The Biomechanics of Golf Swing

Golf Swing Teaching Aids: They Work, But Are Not a Panacea

2009-01-22T08:00:00.001-06:00

You can read all kinds of reviews on the Internet about golf swing teaching aids, and the comments--from professionals and weekend golfers alike--are all over the map. Some golfers swear by this or that golf swing teaching aid, and many others just swear at them. Many teaching pros use training aids that cost little or nothing--reflector strips, plum lines, show boxes, hula hoops--to help golfers who are looking to learn how to golf swing, and to give them a mental image that can help them keep the swing grooved when they're playing a round.

High-Tech, Low-Tech, No Tech

As you can already tell, golf swing teaching aids come in every price range and form. There are wrist and arm braces that help you key in on proper positioning during the swing; there are computerized gadgets that can tell you about clubhead speed, club face position, and other things; there are special hinged clubs or other clublike instruments that help you get the feel of a proper--and improper--swing. You'll even find simple gadgets like specialized grips.

But Nothing Compares to . . .

The big thing is to recognize that there is no panacea--there is no single golf swing teaching aid that will immediately fix your game. Realistically, there is no teaching aid that will even improve every part of your swing. Instead, each teaching aid will assist you with a specific piece of your golf swing. But that's okay, as specialization and focus are key to really absorbing these motions into muscle memory.

The other important thing to realize is that you must use common sense in selecting and purchasing golf swing teaching aids. Any lasting improvement in your game ultimately comes through practice, consistency, and paying close attention. A golf swing teaching aid can help, but it's up to you to apply it properly to your game.

For that matter, some of the best improvements you will encounter will come from two decidedly no-tech sources: exercise and a video camera. Exercise that specifically works your core will do wonders for your swing and distance, especially over the course of a round. I'm not talking about crunches and the like, but a full core workout, e.g. using Pilates or a physioball. As for the video camera, it's obvious how that can help your swing, but it dawns on very few golfers to actually use theirs. Put together all of these puzzle pieces, and you're beginning to look like a contender!

Where To Find Golf Tips For Beginners

2009-01-22T07:59:00.001-06:00

If you are thinking about learning the game of golf, there are many details you need to know about at the beginning. But where do you start if you are a complete novice? Fortunately, there are several resources on-line to help you with your golf education.

Golf Tips For Beginners

The newbie golfer can start by reading some free golf tips on-line. Basic Golf Tips is a website with many resources that you can visit to learn about every facet of the game of golf. There are articles and links to different golf sections for more precise information. Two useful links that you will find are a free golf tips videos site and a golf review blog.

The Basic Golf Tips

The articles in the Basic Golf Tips series go over the stuff that you need to know to get a good start. The eight articles that cover the basics, start with the scoring system, choosing the correct golf equipment, the different types of golf shots, and golf etiquette.

Golf Resources

The golf tips for beginners' page highlights some carefully selected golf resources. You will find PDF e-books specifically written for the beginner golfer, women golfer, and the senior golfer. You will find links to the best golf balls and golf clubs for beginners.

Golf Equipment

You will definately need some golf equipment to start playing the game of golf. The basic items are a golf club set, a golf bag, tees, and balls. However, you don't essentially need to purchase these at first; you can rent them out from most golf courses. But, if you are serious about taking up the game, then investing in a good set of clubs, balls and a golf bag is elemental.

When you take the decision to buy golf equipment you will see that there are hundreds of choices. The big name manufacturers of golf equipment spend millions of dollars each year trying to get you to buy their golf gear. Don't spend thousands on golf clubs that might hinder your game.

Preferably, start off with a good golf clubs set that are designed with the golf beginner in mind. Sometimes, they are called game improving clubs and they are designed to be more forgiving to miss-hits. You can have them tailor made for your physical size and swing speed by customizing the clubs with the correct shaft type and flex.

For your basic golf education, check out what the golf tips for beginners website can teach you. There will be more golf reviews added to the blog to help you figure out what products are right for you and more articles coming.

Golf newbies - check out the Basic Golf Tips For Beginners articles. For a weekly golf education, sign up for the Golf Tips Newsletter today and receive golf tips once a week.

The First Lessons You Need In Golf

2009-01-20T15:28:00.001-06:00

Golf has been played since around the 15th century and it has been frustrating and delighting players alike round the world since then.

In essence golf is a very simple game, hit the ball from one part of the course to another finishing up by knocking it into a hole. But that is where the simplicity ends, which of course is where the challenge and achievement take over to make it such a rewarding sport to pursue.

It is possible to spend an enormous amount of money on learning the basics of golf and some of the equipment is very expensive and, for the newcomer, usually a waste of money. It takes experience and not a little amount of skill to effectively play with the latest drivers. Why you even see the professionals getting it wrong and see how much they practice.

Getting started in golf requires some basic equipment but what is really essential in order to get going?

Well I recommend that you start by perhaps borrowing a club or two from a friend and getting some initial practice down at your local driving range. The good thing about using a pro is that you will pick up good habits instead of well meaning friends bad ones. Many people will get bitten by the golf bug at this stage and get hooked on playing right away.

I can tell you that you will know pretty quickly whether this is so, the golf bug bites pretty quickly! If this happens to you then the best thing to do next is to get some professional lessons. Try to book your lessons in blocks so that the cost is more manageable. A good thing to explore early on are some golf lessons these will give you a chance to get consistent from the start.

Of course whilst you are receiving lessons you can borrow some clubs from the pro, this will enable you to see which types are the most tailored ones to suit your particular build and stance.

Yes this does matter, a great deal in fact, you will see lots of shiny new clubs in the golf stores but most of these will be useless to you if they are not set up correctly for you, this requires adjustments to the lie and loft of the club to suit you personally. You can have all the expensive gear but if it does not suit your golf swing technique what is the point?

Another item of basic equipment you will need of course are some balls. Buying expensive balls is not a good thing to do at first as youy will lose too many. You could try buying one of those packs of 'lake balls', a very inexpensive way to get started with balls that have literally been recovered from lakes.

Finally, clothing. Shirts are readily available at any golf shop, use golf shirts particularly because they are longer in the body to cope with the movement of your swing, you don't want to be tucking your shirt in after every shot it gets quite annoying.

Trousers need to be comfortable and preferably loose fitting.

Shoes especially need to be comfortable remember you will be on your feet for four hours or so walking round, this is not the item to save money on.

Hopefully this article on the golf swing basics has given you a good start from which to progress.

Lastly if you live in one of the wetter regions of the world make sure you get a quality golfing wet suit designed to breathe.

How To Drive Long Using A Power Golf Swing

2009-01-03T10:00:00.001-06:00

Would you like to learn how to drive long off the tee. After all, more distance gives us shorter and easier approach shots to the green. Most of the golf swing instruction e-books offer to teach us how to add more distance. Most of them promise an extra few yards or so.

These guide books, though, are aimed at the beginner or recreational golfer. They teach you all about the golf swing; the grip, setup, backswing, downswing, and follow through. But if you are a more accomplished golfer that is looking for more detailed information about how to drive long, you will need to go to the distance golf experts.

The Long Drivers of America

A good place to start is to visit the Long Drivers of America site. They are the golf association that runs the Remax Long Drive Championship. These power golf swing junkies are all about attaining maximum golf distance. So, if you want to participate in the Re/Max World Long Drive Championship, then you need to visit the LDA website.

Mike Austin - A Golf Legend

Amazingly, the Worlds longest drive has stood since 1974. The golf legend, Mike Austin at the age of 64, still holds the Guinness World Record for longest drive in a tournament, 515-yards - during the U.S. National Senior Open in Las Vegas.

That was using a 43.5 inch steel-shafted, wood-headed driver! So obviously, the golf equipment doesn't have that much to do with how far you can drive the ball. Though, today's long drive champions use 2X or 3X, extra stiff shafts that are up to 50 inches, and driver lofts that are as low as 5 or 6 degrees.

How To Drive Long Off The Tee

For most of us, we just want to learn how to drive long and to improve our general golf game. Even if you have a decent grip and swing, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will have a good golf distance off the tee. Your golf club head speed is the major factor that you need to improve on. Every 1 mph increase in golf swing speed translates to approximately 2.5 yards of distance. Basically, if you increase your swing speed you'll increase your distance.

Obviously, there are other factors to perfect if you want to learn how to drive long. Golf flexibility and fitness training will improve your overall golf game, as well as your distance. Another important area of your game that you should know about is the mental game of golf. These areas of golf are usually ignored by most golfers, but they are crucial if you want to take your game to the next level.

The Right Golf Instructor

To learn how to drive long properly, you need a golf instructor who knows what it takes to achieve distance golf. If you can only hit drives of 200 yards, then adding only a few extra yards to your drives won't help you that much. Find someone that used to shoot in the 90's, who learned how to hit 350 to 430 yard drives, and who can now score in the 60's and 70's.

Visit the Golf Review Blog to find out which Long Drive Champion can show you How To Drive Long. This Professional Golfer can teach men and women of Any Age, Swing Style, and any Skill Level how to easily Gain 30-plus Yards in Just 30 Days. Learn the Power Golf Swing today and amaze Yourself in as little as 30 Days!

Stack and Tilt: What's All the Fuss?

2009-01-01T10:45:00.001-06:00

Stack & Tilt Golf Swing

If you're like most golfers you proabably dream about acheiving a longer straighter and altogether more consistent swing - I know I do. If only you could eliminate those occasional (or not so occasional) truly dud shots forever. The good news is that it just might be possible after all. Have you heard of Stack and Tilt? Probably. But do you actually know what it's all about? It has taken me until quite recently to actually look into what all the fuss was about and I sincerely wish I had done so sooner. In case you haven't heard of it, and it is going down a storm with tour professionals, it is a nbrand new kind of swing.

The Stack and Tilt golf swing was developed by Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett - otherwise known in the business as 'The Golf Swing Whisperers'. It took twenty years of painstaking research but the wait was well and truly worth it as there is a revolution taking place. The theory behind this astonishing swing goes against everything you ever thought to be true about the perfect swing.

Although the Stack and Tilt golf swing maintains some of the basic principals, there is one fundamental difference which sets it apart from 'normal' golf swings- it doesn't involve the golfer shifting his or her weight to the back foot. Your swing is greatly improved through maintaining the weight on your front foot rather than transferring it to the back as you do in a 'normal' swing.

What you'll gain most from Stack and Tilt is massively improved consistency. The actual execution of the swing is simplicity in itself and yet you will see your ball go further and straighter than ever before!

If you would like to find out how you can get a bit of Stack and Tilt into your game then click here to find out more about how you can try the instructional DVDs risk-free for 60 days. That’s more than enough time to see your handicap come tumbling down! and those wasted shots could soon be a thing of the past.

Play Better Golf With The Golf Swing Plane Trainer

2008-12-30T20:48:00.001-06:00

Golf games may not require much of physical effort but it sure requires one to be strategically wise in using one’s vision and flexibility to make a perfect golf swing. Not everyone though is able to do this practice with ease. This is the reason why there had been a release of numerous books, magazines and even videos that give training procedures for one to improve his golf swing.

But what actually is a golf swing? It is the act of swinging one’s arm and body in playing golf that is done by the players to be able to gain score. This may seem easy at first, but as one goes to take the chance to play golf the complication of the process could be realized. This is the reason why there is a release of golf swing plane trainer programs today.

The Right golf swing plane trainer For You

As noted, coming up with the perfect golf swing for any amateur player of the game is not an easy task to do. To answer this particular need among many aspiring golf players, a program of golf swing plane trainer is now made available market. Pros of the game are willingly giving their time to give worthwhile golf swing instruction to young aspirants of the game.

Golf is not only a game for the pros. golf swing plane trainer programs make it a point that other people who are aiming to become a huge part of the of tournaments later on would gain the confidence that they need to continue practicing the game. Through the golf swing plane trainer program, each aspiring person, both young and old would have the chance to perform his or her best golf swing in the field of golfing games.

Each golf swing plane trainer has its own feature that fits the needs of every trainee in the field. Of course it could be noted that not every golf swing plane trainer work for everyone. This is the major reason why you are empowered to believe in what you could do as an amateur golfer through choosing thee right kind of golf swing plane trainer that would best work for your skills and capabilities that arte fit to make your game in golf worth while for remembering.

Do it Like Nobody Else Could

Practice Does Make Perfect. This is the primary thought that every golf swing plane trainer program wants every trainee to realize. With ample time and continuous practice, the skills of an amateur player in golf could actually become a better source of confidence to the said individuals making them play the game like the professionals.

Being Winner in the Game with the Perfect Golf Swing

2008-12-29T10:25:00.001-06:00

The game of golf is based on the attributes of control and accuracy in striking the iron ball and driving it towards the pocket hole in the ground. For this to happen in a competitive sense, players must achieve the the perfect golf swing needed in each stage of the game. As the objective of the game is to have less strike in pocketing the ball, each turn must be made with the perfect golf swing to either bring it precisely closer to the target hole for advantage placing or pocket it directly with each shot. With this, each turn requires the perfect golf swing and control for effectively achieving the winning objective of the game.

The Perfect Golf Swing For Every Shot

The game of golf comprises of different strike level depending on the point of game where the player stands. Starting the game is the tee or drive which serves as the point for gaining advantage in the golf game. Employing the element of a the perfect golf swing can result to a significant advantage in each golf game wherein the objective at this point to deliver the ball the closest to the green or better in the hole. At some occasion, employing a the perfect golf swing at this point could even win the game with a hole-in-one through an accurate force strike and precise ball handling and control. Because of this, most golf swing trainer emphasize on the development of this shot level for its advantage factor. At this point, the the perfect golf swing does not necessarily require strength but the controlled application of this attribute depending on the situation. A necessary component also for a the perfect golf swing at this level is the application of spin in the ball to give it direction while flying towards the hole.

Another important shot technique in the golf game is the approach and par which require steady and precise control over the strike to move it towards the pocket. This shot require significantly less force than the first while shifting importance towards control and spin application for the direction and accurate path of the ball. In achieving this, the player must likewise have a keen understanding and analysis of the situation to determine the the perfect golf swing needed for the situation. Required in this stage are effective force control, spin application to conquer certain curvatures, ground roughness, inclination, and lots of other environmental factors involved in each situation.

Indeed, in developing the needed skill for the the perfect golf swing, adequate amount of training and practice is needed and through this experience, each player can become a great golfer possessing an accurate golf skill to pocket even a hole-in-one at will.

Use A Distance Golf Ball Review To Determine Good Golf Balls From The Bad

2008-12-25T14:25:00.001-06:00

Example Golf Ball Review

When a new product is launched on the market most people will not really know how well that product will perform. In the case of golf balls too people that have not used a newly launched golf ball brand will not know whether or not it is worth buying such golf balls. Since people generally read reviews before purchasing products in the case of golf balls too it would make perfect sense to first of all read a distance golf ball review to find out the pros and cons of the ball.

Many Golf Ball Companies

The numbers of golf ball manufacturers today are many which mean that the competition among these manufacturers is very stiff. What’s more, there are many varieties of golf balls being sold and you will need to know about features such as the changing number of dimples in different golf balls. Manufacturing methods too vary and there are all sorts of golf balls that will travel different distances depending on how they were constructed.

A distance golf ball review will help enlighten you about the different brands and their different features. In the case of a newly launched golf ball this info can be really useful because only by understanding how various models for different brands perform can you succeed in finding the right golf ball for your particular abilities. Whether you wish to buy a golf ball made by Callaway or some other big brand manufacturer, you will do well to first read a distance golf ball review about the brand and only then venture into putting your money down to own such a ball.

A distance golf ball review will provide you with the entire lowdown regarding a golf ball’s features and capabilities. However, the most important aspect to a golf ball is its construction and here again, a distance golf ball review will inform you about whether the golf ball is three-piece or four-piece; information that can help you decides which type is most suitable for your game.

Of course, you should not take the word of the author of a distance golf ball review as being the whole truth; you may need to read several distance golf ball reviews before concluding as to the veracity of opinions expressed. By being well informed before buying your golf ball you will at the very least stand a better chance of buying the right golf ball. This is the main benefit to reading and relying on distance golf ball reviews.

Once you have the required implements required to play golf it is then necessary that you find a suitable golf course and also know the rules in force at that course. Some of these rules are applicable at all courses while others may apply locally to particular courses. To ensure that you get the best pleasure from playing at different courses makes sure to know and follow all of the applicable rules.

For more information about golf please visit my Eagle Valley Golf Site

Understanding The Golf Swing With Golf Swing Instruction

2008-12-15T21:21:00.001-06:00

Golf to many may seem to be a very complicated game that needs too much concentration. True, it is complicated but the seriousness that the game requires must not rob any player from the fun and satisfaction that it aims to provide all of its gamers. It could be noted that through understanding golf better, people would have more interesting implications on the game. Golf swing instruction presentations are further made to make amends as to how people view gold and what the game is really all about.

Through golf swing instruction presentations, individuals with lesser-educated understanding of golf would actually be able to take a better understanding of the basic elements that make up the game and the level of concentration needed to complete the game of golf without loosing the chance to enjoy the game itself.

Golf swing instruction presentations are further made not only to educate the people but also to give them an idea on what kind of practice of the game should actually be given attention to by the gamers to become more successful in the said process. Most likely, through the golf swing instruction presentation most interested individuals who are aiming to get the best out of golf would realize how important the said game is in making them realize their capabilities in handling golf gaming goals.

Are you a Golf Gamer Material?

With one’s understanding of golf and the skills that apply to playing this game, one could actually evaluate whether he or she is a golf material. The golf swing instruction presentation handled through golf swing video creations is rather considered a suffice source of ample instruction and inspiration that every aspiring gamer needs to become a part of the professional players of the game.

Yes, golf swing instruction program presentations are created to try and make the best out of the amateur gamers of golf. People of evry age are all going to get the best out of the said instruction presentation through being directly inspired that they too could be among the professional players of the golf tournaments that they only used to watch through videos and television programs before.

Golf swing instruction programs are indeed designed to make the best out of the major individuals who are actually interested in the process of completing golf games. Through these programs, even you could work things out with your skills and become the best golf gamer ever. Now is the time for you to get your own golf swing instruction video to learn the best from the pros.

How To Learn Golf Swing Tempo

2008-12-10T22:30:00.001-06:00

Golf Swing Tempo

In particular in the world of sports, some people prefer a simple in the outside yet, critical and elegant in the inside type of game where they can compete for a very healthy development. This is the world of golf which demands precision, perfection, and accuracy while enjoying peace and relaxation in a field of green grass. People preferring this game are inspired by the silence and concentration demand factors of the game putting the need for skill and mental stability among the priorities of the game.

However, though the game appears to be quiet and simple in the outside, the inside concept requires intense and deep concentration and coordination putting stress and burden upon the players. In this game, control and precision are important in handling the club and striking the ball to drive it inside the pocket hole. Based on this characteristic, one of the basic concepts relevant to the game is learning the basic of golf swing tempo.

The Element of Club and Ball Control

The basis of the golf game reside in the concept of handling the iron rod and striking the iron ball with it to control its movement towards the pocket hole in the ground. Striking in this game does not mainly mean hitting it hard and hitting it weak because the element of control and precision in the golf swing tempo is among the highly important factors determining the playing success in each ball game. For a player to have the desired perfect golf swing tempo in this game, accuracy towards the hitting force and the technique to give control over the ball’s movement must be perfected.

Inside the game of golf, there are varying golf swing tempos that are needed for the completion process and rules of the game thus, different skills level must be developed for each golf swing tempo. Eventhough varying, the control over the golf swing tempos still exists as an important matter for the successful strike of each ball driving them closer towards the pocket hole. First is the golf swing tempo is the “tee or the drive” which require accurate force and control to move the ball towards the green closer to the game’s pocket. After this strike comes the second stroke which is commonly referred to as “the approach” which put the ball from its initial landing towards the green which is the clearing containing the pocket hole. golf swing tempos for this strike requires less force than the tee requiring more emphasis on control and accuracy. Third is the par which is the short strike to pocket the ball requiring controlled and efficient golf swing tempos.

Learning the basics and mastering the skills for each of these golf swing tempos requires effort and efficiency making the game of golf interesting and highly competitive. Admiring this game passion likewise put fun and relaxation for its players to enjoy.

Save Money Buy A Used Callaway Golf Club

2008-12-06T10:51:00.002-06:00

Review of Callaway Golf Products

When deciding to play the game of golf there are so many factors to consider when buying equipment. What brand will you buy? What type of clubs do you need? What extras will you buy? There are so many question yet what's the answer? When you get out and look at it the price of it may be more than what you thought it would be or wanted to pay. This is where buying a used Callaway golf club or set of clubs is more economical. So why buy a used Callaway golf club?

Well if you’re just starting out in the game, you probably don’t want to go out and invest a bunch of money until you decide whether or not you are truly going to love the game enough to invest some money in a set of clubs that will fit you perfectly. Also if you don’t want to spend the money on a new club you can usually buy a new one at half the price. If buying a used Callaway golf club you will get it from two sources: a retailer or an individual. There are pros and cons to this. If buying a used Callaway golf club from an individual sure you’re going to be getting a cheap gold club but you also only have that person’s word that the club is in good condition and performs well. If you buy a used Callaway golf club from a retailer or dealer then usually they have a team of pros that test the golf clubs to insure that they are meeting the quality standards.

The reputation of the business is on the line when they sell something. This can save you from getting a defective piece of equipment. You wouldn’t want a head flying off your club during a game. That would be a very bad thing. Of course the money reason seems to outweigh all others. You can expect savings of up to 75% when purchasing a used Callaway golf club than the new one.

Some dealers or retailers also offer warranties on used Callaway golf clubs just as you get with a new one. Granted it may be for a shorter term than if the club was new but it is still a warranty none the less. A great place to start if purchasing your equipment on line is to look at some reviews of used Callaway golf clubs. Sure, there are real reviews on used equipment as well as new equipment. These reviews will help you find out what is good and not good. It’s worth taking some time and effort to get the most for your money. You’re looking at used equipment to save money. If you don’t take the time to do the research just as you would when buying new equipment it could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. So take your time and do some research. It will be worth the investment in the end.

For more information about golf please visit my eagle valley golf website

How To Find A Great Golf Club Set

2008-12-02T08:50:00.001-06:00

A great golf club set can be the difference between a good game and a bad game. The golf club set you use has to be designed to suit the way you play the game as well as to your body type. Not one golf set is going to be ideal for everyone.

Golf club sets can be bought from anywhere. Golf club set prices can vary somewere between $170 and $2000 dollars. Golf has been a game that has been loved for years and has grown in popularity. In the earlier days you didn’t see very many retailers selling golfing items. Now, there is a golf store in almost every town. A good way to narrow down a good golf club set is to check out the golf club reviews. These reviews will take individual clubs as well as the entire golf club set and let you know what those who have tested them thought about the club. Was it good for long fairway shots? Was the putter instremental for you getting that hole in one? If you’re going to invest a lot of money into a set of clubs then you want to make sure it is a set that is going to b worth what you paid for it. A good golf club set can get very costly but it is an investment in your love of the game.

Nowadays you can purchase golf clubs either in a retail store or online. Naturally if you make a purchase online you won’t be able to test the product first. In this case it is very important to make sure that you have previously tested the same name brand and style of clubs before you buy them. you don't want go get the set and then realize it does not suit the way you play the game. Just as a bow hunter has to have a bow that is designed to suit them so does a golfer have to have a set of golf clubs that it designed for them.

The amount of fans and players of golf is growing on a yearly basis. Retailers of golf club sets are growing as well. Kids of all ages want to become the next Tiger Woods. Every man wants to be the next Arnold Palmer. Women golfers from around the world are striving to become the next LPGA champion. The only way to become that is to practice, practice, practice and to have a golf club set that is made for you and your love of this game. Take your time and choose wisely. Once you get the hang of golf can be relaxing and fun. Golf clubs can be expensive make sure you love the game enough before you make the investment. Once you have gone out and purchased your clubs go out and enjoy them.

For more information about golf please vist my Eagle Valley Golf Website

The Ultimate in a Golf Club Set

2008-11-30T13:01:00.001-06:00

Demo Of Slazenger Golf Club Driver

A good set of golf clubs can sometimes make the difference between a good game and a bad game. The golf club set you use has to be designed to suit the way you play the game as well as to your body type. No one set of golf clubs is going to be ideal for everyone.

You can get golf club sets from anywhere. The price of the set will range anywhere from typically anywhere from $170 and can go as high as a couple of thousand dollars. Golf has been a game that has been loved for years and has grown in popularity. In the earlier days you didn’t see very many retailers selling golfing items. Now, there is a golf store in almost every town. A good way to narrow down a good golf club set is to check out the golf club reviews. These reviews will take individual clubs as well as the entire golf club set and let you know what those who have tested them thought about the club. could it be good for long fairway shots? Was the putter ideal for helping you get that hole in one? If you’re going to invest a lot of money into a set of clubs then you want to make sure it is a set that is going to b worth what you paid for it. Golf clubs can be rather expensinve but can last for years and make for a worthwhile investment.

These days you can purchase golf clubs from retail or online. If you are going to buy the clubs online it might pay to try a set out at a store first. In this case it is very important to make sure that you have previously tested the same name brand and style of clubs before you buy them. You don’t want to get the set and then realize it wasn’t what you wanted or doesn’t work for the way you play the game. A golfer needs to have a set of golf clubs that is designed for them.

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

For more golfing information please visit my Eagle Valley Golf Site

Why You Should Think About Custom Golf Club Fitting

2008-11-29T19:44:00.001-06:00

AGCP Club Fitters Video

Getting a custom golf club fitting can be ideal to an avid golf club player. So why should you get a customized fitting? Well let’s look and see. A custom golf club fitting is going to look at how you play the game as well as measure you to insure that you are playing with a set of clubs that will work for your body type. Some people will buy a used golf club or set of clubs and this is fine. You can find some really great deals on used equipment. Getting a custom golf club fitting will involve the dealer or retailer doing the fitting to know:

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

So why do they need to know this to do a custom golf club fitting? Well for one gender has a lot to do with getting the perfect fitting. Men and women vary in standards and measurements. Your height as well as distance form your wrist to the floor will help in determining what length of club is going to be ideal for you. The remainder will help determine what shaft flex is required for you. If you don’t have the right size club for you then your game of golf will suffer for it. There is a great online customizer that you can use to get an idea of your custom golf club fitting. You can find it at http://www.pinemeadowgolf.com/cfw/.

It has been said that you can look at custom golf club fitting in four areas:

Shaft flex
Shaft length
Lie angle
Loft

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

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

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

My Top 3 Golf Bag Accessories

2008-11-28T18:24:00.001-06:00

Playing golf is expensive; you have to buy all the essential golf equipment, golf accessories, and pay membership fees or green fees. Some will also invest in professional golf instruction and other golf learning materials. Unfortunately, you will find that there is always something else that you "must" invest in - like golf bag accessories.

The following top 3 golf bag accessories are not necessary for everyone. Untidy golfers won't want the first one, golfers that don't travel to play golf in other parts won't need the second one, and for those that play golf in cold climates might not need the third one.

Golf Bag Organizers

If you do find that you have no where suitable to store your golf bag and equipment, then you should get a golf bag organizer. By keeping everything in one place, a good golf bag storage rack will protect your valuable golf gear. When you go to play your next round of golf, you can just grab your golf bag of the rack and you are ready to go.

The majority of golf bag organizers are sturdy, efficient, and even modern looking. They are either designed to be hung on the wall, or sit on the floor, and hold one or two golf bags, along with various shelves for shoes, towels, gloves and whatever other gear you might want to keep in one place. There are several styles and materials to select, like brushed nickel steel, walnut wood finishes, or even plastic.

Golf Travel Bags

If you want to travel with your clubs, whether it's for a business golf trip, or an extended family golf vacation, it's important to know that you've got everything you need to make your round of golf stress free. To make sure all your gear arrives safely and intact, you will need a golf travel bag.

There are basically two types to choose from. The first is an all-in-one combo golf bag and travel bag. Many golfers like the ease and practicality of a special golf club travel bag that doubles as a travel case. On the other hand, the second type is for golfers that don't like to unpack their existing golf bag and put everything back into a travel bag. Instead, you can invest in a quality travel case, and simply pack your bag and golf equipment inside the case.

Golf Bag Coolers

The last of my top 3 golf bag accessories is a golf bag cooler. If you find yourself playing golf when it is over 100 in the shade, and you're far from a beverage cart or water fountain, you can get an insulated golf bag cooler. These handy items are insulated, waterproof, and soft-sided, so they can be stored in any large opening in your bag.

Golf bag coolers come in different sizes that can hold from 6 to 12 cans of your favorite cold beverage. As they are watertight, you can pack them with ice, or you can use cooler packs that can be re-frozen again and again. Coolers come with a shoulder strap, so they can be carried as an all-purpose travel cooler, as well.

So, whether you want to be more organized, enjoy more golf vacations, or keep your cool on the golf course, I am sure you that some of these golf bag accessories will be of use to you. By the way, if you play golf in Scotland or Ireland, you will need another golf bag accessory - a golf umbrella!

Are Callaway Clubs The Best Choice For You

2008-11-27T15:01:00.001-06:00

Will Callaway Golf Clubs Work Best For You?

Both beginners and Pro’s have usually all heard about the famous Callaway brand of golf clubs and equipment. They are one of the top suppliers for the entire golf industry. If you are in the market for new golf clubs, you will likely want to consider Callaway products at some point. Choosing the right set of golf clubs is a personal preference matter, each type may not work best for everyone however, they do have a large enough range of products, so you will most likely be able to find something you like. In this article we will look at several of the Callaway clubs and some of the ways golfers will use them.

Callaway drivers are very popular because they can usually carry the ball much further than most of the other brands. Official golf tournaments or games may not allow Callaway drivers for this reason, however, they are great to practice with during your time in the driving range. The engineers at Callaway spend literally years developing the drivers, and adjusting every little piece of it to make it into the perfect piece of golf equipment. The Callaway driver, usually has a shaft that is very light, while the head of the golf club is shaped perfectly and given a good amount of weight. Because the drivers usually have hollow heads, like wood clubs, the model you decide on will be determined by your specific needs or goals.

Callaway has golfing equipment used by many professional golfers today, however, they also offer a nice product selection for the beginner too. Beginners can use some of the clubs designed with the purpose of helping them get more familiar with the game and developing their stroke skills. Using equipment specifically made for beginners will save you a lot of money, until you develop your skills to a higher level and want to purchase new equipment. Some of the best items include the adjustable golf clubs, or the half-sets, that leaves you with just the basic choices to familiarize yourself with using them. Look for these products at your local club store, or in an online Callaway catalog.

Callaway’s product line doesn’t end at golf clubs. In fact, every other item you will use for the game is available through Callaway too. While shopping a Callaway you will find reasonable golf apparel with a nice range of style and color selections to choose from. You can also get golf shoes and other golf apparel such as hats and shirts, to protect you from the weather elements of the day. If you are an easily sunburned person, then you should find the proper shading and protection in order to avoid having your skin burned while you play.

These are some of the wide range of products offered by Callaway, however, there are many more items for you to discover.

Figure out what exactly you are looking for out of a golf club set, and bring these requirements with you when you go shopping. By doing this you will make sure not to forget a certain detail you want and it will save you time in determining which selection is best for your needs.

So, whether you are just beginning or have been at it for awhile, you will be able to find a number of great products to choose from at Callaway’s.

Finally, when you play or learn to play the game, remember the words of Bob Hope, "If you watch a game, it’s fun; if you play at it, it’s recreation; if you work at it, it’s golf."

Finding A Good Golf Club Review Could Be The Difference

2008-11-26T12:57:00.001-06:00

Golf is a sport that is loved adored by millions of people worldwide. What started out as a great past time years ago has become the stuff that ESPN is made of. The love of hitting that little white ball has become one of the world’s greatest games. It ranks up next to football and baseball. Purchasing a golf club or a set of golf clubs is an important decision. When looking into your next purchase, take your time and look around at various outlets but also take a look at a golf club review. The review will provide you with all the information that is required about a golf club or set of golf clubs. It will tell you how sturdy the clubs are, how they performed in a game, as well as typical price range for the item.

You can find a golf club review in several golf magazines as well as online at Golf Digest and Golf.com. A golf club review can mean the difference in buying a quality club or a bad one. It will tell you which dealers have the highest quality products as well as which of them provide golf club fitting. The person who is going to write the golf club review will test each product. They know how each of these products function in the golfing enviroment. There are so many dealers of golf clubs and golfing items that it can be very hard to pick a dealer to purchase from.

You have the advantage when reading a golf club review of knowing that someone has tried the product you are looking at and their recommendations come from experience of using the product. You can write a golf club review on your own website or various other websites. If you make the decision to do this than make sure you have tested the golf club that you are writing about. If not then you’re not in a position to be an evaluator of a product. A good golf club review should have:

Type of Equipment = Is it a driver, wood, irons, wedges, or putter?
Who makes the club? What dealer is it?
Be sure the review is rescent. No one wants to read a review on a 1974 club.
Be specific and descriptive. Don’t just say “hey this is a great club”. Answer “why” it is a great club. What made it terrific. If you were not happy with the club you tested give the reader reasons why.
Be sure to get the most specific name of the product. Most club makers have different version of the same club. List the full make and model that you are talking about.

A good golf club review can mean the difference in someone buying a product or leaving it on the shelf. Take each review into careful consideration when making your decision. However, Don’t just take one review as the gospel. Do the research and see what several reviewers have said about the same product. Remember, these reviews are the opinion of the person doing the review. A little time and research and you are sure to get the product that is right for you.

For more information about the game of golf please visit my Eagle Valley Golf website

The Best in a golf club sets

2008-11-25T21:31:00.001-06:00

The difference between a good game and a bad game may bet a good set of golf clubs. Any set you use has to be chosen for your game style as well as your build. It is a fact that no one set has all the answers.

With the ability to get wilson golf club sets from pretty much any place. Pricing of the set will range anywhere from typically $170 and as high as a couple of thousand dollars. Golf is a game that has been loved for years and now has massive popularity. In the earlier days people didn’t see very many retailers selling golfing products.

With a golf store in almost every city. One way to narrow down a good Wilson club sets is to research and read reviews. many reviewers will take single clubs as well as the entire sets and let you know the ins an outs of the items you are interested in.

Some questions that should be answered are is it good for long shots?. Is the putter going to help you get that whole in one ?. These are questions that the very best in golfing will consider before they actually buy their own clubs. With the most suitable set being an investment make the right choice remember its the game you love

Nowadays you can purchase wilson golf club sets either in a retail store or online. Naturally if you make a purchase online you won’t be able to test the product first. In this case it is very important to make sure that you have previously tested the same name brand and style of wilson golf club sets before you buy them.

You don’t buy the set and then realize it wasn’t what you wanted or doesn’t help you to play the game any better. Just as a ping pong player has to have a paddle that is designed to suit them so does a dedicated golfer need to have a set of clubs that it right for them.

Golf if a popular sport and it is growing day by day not only in fans but in players as well. Retailers of golf club sets are growing as well. Every child wants to grow up and be the next Tiger Woods. Every man wants to be the next Arnold Palmer.

Every woman wants to be the next LPGA champion. The only way to become that is to practice, practice, practice and to have a golf club sets that is made for you and your love of this game. Take your time and choose wisely.

Golf is a game that is relaxing and fun once you get the hang of it. First make sure that you love the game enough to make an investment in the tools to play it. Once you’ve made your purchase go out and just have some fun.

Think Long And Hard Before Opting For A Custom Made Golf Clubs

2008-11-24T09:03:00.001-06:00

Custom Golf Clubs Video

Before you make up your mind about buying custom made golf clubs it will be to your advantage to consider buying a set that has golf clubs that will exactly fit with your style of play. Yes, custom golf club sets can be a big advantage over the ones that you will get from a golf store because they offer many benefits including allowing a golfer to play to his or her best abilities.

Every golfer must per force have to face the challenge of striking the golf ball long and hard down the fairway and it is therefore vital that they choose their golf club driver with great care to ensure that they achieve their goals. Of course, one must also practice long and hard in order to achieve consistency with striking the golf club with a golf club driver, and so, it is not enough to have a good driver: learning how to strike it with consistency is also very important.

You need to have a certain degree of competency in playing golf before thinking about buying a custom golf club set because only if you know how to swing a golf club properly will you benefit from customizing your golf clubs.

What makes a good golf club driver is very relative because it obviously depends on your own golfing abilities. A beginner would have more difficulties with their swing while a low handicapper would not and a golf club driver that works well in the hands of a novice golfer might prove to be inappropriate in the hands of an accomplished golfer.

Most reviews have been written by professional golfers who know the needs of golfers of different abilities and they will therefore be able to provide pertinent information that will help the uninitiated (as well as accomplished) golfers learn to choose the best options. You can find decent golf club reviews in many golfing forums (especially those that deal only with golfing equipment) and there are also individuals who provide their own reviews before posting them on the Internet.

You need to know which are the best materials that help make a golf club perform better, and here again a golf club review will give you important leads to help you choose the best options. Some people even prefer buying a customized golf club set to ensure that nothing comes in the way of helping them to play the best golf possible.

Even though there are several advantages to using custom golf club sets, you must nevertheless understand that such golf clubs are geared more towards improving the game of accomplished golfers rather than average golfers.

For more info on golfing visit Tour Edge Golf Clubs

Golf course construction: Taking The USGA Green Section Construction Education Program Is Recommended

2008-11-19T19:29:00.001-06:00

Proper golf course construction means that the owners of a golf course must entrust the task of building a good golf course only to a person that has the right kind of qualifications such as the one provided by the USGA Green Section Construction Education Program.

This information on golf course teaches all the skills necessary when it comes to planning and construction involved in golf course construction, with its main objective to provide students with the best quality instructions on what it takes to create golf courses that are agronomically superior.

Different Teaching Tools

The instruction is imparted in many different formats including video, written as well as multi-media and also via the Internet. In addition, to gain further insights into proper golf course construction you will do well to attend education seminars that are usually available to groups from the construction industry.

No matter if you are a golf course architect, a builder, superintendent, owner or a golfer the USGA study course can prove to be of immense help to you in order to achieve maximum success from your golf course construction efforts.

Besides formal golf course construction instructions you will also get to study various relevant case studies including those on course fumigation, bunker renovation and tee leveling.

There are several wide-ranging topics that are also taught including how to build and also maintain affordable golf courses also has some great information on golf . Also, you need to learn about the origins of peat, and how best to avoid the dangers that can creep up when renovating golf courses. If you want to get the most out of golf course construction you will need to be well versed in contemporary golf course architecture as well as what it takes to construct and maintain the best greens.

There is a lot to learn when it comes to golf course construction and, among other things, you must also be aware of the USGA’s guidelines on green construction, history of USGA greens, quality control guidelines and also knows how to determine when it is time to do reconstruction.

As with all things new technologies are being used in golf course construction such as laser technology to construct the most outstanding tees. And it is necessary to learn the best techniques when it comes to building and the remodelling of sand bunkers and be aware of which sand is the best for your bunkers.

Golf course design is a topic that has lead to many interesting innovations in golf. In fact, with over thirty-two thousand golf courses now spread all across of the world, the designs are becoming more and more wild and varied that they now represent a mini revolution themselfs.

Golf Club Tips and Advice – Buying The Right Golf Clubs

2008-11-16T09:47:00.001-06:00

Golfing for a beginner is an often written about topic, yet an area which is grossly overlooked is what kind of equipment should beginners start out with? Choosing your first set of clubs requires a degree of knowledge if you are to make the right choice.

Sadly, you won’t find too many books give a new golfer information and what kind of golf equipment is best for them. The golfer is left at the mercy of the golf pro-shop salesmen to help him, which can prove to be no help at all.

All of the big, brand name sports equipment manufacturers spend so much money advertising and hoping that customers will realize who has the best golf gear but as a new golfer how much do you need to spend?

Using the driver that Tiger Woods does, will not enable you to use it to your best ability and you are best suited for a driver that matches your playing style. Similarly, for golf balls and other beginner’s golf equipment, it is the same case.

If you are new to golfing, using a Tiger Woods golf club will only make it harder on you because it was made for a professional, not someone who is just learning and only needs basic golf equipment or golf balls for example.

Golf clubs are going to be your most expensive purchase and therefore you should spend a lot of time researching on a set of clubs which will work best for you. It is advisable to not go by brands but what works for you, as they will affect the way you play golf.

Golf clubs are primarily made of Graphite and Steel. There are alternative materials too, like carbon fiber and titanium and composite alloys, but it is best to stick to the tried and trusted steel and graphite.

They work best for beginners as they help beginners starting out to develop their control and accuracy and they are also used by golfers who have a slightly faster swing speed than normal.

Graphite shafted clubs are easier to swing as they vibrate less with the impact to the ball. Graphite shafted clubs are better suited for women and senior golfers who have problems generating enough swing speed to manage a steel shafted golf club properly.

Choosing the right shaft flex is an important consideration too as this will be dependent on your swing style and speed. When your are just starting on your golfing journey, developing accuracy is the most important thing so ask your golf tutor what stiffness will best suit your current style.

Now that you are able to see beyond the advertising and endorsements and understand that it is about personal styles, you are in a far better position to make a sensible purchasing decision when you buy your next set of golf clubs or any other golf equipment for that matter.

Reviewing The Amazing Golf Mind System

2008-11-13T08:38:00.001-06:00

If you want to effectively improve your golf game, there is one muscle you need to train above all else.

"What is this muscle?" you ask.

It’s your brain.

According to Andrew Scott who produced The Amazing Golf Mind program, expert golf players such as Tiger Woods have used the methods presented in this course to improve their golf game.

It does not include any type of physical exercise to learn or use and within a week you could be improving your golf game visibly.

The secret is, 90% of your golf game is mental and once you understand this secret, you are one step closer towards improving your golf game. This program is designed to develop your mind, making it realize that the way you play golf and the habits you have accumulated over the years can easily be broken and changed to make you a much more skillful golfer.

Specifically, the method employs a subliminal technique that targets the unconscious part of your mind which controls your patterns of thought and actions. This method has been utilized previously in advertising and propaganda techniques and has been so effective that many countries have banned their use. When used in the proper way by the golf player, it can effectively change the way you think about your golf game and techniques without you needing to practice on new physical exercises.

The technique is said to work by using it 3 to 4 times per week by listening to the 20 minutes of music audio in your own home. As the audio uses subliminal messages, you should never listen to it while you are driving.

The Amazing Golf Mind can be purchased at $49.95 and you can download it instantly and try it risk free for 8 full weeks. If it doesn’t improve you game within that time, you have your money back - 100% guaranteed.

Mike Pedersen’s Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide Review - Tips To Improve Your Golf Swing

2008-11-12T08:32:00.001-06:00

The Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide is designed to help you strengthen your stamina so that you can hit your golf ball and drive it as far as possible. Most people who learn golf have problems getting their shoulder’s to turn at a ninety degree angle and trying to compensate for it is not easy for some people. By following these simple but effective golf exercises that systematically work the muscles needed in your golf swing, you can effectively improve your golf swing.

The author assures that his method will improve your golf swing by increasing twenty yards to your drive almost overnight. his method will teach you well kept performance secrets and a comprehensive and easy to understand golf fitness guide. It explains how to perform golf specific exercises that will start to equip your body for a strong and firm golf swing in a week.

All that is necessary for you do is to do the golf excercies for less than 15 minutes every day. This can be done at home, in your office, and anywhere else you desire. Moreover, Pedersen’s motivational advice encourages you keep up on your exercise routine without sounding nagging and irritating.

Mike Pedersen’s Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide is presented in simple, vivid pictures that lay out step by step directions that explain the golf specific secrets, techniques, and exercises. It will also teach you the best meals to consume before and after your game and the ideal foods you can snack on while playing. A free professional telephone consultation is also included and the program is backed up by a 100% money back guarantee.

Mike Pedersen’s Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide is normally priced at $97 but can be purchased at $47 when you buy it online from his website. It downloads instantly and enables you to get started on improving your golf swing right away.

Golf Instruction Video Is A Perfect Solution To Better Golfing

2008-11-11T19:05:00.001-06:00

golf training aids

Golf is a sport that has been around for centuries and which has become one of the most popular types of hobby sports there is. There are golfers who come from virtually every part of the globe and all different backgrounds, and most all of them are interested in learning how to lower their scores and become better at the game. Golf instruction video programs are an excellent way to gain additional skills and learn how to improve your techniques.

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

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

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

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

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

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

While these four advantages are significant and the most commonly mentioned, this is certainly not an exhaustive list. If you have talked to others who have used these kinds of programs, or have had a chance to read reviews users have written about them, then you will discover many additional advantages of a golf instruction video. Because there are different personalities and instructional styles, which might not always be appealing to everyone, you can check to see if you can watch a sample lesson, or excerpt, on a website or at a pro shop where these programs are sold.

Tips To Improve Your Handicap In The Game Of Golf

2008-11-09T20:22:00.001-06:00

Improving your handicap is essential in the general improvement of your golf experience. Just Consider this, this can't be done on the basis of only one score. For example, if you play an individual round of a 10 over par, then it is almost impossible to determine your handicap. It is however, possible to make something out of it, after you have registered multiple scores.

Another essential thing to note is the average score that you have is still generally not your handicap. For instance, a golfer who typically has an normal of 10 over par will usually have a handicap of ranging from 7 to 9. The specific score may vary and is dependent on the actual courses that are played and the ratings that go along with those courses.

Pro golfers however, feel that one of the most effective ways to improve your handicap is with developed putting and wedge abilities. If you are able to drive the ball properly, but fall down on your putting then you are going to be looking at a very high handicap always. Just taking the time to develop a good putting strategy can really help you take away a few points off of your handicap and improve your game. Between wedge and putting, center more on putting since all holes require putting but not all holes need a wedge shot.

Generally, beginners who learn golf find that as they try to improve their putting and wedge skills, their long drive capabilities improve too. Though this isn't feasible at all times, the main idea is to improve the short shots, and the long strokes will improve at the same time. When you use the right stance for your shorter strokes, your score improves and this as a result enables you to do better for your long shots as well. This can make a massive impact on your handicap since you can spot a great difference in your placing.

Another condition that you should take note of is your confidence and you will discover that a person who is not very confident tends to make more mistakes no matter what they are doing. They may be a specialist in their field, but without self-confidence, they commonly commit minor errors simply because they are fearful. Before you can think of improving your handicap, make sure that you are not making these mistakes merely because you lack self-confidence.

Know what you are good at and focus on it, and this can make you a more confident golfer. Regard your errors as part of the learning experience. This would enable you to improve your golf game effectively and improve your self-confidence as well. This together with other valuable tips explained above can help you improve your handicap, as well as permit you to become a better golf player. Even if you have tons of experience behind you, some of these strategies referred to above could help a seasoned golfer to improve his golf skills.

Choosing The Right Golf Travel Package

2008-11-08T13:43:00.001-06:00

Golf Travel Package Video

You may be considering a golf travel package and hoping to reserve some time at one of the many great golf destinations in the U.S. or possibly an international location. It is best to compare prices of the various packages online first.

Many of the golf resorts will also have meeting or conference rooms available for your group. Of course, no golf travel package is complete without tee times reserved at some of the top rated courses in the world. A corporate package will include group discounts. The more people the less it is per person. You will also want to inquire about special discount offers for your golf travel package such as discount vouchers for greens fees at other local courses, car rentals and meals.

A golf travel package can be found for under $1500 and some for as little as $200. The cost is dependant on the number of nights, the number of meals included, the location, and excludes taxes and travel expenses, such as airline flights, to and from the destination.

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

Plan a trip for your group to Puerta Vallarta and golf for just $58 per round per person, including a shared cart, range balls, taxes, and a 15% discount at course restaurants and on rental clubs.

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

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

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

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

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

Free Video Golf Tips Can Help But Choose Intelligently

2008-11-07T13:15:00.001-06:00

Bobby Eldridge

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

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

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

There are many free golf tips videos from unknown golfers, so don’t take every golf tip as gospel. But looking through the videos often uncovers some gems that you can watch. Alternatively, if you are looking for a specific golf tip, use the search box at the top of the page.

I did a search for "How to draw the golf ball" and I got several good results to show. The same with most search engines, you could get the odd result that is not exactly what you were looking for. Just keep experimenting with different keywords and you will soon find the free golf videos that can help your game.

Perhaps you have already identified your preferred online golf instructors, so do a search for their videos. For example, a search for PurePoint Golf yielded dozens of excellent golf video tips. Bobby Eldridge is the head instructor at PurePoint Golf and they produce great video instruction.

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

You will find the right golf tips online, no matter what area of your golf game needs attention. Doing a quick search just now I uncovered a video of Ben Crenshaw revealing his insight on putting. Also, a video by Peter Kostis that shoes you how to hit a high golf shot and a low golf shot.

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

Use The Mental Game Of Golf To Improve Your Game

2008-11-06T07:24:00.001-06:00

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

Why is it that less than 5% of all the golfers in the World can break 70? Do those golfers have something that we do not? According to golf manufacturers and their advertising claims, we need the same expensive golf equipment that the pros use to play to their level.

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

For some reason the average golf score has barely changed during the last 30 years. Multi-billion investments have gone into developing new technology for golf club and ball construction. Millions have also been spent by advertisers trying to push these products down our throats.

So we now have these clubs that are easier to use, are more forgiving, have higher launch angles, plus golf balls that combine optimum distance, spin and feel. Still, the majority of golfers are still struggling to shoot in the 80's! It seams that a great golf game can not be bought; not even with all the golf swing guides, hundreds of new golf training aids, or up to date instruction methods.

The top 5% of golfers know something that we don't. It appears that that “thing” that they possess is mastery of the Mental Game of Golf. That is the missing ingredient that can promote the quickest and most lasting change in any golfer’s game. interestingly, this is the only area that doesn't cost a cent to use, but hardly anyone uses it.

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

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

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

Clearly, at their level and with all the demands and media coverage, it is difficult for them to sustain high levels of concentration and focus week after week, month after month. That is why even the likes of Tiger Woods can not win every major in a year or even dominate the majority of events in a season, every season.

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

Simple Golf Tips To Help Improve Your Swing

2008-11-06T07:23:00.001-06:00

There are about as many tips for golf swings as there are golfers. Your friends, family, and even golfers that you just met on the course will offer you tips. The fact is, that there is a lot of disagreement even among pros, so then how can you improve your swing? Well there are three basics that are standard tips from pros. Keep them in mind and you will likely see improvement in your game.

Keep Your Head Still

It sounds simple enough, but one of the most common problems with golf is keeping the head still. With all of the other actions involved with a golf swing, it is easy to allow your head move around. Keeping your head still will keep you consentrating on the same part of the ball without changing perspective.

Relax Those Muscles!

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

Keep the Head of the Club Traveling Straight Through the Ball

Again, it seems simple enough. Most people, in principle, realize that the club head must travel straight through the ball, but they don’t give it any thought when they are playing. Once you have balance and your head still, the only tip for your golf swing left is to keep the head straight. By striking the ball straight, you can get rid of that nasty slice so many beginners have.

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

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

Ways To Perfect Your Golf Putting Skills

2008-11-03T08:23:00.001-06:00

One of the ways you can improve your golf game is to improve your putting talents. It could seem extremely unlikely but you can actually improve your skills by having regular practice and taking care of some particular aspects of your game. After you have grasped what you have to do, you should master the art through continous practice. It is perhaps important to remember that without good putting skills, you can't achieve a good long shot.

Which skill is needed to be practiced to learn golf is different from one player to the other, but it is good to remember that with no practice, you can't improve. There are three particular areas which are usually recommended that you need to zoom into, to play the best golf. How do you ensure that the ball hits the center of the club head? If you can't hit the ball with the center of the club head, you can't be good at putting. The ball can not just go straight, if it gets hit by the side of the club head. What it in fact does is cause you to feel frustrated. It doesn't matter how many hours of practice you put in your game, you just can not get your desired results by doing this.

Once you have improved this skill ability to hit the ball from the center of the club head, you need to move on to ensuring you always strike the ball in a straight line towards the target. What this means is that if you would like the ball to move two feet away from you, say towards the lake, you should not be aiming for the tree next to it. You might find this rather odd, but not a lot of people know how to make the ball hit the particular target. How did they miss the shot, is the next question which surfaces in their thoughts. Even if you are off by just a fraction it can negatively affect your putting skills as the ball will not go where you desire it to go.

This aspect of golf should be practiced more. It also increases your handicap. Only continued practice can help you conquer this problem. The good thing is you can practice indoors if you have a small home putting kit. While you are trying to work on this area, it is advisable to not go to the driving range.

The other skill you need to improve while trying to master your putting skills is to practice the art of pumping in more power to your club head as it travels closer to the ball. Slowing down the club before it contacts the ball is a usual mistake done by many golf beginners. This generally causes a fall in momentum which hinders the ball from hitting the target. By putting this into action, you can improve your golf putting skills and should ensure you of a more successful gaming experiences the next time.

A Straightforward Review Of The Golf Swing Guru Course

2008-11-02T20:02:00.001-06:00

Aren't you tired of your golf swing leaving you with less than a 300 yard drive every time you tee off?

Do you find yourself panting away when you wander around the golf course and wish you paid for a golf cart?

Are you frequently ending your round of golf with your friends and co-workers and coming last (then buying drinks for everyone else at your local bar)?

You are not alone.

A lot of people – whether men and women – are always searching for tips to improve their golf games. While there are numerous methods available, it’s hard to know which ones are the best.

Golf Swing Guru Review

Golf Swing Guru is an effective program that will equip you reduce your golf swing between seven and twelve strokes per game. If you have an inconsistent swing, issues with your slices, or need to improve the distances of your drives, then this could be what you're looking for.

The most major issue the majority of golf players experience is that their swing is not consistent. The Golf Swing Guru method corrects the slice by showing you how to address the ball properly and strike the ball straight, keeping it on the fairway and away from the rough. It teaches you how to swing correctly so that you get optimal strength behind your drive and how to do it every single time.

Golf Swing Guru comes in ebook format and is downloadable onto your PC. It also has step by step videos that show you how to perfect your golf swing. Seeing the techniques in action really helps to learn the techniques more effectively and is much more easily understood than by merely looking up a book on the matter.

Golf Swing Guru generally costs $94 but it can be purchased at $47 if you allow the company behind it to put your success story on their website.

Golf Swing Guru provides a 100% ironclad money back guarantee so you have nothing to fear by investing in this course and seeing how well it improves your golf swing. If you can improve your golf game, then it is well worth trying.

Even Tiger Woods uses this method and it has helped golfers all round the world so you can be certain that it will benefit you as well!

The Top 4 Best Golf Gifts

2008-11-01T11:00:00.002-05:00

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

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

Practical Golf Gifts

The best golf gifts that you can buy are practical ones. All you have to do is find out which type and brand of golf balls the golfer uses. Then you could either buy a box of those golf balls or maybe even buy some higher priced ones. Just make sure that you find out what golf ball specifications the golfer prefers – control, soft feel, medium spin, etc.

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

Personalized Golf Gifts

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

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

Golf Memorabilia

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

The company that knows its business is Pro Sports Memorabilia. When it comes to guarantees and certificates of authenticity, these are the guys to go to for peace of mind. You will surely find that unusual golf gift you were looking for and something that any golfer would be pleased to receive.

Corporate Golf Gifts

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

Custom logo golf accessories are a great way to promote your business. There are many customizable golf products, so you will be spoiled for choice. Custom logo golf balls are the most popular and they can even have their own custom logo packaging. Other items include custom logo tees, shirts, caps, towels, divot tools, umbrellas and gloves.

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

Why You Need to Perfect Your Golf Swing

2008-10-31T13:59:00.002-05:00

As you know one of the most essential aspects of being a successful golf player is studying precisely how to swing and hit the ball correctly. If you have a lousy golf swing, it will against you adversely and cause you many problems when you are struggling to win in your game. Continual practice and unyielding patience are the two virtues needed for studying a good swing, which plainly seem to be very challenging to do in the beginning.Image by TomHolbrook via Flickr

When you are just starting out, it may seem virtually impossible to learn how to successfully swing the golf club. This is regrettably due to the numerous various aspects of a prosperous swing that come into play. From adopting the correct stance, to employing the right club, to even the way you grip the club and not to mention the way you shift your weight; there are many factors that can alter your swing skills. This causes the task of finding out the precise reason why you have an incorrect golf swing and what remedies can be suggested to rectify it.

The vast majority of beginners who take golf lessons tend to spend tons time working on ways in which they can improve their swing. To learn golf successfully, it is vital that you hone this skill, as without it, no matter how hard you aim to achieve perfection, you would ultimately fall flat on your face. This makes it highly fundamental that you spend a lot of time discovering how to improve your skills. Therefore, your first step should always be looking for an trainer who is patient with you and makes you feel comfortable. This is essential because you need relax in order to learn the right stance.

If you have an trainer with whom you can't be easy with, your swings would always be off the tangent and your playing would get hindered. Because of the comfort that you need, it is essential that you are comfortable with your teacher so that you can relax and concentrate on your overall form. Spend more time and effort with your trainer, in case you discover that learning to play golf is becoming more and more difficult, and you have to do this before you proceed with your golf lessons.

When you are backed by an experienced instructor and spend enough time and hard work to bring your golf swing ability to perfection, you would be surprised to find several other facets of the game taking shape. A good swing makes the game not only more satisfying but also more thrilling. While practice and perseverance can improve your golf swing, it also displays your innate skill in making the most correct decision each time you do a swing with the ball. If you take the the golf swing lightly and do it for the sake of doing it, it is not more than a fruitless exercise leaving you with discouraging golf scores.

No matter what it takes, it could be a single or 20 sessions before you master the art of golf. If you are a natural at golf, you will be able to move on much faster, however if you struggle with your swing it is perfectly fine and expected that it will take some additional time to learn the skill. Numerous novices would usually spend much more time practicing their swings than investing time learning other skills required for playing golf. You need to keep these things in mind as you strive to improve your swing because a proper swing results in success and a poor swing results in frustration and failure.

Golf Grips

2008-10-31T07:21:00.001-05:00

Using Golf Grips

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

It is very inexpensive to be able to outfit your entire golf club set with new grips, and it is an effective way to help improve your game, as it helps you with having more consistency due to the ability to have a better hold on your clubs. Having a firmer and improved grip allows you to improve the delivery of your swing.

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

For a lot of the amateur golfers, they tend to forget about changing their golf grips. For novices, it is even worse as the have the tendency of playing with the same golf sets for many years and then they wonder why they are still not improving their game the way they expect, despite spending a lot of money on training courses, spending so much time in practicing, and procuring the most expensive of golf training aids.

The professionals on the other hand know exactly the importance of changing their golf grips regularly, and as a matter of fact they even ensure that their clubs are re-gripped at the end of each and every round of the golf tournament or event that they are playing in. They do this so that their clubs fell does not change and that their hands feel the same on each round that they play.

It would certainly be an overkill to change the golf grips after every round for the average golfer, but considering the extremely high level of competition in the golf tournaments today, every advantage counts and for the pros they will leave no things to chance. By the fact that the professionals are putting that much emphasis on ensuring that their grips are in the best condition, it should not be surprise for any other golfer why they are not in the same league if they are unable to make the same commitment in keeping their golf equipment in top condition.

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

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

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

Aldila VS - The Shaft Setting a New Standard

2008-10-30T08:13:00.001-05:00

The Aldila VS Proto By You shaft has been classified as an NV on steroids. That may be true. Even though the NV shaft has enjoyed popularity seen by few shafts, the VS by all counts, seems to be well on its way to matching the glory that the NV has seen. Why has this shaft literally come out of nowhere to achieve greatness at such an early age?

Well, there are probably a number of reasons that make the VS Proto popular. In addition to the obvious performance improvements which culminated from 2 years of research. Continued improvements were made to the already successful Micro-Laminate Technology. Lastly, Aldila cleverly marketed the VS Proto adding "By You" to the name. The marketing seemed to work -- the VS made a big splash onto the scene, one that it continues to enjoy today.

The shaft features Aldila's exclusive Next-Generation Micro Laminate Technology (MLT), Carbon Nano Tubes combined with a propriety A65 performance resin system. In addition, the straight tapered tooling of the VS eliminates "dead zones" found in the majority of shafts today. The patented features allows for an unparalleled performance and power. Because of the high modulus graphite fibers found in the shaft, the responsiveness and feel is unmatched.

Aldila introduced the VS in 2006' and has steadily gaining in popularity. Of course, having many top tour players commend the shaft doesn't hurt. Aldila, early in its introduction, claimed the new VS was their best ever. This comment certainly got attention since the shaft maker already had a one of the most popular lines in the the NV, NVS and DVS models.

The Aldila VS shaft is designed for the higher skilled player that can generate adequate club head speed. The VS will have a slightly higher launch angle than the NV and is designed for the larger club heads. All around, this shaft is considered a premier shaft if you have the game for it.

Custom Fit Golf Clubs: Improve Your Game With The Right Clubs

2008-10-28T16:56:00.001-05:00

Every golfer's physical capability and swing is distinctive. Many of today's best golf clubs can be custom fit for lie angle, shaft type and length, grip type and size. Custom fitting golf clubs involves several easy measurements and a quick self-assessment of your game. These clubs are becoming to popular than even amateurs are giving them a shot. You might think that going out and buying some new, fancy, utility golf clubs will fix your game, but that won't help as much as having your clubs custom fitted.

Whatever your level, with a custom golf club the aim is to ensure that if you do make a good swing, the club will be square at impact and should produce a straight shot.

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

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

Your height and the distance in inches from your wrist to the floor are used together to determine the length of a custom golf club that is appropriate for you. Clubs can range from -3 inch to plus 1 inch. A tall person with long arms can very easily require shorter clubs than an average height person with short arms. About 80 percent of golfers are standard length.

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

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

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

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

Rather than bringing down your old clubs, it might be better to start from scratch. It is a huge mistake to think that custom fit clubs are only for those special, good golfers. Anyone can benefit. That said, if you plan to upgrade a new set of clubs with the same manufacturer they may be able to adjust your old set to become custom golf clubs.

Finally, custom fitting many times will cost you nothing. But it is usually on the condition that you buy some clubs once you've been fitted. So it really depends on what your budget is. If you're prepared to buy a new set of clubs it's definitely worth getting fitted.

The Common Mistakes Made by Beginners Who Are Learning To Golf

2008-10-27T17:17:00.001-05:00

learn to play golf

Learning to play golf is not an easy thing that you can carry out half-heartedly. Golf in real life is sometimes very challenging and will require that you focus on the exact rules and form. You need to be conscious of some common mistakes that amateurs are prone to commit and a professional golf trainer can help you from making those same mistakes. Everything becomes more manageable with the help from a seasoned instructor.

This is one mistake that beginners usually make: new golf learners who are learning golf usually lookup when striking. This is not good as it can cause in a stroke being counted even though you didn't touch the ball. It is vital to always look down until after you have hit the ball. You can achieve this by keeping your hips rotated after the hit. Extend your arms fully - this position really helps a beginner who is learning golf. Pace yourself by counting to up five after a hit to avoid looking up too quickly.

Another common mistake for people learning golf is that once on the green, too many putts are missed. You can avoid this by taking a putting stance and focusing at the top of the ball. This increases your chance of hitting the ball while steering it to the direction you want it to go. The success you experience will steer you towards greater accomplishments.

It is kind of funny to see the ball of those learning golf, going to the sides instead of the middle of the green. Some patience will make a big difference in redeeming this situation.

Proper stance is vital to perform the precise stroke. You have to make sure that you are taking the time to carefully examine your stance before each swing so you may have to back up a little to make sure that you are not hitting the ball from the side of the club. This will definitely propel the ball to the side of the green. Ensuring a solid, square swing will help your ball to go to the envisioned location with continued practice.

Be mindful of hooking - they are most blatant bad habits that are pervasive in most beginners learning to golf. Some have problems with their stance which causes the ball to hook, while others are gripping the club too tightly, causing it to hit the ball inaccurately. Hooking the ball can also be caused by the act of gripping the club too tightly. In conclusion, it goes without saying that practice is vital if you want to improve the game of golf.

Improving On Your Golf Grips For A Superior Swing

2008-10-26T14:53:00.001-05:00

golfing equipment

Every golfer knows how important a good set of golf clubs is to their game and many golfers spend quite a tidy sum of money to purchase the best quality clubs they can afford. In addition, many golfers also spend a lot of money on private golfing lessons and golf training aids, but sometimes they overlook one simple and fundamental thing; their golf grips.

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

If you have a set of old and worn out golf grips on your set of clubs, then it doesn't really matter is you go out and find the very best golf training available because the condition of the grips will interfere with your ability to play your best game. Any golfer who is serious about the game is aware of the importance of maintaining their golfing equipment in the best condition possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

What You Should Know About Golf Injuries

2008-10-25T14:57:00.001-05:00

learn to play golf

Because of the nature of golfing, a few getting golf injuries as you are playing the game is pretty natural. Amateurs learning golf, and their accompanying bodies, can save themselves much pain by taking the effort to learn how common golf injuries occur and avoiding those mistakes. Always try to ensure that you are in good physical state before you start playing. The , the less injuries you will experience.

Because of the continuos walking and swinging involved in the activities of the game, it should come as no surprise that back injuries are a major source of pain for Novices who learn to golf. The back muscles can be properly trained, just like any other muscles in the body. Our backs need lots of rest following a game of strenuous golf activity. If you play continuous sessions of golf one after another, you may want to consider an occasional massage or even a chiropractic alignment.

Also, another frequent golf injury is the tennis elbow, which is also called the golfer's elbow. However, there are some small differences between the tennis and golfer's elbow. The outer of the upper arm is the area affected by tennis elbow, while the inner part of the upper arm is the area that is affected by golfer's elbow. While there isn't a particular way to avoid these injuries from happening, they are generally caused by golfing more often suddenly. Tennis and golfer's elbow is likely to happen, for example, to someone who all a sudden plays a prolonged tournament when they are used to playing a short game on a monthly basis.

Beginners who learn golf, as expected, suffer a fair deal of shoulder pain which is another very common golf injury. As you can imagine, golfers put a great amount of pressure on their shoulders each time they swing the club. If your body is tired or in need of rest, it is easy to injury it. This is because shoulders muscles are going to be in use frequently in the game, the best way to prevent injury to them is through warming them up but keeping your body in good shape is also helpful.

Carpal tunnel injury is yet another common golf injury. For example, you could suffer carpal tunnel injury through playing continuous games of golf consecutively over a couple of months. The injury can become very serious, but if it discovered in the beginning, typically a brace will fix your problems. Others suffer far worse cases of this terrible predictament, losing all ability to move their hands and these unlucky people generally are in need of surgery. The most irritating thing about carpal tunnel is the fact that it sometimes gives no warning signs until the signs of distress reach a near incapacitating level. A helpful tip is to get a wrist band whenever you begin feeling wrist discomfort.

Golf Fitness Program Can Be Useful Golf Improvement Aid

2008-10-23T09:41:00.001-05:00

golf exercises

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

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

There are a lot of golfers who get kind of sore and aching after they play a round of golf, even though they might have been playing the game for years. The main reason this happens is due to the motion of a proper golf swing, as it has the potential to put a lot of stress on the golfer's back. However, a golf fitness program is designed to help make the muscles of the back stronger and that will help improve your golf swing and reduce the aches and pains.

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

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

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

Following a golf fitness program does not require a huge commitment of time and it can be combined with other types of exercises and activities that you do to stay in good shape in general. You can take a brisk 10-minute walk and then, after you are warmed up, you can spend another 10 minutes doing golf stretching. You will be amazed at how much of a difference that can make if you do it on a consistent basis.

golf

2008-10-22T11:56:00.001-05:00

learn golf

If you don't master your golf swing technique, it is not feasible to play a superb round of golf. Without this important skill, it is going to be an uphill battle to actually have a good game of golf. This doesn't mean that golf cannot be played with the absence of this ability, but it definitely makes a positive difference to the overall gaming quality, the same can be said for your putting skills. It is vital before you start working to improve this area to remember the aim is not so much to improve your power, but also to increase your distance as well as form.

If you begin with a proper sound position as you swing, which includes proper posture, as well as wearing the right shoes and having the correct alignment with the ball, you are going to have a much better chance improve your golf swing. Unless you have a firm and sound posture, you would finally twist untimely and have a lot of troubles with gripping the club in the correct fashion. All these working together can completely mar your endeavors to perfect your back swing. Your first line of defense is to always ensure that you have the right stance, which will allow you to quickly and easily execute the necessary follow through for your swing.

If you are not sure of your posture, take a photo of yourself or ask someone to do it for you. Then take your picture and compare it with one that shows the correct position. If this is doesn't help you, take live golf lessons, which will allow you to work with someone to truly perfect your posture. When you get your fundamental skills right, you can develop on them as you progress with time. If you can get a seasoned golf instructor, it is the most effective way to master the game, as they can give you their frank and candid analysis regarding your skill improvement - which is more accurate than accessing it by yourself.

Once your posture is perfected, give a closer look at your grip. If you are over extending your grip, or even gripping the golf club the wrong way, you are going to have a bad backhand from the very outset. Unless your grip of the club is perfect, you can never perfect a good back swing. It is physically impossible and you will find that you are met with an infinite number frustrations from attempting it. A slight change in the position of your hands even to the tune of a fraction of an inch can result in incredible perfection.

Before you raise the club from the ground, remember to pull it from the golf ball, and this is the final major tip, to improve your back swing. The usual bad habit that golfers have is to raise the club from the ground and back from the golf ball simultaneously. This not only causes the club to hit the ball off center, but also spoils your movement. Foremost pull the club back in a straight direction and then raise it off the ground, and watch a dramatic improvement instantly. This is not something that should be unnatural or difficult to do. So much as you make a calculated effort to pull the club back beforehand, you should find that is enough to help improve your swing and therefore you game of golf.

You Must Have Good Custom Golf Club To Improve Your Golf Skills

2008-10-20T21:55:00.002-05:00

golf aids

Every single golfer on the course has a different physical capacity and a distinctive golf swing that is uniquely their own. Because of these unique differences, a custom golf club set can be a wonderful asset to an aspiring golfer who wants the experience of achieving the level that reflects his best abilities and potential. Many of the best golf clubs on the market today can be custom fit.

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

It is quite a simple and straightforward process that is followed when ordering a custom golf club set. The golfer first needs to choose the brand of clubs that he wants and then there are some physical measurements that must be taken. There is also a self-assessment questionnaire that the golfer needs to complete, which asks him to evaluate his strengths, as well as weaknesses that he hopes to improve with the clubs.

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

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

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

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

Fujikura Speeder - Deliver with the Speeder Shaft

2008-10-17T07:17:00.002-05:00

The Speeder series has gained much acclaim from many areas including the most demanding of them all, the PGA Tour. Although the Speeder remains one of the most popular shafts on tour, Fujikura has taken the shaft to the masses with success. Why has the Speeder shaft been such a stellar performer?

To start, Fujikura holds one of the most promising shaft technologies to date - the Triax technology and it's at the heart of the Speeder Series. Triax is a carbon fiber woven in honeycomb structure giving the shaft extraordinary capabilities. The Triax technology allows the shaft to withstand the tremendous forces of twisting that occurs during the swing which provides much more consistency throughout.Incredible enhancement of energey transfer at impact along with a much better dampening. The Triax technology remains one of the highest touted technologies to come along in years.

The Speeder shaft also offers diversity. The Speeder Series is available in five models, identified by desired weight, spin, launch and bend points. These models include the Fujikura Speeder 569, 586, 652, 686, and 757 models.

The 569 series is the lightest model designed for the average player looking for higher spin, higher launch and a low to mid bend point.

The 757 is the heaviest model, coming in at 77 to 82 grams.The 757 is a shaft for the more accomplished player looking for a low, penetrating ball flight.

In between the 569 and 757 lies a range that most golfers will find safe haven.

The Fujikura Speeder popularity speaks volumes. It is safe to say, the Triax technologies has made the Speeder a premier shaft - a following and popularity experienced by few shaft makers. The wide spectrum of Speeder models makes the shaft most accessible for all levels. If your plans are for a new shaft in the future, you need to put the Speeder shaft on your short list.

Golf In Florida Part 5

2008-10-16T18:41:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number twelve is without argument the most difficult par 3 on the course at 228 yards that plays to a very large, undulating green with a hump in the middle. Number thirteen will give you all the par 4 you can handle at 443 yards. It’s a lovely hole that angles slightly right. After a well-placed drive, your second needs to carry across a lake to a big green that has lots of putting adventure in it. A par 4 here will make your day.

The next two holes give you a break, with number fourteen playing at 385 yards and number fifteen 371 yards. Fourteen is a slight dogleg left and fifteen is fairly straightaway. It’s the second shot on fifteen that’s tricky. The green is guarded by water on the left.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is an avid golfer and golf historian. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux

for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

The LPGA And The English Flap

2008-10-15T13:10:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is an avid golfer and golf historian. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux

for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

Will Annika Be Back?

2008-10-14T12:40:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is an avid golfer and golf historian. His lowest handicap was 2. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at

http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

Golf In Bermuda

2008-10-13T14:42:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author:

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is a lifelong golf addict. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

Golf In Florida Part 4

2008-10-12T15:18:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author:

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is a lifelong golf addict. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux

for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at

http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

The PGA Tour Without Tiger

2008-10-11T08:05:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is an avid golfer and golf historian. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux

for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

Golf In Florida Part 2

2008-10-10T10:11:00.003-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author:

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is a lifelong golf addict and lived in Tampa for 10 years. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com

Rifle Project X - The Players Shaft

2008-10-08T21:23:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bring The Real Game Of Golf Back

2008-10-07T07:35:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is an avid golfer and golf historian. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux

for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

Golf In Florida Part 1

2008-10-06T05:05:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author:

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is a lifelong golf addict and lived in Tampa for 10 years. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux

For those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

Make This Weekend Time To Start Curing The Golf Slice

2008-10-05T08:03:00.002-05:00

If you are new to golf then you will find that curing the golf slice is one of the first problems you face when you get past the basics.Weekend golfers will always quote the slice as their worst shot in the bag.

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

Why does this occur?A swing moving from out to in across the ball starts the slice but the second element, an open clubface completes it.Image by Getty Images via Daylife

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

In order to help you eliminate the slice we have prepared 5 tips to help out.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take a 5 iron or 6 iron and swing the club above the line. Try to get your divot to start at the line and go forward. Keep trying until you can hit at least 10 shots in a row that start at the line.

5. Often one's slice can be eliminated, only to come back stronger than ever. Don't worry; there is a golf swing tip for this too. Head on over to the driving range. There are usually areas here to hit the ball from above your feet.

With a strong left-handed grip, start hitting balls on this hook lie. This naturally straightens out your swing. As far as the grip goes just keep the usual neutral one you usually adopt. A slice free zone is what I have hopefully helped you to create here.

Golf In Florida Part 3

2008-10-04T12:06:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is an avid golfer and golf historian. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeux

for those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/

I Got Your Score Right Here!

2008-10-03T12:18:00.002-05:00

Is anyone else as troubled as I am by some of golf’s incredibly arcane rules? Having played the game all my adult life, I’m familiar with the rules and even agree with most of them. But there are others that are frustrating, if not infuriating. Now, bear in mind that I’m talking about the professional or top-level amateur game here. For what should be obvious reasons, normal amateur events are a different animal altogether.

Chief among the above-mentioned frustrations, I think, is the scoring scenario. As we all know, if a player signs an incorrect score card he or she is disqualified from the competition. It makes no difference if half the western world knows what a player’s score is. It makes no difference if a national television audience has just watched in rapt attention as Tiger drilled a thirty-footer for a three. If he inadvertently signs for a four, that’s what he gets.

With today’s technology, there is no longer any need to rely on backward conventions to score a golf tournament. I know all the arguments. The players police themselves, it’s part of the game, it’s an integral ingredient of the integrity of the game, yada, yada, yada.

Listen, how can those arguments hold any water when we’ve allowed technological advances in golf equipment to trample the game’s foundations and fundamentally change the nature of the sport?

Today, the golf swing has become a lethal weapon. Players are hitting the ball practically into orbit and golf courses have to be about six miles long to keep today’s tournament pros from shooting twelve. Yet we still cling to outmoded, primitive methods of keeping score. It’s difficult enough to swing a golf club correctly and play the game well without having to worry about signing a paper scorecard in the age of the Blackberry.

I’ll always remember the tragic incident that cost Roberto DiVicenzo the 1968 Masters Tournament. As you know, players keep each other’s scores in a tournament. Roberto’s fellow competitor that day, Tommy Aaron, had incorrectly marked down a four at the seventeenth hole, when Roberto had actually shot three. Because Roberto signed that card, he had to accept the higher score. As a result, he missed getting into a playoff with Bob Goalby the next day and Goalby walked off with the green jacket.

It never should have happened. That kind of circumstance isn’t satisfying or rewarding to any player involved. Goalby couldn’t be justly proud of his accomplishment, having backed into it through a clerical error on the part of someone else. And DeVicenzo was understandably devastated by the loss.

Surely the golfing powers can do better. Surely, the rules for important tournaments can be brought into the twenty-first century. Tournament golf audiences know instantly which player is doing what all over the golf course. For reality to be ignored because of a glitch in scoring by hand is intolerable in today’s sporting world. We need to bring things up to date and we need to do it quickly, before another DeVincenzo type of tragedy mars the sport again.

About the author:

Jim Nettleton is a radio and TV professional who is a lifelong golf addict and golf historian. He recommends The Simple Swing for those struggling with their games:

http://www.jaynetinc.com/SimpleGolfSwing. Visit his golf blog at:

http://golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com

Golf Equipment -What New Golfers Should Know

2008-10-02T07:20:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

If you are new to golfing, using a Tiger Woods club will only make it harder on you because it was made for a professional, not someone who is just learning.

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

What you should use:

When buying golf equipment, golf clubs are going to be one of the most expensive things that you buy. Because of this, you should spend a little extra time researching clubs that will work for you. Don’t go by name brands. Find a club that is suitable for your individual needs.

Golf clubs are usually made of steel and graphite. However, some are made of carbon fibre and titanium and composite alloys. For you, it is best to stick to steel and graphite clubs.

Clubs that are steel shafted are much more durable than carbon fibre or graphite clubs. they are more robust but you will find that they weigh more so are not as easy to carry or use. Steel shafted clubs are said to have much more accuracy and control compared to graphite ones.

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

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

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

Golf Balls

It can be uneconomical to soend large chunks of cash on top class balls when the economy balls will do the job nicely. As a new golfer, your tendency will be to lose quite a few balls, which is to be expected so don't worry. Start with the cheaper varieties until your losses are more acceptable.

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

Achieve Improved Scores With Golf Training

2008-10-01T04:02:00.002-05:00

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world today. There are people from all different walks of life and in all parts of the world who enjoy both watching and playing golf. Many people have been attracted to the sport because of the big name golfers, such as Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods, who have made playing golf often seem effortless. While most people never reach the pro level of play, they can improve their game by getting golf training and using golf training aids.Image by Getty Images via Daylife

While the vast majority of golfers will probably never feel that playing a perfect round of golf comes easy to them or becomes effortless, with patience and practice almost anyone can get to the point where they feel confident and might even make that elusive hole-in-one. At the very least, with the proper training they might discover that they are able to make par more consistently and even have more holes that they can birdie or eagle.

A great many people decide to take up the hobby of golf because of friends who encourage them, because of opportunities to mingle with those friends while enjoying a round of golf, or simply because they want an excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the great out of doors. No matter why they got started, most everyone also wants to feel that they are always improving their game. Buying quality golf training accessories is a good way to make sure that happens.

Whether you decided to pick up the game of golf after watching a professional tournament and found yourself inspired by the play, or because some buddies encouraged you to join them on the fairways, the chances are high that you could stand to improve your game to some degree or another. The best way to do that is to seek out professional training from a golf pro giving golfing lessons or pick up some of the many golf instruction and training tools that you can find these days to help improve your game and make you a better player.

Buying golf training aids is usually the simplest way to improve your game and it is also a less expensive than signing up for golfing lessons with a pro. There are many different types of golfing accessories that can help you improve your golf swing, golf slice, golf swing plane and golf swing speed, and get better at hitting the ball squarely so it stays on the fairway and out of the rough.

A simple piece of golfing equipment is braces for your back and wrists that can help support a good posture and a proper swing. You will find that even a slight improvement in your stance, posture, swing or follow through can result in a better score. Over time, as you continue improving these small areas of your play, you will find that these little improvements can end up having a big impact on your game, especially if you are consistent in your practice and patient with yourself.

After using the basic types of golf trainer accessories to give your skills a boost, it would probably be worth your while to then take the next step and buy a video golf training course or think seriously about taking golfing lessons from a professional golf instructor. Which instructional method you select will most likely depend on how much you can spend and how tight your schedule is. Even though some people can afford to hire a pro to teach them, they prefer watching a course on DVD, rather than trying to work out scheduling issues with a golf pro.

Thanks to players who are professionals, the sport that is golf has benefited from a steady climb in popularity. More and more people are turning to this sport as a way to relax and spend a leisurely Saturday afternoon. is it non-stressful on a persons body and just about anybody of any age can enjoy it. If you are just beginning to learn about the venerable sport of golf, you should have some type of golf training to help to make certain that you learn about the best swing possible. You can locate numerous aids for golfing now on the world wide web. Click here to find out more information about how you can start your training: Golf Lessons also Golf Lessons In Omaha and at John Jacobs Golf School

Getting The Golf Swing Technique Thing Under Your Belt

2008-09-30T14:04:00.002-05:00

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

You will have your good days and certainly you will have your bad days but it is the constant challenge that golf puts up to me that keeps me coming back. Poor golf swing technique is responsible for many scenes of frustration and tantrums on the course.

Life would not be so enjoyable if we did not set ourselves challenges and getting good at the game of golf is just about one of the hardest you could put yourself up for.

How To Develop A Sound Golf Swing

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

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

Getting started in golf is as simple as booking a course of lessons with your friendly club pro. This will give you a sound grasp of the fundamentals of golf swing technique which you can work into your game through practice. Lessons on the course are something you should look for too, nothing like practicing in real life situations.

Driving ranges and practice areas are essential parts of any golf club but there is never any substitute for experience on the course. When starting out, course management is probably very far from your mind but a little bit of knowledge in this area is worth many shots. Going out with the pro is the best lesson you will probably have, here you get to hit balls from various lies under the watchful guide of an experienced tutor.

Once your course of lessons is over however it is over to you to keep up the development work on your golf swing.

If paying for golf lessons becomes a problem then either spread them apart over more time or start looking for instructional books and videos to compensate. You can always go back to the pro at a later date to iron out specific problems under an experienced eye.

A golf swing book is great because being lightweight you can take it to the driving range and practice that golf swing tip the author is explaining to you first hand. Watching videos is one of the best ways, apart from personal lessons, in which to learn new golf techniques or hone old skills, many pros now use video every day for coaching.

Golf holds many pleasures and frustrations at times it seems too many frustrations but when you look back you will always remember fondly that putt you holed or that drive you nailed, never the one that went in the water.

How Modern Technology Of Golf Training Aids Increase Your Skills On The Golf Course

2008-09-29T11:16:00.003-05:00

Golf Training Aids

It was not all that long ago that you couldn't find much in the way of golf training aids to help you improve your golf game. About the only thing available was the little putting "toy" that could return the golf ball to you if you managed to get the ball into the "hole." Today, things are quite different, and you can easily find any number of golf aids and high-tech training devices that can help sharpen your skills.

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

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

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

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

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

Are you a novice golfer who does not know how to swing the club at the ball? Are you in the situation where you consistently swinging aimlessly at the golf ball and it isn't going where it should be going? You need some golf training. Even the golf greats such as Tiger Woods had to start somewhere and it all begins with practice. You may not be a natural at the sport but that does not mean that you cannot become a great golfer with time and practice. if you have some interest in perfecting your golf swing or simply have to get some additional assistance, click here to get some more information: Online Golf Lessons also Golf Training Aid and at Online Golf Lessons

How To Achieve Better Overall Scores With A Golf Training Aid

2008-09-28T06:31:00.002-05:00

Golf Training Aid

Getting hold of good golf training equipment might just be the best way to help you improve your golf game and lower your score, regardless of whether you have been a golfer for a number of years or if this is your first season out on the fairways. In most cases, the most helpful type of golf training aid is the one that can easily address the aspect of your game that you are struggling with the most.

It really makes no difference if you want to improve your golf swing speed, make longer drives, improve your putting accuracy, or get better at chipping; for each area there is a training aid on the market that is designed to help turn your weakness into a strength. In most cases, you will also discover that the majority of training aids are quite reasonably priced and easy to use. In no time you can be enjoying lower scores and a higher degree of confidence.

You will discover that the largest selection of golf training aids and golfing accessories can be found online at the various golfing equipment retail websites. However, there are times when you want to be able to look at the golf training aid you are considering purchasing and you will also find that many of the golf pro shops at the larger golf clubs will have a good selection of training equipment that you can test out and get the feel for before you buy.

Some people like to go to their local golfing equipment store or pro shop to decide which training aid they want to buy, but then they go home, log onto the internet, and start surfing to find the best price. There is no doubt that there are some excellent deals and bargains that you can find online, especially at the online auctions.

Many times you can save half or more on various golf training aids, such as golf training club equipment, golf training videos, and other types of golf accessories. However, you do have to be somewhat cautious of the auctions because sometimes people try to sell used equipment as new or try to gloss over defects or damages to the equipment they are selling. If it is nothing more than a cosmetic blemish, then you can save money buying this way, but if the usefulness of the golf aids are damaged in any way, then you will probably be wasting your money altogether.

With any other purchase you make online, you need to be careful and only purchase from well-known retailers or auction sellers who have a long track record and a lot of positive feedback from others. You can also check out the reviews that have been written about the golf training aid you are considering. Many times the reviews from others who have purchased and used the item can save you from making the mistake of buying inferior equipment.

Thanks to younger professional players, the sport of golf has enjoyed a steady climb in popularity. An ever increasing number of people are taking up this sport as a means to take it easy and spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. is it non-stressful on a persons body and just about anybody of any age can enjoy it. If you are just starting out learning the sport of golf, you need some golf training to help ensure that you learn the proper swing. You can find many golfing aids now on the internet. If you want to learn more about golf training click here: Pga Golf School also Golf Lesson and at Online Golf Lessons

An Ideal Getaway For A Golf School Vacation

2008-09-27T06:01:00.003-05:00

golf tournament gifts

For an avid golfer there is no better way to spend part of their summer than taking a splendid golf trips vacation, and the couple who truly enjoys the game can find a facility that welcomes them to the courses. Not only can they learn the techniques and skills needed to become better on the links, but the evenings can be filled with quality time together as they work at a hobby they both enjoy.

Some countries such as England, Canada, and Spain have golf schools held at top golf resorts. While the days are filled with planned classes and many include competition, the evenings are generally free for individuals as well as couples to do some sightseeing while on their golf school vacation. Most of these types of packages lasts three or more days, but you can find one that is only two days. There are some tournaments that give out golf travel cases as prizes to winning couples.

Perhaps there's a golf pro in the family already and previously had trouble teaching their other half. A golf school vacation can provide the new golfer with the training they need to better understand what their partner is trying to explain while the more experienced of the two can fine tune their game.

There is More to Golf Than Hitting the Ball

There are many more techniques to just driving the ball on a straight-away. Even accomplished golfers will find themselves in situations where a tree or some other natural obstruction is standing between them and the spot they wish to put the ball. On a golf school vacation instructors may be able to teach them how to hit a fade shot around a stand of trees or how to keep the ball low while from under overhanging branches.

While a week filled with golfing during the day and partying at night may sound like a dream vacation for many people, the days on a golf school vacation will be filled with teaching many aspects of the game. This includes the mental attitude needed to accept bad shots and move onto the next hole.

A report of a players swing is attained in assisting to find out why they're hitting the ball towards the woods. Once the students have worked out the kinks in their game on a golf school vacation, they can return home refreshed, relaxed and ready to take on their friends on the links.

How To Enrich Your Golf Game With Custom Golf Glubs

2008-09-26T06:01:00.002-05:00

There is no doubt that every person is unique and different from everyone else. In terms of golfers, everyone brings unique physical abilities to the game, which consequently affects their golf swing speed and accuracy. This factor is one of the things that makes custom golf club sets such a wonderful addition to a golf aficionado's collection of equipment. Nowadays, there are many brands of golf clubs that can be customized.

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

The process of having a custom golf club set made is fairly simple and straightforward. The golfer chooses the brand and model of clubs that are to be customized and then they have several simple measurements made. Usually, the person ordering the custom clubs is also asked to fill out a brief self-assessment of their game, cataloging both their perceived strengths and weaknesses.

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

No matter what your own level of experience with golf is, a custom set of clubs can be very beneficial. This is due to the fact that the customization is completed with a single purpose in mind and that is to make certain that if you complete a swing properly, the club will squarely contact the golf ball so that you get a solid, clean, straight shot.

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

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

The sport of golf isn't simply a sport for middle aged men in ludicrous appearing pants. It is actually a great hobby to have and people of any age can participate. The only thing standing in your way of learning the sport is some golf training. Once the fundamental rules of the game are known, it is now the time to find out the best ways to improve your swing. Luckily for you there are many ways to do this. There is special equipment that can give you the perfect swing. If you want to learn more about the interesting sport of golf click here: What Does It Take To Play Pro Golf also Golf Training Aids and at Golf Training Products

Golf Swing Training - Important To Developing Golf Abilities

2008-09-25T02:59:00.011-05:00

Tiger Woods Golf Swing

Even people who don't play golf but still enjoy watching it are aware of the importance of perfecting the golf swing. The better the golfer's swing, the lower their scores will ultimately be and the more they will enjoy the game overall. Since golf has become of the most favored of all sports, it is no wonder that golf swing training is very much in demand and highly sought after.

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

It has been proven over the course of many years that the best way to undertake golf swing training is to use a golf swing trainer. This is a club that is specially weighted. The additional weight of this golf trainer provides resistance and if you repeatedly practice your swing with this resistance, then you have the potential to quickly improve your overall swing.

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

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

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

Golf swing training is also very helpful in making your backswing better, as well as the follow through of the stroke. Consistently using a good golf swing trainer club can strengthen your entire swing, from beginning to end, and this will result in more power when the club meets the ball. It is also very beneficial to incorporate other types of strengthening and stretching exercises because that will also improve your overall strength, which is important to the game as well.

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

How Can Golf Training Equipment Advance Your Overall Game As Well As Cut Down Your Scores?

2008-09-25T02:59:00.010-05:00

Golf Training Equipment

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

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

For those who are highly motivated to improve their golf game, either for competitive golf or just for bragging rights with their golfing buddies at the club, it makes a lot of sense to invest in good golf training equipment. There are numerous types of golf aids and golf accessories that can help you improve just about any area of the game that you might be struggling with.

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

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

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

Are you a novice golfer who does not know how to swing the club at the ball? Are you in the situation where you consistently swinging aimlessly at the golf ball and it isn't going where it should be going? You need some golf training. Even the well known golf professionals such as Tiger Woods needed to begin somewhere and mainly it all starts with practice. Even though you might not be a natural at this type of sport that doesn't mean that you have no chance of actually becoming a geat golfer with enough practice and time. if you have some interest in perfecting your golf swing or simply have to get some additional assistance, click here to get some more information: Periodization For Golf Training also Butch Harmon Golf School and at John Jacobs Golf School

Ireland: European Golf Vacations

2008-09-25T02:59:00.009-05:00

best golf vacation destinations from Ireland

Why would you prefer to stay back home when in fact you can have all the time of experiencing a European best golf vacation destinations from Ireland while playing your most favorite sport in the world? Since Ireland is famous for its golf courses, there will be no issues to get yourself immersed in your favorite sport. There is always a reason to reward yourself and getting on a European golf vacation in Ireland is one of which.

Ireland can make your dreams of golfing possible by all means. The Ball bunion, the K Club, Doonbeg, Lahinch, and Druids Glen are just among the golf courses that you may pay a visit to as you set foot in Ireland. Ireland is known as having the most splendid, charming, numinous, and grandest golfing links in the world.

As you return to your own hometown, you will surely never forget the mystical memories that you have with Ireland and its golf courses. Moreover, everyone who has been to this European spot can tell that a golf vacation spent therein is one unique and rewarding experience. Hence, do not miss the opportunity of coming over.

The Real Deal with a European Golf Vacation in Ireland

Clearly speaking, there is no better place to spend a wine golf vacation other than in Ireland. You can stand to sense the oceanic life as the breeze flows right through your clothes. Likewise, you may opt to see for yourself the richness of the inland pasture which radiates in lush emerald green hues filled with bunkers and flowers. All of this can be cherished by enjoying your golf vacation in Ireland.

Many golfers owe their harnessed skills to the golf courses of Ireland. In fact the most recent Ryder Cup match glorifies the skills of an Irish blood. The oncoming Ryder Cup competition will thus be held in Ireland itself and the prospect of millions of spectators to come is clearly positive. The main attraction is the event to be held in the ancient seaside link golf course.

Link golf indeed marks an exceptional experience which truly tests one's stamina without mentioning the fact about a remarkable golf experience on your part. The wind, as you play, will continue to blow on your face whichever direction you may face.

The links golf courses don't necessarily permit the presence of golf carts and golf buggies. The main rule is for the participants to walk. The terrain in these links golf courses will deem it impossible to maneuver a golf buggy, although some of the really prestigious golf courses of Ireland may allow the caddies to accompany the golfers while carrying with them a simple trolley or cart.

Because the golfers in Ireland find the place vividly perfect and challenging for their purpose, you need to book your reservations ahead of time.

By logging on to the Internet portals of the defined travel agents, you can reserve for yourself a fine hotel accommodation that will be your passport to enjoying a European golf vacation in Ireland. Ireland never ceases to welcome the visitors who intend to marvel at its beauty.

Be The Master Of Your Golf Swing

2008-09-25T02:59:00.008-05:00

The golf swing is as fundamental to a golfer as water is to life on earth. If one delves into the history of the golf swing, one would be hard pressed to find another body movement that has received as much analysis.

It is simply a circular motion of the arms while gripping a funny-looking club and at the same time trying to hit a small white ball.

Simple in theory but in practice, the golf swing is a phenomenon steeped in mystery for most of us. Millions of amateurs and hackers are frustrated by their golf swing while, at the other end, the select few who have managed to master their golf swing, have made millions out of it.

What other body-motion has spawned as much scientific research and analysis? How many pages of glossy magazine paper or Internet bandwidth has been dedicated to teaching people how to take control of their golf swing?

And how many billions have been spent in manufacturing products that help to improve your golf swing?

Indeed, much of the billions is money well spent because a modern golf training aid plays an important part in helping amateurs and pros improve their golf swing.

Among the most popular items is the Golf Swing Jacket. It's not unusual to see even the top pros wear this jacket while out on the course practicing.

The golf swing jacket is worn on the upper body and works by guiding your muscles through the ideal golf swing.

The jacket allows you to make a full swing and hit balls, which is why it is often used on the course itself during practice.

There are also golf swing training tools that do not need to be attached to your body, such as the SwingMate, a small device with a display that measures your golf swing.

The SwingMate can measure the speed of a particular golf swing, whether it is a driver or iron, and then tell you how far the ball should have traveled based on the velocity of the golf swing.

There are also ways to improve your body strength in order to enhance your golf swing. The Golf Swing Ball, endorsed by South African star Ernie Els, is golf's equivalent of the medicine ball.

Weighing anywhere from four to seven pounds, players can grip a golf swing ball through a strap and practice their golf swing while fighting the weight.

The golf swing ball is often used by pros just prior to teeing off in a tournament.

There are no limits to how you can improve your golf swing. Find out for yourself what golf swing device is best for your game.

Visit GolfTrainingAid.biz and find the fixes for each and every part of your game.

Fixing Your Flaws With Golf Swing Trainers

2008-09-24T03:22:00.002-05:00

For every flaw in your swing, there is a golf swing trainer that can correct it. Whether you are too fast, too slow, frustrated by a slice or maddened by a hook - there are devices that can help you out. It is merely a case of identifying your problem and then going after a golf swing trainer that best caters to your particular problem.

The science of a golf swing trainer is pretty simple. All it does is make you feel what a good golf shot is like by weighting your muscles and aligning your posture into the correct positions.

With constant practice, it becomes second nature, thereby enhancing your swing. In this respect one of the most the most popular golf swing trainer devices is the Golf Swing Jacket.

Used by a number of US PGA Tour pros while on the practice tee, the golf swing jacket is hailed as the ultimate golf swing trainer and is a pioneer for similar training aids.

The jacket can be used for full golf shots and gives the golfer a feel for a good shot, enabling him or her to coach the body into assuming the stance, tempo and swing plane of an ideal golf swing.

This golf swing trainer is for golfers of all levels, and the ability to make use of the jacket "on-site" is the reason it is so popular.

Not all golf swing trainers are so obvious. One subtle product is the Dynamics Swing Glove Trainer, an innovative glove that also helps you to improve your swing through feel.

The mechanics is amazingly simple with a guide that swivels on an aluminum-based instrument and steers your wrists through your swing.

It is meant to repair flaws by "feel" so that by repetition, your body, especially your wrists, will eventually adjust to the correct swing motion.

Another excellent golf swing trainer is SyncaSwing's The Ultimate Swing Analyzer, which is a lightweight device with a microcomputer that grips on to your golf club and provides instant information on swing speed, swing timing, ball impact and club release, which tells you through numbers how early you have released the club in a swing.

The 8 Board Golf Swing Trainer is also an ideal gadget to help train your body to get into the feel of a proper swing.

As the name suggests, the device resembles the number "8" and golfers are required to place one foot on each circle while practicing their swing, helping to improve balance, stance and rotation.

There are many more swing trainer aids, each of them boasting their own merits. They have worked for the pros and golfing gurus also use them to teach their students. Don't get left behind. Visit Golf Training Aid and find the fixes for each and every part of your game.

Buy A Custom Golf Club Set Only After Carefully Weighing Your Options

2008-09-23T04:21:00.005-05:00

If you are toying with the idea of buying a golf club set, you should consider all the options available to you. You can go to a golf store and see if something there suits you. Or you can think of going in for a custom golf club set which will offer you certain benefits as opposed to a ready to buy one, because a custom golf set will be specially made for you, keeping your abilities in mind.

Does Your Style of Playing Warrant A Custom Golf Set?

As a custom golf club set is made for you keeping your size, style and playing abilities in mind, it is vital to know how shelling out the extra money towards a custom golf club set may benefit your playing the game. If you are an inexperienced player or you have a high handicap, a custom golf set may not be a value for money buy, because the extra money that you spend will be better spent on an instructor to improve your game first.

It is important that you are a fairly competent player and not a novice before you go in for a custom golf club set, because unless you know how to swing a golf club the right way, it is of not much use buying a custom golf club set. Once you have reached a certain level in the game, you can certainly invest in a custom golf set.

If, however, you still decide to buy a custom golf club set, even if you are new to the game, then it is necessary that you ask the builder to see that the lie, loft, flex and length of the club as well its type is suitable for you. The clubs should be made in a way that they suit your swing. Your custom golf club set can be made in such a manner that the clubs have their own slice or draw.

When you resolve to buy a custom golf club set, you should also decide how many clubs you need in your set. It is not essential that you must have fourteen; you may be able to do with less. An ideal set would comprise a putter, a driver, three and five woods, and probably and three iron, a nine iron and either a wedge or a two iron or another arrangement of irons and wedges.

The golf club driver is of prime value and here it is important that you choose one or more of the best quality. While a custom golf club set is helpful in playing golf, it is of greater help to an accomplished golfer than an occasional player. If you are not a skilled golfer it does not make much sense to buy a custom golf club set because that alone is not going to improve your game.You should weigh the advantages of spending that extra money very carefully.

Buy A Custom Golf Club Set Only After Carefully Weighing Your Options

If you are toying with the idea of buying a golf club set, you should consider all the options available to you. You can go to a golf store and see if something there suits you. Or you can think of going in for a custom golf club set which will offer you certain benefits as opposed to a ready to buy one, because a custom golf set will be specially made for you, keeping your abilities in mind.

Does Your Style of Playing Warrant A Custom Golf Set?

As a custom golf club set is made for you keeping your size, style and playing abilities in mind, it is vital to know how shelling out the extra money towards a custom golf club set may benefit your playing the game. If you are an inexperienced player or you have a high handicap, a custom golf set may not be a value for money buy, because the extra money that you spend will be better spent on an instructor to improve your game first.

It is important that you are a fairly competent player and not a novice before you go in for a custom golf club set, because unless you know how to swing a golf club the right way, it is of not much use buying a custom golf club set. Once you have reached a certain level in the game, you can certainly invest in a custom golf set.

If, however, you still decide to buy a custom golf club set, even if you are new to the game, then it is necessary that you ask the builder to see that the lie, loft, flex and length of the club as well its type is suitable for you. The clubs should be made in a way that they suit your swing. Your custom golf club set can be made in such a manner that the clubs have their own slice or draw.

When you resolve to buy a custom golf club set, you should also decide how many clubs you need in your set. It is not essential that you must have fourteen; you may be able to do with less. An ideal set would comprise a putter, a driver, three and five woods, and probably and three iron, a nine iron and either a wedge or a two iron or another arrangement of irons and wedges.

The golf club driver is of prime value and here it is important that you choose one or more of the best quality. While a custom golf club set is helpful in playing golf, it is of greater help to an accomplished golfer than an occasional player. If you are not a skilled golfer it does not make much sense to buy a custom golf club set because that alone is not going to improve your game.You should weigh the advantages of spending that extra money very carefully.

Golf Training Equipment Can Better A Golfers Round

2008-09-23T04:21:00.004-05:00

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

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

Anyone who wants to climb to the professional golfing ranks, or who just wants to consistently have the lowest score in their group of golfing friends and earn some bragging rights, should seriously plan to invest in good golf training equipment. These golf aids and accessories cover many different aspects of golfing in order to help you shore up and make improvements in all aspects of the game.

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

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

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

Golf Grips - Crucial To Achieving A Firm Swing

2008-09-22T04:20:00.011-05:00

Most people who understand anything about the game of golf also understand the need to have a nice set of clubs. Avid golfers are usually willing to spend a tidy chunk of change to get the clubs they want and will also happily spend money on the best golf training aids that they can find to help them get lower scores. However, many people fail to realize that simply changing their inexpensive golf grips regularly will do a lot to improve their game.

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

If you have a set of old and worn out golf grips on your set of clubs, then it doesn't really matter is you go out and find the very best golf training available because the condition of the grips will interfere with your ability to play your best game. Any golfer who is serious about the game is aware of the importance of maintaining their golfing equipment in the best condition possible.

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

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

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

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

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

In is a good idea to check the condition of your golf grips on a monthly basis if you usually play golf once a week or more. If your grips look shiny, then that is a sign that they need to be replaced. A new set of grips feel really good in your hands and almost have a sticky feel to them, when compared to how worn and shiny grips begin to feel. Your new club grips will give you more confidence, which in turn should foster more success.

Are you a beginner who is not skilled on how to swing a golf club at the ball? Are you in the situation where you consistently swinging aimlessly at the golf ball and it isn't going where it should be going? You have to get some training in golf. Even the well known golf professionals such as Tiger Woods needed to begin somewhere and mainly it all starts with practice. Even though you might not be a natural at this type of sport that doesn't mean that you have no chance of actually becoming a geat golfer with enough practice and time. if you have some interest in perfecting your golf swing or simply have to get some additional assistance, click here to get some more information: Golf Lesson also Butch Harmon Golf School and at John Jacobs Golf School

Golf Fitness Program - A Powerful Golf Self Improvement Aid

2008-09-22T04:20:00.010-05:00

Fit For Golf

There is no doubt that golf is a very popular sport and one of the reasons for that is because almost everyone, regardless of their age or physical condition, can get out on the golf course and knock a few balls down the fairway. Even the elderly and those with some handicaps can participate thanks to golf cars and golf aids. However, if you want to be a winner at the game, then it might be helpful if you undertake a golf fitness program.

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

There are a lot of golfers who get kind of sore and aching after they play a round of golf, even though they might have been playing the game for years. The main reason this happens is due to the motion of a proper golf swing, as it has the potential to put a lot of stress on the golfer's back. However, a golf fitness program is designed to help make the muscles of the back stronger and that will help improve your golf swing and reduce the aches and pains.

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

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

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

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

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

How Golf Instruction Video Programs Have Numerous Benefits Over Just Lessons

2008-09-22T04:20:00.009-05:00

Golf is one of the most popular sports and for many people it is also a favorite hobby. People have been golfing for hundreds of years and it is well-known and played in all parts of the world. One thing most golfers have in common is that they are always looking to become better at the game and there are many golf instruction video programs that are very helpful to those who want to improve their techniques and lower their scores.

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

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

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

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

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

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

While these are the four biggest advantages to using golf instruction video programs, if you surveyed people who have used them, then you would probably find several other benefits that they have enjoyed from this approach as well. Because the teaching style is different from one instructor to another, you might want to see if there is a pro shop or a website that allows you to view sample lessons before purchasing an entire program.

Playing golf is a relaxing pastime for many people. They love to spend a Saturday out on the golf course just having a leisurely game. While many people might wish to believe that they are an excellent golfer, just a few actually are. Those that aspire to golf greatness need to undergo some golf training if they want their game to be great. Discovering the ways to play golf or educating yourself on how to better your swing is not an impossible task. You will need to put in some effort as well as quite a bit of practice yet with some time you can become good at the sport of golf. Find your golfing supplies by clicking here: Golf Training Aid also Golf Training Aids and at John Jacobs Golf School

Golf Training Aids Can Ease Your Path to Fairway Success

2008-09-22T04:20:00.008-05:00

Golfers of all ages and levels of experience are increasingly turning to golf training aids to help them reduce their handicaps.

While pros have the sheer talent and coaching backup to drive straight and putt consistently, mere mortals like us resort to a variety of modern and scientifically proven golf training aids to slice strokes off our scorecards.

Amateurs and beginners may feel overwhelmed by the sheer variety of golf training aids on the market.

There seems to be a different golf training aid for every aspect of your game, no matter how minute, whether it is a Tempotimer for your swing or Footjoy socks to keep your feet comfortable as you undertake 18 arduous holes.

However, it's not as difficult as it might appear. The eager amateur may be tempted to buy every golf training aid on the shelves. That's not a problem, if you can afford it and you have the time to make use of your equipment.

A more practical solution would be to search your game itself to decide on what golf training aids would benefit you.

If you are hitting your drives straight but your chipping is poor, you may want to invest in a Chip N Pitch or a Chip Mate Net to increase your accuracy.

However, if your whole swinging game, whether off the tee or fairway needs urgent attention, you could opt for broader golf training aids such as the 8 Board, which can help you optimize your swing plane to suit your stroke.

Many golf training aids are endorsed by the professionals themselves and it would do the amateur no harm to take their lead.

South African Ernie Els, a three-time Major champion, promotes the Tempotimer, which wraps around your golf club to enhance your swing.

Fijian Vijay Singh, the former US Masters champion, will rave about the Speed Stik, a device that aims to quicken your swing and help you to hit the ball farther.

Apart from the playing professionals, there are also the teaching pros, who are probably among the greatest authorities on golf training aids because they are the ones who use these devices regularly as part of their work.

The Medicus Dual Hinge Driver, which is great for mending your slice, Eyeline Putting Laser and Path Pro are a few of a vast number of golf training aids that have been endorsed by the P.G.A. Professionals, a group of teaching pros who search for the best golf training aids and use them to teach their students.

Golf trainings aids don't always take the form of equipment. Fitness programs, mental strength, motivational speeches and other “off-course” methods of improving your body and mind can be considered as golf training aids.

For these, there are obvious leading role models such as golfing guru David Leadbetter and world number one Tiger Woods, who has taken physical fitness and mental fortitude to a new level since he first burst on to the professional scene in 1996.

Whatever works best for you, what can't be denied is that the golf training aids industry is worth billions of dollars.

The Internet has also become a popular medium to market these products. The Web has even allowed amateur inventors to sell their own home-remedy golf training aids and compete on an equal footing with the big companies.

Online consumers are latching on to this limitless marketplace as websites selling putting devices, swing-enhancers and even gloves that improve your grip take up more and more bandwidth.

Wherever there is a need to lower handicaps, there is always going to be a need for golf training aids. So, if you want to score lower, there's plenty out there for you to choose from.

Visit Golf Training Aid and find the fixes for each and every part of your game.

Master Your Driver Golf Swing Strokes

2008-09-21T05:20:00.002-05:00

Golf becomes great when you are a master of your driver golf swing strokes. Without this skill it is going to be very difficult to actually have a good game.

But improving on it would enhance your overall game as well as improve your putting skills. Remember that improving your power is not that critical as improving your form and distance, once you start to focus on this area.

Aligning with the ball, the right posture and good shoes would help you to improve your swing. What happens when you have a wrong posture is that you tend to twist at the wrong time. This poses a problem which may not allow you to hold the club properly.

Your attempts at making a good driver golf swing can be jeopardized when all these things combine. Your first line of defense is to always ensure you have the right stance, which will allow you to quickly and easily perform the appropriate follow through for your swing.

One of the ways you can correct your posture is to take a snapshot of yourself or ask someone to take a shot. Compare the way you are standing with the standard correct posture and you would know. Take a lesson on how to correct postures if this option is not suitable.

A strong foundation skill is needed so that you could move in the right direction as you go on. Because it is difficult to assess one self, you could work with a golf instructor for his honest and unbiased views about your stance.

Once you have corrected your stance, you should rectify problems with your grip. You could end up with a poor backhand right from the start if you overextend your grip or hold the club the wrong way. There is no way possible to have a correct driver golf swing if you do not grip the club appropriately. Remember that it is impossible. It would only result in more frustration from numerous attempts. A little alteration in the hand position could provide unprecedented results in the outcome.

Before the club leaves the ground, just pull it away from the ball. This is yet another step towards improving your driver golf swing. Players make the mistake of pulling and lifting the club nearly at the same moment. This will result in you're hitting the ball off centered and can greatly damage your movement. You can notice a dramatic improvement of the game if you just pull the club from the ball before lifting it from the ground. This is not something that should be unnatural of difficult to do. As soon as you consciously try to pull before lifting the club, your driver golf swing talent would improve.

Find more info on golf and hot golf spots go to Best Winter Golf Vacations.

Think Long And Hard Before Opting For A Custom Golf Club Set

2008-09-20T03:47:00.004-05:00

Before you make up your mind about buying a golf club set it will be to your advantage to consider buying a set that has golf clubs that will exactly fit with your style of play. Yes, custom golf club sets can be a big advantage over the ones that you will get from a golf store because they offer many benefits including allowing a golfer to play to his or her best abilities.

Playing Style

Essentially, a custom golf club set is measured to fit in exactly with your playing style and so, it pays to learn a bit more about how these golf club sets can help you play better golf. At the very outset it must be emphasized that in case you are a novice golfer or even if you have a high handicap, a custom golf club set may not prove to be a wise investment because for such golfers, paying money to get an instructor to show you the ropes would be the better option.

Before buying a custom set of golf clubs, you need to have a certain degree of competency in playing golf even if you only know how to swing a golf club properly because you can benefit from from custom clubs.

When considering a custom set of golf clubss, maake sure you ask the builder about how good the lie, loft, flex and length as well as the type of club being made for you fit your playing style and skills. What’s more, the clubs must be constructed so as to complement your golf swing and in this regard you can even get your clubs made to have their own slice or draw built into the clubs.

Another aspect to buying custom golf club sets is knowing which clubs are absolutely necessary and which you can do without. Most certainly, there should be a putter, a driver, three and five woods, and perhaps a three iron as well as nine iron and either a wedge or a two iron or some other combination of irons and wedges.

Make sure your driver is of the best quality before you do anything else because that club is one of the most important clubs you will own. Even though there are several advantages to using custom golf club sets, you must nevertheless understand that such golf clubs are geared more towards improving the game of accomplished golfers rather than average golfers.

Read A Golf Club Review Before Buying A Set

2008-09-20T03:47:00.003-05:00

Golf is a connoisseur’s game and those who play golf know that if you want to be a good player you need to use various types of golf clubs to be able to play well. Golf aficionados may well put twelve to fourteen golf clubs in their golf bags. Beginners may use only ten golf clubs. This is because the swing should be steady, even though distances, while hitting the ball, may well be different. Deciding which golf club to use for which stroke is of prime importance.

Why You Can’t Use Only One Club

Unlike most games using variations of the bat and ball, golf is not a game you can play with only one golf club. Though it may be possible, it is highly impractical because then the golfer would need to change the direction and speed for each stroke he plays. Invariably different golf clubs are used for diverse types of strokes, because their weight, size and manufacturing materials are different.

Various golf clubs have assorted names because they are made of different materials and are also dissimilar in weight. For instance a wedge looks like a normal golf iron but is used for particular strokes in certain conditions. When you go to buy a golf club set, you will find a wide variety to choose from. The top brands are Spalding and Callaway, but you can get a whole lot of options at different price points.

When you are buying your first golf club set, you must be very particular about which one you select. It is a good idea to check out reviews on the internet so that you can narrow down your choices and find out what exactly you are looking for in your golf club set. Different brands offer many variations in golf clubs and when you see what people have to say about various brands, your research will help you buy something will be more than satisfactory for your requirements

These reviews, usually written by professional golfers, will be able to better guide you as to the choices available, depending on your need and ability, whether you are a starter or an accomplished golfer. Golf club reviews may be found on many internet sites and forums, particularly those specializing in golfing equipment. You may also find it interesting to go through reviews written by individual users apart from the professionals.

The different materials which go into the manufacture of golf clubs define the usage of the golf clubs. Here again a golf club review will help you decide which set you should choose to buy. There are people who are so much in love with the game that they don’t mind paying extra for a customized golf club set so that they can play a better game.

If you want to play golf at your best possible level, you will need to buy a good set of golf clubs and it is worth investing the time and money involved for your love of the game.

Find more golf tips and info about golf equipment here.

Tips for Choosing the Best Ladies Golf Clubs

2008-09-08T20:32:00.002-05:00

Why Are Ladies Golf Clubs So Hard To Find?

If you are a female golfer looking for ladies golf clubs that actually fit you will know that this is not an easy task even though many more women now play golf.

Because all of us, both males and females, are human and therefore different than each other, there will always be a problem when trying to find suitable golf equipment.

There is More Demand for Mens Golf Clubs than Womens

Unfortunately golf clubs are not an exception and the problem becomes even more acute when trying to find suitable clubs for a lady golfer. The number of women playing golf is still smaller compared to the number of men that play, so ladies golf clubs tend to be a smaller market restricted by the high costs of producing specialist clubs just for ladies.

In some cases a woman golfer may be lucky and find that a normal golf club will fit and work perfectly well, but this will be an exception rather than the rule. More likely you will find that women golfers find it hard to find the right golf clubs especially when looking for the whole set.

Women Are Physically Different Than Men

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

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

It always pats to test the exact fit and comfort factor of potential golf clubs before making a final choice. For ladies this may mean a lot of research and testing before they get the clubs that they want. With ladies golf clubs you must prepare yourself for a lot of research before you reach this point.

Try Custom Build or Specialist Female Clubs

Many golf equipment companies now make golf clubs just for women, including wedges, woods and irons, that are design with meeting the criteria that lady golfers need. These clubs are often lighter in the hand and will contribute greatly to a better golf game for females and more progress than with standard clubs.

When a woman golfer improves her game her demands for a better club will mean that getting better fitting and more comfortable golf clubs for women becomes even more essential. Then the only solution may be to buy an set of custom made golf clubs to that perfect fit across the range.

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

Currently it is actually becoming easier to find golf clubs that are designed just for the women golfers, but to be honest it should be even easier than it is for any female golf player to find the clubs that will help her improve and that match her individual style.

Always Keep Looking!

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

How to Putt a Golf Ball – Surely it not this easy for beginners

2008-08-27T19:13:00.002-05:00

Picture the scene – You have managed to get onto the par 4 green in 2 and now have a chance for a Birdie. You coolly walk onto the green and mark your ball and repair that pitch mark with pride. Then you consider your next shot and you realise you have no idea how to get that ball into the hole in one shot. You do not know how to putt a golf ball.

They don’t teach you putting in a driving range. The putting practice areas are never the same surface as the greens on the course. So you are faced with this great opportunity to win a hole in your golf match and yet you do not have a strategy for giving it your best shot. Now I am not guaranteeing that these tips will make you the next Padraig Harrington but for beginners they will help you learn how to putt a golf ball.

Putting Tip 1. Aim straight at the hole

For 95% of your shots you should be aiming straight at the hole. As a beginner you will not have all the skills and experience to read the greens so why all the pretence. I outrage my playing partners on the golf course by simply looking at my putting shot from a standing position and getting a general view of it. I am more likely to be thinking about the pace of the ball and whether it is downhill or uphill rather than any sideways slopes. If it is blindingly obvious that you are putting across a sideways slope then make an adjustment – this is for the 5% of shots. But for most of them go straight for the hole.

Putting Tip 2. – Imagine the hole is a metre wide.

To get the pace right you should be trying to get your first putt to within a metre of the hole. By imagining such a large area as your target you will reduce your 3 putts and make a lot of them 2 putts. Most golfers would reckon they could get the ball into a 2 metre wide hole. So do that.

Putting Tip 3. – See the ball into the hole

Before I strike the ball I imagine its route of travel across the putting surface into the hole. I consider the pace that I will need to strike the golf ball in particular.

Putting Tip 4. – Hold your breath

So you know where you are aiming and you know how hard you are going to hit the golf ball. When you are about to hit the golf ball, hold your breath – or at least do not breathe deeply. I address the ball and do 2 practice shots. Then I line up my real shot aiming for the hole and assess how I can get it into a 2 metres wide hole. Then I take a conscious breath in and out, wait 2 or 3 seconds and strike the ball. My focus is completely on striking the ball cleanly and at the correct pace. Because I am not breathing (so to speak) or moving in any other way my bodies focus is on the putt completely.

Count up your putting strikes next round and then practice these tips. See if you can reduce your putts by 9 in the next 3 months

Get Help With Your Golf Swing

2008-08-26T15:53:00.002-05:00

Improve Your Swing With Golf Swing Software

What do you do when you want to improve on your golf swing? Find a teacher of course. In these days we live in information is really at our fingertips. You have newspaper columns, magazines, ezines, and golf swing software, golf for learners books, and so on. So, the thing to do if you are a computer person is find you some good golf swing analysis software.

There are many types of golf swing software, like XBOX, Golf Simulator, and V1 Sports golf swing software. You could even set up your own digital video camera and film yourself, a friend, or a professional. Either way there is software that can help you.

Studying your golf swing mechanics with the use of software can open your eyes to some things that may be frustrating you. Look, listen, and learn. Using golf swing analysis software is only good if you take the time and practise after.

I have bought computer software before without the aid of a teacher, much more difficult. With a teacher skilled in the software and the game of golf itself you get the best of both worlds at your fingertips. Someone that can instruct you using the golf swing software to help analyze your game and help you improve. With a teacher will come usually a demonstration handling the golf equipment.

Golf Swing Tips:
1. Obtain Golf Swing Analysis Software
2. Find a Golf Instructor or Golf software trainer
3. Practise makes perfect
4. Find your own Rhythm to your own golf game

There is no sense in not enjoying the game. I have friends at work during golf season and wherever they can play otherwise, that it is important to them to not just have fun but a good golf game. So, it is worth using some golf swing software or equivalent to help you enjoy the game as well as learn the game of golf.

Feel free to visit our blog on more golf swing software tips and tricks and free articles.

Golf Tip - How To Improve Your Backswing

2008-08-25T14:34:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

Come From The Inside

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

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

Train Yourself To Target The Inside

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

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

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

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

Get more golf swing tips at http://howtoloweryourgolfscore.com/golftip/

Using the Runyan Shot

2008-06-24T11:26:00.002-05:00

Paul Runyan was not one of the longest hitters in the game but he did manage to chalk up over 50 wins. He was most famous for his short game and even gave rise to a shot called The Runyan Shot.

Runyan typically gave short game lessons and various golf tips to PGA professional players in hte hopes that it would be passed on to their students. One such specialty shot is now referred to as “The Runyan”. Though not an official term for the shot, it is widely known that it came form Paul Runyan.

Tough situations such as the ball being very close to the edge of the green can be conquered through practice and confidence with specific short game techniques. You don't necessarily want to putt through the tall grass, nor do you want to make a chip shot. Too much could go wrong with the ball overshooting the hole or having to make it through tthe tall grass. This would be the perfect time to utilize Paul Runyan's specialty shot. Here is how you do it:

1. Get into your putting stance and keep your front foot slightly open a bit.
2. Make sure you are standing close to your target line.
3. Now hold the club in a vertical position, as you would a putter. The 7-iron is my personal choice here and works well. The club should be standing up on its toe, with the heel off of the ground.
4. Your grip should be the same as you would grip a putter.
5. Now you want to de-loft the club by positioning the ball in the center of your stance.
6. Swing the club straight back and then through, just like a pendulum, the same as when you are putting. Keep the clubhead low to the ground and try using as much of the shoulders and arms as possible.

When you hit the ball, contact is made with the toe of the club. The toe causes the swing to slightly deaden the hit. Due to a small amount of loft, the ball will ride the face of the club ever so slightly. This causes some overspin and helps the ball roll forward.

The ball should hop right out of the grass but remain low, as a standard chip shot would. Then it will roll softly towards the hole. Your goal is to have the ball roll for at least 75% to 80% of the shot. The Runyan shot causes the ball to ride up the clubface, spin, and hit the green.

Golf Swing Tips if Your Ball Lands on the Cart Path

2008-06-13T15:55:00.001-05:00

According to the rules of golf, you typically get free relief (no penalty) when your ball is lying on an artificially surfaced pathway, specifically a cart path. However, there are times when the relief you do receive is of no benefit, as it puts the ball in an undesired location, like a tangled grassy area, or too close to a tree, etc.

Sometimes your only option is to make the shot from the actual cart path, which is considered to be the lesser of all evils (in terms of your choices).

When shooting from the cart path, there are two definite things you should NOT do:

1. Never use your putter. Although the cart path is firm, using a putter to hit the ball can be disastrous. For example, the road on the famous St. Andrews course is made from tiny little pebbles, which causes the ball to roll in various directions, wobbling the entire way.

2. Never send the ball airborne. This too, is often the wrong choice to make. If you use a high lofted club from a firm, rocky road, many negative consequences can come into play. It's best to use a wedge in these types of situations.

Becoming a Better Putter

2008-04-30T15:18:00.002-05:00

The key to great putting is confidence. Not an expensive putter. Beginner golfers tend to think that the type of putter used is what will make you a great putter. The deal though is that you can get a cheap putter and perform fine as long as you have the confidence.

Your $500 putter will definitely help, but the true power lies in your ability to see and believe that you have a chance to make every putt shot that you attempt to be a successful one. Ask any good putter, and he or she will tell you the same thing.

When they approach the ball, they know full well that they have total control and will sink that ball with every swing made. Sounds a bit too confident doesn't it? Well that attitude is what separates the best putters form the rest. It's true, you just have to believe that you can sink that shot.

Golf Swing Technique for a Bunker Shot

2008-04-16T15:45:00.003-05:00

The golf swing technique for a bunker shot can mean the difference in a well executed shot or one that is badly off course. The golf swing technique involves more than just the club in the bunker shot. It also involves positioning of the ball when setting up for the shot.

For most amateur players the best golf swing technique for a bunker shot is to stick with the basics and play the ball in the middle of the stance, until the shot can be mastered. Once you can step foot into a bunker with 100% confidence that you can make the ball onto the green, you are then ready for a more advanced golf swing technique.

Although you may not be ready for such advanced bunker shots, you may be faced with unplanned circumstances, so this is where a good golf swing technique will come into play. Some bunker shots may not allow you to take an even stance with the ball positioned in the middle, like the following two scenarios:

Downhill Bunker Shots: If you are facing a downhill bunker shot, you must move the ball slightly behind center within your stance to be sure that the ball flies up. The reason is because gravity will naturally pull it down.

Uphill Bunker Shots: When dealing with an uphill bunker shot, move the ball slightly forward of the center to ensure that you splash the sand in the front of the ball.

Eliminate Golf Shanks With These Easy Drills

2008-04-07T09:28:00.002-05:00

Of all of the miss/hit shots, golf shanks are probably the most dreadful. Golf shanks happens when you make contact with the ball using the hosel of the club. One of the main causes of the shank is standing too close to the ball at address as it crowds you. The second reason for a shank is shifting your weight forward on your left foot before making impact, causing the hosel of the club to hit the ball.

The key is to set up evenly, and when you hold your club, be sure that there is just over a fist's length of space between the end of the grip and your body.

The second thing you can do is practice with by using a shaft. Place the shaft 3 inches in front of your leading foot and then back 3 inches. Check your distance so that a fist is perfectly measured between your body and the grip.

Now take a few practice swings, making sure that the left hip brushes against the shaft (right handed players). Now hit a couple of shots and put it all together: proper setup, distance, and left hip hitting the shaft. By following this advice you're sure to get rid of those dreadful golf shanks.

Learing a Tiger Woods Chip Shot

2008-03-26T08:13:00.003-05:00

Learning a Tiger Woods chip shot would be great wouldn't it? He's the man. The master. Here are three things that can help you learn a better chip shot. You probably won't have a Tiger Woods chip shot but at least it will help you improive the one you have.

1. The first consideration has to do with your lie. If the ball is positioned so that you can get a clubhead cleanly on the ball, then you have a possible chip shot in the making.

2. The second factor to consider is just how high the lip is. A chip shot from the sand will send the ball traveling with a very low trajectory, so you can only use the chip technique if the bunker has an extremely low lip.

3. The third and final factor is the location of the pin. It is ideal to have plenty of space between your ball and the flagstick. This is because the sand chip will travel with very little spin and you do not want your ball to keep going too far past the hole.

Secrets to the Golf Swing: Part 6, Summary

2008-03-19T08:57:00.002-05:00

The secrets to the golf swing really aren't that much of a secret. Nor are they really that difficult. If you try to follow step-by-step the biomechanics of the golf swing then you will be driving the ball downrange more accurately and with more power. The following summarizes the main points of the secrets to the golf swing:

1. What makes a golf swing more difficult to perfect than other sports which utilize a similar accessory, such as baseball for example, is due to the fact that it involves vertical and horizontal planes. In baseball you only swing the bat for one motion – horizontal.

2. When you make your golf swing, you should not be thinking about making contact with the ball. Rather, your focus should be on swinging through the movement and beyond the ball. Pretend that the ball isn't there.

3. A perfect swing should be balanced, smooth, and graceful. It should never be forced or made with brute strength. Technique and fluidity is everything.

4. Your ideal swing plane should not be steep. Instead, it should gravitate towards being flatter.

5. Begin your backswing very slowly while the clubhead moves low to the ground. Your body should begin to move in unison, as one unit.

6. During the top of the swing, the right arm should be folded snug in into your side (right-handed golfers). The left arm should be straight, but not totally stiff. The hips should be turned at approximately 45°. The shoulders should be approximately 90°. Most of your weight should also be placed on the right foot.

7. The downswing should be viewed as an “uncoiling” of the body. Your hips turn first, followed by the shoulders, then the arms and hands, and finally the clubhead. Consider the movement the same as cracking a whip. The majority of your weight should then be transferred to the left foot during the downswing.

8. You must always follow through once the ball has been hit and is soaring towards the target. If you do not follow through, you can risk injuries to the arms and torso, as well as decreasing the speed of the ball.

9. And finally, beginners who are set on learning how to make the perfect golf swing should always use the 7-iron. This club is perfect for learning the proper techniques that make a great swing.

Secrets to the Golf Swing: Part 5, Golf Club

2008-03-06T10:23:00.000-06:00

The last little bit of advice for the secrets to the golf swing is for choosing the right golf club when learning golf swing basics. All golf clubs vary in multiple ways. This includes how much loft a club gives the ball, the lie angle, and club length. Your driver is the longest club. It provides the least amount for loft as well as the flattest swing plane. The shortest club you have is the sand wedge, which provides the highest amount of loft and a very steep swing plane.

Neither one of these clubs are recommended when just starting out in learning your golf swing. It is never smart practice to use your longest clubs or your shortest clubs because the swing conditions they create are unique in conjunction with the club's size and build.

The Best Club To Get Started With

Although you can choose any club you wish, we highly recommend the 7-iron for those players who are a little sketchy on the basics and are still practicing their golf swing. This club is right up the middle in terms of length and action output. It is also much easier to control than other clubs, especially the driver.

Due to the 7-iron's average swing plane and the perfect amount of loft, it makes the ideal golf club to learn your swing with and make contact with the ball for standard shots.

Some beginner golfers are never taught this advice and they use other clubs that do not produce the best results during this part of the learning curve. For example, if you practice with a wedge, the ball will have a lot of backspin on it due to the high loft action output of the club. This creates poor golf shots that result in hooks and/or slices. You'll never be able to pinpoint any problems in your swing when utilizing such clubs for practice.

By using the 7-iron, you will be able to tell if the ball is either slicing, hooking, or going in a straight direction. Use this club when you are just learning how to swing. Because it is easy to use, your confidence level in making your shots will rise quickly and you will be able to advance further at a more rapid pace.

Secrets to the Golf Swing: Part 4, Make Contact

2008-02-26T13:57:00.002-06:00

So now your swing is fully in motion, from backswing to downswing, and it's now time to make contact with the ball.

The contact you make with the ball and the direction (and loft) that it goes is determined by the flight path of your shot. If you are going for a straight shot, then the clubhead must be moving directly within the target line. If you want your ball to go left, then the path of the clubhead should be pointing left, vice versa for the opposite direction.

Deciding on the above factors when making your shot is really just simple physics. However, it's not that easy to learn how to correctly steer your clubhead in relation to where you want the ball to go. This is what takes many thousands of golf shots to master.

The downswing will ultimately release your power into making contact with the ball. The hands and forearms should rotate slightly counterclockwise (right-handed golfers). The clubhead then rotates toward the ball until it is perfectly perpendicular to your target line.

By imagining the proper technique in your mind, you can better learn to execute the release of the clubhead. Imagine your right forearm rotating over the left forearm (right-handed golfers) as you make your swing. Once you make contact with the ball, the right hand and forearm should be gradually turning towards your left. The backside of your left hand should be facing the direction of the target line after impact. And finally, the backside of your right hand should be pointing skyward.

Every swing results in a “follow through”. This describes what your club, and the body, looks like after making impact with the ball. Although the ball is well on its way flying through the air, you still need to rotate your body and the club in a smooth and graceful fashion.

Imagine if you suddenly stopped all movement as soon as the ball is hit. This would result in a loss of clubhead speed, as well as possibly injuring your wrists and hands. In addition, your follow through can also help determine whether or not your golf swing needs to be tweaked and repositioned.

Once your swing is done, your hips should be turned just enough so that your stomach area is facing the target. Most of your weight should be transferred to the left foot and your right foot should be on its toes. Your back should be somewhat straight and the club will be wrapped around the back of your shoulders.

Secrets to the Golf Swing: Part 3, The Downswing

2008-02-22T18:28:00.003-06:00

The downswing is where all the power and some of the accuracy is developed. The downswing will obviously have a different tempo and will be under full release and power, yet graceful and easy at the same time.

Even though you are getting ready to transition from the backswing to the downswing, the switch should still be graceful and as easy as possible, with no snapping motion or force. Nice and easy is the way of the downswing.

The Downswing Begins With the Hips

The hips should be the very first body parts to move when bringing the club down from your backswing. In fact, your entire body is getting ready to uncoil itself starting from the hips. Don't pay too much attention towards your arms and hands. They will be the last body parts to turn and it should happen naturally.

Once your body starts to uncoil, be sure that your weight begins to shift from your right foot to your left. This part is crucial. By not shifting your weight onto the left foot you will lose nearly half of the power and accuracy needed to make your shot successful. At first you may need to deliberately shift weight, but after enough practice your body should do this naturally.

Uncoil The Body & Release The Energy

It is time now to uncoil your body parts and release all of that potential energy. As you are doing so, strive to maintain the bend you have in your wrists as long as possible. They should be the last part of your body to release before the ball is hit. If you can practice enough and are able to snap your wrists at the very last moment, you'll undoubtedly have more power and strength transferred to the ball.

The clubhead should now be coming down and moving faster towards the ball. Good form is essential. As the downswing gains momentum and speed, your entire body should just be following through automatically, without interference. Once the clubhead approaches the golf ball, you should feel as if you are cracking a whip, making full contact with the golf ball.

Secrets to the Golf Swing: Part 2, Top of the Swing

2008-02-20T08:23:00.004-06:00

The secrets to the golf swing series continues. The last post described how to perform a backswing. The golf club is now above your head. The backswing has been delivered. The club is in the air and should be pointing towards your target line. The majority of your weight should be stressed on the right foot, and the left knee should be slightly bent inward.

The right knee will have a slight bend throughout the entire backswing and will brace the power to come from your body. You should allow your left foot to rise slightly at the top of your backswing, but keep it to a minimum as it may disrupt your accuracy. Try to keep your left foot on the ground.

Contact with the ball is certain now. Feel confident and loose, ready to loose the ball into the air with your stroke. The shoulders should be at a full 90 degrees and your hips turned to approximately 45 degrees. Some tips to consider before striking the ball:

* Be sure that your head is centered over the ball as best possible. You may allow a small amount of lateral motion if needed.

* The left arm should be straight throughout the entire backswing, however, a small amount of bending that is acceptable.

* The left shoulder should be tucked snug underneath your chin.

* The right arm should be folded smoothly into your side and brush across the rib cage.

* The right knee should always maintain its bend throughout the entire backswing.

* Your body weight should be shifted considerably to the right foot when turning your body behind the ball.

Secrets to the Golf Swing: Part 1, The Backswing

2008-02-18T10:29:00.004-06:00

The secrets to the golf swing takes years of practice and skill. The idea of a great golf swing is that it must be one fluid motion of grace and finesse, from the start of the backswing to impact, and the finally during the follow through. The secrets to the golf swing are no more complicated than that but could not be any harder.

The backswing is where you start when you are trying to make contact with the ball. It is responsible for setting up and defining how you will be hitting the golf ball. If you have a poor backswing, then the rest of your swing will suffer and a poor shot will result. The following describes the secrets to the golf swing and in particular the backswing.

Once you are set up and in position to prepare for your shot, begin the backswing by moving your club slowly and keep the clubhead as close to the ground as possible.

Do not move the club too fast as this may cause a steep swing plane and minimize your power and accuracy. And be sure that your left shoulder is slightly higher than the right shoulder (right-handed players). Your shoulders, arms, and hips should all be moving together in one fluid motion.

Golf players that start their backswing off with just their arms and hands have a tough time learning to hit with enough power on a consistent basis. You must learn to coordinate all of your body parts at one time. The key is not to think too much about it, simply turn and you will feel your arms, shoulders, and upper legs moving together. Just go with the flow.

Once your backswing is in motion, your body will start its turn and your right arm will begin to fold inside. The left arm should not be stiff, but remain somewhat straight. Your right elbow should be within a few inches of your body throughout the entire backswing. At this point, everything should be turning naturally and your weight will begin to shift.

Once your club shaft is in the air and pointing straight back, your wrists should begin to bend naturally. At this stage of the backswing, make sure that your grip is not getting too tight. You will want it to remain loose yet have control at all times.

Keep turning everything smoothly until your left shoulder starts to moveunderneath your chin. The left knee will start to bend toward the other knee. The club is now in the air and over top of your head. You are now ready for the downswing.

The secrets to the golf swing is a multi-stage operation. Each step is requires practice and concentration. We will discuss the downswing in the next post.

Golf Swing Improvement Through Practice

2008-02-14T13:59:00.004-06:00

Your golf swing improvement will happen when you learn to properly align your golf club with the ball. When you play golf the best feeling is to make solid and sweet contact with the ball from a great golf swing. Making a golf swing improvement enabling you to have a smooth and graceful swing, will provide your game with more power.

Golf players everywhere love the feel of launching a beautiful and powerful shot down the golf course. Winding back with a stroke that seems perfectly send the golf ball flying. This is a great feeling.

However, even if you develop a booming shot down the fairway you have to ensure that your power shots are done with accuracy. In order to achieve a gold swing improvement, you must have the right strength and precision. This will be the key to making contact with the ball on a consistent basis, and every time you swing.

So how can you make this golf swing improvement?

1. Learn to make contact with the ball using the golf club head's sweet spot. The sweet spot is a small central area on the face of the club. Hitting the ball even just a half an inch away from the sweet spot will reduce power and lessen accuracy. This is why club heads have gotten larger, to give more sweet spot area.

2. Hit the ball so that the club face makes contact perpendicular to the ball's target path.

3. Swing your club in a certain way so that when the ball has been hit by the club head, the club head is moving in the direction which is directly down the intended ball flight path. The idea is to ensure that you follow through.

Your golf swing improvement can occur if you follow these simple tips.

Biomechanics of Golf Swing Practice for Better Balance

2008-02-13T15:50:00.003-06:00

When you practice your golf shots at the driving range for developing good biomechanics of golf swing, there are other things you can do rather than simple drive ball after ball onto the ball catcher. One skill that is worth practicing for developing good biomechanics of golf swing results is balance.

A good golf swing will be one that has an even fluid-like feel as you go through your shot. Many times instead what you feel is a choppy forceful feeling. This can be improved by simply practicing your balance.

The Biomechanics of Golf Swing Balance

It may feel weird but one way to improve your balance is by taking practice swings and hitting shots with your feet squarely placed together. You will probably be bobbing and weaving all over the place. It will probably feel awkward at first, but you will discover that much can be learned about your body when you release your hands by swinging the club with your feet together. Much like the weight a baseball batter places on his bat for practice swings, this technique will strengthen you normal stance.

You may find that having a condensed base like this one when swinging also offers you a better sense of the weight and the power of your clubhead. You obviously will not try to keep your stance in this fashion as you go for a real shot, but for practice it will definitely help improve your normal golf swing balance.

The Biomechanics of Golf Swing Focuses Down

2008-02-13T15:40:00.002-06:00

The biomechanics of golf swing can be odd. In order to make the best of your golf swing you must hit the ball with your golf club in a decent. Basically the biomechanics of golf swing success is to hit the ball with a downward descent from the club. This will send the ball forward and up into the air. With the exception of your driver and putter this will be true for every golf club in your bag.

The biomechanics of golf swing basics typically are dismissed by beginner golfers. They tend to miss this important factor when learning to properly swing their golf club. Conventional wisdom indicates that you should hit the ball upwards to get the ball in the air but the opposite holds true.

Hitting the ball with a descending swing will enable the head of the golf club to hit the ball into the air because of the club's built-in loft. When you make the mistake of hitting up on the ball, as most new players do, the result is usually a miss or a lack of driving distnace.

To get a better understanding of the biomechanics of golf swing success, watch a good player swing his or her club the next time you are on the golf course. It will help as you are trying to learn this most important part of successful golfing.