What is Address in Golf?

Address is a term used in golf to describe when the golfer takes their stance and places the golf clubhead behind the ball, preparing to take a stroke on the ball.

What is Club Face Alignment?

Club Face Alignment is the face angle of the clubface at impact and is measured relative to the target line. A positive face angle is when the club face is pointed to the right of the target at impact (“open” for a right-handed golfer) and a negative face angle is when the club face is pointed to the left of the target (” closed” for a right-handed golfer). The club’s face angle is critical at impact when determining the ball flight direction. To hit a straight shot, the face of the club must be square to the ball at impact. The face alignment at impact can vary depending on the type of shot you want to play.

What Is Golf Ball Compression?

The force of the impact of the golf club head compress and flatten a golf ball when making contact with the ball. Golf balls have different compression ratings and the lower the compression rating, the softer the golf ball. Since this impact the behavior of the golf ball at impact, find the compression factor that is just right for your swing speed. The higher your golf club swing speed, the higher the golf ball compression rating that will be ideal for you.   (Jim this is only for SEO and is at the bottom of this page if technically correct we should leave it in.)

What Is Golf Handicap?

If you are new to golf or taking round performance more seriously, you need to know what your golf handicap is. Golf handicaps, in plain terms, is a rating system used to measure how good golfers are. A golf handicap is simply a numerical measure that represents the golfer’s ability based on their previous golf round’s scores. Your golf handicap is the number of strokes over par you take on average on an 18-hole golf course. The lower your golf handicap, the more skilled you are better golfer you are. A player with a handicap of 20 means that the average strokes of this player’s previous rounds was 20 over par (depending on the course, around 92 strokes). Most 18-hole golf courses will have an overall par of around 72. 

A golf handicap that expresses a golfer’s potential allows players of varied abilities to compete against one another. The intention behind the golf handicap is also to level the playing field. This means that beginners and less skilled golf players can deduct strokes from their overall score, whilst good level players cannot. This does not determine who is the best golfer. It determines who played to a better standard on the day, as compared to their individual skill level (golf handicap).

For more information on Golf Handicap read the FAQs for USGA Implementation of the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) – Click Here.