sand in a bunker, you

should squirm the feet into it to develop reasonably firm
footing. This action also serves to determine the depth and
texture of the sand, important factors in determining how hard
to swing.

For fairway bunkers, again an "all-arms" swing is used. Weight

transfer is virtually nonexistent (this is done to prevent slipping
in unstable sand). Unlike bunker shots in close proximity of the
greens, in a fairway bunker the object is to hit the center of the
ball with the leading edge of the club and "blade" it out.
Normally when this attempt is made, you will actually catch the
ball quite solidly. Even if you do hit the center of the ball and
blade it you will get out of the bunker.
SAND PLAY
For sand
shots, the
swing is
made
primarily with
the shoulders
and the arms.
At address,
the weight is
centered on
both legs and
remains
neutral
during the
swing.
 SAND PLAY
Alignment is
to the left of
the target.
Turn the club
face to the
right until it is
square to
(aiming at)
the target.
SAND PLAY
On the
takeaway,
using
shoulders
and arms,
take the club
well outside
of the target
line, at a
steep angle.
At this point
initiate
wristcock.
 SAND PLAY
At the top of
the back
swing, you
want to be in
position to
chop down
on the ball,
swinging
from outside
the target
line...
SAND PLAY
...to inside
the target
line. The
object is to
chop a slice
of bread's
worth of
sand out
from under
the ball. Do
not roll the
hands over
through
impact.
 SAND PLAY
As in putting
and
chipping, try
to match the
length of the
take-away to
that of the
follow-
through.
SECTION EIGHT:
INFORMATION
Helpful Hints

Etiquette

Terminology

Ordering Information
 HELPFUL HINTS
1) After you've read through the entire swing sequence it shouldn't
take long to figure out how to emulate the photos. Once you've
created your new golf swing and you're at the driving range to test
it, hit at least the entire first bucket with a 7-iron.

2) Make sure you have a proper grip.

3) Swing as easy as it takes to maintain your balance. If you're losing

your balance you're swinging too hard.

4) Be certain there is weight transfer from the back foot to the front
foot during the swing. Weight transfer is the basic principle of golf.

5) Keep your head as still as possible during the swing. Head

movement will produce dreadful results. Practice on a sunny day,
looking at your shadow during practice swings and making sure
your head stays still.

6) Play the ball from the same position in the setup with all your clubs.
Also, set up the same way for all shots.

7) Be certain the hands roll over through impact.

8) Do not play on a golf course first. Don't leave the driving range until
you understand what you're trying to accomplish with your swing
and you can consistently hit the ball in the air at least SO yards.
This is not an easy game and the golf course is not the place to
learn it, the driving range is. So do yourself a favor and the group
waiting impatiently behind you a favor and don't take to the course
until you're ready. It won't take long.

9) Check the dress code. If unsure, wear slacks, a collared shirt, golf
or tennis shoes and there won't be a problem.

10) Be on time. If you are late for your tee time you go to the bottom
of the waiting list. In a tournament you are disqualified.
11) Be quiet. Until you are familiar with the little nuances of
golf,keep quiet and observe. Most golfers take the game very seriously
and are not out there, paying good money, to socialize. Golfers are a
passionate lot.

12) Be aware of weather conditions. You are going to be outdoors for

at least four hours. You should always carry sunscreen, bug spray and
an umbrella.

13) Have a good supply of balls and tees. A dozen of each should do.

14) Carry a rule book. It is only a matter of time until you'll be involved
in a ruling on the golf course.

15) If you hear a cry of FORE! immediately take cover. Do not take time
to see where the cry came from. FORE! means a ball is hurtling towards
somebody and it could be you.

16) Keep an open mind. This is not an easy game. There are no
naturals and there are no substitutes for practice. If you do stick with
this game it can bring you friends, business, and a lifetime of
satisfaction.
 ETIQUETTE
As in any sport or function in life there are rules and regulations
governing behavior in this wonderful game. Some govern play,
some guide personal relationships and others influence the way
we treat the golf course.
On the way we treat the golf course, the fundamental guide is to
leave the course in as good or better shape than you found it.
This means to replace the clumps of grass (called a divot) one
takes when making a stroke. While the divot may not grow back,
it does save a golfer following you the difficulty of hitting his ball
out of a hole in the ground.
On the green always repair the indentations (also called a divot)
that your ball makes when it lands on it. Walk on the green in
such a way that your shoe's spikes do nothing to rough up the
surface. The rules do not allow golfers to repair spike marks
before putting. After putting out you can and should repair any
spike marks that could hinder golfers behind you.
The rules of golf are much too numerous to be covered in this
relatively uncomplicated booklet: Therefore, I will leave them to
your sense of duty to acquire at least the very basic elements of
those rules.
On the way we treat others on the golf course, the basics are:

• Don't hit into those ahead of you. If you believe

you might hit the ball far enough to endanger them,
wait until they clear the area;
• If your ball is headed in the direction of other golfers,
alert them with the cry, FORE! And if you catch up to
your unintended victim, apologize for the errant shot;
• Do not stand directly behind (along the target line) of
the golfer on the tee. Stand either fully in view or
totally out of view of the golfer on the tee. The same
courtesy is observed on the fairway and on the green;
• Always play in turn. Order of play is that the person farthest away
hits first. This also holds true when putting. Order of play on the
tee is determined by the scores on the previous hole. The person
with the low score hits first. This is known as having honors.

• Be ready to make your next shot when your turn comes. One of
the greatest factors affecting the enjoyment of the game of golf is
slow play. A typical round of golf should not take more than four
hours to complete. Do your part to meet that time target.

• Checking the distance to your next target, determining wind

conditions, or any other factor you may need to consider in
preparation for the next shot can and should be done while
approach-ing the ball. Once there, address the ball and make your
shot;

• When leaving a bunker remove all footprints and marks with the
rake provided;

• Keep electric carts at least fifty feet from the greens and never
drive across a tee box. If cart paths are near, keep electric carts
on them.

• Do not give advice unless it is asked for.

• When you get to the green, place your golf bag or cart to the side
of the green nearest the next tee. This will enable you to leave the
green quickly and without interfering with the progress of the
group following you.

• Mark your ball and keep it marked until it is your turn to putt. The
accepted method of marking a ball is to place a ball mark, such as
a coin, directly behind the ball away from the hole. The ball mark
must be in place before the ball can be lifted. The ball must be
replaced to its original position. Reckless or haphazard marking
procedures shows poor etiquette and could possibly be
construed as cheating.
• Always be as careful and as accurate as possible when marking
the ball. The only ball on the green belongs to the person
putting.

• Be careful to never walk across someone's line {intended path}

while on the green. This is an inexcusable violation of etiquette.
Make sure your shadow doesn't fall across the line of someone
putting. The person whose ball is nearest the hole is
responsible for removing the flag stick. Don't remove the flag
stick until you've asked everyone if they need it. The first person
to putt out should be in charge of replacing the flag stick once
everyone has putted out.

• Announce penalty strokes as soon as they are incurred and

always before teeing off on the next hole.

• Keep your anger in check. Being a hot head can disrupt the
concentration of others in the group. Throwing clubs and
swearing profanities are indicators that one is not mature
enough to play golf. Composure is just as important as any golf
club. Golf is known as a gentleman's game and there isn't room
for lesser behavior. You can learn more about a person during a
round of golf than you can in 30 years elsewhere. Always
remember that golf is only a game, so act accordingly.
 TERMINOLOGY
Ace - A hole in one.
Address - Position taken when ready to hit the ball.
Alignment - How one is aimed in relation to the target.
Amateur - One who plays golf without receiving any cash return.
Approach - A stroke to the putting surface.
Apron - The first cut of grass bordering the green (also known as the
fringe).
Away - Person who's ball is farthest from the flag stick. The person
away shoots first, unless the group is playing ready golf.
Back Nine - The second or last nine holes on the golf course,
numbers I 0-18. Same as "In".
Back Swing - The complete motion of taking the club away from the
ball.
Ball in Play - Once a player hits the ball off the tee box, it is considered
the ball in play and remains as such unless lost or out of bounds.
Ball Mark- A small coin or other like object used to mark the position
on the green of a player's ball. Also known as a mark or ball marker.
Birdie - A score of one stroke below par on any hole.
Bogey - A score of one stroke above par on any hole.
Bunker - Also called a sand trap. A depression on the course that is
filled with sand.
Caddie - A person who carries a player's clubs during a round of golf.
Carry - The distance between the spot the ball is struck to where it first
strikes the ground.
Casual Water - Temporary accumulation of water where normally there
is none. A ball in casual water may be lifted without penalty.
Club Face - The angled part of the club head that contacts the ball.
Club Head - The entire head of the club including the club face.
Divot - The chunk of sod cut by a player's club and the indentation left
on the green when a player's approach shot lands on it. Both are called
divots.
Downswing -The downward swing motion from the top of the swing to
impact.
Drive - A tee shot hit with the # I wood.
Fairway - The shortly cut grass area between the tee box and the green.
Finish - The position attained when the swing motion is completed.
Flag Stick - Also called the pin. The flag stick marks the location of the hole
on the green.
Follow Through - The position in a golf swing immediately after impact.
Fore - A warning called out if a shot appears to have a chance of hitting
someone.
Fringe - The first cut of grass that borders the green. Also called the collar
or apron.
Front Nine - The first nine holes of a course. Hole numbers 1-9. Same as
"Out."
Gimme - A putt so close to the hole that another player will cede you the
putt. The stroke must be counted, however.
Green - The putting surface.
Greens Fee - The cost to play the golf course.
Grip - The way one holds the golf club with the hands. Also, the rubber or
leather wrap on the end of the golf club that one holds.
Gross Score - The total score counting every stroke.
Hand Action - Hand or wrist movement during the swing.
Handicap - Average number of strokes over par a golfer shoots for the
entire round. Also, the ranking of difficulty for a given hole with respect to
the other 17.
Hazard - General term given to sand traps, streams, ponds and the like.
Honor - The right to hit first on a hole, based on having the lowest score on
the preceding hole.
Hook - For a right-handed player, ball flight that curves from right to left.
Impact - Point in the golf swing where the club face contacts the ball.
Lie - The position your ball rests on the course.
Line - The intended path or direction one expects the ball to travel
after being hit.
Marshal - A person who patrols the course making sure the pace of
play is kept up by all groups and that basic etiquette is observed.
Match Play - Competition by holes. A player will win a hole if he
beats his competitor by at least one stroke.
Mulligan - A second shot that replaces the previous stroke with no
penalty. Not legal in competition or when the scorecard is to be
turned in for handicap purposes.
Net Score - The player's gross score minus the handicap.
Out of Bounds - Designated by white stakes, the area outside of the
allowed playing area.
Out to In - A swing made from outside the target line to inside the
target line.
Par - Designated by the length of the hole, par is the number of
strokes it takes to reach the green allowing for two putts. A hole that
can be reached in one shot (generally 240 yards and less) allowing for
two putts is a par 3. A longer hole, 240-470 yards, that requires two
strokes to reach the green and allowing for two putts would be a par
4. Even longer holes (over 470 yards) that require 3 strokes to reach
the green and allowing for two putts are designated par S's.
Penalty Stroke -A stroke added to a player's score for some type of
rules violation.
Provisional Ball - A second ball, that must be declared as a
provisional, that is played when there is a question of being able to
find the ball in play or if the ball in play might be out of bounds. A
provisional ball saves you having to walk back and re-hit if the first
ball is indeed lost or out of bounds.
Putt -A stroke on the putting green is called a putt.
Ready Golf - When the first person that is ready to hit plays first
instead of the person furthest away hitting first.
Reminder - A design found on some grips that outlines a proper grip.
Rough - The area bordering the fairway where the grass is allowed to grow
higher than on the fairway.
Sand Trap - See Bunker.
Scratch Player - A person with a zero handicap that is capable of playing
all the holes at par.
Setup - The positioning of the body to enable a golf swing. When the set
up is completed, one is considered to be at Address.
Shaft -The shaft of the golf club.
Short Game - Chipping, pitching and putting make up the parts of the
short game.
Slice - For a right-handed player, ball flight that curves from left to right.
Square - Having one's alignment or club face aiming at the target.
Stroke - The act of hitting or attempting to hit the ball constitutes a stroke.
Stroke Play - Competition by strokes. All strokes are added with the
person having the lowest total being the winner.
Swing Thought - A single, key thought used during a golf swing.
Take Away - The start of the back swing.
Target Line - Imaginary straight line from your ball to the target.
Tee - The small wooden peg on which the golf ball is placed to facilitate the
drive (Tees can only be used on the tee box). The term also applies to the
tee box (or teeing area).
Tee to Green - All shots excluding putts.
Tee Time - A reservation to play golf.
Top of the Swing - The transition area between the completion of the back
swing and the start of the downswing. Also called "At the Top."
Weight Transfer - Movement of body weight during the golf swing. Also,
the basic principle of golf.
Learn HOW TO GOLF in minutes from the teacher
of ADMIRALS and GENERALS with
HOW TO GOLF - BEGINNER'S GUIDE
by JOE GROHMAN PGA
former Navy Golf Course
Cypress,CA Golf Pro 1989-1996
foreword by EARL WOODS
(Father of Tiger Woods)
Easy to Follow
Actual Beginning Golf Instruction
with Photographs is finally here!!!
plus everything else you need to know
to play golf.
Just ask President Clinton, he has this book!

"Good Job Joe!"

Tiger Woods
"Finally!",
Earl Woods
"A must-have!",
Maury Wills

Tiger and Caddy Joe Grohman

U.S. Junior Regional Qualifier
Apple Valley CC. CA, 1990