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Golf Training Aids

>> Saturday, January 16, 2010

Golf Training Aids

Are they any good for a new golfer?

Some golfers take up the game after they retire from more strenuous ball games such as baseball, football, soccer or cricket. I mean after playing in a game were a bowler or pitcher is sending a ball towards you at a high sped and you are expected to hit it out of sight how difficult can golf be?

Go to a driving range just for a quick practice before launching yourself on your local golf club. And you suddenly discover the game is not quite so easy as it appears. The ball has an annoying habit of not going where you want it too. It may slice to the right or hook to the left; even more embarrassingly it may just roll a few feet forward as you hit your divot further than the ball.

The sensible thing at this point is to book a series of lessons with a club pro. But you’re a golfer now, so commonsense tends to go out of the window. Instead you look through the golf magazines and find advertisements for a whole host of training aids that are going to sort out every aspect of your game.

There are training aids that will improve your swing, stance and your alignment. Nets and buckets that it is claimed will make you the best short game player in your club.

It's fortunate for the manufacturers of these training aids that golfers tend to spend more money on their game than almost any other sportsmen or women.
Because training aids do not tend to come cheaply and you can spend a great deal of money on some of these tools and devices.

The Golf training aids have a place to play in many golfers development but they should be used after you have learnt the basics from a skilled trainer such as your club professional.
Teach yourself golf and you not only have an idiot for an instructor but you will ingrain faults into your game that will be difficult to eradicate later down the line when you want to improve your game.

Rules and Regulations of Golf

The Rules and The Regulations of Golf

The Golf without rules and regulations there is no game. Every game has its own rules and regulations. The rules of golf {2} {3} are internationally standardized and are jointly governed by the royal and ancient golf club of st.andrews, which was founded in 1754 and the united states of golf association. After the agreement with R&A, USGA jurisdiction on the enforcement and interpretation of the rules is limited to the United States and Mexico. Canada has the separate royal Canadian golf association, but generally follows the lead of the two larger bodies. The rules of golf continue to evolve, and every four years, the amended versions of the rule book are published. Any brand of Golf Equipments can be used. But it is better to go in for Good brands of Golf Equipments

The rules are made keeping in mind “fairness”. There are few statements stated “play the ball as it lies”, “play the course as you find it”, and “if you can’t do either, do what is fair”. Some rules that are stated:

• Every player is entitled and obliged to play the ball from position where it has come to rest after the stroke, unless a rule allows or demands otherwise

• A player must not accept assistance in making a stroke.

• The condition of the ground or other parts of the country may not be altered to gain an advantage except some cases defined in the rules.

• A Golf ball may only be replaced by another during play of a hole if it is destroyed (rule 5-3), lost (rule 27-1), or unplayable (rule 28), or at some other time permitted by the rules. The player may always substitute balls between the play of two books.

The decisions on the rules of golf are based on formal case decisions by the R&A and USGA and are revised updated every other year.

The Amateur golfers:

There are strict regulations regarding the amateur status of golfers. Anybody who played golf for money or who has ever received payment or compensation for giving instruction in golf game will not be considered an amateur. He may not be allowed to participate in competitions limited only to amateur only non-cash prizes won in competition may be accepted within the limits established by the rules of amateur status.

Golf course architecture and design:

There are many kinds of golf courses. Each country has one kind of golf course. It varies according to the climate, etc.

The different kind of golf courses:

• Link courses
• Parkland courses
• Heath land
• Desert courses
• Browns courses
• Sand courses
• Snow courses
• Par 3 courses
• Executive courses.

1. Links courses: this is the most traditional type of golf course. It is located in the coastal areas, on sandy soil, often amid dunes, with few artificial hazards and few trees if any.

2. Parkland courses: this happens to be in typical inland courses, they often resemble British parks.

3. Heath land: this means less manicured and more open area. They often feature gorse and heather and typically less trees.

4. Desert courses: this course has been recently started in Australia and parts of USA and Middle East. It’s a new invention.

5. Browns courses: akin to sand courses, but not much involved in terms of using layers of tar and gavel below the sandy surface layer, to give firmness and support and ensure a consistent bounce/roll.

6. Sand courses: instead of heavily irrigated green, the players play on sand unlike most golf players. Holes are less involved than browns courses. And are only for the casual golfer.

7. Snow courses: can be played in arctic or sub arctic regions during winter. This is a recent invention. Golf is played on snow, typically with an orange colored or any brightly colored ball.

8. Par 3 courses: this course consists entirely of holes with par 3. These are considered a good test of iron shot precision and short game, as the driver is rarely used.

9. Executive courses: the course is generally smaller than the typical 18 hole course.

Teaching Children to play Golf

You think your little guy might be the next Tiger Woods? If you think your child has a propensity for golf, or if you have a love for the game that you want to share, how can you best teach your youngster the game?
How can you tell that they are ready to learn?
What age is best to start a child on learning golf if you want to develop a quality player?

Golf, a detailed and complex sport, can be tough to teach to kids. For this reason, get them started early and ensure that you build a firm foundation in their gameplay so that they learn to be confident in the sport and in their own abilities. This type of learned confidence can help them embrace the complexities of the game as a whole and will turn them into golfers that are ready to learn.

Once a child is walking well independently and able to hold a child-sized golf club, he or she is probably ready for the first introduction to the sport. This can happen when the child is as young as two or three years old. Preschool children will not be ready to play golf as a game, but they can be given small putters and practice swinging the club correctly.

The children at this age learn almost everything through imitation.
The best way to teach them proper swinging and putting techniques is to demonstrate, and then have them imitate the motions.
However use caution that you do not make this tedious for the child. These imitation sessions should be short and fun.
Try having the child hit a small balloon. Not only will this be fun, but the child will also have success in hitting the balloon, which will keep the frustration at bay. To make it even more fun, try filling the balloons with water for added resistance! This is a great summer time activity for you and for your child!

Once the child has entered school and has a good handle on the swinging and putting techniques learned through observation, it is time to start teaching the game of golf. School aged children are accustomed to verbal instruction and can listen to explanations about the game better than their preschool counterparts. You need to keep in mind, however, that they are still children! They will thrive on encouragement, and all teaching sessions should be kept upbeat!

Start by taking your child to the driving range. Show your son or daughter how to hit the ball correctly, aiming for distance. The driving range is a good place to start since there is not a specific target they must reach, so the child is less likely to get frustrated. After the child demonstrates aptitude on the driving range, you can head to the course. By this point you should be able to tell whether or not your child is going to share your love for the game of golf.

The parents need to remember that no matter how hard they try, not all children have the same likes and dislikes that their parents have. If you have introduced your child to the game of golf, and he or she does not enjoy it, try not to push them. By pushing, you might find that you drive your child away from the game. All you can do is give them the experience at an early age, and they must come to a conclusion about the game on their own.

What A Great Life...

What A Great Life!

The idea of spending all of your time on the greens is your idea of paradise on earth. Perhaps all of those Saturdays playing your favorite game aren't enough anymore. For people with this deep love of the game, considering a career in the golf industry may be a perfect fit. Like any other sports industry, golf jobs run the gauntlet from caddy to CEO of major companies.

A lot of people, such as students and retirees, have found ways to use their passion to their benefit. Some work as caddies or grounds keepers to receive paychecks and possibly the perk benefit of reduced or free golf time.
These golf jobs work well for individuals who need to have flexible schedules to fit around classes, another full time job, or to leave time to enjoy retirement.
Choosing to work at the local golf course or driving range is an excellent way to combine a favorite hobby with a paycheck.

Sporting goods stores are another great place to combine the love of money with the love of golf. Especially during the holidays and peak golf times, these stores are more than happy to have knowledgeable people ready to assist their golf challenged clients.
Besides the paycheck, another benefit could be employee discounts of merchandise that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible to afford.
Of course on the other hand, an awesome golf job would be to own your own golf store. However, the area you live in must be suitable for a profitable establishment if you choose to own your own store.
Some of the fringe benefits of this golf job are having the opportunity to choose specific products and meet a lot of other people who live, breathe, eat, and sleep golf too.

For the outgoing type of golf lover a career in sales may be the way to go. Whether you decide to go to work for your local golfing store selling directly to the public or apply with one of the larger manufacturers and distributors of golfing equipment and sell to stores, this golf job would offer the same benefits as sales positions in other industries.
A competitive wages, health benefits, 401K, you know, all of that important stuff.
Who knows where networking within the job may lead? Perk benefits like free golf time, free or discounted golf equipment, and possibly meeting some pros of the game are all possible.
Merging your knowledge of golf with a golf job is a great method for thriving in your job and making ends meet at the same time.

Another often overlooked golf job that may be suitable, especially for the literary gifted, would be a sports writer. There are a huge number of websites geared toward sports and specifically golf on the Internet. Those great articles come from writers.
If you think you have the right stuff for golf writing, contact the editor or webmaster and pitch your ideas. You never know how things like that will turn out and you may end up with a unique, golf job that fits perfectly within your schedule. While the Internet is probably the fastest means to a golf writing job, don't forget about the more traditional magazine publications.
You will just need to check out their submission guidelines in the magazine itself, on their website, or by letter to find out the editor's name and submission preferences.

Find The Best Possible Golf Career For Your Needs

There is barely a golfer in the world that wouldn't trade in their day job to get paid to be on the course all day long. However, most do not realize that obtaining a golf career is actually not as difficult as they might originally believe it to be.
You don't have to be a professional on the PGA circuit to enjoy all of the freedoms and fun of a career in your favorite sport.

There is a wide array of opportunities right from the beginning golfer all the way up to the pofessionals. Ideally, most would want to have a career simply playing golf.
Though this is entirely possibly, it is advisable to discover if the idea is plausible before going ahead full steam.
Perhaps you could start by playing in a few tournaments with cash prizes.
If things go well and you end up with some money in your pocket, perhaps a career as a professional golfer isn't all that impossible.
However, most golfers don't quite have the stuff to be able to compete for money.
Thankfully, there are a lot of other golf careers that will keep you involved in the game even when you're not even on the course.

The one thing to consider is to become a golf pro. If your friends are always remarking that you have the perfect swing or how your drives always reach a far distance and are always straight away, then a golf career as a golf professional may be the perfect choice for you.
This is also a very flexible job because you decide how many hours you work per week.
You could either do a few lessons a week just for supplementary income at the start and once your client base gets big enough, you could start doing it full time. The best advertising is word of mouth, so if your clients are happy with your service they will undoubtedly inform their friends and family as well.

There is a wide variety of careers that involve the retail aspect of golf. You could start your own golf specialty store, which would keep you surrounded in golf gear every day and talking about golf to your hearts content.
There is a booming industry presently with imprinted golf balls, which is a business that you can run directly from your own home. A lot of people are searching for golf balls with team logos, pictures of family or slogans emblazoned on them.
The technology is a bit expensive at the beginning but all you would need to sell your items is a website.
There is such a wide variety of golf careers that if you decide you want to work with golf full time, you shouldn't have a problem finding a suitable career.

The golf career doing maintenance on your favorite course will keep you on the grounds all day.
Most people that work directly for the golf course either get to play for free, or at a discounted rate. If you have a love for golf, there is sure to be a golf career out there that fits perfectly with your talents. Whether as a golf pro, a retailer, a groundskeeper or even a professional golfer, the options are basically unlimited.
So don't be intimidated by those who say you could never have a full time career in golf.
Prove them wrong by landing the job of your dreams.

Golf Instruction On A Budget

It must be nice to drive around in a little golf cart and play the perfect game on a perfect green. The golfers everywhere are envying you as we speak. What's that? You aren't driving around in a cute little cart or playing a perfect game? And no one is envious of your supremely skilled game? One would assume that means Tiger Woods isn't on hold on line 2 then.
Odds are good that Tiger is never going to be eagerly awaiting your call, but that doesn't mean that with effective golf instruction you can't be the envy of the green.

Let's face it; most of us can't afford private lessons with a pro or even with the local country club's golf instructor. Knowing where to look and what to look for go a long way in finding help with golf instruction however.
It doesn't matter if you play on the finest golf courses in the world or join up with your buddies occasionally for a round on the local public course.
In this era of high speed information the tips, hints, and techniques used by golf pros can be at your fingertips.

Finding advice on golf instruction is simple really.
Books and magazines are printed by the hundreds on this very subject. Either one would be an excellent addition to your birthday or Christmas wish list.
It is a good bet that your significant other would be delighted with an original gift idea and at the same time give themselves the gift of not hearing you lament your golf game anymore.
Check out the library for a selection of books that highlight every different aspect of the game of golf. This technique will save you bundles on your bill at the local bookstore.
Another way the library can be useful in finding golf instruction is in their DVD department.
Check out the ones that seem interesting. The DVDs you find especially helpful can always be purchased later.
When your golf skills dramatically improve all your friends will think you spent a mint on private lessons. They'll be so jealous.

While talking about acquiring golf instruction on a budget, don't underestimate the usefulness of friends and family. If golf is a family passion, maybe Mom or Dad has some helpful hints that you overlooked.
And the friend you are always trying to impress with your game may be the perfect instructor.
You can always sway him by stating the obvious, if he helps you, just maybe he will at least have a little competition the next time the two of you hit the greens together.
That should be enough to encourage some cooperation.

The information highway is the place to go for information on all kinds of subjects. You already pay for your Internet connection, make it earn its keep. There are countless websites and forums dedicated to the game of golf and many of them offer tips on a wide variety of golfing issues.
For example, you can learn the best clubs to use for each shot and how to factor weather conditions into your game. This is seriously some useful golf instruction. Your budget will love you because you are using a resource that is already paid for.

When a lot of people think about golf instruction it is rarely associated with inexpensive. Considering that golf course time, the equipment, and golfing extras tend to cost so much, budget golf instruction is the way to go.
Who knows? Before long maybe Tiger will be calling, or maybe not.

Basis Golf Etiquette

The Golf is considered a gentleman's game and since this is so, exact policy of etiquette in playing apply. Even though these are not hard and fast rules, they show that the person practicing these has respect not only for other golfers, but also for the game itself.

Here are just some general policies of golf etiquette practiced at all levels whether they're amateur or professional. It is then followed by some certain rules at particular times throughout a game.

The Quiet
- Keeping quiet as a person steps up to the ball is a sign of respect for the player as you are allow him/her to concentrate.
- A golf course is not a race track. Do not run as this will distract and bother other players.

The Safety
- Before swinging, always check for other people or objects in the area your ball will be going. Others may not see you approaching with a shot. Make sure they are out of range..
- Similarly, it is not only unsafe to take practice swings in someone's direction, it is also considered rude.
- Make sure people are not walking around before you swing and stand still when others are swinging.

The Pacing
- When you and your group may not be the only players on a course, try to keep your pace of play at a rate that keeps up with the group ahead of you to avoid holding up the ones behind.
- It is very, very rude to advance into the group playing ahead of you. If it was accidental, you would have failed to observed safety etiquette. If it was intentional and you did so because they are playing slowly, it is still no reason to drive a ball in their direction.
- When you need to play through a group, observe common courtesy by first asking permission to do so. But before asking, make sure that the next hole is vacant so that there is enough space between groups as you pass through.
- If the group allows you to play through, take the least amount of time to finish the hole and move on to the next one as quickly as possible.

When on the teeing ground
-Try to stay out of the player's line of sight as well as peripheral vision to allow him to concentrate. Standing behind him/her is the best way to do so, as well as keeping quiet as he/she prepares to swing.

When on the fairway
-hitting some divots is perfectly fine, but avoid causing too many. Furthermore, try to put a few back in by simply stepping on the divot into the hole.
-don't take too much time looking for a lost ball. The group behind you may not appreciate the delay. If it can't be found within a few minutes, simply replace the ball.

When on the bunker
-use the course-provided rake when you've finished with your shot to rake out marks left by you, your ball and your footprints, then leave the rake outside the bunker handle parallel to the fairway.

When on the green
-avoid stepping on the ball paths of other players as this can affect the putt. Walk behind the ball on its direction to the hole or at least step over the imaginary line between the ball and the hole.
-repair ball marks made by the force of the ball landing on the green. This shows courtesy to the player following you as you've taken the time to leave them an unmarked green.
-put your ball back on the green before picking up the ball marker just so you can avoid possible points of contention between another player as to whether you've properly positioned your ball or not.

When at the practice grounds
-continue to observe the general rules of golf etiquette as you would on the course.

Though these are not all of the good golfing etiquette practices, they are the basics you need to follow for each other's safety and love of the game. This will keep the experience all the more pleasant for all concerned.

Do The Golf Swing Aids Really Help Improve Your Golf Swing?

Do The Golf Swing Aids Really Help Improve Your Golf Swing?

The Golf swing aids haven't always had the best reputation in the golfing industry.
Upon first hitting the scene, they were viewed as little more than gimmicks, making the user look silly while using or wearing them, and providing no real benefits.
As the game has evolved globally, taking on more and more players at a rapid rate, the technology surrounding golf has also improved quite a bit, and this extends to golf swing aids, which have shed their dubious skin to attain a well-respected position in the golfing world as valuable teaching tools.

For a sport as technically demanding as golf is, arguably the most technical and challenging in the world, it's not a surprise that players of all skill levels can benefit from devices which help spotlight weaknesses in their game and shore them up.
The golf swing is an intricate mechanic, but for all that intricacy, it very much becomes rote to the body, which can reproduce the exact same swing mechanics repeatedly through muscle memory.
This is perfect when you have a good swing, but if your swing is less than stellar, this can cause obvious dilemmas. How do you correct flaws in a swing that's so ingrained, it performs of its own accord?

The answer is to use swing aids which force the user into correct positions.
The body has no choice but to adapt the new positions, and through enough use, this new form will eventually take the place of the old, giving the user the ability to successfully reproduce without the help of the aid.
These aids can extend to all areas of the swing, be it the swing plane itself, the positioning of the hands and wrists, proper alignment with the ball and target, and much more.

The first step in determining which golf swing aid would be of the most use to you is to identify where your trouble areas are.
A second set of eyes is useful in this situation, be it a friend or family member, or a golfing instructor.
Another possible method is to record video of yourself from different angles during your swing, so you can see your motion in a different light.

Once you know your weaknesses, you can look into a beneficial golf aid which targets that weakness.
Take the time to read up on the different products, and especially the reviews of those products from other golfers to determine which one sounds right for you.
Most golf swing aids are available for purchase online, often at a fraction of the price of what you'd pay at a pro shop of sporting goods store.
Be sure to share your experience with the device with other golfers as well, so they know which products are worth their weight in golf balls. Your golfing buddies on the other hand, well, we'll leave that up to you.
Bragging rights go a long way on and off the golf course, and it may be that some things are better kept secret from your friends.

Fitness for the Average Golfer

Now days, a more careful look at the professional golf ranks will reveal many well-conditioned people.
Such conditioning is needed to perform consistently well at a high level.
After all, it isn't often noted, but the golf swing is an intensely athletic motion. Some professional golfers don't look like athletes, the fact remains that golfers are athletes.

Given that fact, even the most casual golfer who incorporates the simplest of exercises can help himself or herself shave strokes off the handicap, and maybe a few inches off the waist.

A golf analysis company based in Germany, Golf Biodynamics, conducted a study using twenty-eight weekend golfers.
They were introduced to an eight-week, “five-column” workout plan.
The five columns were different sets of exercises that concentrated on five different fitness-related aspects of golf – coordination, balance, strength, the swing itself, and flexibility.

The results of the study were overwhelming.
The group as a whole experienced an increase in upper-body rotation and an 80 percent gain in upper-body strength.
The stability of their hip rotation also increased, resulting in a more controlled swing, and their collective clubhead speed increased by 9.4 percent. Think they’re having fun knocking their drives past their playing partners now?

As with any workout regimen, the older a person gets, the harder it is to see results.
The younger golfers and women, all with lower handicaps, saw more immediate results on the golf course.
But seniors and bogey golfers can take heart; the sport is a game of inches.
The slightest change any golfer makes can have a significant impact in her game, and will help avoid back pain, knee pain, and other health problems many middle-aged to senior golfers experience.

Golf Ball Speed And How It Effects You

Everybody wants to hit the golf ball farther.

The golf instructors understand the relationship between distance and golf ball speed and are turning to launch monitors and other types of golf ball tracking technology.
The Golf launch monitors can be simple and affordable to very complex and cost thousands of dollars.

Learning about golf ball speed, depending on the launch monitor the club fitter is using they can also learn information about the spin rate of the golf ball, launch angle and carry distance.
Doppler radar is used in some of the least expensive units to track the flight of the golf ball.

The Golf ball speed is determined by a simple equation. The easy equation is that your golf ball speed is equal to one and a half times your club head speed. For example if you have a golf swing speed of 100mph then your golf ball speed will be 150mph.
Another example would be the television announcers over the weekend said the PGA Tour average club head speed is 112 mph. The equates to 168mph golf ball speed.

What is going on have you lost distance?

Every 25 degree drop in temperature the ball will fly approximately eight yards shorter than before.

With all of the new technology available to the golf world, it has never been a more interesting time to try to improve and learn about your game.
The great way to do that is through a golf club fitting with a launch monitor.
Since the technology is becoming more affordable, golf players are purchasing a personal launch monitor to help themselves with improving their very own game. You can!

Golf Swing Tempo vs Golf Swing Speed

Is that your golf swing too fast?

It's not the speed, but the tempo, Golf Swing Speed and Golf Swing Tempo are fundamentally different.

Very often a golfers swing can appear extremely fast, because they don't have the correct swing tempo.
They usually have a very deliberate take away and back swing, where they are trying to 'Place' the club head in the correct position. There may even be a deliberate pause at the top.

About Golf Swing Tempo, that start to talk about components of the swing.
Swing plane, take away, ball position, alignment. These are fundamentals and separate parts of the swing.
These are the individual parts that you learn, which when combined, give you a complete golf swing.

The Golf swing tempo, is the glue that holds all of these constituent parts together.
In fact, the more you swing, with the correct swing tempo, the more stable all of those swing components become.

So what is Swing Speed? Well it's simply the amount of time you take to get from the start of your takeaway to the point of impact.
But let's say for simplicity sake, that for you, this takes 4 seconds. If you take 2 seconds getting to the top of your back swing and then 2 seconds getting the club head to the ball, you really are not going to generate any club head speed.

So what is Swing Tempo? Let's take the same 4 second swing,

This time you take 3 Seconds getting to the top, but 1 second on the way down, and what do you have? Well you have a very slow swing, but you have PERFECT Golf Swing Tempo.
Why?
Because all PRO's swing at this exact tempo ratio. 3 To 1. So you can swing as fast as you like.
As long as you do it using the 3 to 1 ratio.
All you have to do is achieve this tempo using one of the many training aids available.
Most of which are audio cue devices. When you do what you will find, is that you will swing faster than you ever have, but with a tempo and a consistency, that is going to stay solid throughout your next round of golf.
When you use one of these aids, your mind tends to focus on waiting for an audio cue, which eliminates those mind games you tend to start playing when you are addressing the ball.
You know, the ones that get you all tensed up and anxious, the ones that took away any chance you ever had of a good smooth swing tempo.

Golfing Success

Golfing Success - A Life Learning Experience

The golfing success is a life learning experience. You can learn a lot about life when you play golf.
You can learn a lot about yourself from golf.
If you cheat or blow up when things are not going your way, such as getting a bad break, you will most likely demonstrate similar behaviors in life. Therefore, golfing success reflects your life learning experience.

A life is a game, and so is golf. You have twists and turns (In life) and you just have to meander your way through; likewise, in golf, you also get good breaks as well as bad ones, and you just have to learn to deal with them.
Golfing success mirrors your life learning experience.

If you can begin another day - not to mention that you can play on the green.
Accept the fact that during the day, you may have joys, disappointments, and surprises. Learn to accept what is being offered to you, and embrace the good as well as the bad. This is the way of Zen, and this is how you should play Zen golf, which brings about golfing success.

If you regard playing golf as a life learning experience, then you will learn and improve your sport. Golfing success is within your reach.

In golf as in life, to achieve anything, you need to set goals.
For golfing success, set some smart learning goals
In golf, there is the 80/20 rule: 80 percent of your improvement comes from only 20 percent of what you have learned or improved.
In other words, you don't need to know everything to attain golfing success. It is like driving a car - you meed to know the basics of driving, but you need not know how a car engine operates.

To improve your game for golfing success, focus on only a few major areas.
Like living, if you worry about everything or worry too much, you will end up not enjoying your life at all. Living becomes stressful. Similarly, in golf, if you strive to analyze every situation, or worry too much about how to execute a stroke, analysis will become paralysis.

Get yourself a good address position. You maintain a good stance and proper posture. Then you turn away from the ball on your backswing that stores up energy. Finally, you release your stored-up energy with a good forward swing that propels the ball to the target. To play good golf all you have to do is grip it, turn it, and release it.

But you become your own coach. As you continue to play, if you are mindful of your need to know and to learn the basics, you will improve your game. You will ultimately attain your golfing success.

A good instructor can do only so much: you have to learn on your own, especially how to master golfing techniques for golfing success. Naturally, a good instructor should tell you what to do and why you should do it in that particular manner.
Then the instructor should be able to demonstrate to you how to do it properly.
Finally, your instructor should allow you to "experience" the feel of that newly acquired technique.

Therefore, playing golf is always a life learning experience if you are made aware of what you need to do. Golf is a 80/20 game for golfing success.

Handicapping for Casual Golfers

The Golf handicaps are used to make the game of golf more competitive for golfers with different skill levels.

There is a standard system of handicapping that is used for tournament play on all golf courses.
The system is quite complicated and takes into account the golfers average score, the course ratings (total par for the course) for the courses played and the slope rating (course difficulty) for each course played.
The computer software is used for this calculation and this system is always used to establish your official handicap.

Non-tournament golf play where the players have not established an official handicap,

The unofficial system that quite useful:

1. Keep track of your score and the course rating (total par for the course) every time you play golf.

2. Take the difference between your score and the course rating.

3. Calculate the average of the 10 best of your last 20 differences (or the best half of the differences you have recorded if less than 20) and multiply by 96% (drop everything after the 1st decimal place). The maximum allowable handicap is 36 .4 for men and 40.4 for women

4. Compare the result with the other golfers who are playing.

5. The lowest average receives no handicap. All other golfers have a handicap which is the difference between their average and the lowest average.

6. Each player subtracts their handicap from their total score to determine the winner

7. The group could agree on whether to do the above calculations using the gross score or adjusted gross score

The gross score is the total strokes for 18 holes. The adjusted gross score places a cap on the number of strokes counted on any hole for handicapping purposes to eliminate the effect of a disaster hole when calculating a handicap.

Four Basics of Any Golf Swing

The Four Basics of Any Golf Swing

When thinking about the basics of the golf swing, we usually think about ball position, stance, grip, and so on. In other words, we think about the swing's physical mechanics. That's only natural, because its what most golf pros focus on in their golf lessons and what golf magazines highlight in their articles on the golf swing. It's what I write about the most in the golf tips as well.

Not everyone agrees that these are the true basics of the golf swing. For many, the true basics of the swing are something quite different, something that has nothing to do with the physical mechanics of the swing. For these people, a swing's true basics are four components-plane, centering, radius, and face. Golf instruction sessions focusing on these concepts are as helpful as golf lessons on the swing's mechanics, maybe even more helpful

The Plane
The Most golfers have heard of the concept of plane, but are confused as to how it applies to the golf swing. Plane is defined by the angle your club creates when it is ground at address. To master accuracy, the club must remain on this plane, especially while it approaches the ball on the downswing. (Actually, two planes-one formed by the takeaway and the other by the downswing-are involved in swinging a club, but the second plane is key.) This plane is the most powerful and direct route to the swing, as I discuss in my golf tips. Coming back to the ball above or below this plane results in pulls and slices.

The Centering
Every swing has a center to it, a foundation defined by your head and your spine. If you want to hit accurate golf shots, this foundation must remain steady. Watch Tiger or any of the pros on TV and you'll see how steady their heads and spines remain throughout their swings. This foundation has two angles to it. One is the angle your spine creates with your hips at address. The other involves the lateral movement of your head. Focus on preventing both your head from moving unnaturally one way or the other and your spine from moving up or down, and you will produce better results.

The Radius
Radius is the distance between the lead shoulder and the clubhead. You must keep radius intact, if you want to hit good quality shots. The key is releasing your wrists at the right time. Most amateurs release their wrists early, forcing the shaft ahead of the lead arm before impact. An early release causes you to hit the ball thin, or even worse, mis-hit it altogether. If you execute the proper sequence of movements in the downswing, you'll maintain radius.

The Face
The ball travels in the direction in which your clubface is pointing at the moment of impact, minus the effect of sidespin. You must attain the same clubface position at impact that you establish at address, which is why you need to align your club properly. The key to doing this is matching the position of your hands at impact with the position of your hands at address. If you grip the club on the right side of the shaft, your hands must be on the right side of the club when you hit the ball; otherwise, you'll mis-hit.

The Conclusion
Is one basic more important than another? Not really, as I tell players who take my golf lessons. They all must be executed properly, if you want to achieve a powerful, repeatable swing. Now that you are aware of them and how they contribute to your swing, try filming yourself some day and see how well you maintain them during your swing. Also note how well you hit the ball.

Plane, centering, radius, and face-these aren't the usual basics you talk about when discussing the golf swing, but they are critical. While the physical mechanics of the swing, like ball position, stance, and grip, are key, so are these four components. Master both sets and you'll achieve accuracy and consistency every time, lowering your golf handicap in the process.