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what does "blocking it" in golf mean

by Aileen Sporer Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

A blocked golf shot is when the golf ball (right-hander) starts right of the intended target and stays there. It usually doesn’t have any curve left or right on the ball in either direction, only a straight path right. It does this when the clubface is square and the path is coming too much inside to out and right of your target line.

Full Answer

What is a block in golf?

When the hands reach hip height, the club should be parallel to the target line. Regarding athletics, the trusted Webster's dictionary defines a block as “a halting or impeding of progress or movement.” In golf, a block can mean two things. First, it describes a type of shot or ball flight.

What causes a blocked shot in golf?

A common cause of a held release is getting the lower body too far ahead on the downswing, trapping the arms behind. Trying to hold onto the angle between the wrists and the club on the downswing is another problem that regularly causes a block. In truth, there can be many reasons for hitting a blocked shot.

Why does the golf ball get blocked on the downswing?

When the golf ball is positioned too far back in your stance it increases the chances of blocking the golf ball. This is because your clubface will meet the golf ball too early in the downswing well before it has a chance to square up to the target line.

What does sunblock mean in golf?

Sunblock: A golfer who spends a lot of time in bunkers (a k a, at the beach). Sunday Ball: Same as a "lunch ball" - another term for a mulligan (do-over). Tiger Tees: The teeing grounds used in professional tournaments, or the rearmost tees at any golf course.

What does it mean to block it in golf?

Blocks occur when you slide too hard with your lower body on the downswing (above). The club drops behind you and swings too much from the inside. You have too much lateral motion and not enough turn through the shot.

How do I stop blocking in golf?

2:318:56How To Stop Blocking Your Golf Shots 3 Must Do Tips!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLeft of center so slightly nearer to that lead foot. So it would take a small step with that leftMoreLeft of center so slightly nearer to that lead foot. So it would take a small step with that left foot slightly bigger step with that right foot.

What is blocking a tee shot?

Blocked golf shots are shots that shoot straight right when hit by right handed golfers. They result in what is referred to as pushed shots (again for right handed golfers). Blocking shots occurs as a result of a club path that is of the inside-out variety.

What is a blocked swing?

What is Swing Blocking? Swing blocking is essentially using your open, cross, hop footwork along the net while swinging your arms in order to penetrate further over the net to block your opponent. It is an option that will help blockers gain more height, speed, and accuracy if done consistently the right way.

What causes a block slice?

A slice is a result of a swing path through impact that is moving from outside to in, or from right to left as viewed from behind the golfer. This action of the club 'cutting across' the ball imparts a left to right spin on the ball, which quickly causes the ball to turn to the right when it gets up into the air.

Why do my golf balls always go right?

If your clubface is facing to the right of the target at impact, your ball will start to the right. The path of the club in relation to the clubface will determine the spin. If your golf ball curves from left to right, the path of your club is moving more left than where your clubface is pointing.

Why do I slice with my driver but not my irons?

The main reason that a driver will slice, but not the irons, is the length of the club. With a golf driver being longer than a golf iron, it is much harder to square the club face and release the club at the proper time. Golfers of all ability levels struggle with this concept.

What is a slice and hook in golf?

In simple terms, a slice is a fade that never came off right. While a hook is a draw gone wrong. In reality, it is far more complex than that, as multiple factors can induce a slice or a hook. A slice is when the ball curves off to the right and a hook is it when it curves off to the left, generally speaking.

Why do I push my long irons right?

Ball Position This is normally the main cause behind pushed iron shots. What you often see with 'pushers' is the ball too far back in the stance. The problem here is that the club strikes the ball too early on its arc. The club will naturally be pointing a little right in this scenario.

How do you swing block?

2:024:29How to Swing Block in Volleyball - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour first step opens the hips. And creates distance with the big step your second and third stepsMoreYour first step opens the hips. And creates distance with the big step your second and third steps close the hips back to face the net. And get you prepared to jump with the attack.

How do you teach a swing block?

1:384:34Why and How to Teach Swing Blocking to Your Team - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right base get your hands up so base hands are up like this. All right right here right here.MoreAll right base get your hands up so base hands are up like this. All right right here right here. All right now we're pinched in. So she's here to help on the three. She's helped on the one.

What causes weak golf shots to the right?

According to Golf Digest 50 Best Teacher Hank Haney, it's mostly because of a bad grip and a steep angle of attack. "Make your grip stronger, so your hands are turned away from the target and your palms are parallel to each other," says Haney. "Also, gripping it too tight keeps the hands from releasing through impact.

What does "block" mean in golf?

Regarding athletics, the trusted Webster's dictionary defines a block as “a halting or impeding of progress or movement.”. In golf, a block can mean two things. First, it describes a type of shot or ball flight. For a right-handed golfer a block is a shot that flies straight right of the target with no curve.

What happens when you set your golf club late?

When the club is set late it mixes up the sequence of the swing and it make it hard for the golfer to maintain control of the club. If the golfer has to set the club near the top of the backswing the weight of the club carries the arms too far back.

How to hit a golf shot without the ball?

Slide your right hand down to the bottom of the grip. Swing back with the split grip, which will force your right arm to fold early. On the downswing slide your right hand back up to meet your left and hit the shot. If you find at first it's difficult hitting a shot this way, try it without the golf ball first.

How to get rid of a triangle in golf?

The cure is to simply take the club back straight down the target line for the first several inches. Maintain the triangle formed by the arms, wrists and hands as you pull the clubhead away from the ball, making sure the shoulders rotate in unison with the triangle. Here's a good drill to ingrain the proper takeaway:

What does it mean when your ball is too far back in the stance?

If your ball is too far back in the stance then it is simply a matter of your clubface not having enough time to close.

How to swing a golf club?

Place a light object, such as a clubhead cover or empty golf ball sleeve, about six inches behind the ball, directly on the target line. Keeping the clubhead low, push the object back and out of the way as you start the swing, letting the club arc naturally away from the target line.

What does it mean when a shot is hit off line?

When a shot is hit off-line with no curve that typically means that the club face is square to the path the club is swinging on. Pretend you had wet paint on the bottom of your club. To hit a block the paint would draw a path that points to the right of your target line when you swing.

Why is my golf ball blocking my shot?

Often the position of the ball in your golf setup contributes to whether you hit a blocked golf shot to the right. When the golf ball is positioned too far back in your stance it increases the chances of blocking the golf ball. This is because your clubface will meet the golf ball too early in the downswing well before it has a chance ...

Why is my downswing blocking my golf shots?

How to fix lower body speed issues in the downswing. A lot of problems with blocking golf shots happen because of timing issues in the golf swing. As mentioned above quite often golf shots going right is the result of the lower body moving too quickly and the upper body is unable to keep up. This results in little or no balance in your golf swing.

Why do you put the golf ball in the middle of your stance?

This is because your clubface will meet the golf ball too early in the downswing well before it has a chance to square up to the target line. Ideally, you want to position the golf ball in the middle of your stance for your shorter irons such as 8-iron to sand wedge.

What is it called when a golf ball curves back?

If the golf ball curves back either left or right severely it is known as either a push hook or a push slice.

What does a blocked shot look like?

What does a blocked golf shot look like. A blocked golf shot is when the golf ball (right-hander) starts right of the intended target and stays there. It usually doesn’t have any curve left or right on the ball in either direction, only a straight path right. It does this when the clubface is square and the path is coming too much inside to out ...

What does it mean when a golfer says "I chunked it"?

Chunk – When a golfer says “I chunked it” that usually means that they made contact behind the golf ball, and their club had dug into the ground too deeply. Also could be referred to as hitting it fat. Greenie – If you are playing a gambling format like Nassau usually groups will make side bets.

What does it mean when a golf putt rolls around the cup?

Lip Out – When your putt rolls around the edge of the cup causing it to change directions. This is terribly frustrating because that means you almost made the putt! Slice – This is probably the most popular of golf terms as it relates to a player’s swing. A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball.

What does "pull" mean in golf?

Pull – When a golfer says they pull their shot, they have hit it directly to the left. Albatross – Another word for double eagle, or when scoring three under on a hole. This only occurs if you were to make a hole in one on a par 4, or hole out on your second shot in a par 5.

What is double cross in golf?

Double Cross – When a golfer intends to hit a fade, or a draw but does the complete opposite. For example, if a golfer wanted to hit a fade and then ends up hooking it. Instead of the ball flying from left to right, it goes from right to left. Gimme – When your putt is close enough to the hole that it is considered to be made.

What is a divot in golf?

Divot – The small piece (sometimes large) of turf that comes out when your club makes contact with the ground. Sometimes you don’t even need to take a divot. Flyer – When your ball is in the rough, but propped up a bit then you might have a “flyer” lie. This will cause the ball to travel farther than it normally does.

What is a slice in golf?

A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball. For a right-handed golfer, they have sliced it if the ball is moving excessively from left to right. Hook – For a right-handed golfer a hook occurs when the ball travels from right to left, but in a much more exaggerated path.

What is a snowman in golf?

A snowman is when you score an 8 on a hole. Worm Burner – When you strike a shot that barely gets off the ground and just rolls. Ace – Another word for a hole-in-one. Fore – The word you shout as loud as you can when you hit your ball in the direction of another golfer. You need to warn them!

What is a bogey in golf?

A bogey? Let’s start simply with the golf terms “par”, “birdie” and “bogey”. All three of these golf terms refer to scoring. “Par” represents the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to make on the hole or course. Every golf hole has a “par” assigned to it. Most holes are either a par 3, par 4, or par 5.

What is scratch golf?

Scratch: A “scratch” golfer is a golfer with a handicap of 0. These expert golfers are expected to shoot even par or better on most golf courses. Yips: A condition in which a muscle spasm or mental block prevents you from performing a simple golf task. Most often it’s associated with putting.

What is a handicap in golf?

Handicap: A handicap is a measurement of the average number of strokes over par a particular golfer makes during a round on an average golf course. So, a person with a handicap of 15 is expected to shoot a score of 87 on a par-72 golf course of average difficulty. A 5-handicapper is expected to shoot a 77 on the same course.

What is even par in golf?

If a golfer makes two pars to start a round, he is “even par” for the round. If a player opens with two birdies, he is “two under” for the round. If a player makes two bogeys to start a round, he is “two over.”. Similarly, if a player makes a birdie on the 1st hole and follows it with a bogey on No. 2, he is “even par.”.

What is a mulligan in golf?

A mulligan is a golf term that only applies to recreational golfers. Sometimes (and sometimes often) amateur players will hit a poor drive on the 1st hole, whether it is due to nerves or failing to warm up properly.

What is a forecaddie in golf?

Some think it comes from the golf term “forecaddie”, which is a person that stands in a forward position on each golf hole to pinpoint where the players’ balls go. “Forecaddies” are often in the line of fire and need to be warned when a ball is flying toward them.

What is a Shank shot?

Attempts to cure the yips are often fruitless. Shank: A “shank” is a severely mishit shot, when instead of making pure contact with the golf ball, you hit the ball off the neck, toe, or heel of the club resulting in a wild, short and often embarrassing shot.

Why is it called a bite in golf?

Bite: If a ball has lots of backspin it is said to “bite” because it stays close to where it landed or may spin back toward the player. If a ball appears to be going past the hole a player may shout “pray” or a more humorous way can be to shout, “grow teeth!”. Bogey: A score of one over par. Bracket:

What is a stick in golf?

A stroke made above the equator of the ball which is mis-hit, resulting in a line-drive trajectory. Sticks: The plural “sticks” means golf clubs not to be confused with flagstick. Stroke play: A golf format in which the objective is to finish the game using the fewest total shots.

What is the best game of golf?

A golfer’s best game which is executed on a regular basis. Hitting the ball into the hole in one swing of the club. When the putted ball refuses to fall into the hole. A golf shot which travels a considerably longer distance than planned.

What is a cabbage in golf?

Cabbage (aka Spinach): If you hit the ball into inescapable thick rough. Can: Refers to the “Cup” on the Green. Carpet: Term which refers to the “Green”. Casual water: A build-up of water on the golf course after heavy rain that is not part of a water hazard. The player can move the ball without penalty.

What does "double eagle" mean in golf?

Albatross (aka Double Eagle): This means a score of three strokes under Par, which as you can imagine is very rare. All square: Tied score in match play. Army Golf: Like a marching rhythm: Left-right-left, in the game of golf it means hitting the ball out of bounds to the left then to the right the next time.

What is Mickey Mouse golf?

Mickey Mouse course: Refers to a course with many short holes and bad maintenance. Mulligan: Referring to a second shot from the Tee, after a bad first shot. Match play: A golf format where the goal is to win individual holes rather than tallying the total of all the strokes.

What is golf slang?

Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region. Small groups of golfers might even develop their own terms, unique to their rounds.

What does "off the deck" mean in golf?

Off the Deck: A stroke played this way means the golf ball is sitting on the ground, as opposed to a tee. This phrase is typically used when talking about hitting one's driver off the fairway — "hitting driver off the deck.".

What is a back door putt?

Back-door putt: A putt that catches the edge of the hole, spins around to the back of the hole, and falls into the cup off that back edge of the hole. Barkie: A bet won by a golf who makes par on a hole after his golf ball hit a tree. Also called a "woody" or "woodie" (and sometimes spelled "barky").

What is a golf cart jockey?

Cart Jockey: A golf course employee who greets golfers before the round, offers them help getting their bags onto the golf cart, and/or gives them a lift from the parking lot to the pro shop . After the round, the cart jockey usually greets the golfers again as they leave the 18th green, offers to give their clubs a wipe-down, ...

What is a sunblock golfer?

Sunblock: A golfer who spends a lot of time in bunkers (a k a, at the beach). Sunday Ball: Same as a "lunch ball" - another term for a mulligan (do-over). Tiger Tees: The teeing grounds used in professional tournaments, or the rearmost tees at any golf course. U.S.G.A .:

What is a golf shot with a lot of spin?

Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick, it's a pole dancer. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin). Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory. Usually applied to pop-ups, skyballs or other mis-hits, but can be applied to a shot played intentionally.

What is the golf club called when you cheat?

Hand Wedge: The "club" a golfer uses when he cheats by picking up the golf ball and tossing it into a better spot. Sometimes called a "hand mashie.". Hangman: A score of 9 on a hole. Because the numeral "9" looks like a person hanging from a noose in the children's fill-in-the-blanks game called Hangman. Sort of.

What is the term for the part of the golf club that strikes the golf ball at impact?

Clubface: The clubface is the part of the golf club which strikes the golf ball at impact.

What does "above the hole" mean in golf?

Above the Hole: To describe the position of the golf ball in connection with the cup, or hole, when the ball is on the green, the golf phrase ‘above the hole’ is used. Ace: When a ‘hole in one ‘ is scored, or a player has scored 1 on any hole, it is an ‘Ace’ .

What does the lip mean in golf?

The first means that around two inches above the level of sand, in a bunker, there is a rim of sod. This prevents the chance for a golfer to putt out of the bunker. The other meaning refers to the edge or rim of the hole or cup.

What is the golfer's decision making called?

Course Management: The golfer’s decision-making during a round of golf is called course management.

What is the name of the golf ball that spins backwards?

Backspin: When the ball rotates backward (towards the player)in flight along its horizontal axis, it is called the backspin. Back Tees: The tees at the extreme rear of a golf course are the back tees. Backweight: Any weight attached to the back of the head of golf club is referred to a back weight.

What is the area around the putting green called?

Apron: The area which is neatly moved, especially around the putting green and between the putting surface and any kind of undulated ground surrounding the putting green is called apron . Army Golf: Army golf is a slang amongst the golf terms.

What is an alternate shot in golf?

Alternate Shot: This is basically a golf competition format , also called the Foursomes. Here, two-member teams hit the same ball alternately. Alternate Tees: A golf hole is said to have alternate tees when there are two different sets of tee boxes built on that same hole.

What is a local rule in golf?

Local Rule – Specific rule or rules that are not mainstream and only for that particular golf course. Long – A term for a golfer who hits the ball far (Dustin Johnson). Long Game – Refers to hitting long irons, woods, hybrids, and driver. Lob Wedge – A type of wedge that is usually in the 60 to 64-degree range.

Why is backspin important in golf?

It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.

What is a baseball grip?

Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.

What is an ace in golf?

Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.

What is the back nine of a golf course?

Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. Backswing – As the term suggests, this is simply the action taking when swinging back before striking the golf ball. It is important for distance and accuracy.

What is a fat shot in golf?

The specifics and colors can vary from course to course. Fat – A fat shot is when the club strikes the ground before the ball.

What is a big dog in golf?

Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling. Bladed Shot – A chip shot from just off the green purposely hit with the bottom of the club. Played often from when the ball rests against the collar of the green. Runs like a putt.

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