Golf Lessons, Lore and Golf Vacations

Why You Should Think About Custom Golf Club Fitting

2008-11-30T11:50:00.002-05:00

Getting a custom golf club fitting can be ideal for an avid player. So why do you need a customized fitting? Well let’s look and see. A custom golf club fitting is going to look at how you play the game as well as measure you to ensure that you are playing with a set of clubs that will work for your body type. Getting a custom golf club fitting will involve your pro doing the fitting to know:

Height of the player in golf shoes.
The distance from the floor to the golfer's wrist.
Player’s age.
The skill level and handicap of the player
The swing of the player.
What club the player typically uses from around the 150 marker.

Gender has a lot to do with getting the perfect fitting. Men and women vary, of course, in standards and measurements. Your height as well as the distance from your wrist to the floor will help in determining what length of club is going to be ideal for you. The speed of your swing will determine the type of shaft flex that is required for you. If you don’t have the right size club for you then your game will suffer for it. There is also a great little online customizer that you can use to get a general idea on your custom golf club fitting. You can find it at http://www.pinemeadowgolf.com/cfw/.

You can look at custom golf club fitting in four areas:

Shaft flex
Shaft length
Lie angle
Loft

According to the World of Golf, the shaft flex is defined as how much force in the swing is necessary to make the shaft perform the way it should. The shaft length is measured from the top of the grip straight down the shaft to the sole of the club head. The lie angle is defined as is the angle formed by the sole of the club and the shaft. The loft of a golf club is the angle formed by the face of the club and the shaft.

You can see that custom golf club fitting is a very important part of playing a great golf game. There are so many factors to consider. A true golfer is going to do the research and take the time to get all the information that he or she needs before making a final decision and purchase. A quality set of golf clubs is a major investment for your game and your wallet. So insuring that you are getting the golf clubs that will work best for your body type is important. You don’t have to have a custom golf club fitting or buy a customized set but it is highly recommended. After all, isn’t your golf game worth it?

For more information about all things golf please visit my Eagle Valley Golf Website

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2008-11-24T13:40:00.001-05:00

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How To Choose A Set Of Golf Clubs

2008-11-19T11:10:00.002-05:00

Demo Of Slazenger Golf Club Driver

A good set of golf clubs can sometimes make the difference between a good game and a bad game. Everyone is different so you need to make sure that the golf clubs that you choose suit your swing and body type. No one set of golf clubs is going to be ideal for everyone.

You can buy a golf club set from pretty much anywhere. The price of the set will range anywhere from $170 to as high as a couple of thousand dollars. Golf has been a game that has been loved for years and has grown in popularity. In the earlier days you didn’t see very many retailers selling golfing items. Now, there is a golf store in almost every town. It pays to check out some golf club reviews to make sure you get a decent golf club set.

These reviews will take individual clubs as well as the entire golf club set and let you know what those who have tested them thought about the club. Was it good and accurate off the short grass? If you’re going to invest a lot of money into a set of clubs then you want to make sure it is a set that is going to be well worth it. A good golf club set can be pretty pricey but is a sound investment.

These days you can eveb purchase golf clubs online. Naturally if you make a purchase online you won’t be able to test the product first. In this case it is very important to make sure that you have previously tested the same name brand and style of clubs elsewhere before you buy them. You don’t want to get the set and then realize it wasn’t what you wanted or doesn’t work for the way you play the game. Just as a bow hunter has to have a bow that is designed to suit them so does a golfer have to have a set of golf clubs that it designed for them.

Golf if a popular sport and it is growing day by day not only in fans but in players as well. Retailers of golf club sets are growing as well. Every child wants to grow up and be the next Tiger Woods. Every man wants to be the next Arnold Palmer. Every woman wants to be the next LPGA champion. The only way to become that is to practice, practice, practice and to have a golf club set that is made for you and your love of this game. Take your time and choose wisely. Golf is a game that is relaxing and fun once you get the hang of it. First make sure that you love the game enough to make an investment in the tools to play it. Once you’ve made your purchase go out and just have some fun.

For more golfing information please visit my Eagle Valley Golf Site

Free Golf Tips Videos Can Help But Choose Shrewdly

2008-11-15T21:34:00.001-05:00

Club Head Square At Impact

There is no shortage of golf tips and golf video tips online, but can they help you or will they harm your game? It is recommended that you use your judgment as to which golf tips are worth learning from. Most of these golfing tips are free which at least means you won’t be wasting your money.

Using a good golf tip video can teach you something that you didn’t know and you can then practice the technique at the driving range. A good resource for free video golf tips can be found at www.Golf-Online-Videos.com.

The website's homepage is set up to collect the most recent uploaded golf videos from YouTube. Every hour, new golf tips videos are posted, so you will often find the latest tips. Unlike YouTube, the videos are filtered so that you won’t find videos on the VW golf or Wii golf videos for example.

There are many free golf tips videos from unknown golfers, so don’t take every golf tip as gospel. Normally, looking through theses videos will more often than not reveal some gems for you to watch. On the other hand, use the search box at the top of the page if you are looking for a specific golf tip.

I did a search for “grip a club” and I got many good results for it. As most search engines aren't perfect, you will probably get a few result that is not targeted to what you were searching for. Just keep experimenting with different keywords and you will soon find the free golf videos that can help your game.

Maybe you have already identified your favourite online golf instructors, so do a search for them. For example, a search for PurePoint Golf yielded dozens of excellent golf video tips. Bobby Eldridge is the head-coach at PurePoint Golf and they create great instructional videos.

If you don’t know of a trustworthy golf instructor, then check out some of the following; Jim McLean, Jim Murphy, Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, Peter Kostis, David Leadbetter, or Bobby Eldridge. These are just a few of the many PGA professional coaches that have free golf tips videos online. Just add the word "golf" before or after the name to get more relevant results.

You will find the right golf tips online, no matter what area of your golf game needs attention. Searching just now, I uncovered a video of Jim Furyk which gives you golf tips for improving your stance, aim, and control to maximize your swing. Also, a video by David Leadbetter which shows a clip from his instructional video about great iron play.

So now you know all about a great resource for finding golf video tips online. Just bear in mind to pick which golf tips to learn from that will help your game of golf. Alternatively, do a search for a dependable PGA golf instructor and watch their free golf tips videos. Visit Golf Tip Video today and see what you can discover.

The Right Golf Travel Package Will Guarantee a Well Planned Trip

2008-11-12T11:55:00.001-05:00

Golf Travel Package Video

Have you been given the job of planning a golf travel package for your company? There are many corporate packages available online or through your local travel agent. They offer travel to international golf locations and destinations within the U.S.

If you own a small or large company you may be considering a corporate golf travel package for you and your top employees.

A corporate golf travel package could include some of the following:

Accommodations - eight nights at quality hotels with twin or double occupancy
Golf - Greens fees and guaranteed tee times for 7 rounds
Rental Car - Full sized rental van with unlimited mileage from Hertz
Extra Services - Vouchers for accommodations and golf, maps, directions to various golf courses in the area.

A golf travel package can be reserved for under $2000 per person and possibly as little as $180. Of course, the golf travel package costs are determined by the number of people going, the time of year, number of nights lodging, meals and location. These prices would not include travel costs.

A golf travel package can be customize to accommodate your particular needs. There are hundreds of locations to choose from. Almost anywhere there is a gof resort a golf travel package can be designed for your corporate or individual use.

Consider a golf travel package to faraway destinations such as St. Andrews, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, Ireland, the Caribbean or France. Stay in the U.S. and visit golf locations in Arizona, Colorado, California, Florida or Augusta.

Puerta Vallarta boasts the Golden Crown Paradise which would be a great golf travel package for adults. It is an all inclusive resort & spa caters to the adult traveler who is looking to enjoy the most memorable golf outing and successful corporate conference. Your corporate employees could also sit back and relax. This medium-sized resort offer spacious accommodations, a la carte dining, friendly service a vast selection of activities, sports and entertainment. The professionally trained staff create the perfect scenario for an unforgettable getaway. Puerto Vallarta combines modern-day city flavors with colonial Mexican village charm and, of course, great golf

The cost would vary of course on the dates but could include: Six nights first class accommodations, car & driver or rental van, full English breakfast daily, lunches at all three Royals as well as guaranteed tee times & paid green fees, and all the services the local resort offers.

You may want to stay in the U.S. and plan your golf travel package around one of the golf championships such as the Masters Tournament at Augusta, or the U.S. Open and watching the pros in action.

It is always important to plan ahead to insure your golf travel package will be the best vacation you have ever taken.

More information on golf courses can be found here Myrtle Beach Golf Courses

Stack Tilt Swing - This Swing May Not be For You

2008-11-08T15:31:00.002-05:00

stack tilt swing

The concept may be easy, stack your weight and tilt to the target. But there seems to be a misconceived notion that it's more complicated. Nevertheless, the Stack Tilt swing has convinced many, that this method holds a key to consistency and power. But is this swing for everyone?

Stack & Tilt innovators Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett have pioneered a concept that is truly revolutionizing the golf swing. They have invented a new method that has many of the best golfers in the world to change their golf swing... their swing. Not an easy task! The results have been quite astonishing. Many PGA players are either using it or considering using this swing with the same thing in mind, to gain consistency and power.

For the better player, it holds many possibilities to improve the swing. But for some, it may not quite hold as much promise...

If you are thinking of trying this swing and struggle with an "outside-in" path, a problem that plagues many beginners, you may want to reconsider. A player that struggles with a fault that results in an "over the top" swing path would probably only exaggerate the problem by changing swings. You would be better off trying to correct the fault before making such drastic changes.

If you are a better player that "hangs back" and struggles with pushes and hooks, read on. This swing definitely holds opportunities for improvement.

For the better player that already has a solid foundation and only wants to gain more distance or better control for his irons, the Stack and Tilt may be just the ticket. The "position at impact" is definitely emphasized for better ball striking. Because the conventional swing uses a weight shift to both sides during the swing, players very often get "caught" with their weight on the back foot. This causes mis-hits and tops.

The Stack & Tilt centers your weight over the ball and promotes minimal weight shift, continually remaining centered is the goal. The result is a steeper angle of attack with a flatter and more rotational swing. This provides an element of consistency, especially with irons where your angle of attack needs to be steeper.

So the bottom line, it the Stack & Tilt swing may not be for everyone.If you struggle with the dreaded "over-the-top," you are best to correct this problem before adapting this swing. If however, you are a better player that struggles with the occasional push and/or hook, you will want to seriously consider the Stack & Tilt swing. It provides you the opportunity to add an element of consistency you may not find in the conventional swing.

How To Play Golf Like The Top 5% Of Golfers

2008-11-04T20:18:00.001-05:00

As golfers, we are always striving to perfect our game. It is a continual battle for improvement that seams never ending. Even the professional golfers are constantly working on their game. That shows you how difficult golf can be when you see even the pros struggling to maintain a constant level.

Do you know that only about 5% of golfers Worldwide can break 70? What is it that those golfers have that we have not got? According to golf manufacturers and their advertising claims, we need the same expensive golf equipment that the pros use to play to their level.

That obviously is marketing hype, as you can now pick up the same driver that a PGA star used last year for under $200. So, many of us do have technologically advanced clubs and golf balls that the pros use; why are we still unable to break 70 or even 80?

30 years ago 25% of golfers broke 90 and today that number has only risen to 28%. Billions have been spent on developing new technologically advanced golf clubs and balls. Billions have also been spent by advertisers trying to push these products to the struggling golfers.

So we now have these clubs that are easier to use, are more forgiving, have higher launch angles, plus golf balls that combine optimum distance, spin and feel. Yet the vast majority of golfers are still struggling to break 90! Obviously a great golf game can not be bought; not even with the hundreds of new golf training aids, golf swing guides, or modern instruction methods.

Something tells me that the top 5% of golfers know something that we don't. It appears that that “thing” that they possess is mastery of the Mental Game of Golf. That is the missing ingredient that can promote the quickest and most lasting change in any golfer’s game. This is the only area of golf that doesn't cost a penny to use, so it is interesting that barely anyone uses it.

The mental golf game: Using your mind in a calculated, methodical and focused way is the surest method of improving your game and lowering your scores. Mastering the Inner Game of Golf can do wonders for your game. But you have to understand how to implement the methods.

When you do, you will have have clear focus and mental toughness, be able to control your attention, cure your golf nerves and anxiety, eliminate anger from your game, and have confidence in yourself and your game – amongst other factors.

Familiarity of the inner game of golf is what separates the top 5% of golfers from the rest of us weekend warriors. You can see it in action on the PGA Tour because all those guys have access to the same equipment, golf swing gurus, and putting gurus. The difference between them comes down to how well they master their mental game of golf during each tournament.

Visibly, at their intensity level and with all the pressure and media reporting, it is hard for them to maintain high levels of concentration and focus day after day, week after week. That is why even the likes of Tiger Woods can not win every major in a year or even dominate the majority of events in a season, every season.

But for mere mortals like us, understanding and using the mental game of golf techniques can have an immediate and long lasting positive affect on our game. Believe me, it is the quickest way to lower your scores and take your game to a higher level. If you would like more information on how to start, then read How to Learn the Mental Game of Golf. You will also find a couple of free reports, Mental Game Tips and Mental Game Self Assessment, that you can download to get you started.

Want Help To Improve Your Swing?

2008-11-02T13:11:00.002-05:00

There are as many tips for golf swings as there are golfers. Your friends, relatives, and even people you just met on the course will offer you tips. The truth is, that there is a lot of disagreement even among pros, so how are you to improve your swing? Well there are three basics that are standard tips from professional golfers. If you keep these in mind you will likely see improvement in your game.

Keep Your Head Stationary

It sounds simple enough, but one of the most common problems with golf is keeping the head still. With all of the other movements going on with a golf swing, it can be easy to let your head move around. Keeping it still will keep you looking at the same part of the ball without changing perspective.

Relax Those Muscles!

By relaxing your muscles, you can attain one of the most important parts of a golf swing: balance. Stand so that you are comfortable and relaxed while addressing the ball, by making sure that you can reach it easily. Remember, no matter which club or what distance you are swinging, what will make your swing powerful and smooth is balance. Of all the tips for golf swings that you might learn, relaxing and maintaining good balance is one of the most important.

Keep the Head of the Club Moving Straight Through the Ball

Again, it seems simple enough. Most people realize that the club head must travel straight through the ball, but they don’t give it much thought when they play. Once you have achived balance and your head still, the remaining tip for your golf swing left is to keep the head straight. By hitting the ball straight, you can improve on that nasty slice so many beginners have.

Golf can be a difficult game, which is why there are many tips for golf instruction online, in books, from friends, and anywhere you might look. While opinions may vary on swing theory, these three tips are universal and should help you to get going in the right direction.

Good golf aids can also be a great help on their own. However, if you already take lessons, they will enhance the experience. You can utilize the aids you choose or read to add on to the information you get form your lessons. You will be amazed at how fast a few lessons and some well selected golf aids will improve your game.

Taking A Golf Vacation In The Caribbean

2008-11-01T16:29:00.000-04:00

By Jim Nettleton

For any player who wants to feel he or she is in paradise, a golf vacation in the Caribbean can be simply breath taking. The climate is, of course, wonderful and the general atmosphere is exotic. There are golf courses designed to provide gorgeous seascapes, others that highlight challenging hills and some others that snake around lakes and lagoons. A golf vacation in the Caribbean combines tourism bliss as well as a sporting challenge.

You’ll be enchanted by the waves crashing along the shores as you play the seaside courses and you’ll constantly be aware of the comforting shadow of the palm trees. And the experience need not be expensive, as promotional offers involve all-inclusive types of resorts for both the players and their families.

A golf vacation in the Caribbean will give you a taste of the islands and the advantage of excellent special tourist packages with discounted fees. Those packages can combine your lodging, meals and greens fees in one blanket charge. And, of course, the perfect climate makes a golf vacation in the Caribbean a year-round choice. Even if a quick shower gets you on the golf course, you’ll be dry by the time you get to the next hole. It is not uncommon to see selected Caribbean golf courses in the list of the best in the world. So you’ll have your choice of some outstanding venues to compliment the beautiful climate and scenery.

You may choose to go on a golf vacation in the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic and stay in the famous all-inclusive golf resort The Teeth of the Dog, a breathtaking Pete Dye design that plays along the ocean on many holes. It is also true that this is perhaps one of the most expensive places on the island, but it is worth at least a day’s visit here. You can move to other great spots for your golf vacation in the Caribbean that provide all the courses necessary to satisfy any true golfer. At the end of the game, you’ll have a gorgeous beach waiting for you, soft drinks (or something stronger) and an unparalleled exotic background.

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What Golf Grips Can Do For Your Game

2008-11-01T11:36:00.002-04:00

Using Golf Grips

A great sum of money is spent each year by every golfer for their golf equipment, and golf clubs are always on the top of their list and they tend to buy the best ones that they can afford. Significant amounts of money are further invested on private golf lessons and golf training aids. However, they tend to forget or overlook a fundamental item - the golf grips.

Outfitting your golf club set with new grips is a very inexpensive and effective way to quickly improve your golf game by helping you have more consistency simply because you can get a better hold on your clubs. With a better and firmer grip, you will also be able to improve your golf swing.

When your golf clubs have been used continuously and the golf grips worn out, it makes no difference if you buy thousands of dollars of the best golf training aid products available in the market, you will still not improve your game simply because if the grips are in bad shape it they will contribute to the deterioration of your game. Golfers that are really serious about improving their game to their highest potential know that every aspect of their golf equipment must be kept in the best condition possible.

Most amateur golfers never even think about the need to change the grips on their clubs. Novices can play for years with the same set of clubs without changing the grips and then wonder why they don't see any improvement in their game, even though they put in time to practice and buy other golf improvement aids and tools, watch all the golf training videos they can get their hands on, and constantly talk about wanting to be a better golfer.

The professionals on the other hand know exactly the importance of changing their golf grips regularly, and as a matter of fact they frequently regrip their clubs after every tournament. They do this so that their clubs feel does not change and that their hands feel the same in every tournament they play.

It would certainly be overkill to change the golf grips after every few rounds for the average golfer, but considering the extremely high level of competition in the golf tournaments today, every advantage counts and for the pros they will leave nothing to chance.

The general guidelines for how often to replace grips are as follows. If you play golf an average of one time per week, then the grips on your clubs should be changed once every year. If you frequently play two times a week, then you should increase the frequency of replacing the grips to twice a year. If you also get to the driving range once or twice a week, then you should change those grips even more often.

It may not be necessary for you to replace each club in your golf set at the same time. The frequency of changing the grips on each club will vary with how much you actually use a particular club, and you can choose to replace the golf grips that tend to be used a lot more and start to feel worn out. Most golfers do however, like to get all their clubs re-gripped at the same time so that all their clubs have the same feel.

It is good to get into the habit of checking on the condition of the golf grips on your clubs at least once a month, especially if you play a round once a week or more. Grips that have that shiny look and slick feel should be replaced. A set of grips in good condition will feel a bit sticky and will feel great as you wrap your hands around them. When you have new grips on your clubs you will have a better sense of confidence, which in turn will lead to more success on the course.

Golf Gifts – 4 Of The Best Golf Gift Ideas

2008-10-30T17:48:00.002-04:00

It often amazes me that some people struggle to come up with good golf gift ideas. I mean, we are not talking about a collector of expensive gold coins. We are talking about golfers and what they would like to receive. Golf & Gifts go together easily as there are so many options.

Believe me, I have received plenty of naff golf gifts over the years. I have had to put up with embarrassing golf presents like bright coloured knitted golf club headcovers with a Christmas theme. So, to avoid anymore of these unwanted golf gifts, here are my top 4 types of golf gifts.

Practical Golf Gifts

The best golf gifts that you can buy are practical ones. All you have to do is find out which brand and type of golf balls the golfer uses. You could then either buy a dozen of those golf balls or maybe even buy some more expensive ones. You will have to find out what golf ball specifications the golfer prefers – distance, high spin, medium feel, etc.

Another idea for the best golf gifts is to buy replacement brand name golf club headcovers. As an example, If the golfer uses Taylormade golf clubs and the headcovers are mismatched or worn and scuffed, then you could buy some Taylormade replacement headcovers.

Personalized Golf Gifts

If you want a more unique golf gift, then how about buying Personalized Golf Gifts. Personalized golf equipment or accessories have many options. The most popular are personalized golf balls, where you can usually have up to three lines of text imprinted on the golf balls of your choice.

Embroidered golf shirts, golf caps, and golf towels are other items of personalized golf accessories. You can also get personalized golf bags with two lines of text from the likes of Nike and Callaway Golf.

Golf Memorabilia

If you are looking for an unusual golf gift then you can’t go wrong with Golf Memorabilia. You should make sure that the gift is certified authentic golf memorabilia. Look for a guarantee and that every autographed product comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

One company that I know well is Pro Sports Memorabilia. When it comes to guarantees and certificates of authenticity, this is the company to do business with. You will surely find that unusual golf gift you were looking for and something that any golfer would be pleased to receive.

Corporate Golf Gifts

If you have your own company and are also a golfer, you have probably done some business on the golf course. Maybe you work for a company and need to buy corporate golf gifts for some clients. Either way, your best option is to order some custom logo golf gifts.

Custom logo golf products are a great way to endorse your company. You will be spoiled for choice though, as there are many customizable golf products to choose from. Custom logo golf balls are the most popular and they can even have their own custom logo packaging. Other items include custom logo tees, umbrellas, gloves, shirts, caps, towels and divot tools,.

So, there you have my top 4 golf & gifts ideas. You should be able to find the perfect golf gift from these ideas – whether it is for a friend, a loved one, or a business associate. Also, you can visit my golf site for more information on Golf Accessories and Gifts.

Custom Fit Golf Clubs: How To

2008-10-28T17:16:00.007-04:00

Each golfer is different. Many of today's best golf clubs can be custom fit for lie angle, shaft type and length, grip type and size. Custom fitting golf clubs involves several easy measurements and a quick self-assessment of your game. This custom golf club has become more than a fad that even not so professional golfers test its waters. You might think that going out and buying some new, fancy, utility golf clubs will fix your game, but that won't help as much as having your clubs custom fitted.

The purpose of a custom golf club us is to make sure that the club is nice and square when you strike the ball, given a proper swing.

To custom fit your golf club set, you need to know: your gender (male or female); your height in your stockings or socks; the distance from your wrist (where it bends) to the floor with your shoes off; your age; your handicap or skill level; how fast you swing a golf club; what club you use at the 150 yard marker.

Gender is used to put you into the correct fitting scale for custom golf clubs. The golf industry uses different definitions of "standard length" for men and women.

Your height and the distance in inches from your wrist to the floor are used together to determine the length of a custom golf club that is appropriate for you. Clubs can range from -3 inch to plus 1 inch. A tall person with long arms can very easily require shorter clubs than an average height person with short arms. Only 20 percent of golfers out there fall outside the standard length.

Your age, handicap (if you happen to have one), self-assessed skill level, estimated golf swing speed and club you use at the 150 yard marker are all combined to determined the custom golf club's shaft flex that is appropriate for you.

If you want to fix a slice, custom fitting can help. If you slice the ball it means that the toe of the club is leading into the ball which opens the face of the club. That may be down to a swing problem, but another possible cause is that the club flatter than it should be. So as part of the custom fitting process you can make the custom golf club more upright to help with this. This will mean that the toe of the club will be slightly off the ground at address to compensate.

There are different methods of fitting according to custom golf club manufacturers but ultimately they are all trying to improve your game. To begin with simple measurements such as wrist-to-floor, height and hand size are taken and will point you to the right size club and at what angle it should be to the ground. Then you will take a club and hit some balls. One way of doing this is to put impact tape on the bottom of the club, with an impact board on the floor.

As you hit the ball the board will leave a mark on the tape showing whether the heel or the toe of the custom golf club is striking the floor first. The resulting mark will show whether the club face needs to be flatter or more upright. Then things get a bit more advanced. Analysis equipment can measure everything from your club speed to the side spin of the ball so that you can get maximum distance from your shot. You can also measure the launch angle of the ball, how much backspin you generate and impact efficiency - all which affect distance. The angle in which the custom golf club approaches the ball and the sidespin of it can help fix your game too.

Rather than bringing down your old clubs, it might be better to start from scratch. It's a big misconception that custom fitting is only for good golfers. All can gain. That said, if you plan to upgrade a new set of clubs with the same manufacturer they may be able to adjust your old set to become custom golf clubs.

Lastly, custom fitting is often free of charge. But it is usually on the condition that you buy some clubs once you've been fitted. So it really depends on what your budget is. If you're getting new clubs anyways, you should certainly get them fitted.

Custom Golf Club Set Can Help Improve Your Game

2008-10-28T17:16:00.005-04:00

custom golf club

Every golfer who ever sets foot on a golf course has unique physical characteristics and a distinct swing that makes them different from everyone else. Because of these individual traits, a custom golf club set can be one of the best golf aids for any golfer who wants a chance to reach the highest level of achievement. There are many types and brands of golf clubs on the market today that can be customized.

Creating a custom set of golf clubs involves measuring the golfer and then adjusting the clubs for shaft type and length, for the lie angle, and for the size and type of grip. Many people feel that out of all the various golfing equipment they have purchased and all of the golf aids they have tried to improve their game, the best equipment has been the custom set of clubs they invested in.

The process that goes into getting a custom golf club set made is quite straightforward and rather simple. First, the golfer decides on the brand of golf clubs that they want and then they have some measurements taken. In most cases, the person who is getting the clubs customized also needs to fill out a questionnaire and self-assessment of how they see their golf game, as well as their weaknesses and strengths.

In some cases, if the golfer is taking golfing lessons from a pro, then the instructor may be asked to help with the assessment. This can often be very valuable to the process because the instructor is an impartial third party who also has the golf training and expertise to be able to identify the weaknesses that need to be addressed with the club set, and perhaps even by adding a golf training club as well.

No matter what your own level of experience with golf is, a custom set of clubs can be very beneficial. This is because the customization is done with one purpose in mind and that is to make sure that if you execute a proper swing, the club will squarely impact the golf ball in order to produce a good, clean, straight shot.

Custom clubs that has been correctly adjusted for your height, your skill level, and your golf swing speed, can improve many aspects of your game and can even help correct a chronic golf slice. When a golfer slices a ball, it is because the toe of the golf club has lead into the golf ball. This could be caused by a poorly executed swing, but it can also be caused by a club face that is too flat. The process of customizing clubs for you can help eliminate this problem, and then you simply have to maintain focus on your golf swing improvement.

Just buying a custom golf club set alone is not going to instantly "fix" your game and make you a pro. However, when you use your new clubs in combination with golf training videos or professional golf lessons, you might be able to unlock your true potential as a golfer. Many people find that this combination is very powerful and well worth the investment of time and money.

Golf Fitness Program Can Be Useful Golf Improvement Aid

2008-10-28T17:16:00.003-04:00

improve your golf swing

There really is no arguing the fact that the game of golf is one of the most popular sports and a favorite hobby that people enjoy, even if they are not in perfect physical condition. From the young to the old and including those who are even somewhat disabled, most people are able to play golf with the use of golf carts and golf aids. But, for those who have a desire to excel at the game, they should consider making use of a golf fitness program.

A fitness program for golf is considered to be a must-have for those who are serious about the game, whether they are amateurs or professionals. The demands of the game of golf are rather minimal if you are just playing for fun and for the enjoyment of being out of doors on a regular basis; yet, if you are at all interested in being competitive, then your golf improvement will depend to a large degree on your physical level of fitness.

Many golfers discover that they get sore and achy after a round of golf, even if they are not new to the game. The primary reason for this is because the motion of swinging the golf club can put a great deal of strain on the back, but a golf fitness program can help to strengthen the back muscles. In turn, this will improve your golf swing and will cut down on the aches.

Regular exercise is important for staying in shape and for playing golf to your best abilities, especially if it is a competitive game with a group of golf buddies who like to take bets on the round. A good fitness program designed for golfers will help protect your muscles and joints simply by making them stronger and better able to handle the rigors of a vigorous round of golf.

The best thing about these golf improvement programs is that they help you to maintain the necessary physical mechanics that support the swing, which is the most important aspect of the game. By doing golf stretching movements and exercises that are part of golf training videos for fitness, you will be able to create and build the correct muscles and also increase joint resistance and flexibility. Combined, this helps to keep you strong and limber at the same time, which will help you to execute the needed moves.

As golfers age, they also need to stay in the best shape possible if they want to feel that their game is always improving rather than diminishing. However, it is easy to spot those older golfers who obviously follow a golf fitness guide because you can see them walking the fairways with a spring in their step. Age does not have to interfere with playing a great round of golf that you can brag about all week, but it does require the effort of doing golf exercises on a regular basis.

Making use of a good golf fitness program does not mean that you have to commit a big chunk of time and it can usually be combined with other exercises, such as walking. For instance, you might take a quick 15 minute warm up walk and then take another few minutes to do some simple golf stretching exercises. This small amount of effort can result in wonderful improvements to your game that might amaze you.

Diamana Shaft - A Winning Breed of Golf Shafts

2008-10-28T17:16:00.001-04:00

The Diamana shaft by Mitsubishi Rayon has been in a long standing tradition of premier golf shafts. Mitsubishi, the manufacturer, has several models to choose from, Red Board, White Board, and Blue Board.

The choosy golfer has come to expect more from shafts and what they provide for their games. Diamana is at the head of the class. Mitsubishi has a highly intensive and performance-oriented prototyping and testing process. Most notably, tour players get heavily involved in the pro-typing process. All the major tours give input to Mitsubishi along the way allowing continually and evolving improvement for the shaft all the way to market. This process is matched by few shaft makers, a win-win for all involved.

To add to the extensive production process, Mitsubishi has what they call Vertical Integration technology. This technology allows them to combine any number of resins and fibers required to increase the performance of the shaft. Mitsubishi puts a lot of stock in this technology and labels this their Material Difference.

Below, is a Mitsubishi Diamana model summary:

Diamana Red Board is a low torque, active tip, stiff mid-section and softer butt section. The active tip helps "load" the the shaft during the swing transition and promote a higher launch, a great distance achiever. The stiff mid section provides an element of control. This shaft is designed for the average to above average player looking to increase distance without giving up control.

Diamana White Board is a low torque, stiff tip, stiff mid-section and softer butt section. The White Board provides the penetrating ball flight similar to the Blue Board. This shaft is definitely geared for the stronger player looking for good control and slightly higher ball flight than the Blue Board. Higher launch and low spin is definitely the trend to optimize distance. The White Board provides this balance.

Diamana Blue Board shaft is probably the most popular and scrutinized of the three. The Blue Board is a low torque, stiff tip shaft that offers a very balanced feel for a variety of shots. A very stable mid-section offers a less kick to enhance balance and responsiveness. The penetrating ball flight is well suited for the advanced player with plenty of swing speed, looking for a combination of balance, feel and versatility.

Golfers that understand the importance of shaft technology also know the Mitsubishi Diamana delivers. Are you ready for the power and control of a Diamana? If you are looking to upgrade your shaft during the off season, you owe it to yourself to check out the Diamana Shaft.

The Beginners Nightmare - Curing The Golf Slice

2008-10-27T16:00:00.013-04:00

If you are new to golf then you will find that curing the golf slice is one of the first problems you face when you get past the basics.Hated by so many the slice is feared by all beginners.

You will even see the pros fire off the occasional slice when under pressure.

But why is this so?Beginners before you discovered that a slice comprises two elements, an open clubface and a swing that moves from out to in across the ball.

One of the biggest problems golfers face today is curing that annoying slice. Imagine how much more accurate you can be if you could improve your golf swing technique and considerably decrease your slice.

Here are 5 tips to help you reduce your scores by getting rid of that annoying slice forever.

1. To eliminate the slice, you must develop a wide and powerful backswing. You have to keep your left arm straight as you take the club backwards, but you must not keep your left arm straight in your follow-through.

If kept straight, your left arm can lead to a heavy slice. This is due to your left arm hindering your right arm's natural rotation. How to adjust? Simple.

Let your left arm bend during your follow-through. Take a few swings with your left hand only then go straight into a normal swing.

2. Another cause of slicing is because you are letting your club get too far behind you on the backswing, which makes you get outside your target line on your downswing. Without a club, try swinging your left arm, mimicking a full swing.

Your arm has to cross your chest and meet up with your right shoulder. On the downswing, try replicating that motion exactly, only backwards.

3. When it comes down to it, a slice is just a lack of squaring the club with the ball. So you need a great finish to square the club with the ball correctly. Grab your 8 iron and tee the ball up.

Swing it back to waist height, cock the club up, and then pull towards your left. You should be aiming to hit the ball about 50 yards. Be sure to make your chest and belt buckle face your target.

4. Let's say your problem is a bit worse. You are hitting big banana slices. The secret is squaring the clubface to the ball earlier on in your swing. What you should do is draw a yard long straight line in the sand in a bunker.

Take a 5 iron or 6 iron and swing the club above the line. Try to get your divot to start at the line and go forward. You need to carry on this exercise until you can hit a minimum of 10 shots in a row.

5. Often one's slice can be eliminated, only to come back stronger than ever. Don't worry; there is a golf swing tip for this too. Head on over to the driving range. You need to find somewhere to put the ball at a raised height.

Start hitting balls with a strong left hand grip on the club. This naturally straightens out your swing. Make sure to grip the club in the usual way. Now you can kiss your slice goodbye.

Project X Shafts - You Deserve Only the Best Shaft

2008-10-27T16:00:00.011-04:00

Rifle Project X is known amongst many PGA Tour players as the premier shaft. The same reasons the Project X is known to be a "better player shaft" though may also be its own Achilles heel. After all, how many recreational players can match a swing like a PGA tour player? Probably not many - the Project X is known to be a shaft suited by few. But recently, Rifle crafted the Project X to be more suitable for the average player when it announced two new Project X shafts models, Flighted and the High Launch.

Rifle Project X was the first shaft that incorporated three technologies, Frequency Matching, Stepless Design and Rifling. The design of the technology was very complex. In fact it was so complex, it took over two years to market. The shaft was designed with a constant taper - definitely geared for the advanced player. The constant taper tips result in a higher kick point. A higher kick point means a lower ball trajectory and gives the advanced player more control and penetrating ball flight. Yes, this shaft is definitely geared for the accomplished player in mind. After all, a higher kick equates to harder to launch if not in the hands of the right player. At a minimum, a club head speed is a must for a player to take full advantage of this shaft.

Later in 2006, Rifle came out with two new Project X shafts, the Flighted and High Launch. These shafts would keep all the characteristics that made the Project X great, Frequency Matching, Stepless Design and Rifling. But now the Rifle offered a shaft that would adjust to the iron loft in the Flighted. A lower kick point, higher launch for long irons and higher kick point, lower launch for the shorter irons. The Flighted was a hit.

Also in 2006, Rifle introduced the High Launch. This shaft again would embody what made the Project X great with an added twist. A longer tip parallel section and reduced weight would make this shaft "playable" for even the high handicapper by allowing a greater transfer at impact making for a higher launch. The Project X had gone full circle.

Whether you are an accomplished player or high handicapper, there are now three models in the Project X family sure to fit most all players. The Project X shaft now offers golfers of all abilities the opportunity to experience true greatness.

For a full line of golf equipment, be sure to visit http://www.GolfGearSelect.com.

Golf Grips Significant To Getting A Solid Swing

2008-10-27T16:00:00.009-04:00

Everyone who has taken up the sport of golf has a pretty good idea of how important a quality set of clubs is to playing a good game. Many golfers, both amateur and pro, invest tidy sums of money to ensure they have a great set of clubs. There is also a lot of money spent on other golf training aids, such as golfing lessons or golf instruction video programs, but many times they forget to take care of their golf grips, which can be one of the simplest and cheapest of all golf aids.

Outfitting your golf club set with new grips is a very inexpensive and effective way to quickly improve your golf game by helping you have more consistency simply because you can get a better hold on your clubs. With a better and firmer grip, you will also be able to improve your golf swing.

If your golf club set has worn and tired golf grips, then it won't matter if you spend thousands of dollars to buy the best golf training aids on the market because the grips that are in bad shape will be a detriment to your game. Golfers who are serious about playing to their highest potential know that it is extremely important to keep all aspects of their golfing equipment in great condition.

The majority of people who golf never even consider the necessity to change out the grips on their golf clubs. Novices can play for years with the same set of clubs without changing the grips and then wonder why they don't see any improvement in their game, even though they put in time to practice and buy other golf improvement aids and tools, watch all the golf training videos they can get their hands on, and constantly talk about wanting to be a better golfer.

Professional golfers know exactly how important it is to change the grips on their clubs regularly. In fact, some pros will have their clubs re-gripped at the end of every round of a golf tournament or other competitive event they are participating in. The reason they do this is so that their clubs feel exactly the same in their hands every day that they start a new round of play.

This may be overkill for the average golfer, but in the highly competitive environment of today's golf tournaments, the pros are looking for every advantage they can find and they don't like to leave things to chance. If the professional golfers put that much emphasis on making sure their grips are in great condition, then that should be a strong signal to everyone else interested in lowering their scores and improving their game.

The general guidelines for how often to replace grips are as follows. If you play golf an average of one time per week, then the grips on your clubs should be changed once every year. If you frequently play a round two times a week, then you should increase the frequency of replacing the grips to twice a year. If you also get to the driving range once or twice a week, then you should change those grips even more often than that.

You may not need to replace all of the grips on your club set at the same time. It really depends on how often you use your clubs. You can choose to only replace the grips on the clubs that are used more and are starting to feel worn. However, some golfers like to have all of the clubs re-gripped at the same time so that, for awhile at least, all the clubs have the same feel to them.

It is recommended that you monitor the condition of your golf grips and give them a thorough inspection about once every month. If you play more than once a week, then you might even want to check them more frequently. If you notice that your grips look shiny and feel slippery, then they need to be replaced. New grips will feel somewhat sticky and will feel good in your hands. You should enjoy a nice sense of confidence as well.

Playing golf is a relaxing pastime for many people. The enjoy to devote a Saturday outside on the golf course simply having a leisurely game. While many people might wish to believe that they are an excellent golfer, just a few actually are. For thos people who aspire to be great at golf have to go through some degree of golf training if they wish their game to be exceptional. Learning how to play golf or learning how to improve your swing is not an unattainable task. It does require some effort and a lot of practice but with time you can be good at the sport. Discover your supplies for golding by clicking here: Jim Mclean Golf School also Golf Lessons and at Video Golf Lessons

Golf Equipment -What New Golfers Should Know

2008-10-27T16:00:00.007-04:00

When it comes to learning about golf, golf equipment for beginners, is a subject sometimes greatly overlooked.

There are of course those lengthy books on how to swing, practicing tips, and how to train to be a good golfer, and you will find some of the best known sports stars endorsing some great products, making them even more desirable.

However, not every golfer is Tiger Woods, so not everyone will need the same equipment that he uses, especially if the golfer is just beginning to learn about golf.

Also juniors will need more specialist junior golf equipment which has been designed with smaller heads for slower swings and with shorter, more flexible shafts, these great package sets of clubs ensure that your kids hit the ball properly and really enjoy the game.

When you are just starting out, using a professional club will make your life more difficult than is neccesary as they are not designed with the beginner in mind.

This applies to all types of golf equipment so when you are at the golf shop or are shopping at an online golf shop try not to focus to much on endorsements.

What you should use:

When buying golf equipment, golf clubs are going to be one of the most expensive things that you buy. Because of this, you should spend a little extra time researching clubs that will work for you. Don't get drawn in to brand snobishness. Find a club that fits what you need.

Golf clubs as a rule of thumb are generally manufactured using steel and graphite or a combination of both. However, some are made of carbon fibre and titanium and composite alloys. For you, it is best to stick to steel and graphite clubs.

Clubs that are steel shafted are much more durable than carbon fibre or graphite clubs. They are much stronger, but are heavier to carry and use. Steel shafted clubs are said to have much more accuracy and control compared to graphite ones.

They require a less level of twisting, but don’t have the effective range that graphite shafted clubs do. You will have to use more power and a quicker swing to make the golf ball go the distance you need it to.

These work best for beginners because they help to develop accuracy and control from the start.

Picking the right shaft flex or level of stiffness for the club is also important to a beginner golfer. Professional golfers usually use a high level of stiffness so that high swing speeds can be generated. This means more power from a stiff flex.

Golf Balls

It can be uneconomical to soend large chunks of cash on top class balls when the economy balls will do the job nicely. As a beginner golfer, you will find that you lose a lot of the balls so start at the cheaper end until your basic game improves.

For great deals on golf equipment and expert advice visit golf equipment UK

Hit A Par Every Time With Great Golf Swing Technique

2008-10-27T16:00:00.005-04:00

Golf is a wonderful game, played by many throughout the world I think the attraction of the game for me is that you can build the best golf swing ever, but you can never beat the game.

You will have your good days and certainly you will have your bad days but it is the constant challenge that golf puts up to me that keeps me coming back. Time and time again friends have thrown their clubs in the back of the car vowing never to return until they sort their golf swing out.

Getting frustrated is just part of the many features of the game of golf. Of course people get upset golf is a very difficult game after all, no-one who plays denies this, but it is this challenge that keeps the game so interesting and enjoyable for so many.

How To Develop A Sound Golf Swing

The problem with starting out golf is that there is so much to think of and to buy. Getting the clubs is only the start, then you need the bag, glove and clothing. You then need something to hit and quite often lose, the golf balls, then of course you need to be prepared for the weather so you need shirts, jumpers and of course a wet suit just in case it rains.

Once you have all that then you may start to think about having some golfing lessons to learn about the golf swing itself.

Getting started in golf is as simple as booking a course of lessons with your friendly club pro. This will give you a sound grasp of the fundamentals of golf swing technique which you can work into your game through practice. Always look for courses that include a lesson or two on the actual course at the end.

Driving ranges and practice areas are essential parts of any golf club but there is never any substitute for experience on the course. When starting out, course management is probably very far from your mind but a little bit of knowledge in this area is worth many shots. Taking a lesson out on the course is the best practice you can get, real world situations tackled by you under the watchful eye of your pro.

After you have finished your regular golf lessons keep in touch with the pro and have the odd lesson to check on your progress and to see no errors have crept into your swing.

As golf lessons can become expensive over time many people look for books and instructional videos to carry on their learning. You can always go back to the pro at a later date to iron out specific problems under an experienced eye.

A golf swing book is great because being lightweight you can take it to the driving range and practice that golf swing tip the author is explaining to you first hand. If you have not used them before videos are great for seeing techniques put into action, reading is one thing but actually seeing the movements is a great learning tool.

Make no mistake golf is hard, but it is also very enjoyable, enthralling and a brilliant pastime.

Golf Training Aids - Advanced Technology To Increase Your Effectiveness On The GolfCourse

2008-10-27T16:00:00.003-04:00

Golf Training Aids

There was a time when not many devices were available when it came to golf training and improvement. It seemed that for awhile the only thing on the market was the simple little putting trainers that would send the golf ball back to you if you managed to putt across the carpet and get the ball into the device. These days, there are many types of golf training aids and many of them are quite high tech, and a far cry from those early golf aids.

Another "old fashioned" approach to golf training was having another person, stopwatch in hand, to carefully watch your swing and keep a record of the progress being made. But today, one of the most popular golfing training aids combines a high speed camera and a computer. The camera feeds images into the computer, which quickly and easily analyzes and reports back any problems that are identified in your swing or stance. This feedback allows you to make corrections and try again, then just wait for a moment to see a new golf swing analysis on the changes you tried, which helps you to instantly see the progress you are making.

Today, you can walk into a pro golf shop or golfing equipment retailer and find a huge selection of golf training aids and accessories, all designed to make you a better player. When choosing the right golf training aid, you should first focus on what seems to be your worst golfing habit and try to find a golf trainer device that can address that problem the best.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to identify what bad habits you have acquired that might be holding you back and interfering with your game. Oftentimes, these can be very small and subtle things that are not easy to see in oneself and even golfing buddies can have trouble pinpointing the problem. This is when it can be very helpful to hire a golf pro and take a few golfing lessons. A professional golf trainer can very quickly see where you are having trouble and can offer suggestions for correcting the problem.

Once you have that input from the golf instructor, who can also make suggestions about specific golf training equipment to help you correct the problem, it will be easier to go out and find the correct training aids that will help you improve your swing and lower your score. If you cannot find the right golfing accessories at your local pro shop, then you can look online where you will find an almost limitless selection of accessories, tools, equipment and videos that are perfectly designed for training and game improvement.

Recently, an interesting golf training aid was introduced to the market by Tiger Woods' golf coach, Butch Harmon. This golf trainer system has quickly become one of the most sought after golf training aids because of the reputation of Woods and Harmon. This system uses two lasers which assist the golfer in seeing how they are doing in controlling their golf swing plane. In addition to the lasers, the device also has an instructional DVD and other valuable tips for making your golf game better.

Playing golf is a relaxing pastime for many people. They love to spend a Saturday out on the golf course just having a leisurely game. While everyone may want to believe that they are a great golfer, only a few actually are. Those that aspire to golf greatness need to undergo some golf training if they want their game to be great. Learning how to play golf or learning how to improve your swing is not an unattainable task. You will need to put in some effort as well as quite a bit of practice yet with some time you can become good at the sport of golf. Discover your supplies for golding by clicking here: Orlando Golf School also Butch Harmon Golf School and at Orlando Golf School

How Golf Instruction Video Programs Have Numerous Benefits Over Just Lessons

2008-10-27T16:00:00.001-04:00

Golf has become one of the most popular hobbies to really stand the test of time. There are people in all countries and from every different walk of life who enjoy a good game of golf and who are always looking for ways to improve their game. Golf instruction video programs are a really terrific way for people to gain the training and instruction that they need to become better golfers.

While having golfing lessons under the tutelage of a professional golf instructor can be very beneficial, as well as discussing golf improvement tips with fellow golfers, many feel there is something especially helpful about using instruction video tapes as learning aids. Because of their effectiveness, golfing lessons on video or DVDs nowadays, have become more and more popular since they were first introduced.

There are even many golf instructional pros who state that the golf instruction video programs have some significant advantages over taking live golfing lessons. Most golf pros agree that there are four major benefits, which are also the main selling points for making use of the golf training videos that are available nowadays.

Instructional video programs provide visual learning and this is very important to many people. There is a great deal of research that proves when people engage their senses of both sight and sound, they tend to learn better and faster and they retain the information much better. Also, most beginning golfers, and even those who are experienced, tend to prefer to see golf swing improvement techniques demonstrated, as opposed to simply reading about the method being taught.

The second reason why golf training videos are popular, as well as advantageous, is because they are more accessible to more people. They can save people a lot of money as compared to hiring a golf pro for a series of golf lessons, which typically will cost somewhere in the range of $50 to $150 per lesson. Instead, a DVD golf instruction program can deliver the same information but at a small fraction of the price. As a bonus, you can always go back and review any lesson at any time without having to dig into your wallet again to pay for a brush-up lesson.

The third advantage of buying instructional videos is that you can make the most of technology and stop and rewind the video at any point, which is not something that is possible in the presence of a live instructor, especially if you are taking group golfing lessons, as opposed to individual instruction. Being able to rewind and review any part of a particular lesson, or the entire lesson, helps to improve learning and retention through repetition.

The fourth major benefit to using instructional video programs is being able to take advantage of the unique technologies of video production that can be applied to instruction. Golf training videos can utilize many helpful presentation techniques to enhance explanations and present the information more effectively. It is common to see golf videos that use inserts, split screens, close up views, and 3D, computer generated graphics to teach the fundamentals of golf.

These four benefits tend to be the advantages that most people readily mention when talking about golf instruction video programs; however, if you were to talk to golfers who have used such programs, then you would undoubtedly discover that there are a number of other benefits as well. There are differences in teaching styles on the various golf training videos and one style might be more appealing than another. Therefore, it is a good idea to read reviews or talk to others who have used different programs. You can also ask at a pro shop if you can view a sample lesson before buying a full set of golf instruction videos.

playing the game of golf is a relaxing recreation for numerous people. The enjoy to devote a Saturday outside on the golf course simply having a leisurely game. While many people might wish to believe that they are an excellent golfer, just a few actually are. For thos people who aspire to be great at golf have to go through some degree of golf training if they wish their game to be exceptional. Discovering the ways to play golf or educating yourself on how to better your swing is not an impossible task. You will need to put in some effort as well as quite a bit of practice yet with some time you can become good at the sport of golf. Discover your supplies for golding by clicking here: Golf Training also Golf Fitness Training and at Golf Training Products

Golf Swing Training - Important To Developing Golf Abilities

2008-10-06T09:48:00.003-04:00

Tiger Woods Golf Swing

All golfers know that developing a good golf swing is pivotal to becoming a good golfer. As a golfer improves his swing, he gains more confidence in his game and soon sees his scores dropping, as shooting under par becomes more and more common. In light of the fact that golf is such a popular sport and hobby these days, it is not surprising that golf swing training is also very popular, especially with beginners.

One of the simplest approaches to golf swing improvement is to use a special golf training club. This type of club can help to increase the golf swing speed and the power behind the swing as well. If you really want to improve your golf swing, then you cannot really find a golf training device that is more specific or effective.

Over the years, it has become quite clear that one of the most effective ways to approach golf swing training is to make use of a specially weighted club that is known as a golf swing trainer. This added weight in the club is the secret to creating extra resistance during the swing and with repeated practice your strength improves, which in turn will result in a better swing.

The most apparent and direct result of using a golf training club correctly is an increase in driving distance that a golfer will notice almost immediately. This is because the golfer is training the muscles that he uses during a swing to work against the resistance of the weighted club, which provides an element of strength training. When the golfer picks up a standard club, his muscles will have been readied to hit the ball harder than ever before because of this strength training.

Training to improve the golf swing is primarily a function of repetition combined with muscle training. It is helpful to go through the complete range of motions for a standard swing, or an even bigger range of movement if possible, with as many repetitions as possible.

However, it is more important to make sure that you are also practicing the correct stance during this training. Using a golf training club, or any other type of golf training aid, without taking the time to learn how to use them correctly will only result in frustration and disappointment. Practicing a swing that has poor form will not improve your game. If you are not sure whether or not you have proper form, then you should seek out the help of professional golf swing trainers.

Another way that you can benefit from golf swing training is in improving your backswing and your follow through. This is also accomplished with the help of a good quality golf swing trainer club and can result in a great deal more power at the point of impact on the golf ball. In addition to using a golf trainer club, it is also a good idea to do other stretching and strengthening exercises that will help support your entire frame and make you stronger overall and therefore a better golfer.

Are you a novice golfer who does not know how to swing the club at the ball? Do you constantly find yourself swinging aimlessly at the ball and it not going where it is supposed to go? You have to get some training in golf. Even the golf greats such as Tiger Woods had to start somewhere and it all begins with practice. Even though you might not be a natural at this type of sport that doesn't mean that you have no chance of actually becoming a geat golfer with enough practice and time. if you have some interest in perfecting your golf swing or simply have to get some additional assistance, click here to get some more information: Nike Golf School also Golf Training and at Peltz Golf School

Golf Training Equipment - Learning How They Can Better Your Game, Lower Your Scores

2008-10-06T09:48:00.001-04:00

Golf Training Equipment

No matter what type of opportunity you are talking about, it can often disappear quickly, like feathers dispersing with a gust of wind. Opportunities to improve your golf game can also be transitory unless you decide to get yourself the best, top notch golf training equipment that fits into your budget. Like any type of sporting endeavor, it will take time, patience and persistence to master golf and reach your true potential, yet golf training aids can help speed up that process.

If you happen to be a golfer who has aspirations to do more than just play the occasional round of 18 holes with your buddies every couple weeks, then you will want to take advantage of every opportunity to improve your golf swing, including your golf swing speed and your golf swing plane. Training equipment can benefit motivated golf enthusiasts in many ways and can even help them move from the rank of amateur into the pros, if that is the desired goal.

Any golfer who is interested in making it in the competitive world of golf, or anyone who simply wants to have the best score every week amongst their golfing budding, should plan on purchasing top rated golf training equipment. There are plenty of golf aids and accessories available that can address virtually every aspect of improving your game.

If you find that your golf swing speed is rather slow or that your golf swing just doesn't have the power that you would like, then there are golf swing training devices and videos that are designed specifically to help you improve. As with most equipment for physical improvement, proper form is very important during the course of practice. Good quality golf equipment can help you to practice the proper form whenever you are involved in golf swing training.

Other golf training aids that can be very beneficial are things like golf swing plane coaching devices, golf swing speed radars, golf training clubs, golf fitness programs, and golf instruction video programs. All of these are various tools have been developed by golf professionals to help you excel and hone your skills as much as possible, so that you can progress to the degree that you want in your golfing career or hobby.

There is simply no question that amateur and professional golfers alike can garner a great deal of benefit from using golf training equipment. There is a huge selection of golf training aids available regardless of the particular area of the game that you need to work on. It is a good idea to seek out the advice of your local golf pro for recommended equipment and read golf equipment reviews in golfing magazines or on golfing websites. These reviews can help you avoid ineffective products and spend your money more wisely on better products.

Are you a novice golfer who does not know how to swing the club at the ball? Are you in the situation where you consistently swinging aimlessly at the golf ball and it isn't going where it should be going? You need some golf training. Even the well known golf professionals such as Tiger Woods needed to begin somewhere and mainly it all starts with practice. You may not be a natural at the sport but that does not mean that you cannot become a great golfer with time and practice. If you are interested in perfecting your swing or just need additional help, click here for more information: Harrisville Golf Lessons also Golf School and at Golf Vacation Schools

How a Golf Fitness Program Has The Ability To Be An Efficient Golf Enhancement Tool

2008-10-03T12:38:00.003-04:00

Fit For Golf

There is certainly no doubt that the game of golf is one of the most popular sports that people get involved with these days, and it is something that many people, regardless of age, can participate in. And, with the help of golf carts, even those who are rather elderly and those who have some minor handicaps are able to play. But, if you are interested in pushing your limits and becoming a real winner in the game, then a golf fitness program can help you maximize your potential.

A fitness program for golf is considered to be a must-have for those who are serious about the game, whether they are amateurs or professionals. The demands of the game of golf are rather minimal if you are just playing for fun and for the enjoyment of being out of doors on a regular basis; yet, if you are at all interested in being competitive, then your golf improvement will depend to a large degree on your physical level of fitness.

Oftentimes, even experienced golfers find that they are left with various aches, soreness and stiffness after they play a round of golf. This happens because of the stress and strain that is placed on the body as the person goes through the motion of the swing, centralizing in the back in most cases. A good golf fitness program helps strengthen the muscles in the back and this, in turn, can help reduce the pain while also helping to improve your golf swing.

Regular exercise is important for staying in shape and for playing golf to your best abilities, especially if it is a competitive game with a group of golf buddies who like to take bets on the round. A good fitness program designed for golfers will help protect your muscles and joints simply by making them stronger and better able to handle the rigors of a vigorous round of golf.

The best thing about these golf improvement programs is that they help you to maintain the necessary physical mechanics that support the swing, which is the most important aspect of the game. By doing golf stretching movements and exercises that are part of golf training videos for fitness, you will be able to create and build the correct muscles and also increase joint resistance and flexibility. Combined, this helps to keep you strong and limber at the same time, which will help you to execute the needed moves.

As golfers age, they also need to stay in the best shape possible if they want to feel that their game is always improving rather than diminishing. However, it is easy to spot those older golfers who obviously follow a golf fitness guide because you can see them walking the fairways with a spring in their step. Age does not have to interfere with playing a great round of golf that you can brag about all week, but it does require the effort of doing golf exercises on a regular basis.

For the most part it does not require a massive time commitment in order to follow a good golf fitness program. Most people even combine a golf fitness routine with other everyday activities, such as walking. Often, people will first take a brief, brisk walk and then go through the golf stretching routine. You will discover that doing this on a regular basis will deliver amazing results that will make you feel better overall and will improve your game as well.

Playing golf is a relaxing pastime for many people. They love to spend a Saturday out on the golf course just having a leisurely game. While many people might wish to believe that they are an excellent golfer, just a few actually are. For thos people who aspire to be great at golf have to go through some degree of golf training if they wish their game to be exceptional. Discovering the ways to play golf or educating yourself on how to better your swing is not an impossible task. It does require some effort and a lot of practice but with time you can be good at the sport. Discover your supplies for golding by clicking here: Periodization For Golf Training also Golf School and at Jim Mclean Golf School

Golf Tip - How To Improve Your Backswing

2008-10-03T12:38:00.001-04:00

Every golfer should invest some time and effort into fine tuning their backswing. Although there are many golf tips that can help develop better aim and form, the best advice is to stick with the basics. This holds true for beginners and amateur alike.

Mustering as much power and accuracy as possible while maintaining form and balance is the goal for every golfer. To accomplish this, you must be able to give the ball everything you've got, but without what is commonly referred to as “coming over the top”.

That describes a swing flaw which causes the clubhead to veer off to the outside of your target line during the downswing. The result? A horrendous slice.

Come From The Inside

The best way to avoid such a shot is to learn how to avoid coming over the top, thus keeping your clubhead from moving outside of the target line. This can be accomplished by simply working on a technique which is opposite of coming over the top: come at the ball from the inside.

More accomplished golfers can do this each and every time they try, but coming at the ball from the inside may be easier said than done for the beginner golf player. Practice, practice, practice is the key and once you get the hang of it, you can rid yourself of that terrible slice shot by making impact with the ball from a downswing which comes from the inside of the target line ever so slightly.

Train Yourself To Target The Inside

There are drills that you can practice which will help you train yourself so that you can come from the inside on your swing whenever needed. Below is a simple training procedure known as a swing path drill:

1. Take 3 tees and placed them into the turf approximately 3 to 4 inches apart from one another, and in a perfect line at a 45° angle with your target line. If you are a right-handed golfer then the line should be pointing to your left foot. Make sure that you have enough room in between each tee so that you can swing the club through.

2. Now it is time to find your swing path. Take out your 5-iron and initiate a few swings by attempting to hit the top portion of the middle tee. In order to do so, your clubhead must pass between the outside tees in a pathway best described as “in-to-out” in order to avoid contact with them.

By practicing this technique and hitting the middle tee in this fashion on a consistent basis, you are making contact correctly from the inside. If you happen to hit the outside tees then you are still coming over the top and need more practice on your swing.

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Tips for Finding the Best Ladies Golf Clubs

2008-09-29T12:43:00.001-04:00

Why Can't I Find Ladies Golf Clubs?

When searching for ladies golf clubs to fit a female golfer you will always find that this is a difficult task and although more women are now playing golf it really doesn't seem to get much easier.

Just like all situations where you need to find equipment for use by a human, whether male or female, there is always going to be a level of compromise in how suitable the equipment will be when you start to use it.

Golf Clubs are Primarily for a Male Dominated Market

Golf clubs are a specialist market and one that is driven by demand and this is where lady golfers miss out. The number of women playing golf is still smaller compared to the number of men that play, so ladies golf clubs tend to be a smaller market restricted by the high costs of producing specialist clubs just for ladies.

If you are a female golfer you may just get lucky and find that a standard golf club design for the male market will work for you too, but this does not often happen. Usually it is extremely difficult for a women golfer to find suitable clubs, especially when they are trying to put a whole golf set together.

Women Are Different Than Men

Because men and women are physically different the needs of the woman golfer are always going to be different too and golf clubs are no exception to this requirement. Some clubs maybe too stiff or even too flexible and the woman golfer is unlikely to have the right swing for a mans club.

If the golf clubs are lighter then they are more likely to be suitable for ladies as the increased swing speed will longer shots, but the lady may find that there is a slight loss of the control that would be available from a heavier club.. The actual length of the club is also important as women are normally shorter than men and only a shorter ladies club will bring the comfort required for a better fit..

As with all things where fit and comfort are of great importance it always pays to test the product if at all possible before making the final commitment to part with your money. With ladies golf clubs you must prepare yourself for a lot of research before you reach this point.

Try Custom Build or Specialist Female Clubs

Fortunately there are quite a few manufacturers who produce purpose built golf clubs for women such as woods, wedges and irons that are design specifically to aid the female golfer. In general these do tend to be lighter clubs so ladies can more easily improve their golf game and make quicker progress.

When a woman golfer improves her game her demands for a better club will mean that getting better fitting and more comfortable golf clubs for women becomes even more essential. This requirement may mean that the only solution to getting the perfect clubs is to seek out custom ladies golf clubs to ensure the best fit.

There will be additional costs to pay for ladies golf clubs that are custom made. However this maybe a small price to pay as the benefits and additional enjoyment you get as your golf game improves will probably be worth it.

Although there are many more purpose built womens golf clubs on the market these days, it is still relatively difficult for a lady golfer to find what she needs to suit her golf skill and her style of golf.

Never Give Up Your Search!

Bad equipment will hold back any lady golfer so it is important to find what you really need as soon as you can and getting the right equipment is essential if you want to progress. To do this you need the right equipment that is going to actually help you and not hold you back.

Golf In Florida Part 5

2008-09-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

This is the fifth installment of a continuing series reviewing great golf courses in Florida and, in particular, the Tampa Bay region. We’ll cover other areas of The Sunshine State in later installments.

This time around, a look at two fabulous courses that belong to one facility. It’s The Eagles Golf Course At Tampa Bay, located on Nine Eagles Drive in Odessa, northwest of Tampa and just a bit north of Tampa Bay Downs. The Eagles is a fabulous layout, one of the very best in the region. The facilities are outstanding and both courses are a definite treat for all levels of players.

Let’s look first at the Forest Course, which, from the tips, stretches to 6,719 yards at par 72. The first hole is a par 5 at 510 yards. The water on the left of the tee should not come into play. A well-placed drive will get you a chance of reaching the green in two. A deep bunker guards the right side of the green and fairway mounds need negotiating.

The second hole is a lovely par 4 of 386 yards, bending right gently across rolling, mounded terrain. Number three on this beautiful course is a wonderful risk-reward par 4 of just 311 yards. But if you go for it, you’d better be accurate. The straight path to the green doesn’t play the full 311, since the hole bends right. But water down the entire right side and some serious bunkers might make you rethink the gamble.

Number four is a picturesque par 3 of 141 yards that plays partially over water which shouldn’t come into play. At number five you’re faced with the toughest hole on the front side, a 443 yard par 4 with water down the left, requiring a very accurate tee shot, and a green guarded by a huge bunker on the left and severe depressions on the right.

At number 6, make sure you have the right club. This 158 yard par 3 is a virtual island, surrounded by water on three sides. The seventh is a 519 yard par 5 double dogleg, with water on the right. The eighth is a 410 yard beauty of a par 4. It’s a dogleg left with water down the entire right side and a well-bunkered green with a tricky putting surface.

The front nine wraps up with a 410 yard par 4 that sports water down the left and deep fairway bunkers on the right. Grabbing a par here is a solid score.

The back nine on the Forest Course begins with a terrific par 5 of 476 yards that is reachable, but the second shot has to be very accurate as the green is guarded by water front left. Number eleven is a solid test at 403 yards. It’s a dogleg right that plays to a narrow green.

Number twelve is without argument the most difficult par 3 on the course at 228 yards that plays to a very large, undulating green with a hump in the middle. Number thirteen will give you all the par 4 you can handle at 443 yards. It’s a lovely hole that angles slightly right. After a well-placed drive, your second needs to carry across a lake to a big green that has lots of putting adventure in it. A par 4 here will make your day.
The next two holes give you a break, with number fourteen playing at 385 yards and number fifteen 371 yards. Fourteen is a slight dogleg left and fifteen is fairly straightaway. It’s the second shot on fifteen that’s tricky. The green is guarded by water on the left.

Sixteen is one of the prettiest holes on the course, a par 3 that measures 190 yards and is played over water. With a lake to your right, it’s truly a beautiful setting. Number 17 is an outstanding par 5 of 534 yards with water down the entire left side. The fairway is fairly narrow, so accuracy is a must. The third shot, or second for the bigger hitters, must thread its way onto the narrow green.

The Forest Course winds up with a 402 yard par 4 that is about a forty-five degree dogleg left. The fairway narrows down in the driving area, making it a tricky tee shot. The Forest Course is the newer of the two at The Eagles and certainly is a must play in the region.

Now, let’s get in 36 as we swing over the The Lakes Course at The Eagles, a stout test at 7,089 yards and par 72. It begins with an unusual 498 yard par 5 that is a double dogleg. The tee shot must negotiate a narrow opening of trees on both sides. The second shot must be carefully placed, since water guards the left side of the fairway and the left front of the green.

The second hole is a 391 yard par 4 that calls for an accurate tee shot, since the fairway narrows down severely in the driving area. Number three is another par 4 of 398 yards that allows for more latitude on the tee shot. It’s a slight dogleg left. Number four plays at par 5 and 527 yards and is basically straightaway. But your second shot needs to favor the right side, since the green is partly tucked on the left.

Number five is a picturesque 387 yard par 4 that bends left around another of the ever present lakes and requires an accurate second shot to an undulating green. Number six is a lovely par 3 of 216 yards that plays over water, although the water ends well in front of the green and shouldn’t come into play.

Number seven winds its 420 yards around and between two lakes. The hole bends right and demands a very accurate tee shot. The second shot plays to an elevated green with a lot of contour. Number eight is a good par 3 of 208 yards, with a green that is slightly bowl shaped.

The front nine ends with a strong 443 yard par 4 dogleg right with a lake on the right and two small ponds on the left. The green is long and narrow. A four here is a victory.

The tenth hole is a terrific par 5 of 535 that beckons you to gamble. A tee shot in the right place will enable you to cut across the lake that sits in the dogleg of this hole with your second shot. But miss it, and you’re on your way to a big number.

The eleventh is a difficult par 4 of 449 yards that bends slightly left and requires an accurate tee shot to a narrow fairway.The second shot is played to an elevated green that is shallow and angles right to left. Another hole where par is an excellent score.

The twelfth is a very nice par 3 of 172 yards that plays to an undulating green with several mounds. Put your tee shot in the wrong spot, and two-putting becomes an adventure. The thirteenth is the last break you’ll get on this tough back nine. It’s a 386 yard par 4 with a tee shot over water to a fairway that bends left toward the elevated green.

As you approach the fourteenth, you need to get your game face on, because the finishing holes are tough and challenging. Fourteen is a brutal 462 yard par 4. The landing area is generous, though, but if you’re playing into the wind, this baby is all you can handle.

Fifteen is another strong par 4 at 433 yards. Your tee shot needs to hug the left side, since a lake is strategically present on the right. But if you hug the left too much, a large tree will give your second shot trouble.

Sixteen is a 412 yard par 4 that might seem short after the last two holes. It bends gently left and features a wide fairway and a large, slightly elevated green. Seventeen checks in at a stout 232 yards. This par 3 is a real test over a lake that is definitely in play.

The Lakes Course comes to a close with a terrific par 5 that measures 521 yards. There is water to the right off the tee and a ditch to carry on your second shot. The green is small and tricky.

The Eagles At Tampa Bay is one of the fine tests in the region, no matter which eighteen you decided to take on. The golf complex is, indeed, a cut above.

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The PGA Tour Without Tiger

2008-09-11T15:26:00.001-04:00

Certainly one of the most dramatic, riveting victories in professional golf history occurred at the US Open this past June, when Tiger Woods, playing essentially on one leg, captured the coveted title.

We of course didn’t know the extent of the injury he was suffering through until after the contest. Nor did we realize that he had been enduring pain in playing for some time before the Open. Naturally, the facts that came to light after the tournament made his accomplishments in this year of 2008 even more remarkable.

Now, in the aftermath of Tiger’s surgery and with the specter of a long rehabilitation looming, the PGA Tour must go forward and attempt to maintain a level of excitement and anticipation in the game of professional golf that was easily attained when Tiger was playing, but might not be quite so easily maintained while he is not.

Consider these facts. More than two months, at the time of this writing, since Woods last played, he leads in regular season Fedex Cup points after having entered only 6 events. The player in second place, Kenny Perry, entered 22 events. He maintains the world number one position with a rating of 17.99, nearly double the total of the second place player, Phil Mickelson, who has 9.95. And with those mere 6 events, he still leads the money list at the time of this writing with $5,775,000, over a million dollars more than Phil Mickelson, who’s played in 17 events.

Tiger Woods brings to the game a laser-like focus combined with talent that is almost surreal. His presence guarantees huge paying spectators and usually also guarantees high drama on the golf course. And there are the intangibles that he brings to the mix. When Tiger is there, others are prodded to raise the level of their games, to try to jump that high bar that Woods has raised.

Without that prodding, the level of play on the PGA Tour sags a bit. Without that presence, a little more complacency sets in. We are all at our best when we are challenged and driven to produce our best efforts.

It is unfortunate that the Fedex Cup will be without golf’s greatest player this year. It is doubly unfortunate that America’s team at the Ryder Cup this fall will also lack the intimidating presence of Tiger Woods. This will make it necessary that the rest of the team kicks it up a notch and fills the void.

This is not to say that Tiger is the only bulb in the fixture. Certainly, the Fedex Cup and the Ryder Cup are populated with some of the greatest players in the game. But it is definitely a detriment when the world’s number one player is not present.

The aftermath of injuries and surgery such as Tiger’s are always filled with uncertainties. Hopefully, Woods will rehabilitate intelligently and not force the issue. If he does not, the ramifications are dismal. The condition could become chronic and seriously affect his drive to become the greatest ever. I would submit that he already is, since he’s accomplished an incredible amount against fields that are stronger than ever before in history. However, there came to light during the US Open something that I hadn’t been aware of. It was that snapping back motion of his left leg at impact, a move that probably brought on the injury in the first place. He’ll no doubt have to modify that violent move in order for the surgery to be successful long term.

The PGA Tour will be the poorer while Tiger is away. Nonetheless, if he rehabilitates successfully and returns at the level he achieved before the injury, his drive toward the record for major titles and overall titles will continue to invigorate the game and escalate interest in golf. And, like the greats before him, he will inspire those who will become his future rivals.

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Golf In Florida Part 4

2008-09-11T15:25:00.000-04:00

In this fourth installment of a series, we’re going to look at two more Tampa Bay area courses, each of which was a personal favorite during the years I lived in the area.

First, a course designed in the Scottish links tradition by Ron Garl, an excellent Florida architect, with many fine venues to his credit. Summerfield Golf Club is located in Riverview, Florida, just a few miles south of Tampa off Interstate 75. Aside from supplying golfers with nice amenities off the course, players will find Summerfield an outstanding challenge, particularly from the back tees which stretch the course out to 6,903 yards playing to a par of 71.

Summerfield is built on rolling terrain, with some elevation changes not routinely found in this area of Florida. On the front nine, you’ll find a terrific mix of par fours, beginning with the first hole measuring 417 from the tips. It plays slightly uphill to an undulating green. The second is a 432 yard affair that plays downhill and slightly left to a big, elevated green.

For the third hole, extreme accuracy is needed. It’s a par 3 of 180 yards over water to a tricky green that is angled from right to left. Holes 4 and 5 are wonderful par fours, 4 playing uphill and bending left and 5 playing down through a valley then up to an elevated green.

At the sixth hole, you’ll find Summerfield’s signature entry, a 171 yard par 3 that plays slightly downhill to a green that is nearly an island, surrounded by water on three sides. When the wind blows, it’s a daunting shot. Holes 7 and 8 are nicely contrasted par fours, with the 7th playing 381 yards and requiring an accurate tee shot to a narrow fairway. Number 8 is a brute of a par 4 at 463 yards.

The ninth, the first par 5 on the course is an excellent rambling affair the plays uphill on the second shot and bends right to an elevated green.

The back nine begins with a par 4 of just 345 yards. Before you think, ah, an easy birdie, check out the green. It is angled left to right and has three tiers. Placing your tee shot is imperative for the best approach to this difficult green. The 11th plays 168 yards through a shoot of trees to a narrow, well-bunkered green.

Number 12, a 570 yard par 5, requires an excellent tee shot, avoiding disaster on the right and left. The second shot is played over a marsh area and is a blind shot – so you’d better check the layout before hitting. The 13th hole is a straightaway par 4 of 400 yards. It really gets interesting on the 14th hole, a monster of 457 yards with the second shot playing over a chasm to a tricky green. You’ll happily take a 4 here.

Number 15 presents a birdie opportunity at 352 yards, but placing your tee shot well is a necessity in order to cash in. Number 16 is a 429 yard par 4 that is a demanding driving hole, with water lining the right side, and deep, impenetrable marsh on the left. The 17th is a par 3 of 154 yards that plays slightly downhill to a very tricky green.

The finishing hole is another par 5 of 560 yards that plays uphill for your second shot to an elevated green.

Summerfield is a definite must play that is well designed and enjoyable.

Just a short distance away from Summerfield, off Route 41, is Apollo Beach Golf Club, a big time favorite of mine. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and he used the watery terrain to full advantage. Water is present on every hole on this lovely course that winds beautifully through scenic surroundings.

Your round begins with a par 4 of 410 yards that plays straightaway. Things tighten up considerably at number 2, a memorable par 5 of 573 yards. Big hitters can shorten that distance by quite a bit by cutting the corner of the dogleg left. The green is protected by water in front.

The 3rd is a par 4 of 373 yards, presenting a birdie opportunity. The 4th is a terrific par 3 that stretches 206 from the tips and plays over water. Number 5 and 6 are both stout par fours of 436 and 419 yards respectively, both requiring excellent tee shots to negotiate. Number 7 plays 556 yards. The par 5 presents difficulty for big hitters with thoughts of hitting the green in two. The hole bends slightly left and the elevated, small green is guarded by a stream in front.

The 8th is a good par 3 of 192 yards. Nine plays 414 straightaway to an undulating green.

The 10th hole is one of the toughest on the course, usually playing into the prevailing wind at 440 yards. The tee shot is demanding, with trouble on both sides and the second shot is struck to a big green that is difficult to read.

Number 11 is a 528 yard par 5 guarded on the right by a large mound that runs nearly the length of the hole. The 12th is a 170 yard par 3 that has a generous green that could yield a birdie with a well placed tee shot. Number 13 is a terrific par 4 of 430 yards from the tips. The second shot plays over a river to a green set in the side of a small hill.

The 14th is a par 4 of 422 yards, with the tee shot hit over that same river. Trouble is down the left and the approach shot is demanding. Number 15 is a relatively benign par 4 of 375 yards with a small green. But it does present a good birdie chance.

Number 16 is an outstanding par 5 of 572 with water lining the left side and mounds on the right. Your third shot, and even big hitters probably won’t go for this green in two, must be accurate. The green is guarded by water in front and on the right.

The 17th hole is a par 3 of 201 yards that possesses a very tricky putting surface. The round wraps up with a 400 yard par 4 that bends slightly left. Out of bounds beckons on the left side.

Apollo Beach is a fine test, especially when the Florida breezes circulate. Enjoy it on your next trip to the Sunshine State.

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The LPGA And The English Flap

2008-09-11T15:22:00.001-04:00

Recently the LPGA and its Commissioner, Carolyn Bivens, has been at the center of a storm of controversy concerning the organization’s intent to suspend players who did not speak English. This proposed action was quickly deemed discriminatory by some lawmakers and a few corporate sponsors.

Let’s try to examine this issue rationally and logically. As we all know, each tournament features a Pro-Am event preceding the major competition. Amateurs fork over large amounts of entry monies to participate in these Pro-Am events, principally for a chance to play with the professionals, of course. Would any of us be happy if we turned over a considerable chunk of change only to find that we couldn’t even communicate with the pro in our group?

I’ve played in several PGA Tour Pro-Am events over the years and once in an LPGA event some years back and in all cases one of the highlights was the interaction with the professional. The players in whose groups I participated made all the amateurs feel at ease, dispensing tips and telling stories that made the events delightful.

Communication with amateur players is a necessary skill for pros both male and female. Naturally, some are better at making amateurs feel at home than others, but all need to have the skill sets to at least make a good try at creating a cordial, fun atmosphere during the Pro-Am event. If the pro simply can’t communicate, the participating amateur golfers are being cheated of a large part of the reason that they spent money to be there.

One of the time-honored traditions in Pro-Ams is that of the pro golfer imparting tips to his amateur flock. This would not be possible if the pro spoke no English. It further complicates rulings, as well. A tour official can’t explain a rules situation to someone that doesn’t understand him or her. The added expense and inconvenience of having interpreters all over the golf course becomes burdensome, as well.

A requirement that players speak English isn’t discriminatory, it’s logical. It’s not as if the golfers only play in this country occasionally. Most are regulars on the LPGA Tour. In fact, the LPGA currently has some 121 players that hail from 26 different countries, which includes 45 from South Korea. That would certainly be quite a Tower Of Babel if all 121 spoke no English.

Carolyn Bivens rightly points out that speaking English is advantageous for the players from a monetary standpoint as well. Many endorsements, speaking engagements and the like would be far easier to come by if the players spoke English.

In my opinion, requiring the players to be at least minimally proficient in English is certainly not beyond the pale. It is for everyone’s benefit as well as their own. All involved with the LPGA Tour, the amateurs who pay to play, the officials and even the spectators benefit, since players could communicate with them during the tournament.

Given the huge amounts of money they are privileged to play for on a regular basis, it seems a small price to pay. Speaking English will pay them dividends on many levels in the years to come. At the time of this writing, the LPGA has softened its stand and is rethinking its proposed policy. Hopefully, the right final decision will be made so that all involved will be winners.

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Golf In Florida Part 3

2008-09-11T15:18:00.001-04:00

As we continue to examine some of the fine courses in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, we'll concentrate on two more fine examples, one relatively new and the other a venerable course that's been around for many years.

The relatively new layout is Westchase Golf Club, located just about ten minutes from Tampa International Airport in western Tampa. This 6,710 yard track was designed by Lloyd Clifton and features a beautiful golfing trip through local fauna and flora that you'll truly enjoy.

Westchase starts you out with a fairly benign hole that measures only 347 from the back. But it's benign only if you hit it straight. Water lines the first all the way down the right side and guards the green partially from the front and totally from the right and back. An iron off the tee might be a good choice.

Number 2 is a lovely par 5 of 549 yards with water coming into play on the left. The third is one of the most dramatic par 3's in the region, if not anywhere. It plays 212 from the back down through a chute of trees to a green guarded by water in front. An outstanding and difficult hole.

Moving ahead to number 5 and 6, you'll get all the par 4 you can handle from this pair. #5 is 426 and #6 is 440. Although water is present on each, it is not, or shouldn't be, in play. But if you're playing into the wind, 4 is a very good score, indeed.

The 8th is a superb par 5 that bends right all the way. The second shot must be well placed to get at the green, which is tucked near a stand of woods.

The front 9 finishes with a solid 404 yard par 4 with water on the right. The second shot must carry a waste area.

The back 9 begins with a short par 5 at 505 yards, but those able to try for the green in two must be very accurate. Water guards the green very closely.

The 11th is a crackerjack of a par 3, 190 yards over water. The 12th is, to my mind, the most difficult driving hole on the course, requiring a long carry off the tee and an accurate second shot to a difficult green.

At 13 we come to another par 5 of 507 yards with water in play all along the left side. 14 is a straightaway par 4 and 15 a very nice par 3 of 160 yards.

The 16th is a very interesting hole requiring an accurately placed tee shot. Big hitters can reach a waste area that juts out into the fairway from the right, making the second shot semi-blind.

Number 17 is a solid par 4 of 402 yards requiring an accurate second shot over water to a tricky green. The finishing hole, which parallels #9, measures 388 yards and requires a second shot over the same waste area that borders the 9th green.

Westchase is, all in all, a tremendously enjoyable golfing experience.

The second course we'll look at today is Pebble Creek Golf Club, located in the northeast area of Tampa, one of the oldest courses in the area. They recently underwent extensive renovations (2006) and have improved the facility greatly. It's a sporty course featuring a very solid layout that plays 6,436 yards to a par of 71.

The scenic layout begins with a 370 yard par 4 with the second shot over a creek. #2 is a strong 193 yard par 3 that forces you to contend with a big tree on the left.

To play #3 well, you'll need to work the ball left to right off the tee. This 400 par 4 is a solid test. #4 is a 368 yard par 4 which is best played by favoring the left side of the fairway, but water lines the left side, so caution is necessary. A tee shot to the right will block your approach to the green because of woods lining the fairway on that side.

Number 5 requires a tee shot over water and an approach shot over water as well. Number 6 provides respite in the form of a 160 yard par 3. Number 7 is a straightaway par 4 of 372 yards with water on the left. The 8th hole is the first par 5 on the course at 504 yards. There is water on the left, but it shouldn't come into play. The third shot carries a creek.

The front 9 finishes with a strong, 434 yard par 4 that requires a tee shot down the right to right center to avoid being blocked by trees on the left as the hole bends left.

The back 9 gets going with a neat little par 4 of 367 yards. It's a good birdie opportunity, but you must place your tee shot down the right side to avoid being blocked on your second shot.

On #11 you don't want to pull your tee shot or it will meet a watery grave. It's a straightaway par 4 of 385 yards. Number 12 offers a nice par 3 of 168 yards with a tricky green. The 13th hole is a lovely par 5 that sports water protecting the green, making reaching it in 2 difficult.

Number 14 is only 346 yards at par 4, but placing your tee shot is imperative. Number 15 plays 181 yards at par 3 and you must be below the hole on your tee shot. Number 16 is a good birdie chance at 360 yards at par 4.

The penultimate hole, #17, is a wonderful par 5, requiring an accurate tee shot. There is water along the left and the driving area is tight.

Number 18 is a fine finishing hole at 394 yards. Pebble Creek runs in front of the green, making an accurate approach a must.

Pebble Creek is a fine test and a must play when you're in the Tampa area. The club has lovely amenities, good dining and a terrific atmosphere.

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Golf In Florida Part 2

2008-09-03T11:52:00.002-04:00

This time around we’ll look at two wonderful Tampa Bay area courses in our continuing examination of golf in the Sunshine State.

A long time favorite of mine has been a municipal course owned by the city of St. Petersburg, Mangrove Bay Golf Course, located just off Interstate 275 in the northern area of the city.

Mangrove Bay is set in a lovely natural area bordering the bay and possesses sweeping vistas of both land and sea. It plays at just a tad over 6,600 yards and is laid out, in my opinion, beautifully. Water comes into play on 12 of the 18 holes, although in some of those instances, it is only really in play for a player who is fatally wild off the tee.

Your round begins with a relatively mild first hole, which is always a good idea, in my estimation. It’s a 349 yard affair that bends very slightly to the right and is very much a birdie possibility.

The second is a 579 yard par five with water down the left side, but that shouldn’t come into play. After a dry par three and par four, we come to the fifth hole, playing at 380 with water on the right. The sixth is a short par 5 at 506 yards, presenting a good birdie opportunity.

The seventh is a short par four, at which you’d be wise to use an iron or hybrid off the tee, since water lines the left side and position for your second shot is everything here.

Skipping ahead to the back nine, you’ll see that it starts quite benevolently, with a short par four and par three. Number twelve, however, will definitely get your attention at 400 yards, bending left. Thirteen is a neat little par four with water well left and fourteen is a straightaway par five that is a good birdie opportunity. Fifteen is the longest par three on the course.

Sixteen is probably my favorite hole at Mangrove Bay. It’s a par four of 400 yards that plays uphill for the second half, with a second shot over a creek. But you need to take a moment to look to your left as you walk or ride the hill and observe a lagoon in which mullet leap almost constantly. It’s a beautiful sight, indeed..

Mangrove Bay ends on a very strong note, with two excellent holes, the par five seventeenth at 565 yards and the par four eighteenth at 438 yards with water on the left.

The course, at least in my experience, was always in very nice shape and the environment is unbeatable.

Now let’s head north to the town of Palm Harbor in Pinellas County, a few miles northwest of Tampa and check on Tarpon Woods Country Club, another of my favorites in the region. Wildlife abounds in this beautiful setting located just off Route 19. Water is present on every hole on this course that sports tricky greens and a varied layout of holes. It plays at just under 6,600 yards from the tips and requires accurate tee shots and carefully thought out approaches.

Sadly, at the time of this writing, the course may be on its way to disappearing. Because of the usual short-sighted development without regard for consequences, the Tarpon Woods community is prone to flooding in the rainy season and pressure has been brought to dispense with the golf course and turn the area into a virtual water basin to relieve the condition.

Brooker Creek runs through the golf course, and is the source of the problem, only because of thoughtless development upstream. But it is also one of the sources of the charm of the course. So get there and play it while you can, because it’s worth the effort. If you get a chance, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this layout and its abundant flora and fauna. From the par four opening hole, throughout the picturesque layout, to the visually appealing eighteenth, this course is a delight.

Let’s hope it will be around a lot longer.

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Will Annika Be Back?

2008-08-20T14:04:00.000-04:00

By Jim Nettleton

The golf world was stunned earlier this year when perhaps the finest female player ever to play the game announced her retirement at the end of this year. That the announcement came at a time when she was at her career peak made it doubly stunning.

Annika Sorenstam has rapidly amassed titles and honors during her career, a span of time that saw her win 72 tournaments for third place on the all time list. Among those victories are 10 majors. But it must be said that those ahead of her on the all time list, Kathy Whitworth with 88 and Mickey Wright with 82, played at a time when competition was not remotely as intense as it is now. During the careers of Whitworth and Wright, there were only a small handful of players who actually had a chance to win each week. Today, dozens of players have a realistic chance to win. Given that assessment, Annika’s accomplishments become even more impressive, as do Tiger Woods’, judged by the same criteria.

Tiger called her “the greatest female golfer of all time” and said that it was sad to see her walk away. The 37 year-old Swedish superstar has said that she wants to devote more time to her business and to start a family. It’s a good bet that it will be a golfing family. Her fiancé is Mike McGee, the son of the former PGA Tour player Jerry McGee, so the genes are definitely there.

But it’s hard to imagine an athlete with her credentials going cold turkey from the game she dominated for so many years. Anyone who has achieved a lofty status in athletics, or any other endeavor for that matter, will find it difficult not to be drawn back to those circumstances around which their lives revolved for so long. According to Sorenstam, her last tournament will be the Dubai Ladies Masters, which takes place after the end of the regular LPGA Tour schedule. But will that really be the end?

Many of us who love the game hope not. Although her performance this year hasn’t been, in general, up to Sorenstam standards, although she has won three times to date, much of that is probably due to a division of concentration as she makes her final tour and thinks ahead to starting that family. She still strikes the ball as well as ever and still possesses the length to dominate any field she’s in.

The major loss to the LPGA Tour will be not only her stellar play but the manner in which she’s comported herself over the years and the example that conduct has set for younger players coming up the professional ladder. True leaders are always rare and we can ill afford to lose any of them.

Personally, I believe Annika will be back, if not on a full time basis, then playing select tournaments and perhaps the majors. After a year or two away from the competition and, yes, the glory, I believe the urge to experience some of that again will overcome other issues. Even if she does start her family promptly, that will not be a significant roadblock. There are many young mothers who are active on tour and who bring their families along with them.

Certainly we all wish her the very best with her new directions. But let’s hope that we haven’t seen the last of Annika Sorenstam, nor the last of the class and dignity she brought to the game. Is she does decide to return occasionally, she will be a welcome sight indeed.

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Golf In Florida Part 1

2008-08-20T14:00:00.002-04:00

By Jim Nettleton

If you’re a golfer, there’s no better place to indulge your passion than the golf-friendly state of Florida. With well over one thousand courses of all varieties, you could play for many years without hitting the same course twice.

In this first of a series of articles on golf in the Sunshine State, we’ll visit the west coast of the peninsula and discuss some of the courses in the Tampa Bay area. Let’s being with one of my favorites, probably influenced by the fact that I lived on the course for several years, Northdale Golf Club.

Located in northern Tampa, just above the Carrollwood section, Northdale is a great facility with 18 well-designed holes. They range from fairly easy to quite difficult. The course measures 6,840 from the tips of this Ron Garl design. It was renovated in 2002 - all greens were rebuilt to USGA specs, the clubhouse was improved and new cart parths were installed.

Northdale begins with a relatively easy par 5 that can be reached in 2. From that point on, players will experience a solid variety of holes with water coming into play frequently. Some of my favorite holes are as follows. The par 3 3rd can play well over 200 yards from the back and it’s all over water. The par 5 9th meanders to the right and the small green is protected on three sides by water. The par 3 15th hole plays through a narrow chute of trees to a tricky green that is guarded on the right by a pond and tall reeds. Finally, the par 5 16th, which bends around a lake and requires precise shot placement.

Northdale is a solid test and an aesthetically pleasing layout, the only drawback being that there is no driving range associated with the facility.

North of Tampa just a few miles is another of my favorites located in the town of Zephyrhills, The Links At Lake Bernadette. It was designed by Dean Refram and opened in 1983. It, to my mind, falls into the classic course design category. You don’t need to be a big bomber to play here, but you will have to be accurate. The course is a shot maker’s delight. Water comes into play on many holes as the course winds through beautiful, mature trees and over gently rolling terrain.

By the way, The Links has a summer special going on, with all you can play plus lunch for $20 – a great bargain.

Here are some of my favorite holes. The par 5 4th, which I think is one of the best risk-reward holes I’ve ever played. It’s short, well under 500 yards, but don’t let that fool you. If you have any hope of hitting the green in 2, you’ll have to thread your tee shot around the bend to the left and hope you don’t pull it in the woods left or push it in the woods right. Then, your second shot is extremely demanding to a small green with water in front and trouble behind, in the form of a mound with a bunker and pampas grass.

The par 3 6th is a fine test that plays to a very undulating green. If you don’t get it close, a long putt on that green can be an adventure.

The par 4 10th is strictly a position hole. It only measures about 315 yards, but don’t venture to the right and be tempted to cut across the dog leg. There’s serious trouble on that side.

The par 5 12th is a solid hole that requires a very accurate drive of good length for a chance at getting home in two. Nonetheless, the green is very well guarded and missing it will bring a big number into play.

The par 3 13th has been called the best par 3 in Tampa Bay by Golf Digest. It’s a tricky hole of only 163 yards with a semi-blind shot to a very difficult green.

Finally, the par 4 18th gives you a solid challenge in finishing your round. It bends about 35 degrees to the right and requires a well placed tee shot to get a good angle to the green. The green itself is very narrow and well-bunkered, with 3 tiers.

Next time around we’ll look at more Tampa Bay area courses. Until then, stay well and keep swingin’.

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Golf In Bermuda

2008-08-20T13:58:00.000-04:00

By Jim Nettleton

Bermuda has been my favorite vacation retreat for decades. Its friendly people, clean environment and wonderful weather are always a joy.

Being an avid golfer, experiencing the game and the courses on that beautiful island is also a never-ending joy. Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than any place in the world. There are 8 courses there and each offers a splendid test.

The Belmont Hills Golf Club is a short but challenging layout that measures a little over 6,000 yards from the tips. It was rebuilt not long ago to USGA standards.

If you’re looking to spruce up your short game, try the Fairmont Southampton executive par three course, located near the southwestern tip of the island. It’s a fine array of 3 pars that will test every aspect of your iron play.

Farther along the southwestern tip you’ll find the spectacular Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed Port Royal Golf Course. Several of its holes hug the cliffs overlooking the ocean. My personal favorite is the par three 16th, which plays 176 yards over a chasm to a green perched on a cliff. At 6,561 yards, Port Royal is Bermuda’s longest course. Don’t miss it.

Heading back northeast, you’ll come upon Riddell’s Bay Golf & Country Club, a short but testing course along the water, measuring 5,800 yards.

Not far from Hamilton, the Ocean View Golf Course affords lovely views of the ocean. It’s only a 9 hole course measuring a little over 2,900 yards, but the scenery is worth a play.

Traveling farther north, Tucker’s Point Golf Club, the former Castle Harbour, presents itself. It was recently redesigned a while back, but maintains the elevation changes that made the old course so challenging.

Farther along the north route in the lovely town of St. George is the 18 hole executive course, St. George’s Golf Club. It consists of 8 par fours and 10 par threes. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., this stunning layout wraps around historic Fort St. Catherine and offers challenging play and terrific views. Sadly, this course is closing soon, so enjoy it while you can.

I’ve saved the best for last. Heading back toward Tucker’s Point you’ll find the marvelous Mid Ocean Golf Club, ranked for years among the top 50 courses in the world. Play it and you’ll see why. Although it measures just under Port Royal in length, play it from the tips and you’ll think you’ve just come up against a 7,300 yarder. Spectacular holes along the ocean are to be savored. Be sure to bring plenty of memory cards for you cameras.

Some of these courses are private – but arrangements can be made through your hotel.

I can’t wait to get back there and enjoy those lovely links again.

Copyright 2008 Jim Nettleton

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Bring The Real Game Of Golf Back

2008-08-20T13:56:00.001-04:00

By Jim Nettleton

I freely admit to being a fanatic about playing the great game of golf as well as being a lifelong fan of the professional game. I first started following the pro circuit when Arnold Palmer broke on the scene like a swashbuckling D’Artagnan. I quickly fell in love with the nearly poetic beauty of the game and became fascinated by Palmer’s bold adventures.

From today’s perspective, we look back on those days, the days of television’s early feeble attempts at covering a game played over many acres, and realize that what were then called ‘fast’ greens were, in reality, excruciatingly slow and bumpy. And that course conditions were, for the most part, ragged. Observe some of the replays of All Star Golf and the early Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf on the Golf Channel and you’ll see what I mean.

It only makes all the more remarkable the achievements of the greats of those days and the days long before them. How, for example, under those conditions, was Byron Nelson able to set an incredible scoring average that stood for decades until Tiger Woods (who else) broke it in 2000. But the record was broken on courses manicured to a degree that Nelson could only have dreamed of during his prime.

All of which brings us to the current day and what is happening to this great game. True, today’s players are bigger, stronger and better conditioned than any who have gone before. And true, their talent level as a whole is greater – after all, they’ve had amazing role models from whom to learn. They’ve also had the benefit of an unprecedented amount of research and electronic analysis that didn’t exist in their predecessor’s time.

It is normal and even beneficial that the overall talent level and general proficiency improves and that cherished records fall on a fairly regular basis as Father Time marches on. But what we’ve seen over the past ten to twenty years is too much.

Players now on the Champion’s Tour are hitting the ball farther than they ever did while in their prime on the regular tour. The average driving distance on the regular tour is increasing geometrically. Architects are being forced to stretch classic courses to inconceivable lengths: courses routinely now measure an incredible 7,500 yards – and, I believe, the overall health of the game is suffering.

It is in some ways similar to what’s happened to basketball over the years. Once an intriguing game of finesse, it has become nothing more than a group of extremely tall people dashing madly up and down the court and stuffing the ball ferociously into the basket. What were once fouls are ignored – traveling and palming the ball are now routine. Just about anything goes in today’s world of Full Contact Basketball. Gone is the intricate teamwork that once made the game a joy.

Golf is in danger of undergoing the same type of deterioration. With the incredible advances in club and ball technology that have largely gone unchecked by the USGA and R&A, great courses are becoming obsolete, records are becoming fodder for the shredder and the game’s finesse, except in the case of a few modern players such as Woods and Michelson, is disappearing at an alarming rate. It is becoming a ‘slam it hard and find it’ game.

When was the last time you saw a pro gently cut a long iron – and I’m talking a 1 or 2 iron – into the target? Today’s ball is harder to curve and fewer and fewer pros master the art of working the ball.

I liked Jack Nicklaus’ idea of some years ago – his suggestion of a ‘standard ball’, if you will. Strictly regulate the distance the ball can go under normal circumstances to retain the integrity of our great courses. Let’s make talent the determining factor, not who happens to grab the latest hot technology.

A great story is told of Sam Snead playing Pinehurst #2. When he was in his prime, he used a 1 iron on one of the longer par 3s on the course. Many years later, playing on the Senior Tour, he used a 3 iron. He was well into his 50s at the time.

That classic picture of Ben Hogan at Merion in 1950 hitting a 1 iron into the 18th green is another example. Years later, I attended the Open there and stood at exactly the same spot watching Jack Nicklaus use a 5 iron.

We need to bring the game under control. The great players will still be the great players – Tiger Woods would have been a force of nature in days past, just as he is today – but the big winners would be the classic courses like Merion, which has no more room to expand to accommodate today’s super boomers; the environment, since less area would be needed and less maintenance required; and the history and integrity of the game.

Copyright 2008 Jim Nettleton

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Lower Your Score By Playing Position Golf

2008-07-20T10:12:00.000-04:00

by: George Gabriel

Golfers have been trying hard to lower their scores by taking lessons, reading books and watching golf video lessons. This is definitely good and helps your game. What about playing position golf?

Golfing for position has been a serious method of golf for a lot of professional golfers. Every amateur should really consider playing position golf as one of the most important strategies for a good round of golf. You should consider rethinking your strategy before you take out your driver on every hole, and any other golf club.

Taking out your driver just because it is a natural thing to do on the longer holes can put you in a not so good position on your next shot. Playing position golf requires a series of questions to be answered, before you elect to choose a golf club on the tee box or fairway.

If you’re a right hand golfer who fades the driver all the time, and your teeing off on a dogleg to the right, you may want to rethink your choice of clubs, especially if it may put you in a blind position for your next golf shot into the green. When you’re playing those longer golf holes and you hit a straighter golf ball off the tee with a 3 wood, would it not be a better choice of clubs if you’re consistently fading or slicing your driver off the tee box? Of course it may be a little more golf club into the green on the next shot, by at least its not as hard as trying to control another faded golf shot into the green that you cannot see when your positioned alongside a pile of trees.

Another key factor on playing position golf would be the length of the golf hole. Let’s assume you’re going to play a par four and it’s 425 yards and your driver goes 240 yards on average. Taking everything into consideration, including wind and position on the tee box to the center of the green, and you’re left with 185 yards to the green. Now 185 yards into the green may be your favorite 4 iron, or it could also be the club you’re having trouble with the most. Dropping down to a 2 wood or a 3 wood off the tee box, may put you in a more favorable club selection position out on the fairway.

Another important part on playing for position on the golf course is choosing the club at hand for your landing area. Do I want an uphill lie on the next shot, or downhill lie? If I miss the green do I want to play my next shot from the back of this green or the front of the green? When I hit this green, do I want a downhill putt or an uphill putt? Of course being positive on hitting your attended landing area is the way to think, but leaving room for human error and an escape route can save you strokes.

By playing position golf, you get to utilize most of the golf clubs in the golf bag, and also help in getting familiar with each and every club. It only requires a little more thought before choosing a golf club that will help you knock strokes off of your scorecard. We always like to out drive our competitor, but out smarting our competitor is what counts in the end when you’re tallying up the strokes after eighteen.

About The Author

George Gabriel learned to golf as a caddy in the mid sixties and continue to enjoy the game today. Now running a discount tee time site at http://www.golfanchor.net and a sister site at http://www.golfanchor.com.

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Some Tips To Improve Your Golf Swing

2008-07-20T10:04:00.000-04:00

by: Edwin Shackleford

So, your golf swing needs improvement and you know it? Here are some tips in making better golf swings.

Tip no. 1. A great golf swing does not mean you have to swing with arms.

Behind your back, put your golf club while you turn your back to your target. It is like taking your club back as you hinge your arm at your shoulder.

You could also practice the drill known as no arms.

Tip no. 2. You should not forget cocking wrists.

Do not forget cocking your wrists. This might be difficult at first, but it will be natural to you with enough practice.

Tip no. 3. You should let the left arm clockwise slightly when you start the back swing.

It is not really something that you actually should remember. It naturally happens if you would just allow it. This just means that you should not resist this movement that is just natural. You might not notice it, but you might have been resisting this movement because this causes the head of your golf club to go open slightly when you swing it. Just allow it to happen.

Tip no. 4. Plant your feet firmly on the ground.

You might have copied this from baseball. That is, letting your foot heel in front to come above the ground when you swing your golf club back. Some people think that by doing this so, their back swing feels more huge.

It is something that seems lifting the front heel can easily make the body coil and for the tension to build that much harder. Letting the foot roll freely to the inside is fine. However, one should keep that foot on the ground to make golf back swing well-anchored.

Tip no. 5. From the bottom golf down swing.

Assuming that you accomplish all the drills correctly – from the golf stance, the golf grip you have, and your golf back swing. But you can still ruin everything if you begin the golf swing that you have with the shoulders. You might want to use a swing trigger to begin the golf down swing that you have with the lower part of your body.

Tip no. 6. And again, on your golf down swing. You should turn the belt buckle to your target.

Try turning your hips as powerful and fast as possible when you do your golf down swing, it works.

About The Author

Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com.

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7 Tips For Better Bunker Play

2008-07-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

*7 Tips For Improving Your Bunker Play*

by Jim Nettleton

We all know that the bunker shot is
one of the most difficult to master
in golf and it puts fear into both
novice and seasoned golfers alike.

I bought a new McGregor sand
wedge in July last year and that’s certainly
helped; my previous one was very bulky
and I found it extremely difficult to
get underneath the ball especially when
the sand was wet.

After talking to my club pro last week I’ve come up with
a list of  seven tips that should hopefully
help you out.

Here they are:

1. Choose the right club.

As I mentioned a moment ago, one of
the keys to improving your bunker play
is ensuring you use a good sand-wedge. Ideally, the club’s underside
should be well-sloped and smooth, which
will allow the head of the club to
effortlessly slide under the golf ball
and hit it out of the trap.

2. Give yourself the time you need to
get good footing.

Always allow yourself the time to
establish good footing in the sand.
Make an effort to sink your feet in until you
have solid stance.

3. Relax.

It’s essential that you relax by having
the right mindset. Just because you’re
in a sand trap doesn’t mean you’re going
to have trouble getting out. Relaxing
starts with your stance. Make sure your
feet are approximately shoulder-width
apart and are pointing slightly left of
your target as this will allow you to
swing through the ball more effectively.


4. Take several practice swings.

Before you take your shot, take several
practice swings. Practice your swing in exactly the same way as
if you were going to hit the ball.
Obviously don’t touch the sand though!

5. Know where to hit the ball.

Once you’ve relaxed and taken your
practice swings, survey the green ahead
of you so you know where you want your ball to
land. Keep that marker in your
head and visualize yourself hitting
the ball to that precise point.

6. Imagine the shot before you take it.

Carrying on from the last point, as
you’re preparing to hit the ball, imagine
the shot before you actually take it.
Remember, thinking positively is critical
to overcoming the tension that’s often
a result of being in the bunker in the
first place.

7. Take the shot.

Take a deep breath, and take the shot,
taking care to ensure that your club
hits the sand at least two inches before
it hits the ball. Always take a full
swing - follow through completely - but adjust the speed depending on
how long the shot is. This will help
you to avoid quitting on the ball which
is why many people fail to get out of the
bunker the first time round.

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Cheap Golf Balls Can Save You Money

2008-06-23T17:50:00.000-04:00

Here's a great money saving idea:

Choosing cheap golf balls doesn’t really say anything about the quality of the balls. Using them doesn’t mean your performance will suffer. What it does mean is that you will save lots of money. Golf can be a pretty expensive sport even though the equipment is pretty basic: golf balls, golf clubs and a golf bag. The best way to save money as you begin learning the sport is to buy cheap balls since you won’t have much control over your shots.

You are bound to lose more than a few as you build your skill and patience.Why buy cheap golf balls?Cheap golf balls can help you get through those early learning stages without costing you an arm and a leg. When you shop for golf balls, you may notice extremes in pricing. Top quality golf balls come with some pretty hefty price tags. Cheap golf balls allow beginning golfers the chance to improve their game and hone their skills. Eventually you will want to move on to purchasing better quality balls.

Cheap golf balls are the best way to save money as you spend time learning the basics. You can even find cheap golf balls that are name brand like Titleist, Nike and Calloway. Cheap golf balls are a great alternative.

Used golf balls

The best cheap golf balls are used golf balls, and used golf balls are so accessible. You may routinely come across them lying around the course as you play. You may even be able to purchase them directly from the golf course. Many of these golf balls are in great condition - a used Nike golf ball performs just as well as a brand new Nike golf ball. If you’re looking to improve your game and don’t want to spend a fortune on golf balls, used balls are the way to go.

Logo golf balls

A great way to find cheap balls that are brand new and have never been used is to consider buying logo and overrun balls. Lots of companies and organizations will have their logo printed on the side. Every so often a printer makes an error with the logo design or misspells the company name. A company may also accidentally order too many golf balls with logos. Design mistakes and excess orders give you access to unused, cheap golf balls. These balls are sold at discounted prices since they are stamped and no one else can use them. So these balls could be some of the best cheap golf balls you may find.

Bulk golf balls

You can always find cheap golf balls when you purchase them in bulk. Because of the Internet, this is becoming much easier to do. Suppliers of bulk golf balls collect various quality rated golf balls - even some name brands like Titleist. Bulk golf balls make great practice balls. Because they are such cheap golf balls, losing them is not such an issue.When you are looking for a way to cut spending while continuing to enjoy your regular games of golf, start with the golf balls you purchase. Cheap golf balls with a high quality rating perform just as well as the same balls purchased brand new.

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Golf Resorts Of North Carolina

2008-06-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

Here's a nice summation of a lovely area:

By Abhishek Agarwal

If you have been on the look out for a golf destination that provides you with the ultimate high that this sport has to offer then you cannot miss North Carolina.Due to its location, the North Carolina golf resorts are easily accessible from any location in the USA and the golfing experience that you will have here will be something to cherish for a long time. The main concern of the golf amateurs and professionals booking a golfing vacation is that whether or not the golf course stretches their abilities enough to help them improve and also at the same time not making it overwhelmingly challenging as well.

The good news is that no matter how you play, the North Carolina golf resort has something to challenge everyone in its own unique way.North Carolina Golf Resorts - Some of the best onesIf you are used to nothing but the best, following are the golf resorts in North Carolina that you must check out:Owing to the distinguished experience that it offers, the Crow Creek Golf Club is a popular choice of many professional and amateur golfers. There are enough challenges for any level of golfer and one can even try ones hands at the championship tees to assess ones skills.

This golf course spans over an area of 500 acres and was the creation of designer Rick Robbins. It has beautiful sceneries to offer while one progresses on the course and the staff is so accommodating and customer-centric that golfers come back again and again to relish the experience at the Crow Creek Golf Club.Another good golf course worth checking out if you wish to head North Carolina is the Duplin Country Club. The experience here is made pleasing as well as challenging by the tall pine trees lined up on the fairways. Some of the advantages that this golf club has over others are that the rates are very competitive, there are no tee time limitations on the course, the walkers are welcome too and there are some recreational facilities available nearby where you can spend some useful time if you have had your share of golf in the day.

If you have a high end premium golfing experience on your mind, you will find yourself at home in Etowah Valley Country Club and Golf Lodge in North Carolina. This golf course is for the people who have arrived and has a premium attached to it. The greens here are spread as wide as 9000 square feet with the well-manicured lush fairways offering a treat to the eyes. There are many golfing packages you can choose from and there are several other activities like fitness classes and croquet too to keep you and your near ones occupied. All these are worth a try if you wish to engage in something different at the end of the day.

There are premium accommodations also available for the people who would like to stay over.On the whole, North Carolina golf resorts make the perfect getaways for the entire family while you also get to hone your golfing skills. Therefore, don’t forget to pick up your camera as you will witness many memorable family moments worth capturing.

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Abhishek is an avid Golfer! Visit his website www.Golf-Skills.com and download his FREE Golf Report "The Perfect Golfing Vacation" to learn some amazing Golfing tips and tricks for FREE. Whether you are a Golf novice or a professional Golfer, you will find very valuable tips from his site. But hurry, only limited Free copies available! www.Golf-Skills.com

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The Art Of Putting

2008-05-27T16:37:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Tim Henry

The majority of the game of golf is putting – pure and simple.

It looks so easy – rolling that little ball into a nearby hole. But mastering the skill has threatened many a golfer’s sanity.

Here are a few tips to help improve your putting skills.

• Use just one ball when you practice your putting. This is closer to what a real game is like. You tend to concentrate better this way than if you have a bucket of balls to keep digging into. And be sure to practice your putting daily.

• Putting isn’t all in the wrists. When you’re putting, the palms of your hands face each other. This prevents one hand from dominating and ensures that both work together for you.

• Make sure you’re totally relaxed before you strike the ball. Loosen up your muscles so they feel flabby and jelly-like. Never tense up your muscles when putting!

• Make your back and follow through strokes the same length.

• Keep your putter face square by weakening your left hand and strengthening your right.

• Rely less on your wrists and more on your shoulders when putting.

• Keep that left wrist firm.

• Relax your knees a little. Don’t lock up.

• Your heels should be shoulder-width apart.

• Gary McCord advises that on curved putts, keep your feel parallel to the line you’ve chosen, not parallel to the hole.

• As you make contact with the ball, you want to accelerate the putter. Keep the putter grip moving toward your target.

• It’s better to miss a putt by sending it beyond the hole than by having it come up short. Finishing off the shot will be easier.

• Practice your putt at home on your carpet when the weather is bad or you can’t get to the golf course.

• Find a putter that works well for you and stay with it.

• Have something at stake at every hole so you become accustomed to putting under pressure.

About The Author

Tim Henry

This article provide courtesy of http://www.golfers-world-usa.net

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How To Achieve The Proper Golf Swing

2008-05-27T16:32:00.000-04:00

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by: Mike Pedersen

Every golfer wants to know the magic secret to achieving the proper golf swing. One that is repeatable and produces results.

If you have been trying to accomplish the proper golf swing through traditional ways and still aren’t happy with your results…you’ll need to keep reading this article to find out why.

You see…it’s your body that is keeping you from achieving the proper golf swing and playing your best golf! Doesn’t that make sense?

If your body is physically declining, and has limited golf-specific strength and flexibility…you will have a minimal chance at ever achieving the proper golf swing.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news…but this is a fact!

There are certain physical ‘musts’ to achieve a proper golf swing.

Here are just a couple:

Approximately a 90 degree shoulder turn with a 45 hip turn.
Golf posture with a slight bend at the hips and in the knees.
Start the downswing with the lower body first, maintaining your upper body coil.
Impact…you should be ‘behind the ball’ with your head and upper body as the hips are slightly open.
Follow through requires maintaining the spine angle you had at address, throughout the follow through.

Now…you don’t see how physical limitations in both strength and flexibility will limit or not allow you to attain the above requirements, I don’t think you’re really looking at it closely.

The golf swing puts the body under tremendous stress throughout the entire swing. Especially the lower back (due to the coiling and uncoiling of the upper body over a stable lower body), hips, wrists and even shoulders.

The ONLY way to achieve the proper golf swing is to physically improve your bodies limiting factors, so that you can finally achieve the proper golf swing.

About The Author

Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness manual and dvds at http://www.performbettergolf.com.

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The Psychology Of A Confident Golf Swing

2008-03-06T12:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Adam Eason

Before focusing on the subject of developing confidence with ones golf swing I want you all to think about this notion; you cannot just "Think" yourself a wonderful golf swing. Otherwise, we would all just think about pots of gold arriving in our front rooms and we'd all be rich. However, the pots of gold do not arrive just by thinking about them, likewise, our golf swing does not transform into that of Tiger Woods just by thought alone. Something needs to be done to get confident about that golf swing. So, this is the first notion that I want you to think about before I talk about building a powerful level of confidence in your golf swing.

When anyone is developing a new confident golf swing, there needs to be an element of action that is taken to alter and update the golf swing properly and effectively. Something new needs to be done enough times for the unconscious mind to learn it.

The early success philosophers and gurus like Stephen Covey and Napoleon Hill recognised that in order for a new behaviour to happen unconsciously and automatically, it needs to be done for 21 consecutive days. So then the new behaviour is learned thoroughly by the unconscious mind and your confidence in your golf swing can begin to happen on auto-pilot. So, any confidence with your golf swing needs some conscious effort and repeated application for your new confident golf swing to happen unconsciously.

Now, when you have a new way of doing things, the other, old, unwanted way of doing things doesn't just wither away instantly. It remains in the bank. If you were confined to a wheelchair, the muscles in your legs would begin to experience atrophy, the same way that when certain parts of your brain are not used, they experience atrophy; this is why it is difficult for us learn languages when we are much older and school kids find it a bit easier; that part of our brain has not been used for a long time.

The old golf swing needs significant time to experience atrophy. Imagine that here and now as you read this, your unconscious mind has carved out a distinct way of you swinging your golf club and this way is well defined by repitition from the past. Every time you step up to perform your golf swing, your unconscious mind carries on down that well trodden pathway that you have always gone down; your golf swing is the same. It is the only way that it knows and is the easiest route to take.

When you create an alternative, confident new golf swing, you are carving out a new pathway that needs to be trodden down and paved well several times, so that your unconscious knows it is there and knows that it can take this route in certain circumstances, events and situations.
Ok. So then with repeatedly taking the new pathway, the old pathway can begin to overgrow and have its own atrophy. However, we all know how easy it is to unearth an old pathway and drift back to our old golf swing; if we allow ourselves to go back along that way, it can begin to get carved out again.

These notions can form the foundation of any programme of change. However we are focussing on your golf swing here today and how to develop enhanced confidence with your golf swing.
When I first became involved with the world of hypnosis, NLP and personal development, I read a wonderful book by a man called Dr Maxwell Maltz entitled "Psycho-cybernetics" that formed the basis of many modern ideas as to how we understand personalities. Dr Maltz was a plastic surgeon and he found that if he changed the way people looked, often it changed their personality too. When people looked different, they also felt different. Often people that had lacked confidence, were transformed into more confident, outgoing people who lived life with more zest.

What perplexed Dr Maltz is that some of clients did not seem to get happier. Some, whose appearance had changed a lot, didn't seem to change their feelings. They still felt lacking in confidence.

So what Dr Maltz concluded was that cosmetic surgery would not benefit the client if they had a poor image of themselves. His solution was to create a visualisation technique that helped them to change their inner self-image. He had some wonderful results. So when the clients changed the way they felt about themselves, they became happier and more fulfilled and their confidence grew. You know that when you feel great about your golf swing, your golf swing is better and you are more competent with your golf swing. The technique is simple, here it is;

Firstly, imagine your golf swing as you would ideally like your golf swing to be. Think about how you would look if you were as happy and confident as you wanted to be with your golf swing. How do you walk? What do you wear? What expressions are on your face? How do you move? Take all the time necessary for this, to really get an idea of how you are when you are confident with your golf swing.

Secondly, when you know what you will look like, make a film clip inside your mind, in your imagination of yourself being happy, confident and deeply self-assured with your golf swing.
Thirdly, imagine yourself stepping into that film, imagine seeing through those eyes, hearing through those ears, and feel those confident feelings, think to yourself; how do I know the confident feelings? Where in my body are they? Enjoy feeling and being exactly how you want to be.

Lastly for this exercise, imagine that when you get up tomorrow you awaken as that ideal you, feeling this good and imagine your golf swing going as you want it to and be confident about your golf swing.

Remember what I said at the beginning, you must use this technique over and over in order to get the most from it and really make yourself a confident golf swing. Look out for part two of this article of getting confident with your golf swing.

About The Author

Adam Eason
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How To Correctly Weight Train For Golf Like Tiger, Vijay and Phil

2008-02-14T15:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Sean Cochran

I often hear from amateur golfers about how training with weights makes them feel “tight” and it ruin’s their golf swing. Traveling on the PGA Tour I disagree with this point of view completely. It is well known that the top players on the PGA Tour; Tiger, Vijay, and Phil workout regularly. They praise the benefits of their workouts in the development of their golf swing. I am a first hand observer of what they do in the gym on the days they play.

As a result, I see the reasons why amateurs do not workout as excuses rather than legitimate reasons. I would guess that the difficulty amateurs have with weight training or working out in relation to the game of golf is how to do it correctly. This article will discuss how to properly workout to improve your golf game.

Weight training is not bad for the golfer if done correctly.

Weight training done incorrectly is bad for the golfer.

This is where the amateur gets sidetracked, frustrated, and ends up thinking weight training is bad for golf. A typical weight training program found at many health clubs can be detrimental to the golf swing. These types of programs can make you feel “tight”, adversely affect your golf game, and leave you frustrated.

The reason why these “generic” training programs are counter productive to golf is their inability take into account what is required of the body in relation to the golf swing.
Golfers need to be very aware of a few important concepts when weight training in relation to the golf swing. First and foremost, any training program for golf needs to be cross-specific. A cross-specific training program develops the body to the positions, movements, and requirements of the sport you participate in.

Granted everyone’s swing is slightly different but the base components are the same. All golfers rotate around a fixed spine angle, transfer weight forward and back during the swing, generate clubhead speed, attempt to square the club at impact, and complete the swing in a balanced finish position.

The main goal of a cross-specific training program is develop your body physically around the golf swing. This induces what is termed a transfer of training effect onto the golf course. Simplified this states that the training you do in the gym pays off on the course in a positive manner.

Designing a weight training program for golf is a simple process if done correctly. The best place to start is with flexibility. Golfers need to be flexible. The golf swing requires you to move the club through a long range of motion, thus requiring your body to be very flexible. Areas of the body that typically require large amounts of flexibility for golf are; the hamstrings, lower back, hips, and shoulders. Oftentimes the amateur’s swing can improve from just adding flexibility exercises to their training program.

Another aspect of a cross-specific training program for golf is balance training. Balance is the ability of the body to control its’ center of gravity and body parts efficiently. Balance exercises address both the nervous and muscular systems of the body creating greater efficiency in its ability to control body movements and center of gravity.

After you have looked at the flexibility and balance components of a training program for golf, it is time to shift gears to the “weight training” side of the equation. The golf swing requires the development of strength within the muscles of the body. You need muscular strength to maintain a fixed spine angle, create an efficient weight transfer, and develop clubhead speed.
The development of strength in the muscular system is where the amateur commonly makes mistakes. Remember all the exercises in a cross-specific training program for golf must revolve around the movements of the swing, and create a benefit to your play on the course.

Typically, strength training is thought of as a group of exercises that create “bulk” and build the “beach muscles”. Bench pressing 300 and developing biceps like Arnold does not mean you’ll drive the golf ball 300 yards.

Developing strength for the golf swing is very different from “football” or “bodybuilding” strength exercises. The golf swing uses the whole the body, from feet to fingertips. As a result, golfers need to strengthen the entire body cross-specifically to the movements of the golf swing. A key to strength training exercises for golf is to integrate the entire body into the exercise patterns, rather than isolating a specific muscle (a.k.a. bicep curls and bench press).

For example, bicep curls may make you look great for the beach or fill out your golf shirt, but you do not swing the golf club with your biceps only. You use your entire body, and as a result the strength training part of your program, must incorporate the entire body. Exercises such as ball crunches, Russian twists, single leg squats are beneficial strength training exercises for golf.
Completing the template of a golf specific training program is endurance training. The golf swing is a repetitive movement. In a single round of golf the swing is repeated numerous times. A week on Tour might find players swinging the golf club well over 1000’s times. As a result, it is necessary to develop the endurance capacities of your muscular system.

Developing endurance in your muscular system allows you to repeat a movement over and over again without getting tired, a key component of the golf swing. Once the body becomes tired, the ability to swing the golf club properly becomes impeded resulting in miss hits, lost distance, and poor shots. Bottom line, you need to make the same swing consistently to score consistently. Endurance training assists in this process.

To summarize; weight training and working out is beneficial to the golfer, if and only if it is done correctly. The wrong choice in the type of training program, exercise selection, or even exercise sequence can hinder your golf game. Choosing a training program that is cross-specific to the golf swing and induces a transfer of training effect onto the golf course is best. This type of program incorporates; flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power exercises relative to the golf swing providing benefits to your body and golf game.

Sean Cochran

About The Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

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Golf On A Budget

2008-01-21T15:22:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Tim Henry

I know what you’re thinking – golf on a budget! Can there be such a thing? Well, it is possible, if you take a balanced, objective look at the strategies used in marketing golf products.

Case in point – I just interviewed a local golf shop owner today. We were talking about the new golf balls, and he was telling me that representatives from different companies send him golf balls to use, hoping that he’ll recommend them to his customers.

Well, he said he’s tried just about everything, and in his opinion, they all play about the same now. Picking up a box of 12 Titleist balls, he said, “This one is probably the best.” They cost $24.99 for the dozen. Then he laughed and picked up another box. “But this one is our best seller.”

The box was priced $44.99 for the dozen. I looked surprised. He shook his head and said, “It’s all hype. People think that if the balls cost double, they’re bound to play better.”

Now we have the new hybrid ironwoods. Are they really going to change your game that much? Or is it all a part of the marketing pitch?

I heard one marketer say that since the golf market was so saturated, he priced his clubs at three times the price of anyone else’s. And he sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth. The clubs weren’t any more expensive to make than other clubs. It was just a “market test”. And folks bought like crazy.

Since no two people play golf the same - and everyone has an individual physique and swing – a product that adds distance for one player may not help another player at all.

Think about something you do very well that requires a piece of equipment. You’re the expert in this area. Should everyone who attempts your job then buy the exact same equipment as you have? Will that mean they’ll be able to do the job better or as well as you?

Food for thought, isn’t it? I enjoy gardening, and have a lovely flower garden. But I only have one or two garden tools that are considered the best. The other things I use because that’s what I’ve always used.

So just because one golf pro buys one kind of ball or club doesn’t mean that it’s the best for you.
The sales pitches that swear you’re going to add 30 yards and never hit another slice entice us to shell out the big bucks. But if you’re careful and have a healthy dose of skepticism, you’ll save both time and money in the long run.

Remember, in the golf world, just because a product is more expensive, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily any better.

About The Author
Tim Henry
This article provide courtesy of http://www.golf-gift-guide.com
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Planning To Have A Good Golf Vacation?

2008-01-21T15:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Edwin Shackleford

From all over the world, from North America to Africa, almost everybody loves to play golf. In fact, golf has been known to most countries in the world today. But wouldn’t it be nice playing golf in other areas, not just in your usual courses which have become too ordinary for you? How about taking a golf vacation?

If you are keen in seeing how golf is being played in cultures other than yours or you want to see new sights and new course golf course surroundings, then you might want to consider taking an exotic and nice golf vacation!

Here are some tips to help you find the best exotic golf getaway you need.

1. Do not just rely on obtaining information only at the very last minute. You can try checking the various websites on the Internet that offer vacation packages of golf courses around the world. There are also a dozen of golf magazine reviews available in the market that offer tips on the ideal golf spots out there. It pays to do your research.

2. Determine which golf courses charge premium fees when you are playing on weekends and holidays. Find out also if they offer discounts if you play later or a certain number of hours in a day. Remember that you are still on a vacation trip; you have to save all the money you have. Play on the course if it is less expensive.

3. Do some planning ahead, especially if you are going out as a group. If you are coming to the course as a group of say, six people, you should inform the staff at the golf course before you go to the place. One player who just went to the course unregistered can still be accommodated to play even at busy periods for the course. But if you are a big group, courses require advance registration, especially during busy periods.

4. Before you actually give the number of your credit card for you to be able to reserve your reservation, ask first the policy of the club when it comes to cancellations or no-shows. Make sure that you properly inform them that you are cancelling the reservation if you have made other plans.

5. Book in advance tee times, preferably leaving home. Most golf courses at present allow you booking in advance through the course’s own website or a third-party company or agency.

About The Author
Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Visit His Site Today http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com.

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Improve Golf Swing The 'Non-Traditional' Way

2007-12-01T14:52:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Mike Pedersen

Improve golf swing seems like a thought that is on our minds as golfers dozens of times per day. Do you agree? But what are you currently doing to improve your golf swing?

Let me take a guess. Spending money on lessons, that may-or-may-not be working? How about the latest-greatest driver? Did it lower your score? Golf balls? They say the Titleist ProV1 makes a ton of difference. Has it for you?

I could go on-and-on but I won’t. I think you get the idea.

So I’ve mentioned some very common, ‘traditional ways’ to try to improve your golf swing. But I haven’t mentioned the MOST important one.

Do you want to take a guess?

Have you read any of my other 200 hundred or so articles floating around the web and in newspapers? If you haven’t then you may not know what I’m going to say.

But if you have…you know exactly what I’m going to say!

Look in the mirror…that’s your answer!

No this isn’t a joke. No I’m not trying to yank your chain. I’m trying to get you to realize what is holding you back. It’s not taking lessons. It’s not buying more equipment or $40 golf balls.
It’s getting right at the heart of the matter! Your ‘physical limitations’ are keeping you from making a mechanically sound and repeatable golf swing.

Think just for a minute!

If your body can’t make a 90 degree shoulder turn…it’s a fact you will lose a TON of yardage off the tee and with your irons.

If you can’t maintain your golf posture throughout your entire golf swing…you have no chance to swing consistently for 18 holes.

If your core is weak…you will not be able to generate any power going into impact, therefore you will see a weak shot that most likely goes ‘offline’ quickly.

Can you see the picture more clearly now?

So what do you do?

You go see a local golf fitness professional who will take you through a golf fitness evaluation to determine your weaknesses and limitations and draw up a plan to improve them.

If you don’t have someone in your area…or the cost is a bit too steep; do a search online for golf fitness, golf training or even golf exercises and see what you come up with.

FYI – make sure to pick the first few ‘non-colored’ results on the search pages. These are the ‘real’ results…not paid advertisements. You want to find a product or program that covers every facet of golf improvement…that you can afford.

This is the next best thing to having your own golf fitness trainer.

Once you embark on a golf training routine…you won’t have to be thinking improve golf swing anymore!

About The Author
Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness manual and dvds at http://www.performbettergolf.com.

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One Out Of Two Golfers Will Have A Golf Swing Related Injury. Can You Prevent Yours?

2007-11-10T11:36:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Sean Cochran

I have a friend who blew out his ACL in his left knee while playing old man basketball. Old man being relative. A bunch of guys playing rec ball in their 30’s. We all get out there and play hard, sometimes harder than we should. The mind says yes, the body says no way! Mike’s ACL zigged when it should have zagged. Shortly after the surgery, he was visiting with his doctor on a routine check up when he asked the doctor if he’d be able to dunk the basketball after he completes his rehab.

After a pause, the doctor said, “Sure, you should be able to after you get released from recovery and rehab.”

Mike said, “Great! I’ve never been able to dunk before, so I’ll look forward to rehab.”

Injuries are a part of every sport, and golf is no different. Injuries occur in golf and can result in many things.

What are the common parts of the body that become injured for golfers?

What are the common reasons why injuries occur?

And finally, what can you do to prevent injuries in the sport of golf?

Let’s discuss what happens when you have an injury in relation to your golf swing. An injury to your body like a pulled muscle, strained tendon, or something as minimal as a hangnail can affect your swing. “How?” you ask. Your body is a finely tuned machine. This fined tune piece of equipment is also a great mechanism of compensation. What do I mean?

If you have a little “pull” of a muscle, a compensation pattern occurs in the body. This small compensation by your body has an affect on your golf swing. It might be so minimal that you don’t even feel it, but your shots and scores show it. So what are you to do? Well, the obvious answer is to do everything to prevent an injury from occurring. We will discuss this point at the end of the article. At this time let us move on to answering the questions above.

Injuries: The Why’s, What’s, and How’s

First off, realize that the majority of research I have read indicates that over 50% of recreational golfers will incur a golf-related injury during their playing career. Think about it. In your foursome you played with over the weekend, at least two of you will come up lame. Keep that idea in mind as we move to other statistics.

The common injuries in golfers are low back, wrist, and shoulder. A list I imagine most of you could probably have predicted.

How do these injuries to your low back, wrist, or shoulder occur?

The answer is twofold. There are two different types of injuries when it comes to golf or any other sport. Injuries are classified as either acute or chronic.

An acute injury is an injury that is the direct result of an external force at a specific point in time.

Let me explain. If you were walking down the street and fell, breaking your ankle, that type of injury is an acute injury. The injury occurred as a result of an external force (falling on concrete) at a specific point in time (walking down the street). The majority of golf injuries do not fall into the acute injury category. An occasional wrist injury can be an acute injury if you hit, say, a tree root in the downswing. Or maybe you trip while walking on the course and sprain your ankle. These are acute-type golf injuries. They are few and far between when discussing golf injuries in general.

The second type of injury category is what we call chronic injuries. Chronic injuries occur over time and are the most common type of injury in golf. How do chronic injuries occur? Probably the easiest way to explain it is the following: after time the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the body become tired. Once they become tired, fatigue sets in, and when your brain tells the body to swing that club and it’s tired, what do you think is going to happen? Over time those muscles will get to a point of such fatigue that on one swing or in one round, the body gives up and something gets pulled, strained, or inflamed. At that point you now have a chronic golf injury. It’s pretty simple when you think of the whole process of a golf swing.

A golf swing is a repetitive movement that places stresses on the same muscles over and over again. As a result, those muscles get tired. And you now know what eventually happens to those muscles when they get tired; they break down and become injured!

So the next question is: how can you prevent chronic injuries in golf? A couple viable answers exist. Probably the easiest way to combat chronic golf injuries is not to play. What do you mean not play! Simple, if you do not play a lot of golf, then the stresses you place on your body will be less than playing 36 each weekend. So your body will not get as tired, and your chances of a chronic golf injury are less.

The other option (which I imagine is the route most of you reading this article would like to take) is to develop what I term “golf strength.” “Golf strength” is developing the body in a manner that creates a foundation to support your swing. And when we talk about foundation, we are talking about the areas of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power in a manner that assists you in maintaining the correct swing mechanics swing to swing.

The development of “golf strength” will limit (not eliminate) the possibility of injury and enhance your golf swing. Again, if your body can’t support the movement you are asking it to do, the brain will still make your body do it, but eventually the body will “put on the brakes” and come up injured.

So there you have it! How injuries occur in the sport of golf. What are the common injuries associated with the sport. And what are the specific types of injuries associated with golfers. In addition, you have been provided the key to limiting injuries in golf, and that key is what we call “golf strength.” To learn more about “golf strength” click on our web site at www.bioforcegolf.com.

About The Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com. Check out his manual and DVD, Your Body & Your Swing, (www.bioforcegolf.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=93) on BioForceGolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

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An Easy And Simple Golf Conditioning Program

2007-10-18T14:01:00.000-04:00

Here's some good advice in today's featured article:

by: Jack Moorehouse

Your body dictates your golfing ability. There’s no way around it. If you’re fit, chances are you’ll play better golf. If you’re not fit, chances are you’ll play poorly. While you should stay in shape all year round, the winter is great for starting a golf-specific fitness program. Regardless of age, gender, or playing level, participating consistently in a golf-specific exercise program pays dividends in your game and in your life.

A golf-specific conditioning program consists of resistance training, cardiovascular conditioning, and functional flexibility. Resistance training strengthens the “core” body— the abs, low back, and hamstrings. Cardiovascular conditioning generates energy to play longer at peak performance. Functional flexibility enhances swing mechanics and shot execution. Together, these three components build strength, suppleness, and stamina. The also build confidence in yourself and your game.

Functional Flexibility

Flexibly is a key to a consistent golf swing. Recreational golfers often lack the flexibility to perform swing mechanics correctly. Instead, they compensate for it by making adjustments in their swing. They risk hitting a bad shot and injuring themselves. Adding flexibility exercises to your winter workout improves your swing mechanics and your shot execution.

The Lunge with a Twist Exercise combines the power in your lower body with the core rotational movement needed for maximum golf swing speed and distance. Use a medicine ball or a single dumbbell for this exercise.

• Assume a standing position with your arms straight and hanging down in front of you, holding the dumbbell or the medicine ball.
• As you step forward with one leg, rotate your upper body to the same side holding the medicine ball or the dumbbell chest high the whole time.
• Return to the starting position and do the opposite leg.
• Repeat each side 10 times for 3 sets.

This exercise improves rotational range of motion and strength. It also strengthens the core area of your body. The Seated Twist is an offshoot of this exercise. Instead of standing and lunging forward, you simply twist from side to side while sitting on a chair and holding a dumbbell chest high. This exercise can be done in your office.

The Straight Leg Rotational Hamstring Stretch stretches the hamstrings, hips, lower back, and mid-section. It trains the hamstrings, glutes, hips, lower back, obliques, and upper back muscles.

1. Begin by placing feet shoulder-width apart, extend arms overhead, and clasp hands together. Turn so that you are facing to one side.
2. Slowly extend arms toward the top of your shoes, keeping your legs straight.
3. Extend downward to your level of tolerance, pause slightly, and return to the starting position.
4. Rotate torso, shoulders, head, and arms to the other side.
5. Slowly extend arms toward your shoes, keeping your legs straight.
6. Reach downward to your own level of tolerance, pause slightly, and return to the starting position.
7. Return to the other side and repeat the same sequence, then return to the center position.
8. Perform 15 to 25 repetitions.

Yoga is also a good exercise for enhancing flexibility. PGA pro Jamie Mulligan includes Bikram Yoga in his conditioning program. Bikram Yoga involves making precise movements for 90 minutes in a superheated room. It keeps the body loose and supple, and strengthens concentration and focus.

Resistance Training

Resistance training should be part of your winter conditioning program. When you improve strength, you improve control and balance. Also, strength training involves body awareness, muscular control, and coordination—all key elements for improved golf. When you do resistance training, you increase blood flow through a functional range of motion, and strengthen the tendons and ligaments in you body’s joints. In conjunction with a stretching program, strength training improves flexibility, not hinders it.

The strength-for-golf component of your program addresses your body’s “core” area—the abs, low back, and hamstrings. Contrary to popular belief, weight training does not cause you to lose “feel.”

A golf-specific conditioning program incorporates moderate weight, with medium (12-15) repetitions, and in a time frame of 30-45 minutes. This type of program is designed to improve your golf-specific strength and endurance, not build muscle. A typical strength training exercise includes:

• Leg Extensions
• Leg Press
• Leg Curl
• Low Back
• Abdominal
• Rotary Torso
• Double Chest
• Super Pullover
• Triceps
• Biceps
• Forearm
• Four-way Neck

The Tire Exercise is a different type of resistance exercise. Invented by golfing great Henry Cotton, this simple exercise strengthens the arm and wrist muscles and helps you judge swing speed.

Take your normal stance with the tire positioned as the ball. Employing a normal grip use a quarter swing to hit the back of the tire, moving the club head as fast as possible. The pitch of the swishing noise and the sound of the club’s impact are your speed indicators. The loudest crack at impact is heard when the clubhead is released properly. Do 3 sets of 15 to 20 swings. Then turnaround and do it from the left side.

Aerobic Conditioning

Improving your cardiovascular system boosts energy. It also increases stamina and focus. Waking, biking, stair stepping, running, and swimming are all good cardiovascular exercises. Since golfers walk a lot, many focus on it as their main cardiovascular workout. A cardiovascular program incorporating 20-30-minutes of walking at an intensity 10- to 15-percent higher than when you walk a course works well for most golfers.

Using the winter to get in shape pays dividends. It improves your golf game, enhances your quality of life, and builds self-confidence. Instead of being depressed this winter because the season is over, start a golf-specific conditioning program to get yourself ready for the spring.

About The Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80…And Shoot Like The Pros!”. http://www.howtobreak80.com He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands across the globe to lower their golf handicaps instantly.

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Golf Travel Cases - Avoid Vacation Mishaps By Protecting Your Clubs In Advance

2007-10-08T10:29:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: John Bolt

Avoid all the grief! Golf clubs are awkward and heavy to lug around – especially when you’ve already got other luggage to carry. Golf travel cases can make your life easier if you get the proper kind. They’re a must have for any golfer who wants to take their clubs with them. Let’s face it, rental clubs are truly out of the question because they’re just not the same as your own. Here are few simple but critical things to look for in a car or airline golf travel case.

The Construction

This aspect can vary considerably depending if you are looking for a hard or soft travel case. The harder exterior ones are better for airline travel because they can take a lot of abuse while you are on the plane. They tend to cost a little more money but are well worth it to protect your investment since you can’t see what they go through during on and off boarding.

The softer ones are perfect for car travel because they are a little more flexible. They are usually a lot better for storage once you are at your destination because they fold down into a nice compact form. You have to make sure that both these types of golf travel cases have a fully padded interior form top to bottom to avoid potential damage to your clubs. Also make sure that is easily accessible with double zippers or latches that open from top to bottom. Check for rugged double stitching on the softer ones. Try also to get ones that have an I.D. window at the top along with a small padlock.

Pockets and Storage

If you can find one with lots of additional storage you don’t have to put everything in your other luggage pieces. They should have recessed shoe pockets that can also be locked to help keep the clubs snug during travel. Out side clothing pockets are also available on most models. Just try to make sure that they are expandable for maximum storage. All zippers should have padlock tabs for secure closing. The case should have some sort of an inside security strap that helps prevent the bag from moving too much during transport.

Wheels and Carry Systems

Make sure that that your golf travel cases have some sort of wheels on the bottom. These should be made of a durable polymer or even inline skate wheels that are basically indestructible. This is very important because the last thing you want is to have a wheel break forcing you to carry your bag. Also make sure that the bottom of the bag is either a hard vinyl or plastic that won’t leak and can take some abuse. This should allow the bag to stand upright.
The carry system should have handles on the top and bottom along with the side of the bag to aid in getting it in and out of the car. These handles need to be a minimum of double stitched or bolted to the case itself to insure they don’t break. You should also have a durable shoulder strap or pulling handle that is adjustable for easy transportation.

One other thing to remember, make sure that when you are shopping, no matter what you buy it has to be water resistant. That along with all these other important tips should help make your experience more enjoyable. Whether you need a hard airline golf travel case or a number of soft golf travel cases for the family in the car all these tips will help you avoid any unnecessary mishaps on your next vacation.

About The Author

John Bolt
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Keep Your Golf Game In Shape All Year With A Golf Fitness Program

2007-09-22T15:41:00.000-04:00

Welcome back. It's getting to be that time of year when the dreaded layoff comes along - hope this will help:

by: Sean Cochran

Some PGA Tour players have been playing for a couple of weeks in Hawaii and California. Others like Vijay and Ernie have been playing on the European Tour. Regardless of how many tournaments the pros have played this year, they have been working on their games for more time than most of us realize. Make no mistake about it: in golf – or baseball, football, basketball or any other pro sport – there is no longer an off-season.

So while this may be the first official shot of the season for some, the training process to get ready to make that shot has been quietly going on for months.

The amateur can learn a great deal from the professional golfer. Many parts of the world it is not possible to play golf year around, but there are ways to keep your golf game in shape all year long. Professionals know how to do it and so can you.

Realistically, there is very little time to take a break and do absolutely nothing for professional golfers. While every pro is different, there is a generic blueprint most will follow. After the pro finishes his last golf tournament, they take a little break. A few weeks off to give the body and mind a little rest. Every pro athlete needs that time to just recharge and give the body – both physically as well as mentally – time to recover. The PGA Tour season is one of the longest in sports and even though they may not play every week, it’s very taxing on the body and the time off is essential to ensure positive results when we begin training for the next season.

I would recommend the same recipe for the amateur. Regardless if you are able to play year around or not, take a period of at least 2 weeks to put the golf clubs in the closet. The break away from the game will do wonders. You may even find after you return you are playing better golf and shooting lower scores.

Following the rest time – and like I said, it’s longer for some, shorter for others – its time for the tour player to begin ramping up for the next season by physically improving the parameters of the body for the upcoming year. Just like any other golfer – from the Sunday hacker to the scratch golfer to the club pro – the professional golfer will work on trying to increase flexibility, balance, strength, endurance and power.

The amateur during this time of the year (usually the winter when snow is on the ground) can implement a golf fitness program. A golf fitness program will entail developing the physical capacities of the body around the golf swing. The program will look to develop flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power in relation to the golf swing. This is the first step for the amateur to keeping their golf swing in shape all year long.

The amateur during this time of year can also implement swing drills into their training program. The professional may or may not incorporate swing drills into their program at this time year. But for the amateur I recommend it, why? This is the time of year in addition to developing the body for the golf swing. The amateur can work on swing faults that hindered their scores the previous season.

The swing drills can be simply performing “mirror drills” to work on posture and the phases of the golf swing.

You should start putting drills this time of the year. If you are lucky enough to live in a region you can play golf year around, a couple short sessions at the range every week is a good idea. I would recommend the range sessions be kept short and focused on fixing the “problem” areas in your golf swing. The important point is the off-season is a time the amateur can take advantage of working on both their bodies and their golf swing.

Professionally when the PGA Tour season approaches, we begin what is essentially the preseason. This is when the player starts to practice the fundamental mechanics of the sport. If it’s a golfer, he’s on the range working on his swing, if it’s a pitcher, he’s throwing getting ready for spring training. Physically, we’re still training the body, but we tone it down while the player fine tunes his game. But make no mistake about it, even though working on the golf game is 75 percent of the focus of this pre-season training program, we’re still working on the basics of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance and power training.

The pre-season for the amateur marks the time of year when the snow is beginning to melt and the “itch” to play golf comes around. I would suggest the amateur follow a similar program as the professional during this time of year. Start spending more time at the range. Working on all aspects of your golf game. Continue with your golf fitness program, but you may want to back off it a little as a result of the increased practice time. Again, keep in mind the body swings the golf club and we must keep the body in shape to do so.

The pre-season program of increased golf practice and a little less golf fitness continues with the professional golfer until their first tournament. This marks the point when we shift to an in-season golf fitness program. The golf fitness exercises don’t stop, but we back off on the intensity. The program doesn’t change much. We’re still focused on flexibility, balance, strength, endurance and power, but the amount or volume of work is much less to accommodate the physical and mental strain of competition.

Four days of tournament play can take a toll on the body. As a result, we must back off on the amount of golf fitness training. The amateur during the golf season is probably in a little different of a situation. They are probably not playing 4 competitive rounds of golf per week plus practice. At most, they may be playing 2-3 rounds per week with a couple practice sessions. As a result of the lower volumes of golf they can spend a little more amount of time with their golf fitness program.

Essentially, the amateur can pretty much stick to pre-season volume of golf fitness training unless they are playing quite a bit. Just make sure the right balance of golf fitness training is in place in relation to your golf practice and playing. This is necessary so that you do not physically over-tax the body. Bottom line if you are looking to keep your golf game in shape and improving year around, I recommend following what the pros do; take a break at the end of the season, implement a golf fitness program, work on your swing faults during the winter, increase your practice time at the range before the season, and during the season keep a good balance of playing, practicing, and working out.

Sean Cochran

About The Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

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Tips For Good Golfing: It's All In The Swing

2007-09-14T09:48:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Edwin Shackleford

Believe it or not, when one performs a golf back swing, it is not just your arms. It is also more about the golfer’s back as it turns away from the target. The club is more so as being put behind the golfer’s back than it is swung up towards the air.

The move backswing

If you look at it closely, the golf back swing actually works from up to down. The takeaway back swing begins from the top as you make the movement on your arms and follows as you do that turn on your shoulders. The movement then goes straight down towards the legs and the hips.
The golf back swing is primarily about how the body is being coiled upwards thus creating the needed tension in the muscles as well as torque to be able to let out that all powerful downswing. Particularly, that swing is created anywhere in between the golfer’s turning his or her upper body as well as shoulders and the turning – to a lesser degree – the lower body and the hips.

Relax

It is highly advisable that one should not do the swing in a hurried manner. If a back swing is in any way done in a hurry, the downswing does not become fast, actually it could do the opposite.
The backswing speed should be in a tempo that is steady and should neither be fast nor slow. Although some golfers have that tendency to go way faster than the regular. Anytime you catch or are aware of yourself doing this, try to slow it down a bit.

The move downswing

When you reach the downswing, all you really need to do is to just let it go. Let the downswing happen. However, this only applies if ever you were able to start with a golf stance, backswing and grip that is correct.

The downswing must be the organic result of all that went before it. If you were able to do your backswing in the correct manner, your body will unwind in itself thus releasing the club and striking the ball that will therefore result in a follow through that is balanced.

The follow-through move

A follow-through should be best seen as the feather in your cap move. The legs must be adequately straight and the hips have to form a straight line together with the legs.
This move will serve as the gauge of the whole swing you have just done. You know that you were able to pull a swing that is smooth and balanced if in the end you have a position that looks like the letter C only in reverse.

About The Author

Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com.

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Golf Course Management

2007-09-07T15:26:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: George Gabriel

Playing a good round of golf comes with a lot of good golf course management. Sure it is great to know how to have a great golf swing, but if you haven’t got course management, then you haven’t got a game plan.

Have you ever noticed a professional golfer standing beside their caddie in a discussion about the next golf shot at hand? You can rest assured that they were not talking about Larry King live, unless he was in the pro-am the day before and he was leading the tournament. They are discussing the previous results and golf placement on where they hit their golf shot the prior hole before in the practice round or regulation round. Course management is what they are talking about. Every golf shot is tagged to the nearest yard. If you want to play a good golf shot, you have to know your distance and what type of situation you’re up against. This is where good golfers with a good course management excel over their competition.
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Taking all the great golfers and great golf swings into consideration, without the proper knowledge about distance, wind, uphill, downhill and all the great earthly weather that is always a surprise at times can be quite demanding to the best golfer at times. If you think that all you need is a great golf swing and a great set of golf clubs, you should rethink your game again. A lot of great golfers fall prey to a golfer with better course management. These same golfers with good course management do not need to out distance their competitor. They just need to place their ball where the next golf shot is a walk in the park.

If you haven’t got a clue about course management, your handicap is going to soar into the high double-digit figures. When you are talking about the shot at hand, you must take in consideration the prior distance and weather condition on your previous shot with the club selection at hand. Was the golf shot uphill with a wind behind you or against you? When choosing a golf club, one must ask a series of questions before making a formal decision. Do I want to play my next shot over a sand trap? Do I want to play my next golf shot with a pitching wedge or a 7 iron? In other words, do I want to fly the golf shot into the green, or place it where I can bump and run the next golf shot into the green?

Course management requires the golfer in paying attention to golf holes that are next to the hole that they are playing. They are constantly looking for good golf position for the next hole before they even tee up the golf ball. They are also checking out greens as far as slope and surrounding sand traps. Knowing where pin placement is, way before you’re sitting out in the middle of the fairway will definitely help on club selection. You may decide to play less club, because of the simple fact of a two-tier green and the pin is sitting on the bottom level. You would never have that knowledge at hand if you did not eye the situation on the prior hole unless you played it once before. It is called course management.
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Take a good look at the golf terrain and conditions that you are playing in and pay attention to golf holes that you walk by. Knowing the golf terrain well in advance will make it a lot easier on golf club selection and help drive confidence going forward.

About The Author

George Gabriel learned to play golf as a caddie in the mid sixties and continue to enjoy the game today. Now running a discount tee time site at http://www.golfanchor.net and a sister site at http://www.golfanchor.com.

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Editor's note: Next time, Edwin Shackleford gives us some great tips for good golfing. Until then, stay well and keep swingin'.

Jim Nettleton

My Golfing Life As A Hooker!

2007-08-31T15:26:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: David Barnard

Here's my warning to all wannabe golfer's, if you start on this sorry path, and do nothing to stop it, you will lead a life of pain and anguish.

All my golfing life I've been a hooker! How or why it started I don't know. I never wanted it to happen, it just did.

When I first started hooking, it was not every shot. It just sort of creeps up on you, over days, weeks, even months, and gets gradually worse, until nearly every shot is hanging left. And I don't mean just a little bit left, these 90 degree plus benders would make a circle look tame.
Finally, it got so bad, I was spending so much time in the trees, searching for lost balls, that my friends stopped coming round, and asking me out to play.

Then came that dreaded day. I can remember this so clearly, its almost as if it happened yesterday. I ran out of golf balls during a round. It was SOooo embarrassing. Thats what made me finally seek professional help.

After walking off the course that afternoon, I went straight to the clubhouse and spoke to The Pro. When I spoke to The Pro, he admitted that he had already heard about my little problem. It seems that a few of my so-called friends had already spoken to him, to find out if it was contagious. What he told me, certainly made me feel better.

There is a cure. And its really quite easy. Just keep reading:

THE PROBLEM:

Hitting the ball with a closed clubface, causing shots to curve (sometimes dramatically) to the left.
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THE CURE:

The first thing you should do is check your grip. When you grip the club the Vs in each hand should point over your right shoulder. If they point farther to the right, then your grip is too “strong” and could produce a closed face and a hook at impact – when the hands return to their normal position.

If your grip is good and you are still hooking, try weakening your grip by gradually moving both hands to the left. Check your stance to make sure that your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are all parallel to your target line.

Another cause could be the ball position. If it is too far back, it could produce an excessive in-to-out swingpath. Try gripping the club more in the palm of your hands, rather than the fingers, to reduce wrist action and premature closing of the clubface.

Make sure that your left wrist is not too relaxed at impact. If it is, your right wrist will take control and close the clubface too early. On your downswing, make sure that the action begins with your legs and body. This will stop your wrists unhinging and closing the clubface too soon.
There, you see. I told you it was curable. Although, maybe not TOTALLY curable. To this day, many years later, occasionally it happens.

But the major difference is that, now as I'm walking towards the trees to look for that wayward shot, I'M SMILING - because I know how to fix the problem.
The Happy (occasional) Hooker

About The Author

David Barnard has been playing golf for more years than he would care to remember. But he can also be found hanging around, and passing on tips at http://golf--swing.blogspot.com.

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Editor's note: Next time, George Gabriel talks about course management. Until then, stay well and keep swingin' - and enjoy your Labor Day Holiday.

Jim Nettleton

The Anatomy Of Slicing The Golf Ball

2007-08-26T12:21:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Jeff O'Brien
In order to slice a golf ball (impart a left to right ball flight for a right handed golfer) you have to strike the golf ball in a manner that will cause a clockwise rotation of the ball. The more dramatic the rotation the more dramatic or worse the golf slice.

For the context of this article, I will speak from a right handed golfer’s swing and perspective.
When defining the golf slice there are a couple of basics characteristics to the ball flight. First, there is the slice that initially may start down the target line then move off line in a left to right movement. This type of slice tells us that the swing path was traveling down the intended target line, but at impact the club face was left open and did not get back to a square position at impact. Usually this type of golf slice doesn’t produce as sever of left to right movement of the golf ball since the swing path itself was not cutting across the ball in an outside to inside manner. This type of slicing of the golf ball is more easily cured. And can usually be done so with a bit of work on the golfer’s setup, alignment, and or grip.

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The second type of golf slice is the one that plagues the vast majority of beginning and high handicap golfer’s. This is the type of slice that produces the ‘banana ball’ type of flight and is very uncontrollable and frustrating.

The attributes of this type of slice for the golfer are the ball will initially start left of the target line indicating that the swing path is incorrect right from the get go. When the ball immediately begins left of the target line that tells you that your swing path has come from the outside to the inside.

Now, having done that with your swing, doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you are going to slice the golf ball but you sure have made much easier for a slice to occur. Now combine the outside to inside swing path with an open clubface at impact and you now have a golf shot that starts left and has the double whammy of a slicing swing path across the golf ball, and an open club face. With these two laws of physics going for you; you have just produced one beautiful slice. One that only a proud parent could love! You know the one I’m talking about. The ball that travels 300 yards total distance, but only about 220 yards further down the course (if you can find it all).

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A golfer who is plagued with this type of golf slice is going to require quite a bit more work in order to correct this because their basic swing is flawed and must be corrected. But, it’s important to understand what it is in your golf swing and your golf swing mechanics that makes the ball do what it does. Once you understand the 9 rules of ball flight you’ll be more able to understand what it is in your swing that is producing the flight of the ball you are seeing, and as such you can more quickly address and adjust to ensure success.

About The Author

Jeff O'Brien is a youth and beginning golfer instructor with a real insight on getting your golf swing and game off to a start by establishing a good foundation onto which you build your golf swing and game. Please visit (www.golf-ology.com) for more of Jeff's golf tips and online golf lessons. publish@golf-ology.com

Editor's note: Next time around, Jeff Barnard talks about the opposite problem - hooking the ball. Until then, stay well and keep swingin'.

Jim Nettleton

It May Not Be Your Golf Swing That's Rubbish

2007-08-21T17:38:00.000-04:00

Welcom back - here's today's featured article:

by: David Barnard

You could be making a big mistake blaming your mishits and mishaps on your golf swing.

No matter how much time and effort you have been spending, grooving your golf swing to perfection, you still will not achieve your goal if you are using unsuitable or defective golf clubs, will you?

Now is the time for you to consider the following Golf Tip - this covers an examination of your golf clubs quality.

If you plan on buying used golf clubs as beginner's tools, scrutinizing before purchasing is a must. The clubheads, the shafts, and the grips are golf club parts that should pass inspection first, before landing a decent spot in your golf equipment locker.

Another excellent golf tip that will help you when buying a used set of golf clubs, try and ensure you have set consistency. If all the clubs have the same grip, shaft and heads then this will add consistency to your golf swing. It will also help a lot if you check the price of new clubs versus used clubs.

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A golf tip for a golfer that plans to regrip his clubs - Be cautious. This is because the grips are the only point of contact you have on the club during your swing. If the grips are too thin or too fat, this will make a big difference to your swing. Before carrying out the regripping, you need to know the core grip of the club and your hands grip size. To determine your core size grip, measure the diameter of the butt of the shaft you're going to re-grip. The shaft's diameter should match the grip's core diameter. In determining your hands grip, the available size grips are regular, mid-size, oversize and jumbo. Use only the best re-gripping materials that will provide optimum performance for your golf clubs.

Another golf tip is that using ill-fitted clubs will be an obstacle to your golf playing success. A golfer must consider his or her body type in choosing the best-fitting equipment to support and carry out the golf swing effectively. Too heavy or too light clubs will result in changes to your swing angles when carrying out your golf swing. With the resulting poor results. This will be avoided if you select the best fitting equipment available.

Custom golf club fitting makes a better option than just buying a new set of golf clubs. Getting custom fitting golf clubs is a golf tip that translates to a very worthy investment. The uniqueness of each person is attributed to the need of this way of buying new golf clubs. A custom fitting produces golf clubs that specifically suit the height, strength, swing characteristics and clubhead speed of the golfer.

The type of club shaft also helps in predicting whether you'll do well in a game or you won't. There's a choice between a steel club shaft and a graphite-made club shaft. This golf tip aims to make you realize which type of golf club shaft will benefit your game.

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Observations show that the steel club shafts are more preferred by professional golfers while graphite shafts have become more popular with women, senior players and beginners. Steel shafts are less expensive than graphite shafts though.

One more golf tip that could help you is that the golf clubs in your bag must suit your skill level. Since various skill levels need various golf clubs, it won't be wise to just use or bring a golf club that is just lying around. And, don't ever forget about the maximum golf club load your bag is allowed to hold during a round. You can only carry a maximum of 14 golf clubs in your bag. No more.

Aside from your skill level contemplation, your mastery of a certain golf club and being comfortable with using it must also be put into consideration in deciding which golf club to hit.
The correct combination of the right swing and a good choice of equipment will better arm you to become the best golfer you could ever be.

About The Author

David Barnard has been playing golf for more years than he would care to remember. But he can also be found hanging around, and passing on tips at http://golf--tip.blogspot.com.

Editor's note: next time, Jeff O'Brien talks about the slice - and what you can do to get rid of it. Until then, stay well and keep swingin'.

Jim Nettleton

So Your Teenager Wants To Be A Champion Golfer

2007-08-16T16:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Lawrie Montague

Do you harbour secret desires that your teenager will one day play the PGA or LPGA tour? Millions of dollars in prize money attracts so many talented golfers willing to sacrifice everything to have a crack at making money playing golf.

So how can you help your teenager become a more successful golfer? Give every opportunity to develop their skills, experience and knowledge in golf. Becoming successful at golf is not easy, so you need a solid team to give you help and guidance to make it happen. At the Australian High Performance Golf Academy we design programs to the specific needs of our students.

Your Golf Support Team

To progress to professional golf, your teenager must understand what is required to nurture their talent continually. Golf is as much a mental game. Ideally they need one hour golf lessons every week (forty to forty five lessons per year) from the age of twelve and they should be focused on a number of critical factors;

1. Good good grip produce good golf swings.

2. Start right and practice right; a golf swing that is in plane and a strong rotation of the body and arms to generate sufficient club-head speed.

3. Junior golfers grow continually; they can suffer from postural problems like slouching shoulders and bending from the waist not from the hips. Shoulder stretching every day particularly in the back of the legs, (hamstrings) and upper body (shoulders/chest) is vital.

4. Begin working with your teenager’s attitude towards adversity. Develop effective coping strategies to deal with setbacks and accelerate their progress through the tough spots.

5. Get them into competition right from the beginning and teach them to enjoy the idea of competing against others and also the added bonus of developing lifelong friendships.

6. Encourage your teenager to study the rules and etiquette of golf and become familiar with the most important and most common rules infractions so they feel confident about any situation that may arise on the golf course.

7. Your teenager should spend sixty to seventy percent of their time working on their short game and the rest of the time on their long game.

Find a good golf instructor early in your child’s development and build a committed relationship with them. Ask around and find a coach who is getting success with junior golfers and interview them about their approach to teaching junior golfers. I’ve seen many parents chop and change golf teachers to the detriment of their son or daughters golf progress. It is critical to start laying down a good golf technique as early as possible and going to different teachers looking for the ultimate golf lesson doesn’t work and will lead to confusion and dissatisfaction.

About The Author

Lawrence Montague one of Australia's leading golf instructors and Director of the Australian High Performance Golf Academy which runs courses throughout the year. For more information about their unique training techniques and training aids visit their website at http://www.golf-school-australia.com/.
This article is freely available for publication ONLY if the content is retained IN FULL, UNEDITED including the resource box and all links. Furthermore we would appreciate you sending us an email with a link to the page where the article has been published.©2006 Australian High Performance Golf Academy http://www.golf-school-australia.com/.
articles@golf-school-australia.com

Golf Flexibility Exercises Can Improve Your Shoulder Turn

2007-08-11T11:47:00.000-04:00

by: Sean Cochran

I had a very interesting conversation during my workout this morning at the gym. I was performing a series of golf flexibility drills (Tops, Windmills, & Spiders to be exact) and a friend and very good golfer approached me.

My friend, local club champion and a scratch golfer, was asking me about the series of flexibility exercises I was working on. He said; “Sean, I have watched your workouts and they seem to be very athletically oriented. I know you work on the PGA Tour and with Phil. Those exercises you were just doing, what are they exactly for, and how can they help my golf swing?”

I get quite a few of these questions like this and my reply to him was as follows:
“First off the golf swing is an athletic movement (if you disagree with me on that point, go play 4 rounds of golf in four 4 days and get back to me). It requires a high level of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute the swing correctly.
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Knowing this you need to develop these physical characteristics (Flexibility, Balance, Strength, Endurance, and Power) within your body.

This will create the foundation upon which you can build an efficient and powerful golf swing. Lets take a quick a look at these concepts before moving onto some specifics.
Flexibility, in relation to the golf swing, is the ability to draw the club through the proper range of motion. A full golf swing requires you to draw the club through a long range of motion. In order to perform this action correctly the muscles within your body must be flexible.
If your muscles are inflexible the ability to draw the club through the correct range of motion will be compromised, resulting in compensations in your golf swing.

Secondly, the golf swing requires a high level of balance. Balance is often thought of as a responsibility of golf swing mechanics only. The reality of the situation is balance is a component of both efficient golf swing mechanics and the body.

The interaction of the muscular and nervous systems is responsible for your balancing capacities. These two systems regulate center of gravity, proprioception, and limb movement. If you have poor balancing capacities a directly negative effect will be seen in your golf swing.
Introducing balance exercises can improve the ability of your body to regulate its’ center of gravity, know where it is in “space” (proprioception), and regulate limb movement. This will have a direct benefit upon your golf swing.

Thirdly, the golf swing requires you to maintain a fixed spine angle, and rotate around this spine angle during the swing. In order to perform the swing correctly and maintain a fixed spine angle it is necessary to have high levels of muscular strength.

Muscular strength in relation to the golf swing is the ability of your muscles to maintain a fixed spine angle during each swing. If you are lacking muscular strength, the ability to maintain a fixed spine angle will be compromised.
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Fourth in our order of merit is endurance. The golf swing is a repetitive athletic movement, meaning you are performing the same athletic action (i.e. the golf swing) over and over again. Repetitive athletic movements over time cause fatigue within the muscular system. Once the muscular system is fatigued (i.e. tired) the ability to perform the intricate biomechanical movements of the golf swing will be compromised.

In order to combat such a situation it is necessary for the golfer to develop high levels of muscular endurance. Muscular endurance can be defined as the ability to perform a repetitive movement over and over again without becoming fatigued.

Finally, the golf swing encompasses power. Power is the ability to generate clubhead speed. Clubhead speed equates to greater distance on all your shots. Developing clubhead speed is a combination of both your swing mechanics and body.

In relation to the body it is the ability to generate the greatest amount of force within the golf swing. To increase the force outputs within the body it is necessary to develop high levels of muscular power. Developing muscular power relative to the golf swing increases the possibility of greater clubhead speed.

Quite often the amateur golfer does not have the flexibility, strength, balance, or power in the body to swing the golf club correctly. The result is that sloppy, ineffective swing with a lot of body compensations.

Any serious amateur must spend some time on developing the body for the swing. It does not need to be a substantial amount of time, but a little each day. This will over time develop the body for the golf swing.”

My friend shook his head in definitive agreement and said he has lost some distance over the years and directly relates it to losing some of his flexibility.

I said “exactly! That is what happens, the body becomes deficient in one area or another and the golf swing is affected. In addition, to developing the body for the golf swing a certain order must be followed.”

He asked; “What do you mean exactly?”

I replied; “The physical parameters of the body must be developed in a specific order to get the greatest benefit. For example, if you try to develop more power but are not flexible enough to execute a full shoulder turn. The power in your body you develop will be worthless.
Start with flexibility graduate to balance and then look at getting stronger and more powerful.
The exercises I was just performing are golf specific flexibility exercises to help the shoulder turn.

Remember, follow the logic; flexibility first, balance second, and then develop strength and power.”

About The Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

Understanding Match Play In Golf

2007-08-01T20:48:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: John Retzer

For the casual golfer or fan, Match Play can be confusing. With terms like All Square, Halve, and Dormie, 1-UP, 5 and 4, Match Play is a whole new ball game.

Most golf tournaments are "Stroke Play." In these events, all of the golfers play a certain number of holes, and the player who has the lowest combined total score is the winner.
In Match Play, golfers are pitted directly against each other. A player is not concerned with the entire field -- only with beating the opposing golfer (or side, in team play).

Scoring in Match Play is quite different from stroke play. Each hole in Match Play is scored as a separate event. The player (or team) who finishes a hole in the fewest strokes is the winner of that hole. At the end of the match (however many holes they are playing), the player who has won the most holes is the winner.

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The scoring system leads to some unusual terminology. The results of match events are not reported by strokes, or by the total number of holes won, but by how many MORE (or fewer) holes a player has won, along with the numbr of holes left in the match. So, if after 10 holes, Tiger Woods has won six holes and Phil Mickelson has won four, the announcers would report that Woods is 2-Up through 10. At the same time, Mickelson is 2-down. If both players have won the same number of holes, the match is "All Square Through 10."

Because each hole is played as a separate event, it is possible for one player to get so far ahead in a match that the other has no chance to win. For example, if Woods and Mickelson finish the 16th hole, and Woods is 3-Up, there is no need to continue. The best Mickelson could do is to win the 17th and 18th, and he still would lose by one hole. So the match ends right there.
The score would be reported as Woods wins, 3 and 2. That means that Woods won because he was up by three holes, with only two holes to play.

If a player wins 1-up, that means that the match has gone to 18 holes. The last hole was played either because the match was all square after 17, or because a player was only 1 up, and the other player could have made the match All Square on the final hole.

If the match is All Square in individual stroke play, the two players generally play until the tie is broken. In many team events -- such as the Ryder Cup -- a tie would result in both sides getting a half a point. This is known as a "Halve".

Confusingly, the term Halve also is used when players tie on an individual hole. Tied holes, however, are not counted in scoring an individual match. You will never see a score like Woods 3 1/2 Mickelson 1 1/2.

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This also explains why there will often be a result where the holes just don't add up. Woods could win four holes, Mickelson win three and they could tie the other 11. If you just added up the number of holes won, it would look like they didn't play a full match.

The term "Dormie" is used to describe a situation where one player is up by the exact number of holes left in the match. The best the opponent can do is to tie. So, if Woods and Mickelson were on the 16th tee, and Woods was 3-Up, the match is Dormie. The best Mickelson can do is to win the final three holes (16, 17 and 18)and make things All Square.

One seemingly strange score is when a player wins 5 and 3. On the surface, it looks as though the match should have ended with four holes to play, because one player was up by five. But what actually happened was that the match was Dormie with four to go. That is, Woods was 4-Up on the 15th tee (four holes to go). At this point, Mickelson can Halve the match by winning the final four holes. But Tiger wins the 15th, and the match is over. Woods wins by five, with three to go, or 5 and 3.

Another interesting aspect of Match Play is that the players do not have finish every hole. Consider the following situation: Mickelson hits a hole-in-one on a par three. Woods hits the green within inches of the cup, but the ball does not go in. At this point, there is no need for Woods to finish the hole, and he will concede to Mickelson. Even if Woods finishes with a birdie, he still has lost the hole. And there is no need to see if Woods can make the putt because unlike Stroke Play, the score does not carry over to the next hole.

Similarly, players often will "concede" a stroke. This usually happens on a short putt. Mickelson knows that Woods is going to make the tap-in, so he grants the "gimmie." The real question for that hole is whether Mickelson can make 12 footer to win the hole, or if he two putts for a halve.
Players need to be sure that a ball is conceded before picking it up, though. In the last President's Cup competition, Davis Love picked up a ball, thinking that Mike Weir had conceded. Weir had not, so normally a one stoke penalty would be assessed. However, because Love honestly thought he had heard Weir concede (Weir did say something that could have been reasonably misheard), there was no penalty.

There are also a couple of other major rules differences in Match Play. For example, in Stoke Play, if you play out of order, it's just a breach of etiquette. But in Match Play, your opponent can force you to replay the shot.

The other major changes generally have to do with the penalty for breach of rules. In Stroke play, most of the penalties involve the addition of strokes. In Match Play, the rules violations generally involve the automatic loss of the hole.

Match play is very exciting golf. But one of the reasons that you don't see it a lot on television is that it is unpredictable. Individual matches can end quite suddenly, because you don't have to play all the holes to determine a winner. For that matter, you don't even have to finish every hole. A network could schedule three hours for a match, only to have one player win the first ten holes. The match would be over, and the network still would have an hour of programming to fill.

Match play events also are usually played in brackets, like the NCAA basketball tournament. The winner continues on, and the loser goes home. This means that it is entirely possible for the matches on the weekend -- when television viewership is highest -- to be devoid of the stars. In match play, one bad round means that you are done. In Stroke play, you can have a bad round and still come back the next day, have a good round and make the cut.

Match play events are most famously played in international competitions, like the Ryder Cup, the President's Cup, the Walker Cup and the Solheim Cup. It also is the featured format in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.

For more on the best of golf, visit GolfBlogger at http://www.golfblogger.com/.

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About The Author

John Retzer has worked as a professional journalist, photographer, editor, public relations professional and golf coach. He currently teaches economics, political science and history. In his "spare time" he runs several websites and blogs, including Golf Blogger at http://www.golfblogger.com/.

Editor’s Note: On our next post, noted golf fitness instructor Sean Cochran gives us tips on taking care of our bodies and preparing ourselves for the best golf we can play.
Until then, stay well and keep swingin’.

Jim Nettleton

Bargain Golf Equipment - How To Find The Best Deals On All Your Favorite Golf Equipment

2007-08-01T20:40:00.000-04:00

Here's today's featured article:

by: John Bolt

Everyone in this world loves a good bargain, and for golf equipment the song remains the same. The one thing to remember is that bargain doesn’t always have to mean cheap, used, or damaged. You can find some really good buys if you just spend a little time and research to find what you’re after. Let’s look closer at the different avenues to finding some great bargain golf equipment.

Previously Owned Gear

This is a perfect place to start for any golfer just beginning the game or for someone who doesn’t want to spend a small fortune on brand new equipment. There are a number of great places that you can find top notch used equipment. If you think of it like buying a car, the minute that brand new car is driven off the lot its value starts to decrease. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work as good as it did the day before when it was still on the car lot.

The same theory applies to golf equipment. You can usually get last years equipment that has hardly used for almost half the price. The technology is still just as good as it was last year but you won’t have to pay the price for this year’s model. There are number of great websites that deal strictly in this type of business. One of them being the ever popular EBAY, another is Callaway Golf Pre-owned and finally GolfClubExchange.com are the three biggest and most popular. You’ll be able to find all degrees of used equipment that is priced accordingly.

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End of Season

Another place a golfer looking for bargain golf equipment might look is any major golf store. It can be online or a department store. The key to this type of strategy is timing. If you go searching for new equipment near the end of the season a lot of company’s will have year end sales where they’re looking to give the consumer one last chance at this years equipment at better prices.

But the best time to buy is just after Christmas right before the beginning of the new season. The golf stores will offer huge savings on all the equipment they’re trying to clear out to make room for the new stuff coming in for the up coming season. This is where I feel you’ll find the best bargains on all types of brand new golf equipment that has never had an owner. This especially holds true for such items as golf shoes and clothing. If you want to save a little money then look for last years models and you’ll get some great deals.

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Where to Shop

If you’re wondering where to go to get these great bargains there’s only one place. The internet is the best place to find what ever you’re looking for. There’s one main reason for shopping online, and that’s competition. There are so many online retailers competing for your business you can find some ridiculously low prices. You just have to take your time and look. The best thing about this is you don’t have leave the comfort of your own home to find your new gear for this year. The bottom line about bargain golf equipment is to take your time and look in all the right places. You’ll find an awesome deal!

About The Author

John Bolt - You don’t have to spend a fortune on new equipment? Take the worry out of buying golf gear with John Bolt’s ULTIMATE FREE equipment guide from http://www.golfequipmentsource.com./ Enjoy your game…and have tons more fun! => http://www.golfequipmentsource.com/golfclubs.html

Editor's Note: For those of you who are confused by the match play format in golf, help is on the way. In our next post, golf coach John Retzer takes you step by step through the fundamentals and the details of match play. Until then, stay well and keep swingin'.

Jim Nettleton
Saturday July 28, 2007 - 08:13am (PST) Edit Delete Comments

Tension In Your Swing?

2007-08-01T20:26:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here is today's featured article:

by: Paul Wilson

It's often said that you shouldn't have any tension in your swing. This isn't true. You need tension, the thing you don’t need is strength. There's a big difference between the two, and if you can't distinguish between them, it may be stopping you from reaching your potential.
To get the feeling of both tension and strength, simply stand up and hang your arms at your side. To feel tension, extend your arms downward to the ground as far as they go. As you do this, you will feel tension in your arms because they are stretched to their longest point. Now to feel strength, make two fists and squeeze as hard as you can. These are two totally different feelings that have two totally different affects on your swing.

This feeling of strength is what most inexperienced players feel when they hit the ball and they mistake it for tension. They get this feeling because they're trying to hit the ball so hard that their arm muscles lock up. This feeling of strength is deceiving though because it also gives the person the feeling of power. If this feeling of strength is removed, the inexperienced player then thinks that they are not going hit the ball as far so, they immediately they tighten up again.

This feeling of strength in your arms will do two things to destroy your swing:

1. It will narrow your swing arc because the feeling of strength makes your arm muscles contract or buckle through and past impact. The narrower your swing arc, the slower the club will swing.

2. It will inhibit the hinging and re-hinging of your wrists also resulting in a slower clubhead speed. The harder you hit, the tighter your wrists will which will also slow the club down.
So how is the clubhead speed increased if you feel tension?

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1. To achieve the tension I am talking about, you must allow the arms to be stretched out to their fullest through and past impact. To stretch them out means your muscles cannot be turned on. You have to keep them loose. To understand the increase in arc width, imagine that your golf swing is like picking up a weight and swinging it in a circle on a piece of string. The weight represents your club, the string is your arms, and your body is your hand that is twirling it.

As the weight swings, the piece of string will get tense. This is because the weight is stretching it to its longest point. This maximizes its arc. It's this wide arc that allows the weight to swing its fastest. Remember, feeling strength in your arms pulls the clubhead closer to you because it contracts your arm muscles. If your arm muscles contract, it would be like the piece of string getting shorter as you spin the weight not longer. The shorter the piece of string, the slower it will swing.

2. Loosening up the arms, and keeping the muscles turn off, will also loosen up your wrists. To understand how the wrist hinge will help to create clubhead speed, imagine opening a door with rusty hinges and one with well oiled hinges. Obviously, the well oiled hinges will allow the door swing open and closed faster. If your wrists were "well oiled" it would result in more clubhead speed as well. To get the feeling of wrists that are too tight (rusty hinges), try clenching your fists again. This time pay attention to your wrists and how locked up they become when you feel strength in your arms. So allowing the arms to stretch out through and past impact not only maximizes the arc width, but it also loosens your wrists.

Now that you know how detrimental strength is to your swing as opposed to tension, take a look at a few areas where you are likely to feel it:

1. The first area is your grip. Your grip pressure at set up should be 2 out of 10 where 10 is the tightest.

2. In your set up you should feel like your arms are just hanging and there is no strength in them. If you don't start with them stretched out how are they going to stretch out through and past impact?

3. The takeaway is the next area to check. If you take the club away fast, you are turning on your arm muscles. You should take the club away slow and smooth to avoid this arm strength. To feel this, just flip the club upside down so you are gripping the club where the clubhead is (flipping the club this way makes it really light). Now as you take a few practice swings, you can immediately tell if your arms are tightening. Make sure you take the club back slow enough that you don't feel your arms turn on then apply this same feeling to your actual takeaway (once you flip the club around to the correct position).

4. The next area is just as you are going to start your downswing. Remember, human nature is telling you to hit the ball hard. If you follow you instincts, you are guaranteed to feel strength in your arms. So from now on, don't think about hitting anything. A great way to achieve this is to imagine you have a magic marker taped to your clubhead and there's a huge piece of paper you are swinging against. Your objective is to draw the widest circle you can on the piece of paper as you swing down and through past impact. If you can think of this image you will definitely increase the width of your arc and feel the tension in your arms from the club pulling them out.

5. The final area is just before contact. People feel they have to give the shot just that little extra help to get it in the air. In doing so, they also turn on their arms. Remember to keep the image of the weight swinging on a piece of string in your mind as you swing your club. The weight swings freely around an axis pulling the string to its longest point. Your club should be allowed to swing freely around your body so it too, is allowed to swing to its widest point. You don't have to help the ball get in the air.

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The next time you go to the practice range, try to get this new feeling of tension that I have described. If you're doing it properly, you can tell because you will probably hit the ground behind the ball a few times. Don't avoid these fat shots. If you try to avoid them, you will do so by tightening your arms again. Just keep hitting shots (even if the club hits the ground behind the ball). Within 20 balls, you'll get used to your new, wider swing arc and start to hit some of the most solid shots of your life!

Until next time,

Paul Wilson

About The Author

Paul Wilson teaches how to copy the perfect golf swing of the Iron Byron swing machine. For more information, please visit: http://www.paulwilsongolf.com/ or http://www.swingmachinegolf.com/.

Editor's Note: In our next post, John Bolt takes us bargain hunting to save us money buying discounted golf equipment. Until then, stay well and keep swingin'.

Jim Nettleton

A Feel For Your Golf Game

2007-08-01T17:32:00.000-04:00

Here's today's featured article:
by: Craig Sigl

Let's get down and dirty about the word "feel" and how I apply it to golf the "Without Practice" way so you can shave some strokes effortlessly this weekend. You know deep down if not at the top of your head, that when you feel good, you will perform or act your best in anything right? Most of us struggle with our feelings because we just let them occur based on whatever is happening in our lives at the time.

For instance, if you just get news that you got a raise at work, you are going to have a great feeling for some time after correct? This is a great time to get out on the course as your bio-computer (brain) is now in the optimum conditon for performance. Nobody denies this and yet we go out on the course and choose to say and do things that destroy our optimum performance potential.

I am becoming more and more convinced the longer I play this game that how we "feel" during our round determines the variation from our average score more than anything else. What I mean by feel is our STATE.

STATE is physiology plus internal representation. It's short for "state of being." So what if we can do things to affect our state just the same as receiving the news that we got a raise at work? We can!

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Recently, I shot my best round of my life at 1 under par. As I teach people to really dig into how they "felt" when they played a great round, I took notes and after the round really went over the things I was thinking, how my body was responding, what did I eat, what were my eyes seeing, etc.

You need this information to help build your optimal state in the future! Once built, you can rebuild it any time since you now have the blueprint or instructions. WE NEED to pay far more attention to when we play well than when we don't!

Many golfers completely dissect their rounds afterward replaying their bad shots over and over in their minds trying to figure out what went wrong. This only serves to implant suggestions in our subconscious mind that that is how we play.

Not good for future rounds.

Remember: "as a man thinketh, so shall he become" and other quotes like that? It all stems from the concept of the duality of our mind; the subconscious and the conscious functions. Once we get this, we can do a lot toward the mental side of our game to reach our scoring potential.
I used to take advice from the magazines that say you have to keep track of your Greens in regulation, how many putts you had, how many sand saves etc. and then "identify" my weaknesses.

Forgettaboutit!

Again, this is not good since putting the focus on the negatives only gives them power and the repetition of thinking about them starts to solidify in your subconscious. Your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between a positive or negative thought, it just accepts that which it is most convinced of by repetitive thought or action.

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And besides, I don't need a scorecard to remind me of my weaknesses on a given round. I know what they are after every round and I can usually pin it down to something I did or didn't do prior to hitting the ball.

What you need to start doing right now, next round, is really zero in on the things that go well. Make little celebrations in your mind (be humble with your partners) when you hit a great shot. Turn on the positive emotions and show a big smile when you sink that long putt! Take mental, if not paper and pen, notes on anything worth remembering when you do anything that puts you into that "feel good" state.

Create an anchor that you do every time you hit a shot exactly the way you planned it just like the ringing buzzer that Pavlov's dogs were trained to salivate to.

When you have bad shots, immediately analyze it afterward, see what you can learn from it and then FORGET IT! It will do you no good whatsoever to hold onto it. You know that your swing is different from day to day as all the pros also complain about. So what benefit can be gained from going over bad shots that could be gone the next day without even trying?

Save the analyzing for the range if you do have time to practice. If not, then just keep pounding your subconscious with images of you accomplishing the little things you had trouble with until your next round. If you don't have time to practice your swing, then "practice" getting yourself into that state or feeling of power and confidence instead of daydreaming during boring or mundance tasks you work on through your day.

That is the "Without Practice" way.

Greens and fairways!

About The Author

Craig Sigl teaches how you can score lower Without Practice and The Legends of Golf teach fundamentals. For details and to claim a free digitized paperback book: "How You Can Play Better Golf Using Self-hypnosis" visit: http://www.break80golf.com/
craig@break80golf.com

Editor's note: Craig will be featured in future articles as well. Come back often for more informative, interesting and helpful articles on the great game of golf. In our next post, the well-known Paul Wilson will offer some eye-opening thoughts on tension in your swing. Until then, stay well and keep swingin'.

Jim Nettleton