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Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Approach Shots: What It Takes To Master Them
Approach Shots: What It Takes To Master Them
David Nevogt
Basically, your approach shot is your shot onto the green. One of the things I like to say is this, "You know your game is improving when you start fixing more ball marks on the green". To fix a ball mark on the green most likely means that you hit it on your approach, which is a good thing. Here are a few tips to keep in mind, and then we'll get to the heart of this article. Aim for the middle of the green, not the flag. Pin placements and greens are getting tougher to stick all the time. Don't be a "sucker" and go for a pin that you'll most likely miss, which will leave you in a bunker or some other position to add strokes to your round. Focus on alignment, not distance. That leads us into the main part of the article. As you know, it's not an easy task to master the approach shot, but there are some ways in which you can drastically improve the accuracy of the shot. Alignment is the key to improving your approach shots. Most golfers don't practice their alignment too much on the practice range, but they should. Think about this for a minute. Generally, when you are off the green it is due to alignment, not distance. Chances are, you have your 160 yard club, 150, 140, 130, etc... And if you hit a poor shot, the ball may go a little further or a little shorter. But even if that happens, most greens are deep enough that you should be on the putting surface if you have selected the club that would leave you in the center of the green. But...alignment is another story. If you pull the ball, more times than most you really pull the ball, correct? When your alignment is off, it's off by much more than 5-10 yards! And if you push the ball, you generally are pushing it for the entire round, correct? Bunkers, water, and uneven lies are the obstacles you face. How are you supposed to compete? The answer is simple. Practice your alignment. Take your home course for example. I would be willing to bet there's somewhere in the ball park of a 160-yard par 3 on the course. Now picture that hole. What happens if you're 5-10 yards deep or shallow? You're probably still okay, right? But what happens if you go right or left? That shot, more than likely, has trouble written all over it. David Nevogt writes golf instruction material that helps golfers of all levels reach their full potential and lower their scores. David is the author of "The Simple Golf Swing" which guarantees to have you shooting 7 strokes lower in only 1 week from today. You can find more of his golf instruction by going to http://www.golfswingguru.com
http://1golfsource.com
David Nevogt
Basically, your approach shot is your shot onto the green. One of the things I like to say is this, "You know your game is improving when you start fixing more ball marks on the green". To fix a ball mark on the green most likely means that you hit it on your approach, which is a good thing. Here are a few tips to keep in mind, and then we'll get to the heart of this article. Aim for the middle of the green, not the flag. Pin placements and greens are getting tougher to stick all the time. Don't be a "sucker" and go for a pin that you'll most likely miss, which will leave you in a bunker or some other position to add strokes to your round. Focus on alignment, not distance. That leads us into the main part of the article. As you know, it's not an easy task to master the approach shot, but there are some ways in which you can drastically improve the accuracy of the shot. Alignment is the key to improving your approach shots. Most golfers don't practice their alignment too much on the practice range, but they should. Think about this for a minute. Generally, when you are off the green it is due to alignment, not distance. Chances are, you have your 160 yard club, 150, 140, 130, etc... And if you hit a poor shot, the ball may go a little further or a little shorter. But even if that happens, most greens are deep enough that you should be on the putting surface if you have selected the club that would leave you in the center of the green. But...alignment is another story. If you pull the ball, more times than most you really pull the ball, correct? When your alignment is off, it's off by much more than 5-10 yards! And if you push the ball, you generally are pushing it for the entire round, correct? Bunkers, water, and uneven lies are the obstacles you face. How are you supposed to compete? The answer is simple. Practice your alignment. Take your home course for example. I would be willing to bet there's somewhere in the ball park of a 160-yard par 3 on the course. Now picture that hole. What happens if you're 5-10 yards deep or shallow? You're probably still okay, right? But what happens if you go right or left? That shot, more than likely, has trouble written all over it. David Nevogt writes golf instruction material that helps golfers of all levels reach their full potential and lower their scores. David is the author of "The Simple Golf Swing" which guarantees to have you shooting 7 strokes lower in only 1 week from today. You can find more of his golf instruction by going to http://www.golfswingguru.com
http://1golfsource.com
Monday, June 05, 2006
Golf Balls - The Science Behind The Dimples
Golf Balls - The Science Behind The Dimples
Susan Chiang
The dynamics behind the flight of the golf ball offers a fascinating insight into the physical interworkings of air pressure, turbulence, and aerodynamics.
When golf was first played in Scotland, most players played using clumsy golf apparatus, with the first golf clubs and golf balls made of wood.
In 1618 the “Featherie” was introduced. It was a golf ball made of feather. This feather golf ball was handcrafted from goose feathers tightly pressed into a horse or cowhide sphere while still wet. After drying, the leather shrank and the feathers expanded, creating a hardened golf ball.
As this type of golf ball was specially handcrafted, it was usually more expensive than golf clubs, so that only a few privileged people could afford to play golf back then.
After the Featherie golf ball came the Guttie golf ball. This type of golf ball was made from the rubber-like sap of the Gutta tree found in the tropics, and was shaped into a sphere when hot and eventually into a golf ball. As it was made of rubber, the Guttie golf ball could be cheaply produced and easily repaired by reheating and reshaping.
Comparing the two types of golf balls, the Featherie golf ball was said to travel farther than the Guttie golf ball because the Guttie golf ball’s smooth surface prevented it from covering more distance.
With this discovery, the developers of golf balls came up with the “dimpled” golf balls that are so predominant in modern golf nowadays.
The dimples on the golf balls help reduce the aerodynamic drag. Aerodynamic drag normally affects smooth golf balls and slows them down, because when they sail through the air, they leave a pocket of low-pressure air in its stir thus creating a drag.
By applying dimples to the golf ball surface, the pressure differential goes down and the drag force is reduced. These dimples create turbulence in the air surrounding the golf ball, which, in turn, forces the air to clasp the golf ball more closely. By doing so, the air trails the warp created by the golf ball towards the back instead of flowing past it. This results in a smaller wake and lesser drag.
Dimples were first added onto golf ball surfaces back during the gutta percha phase. Coburn Haskell introduced the one-piece rubber cored golf ball encased in a gutta percha sphere. Then in 1905 William Taylor applied the dimple pattern to a Haskell golf ball, thus giving rise to the modern golf ball as we know it today.
After its beginning, dimpled golf balls were officially used in every golf tournament. In 1921, the golf ball took its current form with standard size and weight. Nowadays there is a wide range of golf balls to fit every style, game and condition, with some golf balls offering control, and other golf balls offering distance.
Though a common sight nowadays, the dimpled golf ball is not just a mere element of the sports arena; it is a showcase of physics at work.
For a more comprehensive look at golf and golf equipment, drop by Susan's site on Golf Balls. Other informative sports related articles are available at Shopping Palace and Niche Weblog.
http://www.1golfsource.com
Susan Chiang
The dynamics behind the flight of the golf ball offers a fascinating insight into the physical interworkings of air pressure, turbulence, and aerodynamics.
When golf was first played in Scotland, most players played using clumsy golf apparatus, with the first golf clubs and golf balls made of wood.
In 1618 the “Featherie” was introduced. It was a golf ball made of feather. This feather golf ball was handcrafted from goose feathers tightly pressed into a horse or cowhide sphere while still wet. After drying, the leather shrank and the feathers expanded, creating a hardened golf ball.
As this type of golf ball was specially handcrafted, it was usually more expensive than golf clubs, so that only a few privileged people could afford to play golf back then.
After the Featherie golf ball came the Guttie golf ball. This type of golf ball was made from the rubber-like sap of the Gutta tree found in the tropics, and was shaped into a sphere when hot and eventually into a golf ball. As it was made of rubber, the Guttie golf ball could be cheaply produced and easily repaired by reheating and reshaping.
Comparing the two types of golf balls, the Featherie golf ball was said to travel farther than the Guttie golf ball because the Guttie golf ball’s smooth surface prevented it from covering more distance.
With this discovery, the developers of golf balls came up with the “dimpled” golf balls that are so predominant in modern golf nowadays.
The dimples on the golf balls help reduce the aerodynamic drag. Aerodynamic drag normally affects smooth golf balls and slows them down, because when they sail through the air, they leave a pocket of low-pressure air in its stir thus creating a drag.
By applying dimples to the golf ball surface, the pressure differential goes down and the drag force is reduced. These dimples create turbulence in the air surrounding the golf ball, which, in turn, forces the air to clasp the golf ball more closely. By doing so, the air trails the warp created by the golf ball towards the back instead of flowing past it. This results in a smaller wake and lesser drag.
Dimples were first added onto golf ball surfaces back during the gutta percha phase. Coburn Haskell introduced the one-piece rubber cored golf ball encased in a gutta percha sphere. Then in 1905 William Taylor applied the dimple pattern to a Haskell golf ball, thus giving rise to the modern golf ball as we know it today.
After its beginning, dimpled golf balls were officially used in every golf tournament. In 1921, the golf ball took its current form with standard size and weight. Nowadays there is a wide range of golf balls to fit every style, game and condition, with some golf balls offering control, and other golf balls offering distance.
Though a common sight nowadays, the dimpled golf ball is not just a mere element of the sports arena; it is a showcase of physics at work.
For a more comprehensive look at golf and golf equipment, drop by Susan's site on Golf Balls. Other informative sports related articles are available at Shopping Palace and Niche Weblog.
http://www.1golfsource.com
Friday, June 02, 2006
The Most Underrated Golfer in History... Buffalo Bill! Huh??
The Most Underrated Golfer in History... Buffalo Bill! Huh??
Floyd Snyder
Buffalo Bill was introduced to golf by his father at age 5 and started his PGA Tour career in 1955 at the age of 24, which could be considered a late start compared to today's standards. Even with this late start he ended up with 51 wins on the PGA Tour, 6th on the all time win list. Included in those 51 victories are two U.S Opens and one Masters. He also has won nine Senior Tour Championships including two Senior Majors, one of them the USGA Senior Open in 1983.
Buffalo Bill was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978 and the PGA Hall of fame in 1982. He played on eight Ryder Cup teams and captained the 1979 Ryder Cup. He won five Vardon Trophies, awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average for the year, and was a two-time Player of The Year winner. In 1968 he was the first player to surpass $200,000 in single-season earnings and won his second money title. He was also the second player in history to reach the $1 million career earnings mark, Arnold Palmer being the first.
These are the highlights on Buffalo Bill's golfing career. Only five people in the history of game have accomplished more on the PGA Tour. Sam Snead leads the all time victory list with 81 wins, followed by Jack Nicklaus with 73 and Ben Hogan with 64, "The King", Arnold Palmer, has 62 and Byron Nelson has 52, to round out the top five. All five of these great champions, as well as lesser-accomplished pros, are talked about all the time, but not Buffalo Bill. For some reason his name only pops up occasionally. One would think that with credentials like these, his name would be a household word at least through-out the golfing world. Yet, for some reason that is not the case.
Heck his name hasn't even popped up here yet! Who is Buffalo Bill?
Well for those of you that haven't figured it out yet, it is none other then San Diego's native son, Billy Casper.
Why Buffalo Bill?
When Billy Casper began a strict diet of buffalo meat, he went on a winning streak - 51 PGA Tour victories in all - that assured him legendary golf status. This culinary peculiarity earned Casper the moniker "Buffalo Bill." The rest, including the above-mentioned Masters championship and two U.S. Open titles, is history.
If you have a Great Golf Story you would like to share, email it to floyd@sbmag.org
More interesting golf stories at http://www.sbmag.org/Golf_Stories/Great_Golf_Stories_Index.
Floyd Snyder is an avid high handicap golfer and the owner of Strictly Business Magazine at http://www.sbmag.org and http://www.TraderAide.com
http://www.1golfsource.com
Floyd Snyder
Buffalo Bill was introduced to golf by his father at age 5 and started his PGA Tour career in 1955 at the age of 24, which could be considered a late start compared to today's standards. Even with this late start he ended up with 51 wins on the PGA Tour, 6th on the all time win list. Included in those 51 victories are two U.S Opens and one Masters. He also has won nine Senior Tour Championships including two Senior Majors, one of them the USGA Senior Open in 1983.
Buffalo Bill was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978 and the PGA Hall of fame in 1982. He played on eight Ryder Cup teams and captained the 1979 Ryder Cup. He won five Vardon Trophies, awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average for the year, and was a two-time Player of The Year winner. In 1968 he was the first player to surpass $200,000 in single-season earnings and won his second money title. He was also the second player in history to reach the $1 million career earnings mark, Arnold Palmer being the first.
These are the highlights on Buffalo Bill's golfing career. Only five people in the history of game have accomplished more on the PGA Tour. Sam Snead leads the all time victory list with 81 wins, followed by Jack Nicklaus with 73 and Ben Hogan with 64, "The King", Arnold Palmer, has 62 and Byron Nelson has 52, to round out the top five. All five of these great champions, as well as lesser-accomplished pros, are talked about all the time, but not Buffalo Bill. For some reason his name only pops up occasionally. One would think that with credentials like these, his name would be a household word at least through-out the golfing world. Yet, for some reason that is not the case.
Heck his name hasn't even popped up here yet! Who is Buffalo Bill?
Well for those of you that haven't figured it out yet, it is none other then San Diego's native son, Billy Casper.
Why Buffalo Bill?
When Billy Casper began a strict diet of buffalo meat, he went on a winning streak - 51 PGA Tour victories in all - that assured him legendary golf status. This culinary peculiarity earned Casper the moniker "Buffalo Bill." The rest, including the above-mentioned Masters championship and two U.S. Open titles, is history.
If you have a Great Golf Story you would like to share, email it to floyd@sbmag.org
More interesting golf stories at http://www.sbmag.org/Golf_Stories/Great_Golf_Stories_Index.
Floyd Snyder is an avid high handicap golfer and the owner of Strictly Business Magazine at http://www.sbmag.org and http://www.TraderAide.com
http://www.1golfsource.com
Thursday, June 01, 2006
How To Hit The Ball Well From Uneven Lines
How To Hit The Ball Well From Uneven Lines
David Nevogt
To view this message online please go here: http://www.golfswingguru.com/articles/uneven-lies.htm I know some of you are laughing under your breath wondering what I am doing writing a tip on UNEVEN LIES. What in the world could I possible know about uneven lies living in Scottsdale, Arizona? Well, it is the Grand Canyon State for starters, but yes you're right, we do not face as many uneven lies as someone from North Carolina, for example. However, there are plenty of times during the course of a round when we are faced with a golf ball that might be on a side hill lie. Before I begin, I am going to first give you the definition of the four uneven lies in golf. Uphill Lie - The easiest of the four uneven lies. The ball is level with your feet but the slope is up-hill, we refer to this as an uphill lie. Downhill Lie - A ball that is level to your feet but the slope is down hill, probably the second most difficult shot in golf. Ball Below Feet - The most difficult shot in golf is when the ball is below your feet Ball Above Feet - The fourth uneven lie is when the ball is above your feet. Don't get confused between an uphill lie, and when the ball is simply above your feet. These are 2 different lies, and should be addressed separately. Also, don't get confused with the downhill lie, and the ball being below your feet. Again, these are 2 different lies. Let's start with the easiest shot in golf, the up-hill lie. If you struggle with this shot, you probably swing the golf club to vertical into the ground and hit a fat shot. Before you prepare for an uphill lie, you need to think of a few important items first. 1. Make sure you take a less lofted club. When you have an uphill lie, it will make the ball go HIGHER and SHORTER. 2. The ball will have a tendency to hook to the left, so aim a little to the right. 3. To avoid hitting the shot fat, check your shoulder alignment and make sure they are parallel to the ground you are standing on. If you are on an uphill lie, your back shoulder should be a little lower that your leading shoulder. 4. The ball should be positioned according to what club you are using, as though you were on a level lie. (A bit forward for longer clubs.) 5. You want to make sure you follow through HIGH after impact. Now we can move on to one of the hardest shots in golf, the down hill lie. If you have a tendency to struggle with this shot, the miss hit is usually a top. Follow the steps below and you will see a huge change in your down hill shots. 1. Because the ball will fly lower, you can take a more lofted club to help the ball go a little higher. 2. The ball will have a tendency to curve to the right, aim a little to the left. 3. If you have your shoulders at address tilted level to the down slope of your lie, this will encourage the club to swing DOWN into the ball (correct) and not up in the down swing. Thus, you will hit the bottom of the ball and not the top. 4. Play the ball in your stance according to the club you are using (again, a little forward for a longer club). 5. You want to make sure you follow through LOW to the ground after impact. Now we are back to an easy shot, the ball above our feet. If you follow the steps below, you will not hit the ground behind the ball anymore, and the ball above your feet will become your absolute favorite shot in golf 1. If you struggle with hitting the ball fat in these shots, make sure you are standing taller than your normal stance. 2. The ball will have a tendency to fly to the left, aim a little farther to the right. 3. DO NOT BEND YOUR KNEES 4. This is the main point, the golf club wants to swing more AROUND your body, let it...DO NOT TRY TO MAKE A NORMAL SWING...let the club swing around you. THE HARDEST SHOT IN GOLF. The dreaded, (I can't believe this is happening to me) BALL BELOW YOUR FEET golf shot. You have come to the right place, below is the answer. 1. When the ball is below your feet, you will have a tendency to top it to the right, whiff the ball, or shank it. 2. The address is the most important part of this shot. Bend your knees and bend WAY over at address. You ALMOST can not bend TOO much. 3. The ball will have a tendency to go to the right, aim farther left. 4. The golf club wants to swing up and down, NOT around. LET IT...It will feel like a lob swing, this is correct. IF you make your normal swing, you will whiff the ball completely. Now, forget everything you knew about uneven lies and give this a try. I KNOW IT WILL HELP! Get back to us with all of your golf successes. For more instruction like this, check out: The Simple Golf Swing Ebook - http://www.golfswingguru.com/index1.php The Simple Golf Swing Full Swing DVD - http://www.golfswingguru.com/dvd.php The Simple Golf Swing Short Game DVD - http://www.golfswingguru.com/shortgame.php Sincerely, Bobby Eldridge and David Nevogt Bobby Eldridge is the head professional at http://www.golfswingguru.com, and he teaches "The Simple Golf Swing". Bobby writes golf instruction material, has given over 70,000 private lessons, and is the Director of "The Simple Golf Swing Academy" which operates in Chicago and Scottsdale. To join the "Simple Golf Swing" Academy, please tap on the location you are interested in below. Chicago - http://www.golfswingguru.com/chicago.php Scottsdale -- http://www.golfswingguru.com/scottsdale.php Bobby Eldridge is the Head Instructor for the PurePont Golf Academy where he teaches "The Simple Golf Swing" theory. You can check out PurePoint Golf instructional DVDs at http://www.golfswingguru.com/dvd.php
http://www.1golfsource.com
David Nevogt
To view this message online please go here: http://www.golfswingguru.com/articles/uneven-lies.htm I know some of you are laughing under your breath wondering what I am doing writing a tip on UNEVEN LIES. What in the world could I possible know about uneven lies living in Scottsdale, Arizona? Well, it is the Grand Canyon State for starters, but yes you're right, we do not face as many uneven lies as someone from North Carolina, for example. However, there are plenty of times during the course of a round when we are faced with a golf ball that might be on a side hill lie. Before I begin, I am going to first give you the definition of the four uneven lies in golf. Uphill Lie - The easiest of the four uneven lies. The ball is level with your feet but the slope is up-hill, we refer to this as an uphill lie. Downhill Lie - A ball that is level to your feet but the slope is down hill, probably the second most difficult shot in golf. Ball Below Feet - The most difficult shot in golf is when the ball is below your feet Ball Above Feet - The fourth uneven lie is when the ball is above your feet. Don't get confused between an uphill lie, and when the ball is simply above your feet. These are 2 different lies, and should be addressed separately. Also, don't get confused with the downhill lie, and the ball being below your feet. Again, these are 2 different lies. Let's start with the easiest shot in golf, the up-hill lie. If you struggle with this shot, you probably swing the golf club to vertical into the ground and hit a fat shot. Before you prepare for an uphill lie, you need to think of a few important items first. 1. Make sure you take a less lofted club. When you have an uphill lie, it will make the ball go HIGHER and SHORTER. 2. The ball will have a tendency to hook to the left, so aim a little to the right. 3. To avoid hitting the shot fat, check your shoulder alignment and make sure they are parallel to the ground you are standing on. If you are on an uphill lie, your back shoulder should be a little lower that your leading shoulder. 4. The ball should be positioned according to what club you are using, as though you were on a level lie. (A bit forward for longer clubs.) 5. You want to make sure you follow through HIGH after impact. Now we can move on to one of the hardest shots in golf, the down hill lie. If you have a tendency to struggle with this shot, the miss hit is usually a top. Follow the steps below and you will see a huge change in your down hill shots. 1. Because the ball will fly lower, you can take a more lofted club to help the ball go a little higher. 2. The ball will have a tendency to curve to the right, aim a little to the left. 3. If you have your shoulders at address tilted level to the down slope of your lie, this will encourage the club to swing DOWN into the ball (correct) and not up in the down swing. Thus, you will hit the bottom of the ball and not the top. 4. Play the ball in your stance according to the club you are using (again, a little forward for a longer club). 5. You want to make sure you follow through LOW to the ground after impact. Now we are back to an easy shot, the ball above our feet. If you follow the steps below, you will not hit the ground behind the ball anymore, and the ball above your feet will become your absolute favorite shot in golf 1. If you struggle with hitting the ball fat in these shots, make sure you are standing taller than your normal stance. 2. The ball will have a tendency to fly to the left, aim a little farther to the right. 3. DO NOT BEND YOUR KNEES 4. This is the main point, the golf club wants to swing more AROUND your body, let it...DO NOT TRY TO MAKE A NORMAL SWING...let the club swing around you. THE HARDEST SHOT IN GOLF. The dreaded, (I can't believe this is happening to me) BALL BELOW YOUR FEET golf shot. You have come to the right place, below is the answer. 1. When the ball is below your feet, you will have a tendency to top it to the right, whiff the ball, or shank it. 2. The address is the most important part of this shot. Bend your knees and bend WAY over at address. You ALMOST can not bend TOO much. 3. The ball will have a tendency to go to the right, aim farther left. 4. The golf club wants to swing up and down, NOT around. LET IT...It will feel like a lob swing, this is correct. IF you make your normal swing, you will whiff the ball completely. Now, forget everything you knew about uneven lies and give this a try. I KNOW IT WILL HELP! Get back to us with all of your golf successes. For more instruction like this, check out: The Simple Golf Swing Ebook - http://www.golfswingguru.com/index1.php The Simple Golf Swing Full Swing DVD - http://www.golfswingguru.com/dvd.php The Simple Golf Swing Short Game DVD - http://www.golfswingguru.com/shortgame.php Sincerely, Bobby Eldridge and David Nevogt Bobby Eldridge is the head professional at http://www.golfswingguru.com, and he teaches "The Simple Golf Swing". Bobby writes golf instruction material, has given over 70,000 private lessons, and is the Director of "The Simple Golf Swing Academy" which operates in Chicago and Scottsdale. To join the "Simple Golf Swing" Academy, please tap on the location you are interested in below. Chicago - http://www.golfswingguru.com/chicago.php Scottsdale -- http://www.golfswingguru.com/scottsdale.php Bobby Eldridge is the Head Instructor for the PurePont Golf Academy where he teaches "The Simple Golf Swing" theory. You can check out PurePoint Golf instructional DVDs at http://www.golfswingguru.com/dvd.php
http://www.1golfsource.com
Friday, May 19, 2006
Finish Your Round of Golf with Birdies
Finish Your Round of Golf with Birdies
Sean Cochran
All the major tournaments, especially the U.S. Open and the PGA, are a true test of endurance. They are usually located in a part of the country where it is hot, humid and muggy. A real physical and mental drain on any golfer.
Look who has been winning the Majors in the last couple of years: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. They have incredible endurance. It doesn’t come by accident. They work at it.
Endurance is a word that is commonly associated with athletes such as marathon runners, tri-athletes, swimmers, and cyclists.
Granted, the majority of amateurs use a cart to play. This takes the walking part of the game out of the equation. Bit when most golfers break down, it has more to do with the endurance of the swing muscles than the walking part.
Think of endurance as the ability to perform the same activity over and over for an extended amount of time at max effort and peak performance. Relating this definition to, say, a marathon runner becomes pretty easy. A marathon runner, for example, has to have the cardiovascular (blood and oxygen) endurance to run 26 miles at a steady pace. In addition to having the cardiovascular endurance to run 26 miles, a marathoner needs to also have the endurance in their muscular system to again run 26 miles. If they do not, the body begins to “give up” and this is seen in the form of cramping, muscles not responding, and the body “hitting the wall” as many marathoners call it.
Endurance as it applies to the golf swing and the ability to perform the swing correctly is different than the intensity of running a marathon. But the underlying theme when it comes to endurance is the same. Swinging a golf club is a repetitive, explosive movement performed by the body. The muscles are active from address, back swing, transition, contact, and follow through in the same motor pattern every time you swing a club (or at least they should be; for some of us amateurs the swing path changes from time to time, but that is a subject for another article). Anyways, to perform the golf swing efficiently and effectively for an extended period of time (like 4 rounds of tournament golf) the muscles involved in the golf swing are required to have a certain level of endurance developed within them to sustain the swing.
Do you have enough gas in the tank?
It is essentially having enough “gas in your tank” to swing a club a given number of times. Now I referred to a four-day tournament, which is the average number of days a PGA tour event lasts, but when it comes to endurance and golf swing the number of swings in a tournament is only the beginning. Remember the definition of endurance is the ability of the body to perform a certain movement over and over for a given period of time. In relation to the golf swing and endurance we must also include a time frame. Let us first begin with looking at a typical four-day tournament. At the very least, we need enough endurance in the muscles that swing a club to hit all the shots from tee to green in 72 holes of golf. On top of just the tournament play you must add the additional practice time before or after the round. This could comprise anywhere from 2-3 hours of additional time swinging a club. Now, at this point we are just talking about a single tournament for a tour player.
Let us expand this time period to 7 days. A 7-day time frame for a tour player would consist of a 4-day tournament (Thursday through Sunday) in addition to 3 additional days in the week. Realize that those three other days during week are not “rest” days, but rather filled with work. First off, you have Wednesday, which, at most tournaments, is when the Pro-am is scheduled. If you are unaware of what a Pro-am is on tour, it is a round of golf usually held on Wednesday where each pro in the upcoming tournament is paired with three amateurs for a round of golf. So we can chalk this up to another round of golf. This again would comprise all the golf swing made during the round and any practice before and after.
We are up to Wednesday through Sunday of a tour week. Now what about Monday and Tuesday of a tour week? I would guess that it would be safe to say that probably most players take Monday off, not always, but most of the time. Tuesday is a whole different story. Tuesday is a practice day where a pro could spend 4 to 6 hours at the range, putting and chipping. The number of swings taken on Tuesday can be huge!
So there you have it, a full week on tour with an idea of the number of swings taken by a tour player over a 7-day time frame. Now take this number of swings and multiply it out over an entire season where an average player will participate in 25 tournaments. The numbers get really big looking at it from this perspective. I imagine at this point the connection between endurance and the golf swing has been made. It essentially comes down to this: to swing the club effectively on the correct path over an extended period of time, you need to develop endurance in your muscular system specific to golf. The next question to present is how do you do that?
Developing Endurance Specific to the Golf Swing
So how do you develop endurance in the muscles that are used in the golf swing? You can not really do it by running or doing the Stair Master at your local health club. The reason why? These types of exercises are great for developing cardiovascular endurance and developing some musculature endurance in the legs, but they do not “work” all the muscles involved in the golf swing. And they certainly do not create endurance in these muscles in relation to how they are used to swing a club.
The methodology that is required to develop endurance in the golf swing requires you to perform what I call “cross specificity” exercises specific to the movements and positions in which the body placed during the swing. The result of this type of training is what we term a “transfer-of-training effect.” A transfer-of-training effect is where the exercises performed in your training program improve the performances on the field of competition. Field of competition, when it comes to golf, pertains to the golf course and your swing. So invariably we need to develop what I term “golf endurance” through exercises that are cross specific to the golf swing with the outcome of a transfer-of-training effect to golf swing.
To learn more about “golf endurance training” and what it entails take a look at our website www.bioforcegolf.com.
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.
Sean Cochran
All the major tournaments, especially the U.S. Open and the PGA, are a true test of endurance. They are usually located in a part of the country where it is hot, humid and muggy. A real physical and mental drain on any golfer.
Look who has been winning the Majors in the last couple of years: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. They have incredible endurance. It doesn’t come by accident. They work at it.
Endurance is a word that is commonly associated with athletes such as marathon runners, tri-athletes, swimmers, and cyclists.
Granted, the majority of amateurs use a cart to play. This takes the walking part of the game out of the equation. Bit when most golfers break down, it has more to do with the endurance of the swing muscles than the walking part.
Think of endurance as the ability to perform the same activity over and over for an extended amount of time at max effort and peak performance. Relating this definition to, say, a marathon runner becomes pretty easy. A marathon runner, for example, has to have the cardiovascular (blood and oxygen) endurance to run 26 miles at a steady pace. In addition to having the cardiovascular endurance to run 26 miles, a marathoner needs to also have the endurance in their muscular system to again run 26 miles. If they do not, the body begins to “give up” and this is seen in the form of cramping, muscles not responding, and the body “hitting the wall” as many marathoners call it.
Endurance as it applies to the golf swing and the ability to perform the swing correctly is different than the intensity of running a marathon. But the underlying theme when it comes to endurance is the same. Swinging a golf club is a repetitive, explosive movement performed by the body. The muscles are active from address, back swing, transition, contact, and follow through in the same motor pattern every time you swing a club (or at least they should be; for some of us amateurs the swing path changes from time to time, but that is a subject for another article). Anyways, to perform the golf swing efficiently and effectively for an extended period of time (like 4 rounds of tournament golf) the muscles involved in the golf swing are required to have a certain level of endurance developed within them to sustain the swing.
Do you have enough gas in the tank?
It is essentially having enough “gas in your tank” to swing a club a given number of times. Now I referred to a four-day tournament, which is the average number of days a PGA tour event lasts, but when it comes to endurance and golf swing the number of swings in a tournament is only the beginning. Remember the definition of endurance is the ability of the body to perform a certain movement over and over for a given period of time. In relation to the golf swing and endurance we must also include a time frame. Let us first begin with looking at a typical four-day tournament. At the very least, we need enough endurance in the muscles that swing a club to hit all the shots from tee to green in 72 holes of golf. On top of just the tournament play you must add the additional practice time before or after the round. This could comprise anywhere from 2-3 hours of additional time swinging a club. Now, at this point we are just talking about a single tournament for a tour player.
Let us expand this time period to 7 days. A 7-day time frame for a tour player would consist of a 4-day tournament (Thursday through Sunday) in addition to 3 additional days in the week. Realize that those three other days during week are not “rest” days, but rather filled with work. First off, you have Wednesday, which, at most tournaments, is when the Pro-am is scheduled. If you are unaware of what a Pro-am is on tour, it is a round of golf usually held on Wednesday where each pro in the upcoming tournament is paired with three amateurs for a round of golf. So we can chalk this up to another round of golf. This again would comprise all the golf swing made during the round and any practice before and after.
We are up to Wednesday through Sunday of a tour week. Now what about Monday and Tuesday of a tour week? I would guess that it would be safe to say that probably most players take Monday off, not always, but most of the time. Tuesday is a whole different story. Tuesday is a practice day where a pro could spend 4 to 6 hours at the range, putting and chipping. The number of swings taken on Tuesday can be huge!
So there you have it, a full week on tour with an idea of the number of swings taken by a tour player over a 7-day time frame. Now take this number of swings and multiply it out over an entire season where an average player will participate in 25 tournaments. The numbers get really big looking at it from this perspective. I imagine at this point the connection between endurance and the golf swing has been made. It essentially comes down to this: to swing the club effectively on the correct path over an extended period of time, you need to develop endurance in your muscular system specific to golf. The next question to present is how do you do that?
Developing Endurance Specific to the Golf Swing
So how do you develop endurance in the muscles that are used in the golf swing? You can not really do it by running or doing the Stair Master at your local health club. The reason why? These types of exercises are great for developing cardiovascular endurance and developing some musculature endurance in the legs, but they do not “work” all the muscles involved in the golf swing. And they certainly do not create endurance in these muscles in relation to how they are used to swing a club.
The methodology that is required to develop endurance in the golf swing requires you to perform what I call “cross specificity” exercises specific to the movements and positions in which the body placed during the swing. The result of this type of training is what we term a “transfer-of-training effect.” A transfer-of-training effect is where the exercises performed in your training program improve the performances on the field of competition. Field of competition, when it comes to golf, pertains to the golf course and your swing. So invariably we need to develop what I term “golf endurance” through exercises that are cross specific to the golf swing with the outcome of a transfer-of-training effect to golf swing.
To learn more about “golf endurance training” and what it entails take a look at our website www.bioforcegolf.com.
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.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Selecting Golf Equipment that Compliments You and Your Swing - 4 Tips for Making the Best Choice
Selecting Golf Equipment that Compliments You and Your Swing - 4 Tips for Making the Best Choice
Arthur Thompson
Tip #1 - Ignore The Hype - Pay Attention To Your Needs!
As a recreational golfer, you probably don't pay that much attention to the golf equipment that you buy. Industry has a way to hype its sales pitch by its marketing gurus and most recreational buyers pay attention to the hype instead of their own needs.
Today's equipment has certainly come a long way and shafts, club heads and balls certainly do perform the way that the makers claim. However, the secret is finding a club maker and/or a club fitter that knows you and your swing and can recommend the right equipment for you.
Tip #2 - Let Your Clubs Fit YOU!
Whether you are 5-foot-6 or 6-foot-6, the average golf club will not be right for you. The lie and loft will change dramatically due to arm and leg length. Finding a good club maker or club fitter that understands these requirements can DRASTICALLY shave strokes off your scorecard.
In relation to this, statistics show that the average family has 2.4 children. Well I have never seen two-fifths of a child! With that said, just what is the average person? Again, now you can see why it is imperative that you fit the clubs and the clubs fit you!
Tip #3 - Decide On Your Price And Find A Pro!
Price is most definitely a factor when purchasing new or used clubs. It is of NO use buying expensive clubs and the shaft is the wrong length or stiffness/flex or conversely buying 'cheap' clubs when your game is of good quality.
The idea is to have the clubs compliment your specific swing and swing speed. There are subtleties in the making and matching of your golf clubs - swing weight, loft and lie, graphite or even steel. Also, there are different textured grips which can be matched to fit the size of your hand or fingers producing a better bio-mechanical action.
We all have different swing speeds, different swing paths and planes. We are all of different muscle strengths and of course body types. Decide what price range you can realistically afford and find a pro/coach/instructor that can set you up with a set of clubs that will produce the BEST for you. I cannot stress enough that it is ultra important to get the matching equipment for you. Some people are short and some people are tall...choose the right equipment and begin to watch your game improve and lower your scores.
Tip #4 - Use A Lower Spin-Rate Ball!
Today's golf ball has advanced with technology. Different spin rates and cover materials have allowed the golfer to actually choose a ball that suits both his/her game and the conditions he/she plays in.
The slicer and hooker can get more distance and straighter shots by using a lower spin rate ball. Cover materials allow for more feel when chipping and putting. There are even tools that will use centrifugal force and a marker pen to produce an 'equator-type' line on the ball that aids in alignment and 'trueness' of the roll of the ball.
Advancement in equipment is good...make it GOOD for you by selecting the right equipment to enhance your game!
Arthur J. Thompson is a recreational golfing expert and author of "The Secrets To Low Scoring Recreational Golf" eBook Guide. His website is an important, crucial and vital resource for recreational golfers - full of helpful tips, advice and information on the game of golf at the recreational level.
He has won the Royal Canadian Legion Zone Golf twice and the Royal Canadian Legion District Golf once. He has helped hundreds of people take their recreational golfing experiences to the next level - improving their enjoyment of the game while helping them to significantly reduce bogeys, double-bogeys and snowmen.
Check out the various testimonials on his site --> http://www.bogeycrusher.com
This article is also available in HTML format on the BogeyCrusher Golf site --> http://www.bogeycrusher.com/Articles/1_SelectingGolfEquip.htm
Arthur Thompson
Tip #1 - Ignore The Hype - Pay Attention To Your Needs!
As a recreational golfer, you probably don't pay that much attention to the golf equipment that you buy. Industry has a way to hype its sales pitch by its marketing gurus and most recreational buyers pay attention to the hype instead of their own needs.
Today's equipment has certainly come a long way and shafts, club heads and balls certainly do perform the way that the makers claim. However, the secret is finding a club maker and/or a club fitter that knows you and your swing and can recommend the right equipment for you.
Tip #2 - Let Your Clubs Fit YOU!
Whether you are 5-foot-6 or 6-foot-6, the average golf club will not be right for you. The lie and loft will change dramatically due to arm and leg length. Finding a good club maker or club fitter that understands these requirements can DRASTICALLY shave strokes off your scorecard.
In relation to this, statistics show that the average family has 2.4 children. Well I have never seen two-fifths of a child! With that said, just what is the average person? Again, now you can see why it is imperative that you fit the clubs and the clubs fit you!
Tip #3 - Decide On Your Price And Find A Pro!
Price is most definitely a factor when purchasing new or used clubs. It is of NO use buying expensive clubs and the shaft is the wrong length or stiffness/flex or conversely buying 'cheap' clubs when your game is of good quality.
The idea is to have the clubs compliment your specific swing and swing speed. There are subtleties in the making and matching of your golf clubs - swing weight, loft and lie, graphite or even steel. Also, there are different textured grips which can be matched to fit the size of your hand or fingers producing a better bio-mechanical action.
We all have different swing speeds, different swing paths and planes. We are all of different muscle strengths and of course body types. Decide what price range you can realistically afford and find a pro/coach/instructor that can set you up with a set of clubs that will produce the BEST for you. I cannot stress enough that it is ultra important to get the matching equipment for you. Some people are short and some people are tall...choose the right equipment and begin to watch your game improve and lower your scores.
Tip #4 - Use A Lower Spin-Rate Ball!
Today's golf ball has advanced with technology. Different spin rates and cover materials have allowed the golfer to actually choose a ball that suits both his/her game and the conditions he/she plays in.
The slicer and hooker can get more distance and straighter shots by using a lower spin rate ball. Cover materials allow for more feel when chipping and putting. There are even tools that will use centrifugal force and a marker pen to produce an 'equator-type' line on the ball that aids in alignment and 'trueness' of the roll of the ball.
Advancement in equipment is good...make it GOOD for you by selecting the right equipment to enhance your game!
Arthur J. Thompson is a recreational golfing expert and author of "The Secrets To Low Scoring Recreational Golf" eBook Guide. His website is an important, crucial and vital resource for recreational golfers - full of helpful tips, advice and information on the game of golf at the recreational level.
He has won the Royal Canadian Legion Zone Golf twice and the Royal Canadian Legion District Golf once. He has helped hundreds of people take their recreational golfing experiences to the next level - improving their enjoyment of the game while helping them to significantly reduce bogeys, double-bogeys and snowmen.
Check out the various testimonials on his site --> http://www.bogeycrusher.com
This article is also available in HTML format on the BogeyCrusher Golf site --> http://www.bogeycrusher.com/Articles/1_SelectingGolfEquip.htm
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Which Golf Tips Should You Listen To?
David Ferrers
There are good golf tips and bad golf tips. The question is, “how do you decide which golf tips to listen to?”
This question has been brought home to me recently because a good friend took up golf about two years ago. He has really caught the bug and plays several times a week. He also has lessons and practices frequently. Whenever we play together he is constantly asking for tips and advice about his swing.
It is my belief that you should only give a player a golf tip if you are sure that it will fit in with the rest of his swing. I have seen far too many players lose their swings when trying to adopt a golf tip which simply does not fit in with everything else that goes on when they swing the club.
OK, I know, there are certain golf tips which are universally sound, like, “keep your head still.” But equally there are plenty of other golf tips that can be ruinous even when given with the best of intentions.
In particular I recall a good player with whom I'd played many rounds who always drew the ball right to left, usually with good control. One day when his draw was a bit exaggerated, his partner suggested this perfectly sound golf tip: “You know, if you were to keep your right elbow well tucked in on the downswing you would lose that nasty hook.”
The suggestion was well meant. However, for a player who had a well grooved habit of swinging slightly over the top of the ball, as Arnold Palmer was wont to do, it proved to be one golf tip too much. He became so conscious of his right elbow that it threw the whole of the rest of his swing out of shape and it took him months to get it back again.
http://1golfsource.com
The point is that the golf tip didn't fit in with the rest of his swing.
This is a mistake that many golfers make. They listen to all the golf tips out there and try to adopt them all in their desperate search for a good swing. It is my belief that your aim should be to groove a golf swing that will give you streams of straight and long golf shots by modelling your swing on one set of advice. Then you should develop a mind movie of that swing so that you can reproduce it whenever you play a shot.
Think how long some of the most famous partnerships between players and their swing coaches have lasted. Think of Jack Nicklaus and Jack Grout, Tiger Woods and Butch Harmon, Nick Faldo and David Leadbetter to name but a few. All these great players relied on one coach's vision of their swing to keep their mind movie in shape. They did not go asking for golf tips from other players.
David Ferrers is the author of The Golf Swing Mind-Movies Power Pack. This is the first quality work on the internet which shows how to use the Power of golf Mind-Movies to quickly become a better golfer. You can read more about golf Mind-Movies here: http://www.The-Golf-Bandit.com/golf-tip-Golf-Mind-Movies.htm
There are good golf tips and bad golf tips. The question is, “how do you decide which golf tips to listen to?”
This question has been brought home to me recently because a good friend took up golf about two years ago. He has really caught the bug and plays several times a week. He also has lessons and practices frequently. Whenever we play together he is constantly asking for tips and advice about his swing.
It is my belief that you should only give a player a golf tip if you are sure that it will fit in with the rest of his swing. I have seen far too many players lose their swings when trying to adopt a golf tip which simply does not fit in with everything else that goes on when they swing the club.
OK, I know, there are certain golf tips which are universally sound, like, “keep your head still.” But equally there are plenty of other golf tips that can be ruinous even when given with the best of intentions.
In particular I recall a good player with whom I'd played many rounds who always drew the ball right to left, usually with good control. One day when his draw was a bit exaggerated, his partner suggested this perfectly sound golf tip: “You know, if you were to keep your right elbow well tucked in on the downswing you would lose that nasty hook.”
The suggestion was well meant. However, for a player who had a well grooved habit of swinging slightly over the top of the ball, as Arnold Palmer was wont to do, it proved to be one golf tip too much. He became so conscious of his right elbow that it threw the whole of the rest of his swing out of shape and it took him months to get it back again.
http://1golfsource.com
The point is that the golf tip didn't fit in with the rest of his swing.
This is a mistake that many golfers make. They listen to all the golf tips out there and try to adopt them all in their desperate search for a good swing. It is my belief that your aim should be to groove a golf swing that will give you streams of straight and long golf shots by modelling your swing on one set of advice. Then you should develop a mind movie of that swing so that you can reproduce it whenever you play a shot.
Think how long some of the most famous partnerships between players and their swing coaches have lasted. Think of Jack Nicklaus and Jack Grout, Tiger Woods and Butch Harmon, Nick Faldo and David Leadbetter to name but a few. All these great players relied on one coach's vision of their swing to keep their mind movie in shape. They did not go asking for golf tips from other players.
David Ferrers is the author of The Golf Swing Mind-Movies Power Pack. This is the first quality work on the internet which shows how to use the Power of golf Mind-Movies to quickly become a better golfer. You can read more about golf Mind-Movies here: http://www.The-Golf-Bandit.com/golf-tip-Golf-Mind-Movies.htm
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Golf Tools, Gearing up nicely for GolfingKhaled
Golf Tools, Gearing up nicely for Golfing
Khaled Naser
Like all other sports, golf needs that you are geared up with the best equipments to properly play the game. This paper gives you an idea of the standard golf tools one requires to be able to learn and play golf properly.
For novice, the main golf tool is a golf ball. Golf balls are dimpled tiny balls, use in to play golf. They are dimpled to go far when driven by golf clubs.
Also another important golf tool is a golf club or golf driver. Golf drivers come in too many varieties. This is because a golf course has too many kinds of landscapes and different golf clubs are required to make the best drive. Depending on the landscape, if sand, grass or cement, a golf club is important to make the perfect drive. Expert golfers usually have a case or two of golf clubs to cater to their golf requirements. Most golf stores and sports tool store sell golf clubs. Some golf clubs are sold in sets while other are sold alone.
To take care of your golf equipment, such as your golf club, a golf bag golf club cover is important. A golf bag will, for sure, hold your golf club in one place and will make it more easy for your caddy to bring your many golf clubs. Golf bags can also hold golf balls and also other golf equipment such as water bottle to quench your thirst while under the beautiful sun or extra shirt or your regular shoes. On the other hand, a golf club cover covers the edge of your golf club. This is done so to protect your golf club from unwanted scratches and dents. Dents can cause your drive to go from good to bad. Dents in golf clubs can affect the drive of your golf ball. With these golf tools, you can take care of the state of your club and your rich sport.
One golf tool that you also need to invest on is a nice pair of golf shoes. Golf shoes are different from standard rubber shoes or jogging shoes. Golf shoes are made to walk on greens - the type where the sport is played. Golf shoes usually have pointed rubber under the soles to grip the earth and sand under your feet. This way, unnecessary shaking or moving is prevented. This is useful because shaking can cause you to not hit the golf ball or to hit the golf ball in the wrong way. If you plan to play good golf a nice pair of golf shoes is a important golf tool to add up to your list. Choose one that is sturdy yet comfortable enough for you to walk into. Golf is a sport that requires walking from one hole to the other or to where your ball goes (you can not use golf carts on the greens) and thus, if your golf shoes are no good, you would have a hard time playing your game.
A golf tool usually provided by most golf courses (aside from the golf ball) is the tee. The tee is the tiny pin like thing that you punch to the ground to stand your ball into. The tee is use in teeing off (the start of your first drive) thus the name.
The most great golf tool ever created (for me, that is) is the golf cart. Golf carts can take you from one hole to the other, though as I said earlier they are not allowed on the greens, they still lessen the burden of having to walk under the hot sun. This golf equipment can be acquired from golf courses. Golf players are normally made to use golf tool such as this to give them a good and easier time playing the game.
Many specialty shops and sport shops offer golf tools. The internet is also a great source of golf equipment. Used golf tools are even auctioned off the internet, if you are on a tight budget. Check out your golf shop, sports shop, specialty shops, E-bay or Yahoo! for your golf equipment requirements.
About the author: Khaled Naser is working in Engineering for several years and has been writing for quite some time. His article directory at Team77.com carries a lot of useful articles and reviews.
Khaled Naser
Like all other sports, golf needs that you are geared up with the best equipments to properly play the game. This paper gives you an idea of the standard golf tools one requires to be able to learn and play golf properly.
For novice, the main golf tool is a golf ball. Golf balls are dimpled tiny balls, use in to play golf. They are dimpled to go far when driven by golf clubs.
Also another important golf tool is a golf club or golf driver. Golf drivers come in too many varieties. This is because a golf course has too many kinds of landscapes and different golf clubs are required to make the best drive. Depending on the landscape, if sand, grass or cement, a golf club is important to make the perfect drive. Expert golfers usually have a case or two of golf clubs to cater to their golf requirements. Most golf stores and sports tool store sell golf clubs. Some golf clubs are sold in sets while other are sold alone.
To take care of your golf equipment, such as your golf club, a golf bag golf club cover is important. A golf bag will, for sure, hold your golf club in one place and will make it more easy for your caddy to bring your many golf clubs. Golf bags can also hold golf balls and also other golf equipment such as water bottle to quench your thirst while under the beautiful sun or extra shirt or your regular shoes. On the other hand, a golf club cover covers the edge of your golf club. This is done so to protect your golf club from unwanted scratches and dents. Dents can cause your drive to go from good to bad. Dents in golf clubs can affect the drive of your golf ball. With these golf tools, you can take care of the state of your club and your rich sport.
One golf tool that you also need to invest on is a nice pair of golf shoes. Golf shoes are different from standard rubber shoes or jogging shoes. Golf shoes are made to walk on greens - the type where the sport is played. Golf shoes usually have pointed rubber under the soles to grip the earth and sand under your feet. This way, unnecessary shaking or moving is prevented. This is useful because shaking can cause you to not hit the golf ball or to hit the golf ball in the wrong way. If you plan to play good golf a nice pair of golf shoes is a important golf tool to add up to your list. Choose one that is sturdy yet comfortable enough for you to walk into. Golf is a sport that requires walking from one hole to the other or to where your ball goes (you can not use golf carts on the greens) and thus, if your golf shoes are no good, you would have a hard time playing your game.
A golf tool usually provided by most golf courses (aside from the golf ball) is the tee. The tee is the tiny pin like thing that you punch to the ground to stand your ball into. The tee is use in teeing off (the start of your first drive) thus the name.
The most great golf tool ever created (for me, that is) is the golf cart. Golf carts can take you from one hole to the other, though as I said earlier they are not allowed on the greens, they still lessen the burden of having to walk under the hot sun. This golf equipment can be acquired from golf courses. Golf players are normally made to use golf tool such as this to give them a good and easier time playing the game.
Many specialty shops and sport shops offer golf tools. The internet is also a great source of golf equipment. Used golf tools are even auctioned off the internet, if you are on a tight budget. Check out your golf shop, sports shop, specialty shops, E-bay or Yahoo! for your golf equipment requirements.
About the author: Khaled Naser is working in Engineering for several years and has been writing for quite some time. His article directory at Team77.com carries a lot of useful articles and reviews.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Golf Basics for Newbies
Kevin Fairbanks
You may or may not be new to golf, but you do want to get better. Knowledge is power, so make sure you arm yourself with as much information as you can. Information about the rules, how to swing the golf club, how to select clubs, etc. Also, make sure you practice. You cannot expect to be very good at anything without practice. Armed with the knowledge and the experience, your golfing experiences will be very positive.
If you have decided to take up golf as a hobby you will be rewarded with the benefits of fresh air, exercise, and the addition of many new friends and acquaintances. Normally, players on the course like to strike up conversations and find our who their playing partners are. Like any project you approach in life your attitude and expectations will determine your enjoyment of the game.
Take stock of your personal traits. Are you overly competitive? If you are, remember the road to a low handicap is littered with bad shots, bunkers, water hazards and triple digit scores on your round. You will invest a lot of time in practice. Welcome every hook, slice and 3 putt as a learning opportunity. Even Tiger Woods needs a coach to help him with his game.
If you like to meet new people golf provides you with opportunities for social interaction. You will get to meet new people in a setting in which you both have an avid interest. This makes for easy conversation and more opportunities to improve your game. Most clubs offer single players the opportunity to play the round together. If you would prefer to play alone just mention this to the club pro when arranging your tee time.
How much golf equipment do you actually need. Golf can be a very expensive game but there are affordable options. A high-end brand name set of clubs can set you back several thousand dollars but a good used set will cost you a few hundred dollars. Before you buy clubs it is a good idea to visit golf stores and club pro shops. You can test out different types of clubs, determine which club length is best for you, get to know the different types of grips available and learn the difference between graphite and steel shafts. You can learn about the type of golf ball that will best suit you as a beginner. Having a golf ball with the correct compression will help you make the most of your game.
If you want to increase the exercise benefits of golf, you can choose to walk the 18 holes. When you are choosing a golf bag you will first need to decide if you are going to walk or ride. Your choice here will be a carry or cart bag. Golf bags are available in a range of materials so choose one that is suited to the climate in which you will play most of your golf. Golf shoes are important. Make sure they are comfortable and waterproof. A rain suit is also a good addition to your golf bag.
Should you take lessons from a golf professional? Your budget is the deciding factor here. Golf lessons are expensive but if it is within your budget it may be worthwhile. You will find that lessons will raise the standard of your game quickly. A more affordable way to take lessons is to purchase one of the many training programs available on video and dvd. Many seasoned golfers use these programs to raise the standard of their game and new golfers can learn at their own pace.
The above are just the basics of getting started in the game. Before you lift a club, develop the right mental attitude. Remain positive, quiet your mind and envision you shot before you hit the ball. A good mental game is half the battle on the road to a low handicap. Above all enjoy!
As with any sport, golf is no exception in regard to relaxing. You will have more fun and you will ultimately play better if you are relaxed. When you tense up, your muscles do not work as well as when you are relaxed. You start hitting bad shots. You become more and more tense. RELAX! You will also have more fun that way too.
http://1structured-settlement.com
Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.
http://www.GolfClubsHome.com
http://CollectibleSport.com
http://www.Collectible-Sports-Memorabilia.com
You may or may not be new to golf, but you do want to get better. Knowledge is power, so make sure you arm yourself with as much information as you can. Information about the rules, how to swing the golf club, how to select clubs, etc. Also, make sure you practice. You cannot expect to be very good at anything without practice. Armed with the knowledge and the experience, your golfing experiences will be very positive.
If you have decided to take up golf as a hobby you will be rewarded with the benefits of fresh air, exercise, and the addition of many new friends and acquaintances. Normally, players on the course like to strike up conversations and find our who their playing partners are. Like any project you approach in life your attitude and expectations will determine your enjoyment of the game.
Take stock of your personal traits. Are you overly competitive? If you are, remember the road to a low handicap is littered with bad shots, bunkers, water hazards and triple digit scores on your round. You will invest a lot of time in practice. Welcome every hook, slice and 3 putt as a learning opportunity. Even Tiger Woods needs a coach to help him with his game.
If you like to meet new people golf provides you with opportunities for social interaction. You will get to meet new people in a setting in which you both have an avid interest. This makes for easy conversation and more opportunities to improve your game. Most clubs offer single players the opportunity to play the round together. If you would prefer to play alone just mention this to the club pro when arranging your tee time.
How much golf equipment do you actually need. Golf can be a very expensive game but there are affordable options. A high-end brand name set of clubs can set you back several thousand dollars but a good used set will cost you a few hundred dollars. Before you buy clubs it is a good idea to visit golf stores and club pro shops. You can test out different types of clubs, determine which club length is best for you, get to know the different types of grips available and learn the difference between graphite and steel shafts. You can learn about the type of golf ball that will best suit you as a beginner. Having a golf ball with the correct compression will help you make the most of your game.
If you want to increase the exercise benefits of golf, you can choose to walk the 18 holes. When you are choosing a golf bag you will first need to decide if you are going to walk or ride. Your choice here will be a carry or cart bag. Golf bags are available in a range of materials so choose one that is suited to the climate in which you will play most of your golf. Golf shoes are important. Make sure they are comfortable and waterproof. A rain suit is also a good addition to your golf bag.
Should you take lessons from a golf professional? Your budget is the deciding factor here. Golf lessons are expensive but if it is within your budget it may be worthwhile. You will find that lessons will raise the standard of your game quickly. A more affordable way to take lessons is to purchase one of the many training programs available on video and dvd. Many seasoned golfers use these programs to raise the standard of their game and new golfers can learn at their own pace.
The above are just the basics of getting started in the game. Before you lift a club, develop the right mental attitude. Remain positive, quiet your mind and envision you shot before you hit the ball. A good mental game is half the battle on the road to a low handicap. Above all enjoy!
As with any sport, golf is no exception in regard to relaxing. You will have more fun and you will ultimately play better if you are relaxed. When you tense up, your muscles do not work as well as when you are relaxed. You start hitting bad shots. You become more and more tense. RELAX! You will also have more fun that way too.
http://1structured-settlement.com
Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.
http://www.GolfClubsHome.com
http://CollectibleSport.com
http://www.Collectible-Sports-Memorabilia.com
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Your Golf Swing Is Good Enough
Craig Sigl
If you watch the Golf Channel or read any of the magazines and books on golf, it will be very hard for you to miss the basic theme that "There is a perfect swing and you will do the most for your game by trying to get it". Even when you watch a tournament on TV, you see the commentators participate in this conspiracy by showing us frame-by-frame analysis of the pro and critiquing his/her every move. Now, maybe we can give the TV guys a break because they are just trying for some entertainment value and let's face it, most of us are interested in the details of the swing because we've been brainwashed by years of this theme.
For many years, I too was a "swing zombie" in my quest to improve my golf game. I even participated with a group of golfers that all had our swings videotaped and then we critiqued each other in a classroom setting. The feedback I received from all of us watching my swing ran from "very smooth" to "way off-kilter". Everybody had a differing opinion of many of the swings that we watched and at least for me, it only confused me more.
In my younger years, I had a typical amateur slice swing that obviously came out of my years of playing baseball and softball. In those days, I would just aim for the left edge of any fairway and I could count on the ball moving left to right, at worst ending up in the right rough but usually hitting the fairway. I enjoyed playing golf those days but I always felt that something was missing. So when I could finally afford it,I decided to take a set of lessons from a pro. Of course I told him that I wanted to get rid of my slice swing and he asked me back "are you sure?". This answer kind of shocked me but he was a very good instructor and by the end of the lessons, I was able to hit the ball out of bounds both ways, left and right. I figured that it would just be a matter of time until I "dialed" in to hitting it straight. To make the story short, 5 years later and I was still "dialing" and getting wrong numbers (ob, jail, water,no score improvement, etc.).
Looking back, I honestly believe now that if I had stuck with my old left to right swing and just used the rest of what I learned from the pro, that I would have improved significantly. Why? Because I was a typical golfer and not a 12 handicapper trying to become a single-digiter (a good golfer trying to become a great one). Studies have shown that the overwhelming majority of amateur golfers shoot in the 90's or above for men and it's over 100 for women. If you are in that group, then you really should be working on parts of your game that will give you far more efficient score improvement for the time and effort spent. This would primarily be in the area of the short game and the mental game.
This is absolutely true for the average golfer but it may be true for all golfers as well. There is loads of evidence on the pro tours that the ones making the money are those best at chipping and putting. The golf research guru himself, Dave Pelz, actually followed tour players around for years taking detailed statistics and he proved it (see his book, My Short Game Bible). In addition to that, there are too many pros to list that admit that their swing is not "technically correct" or maybe not even very good...BUT THEY WIN TOURNAMENTS! Look at Jim Furyk, 2003 U.S. Open winner. He actually has a big loop in his backswing. Lee Trevino always told people that they should not copy his swing. Even Jack Nicklaus says in his books that he wasn't a very good ball striker. Bruce Lietzke has won tournaments on the PGA and Senior tours playing his left-to-right shot his whole career - And he says he rarely practices! On top of that, the tours are littered with past champions that totally lost their game AFTER they tried to change it for the better. And now they are begging their sports psychologist to help them "find" their old swing.
I have talked to PGA golf instructors that say it's their clients that want the swing advice (just like I did) even when they recommend working some other part of their game first. So maybe it's our own fault in creating the current situation where average scores of amateurs have not dropped one stroke in the last 50 years despite the advances in equipment technology. Now don't get me wrong, if you are a total beginner, maybe you should start out with learning the basics of the golf swing with a lesson. But if you're hitting it solid most of the time, you are good to go for a real scoring quest as more swing advice is not the quickest way for you to drop your score. There is just so much more that you can do, on and off the course, that will pay you back in saved strokes for far less time spent than "fixing" your swing. Most of us have precious little free time that we can work to improve our games so why not work on that which will give us the greatest bang for our (time) buck?
And so, let me be the first to make a pledge to the golf spirit inside me (I always thought that golf is like religion): "I for one, do solemnly swear that I will not pay attention to any swing advice of any sort until I can score in the 70's consistently with the swing I have (and maybe not even then)".
Visit Craig Sigl's website at: http://www.break80golf.com It is dedicated to score improvement for golfers with little time to practice. Download free ebook "How you can play better golf using self-hypnosis". Sign up for ezine "The Very Busy Golfer." Ecourse with golf instruction tips from a major pro, articles on golf equipment and free golf games.
If you watch the Golf Channel or read any of the magazines and books on golf, it will be very hard for you to miss the basic theme that "There is a perfect swing and you will do the most for your game by trying to get it". Even when you watch a tournament on TV, you see the commentators participate in this conspiracy by showing us frame-by-frame analysis of the pro and critiquing his/her every move. Now, maybe we can give the TV guys a break because they are just trying for some entertainment value and let's face it, most of us are interested in the details of the swing because we've been brainwashed by years of this theme.
For many years, I too was a "swing zombie" in my quest to improve my golf game. I even participated with a group of golfers that all had our swings videotaped and then we critiqued each other in a classroom setting. The feedback I received from all of us watching my swing ran from "very smooth" to "way off-kilter". Everybody had a differing opinion of many of the swings that we watched and at least for me, it only confused me more.
In my younger years, I had a typical amateur slice swing that obviously came out of my years of playing baseball and softball. In those days, I would just aim for the left edge of any fairway and I could count on the ball moving left to right, at worst ending up in the right rough but usually hitting the fairway. I enjoyed playing golf those days but I always felt that something was missing. So when I could finally afford it,I decided to take a set of lessons from a pro. Of course I told him that I wanted to get rid of my slice swing and he asked me back "are you sure?". This answer kind of shocked me but he was a very good instructor and by the end of the lessons, I was able to hit the ball out of bounds both ways, left and right. I figured that it would just be a matter of time until I "dialed" in to hitting it straight. To make the story short, 5 years later and I was still "dialing" and getting wrong numbers (ob, jail, water,no score improvement, etc.).
Looking back, I honestly believe now that if I had stuck with my old left to right swing and just used the rest of what I learned from the pro, that I would have improved significantly. Why? Because I was a typical golfer and not a 12 handicapper trying to become a single-digiter (a good golfer trying to become a great one). Studies have shown that the overwhelming majority of amateur golfers shoot in the 90's or above for men and it's over 100 for women. If you are in that group, then you really should be working on parts of your game that will give you far more efficient score improvement for the time and effort spent. This would primarily be in the area of the short game and the mental game.
This is absolutely true for the average golfer but it may be true for all golfers as well. There is loads of evidence on the pro tours that the ones making the money are those best at chipping and putting. The golf research guru himself, Dave Pelz, actually followed tour players around for years taking detailed statistics and he proved it (see his book, My Short Game Bible). In addition to that, there are too many pros to list that admit that their swing is not "technically correct" or maybe not even very good...BUT THEY WIN TOURNAMENTS! Look at Jim Furyk, 2003 U.S. Open winner. He actually has a big loop in his backswing. Lee Trevino always told people that they should not copy his swing. Even Jack Nicklaus says in his books that he wasn't a very good ball striker. Bruce Lietzke has won tournaments on the PGA and Senior tours playing his left-to-right shot his whole career - And he says he rarely practices! On top of that, the tours are littered with past champions that totally lost their game AFTER they tried to change it for the better. And now they are begging their sports psychologist to help them "find" their old swing.
I have talked to PGA golf instructors that say it's their clients that want the swing advice (just like I did) even when they recommend working some other part of their game first. So maybe it's our own fault in creating the current situation where average scores of amateurs have not dropped one stroke in the last 50 years despite the advances in equipment technology. Now don't get me wrong, if you are a total beginner, maybe you should start out with learning the basics of the golf swing with a lesson. But if you're hitting it solid most of the time, you are good to go for a real scoring quest as more swing advice is not the quickest way for you to drop your score. There is just so much more that you can do, on and off the course, that will pay you back in saved strokes for far less time spent than "fixing" your swing. Most of us have precious little free time that we can work to improve our games so why not work on that which will give us the greatest bang for our (time) buck?
And so, let me be the first to make a pledge to the golf spirit inside me (I always thought that golf is like religion): "I for one, do solemnly swear that I will not pay attention to any swing advice of any sort until I can score in the 70's consistently with the swing I have (and maybe not even then)".
Visit Craig Sigl's website at: http://www.break80golf.com It is dedicated to score improvement for golfers with little time to practice. Download free ebook "How you can play better golf using self-hypnosis". Sign up for ezine "The Very Busy Golfer." Ecourse with golf instruction tips from a major pro, articles on golf equipment and free golf games.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Effective Golf Fitness Equipment
Effective Golf Fitness Equipment
Mike Pedersen
Golf fitness equipment is designed to help a golfer build strength in certain muscles so as to improve their golf game and lower their scores.
The problem is that there are so many different golf fitness equipment in the market these days that it is difficult to identify the really effective ones and the duds or inappropriate ones.
Golf Swing Improvement
The situation is hardly helped by the fact that clever marketing is usually put to use in promoting a vast majority of golf fitness equipment. The result is that many disappointed golfers have ended up with loads of the stuff in their garages that has hardly improved their game.
In fact you would find some who would confidently tell you that their game has gotten worse rather than better. You want to improve your golf swing and game, not ruin it!
Weighted Golf Club
Golf fitness equipment that I have found to be very effective is the weighted club. This is a very golf-specific piece of equipment because one ends up going through the exact same motions you do with an ordinary club but with more weight. This greatly helps in strengthening and conditioning all the relevant muscles used in the golf swing.
The inside approach is another great golf fitness equipment to help improve any golf swing. This particular device is extremely useful for slicers and helps deal with this problem fairly quickly.
Golf Exercise Tubing
As golf fitness equipment, golf exercise tubing is very affordable and yet very effective. The strength of this device is in its’ ability to break down the golf swing into as many different phases as you would like to focus on for the sake of improvements. It offers specific resistance training for each phase.
Golf Stability Balls
Stability balls are the sort of golf fitness equipment that any golfer with a bad back should have. There are almost countless different stretch exercises that you can with it. And what makes this golf training aid even more attractive is the fact that you can do your exercises in the office or at home when you have a moment.
Portable Dumbbells
Simple dumbbells can also be very useful golf fitness equipment to have around. You can do so many things with them. You can literally isolate phases of your golf swing and create golf fitness exercises on your own!
You do not need a gym to do a very effective golf fitness routine. The above equipment is more than enough!
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is an Internationally recognized golf fitness trainer and author. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a look at his best selling Golf Fitness System at his golf fitness site - PerformBetterGolf.com.
Mike Pedersen
Golf fitness equipment is designed to help a golfer build strength in certain muscles so as to improve their golf game and lower their scores.
The problem is that there are so many different golf fitness equipment in the market these days that it is difficult to identify the really effective ones and the duds or inappropriate ones.
Golf Swing Improvement
The situation is hardly helped by the fact that clever marketing is usually put to use in promoting a vast majority of golf fitness equipment. The result is that many disappointed golfers have ended up with loads of the stuff in their garages that has hardly improved their game.
In fact you would find some who would confidently tell you that their game has gotten worse rather than better. You want to improve your golf swing and game, not ruin it!
Weighted Golf Club
Golf fitness equipment that I have found to be very effective is the weighted club. This is a very golf-specific piece of equipment because one ends up going through the exact same motions you do with an ordinary club but with more weight. This greatly helps in strengthening and conditioning all the relevant muscles used in the golf swing.
The inside approach is another great golf fitness equipment to help improve any golf swing. This particular device is extremely useful for slicers and helps deal with this problem fairly quickly.
Golf Exercise Tubing
As golf fitness equipment, golf exercise tubing is very affordable and yet very effective. The strength of this device is in its’ ability to break down the golf swing into as many different phases as you would like to focus on for the sake of improvements. It offers specific resistance training for each phase.
Golf Stability Balls
Stability balls are the sort of golf fitness equipment that any golfer with a bad back should have. There are almost countless different stretch exercises that you can with it. And what makes this golf training aid even more attractive is the fact that you can do your exercises in the office or at home when you have a moment.
Portable Dumbbells
Simple dumbbells can also be very useful golf fitness equipment to have around. You can do so many things with them. You can literally isolate phases of your golf swing and create golf fitness exercises on your own!
You do not need a gym to do a very effective golf fitness routine. The above equipment is more than enough!
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is an Internationally recognized golf fitness trainer and author. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a look at his best selling Golf Fitness System at his golf fitness site - PerformBetterGolf.com.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Guide to Playing Golf for Free and Getting Huge Discounts on Golf Balls, Golf Gloves, and Golf Stuff
Guide to Playing Golf for Free and Getting Huge Discounts on Golf Balls, Golf Gloves, and Golf Stuff
Mark Barnes
If you love to play golf as much as most golf enthusiasts, you would probably play more if the great game of golf and most golf equipment wasn't so grossly expensive. An 18-hole round of golf at even a moderately expensive golf course averages about $36.00. A decent box of 12 golf balls costs roughly $19.00, and golf clubs are hundreds. Although it's impossible to get it all for free, there are ways to get free rounds of golf and huge discounts on golf equipment. Here are some guidelines to help you play more rounds of golf for free, get some free golf equipment and get huge discounts on other golf stuff:
Free or reduced rounds of golf:
Play golf writer for a day. Since anyone can contribute articles on the Internet, call the golf resort or club where you'd like to play and ask for the club pro. Tell him that you write reviews of golf courses for an Internet site (you can create the site yourself, or put them her for ezines). Tell the golf pro that you would like to play his course, write an article on it, and you were hoping he could set you up with a complimentary time. Perhaps he could even play along with you. Once you've done this, you'll most likely be able to play there time and time again for free or for a reduced rate.
Get a free club, even a $400 driver:
This is no great secret, but few people know about it. Best of all, it's very easy to do. Go to a search engine like Google. Type in review or test golf clubs. Many golf equipment review pages will come up. Research a few of them and learn what it takes to be one of their consultants. Many just require a complete written review of the golf club in a particular amount of time, and you get to keep the club. Some people do this and never purchase a golf club or a golf ball.
Get free or discounted golf balls, golf gloves and other golf stuff.
This is another one that has been around for awhile, but not every golfer knows about. Many major retailers have golf membership clubs with small yearly fees that offer amazing freebies and discounts on golf balls, golf gloves and other golf equipment. Sometimes, the membership comes with a free sleeve of very nice golf balls. So, the membership might cost you $15.00, and you’ll get a sleeve of balls worth $9.00. Most future purchases include a 10 to 25 percent discount, and usually once each month, you’ll receive correspondence about a special, buy-one-get-one-free deal on balls or gloves.
Get a beautiful free golf hat and golf bag tag today.
Another great place to go for discounts and freebies is the USGA. Their one-year membership fee is $15.00. With it comes a free golf hat, with the name of one of golf’s majors stenciled on it and a name tag for your bag that says USGA. Throughout the year, your membership will afford you many discounts on golf rounds and equipment, along with neat golf publications from the USGA. No true golf enthusiast should be without this membership.
These are just a few of the numerous ways golfers can save literally thousands of dollars each year on golf and golf equipment. Give them a try today.
Check out more great information now at Expert Commentary
Mark Barnes
If you love to play golf as much as most golf enthusiasts, you would probably play more if the great game of golf and most golf equipment wasn't so grossly expensive. An 18-hole round of golf at even a moderately expensive golf course averages about $36.00. A decent box of 12 golf balls costs roughly $19.00, and golf clubs are hundreds. Although it's impossible to get it all for free, there are ways to get free rounds of golf and huge discounts on golf equipment. Here are some guidelines to help you play more rounds of golf for free, get some free golf equipment and get huge discounts on other golf stuff:
Free or reduced rounds of golf:
Play golf writer for a day. Since anyone can contribute articles on the Internet, call the golf resort or club where you'd like to play and ask for the club pro. Tell him that you write reviews of golf courses for an Internet site (you can create the site yourself, or put them her for ezines). Tell the golf pro that you would like to play his course, write an article on it, and you were hoping he could set you up with a complimentary time. Perhaps he could even play along with you. Once you've done this, you'll most likely be able to play there time and time again for free or for a reduced rate.
Get a free club, even a $400 driver:
This is no great secret, but few people know about it. Best of all, it's very easy to do. Go to a search engine like Google. Type in review or test golf clubs. Many golf equipment review pages will come up. Research a few of them and learn what it takes to be one of their consultants. Many just require a complete written review of the golf club in a particular amount of time, and you get to keep the club. Some people do this and never purchase a golf club or a golf ball.
Get free or discounted golf balls, golf gloves and other golf stuff.
This is another one that has been around for awhile, but not every golfer knows about. Many major retailers have golf membership clubs with small yearly fees that offer amazing freebies and discounts on golf balls, golf gloves and other golf equipment. Sometimes, the membership comes with a free sleeve of very nice golf balls. So, the membership might cost you $15.00, and you’ll get a sleeve of balls worth $9.00. Most future purchases include a 10 to 25 percent discount, and usually once each month, you’ll receive correspondence about a special, buy-one-get-one-free deal on balls or gloves.
Get a beautiful free golf hat and golf bag tag today.
Another great place to go for discounts and freebies is the USGA. Their one-year membership fee is $15.00. With it comes a free golf hat, with the name of one of golf’s majors stenciled on it and a name tag for your bag that says USGA. Throughout the year, your membership will afford you many discounts on golf rounds and equipment, along with neat golf publications from the USGA. No true golf enthusiast should be without this membership.
These are just a few of the numerous ways golfers can save literally thousands of dollars each year on golf and golf equipment. Give them a try today.
Check out more great information now at Expert Commentary
Monday, May 08, 2006
The Golfing Greats - Arnold Palmer
Donald Saunders
Arnold Palmer, General of Arnie's Army, was speaking of golf, but he could have been describing his own life when he said, "Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character." His sense of fairness, kindness toward everyone, and dry sense of humor have made him one of the most popular golfers to ever play the game. And he was pretty darned good at the game, too!
As a world-famous golfer, Arnold Palmer won a majority of his 92 championships on the U.S. PGA tour. The only "major" he never won was the PGA Championship, although he finished second in three of them. Probably most noted for being the first pro to win four Masters Tournaments, it's not surprising to find that he started playing golf at the ripe old age of four. He worked hard at developing his golf game throughout most of his life, and it shows with some of the prestigious awards he's won including: the 1960 Hickok Professional Athlete of the Year, the 1960 Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, and even Athlete of the Decade for the 1960s in a national Associated Press poll. The awards culminated in 2004 when President Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House.
His professional career began in 1954, just a few months after he won the U.S. Amateur Championship. The leading money winner in three of the four years spanning his biggest period from 1960 to 1963, Palmer twice represented the U.S. in the international Ryder Cup Match. But Palmer never let all that prestige and status go to his head. He unfailingly maintained a dry and subtle sense of humor. After succumbing to bad luck on the 18th hole at the Rancho Park L.A. Open in 1961, a newsman asked how he had managed to make 12 on the par 5 hole. His reply: "I missed my putt for an 11."
Rancho Park became his home golf course for many years. The 20th Century Fox Studios were right across the street, and many times you'd find Hollywood stars mixing with the regular golfing crowd. It's said that after Palmer once played a round with Frank Sinatra – the famed singer rumored to have been involved with the Italian Mafia – Sinatra asked him, "How do you like my game?" Palmer responded with a straight face, "I prefer golf."
Palmer even got along with members of the media, laughing at the statement made by one television commentator who noted during a live broadcast that Palmer "seems to be having trouble with his long putt. However he has no trouble dropping his shorts." That same kindness, understanding and sense of fairness have carried through his life and led to the unofficial creation of Arnie's Army, a dedicated group of fans that has numbered in the thousands.
The honor and unceasing dedication those fans offer Palmer is well-warranted. His philanthropic efforts, while never highly publicized, have earned him recognition with those who count – the people who know him. For two decades, Palmer served as honorary national chairman of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and has played major roles in fund-raising drives for hospitals in both Orlando, Florida, and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the town in which he was born.
Now in semi-permanent retirement, Palmer splits his time between Latrobe and La Quinta, California. He has numerous business interests around the world and still keeps his hand in his first passion, golf, serving as a consultant to The Golf Channel, designing golf courses around the country, and owning several golf courses, including being part owner of the renowned Pebble Beach course in California.
Famed golf pro, down-to-earth father and family man, quiet philanthropist – all can be used to describe Arnold Palmer. His life in golf has mirrored his life in general. Speaking of golf, he once noted, "I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." It seems, however, that it has been those who know him that have been the real winners in this game.
Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders
Golf is a great sport that will not only get and keep you fit, but give you endless hours of pleasure amongst some of the world's most beautiful scenery. Amongst some of the most interesting golf courses are those at Myrtle Beach golf and Charleston golf
Arnold Palmer, General of Arnie's Army, was speaking of golf, but he could have been describing his own life when he said, "Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character." His sense of fairness, kindness toward everyone, and dry sense of humor have made him one of the most popular golfers to ever play the game. And he was pretty darned good at the game, too!
As a world-famous golfer, Arnold Palmer won a majority of his 92 championships on the U.S. PGA tour. The only "major" he never won was the PGA Championship, although he finished second in three of them. Probably most noted for being the first pro to win four Masters Tournaments, it's not surprising to find that he started playing golf at the ripe old age of four. He worked hard at developing his golf game throughout most of his life, and it shows with some of the prestigious awards he's won including: the 1960 Hickok Professional Athlete of the Year, the 1960 Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, and even Athlete of the Decade for the 1960s in a national Associated Press poll. The awards culminated in 2004 when President Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House.
His professional career began in 1954, just a few months after he won the U.S. Amateur Championship. The leading money winner in three of the four years spanning his biggest period from 1960 to 1963, Palmer twice represented the U.S. in the international Ryder Cup Match. But Palmer never let all that prestige and status go to his head. He unfailingly maintained a dry and subtle sense of humor. After succumbing to bad luck on the 18th hole at the Rancho Park L.A. Open in 1961, a newsman asked how he had managed to make 12 on the par 5 hole. His reply: "I missed my putt for an 11."
Rancho Park became his home golf course for many years. The 20th Century Fox Studios were right across the street, and many times you'd find Hollywood stars mixing with the regular golfing crowd. It's said that after Palmer once played a round with Frank Sinatra – the famed singer rumored to have been involved with the Italian Mafia – Sinatra asked him, "How do you like my game?" Palmer responded with a straight face, "I prefer golf."
Palmer even got along with members of the media, laughing at the statement made by one television commentator who noted during a live broadcast that Palmer "seems to be having trouble with his long putt. However he has no trouble dropping his shorts." That same kindness, understanding and sense of fairness have carried through his life and led to the unofficial creation of Arnie's Army, a dedicated group of fans that has numbered in the thousands.
The honor and unceasing dedication those fans offer Palmer is well-warranted. His philanthropic efforts, while never highly publicized, have earned him recognition with those who count – the people who know him. For two decades, Palmer served as honorary national chairman of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and has played major roles in fund-raising drives for hospitals in both Orlando, Florida, and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the town in which he was born.
Now in semi-permanent retirement, Palmer splits his time between Latrobe and La Quinta, California. He has numerous business interests around the world and still keeps his hand in his first passion, golf, serving as a consultant to The Golf Channel, designing golf courses around the country, and owning several golf courses, including being part owner of the renowned Pebble Beach course in California.
Famed golf pro, down-to-earth father and family man, quiet philanthropist – all can be used to describe Arnold Palmer. His life in golf has mirrored his life in general. Speaking of golf, he once noted, "I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." It seems, however, that it has been those who know him that have been the real winners in this game.
Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders
Golf is a great sport that will not only get and keep you fit, but give you endless hours of pleasure amongst some of the world's most beautiful scenery. Amongst some of the most interesting golf courses are those at Myrtle Beach golf and Charleston golf
Friday, May 05, 2006
How Different Courses Can Help You Become a Good Golf Player
Peter Dewerth
Golf is an fulfilling and absorbing sport but, even so, there is a risk that you may become stale or bored if you do not change the place where you play. This makes golf different from other games, but the reason for this is the very nature of golf. To become a really good golf player, one needs to play according to the unique nature of every course, which in turn means that more than one course is ideal for the maximum development of your game.
Therefore, changing courses requires more than one golf course. While you are still a beginner, or are short of money, your choices are usually limited to golf courses near the place you live, work, or study. Usually there is more than one course there and most likely they are not too expensive.
However, once you have mastered these courses, you'll probably be looking for more.
The most logical place to look into, while searching for a new course, is the PGA Tour stops. The disadvantage of PGA Tour stops is that usually they are not cheap, getting inside is difficult and often they are members-only country clubs. So, before heading to a PGA Tour stop, it is wise to check its rules and make reservations a couple of months in advance.
If changing the golf course is not the sole purpose of your journey, consider one of the several travel destinations, which are suitable for the whole family. In the daytime you will play golf, while your family members are having fun, and you will spend the evening together.
One of the best locations for golf and family vacations all in one is Hawaii. There are many famous golf courses in the Hawaii Islands. Depending on which island you're staying on, there are several different golf courses for you to visit.
If your destination is Oahu (if you are staying in Honolulu, it is on this island), consider the Waikele Golf Club or the Coral Creek Golf Course. They will help you to improve your golf skills, because both courses are designed in a way which includes parts of the terrain.
If you are on the Hawaii Island, why not visit Sandalwood on the Maui Island? This is a relatively new and at the same time well-known golf course. Or why not try the Kona Country Club or the Mauna Key golf course on the Big Island?
Another popular golf destination is Japan. In Japan, there are literally thousands of different golf courses to improve your skills. But it is very, very important that you book your trip in advance, or you might miss the tee time on a Japanese golf club.
However, no matter where you end up going to golf, you'll always be improving your game by exposing yourself to new hazards and obstacles. Just make sure that you plan ahead completely if you're going to be golfing at courses while on vacation - you don't want to get there and be unable to golf because you forgot to make the right reservations!
Peter Dewerth is the owner and operator of FYPR Golf which is a popular resource with extensive information about golf.
For more information, go to: http://www.fyprgolf.com
Golf is an fulfilling and absorbing sport but, even so, there is a risk that you may become stale or bored if you do not change the place where you play. This makes golf different from other games, but the reason for this is the very nature of golf. To become a really good golf player, one needs to play according to the unique nature of every course, which in turn means that more than one course is ideal for the maximum development of your game.
Therefore, changing courses requires more than one golf course. While you are still a beginner, or are short of money, your choices are usually limited to golf courses near the place you live, work, or study. Usually there is more than one course there and most likely they are not too expensive.
However, once you have mastered these courses, you'll probably be looking for more.
The most logical place to look into, while searching for a new course, is the PGA Tour stops. The disadvantage of PGA Tour stops is that usually they are not cheap, getting inside is difficult and often they are members-only country clubs. So, before heading to a PGA Tour stop, it is wise to check its rules and make reservations a couple of months in advance.
If changing the golf course is not the sole purpose of your journey, consider one of the several travel destinations, which are suitable for the whole family. In the daytime you will play golf, while your family members are having fun, and you will spend the evening together.
One of the best locations for golf and family vacations all in one is Hawaii. There are many famous golf courses in the Hawaii Islands. Depending on which island you're staying on, there are several different golf courses for you to visit.
If your destination is Oahu (if you are staying in Honolulu, it is on this island), consider the Waikele Golf Club or the Coral Creek Golf Course. They will help you to improve your golf skills, because both courses are designed in a way which includes parts of the terrain.
If you are on the Hawaii Island, why not visit Sandalwood on the Maui Island? This is a relatively new and at the same time well-known golf course. Or why not try the Kona Country Club or the Mauna Key golf course on the Big Island?
Another popular golf destination is Japan. In Japan, there are literally thousands of different golf courses to improve your skills. But it is very, very important that you book your trip in advance, or you might miss the tee time on a Japanese golf club.
However, no matter where you end up going to golf, you'll always be improving your game by exposing yourself to new hazards and obstacles. Just make sure that you plan ahead completely if you're going to be golfing at courses while on vacation - you don't want to get there and be unable to golf because you forgot to make the right reservations!
Peter Dewerth is the owner and operator of FYPR Golf which is a popular resource with extensive information about golf.
For more information, go to: http://www.fyprgolf.com
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Reading A Green
John Toepel
Reading a green or more accurately reading your putt.
Putting is the smallest and the biggest part of golf. How can that be? A one inch putt counts the same as a 300 yard drive. On the other hand, if you hit all the greens in regulation and two putt every green, what percentage of your shots will be taken on a green? You're right, 50%.
Thus it is both the biggest and the smallest part of golf.
Our egos yell that we must hit the drive long, really long. And without doubt, there is some satisfaction in hitting a long drive and some advantage. And how many drives do you hit during a round of golf? Right, only about 14.
I don't want to dwell on the mechanics of putting but on something rather completely unmechanical; how to read a green or actually how to read a putt.
At one point in the history of golf, golfers actually walked when they played the game. Golf is a walking game. It gives one much-needed time between shots, a little light exercise, an opportunity to see the golf course and the game from a walker's perspective.
One of the advantages of walking is to see the green from the front. All its undulations and subtleties are visible as you walk to the green from the fairway. Try it sometime! You'll find the view of the front of the green as you're walking to it, is quite different than the view from the cart and the cart path.
Knowing the ups and downs of the green from a distance is valuable information. It gives you a general sense of the green and what you are dealing with.
There are two important parts to putting: line and speed. Most golfers, especially ones on TV, seem to spend all of their time on the line. That is trying to get a the line just exactly right.
That's a big mistake!
The reality is, the line of a putt is dictated 100% by the speed of the putt. You can make any putt straight, if you will hit it hard enough. That's not necessarily the way to make lots of putts, but it is a very true statement.
The point I'm trying to make is that the speed is the most important part of putting and dictates the line. You can get a pretty good line on a putt in about a second. Getting the right speed, takes a bit longer. And with the correct speed you will make many putts.
The question really is, how hard do you hit a putt? We don't get a practice putt to figure out how hard to hit our real putt. That means we must properly calculate the speed before we putt the first time.
You must know the speed, feel the speed and experience the speed before you putt. Is the putt uphill or downhill? That's usually quite easy to determine. But how fast is the grass?
You spent some time on the practice putting green before you went to play. You should have some idea of the speed of the greens. The putting green will be faster than most of the greens on the golf course because it gets such high traffic. Consequently, you should hit uphill putts on the practice green before you play.
But all greens and all putts are a little bit different. It's your job to study the grass and know if it is fast or slow. If it's long, wet and fuzzy, it will be slow. If it's short, dry and sparse it will be fast. When I say wet and dry, I don't mean water outside of the grass blades. I'm talking about the moisture inside the grass blades.
Only experience will tell you the speed of the grass. Practice putting extra putts on the golf course if time permits. That will help you gain the awareness you need. What I'm telling you is that you need to be aware of the speed of the grass. With awareness comes learning and expertise.
I was playing with Dave Hill and Ray Floyd in a tournament in Houston, Texas. That area had had too much rain, and then too much very hot and very humid weather. Short grass does not like that combination. The greens were not totally dead but there was a crunching sound, as we stepped on whatever was on the greens.
All three of us had hit our shots on a par 3 to the left and slightly above of the hole. I was the farthest away by about a foot. It was a 15 foot putt with a left to right break and all downhill. I studied that putt and studied that putt, trying to figure a way to keep the ball within about 10 feet of the hole. I saw Dave and Ray watching me intently.
I very carefully putted my ball. It ended up about 8 feet below the hole. Nice putt! After David and Ray putted, my ball was the closest one to the hole! We all did tell the putt was extremely fast, but there was nothing we could do to keep the ball from going considerably past the hole.
Now the rest of the story - we all made threes. The moral of the story: try to always have your second putt be uphill, and then make it.
John Toepel is a Veteran PGA Tour Player, instructor, author, and professional speaker. He is also the discoverer of Concept Golf, the quickest way to immediate, life-long lasting improvements to anyone's golf game. To learn more about Concept Golf, including the most comprehensive golf instruction system ever, "The Concept Golf Perfect Shot Making System", please visit http://www.conceptgolf.com/PSMS.htm and Discover the Par Golfer in You!
Reading a green or more accurately reading your putt.
Putting is the smallest and the biggest part of golf. How can that be? A one inch putt counts the same as a 300 yard drive. On the other hand, if you hit all the greens in regulation and two putt every green, what percentage of your shots will be taken on a green? You're right, 50%.
Thus it is both the biggest and the smallest part of golf.
Our egos yell that we must hit the drive long, really long. And without doubt, there is some satisfaction in hitting a long drive and some advantage. And how many drives do you hit during a round of golf? Right, only about 14.
I don't want to dwell on the mechanics of putting but on something rather completely unmechanical; how to read a green or actually how to read a putt.
At one point in the history of golf, golfers actually walked when they played the game. Golf is a walking game. It gives one much-needed time between shots, a little light exercise, an opportunity to see the golf course and the game from a walker's perspective.
One of the advantages of walking is to see the green from the front. All its undulations and subtleties are visible as you walk to the green from the fairway. Try it sometime! You'll find the view of the front of the green as you're walking to it, is quite different than the view from the cart and the cart path.
Knowing the ups and downs of the green from a distance is valuable information. It gives you a general sense of the green and what you are dealing with.
There are two important parts to putting: line and speed. Most golfers, especially ones on TV, seem to spend all of their time on the line. That is trying to get a the line just exactly right.
That's a big mistake!
The reality is, the line of a putt is dictated 100% by the speed of the putt. You can make any putt straight, if you will hit it hard enough. That's not necessarily the way to make lots of putts, but it is a very true statement.
The point I'm trying to make is that the speed is the most important part of putting and dictates the line. You can get a pretty good line on a putt in about a second. Getting the right speed, takes a bit longer. And with the correct speed you will make many putts.
The question really is, how hard do you hit a putt? We don't get a practice putt to figure out how hard to hit our real putt. That means we must properly calculate the speed before we putt the first time.
You must know the speed, feel the speed and experience the speed before you putt. Is the putt uphill or downhill? That's usually quite easy to determine. But how fast is the grass?
You spent some time on the practice putting green before you went to play. You should have some idea of the speed of the greens. The putting green will be faster than most of the greens on the golf course because it gets such high traffic. Consequently, you should hit uphill putts on the practice green before you play.
But all greens and all putts are a little bit different. It's your job to study the grass and know if it is fast or slow. If it's long, wet and fuzzy, it will be slow. If it's short, dry and sparse it will be fast. When I say wet and dry, I don't mean water outside of the grass blades. I'm talking about the moisture inside the grass blades.
Only experience will tell you the speed of the grass. Practice putting extra putts on the golf course if time permits. That will help you gain the awareness you need. What I'm telling you is that you need to be aware of the speed of the grass. With awareness comes learning and expertise.
I was playing with Dave Hill and Ray Floyd in a tournament in Houston, Texas. That area had had too much rain, and then too much very hot and very humid weather. Short grass does not like that combination. The greens were not totally dead but there was a crunching sound, as we stepped on whatever was on the greens.
All three of us had hit our shots on a par 3 to the left and slightly above of the hole. I was the farthest away by about a foot. It was a 15 foot putt with a left to right break and all downhill. I studied that putt and studied that putt, trying to figure a way to keep the ball within about 10 feet of the hole. I saw Dave and Ray watching me intently.
I very carefully putted my ball. It ended up about 8 feet below the hole. Nice putt! After David and Ray putted, my ball was the closest one to the hole! We all did tell the putt was extremely fast, but there was nothing we could do to keep the ball from going considerably past the hole.
Now the rest of the story - we all made threes. The moral of the story: try to always have your second putt be uphill, and then make it.
John Toepel is a Veteran PGA Tour Player, instructor, author, and professional speaker. He is also the discoverer of Concept Golf, the quickest way to immediate, life-long lasting improvements to anyone's golf game. To learn more about Concept Golf, including the most comprehensive golf instruction system ever, "The Concept Golf Perfect Shot Making System", please visit http://www.conceptgolf.com/PSMS.htm and Discover the Par Golfer in You!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Clone Golf Clubs May Be The Best Way To Go
Dean Cecere
If you are searching for the best clone golf clubs, there are a number of things you should be aware of. This is where the real value comes in to play when talking about golf equipment deals. Do not be mistaken by thinking these are low-grade clubs for the beginner golfer just because they are offered at a third of the price of top selling gear from companies like Callaway, Ping and comparable gear. The best clone golf clubs are made using the same top quality materials.
Whether you are in the market for irons, wedges, putter or woods, buying the best clone golf clubs may very well be the best option for you. If you are the type of person who doesn’t give in to popular brand names, but stands by quality and performance, then the low price you will pay for clones will be a big bonus. These clubs are designed to look, feel and perform like the top brand named clubs, but will come to you at up to a third of the price.
Many times, the best clone golf clubs can be custom fitted to your body style and swing. Having them tailored to your specifications will ultimately give you optimal performance on the golf course where you demand it the most. Please take the time to research what clones can do for you before you go out and purchase a set of expensive clubs that may not be right for you, you'll be glad you did. It can save you a lot of money and a lot of unnecessary strokes.
Dean Cecere is author, avid golfer and provider of resourceful golf articles.
Please take the time to visit http://www.golf-equipment-accessories.com for all your golf equipment needs.
Thank you and please use this article providing the above link is left alive.
If you are searching for the best clone golf clubs, there are a number of things you should be aware of. This is where the real value comes in to play when talking about golf equipment deals. Do not be mistaken by thinking these are low-grade clubs for the beginner golfer just because they are offered at a third of the price of top selling gear from companies like Callaway, Ping and comparable gear. The best clone golf clubs are made using the same top quality materials.
Whether you are in the market for irons, wedges, putter or woods, buying the best clone golf clubs may very well be the best option for you. If you are the type of person who doesn’t give in to popular brand names, but stands by quality and performance, then the low price you will pay for clones will be a big bonus. These clubs are designed to look, feel and perform like the top brand named clubs, but will come to you at up to a third of the price.
Many times, the best clone golf clubs can be custom fitted to your body style and swing. Having them tailored to your specifications will ultimately give you optimal performance on the golf course where you demand it the most. Please take the time to research what clones can do for you before you go out and purchase a set of expensive clubs that may not be right for you, you'll be glad you did. It can save you a lot of money and a lot of unnecessary strokes.
Dean Cecere is author, avid golfer and provider of resourceful golf articles.
Please take the time to visit http://www.golf-equipment-accessories.com for all your golf equipment needs.
Thank you and please use this article providing the above link is left alive.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Improving Your Golf Game, the Optimal Recipe
Sean Cochran
There are hundreds, probably thousands, of articles about how to improve your golf. Just pick up any weekly or monthly issue of any golf magazine. You will read page after page on how to get better at your driving distance, how to improve your putting, how to improve your short game. The list goes on and on and on. (I could probably fill this whole article with the titles of the articles that are “supposed” to fix your game). This tells me a few things about golfers: 1) we all want to get better, 2) we are anxious to absorb all the information possible to get better, and 3) golf is a game of continual improvement.
The question that may be running through your mind at this point is: “Why is this article any better the ones I read last week?” The answer is that it is not. It is different, not necessarily better or worse. The difference is the perspective from which this article is written. Let me explain.
I currently work on the PGA Tour as a personal trainer/strength and conditioning coach. Previous to my position on the tour I worked in professional baseball with the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers training elite athletes. This article will look at improving your golf swing through the “my” eyes, which is a perspective different from players, swing coaches, and sports psychologists. This article will not speak directly about specific drills or mental thoughts that should be incorporated into your swing. We will look at golf from a broader perspective and provide some insight on how to approach improvement in your golf game on a day-to-day basis.
I see improvement in the sport of golf contingent upon three ideas. These ideas are categories that any golfer or any other athlete can apply to their daily lives for improvement in their sport of choice. The three keys to improvement in any athletic endeavor, golf included, are:
1) physical, 2) biomechanical, and 3) mental/emotional
Realize that entire books are written on these three subjects, and the point of this article is to present these keys to pique your interest for more information to help you improve your game.
Biomechanical (Golf Swing Mechanics)
Biomechanics is essentially physics applied to the body. The study of biomechanics concerns itself with how the body moves and what allows it to perform certain human movements. For example, biomechanics studies how the body moves to throw a baseball 95 miles per hour or how to swing a golf club to create club head speed of 120 miles per hour. Biomechanics looks at how the body moves to perform these actions efficiently. Biomechanics in relation to the golf swing concerns itself with how the body swings a golf club to get the most efficient and effective swing possible from the human body. I would estimate that probably 95% of the books, articles in golf magazines and television programs deal with the topic of biomechanics. When it comes to the biomechanics of the golf swing, the research is pretty solid, and “they” (swing coaches, instructors, etc…) know mechanically what the golf swing should do, and how the body is suppose to work to perform it correctly.
Biomechanically, the human body is not perfect. The perfect golf swing or the perfect pitching motion has yet to be achieved by any human. The professionals in such sports get very close. Their efficiency ratings when it comes to these athletic actions are in the 90’s in terms of percentages, but there is yet to be a human who has achieved 100% biomechanical efficiency in any movement. Don’t expect to be near 100% efficiency. To get better swing mechanics the bottom line is that you must find quality information, instruction and practice, practice, practice. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Physical “Golf Fitness” Recipe
The physical side of golf has to do with preparing the actual physical body to perform the athletic movement you are asking it to do. Every movement that your body performs, be it walking down the street, playing catch, or swinging a golf club, requires effort from your body. Your body has to perform “work” to complete these physical actions. To swing a golf club with the correct biomechanics in an effective and efficient manner, your body needs to be flexible, balanced, strong, have endurance, and power.
It becomes obvious that to swing a club on the correct path you body has to have the “platform or base” to do it correctly. Your platform consists of the flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power we discussed in the previous paragraph. These 5 pieces to the golf fitness puzzle are developed through training which create what is called a “transfer of training effect” into the golf swing.
Quite often I see amateur golfers lacking the necessary amounts of flexibility, balance, etc. and it hinders any possibility of developing the correct biomechanics of the golf swing.
So simply put, you have to develop a better swing; you need to develop more flexibility into your body, improve your balance, become stronger in your overall body, improve your muscular endurance and what we are all after, and improve your power.
Think of your golf fitness as a cookie recipe. If you leave out any one ingredient, your cookie will taste terrible.
Don’t leave out any ingredients in your golf fitness plan.
Mental/Emotional
You have probably read articles of “the mental side of golf,” which I think are great reads and have a significant benefit to your game. I know personally when I am confident in my swing, hitting the fairway off the tee is much easier. That has to do with confidence in my game in addition to success on the course. I would like to interject a point that I have seen from working with numerous professional athletes.
Let me begin by asking you a question: “which occurs first, success or confidence?” The answers I hear half the time are success and the other half of the time confidence. Let me first tell you that it is a trick question. The answer is as follows: “Proper preparation precedes success and confidence.” So with that said, I found through experience that both success on the course and confidence in your game are a direct result of being properly prepared physically, mentally, and biomechanically for competition.
So just thinking about making a putt usually does not work. Making that putt or putting that drive into the fairway is more a result of days upon days of physical and biomechanical preparation of your swing. This will then foster what is required to make those shots on the course. One additional observation: I have found that creating the mental focus required for golf is much easier when you have developed the physical foundation for your swing. If you trust that your body will do what you ask it do, when you want it to do it, mentally the game becomes much easier.
Where can I learn more?
Again, remember my perspective is from a different corner. I also believe that if you put these three philosophies to work on a daily basis your golf game will improve by leaps and bounds. For more information and help with your total golf game, please go our web site at www.bioforcegolf.com
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.
There are hundreds, probably thousands, of articles about how to improve your golf. Just pick up any weekly or monthly issue of any golf magazine. You will read page after page on how to get better at your driving distance, how to improve your putting, how to improve your short game. The list goes on and on and on. (I could probably fill this whole article with the titles of the articles that are “supposed” to fix your game). This tells me a few things about golfers: 1) we all want to get better, 2) we are anxious to absorb all the information possible to get better, and 3) golf is a game of continual improvement.
The question that may be running through your mind at this point is: “Why is this article any better the ones I read last week?” The answer is that it is not. It is different, not necessarily better or worse. The difference is the perspective from which this article is written. Let me explain.
I currently work on the PGA Tour as a personal trainer/strength and conditioning coach. Previous to my position on the tour I worked in professional baseball with the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers training elite athletes. This article will look at improving your golf swing through the “my” eyes, which is a perspective different from players, swing coaches, and sports psychologists. This article will not speak directly about specific drills or mental thoughts that should be incorporated into your swing. We will look at golf from a broader perspective and provide some insight on how to approach improvement in your golf game on a day-to-day basis.
I see improvement in the sport of golf contingent upon three ideas. These ideas are categories that any golfer or any other athlete can apply to their daily lives for improvement in their sport of choice. The three keys to improvement in any athletic endeavor, golf included, are:
1) physical, 2) biomechanical, and 3) mental/emotional
Realize that entire books are written on these three subjects, and the point of this article is to present these keys to pique your interest for more information to help you improve your game.
Biomechanical (Golf Swing Mechanics)
Biomechanics is essentially physics applied to the body. The study of biomechanics concerns itself with how the body moves and what allows it to perform certain human movements. For example, biomechanics studies how the body moves to throw a baseball 95 miles per hour or how to swing a golf club to create club head speed of 120 miles per hour. Biomechanics looks at how the body moves to perform these actions efficiently. Biomechanics in relation to the golf swing concerns itself with how the body swings a golf club to get the most efficient and effective swing possible from the human body. I would estimate that probably 95% of the books, articles in golf magazines and television programs deal with the topic of biomechanics. When it comes to the biomechanics of the golf swing, the research is pretty solid, and “they” (swing coaches, instructors, etc…) know mechanically what the golf swing should do, and how the body is suppose to work to perform it correctly.
Biomechanically, the human body is not perfect. The perfect golf swing or the perfect pitching motion has yet to be achieved by any human. The professionals in such sports get very close. Their efficiency ratings when it comes to these athletic actions are in the 90’s in terms of percentages, but there is yet to be a human who has achieved 100% biomechanical efficiency in any movement. Don’t expect to be near 100% efficiency. To get better swing mechanics the bottom line is that you must find quality information, instruction and practice, practice, practice. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Physical “Golf Fitness” Recipe
The physical side of golf has to do with preparing the actual physical body to perform the athletic movement you are asking it to do. Every movement that your body performs, be it walking down the street, playing catch, or swinging a golf club, requires effort from your body. Your body has to perform “work” to complete these physical actions. To swing a golf club with the correct biomechanics in an effective and efficient manner, your body needs to be flexible, balanced, strong, have endurance, and power.
It becomes obvious that to swing a club on the correct path you body has to have the “platform or base” to do it correctly. Your platform consists of the flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power we discussed in the previous paragraph. These 5 pieces to the golf fitness puzzle are developed through training which create what is called a “transfer of training effect” into the golf swing.
Quite often I see amateur golfers lacking the necessary amounts of flexibility, balance, etc. and it hinders any possibility of developing the correct biomechanics of the golf swing.
So simply put, you have to develop a better swing; you need to develop more flexibility into your body, improve your balance, become stronger in your overall body, improve your muscular endurance and what we are all after, and improve your power.
Think of your golf fitness as a cookie recipe. If you leave out any one ingredient, your cookie will taste terrible.
Don’t leave out any ingredients in your golf fitness plan.
Mental/Emotional
You have probably read articles of “the mental side of golf,” which I think are great reads and have a significant benefit to your game. I know personally when I am confident in my swing, hitting the fairway off the tee is much easier. That has to do with confidence in my game in addition to success on the course. I would like to interject a point that I have seen from working with numerous professional athletes.
Let me begin by asking you a question: “which occurs first, success or confidence?” The answers I hear half the time are success and the other half of the time confidence. Let me first tell you that it is a trick question. The answer is as follows: “Proper preparation precedes success and confidence.” So with that said, I found through experience that both success on the course and confidence in your game are a direct result of being properly prepared physically, mentally, and biomechanically for competition.
So just thinking about making a putt usually does not work. Making that putt or putting that drive into the fairway is more a result of days upon days of physical and biomechanical preparation of your swing. This will then foster what is required to make those shots on the course. One additional observation: I have found that creating the mental focus required for golf is much easier when you have developed the physical foundation for your swing. If you trust that your body will do what you ask it do, when you want it to do it, mentally the game becomes much easier.
Where can I learn more?
Again, remember my perspective is from a different corner. I also believe that if you put these three philosophies to work on a daily basis your golf game will improve by leaps and bounds. For more information and help with your total golf game, please go our web site at www.bioforcegolf.com
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.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Seven Easy Steps To Cure A Golf Addict
Mike Wyman
Do you have a friend who is an avid golfer? Most of us can’t understand what the big deal is about smacking a white ball around a field for hours and hours, let alone spending hundreds of dollars each year on golf equipment. So how do you cure this addiction? Here are seven easy to follow steps for someone troubled by this horrible addiction.
Step One: The only known cure for the avid golfer is found in a single place, the golf course. Firstly, it’s the most likely place you’ll find your golfing friend and therefore the best place to start. So, grab a set of clubs and hit the links.
Step Two: Once you’re on the course, the best thing to do is relax and try to enter the mind of your addict. Don’t worry about the world outside, your problems at home, or anything other that enjoying the beautiful outdoors and your golf game. Soon, you will start to understand why your friend is drawn to the course, day after day, week after week.
Step Three: Be sure to take advantage of the refreshment cart, also know as the beer cart. The beer cart is usually staffed by young, attractive females who are noted for serving you with a smile. Most of them sell cigars which help you celebrate your successful intervention with your golf addict.
Step Four: As your finish your round, you will most likely be surprised by how quickly 4 or 5 hours has passed. You will notice that your partner’s clubs were nicer than yours and if you were lucky, you may have even had the chance to try their driver while you played. This step involves a visit to the Pro Shop to get a decent driver for yourself.
Step Five: A visit to the 19th Hole. No golf outing is complete until you’ve socialized for at least one drink at the 19th Hole.
Step Six: You now have a good idea of what is fueling this addiction. You vow to no longer let your friend suffer through their disease on their own. You make plans to tee off tomorrow, same time, same place.
Step Seven: Admit you now are hooked and it’s not so much a disease as it is a passion you share with your friends. This is the easiest step of all but of course requires the first 6 steps to get here. Welcome to the club!
Mike Wyman is co-owner of http://www.dateagolfer.com/ and http://www.puttingforpar.com/
Do you have a friend who is an avid golfer? Most of us can’t understand what the big deal is about smacking a white ball around a field for hours and hours, let alone spending hundreds of dollars each year on golf equipment. So how do you cure this addiction? Here are seven easy to follow steps for someone troubled by this horrible addiction.
Step One: The only known cure for the avid golfer is found in a single place, the golf course. Firstly, it’s the most likely place you’ll find your golfing friend and therefore the best place to start. So, grab a set of clubs and hit the links.
Step Two: Once you’re on the course, the best thing to do is relax and try to enter the mind of your addict. Don’t worry about the world outside, your problems at home, or anything other that enjoying the beautiful outdoors and your golf game. Soon, you will start to understand why your friend is drawn to the course, day after day, week after week.
Step Three: Be sure to take advantage of the refreshment cart, also know as the beer cart. The beer cart is usually staffed by young, attractive females who are noted for serving you with a smile. Most of them sell cigars which help you celebrate your successful intervention with your golf addict.
Step Four: As your finish your round, you will most likely be surprised by how quickly 4 or 5 hours has passed. You will notice that your partner’s clubs were nicer than yours and if you were lucky, you may have even had the chance to try their driver while you played. This step involves a visit to the Pro Shop to get a decent driver for yourself.
Step Five: A visit to the 19th Hole. No golf outing is complete until you’ve socialized for at least one drink at the 19th Hole.
Step Six: You now have a good idea of what is fueling this addiction. You vow to no longer let your friend suffer through their disease on their own. You make plans to tee off tomorrow, same time, same place.
Step Seven: Admit you now are hooked and it’s not so much a disease as it is a passion you share with your friends. This is the easiest step of all but of course requires the first 6 steps to get here. Welcome to the club!
Mike Wyman is co-owner of http://www.dateagolfer.com/ and http://www.puttingforpar.com/
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Practice For Improvement
John Toepel
I would like to focus on the concept of practice. I will tell you what real practice is and how you can practice constructively. You will learn how to practice correctly to lower your scores. These two newsletter will show you the practice that will always help you and what practice will make you continually worse.
Practice is one of the most misunderstood and misused parts of the game of golf.
What is the practice range for? The answer most golfers will give is that the range is the place to perfect the swing. That common misconception has hurt countless golfers. Read on and you’ll learn the PGA Tour practice secrets that will make you a better golfer, I promise.
Practice is one of the most misunderstood concepts in (or out of) golf. "Practice makes perfect" is the old adage -- and it is not true. Perfect practice makes perfect is true. The right kind of practice will make you better; practicing the wrong ideas or even the right ideas in the wrong way will make you worse.
I ask my students to limit their practice of full shots to 25 balls a day.
It is so tempting to go out and hit 250 balls with a driver and think you have done something to improve your swing and your game. Most of the time you can hit the BIG bucket in less than an hour by having at least three balls in the air at all times. This is not productive practice, it is counterproductive practice. It often causes the golfer to “try” things with his swing - and get thoroughly confused. Hitting millions of practice balls may make some golfers better, but it destroys more golfers than it improves. It's reasonable to hit some practice balls and do a lot of putting and pitching practice. However, it's more effective to understand the correct concepts than to be a tireless practicer.
Learn the swing with a practice swing and confirm with a ball
As an aside, the balls you hit before you play are not practice. This is simply warming up and finding out how your shots are going today. Warming up is important because each day is unique and you need to find out how things are going right now and make your game plan accordingly.
To practice your swing, make practice swings at home without a ball for 15 minutes every day. Use a 5- iron and simply swing correctly. This will help your swing become the swing you want. Learn the swing with a practice swing and confirm with a ball. Don’t try to learn the swing by swinging with a ball.
I watched Jimmy Ballard help Dave Hill in January 1977 in Phoenix. Ballard had asked Hill to do something very specific with his swing. Dave kept practice swinging and practice swinging. Finally Ballard asked Hill to hit a ball. Since Ballard hadn't said he was doing the change properly with the practice swing, Hill asked, "Why?" "When I get it right with the practice swing, then I'll hit a ball," Hill told him. That makes perfect sense. The ball is often intimidating, and hitting balls does not promote learning a new thought. Get your thoughts organized, then hit a few balls. Stop trying to hit balls to get your swing right. And if you start hitting shots poorly, stop. Go back to practicing your swing without the ball until you sense that your swing is back on track. Only then should you go back to hitting practice balls.
Why do I ask you to limit your range practice to 25 balls a day? Hitting lots of balls can be very detrimental. A typical golfer goes to the range with the intention of getting better. He hits a few wedges, moves to the mid and longer irons and then on to perfect the dreaded driver. The first few go all right, and then things start to go haywire -- just a little at first, then some real hooks, slices and miss-hit shots. Now he is off to the races. The bad shots create that "What's wrong?" question, which is quickly followed by the really bad thoughts of trying to “fix” the swing that he believes is causing those bad shots.
Now we have a golfer who doesn't understand the swing trying to “fix” what he thinks is wrong with the swing. His knowledge of what went wrong is based entirely on what the bad swing “felt” like. But he may be “fortunate” enough to have a good friend and golfer nearby to give him the answer. This is a formula for real swing trouble -- like the dentist teaching the accountant the golf swing!
This kind of practice sets the golfer back by several years. You can see where this could lead to big problems. This kind of practice can be disastrous for your game. It leads people to tinker with their swing rather than get better at playing the game. The best rule for your swing and your game is to never try to “fix” a “bad shot” swing. Focus on the five fundamentals and let the bad shots go. Just say "whoops" and move on!
John Toepel is a Veteran PGA Tour Player, instructor, author, and professional speaker. He is also the discoverer of Concept Golf, the quickest way to immediate, life-long lasting improvements to anyone's golf game. To learn more about Concept Golf, including the most comprehensive golf instruction system ever, "The Concept Golf Perfect Shot Making System", please visit http://www.conceptgolf.com/PSMS.htm and Discover the Par Golfer in You!
I would like to focus on the concept of practice. I will tell you what real practice is and how you can practice constructively. You will learn how to practice correctly to lower your scores. These two newsletter will show you the practice that will always help you and what practice will make you continually worse.
Practice is one of the most misunderstood and misused parts of the game of golf.
What is the practice range for? The answer most golfers will give is that the range is the place to perfect the swing. That common misconception has hurt countless golfers. Read on and you’ll learn the PGA Tour practice secrets that will make you a better golfer, I promise.
Practice is one of the most misunderstood concepts in (or out of) golf. "Practice makes perfect" is the old adage -- and it is not true. Perfect practice makes perfect is true. The right kind of practice will make you better; practicing the wrong ideas or even the right ideas in the wrong way will make you worse.
I ask my students to limit their practice of full shots to 25 balls a day.
It is so tempting to go out and hit 250 balls with a driver and think you have done something to improve your swing and your game. Most of the time you can hit the BIG bucket in less than an hour by having at least three balls in the air at all times. This is not productive practice, it is counterproductive practice. It often causes the golfer to “try” things with his swing - and get thoroughly confused. Hitting millions of practice balls may make some golfers better, but it destroys more golfers than it improves. It's reasonable to hit some practice balls and do a lot of putting and pitching practice. However, it's more effective to understand the correct concepts than to be a tireless practicer.
Learn the swing with a practice swing and confirm with a ball
As an aside, the balls you hit before you play are not practice. This is simply warming up and finding out how your shots are going today. Warming up is important because each day is unique and you need to find out how things are going right now and make your game plan accordingly.
To practice your swing, make practice swings at home without a ball for 15 minutes every day. Use a 5- iron and simply swing correctly. This will help your swing become the swing you want. Learn the swing with a practice swing and confirm with a ball. Don’t try to learn the swing by swinging with a ball.
I watched Jimmy Ballard help Dave Hill in January 1977 in Phoenix. Ballard had asked Hill to do something very specific with his swing. Dave kept practice swinging and practice swinging. Finally Ballard asked Hill to hit a ball. Since Ballard hadn't said he was doing the change properly with the practice swing, Hill asked, "Why?" "When I get it right with the practice swing, then I'll hit a ball," Hill told him. That makes perfect sense. The ball is often intimidating, and hitting balls does not promote learning a new thought. Get your thoughts organized, then hit a few balls. Stop trying to hit balls to get your swing right. And if you start hitting shots poorly, stop. Go back to practicing your swing without the ball until you sense that your swing is back on track. Only then should you go back to hitting practice balls.
Why do I ask you to limit your range practice to 25 balls a day? Hitting lots of balls can be very detrimental. A typical golfer goes to the range with the intention of getting better. He hits a few wedges, moves to the mid and longer irons and then on to perfect the dreaded driver. The first few go all right, and then things start to go haywire -- just a little at first, then some real hooks, slices and miss-hit shots. Now he is off to the races. The bad shots create that "What's wrong?" question, which is quickly followed by the really bad thoughts of trying to “fix” the swing that he believes is causing those bad shots.
Now we have a golfer who doesn't understand the swing trying to “fix” what he thinks is wrong with the swing. His knowledge of what went wrong is based entirely on what the bad swing “felt” like. But he may be “fortunate” enough to have a good friend and golfer nearby to give him the answer. This is a formula for real swing trouble -- like the dentist teaching the accountant the golf swing!
This kind of practice sets the golfer back by several years. You can see where this could lead to big problems. This kind of practice can be disastrous for your game. It leads people to tinker with their swing rather than get better at playing the game. The best rule for your swing and your game is to never try to “fix” a “bad shot” swing. Focus on the five fundamentals and let the bad shots go. Just say "whoops" and move on!
John Toepel is a Veteran PGA Tour Player, instructor, author, and professional speaker. He is also the discoverer of Concept Golf, the quickest way to immediate, life-long lasting improvements to anyone's golf game. To learn more about Concept Golf, including the most comprehensive golf instruction system ever, "The Concept Golf Perfect Shot Making System", please visit http://www.conceptgolf.com/PSMS.htm and Discover the Par Golfer in You!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Choosing the Right Golf Club for Your Swing
Jason Powers
Golf is a delicate game of balance and skill and to be able to find this balance you need to have the right golf club in your hands. And each shot is different and to have the right golf club in your had each time you are going to need a whole set of clubs right? If you are new to the game of golf then you might not have realized just how important the right golf club is to your game but the sooner that you figure this out the better your game will be.
If you are a beginner golfer then you might do better with a golf club that has more flexibility to it. As you improve and your golf swing gets stronger and harder you can then think about switching to a golf club with less flexibility. This flexibility is appropriately called the shaft flex and it really does vary from golf club to golf club and it is very key to the amount of control you will have over the ball.
The golf club and really the entire golf club set that you choose will be influenced by how good a player you are so far. Different ability levels require different golf clubs, this is just a simple fact of the game. Having the right golf club will help you to learn as a much faster and more efficient, not to mention fun, rate.
Do you have a low handicap, a mid handicap or a high handicap? You need to find this out in order to get the right golf club for you and your game. If you are a low handicap player then you are looking at under ten strokes over par, a mid handicap player is 11-20 and high is well over 100. If you still don’t know what I am talking about then you will want to talk to a pro at the golf course that you regularly go to. He or she should be able to help you find a good golf club for your game, any hey, you might even get some great pro tips at the same time. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Choosing the right golf club for you and your game is important if you want to improve on your golf game. This is one game that is not entirely about practice, while you still need to practice having the right golf club can make these practices much more enjoyable for you and for those around you.
Jason Powers, a devoted golf fan, offers more golf tips on his personal website ===>http://www.golfsites.info
Golf is a delicate game of balance and skill and to be able to find this balance you need to have the right golf club in your hands. And each shot is different and to have the right golf club in your had each time you are going to need a whole set of clubs right? If you are new to the game of golf then you might not have realized just how important the right golf club is to your game but the sooner that you figure this out the better your game will be.
If you are a beginner golfer then you might do better with a golf club that has more flexibility to it. As you improve and your golf swing gets stronger and harder you can then think about switching to a golf club with less flexibility. This flexibility is appropriately called the shaft flex and it really does vary from golf club to golf club and it is very key to the amount of control you will have over the ball.
The golf club and really the entire golf club set that you choose will be influenced by how good a player you are so far. Different ability levels require different golf clubs, this is just a simple fact of the game. Having the right golf club will help you to learn as a much faster and more efficient, not to mention fun, rate.
Do you have a low handicap, a mid handicap or a high handicap? You need to find this out in order to get the right golf club for you and your game. If you are a low handicap player then you are looking at under ten strokes over par, a mid handicap player is 11-20 and high is well over 100. If you still don’t know what I am talking about then you will want to talk to a pro at the golf course that you regularly go to. He or she should be able to help you find a good golf club for your game, any hey, you might even get some great pro tips at the same time. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Choosing the right golf club for you and your game is important if you want to improve on your golf game. This is one game that is not entirely about practice, while you still need to practice having the right golf club can make these practices much more enjoyable for you and for those around you.
Jason Powers, a devoted golf fan, offers more golf tips on his personal website ===>http://www.golfsites.info
Choosing the Right Golf Club for Your Swing
Jason Powers
Golf is a delicate game of balance and skill and to be able to find this balance you need to have the right golf club in your hands. And each shot is different and to have the right golf club in your had each time you are going to need a whole set of clubs right? If you are new to the game of golf then you might not have realized just how important the right golf club is to your game but the sooner that you figure this out the better your game will be.
If you are a beginner golfer then you might do better with a golf club that has more flexibility to it. As you improve and your golf swing gets stronger and harder you can then think about switching to a golf club with less flexibility. This flexibility is appropriately called the shaft flex and it really does vary from golf club to golf club and it is very key to the amount of control you will have over the ball.
The golf club and really the entire golf club set that you choose will be influenced by how good a player you are so far. Different ability levels require different golf clubs, this is just a simple fact of the game. Having the right golf club will help you to learn as a much faster and more efficient, not to mention fun, rate.
Do you have a low handicap, a mid handicap or a high handicap? You need to find this out in order to get the right golf club for you and your game. If you are a low handicap player then you are looking at under ten strokes over par, a mid handicap player is 11-20 and high is well over 100. If you still don’t know what I am talking about then you will want to talk to a pro at the golf course that you regularly go to. He or she should be able to help you find a good golf club for your game, any hey, you might even get some great pro tips at the same time. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Choosing the right golf club for you and your game is important if you want to improve on your golf game. This is one game that is not entirely about practice, while you still need to practice having the right golf club can make these practices much more enjoyable for you and for those around you.
Jason Powers, a devoted golf fan, offers more golf tips on his personal website ===>http://www.golfsites.info
Golf is a delicate game of balance and skill and to be able to find this balance you need to have the right golf club in your hands. And each shot is different and to have the right golf club in your had each time you are going to need a whole set of clubs right? If you are new to the game of golf then you might not have realized just how important the right golf club is to your game but the sooner that you figure this out the better your game will be.
If you are a beginner golfer then you might do better with a golf club that has more flexibility to it. As you improve and your golf swing gets stronger and harder you can then think about switching to a golf club with less flexibility. This flexibility is appropriately called the shaft flex and it really does vary from golf club to golf club and it is very key to the amount of control you will have over the ball.
The golf club and really the entire golf club set that you choose will be influenced by how good a player you are so far. Different ability levels require different golf clubs, this is just a simple fact of the game. Having the right golf club will help you to learn as a much faster and more efficient, not to mention fun, rate.
Do you have a low handicap, a mid handicap or a high handicap? You need to find this out in order to get the right golf club for you and your game. If you are a low handicap player then you are looking at under ten strokes over par, a mid handicap player is 11-20 and high is well over 100. If you still don’t know what I am talking about then you will want to talk to a pro at the golf course that you regularly go to. He or she should be able to help you find a good golf club for your game, any hey, you might even get some great pro tips at the same time. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Choosing the right golf club for you and your game is important if you want to improve on your golf game. This is one game that is not entirely about practice, while you still need to practice having the right golf club can make these practices much more enjoyable for you and for those around you.
Jason Powers, a devoted golf fan, offers more golf tips on his personal website ===>http://www.golfsites.info
How a Hacker Developed a Winning Golf Swing
David Ferrers
I'm probably erring on the side of understatement when I say that Bob was a hacker. By his own admission he was: “one of those players who've never really had a proper golf swing.”
The way he told it, his main concern was to give the ball a 'good whack'. As a result of his lack of technique, Bob had spent much of the ten years that he'd been a golfer searching for his ball in woods and long grass. High scores and a high handicap seemed to be his inevitable fate.
Bob and I first met when his employer asked me to coach him to develop his business and leadership skills. When we were working on 'communication' I used a technique that I call Mind-Movies. I taught Bob how to groove pictures into his imagination which showed him making successful presentations.
Mind-Movies are a technique that I developed for empowering clients when I qualified as a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (mind-language programming).
One day when Bob had just reported making a very successful sales pitch with the aid of a new Mind-Movie, he asked me, in that slightly shy way of his, “Do you think we could develop a Mind-Movie that would help my golf swing?”
I immediately knew that we could do this. It took a while to work out how best to program the correct images into Bob's mind. And I also had to work out how to string those images together into a golf swing Mind-Movie. Then it was just a matter of finding ways that he could program himself to reproduce the correct physical and emotional feelings which are an essential part of effective Mind-Movies.
By the late spring we were ready. Bob couldn't wait to get going. He was hungry to to start winning. There were a lot of people on whom he was keen to take revenge.
He devoured the script I had written for him to study and learn.. However, he knew from his previous experience with Mind-Movies that in order for it to work he had to make sure that he installed this new program properly into his mind.
The very first round he reported 'noticeable improvements'. He was hitting the ball further and straighter. It was only the odd wayward shot that prevented him posting a really good score. He knew he was on the right track. “It was the first time that I've felt like I had a proper golf swing,” he told me excitedly.
Over the next few weeks Bob improved steadily until he felt up to entering a competition. He deliberately chose a mid-week event where he knew that the field would be smaller. He finished fourth in a field of thirty seven players and his handicap was cut by two strokes. This was by far the best result he'd ever had. He was over the moon.
A month later he felt ready to challenge for one of the major championships at his golf club. He didn't win that one but three weeks later he rang me late one evening to proclaim: “I won!”
At the end of the month I was his guest at the prize-giving where he received his silver cup. From my experience with Mind-Movies I feel certain that his game will continue to improve.
After Bob's success I decided to publish The Golf Mind-Movies Power Pack at http://www.The-Golf-Bandit.com/golf_Mind-Movies.htm And I now know from the feedback I'm receiving from other golfers that Mind-Movies are also working for them.
The fact that the search term 'golf mind-movies' is already number one on Google tells you how many golfers are seeking out this e-book. If anyone you play with shows sudden signs of improvement you may now know why.
Please do your golfing friends a favor and tell them about this book. Send them a copy of this article today.
David Ferrers is the author of The Golf Mind-Movies Power Pack one of ClickBank's top selling publications. He researches, writes and broadcasts extensively on methods of helping other golfers find quick and easy-to-use methods of playing consistently well. He is a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming - Mind Language Programming. He also advises and writes some of the Free Golf Lessons for The Golf Bandit web site at http://www.TheGolfBandit.com/golf-lesson.htm
I'm probably erring on the side of understatement when I say that Bob was a hacker. By his own admission he was: “one of those players who've never really had a proper golf swing.”
The way he told it, his main concern was to give the ball a 'good whack'. As a result of his lack of technique, Bob had spent much of the ten years that he'd been a golfer searching for his ball in woods and long grass. High scores and a high handicap seemed to be his inevitable fate.
Bob and I first met when his employer asked me to coach him to develop his business and leadership skills. When we were working on 'communication' I used a technique that I call Mind-Movies. I taught Bob how to groove pictures into his imagination which showed him making successful presentations.
Mind-Movies are a technique that I developed for empowering clients when I qualified as a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (mind-language programming).
One day when Bob had just reported making a very successful sales pitch with the aid of a new Mind-Movie, he asked me, in that slightly shy way of his, “Do you think we could develop a Mind-Movie that would help my golf swing?”
I immediately knew that we could do this. It took a while to work out how best to program the correct images into Bob's mind. And I also had to work out how to string those images together into a golf swing Mind-Movie. Then it was just a matter of finding ways that he could program himself to reproduce the correct physical and emotional feelings which are an essential part of effective Mind-Movies.
By the late spring we were ready. Bob couldn't wait to get going. He was hungry to to start winning. There were a lot of people on whom he was keen to take revenge.
He devoured the script I had written for him to study and learn.. However, he knew from his previous experience with Mind-Movies that in order for it to work he had to make sure that he installed this new program properly into his mind.
The very first round he reported 'noticeable improvements'. He was hitting the ball further and straighter. It was only the odd wayward shot that prevented him posting a really good score. He knew he was on the right track. “It was the first time that I've felt like I had a proper golf swing,” he told me excitedly.
Over the next few weeks Bob improved steadily until he felt up to entering a competition. He deliberately chose a mid-week event where he knew that the field would be smaller. He finished fourth in a field of thirty seven players and his handicap was cut by two strokes. This was by far the best result he'd ever had. He was over the moon.
A month later he felt ready to challenge for one of the major championships at his golf club. He didn't win that one but three weeks later he rang me late one evening to proclaim: “I won!”
At the end of the month I was his guest at the prize-giving where he received his silver cup. From my experience with Mind-Movies I feel certain that his game will continue to improve.
After Bob's success I decided to publish The Golf Mind-Movies Power Pack at http://www.The-Golf-Bandit.com/golf_Mind-Movies.htm And I now know from the feedback I'm receiving from other golfers that Mind-Movies are also working for them.
The fact that the search term 'golf mind-movies' is already number one on Google tells you how many golfers are seeking out this e-book. If anyone you play with shows sudden signs of improvement you may now know why.
Please do your golfing friends a favor and tell them about this book. Send them a copy of this article today.
David Ferrers is the author of The Golf Mind-Movies Power Pack one of ClickBank's top selling publications. He researches, writes and broadcasts extensively on methods of helping other golfers find quick and easy-to-use methods of playing consistently well. He is a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming - Mind Language Programming. He also advises and writes some of the Free Golf Lessons for The Golf Bandit web site at http://www.TheGolfBandit.com/golf-lesson.htm
Friday, April 21, 2006
How to Implement Golf Fitness Exercises into Your Golf Swing Improvement Program
How to Implement Golf Fitness Exercises into Your Golf Swing Improvement Program
Sean Cochran
Over the last few weeks at BioForce Golf, we have had many questions about golf fitness exercises.
Questions such as: are these type of exercises beneficial to someone who has had a lower back injury, what are the best types of exercises to improve my clubhead speed, and what flexibility exercises can improve my back swing?
Through many of our free daily golf tips on our website, we have provided answers to these questions and many more. One area of golf fitness I get quite a few questions about revolves on how to implement golf exercises into a golf swing improvement program.
Many of the individuals who come to our site are not experts in “working out.” I’ve written my golf-specific exercise manual, YOUR BODY & YOUR SWING, to help you develop a program for yourself.
Probably one of the most-asked questions is: how do I go about introducing certain exercises into my golf fitness program?
At times, certain individuals are unable to perform an exercise in its basic form. They are either out of shape, suffering from an injury, or too stiff to perform it correctly. A Russian Twist may be too difficult for a beginner to execute correctly. It takes great core strength, endurance and flexibility to complete the exercise to the limit.
In this type of situation there are “baby steps” you can take in terms of implementing such exercises into your golf fitness program.
I like to call this the “position, movement, tolerance” training guideline. This is an easy methodology to follow in terms of implementing exercises into a training program.
We’ll use the Russian Twist exercise in my book, YOUR BODY & YOUR SWING, as an example.
When you are implementing a golf fitness exercise(s) into your golf swing improvement program, you must be able to place the body in the correct starting position of the exercise.
For example, if I were to have you perform a Russian Twist, first I would ask you to place your body in the correct position for the exercise. In this situation it would be knees slightly bent and placing your torso in a position where the “abs were turned on.”
Hold it Right There!
Just placing your body in the correct position for an exercise requires effort from the body. If you were able to place your body in the correct position, I would then ask you to “hold” this position for a certain amount of time. This would indicate you are strong enough to add movement to your golf fitness exercise.
On the other hand, if you were only able to hold the starting position of the Russian Twist for 15 seconds before your lower back started to bother you, this is an indicator to me that this is where we begin your golf fitness program. I would have you “hold” the start position of this golf exercise for a certain number of seconds and sets. This would, over a period of time, develop more strength and endurance in those golf muscles.
Once we have reached a good “hold” time on a golf exercise, we then progress to adding “movement” into the equation. Movement simply stands for range of motion (how much movement you can do). Every golf exercise has a certain range of motion you move through to get the greatest benefit for your golf game.
In the Russian Twist example, a full range of motion would be a full shoulder turn to the left and right of center. Again, at the beginning you may be unable to make a full shoulder turn. So what do we do? We slowly work on increasing the “movement” within the golf exercise until you are at a point of full range.
As with the idea of “position,” we do the same with the idea of “movement.” We gradually increase until you have achieved a full range of motion in the golf exercise. Once this is achieved, we move on to the final stage of implementing a golf-specific exercise.
The final stage of implementing any golf exercise into your golf swing improvement program is “tolerance.” Tolerance can be defined as performing the correct number of sets and repetitions of a golf exercise for it to be beneficial to your golf game.
No Pain, No Gain!
The idea of “no pain, no gain” does not work in this situation. Rather, you want to be able to perform a self-prescribed number of sets and reps of every golf exercise in your program. This prescribed amount of work is up to you, the individual golfer, and what you feel is best for your body. Too little work will provide you no benefit. Too much work or following the “no pain, no gain” mind-set can increase the possibility of injury greatly.
You need to use your best judgment on every golf exercise in your program. This will allow you to perform each golf exercise with the correct technique, develop (maybe over time) the correct range of motion of each golf exercise in your program, and finally take each exercise to “your own level of tolerance.”
It is very easy to implement golf exercises into your golf swing improvement program. Follow the simple rule of “position, movement, tolerance,” and this should help you dramatically in the development of your golf fitness program.
Once you’ve mastered the exercises and routines in your current exercise program, you’ll be ready to take it to the next level, a more advanced program.
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.
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.
Sean Cochran
Over the last few weeks at BioForce Golf, we have had many questions about golf fitness exercises.
Questions such as: are these type of exercises beneficial to someone who has had a lower back injury, what are the best types of exercises to improve my clubhead speed, and what flexibility exercises can improve my back swing?
Through many of our free daily golf tips on our website, we have provided answers to these questions and many more. One area of golf fitness I get quite a few questions about revolves on how to implement golf exercises into a golf swing improvement program.
Many of the individuals who come to our site are not experts in “working out.” I’ve written my golf-specific exercise manual, YOUR BODY & YOUR SWING, to help you develop a program for yourself.
Probably one of the most-asked questions is: how do I go about introducing certain exercises into my golf fitness program?
At times, certain individuals are unable to perform an exercise in its basic form. They are either out of shape, suffering from an injury, or too stiff to perform it correctly. A Russian Twist may be too difficult for a beginner to execute correctly. It takes great core strength, endurance and flexibility to complete the exercise to the limit.
In this type of situation there are “baby steps” you can take in terms of implementing such exercises into your golf fitness program.
I like to call this the “position, movement, tolerance” training guideline. This is an easy methodology to follow in terms of implementing exercises into a training program.
We’ll use the Russian Twist exercise in my book, YOUR BODY & YOUR SWING, as an example.
When you are implementing a golf fitness exercise(s) into your golf swing improvement program, you must be able to place the body in the correct starting position of the exercise.
For example, if I were to have you perform a Russian Twist, first I would ask you to place your body in the correct position for the exercise. In this situation it would be knees slightly bent and placing your torso in a position where the “abs were turned on.”
Hold it Right There!
Just placing your body in the correct position for an exercise requires effort from the body. If you were able to place your body in the correct position, I would then ask you to “hold” this position for a certain amount of time. This would indicate you are strong enough to add movement to your golf fitness exercise.
On the other hand, if you were only able to hold the starting position of the Russian Twist for 15 seconds before your lower back started to bother you, this is an indicator to me that this is where we begin your golf fitness program. I would have you “hold” the start position of this golf exercise for a certain number of seconds and sets. This would, over a period of time, develop more strength and endurance in those golf muscles.
Once we have reached a good “hold” time on a golf exercise, we then progress to adding “movement” into the equation. Movement simply stands for range of motion (how much movement you can do). Every golf exercise has a certain range of motion you move through to get the greatest benefit for your golf game.
In the Russian Twist example, a full range of motion would be a full shoulder turn to the left and right of center. Again, at the beginning you may be unable to make a full shoulder turn. So what do we do? We slowly work on increasing the “movement” within the golf exercise until you are at a point of full range.
As with the idea of “position,” we do the same with the idea of “movement.” We gradually increase until you have achieved a full range of motion in the golf exercise. Once this is achieved, we move on to the final stage of implementing a golf-specific exercise.
The final stage of implementing any golf exercise into your golf swing improvement program is “tolerance.” Tolerance can be defined as performing the correct number of sets and repetitions of a golf exercise for it to be beneficial to your golf game.
No Pain, No Gain!
The idea of “no pain, no gain” does not work in this situation. Rather, you want to be able to perform a self-prescribed number of sets and reps of every golf exercise in your program. This prescribed amount of work is up to you, the individual golfer, and what you feel is best for your body. Too little work will provide you no benefit. Too much work or following the “no pain, no gain” mind-set can increase the possibility of injury greatly.
You need to use your best judgment on every golf exercise in your program. This will allow you to perform each golf exercise with the correct technique, develop (maybe over time) the correct range of motion of each golf exercise in your program, and finally take each exercise to “your own level of tolerance.”
It is very easy to implement golf exercises into your golf swing improvement program. Follow the simple rule of “position, movement, tolerance,” and this should help you dramatically in the development of your golf fitness program.
Once you’ve mastered the exercises and routines in your current exercise program, you’ll be ready to take it to the next level, a more advanced program.
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.
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.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Proper Golf Swing - One of the Harder Things to Master
Trevor Mulholland
Most beginning golfers don’t realize how much skill and technique goes into a proper golf swing. It looks so easy when you see experienced golfers or pros swing – it even sounds quite simple when the theory of the technique is explained to you. But watching it and hearing about it, and actually doing it yourself are indeed two different things!
An effective golf swing takes quite a bit of practice to perfect. People spend years working on their swing. Keep in mind that the object is to get the ball into the hole at or under par for that hole….but the swing is what determines whether that actually happens or not. Essentially, a proper golf swing determines the entire outcome of the game!
An effective golf swing is accomplished by forming a triangle with your shoulders and arms, and keeping that triangle locked in place throughout the entire swinging process. This is often easier said than done, and you will find that you lose control of the ball by slicing a great deal before you get the concept down. When you draw the club back, you do not move your arms, even though your arms are essentially moving. What you are really moving is your shoulder and your hips – without ever actually moving your arms.
There are many training aids available to help you develop a good golf swing. You should take advantage of the available technology to improve your game. There are aids that will help you keep your arms locked, as well as aids that help you keep your wrists locked. There are aids to help you correct your stance, as well as your backswing, upswing, and even the force with which you hit the ball. If you have an issue that needs to be corrected in your golf game or swing, there is a golfing aid available to help you!
Making a video tape, showing your swing from all angles will also help you improve your game. Have a friend video tape your swing. Get lots of footage on the tape, and then watch it – in slow motion. Really pay attention to every aspect of your swing, watching from your head down to your feet. Making yourself aware of the mistakes is the first step to solving them. If you know what problems exist, you will pay special attention to those areas the next time you play. With enough practice and determination, you can correct those problems.
Don’t be afraid to look funny. Looking good on the golf course is not your top priority – playing a great game of golf is what you are after. Some people have a stance that looks a little funny to others…but those same people have perfected that stance to the point where they have greatly improved their swing because of it. Some people grip the club in a funny manner. Some people play ‘natural golf’ using ‘natural golf swings.’ This form of golf does look funny to traditional golfers – but it is quite effective. Don’t be afraid of being different if it helps you play better!
Studying the swings of great golfers can be a training tool within itself. However, it is important to remember that you are an individual. While you can try many of their techniques, their exact technique probably won’t work as well for you as it does for them. Take their techniques, and work with them to make them your very own – as long as they improve your game.
You can practice your swing at home or at the office (if this is allowed). You don’t need a ball; you just need a little room. Swing the club, just as you would if you were going to hit the ball. Instead of concentrating on needing to hit the ball, however, concentrate on the actual swing. You should also consider using training clubs as well. These will build your strength a great deal, allowing you to hit the ball harder and farther than ever before!
Remember that developing a proper golf swing takes time, practice and patience. If you are having problems, do not get frustrated, or give up. Keep working at it, and look for the solution you need to correct the swing problems you have. One of these days, you will be playing like a pro!
We provide you with the best golf tips available, instructions on how to get your strokes down and more. Dozens of golf tips and info on a proper golf swing waiting, come and take a look! http://www.golf-game-tip.com/
Most beginning golfers don’t realize how much skill and technique goes into a proper golf swing. It looks so easy when you see experienced golfers or pros swing – it even sounds quite simple when the theory of the technique is explained to you. But watching it and hearing about it, and actually doing it yourself are indeed two different things!
An effective golf swing takes quite a bit of practice to perfect. People spend years working on their swing. Keep in mind that the object is to get the ball into the hole at or under par for that hole….but the swing is what determines whether that actually happens or not. Essentially, a proper golf swing determines the entire outcome of the game!
An effective golf swing is accomplished by forming a triangle with your shoulders and arms, and keeping that triangle locked in place throughout the entire swinging process. This is often easier said than done, and you will find that you lose control of the ball by slicing a great deal before you get the concept down. When you draw the club back, you do not move your arms, even though your arms are essentially moving. What you are really moving is your shoulder and your hips – without ever actually moving your arms.
There are many training aids available to help you develop a good golf swing. You should take advantage of the available technology to improve your game. There are aids that will help you keep your arms locked, as well as aids that help you keep your wrists locked. There are aids to help you correct your stance, as well as your backswing, upswing, and even the force with which you hit the ball. If you have an issue that needs to be corrected in your golf game or swing, there is a golfing aid available to help you!
Making a video tape, showing your swing from all angles will also help you improve your game. Have a friend video tape your swing. Get lots of footage on the tape, and then watch it – in slow motion. Really pay attention to every aspect of your swing, watching from your head down to your feet. Making yourself aware of the mistakes is the first step to solving them. If you know what problems exist, you will pay special attention to those areas the next time you play. With enough practice and determination, you can correct those problems.
Don’t be afraid to look funny. Looking good on the golf course is not your top priority – playing a great game of golf is what you are after. Some people have a stance that looks a little funny to others…but those same people have perfected that stance to the point where they have greatly improved their swing because of it. Some people grip the club in a funny manner. Some people play ‘natural golf’ using ‘natural golf swings.’ This form of golf does look funny to traditional golfers – but it is quite effective. Don’t be afraid of being different if it helps you play better!
Studying the swings of great golfers can be a training tool within itself. However, it is important to remember that you are an individual. While you can try many of their techniques, their exact technique probably won’t work as well for you as it does for them. Take their techniques, and work with them to make them your very own – as long as they improve your game.
You can practice your swing at home or at the office (if this is allowed). You don’t need a ball; you just need a little room. Swing the club, just as you would if you were going to hit the ball. Instead of concentrating on needing to hit the ball, however, concentrate on the actual swing. You should also consider using training clubs as well. These will build your strength a great deal, allowing you to hit the ball harder and farther than ever before!
Remember that developing a proper golf swing takes time, practice and patience. If you are having problems, do not get frustrated, or give up. Keep working at it, and look for the solution you need to correct the swing problems you have. One of these days, you will be playing like a pro!
We provide you with the best golf tips available, instructions on how to get your strokes down and more. Dozens of golf tips and info on a proper golf swing waiting, come and take a look! http://www.golf-game-tip.com/
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