When you are starting to play the great game of golf, They will become David Leadbetter or Butch Harmon in their own mind of all places right there on the golf course.
You will quickly learn that there is a time and a place to work on your game. The golf course is where you should play and not practice. Work through all of your beginner golf tips while you are practicing on the driving range, short game area or practice putting green.
So with everyone throwing all of these free beginner golf tips at you, how do you know what to trust? Well, Through golf books, golf DVDs and local golf instruction, there are many credible and qualified sources for you to tap.
The Beginner golf tips: Short Game
The Opposed to popular belief and actions, if you want to learn how to play the game of golf or if you have played for a long time and want to lower your handicap, learn how to chip and putt. It may not seem as macho or as sexy to learn all of these little short shots as opposed to standing on the driving range banging out long shots. No matter what your current handicap is, if you want to lower your golf scores learn all aspects of the short game. This will drop your scores faster than standing on a driving range for a long period of time week after week.
The question that may put how important the short game is and can help put it into perspective for you. Once your round is finished, do you want to give your buddy a hard time about the one drive you hit past him/her or do you want to brag about the lower score that you shot? Speaking from experience, the ribbing about how your buddy hit one past you is pretty short-lived as he is paying you for winning the bet of lowest score.
One last thought about the short game for you is to make sure you arrive early enough to spend some time on the putting green putting and chipping before your round. You do not need to spend thirty minutes there. You just need to hit enough putts and chip shots to get a good feeling going prior to your round.
Just Have fun
Unfortunately, most people will tell you that they play the game for fun or to relax but their actions simply do not say the same thing. Especially while you are learning the game, you should set little goals for your rounds or practice time. Sometimes they are not even to do anything with golf.
The Ping American College Guide Since 1989, almost 90% of the college golf scholarships nationwide have gone to readers of the PING Guide including young PGA and LPGA Tour players Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, Charles Howell, Heath Slocum, Ben Crane, Hunter Mahan, Ben Curtis, Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, Arron Oberholser, Kevin Stadler, Bill Haas, Nick Watney, Ryan Moore, J. B. Holmes, Stacy Prammanasudh, Lorena Ochoa, Natalie Gulbis and Stacy Lewis. Other PING Guide readers turned professional instead of playing college include Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Michele Wie.
The PING Guide contains vital help for junior golfers who want to continue their golf career at the collegiate level. It includes information on every scholarship and non-scholarship golf program in the U.S. (more than 1,200 colleges and community colleges), and it answers the questions facing college-bound students on subjects including: = taking advantage of the numerous opportunities for both men and women to play college golf. = understanding recruiting guidelines, entrance and eligibility requirements, letters of intent and scholarships. = learning about new NCAA regulations and their effect on prospective and current student -athletes. = planning your high school career to ensure adequate preparation for college testing, counseling and timely application. = matching yourself athletically and academically to one or more schools. = maximizing your exposure to college coaches. = preparing your golf resume and promoting yourself if you are not recruited. = handling interviews and meetings with coaches. = knowing the importance of the campus visit. = qualifying for financial aid. = preparing to enjoy your college golf experience no matter what level of competition you seek.
The talent levels among college golfers span the spectrum. The best players frequently post sub-par rounds; however, there are thousands of men playing on college golf teams whose average score is in the 80s or higher and thousands of women playing college golf who shoot in the 90s or 100s.
If you really want to improve your Golf short game, which is anything within 100 yards of the flag, then first you need the right equipment in the bag to do so.
So do you have the clubs in your bag to cover 70% of your shots? My guess is….Probably Not! Most beginners and high handicappers only carry one wedge. Consequently, they try to hit anywhere between 10 and 100 Yards with the same club. This makes accurate distance control, on every short shot, virtually impossible. If you’re such a golfer, then it really is time to consider adding one, or two more wedges to your bag. If this means the sacrifice of one of your long irons, in order to confirm to the 14 club rule, then so be it. After all, how often or how well do you use that 3 iron anyway? With various wedge lofts available, (anywhere from 52 to 64 degrees), from all of the major manufacturers. Consider three wedges with a four degree separation, i.e. 52, 56 and 60 degrees of loft.
Now… Armed with your 3 wedges. You’ll need to get down to your local park and practice. How much should you practice? Well, doesn’t it make sense that if 70% of your shots are going to be golf short game shots, then 70% of the amount of time that you spend practicing, should be specifically on this type of shot? Yet I find that very few golfers do. Instead they’d rather beat balls at the driving range, often with no specific target, or goal in mind.
Get to the park this weekend. Take a 100 Yard tape measure, and spend some time getting comfortable with your new wedges. Hit nice easy (80%) swings with all three of your wedges. Hit 20 Balls with each wedge. Discount the furthest and shortest five balls. The center measurement of your cluster of ten balls is your average for that wedge. Write it down and put it in your bag. Try and do this once a week and you’ll soon find that your grouping will get tighter, and more consistent. Not only that, but on the course, your golf short game will soon be the envy of your golf buddies.
Free Way Of Living In A South Carolina Golf Club Community
With South Carolina’s weather conditions, living in a golf community is definitely worth it because it’s possible to play nearly year round.
The number one course in Zagat’s America’s Top Golf Courses of 2007-2008 is the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, just 20 minutes from Charleston. Besides four thousand five hundred houses on ten thousand acres, there are 5 golf courses of world-class standards. The Ocean Club will host the 2012 PGA championships. Owning real estate here provides you access to 28 tennis courts both inside and outside, several clubhouses for formal or relaxed dining, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centers, a twenty one acre park, 10 miles of beach and running and cycle trails for 30 miles, and a chance to catch crabs, fish and shrimp. And a few of the home sites have deepwater docks. There is a shopping village that has a supermarket, eating establishments and all the beauty and nature to create one of the best places for retired people or relocation.
About 30 minutes north of Columbia, South Carolina is Cobblestone Park. The community’s 36-hole golf course was planned by Lee Jansen and is private. The 750 acre community is enclosed with mobile security and neighboring areas that don’t require maintenance. Apart from the beautiful homes starting around $500K is a clubhouse, service workers, a resort style pool, 2 cafeterias and a gym. You could have fun on the basketball court and sports field or the six court tennis facility complete with a stadium style court.
Aiken, South Carolina is normally known for its equestrian heritage, and if you live at Mount Vintage you’ll have numerous opportunities to ride. But, its Tom Jackson’s twenty seven hole golf course and practice facility on a five thousand acre plot you really must see. The clubhouse is a refurbished heritage plantation house having a grill, cafeteria and a watering hole. There are cycling, horseback riding and walking trails and sidewalks, a spa, 6 Har-Tru tennis courts, a pool and a gym. Mount Vintage promotes a community feeling with pot-luck dinners, clubs, a town center with a general store, lending library and a salon.
Down the coast is Sea Pines, which has a reciprocal arrangement with Kiawah Island. Situated on Hilton Head Island, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, George Cobb, and Arnold Palmer designed the 4 eighteen-hole courses. Zagat’s list of America’s Top Golf Courses had The Harbour Town course as the fourth best in South Carolina. There are 23 tennis courts, a 605 acre nature preserve with bike and riding trails; cards, crafts, book clubs and antiques. There are also two marinas with storage, fishing, crabbing, resort style conveniences with cafeterias, swimming pools, a gym, a community garden, horses, a Beach Club, commercial and retail space, and eco-tours on kayaks.
The more serene DeBordieu Colony is an enclosed golf club community located beyond Georgetown and Pawley’s Island approximately 45 miles from Charleston, and 40 miles from Myrtle Beach. Comprising two thousand seven hundred acres, there are one thousand two hundred and fifty house sites, with 700 acres as a nature preserve. The reserved golf course is a Pete Dye designed 18 hole classic. The Georgian-designed clubhouse is huge, with 2 kinds of dining choices and a bar, a swimming pool, tennis courts a ten acre beach club, 24/7 mobile security patrols, a boat landing and docks for fishing.
Let’s start with equipment. I’m not going to get into your set make up or equipment brand, we can talk about that later, what I’m interested in at the moment, are your grips.
I don’t care how good your equipment is, or how much it cost…if your grips are not in good shape, I, (or any Pro for that matter) cannot properly teach you how to swing a golf club.
Almost everyone I come in contact with on the range or at the club takes pretty good care of his or her golf clubs, with the exception of the grips.
The only contact you have with the golf ball is directly through the grips of your golf clubs, you have to take care of them.
A Professional golfer has their grips cleaned after practice sessions, before a round, during a round, and has them changed regularly.
Have you cleaned your grips yet? Your grips should feel slightly tacky in your hands so you don’t have to squeeze your golf club, which robs you of the ability to swing the golf club with any speed or consistency.
Most grips today are still made out of rubber or a rubber compound that can be kept in “like new” condition simply with hot soapy water.
When you play golf or practice, the dust, dirt, and oil from your hands gets ground into the pores of the rubber, clogging them up and making your grips slick and hard. Washing your grips will clean out the pores making your grips feel tacky again and ready for your next round.
If your grips have been neglected for a while, try a window cleaner solution on them, this will cut through the oils and dirt and should bring even a neglected grip back to life. If they have been badly neglected and you can’t get them back to a “tacky” state, have them replaced at your local Pro-Shop.
The good news is they’re very inexpensive, starting at around $2.00, and while you’re there you can have them sized to fit your hand perfectly.
This will help immensely when you learn to swing the golf club using the C.O.G. effortless power method. OK, now that you’ve got your grips cleaned and looked after, keep them that way, like I said earlier, every Professional golfer has new grips or has their grips cleaned before every round.
If you have a high tech grip material and you’re not sure what to clean them with, simply contact the manufacturer and ask, they will last longer and perform much better. Notice at the top and the bottom of your grip. There is a small hash mark that indicates the center mark of your shaft, these are very important marks, take notice of them now, and we’ll talk more about them later. Now that we have that looked after, we can talk about the BOSS of the golf club.
The BOSS:
Your target side hand, (the one with the glove) is the Boss of the golf club, that’s why we wear the glove on that hand. On the target hand, (the left hand for right handed golfers) the top three fingers assume control of the golf club. This is the Pinky, the Ring, and the Middle finger, (2) leaving the index finger and thumb to rest lightly on the grip. When these three fingers are in control of the golf club, you will be able to swing the club at a high speed with very little effort and fire your “Piston” *(release the club head), however, if your trail hand (right hand for right hand golfers) gets involved, it will slow down the swinging process and turn the action into a “hit”. Work on keeping the target hand the BOSS of the club, this will help prevent two other common problems,
1)The hole in the glove…
2)The “fat” shot…
Hole in your glove?
1)If you are the golfer that always has a hole in the heel of your golf glove, not only am I going to save you $50 to $100 dollars in golf gloves this year alone, but also should save you a quite a few strokes as well. The hole in your golf glove comes from the BOSS fingers giving up control of the golf club. When you take your back swing, if at the top of your swing, the BOSS fingers have let go, creating a gap between your fingers and the heel of your hand; the hole in the glove is soon to follow.
= Piston refers to the action of releasing the club head.
Why does this happen?
head of a swinging golf club weighs about a pound for every mile per hour it moves through centrifugal force. A typical golf professional moves the club head from the address position to the top of the backswing in approximately 1 second. At the point of transition to the down swing, the club head weighs about 14 pounds. That’s the equivalent of a 14-pound weight being held by the top 3 fingers of the target (gloved) hand. Most people can hold this weight OK but if the club travels to the top of the swing faster than that, the transition weight of the club head becomes heavier and the separation of the top 3 fingers (or the GAP) occurs. When the (GAP) happens, you transfer control of the club head to the Trail hand (right hand) and the butt end of the grip rubs or tears the leather of the glove on the transition to the downswing. his all happens very quickly and is hard to catch if you don’t know what to look for or what is actually happening. The dreaded hole in the glove is NOT a normal occurrence in golf; it is the product of a change of control of the golf club from your target hand, to your trail hand during the course of transition from the top of your back swing to the beginning of your down swing. This action can and even MUST be controlled if you are to learn to swing a golf club like you see your favorite Professional swing it every day. We’ll discuss how to control this little later on in the book when we set up the easy 3-piece golf swing and discover that 1-move can solve 4 problems we have in the backswing alone and set us up for consistency and power in our swing towards the target.
2.) The other benefit of learning to control your golf club with the top 3 fingers of the BOSS hand at the transition point to the downswing is controlling the “FAT” shot. The fat shot is the one where you stick the club head into the ground before it touches the golf ball, sending it trickling mere feet from where you’re standing. The fat shot is a totally wasted stroke as little or no ground is covered and we have to hit the same shot over again. At the transition point of your golf swing when the club changes direction back to the ball, if your BOSS hand loses control of the golf club, the weight of the club head rests on the trigger finger (index finger) of your Trail hand (right hand) and that hand becomes the BOSS of the golf club at that moment. Once the trail hand becomes the BOSS of the golf club, the down swing motion becomes too steep and your trail hand throws the club head into the ground behind the ball. If this is the case, you may have noticed your ball position creeping back in your stance and your shots traveling too low and too far for the club you’re using at the moment. This is a side effect of a weak BOSS hand; you have to change the geometry of your golf swing in order to make contact with the ball. When this condition develops, all kinds of mistakes can happen as you try to judge where the bottom of your swing is going to happen. Always remember, when your target side hand (the one with the glove) is the BOSS of the golf club, the bottom of your golf swing will always be on your Center of Gravity (shirt-button) so you can predict proper ball position, trajectory, and distance control of each club in your bag, and eliminate the dreaded FAT shot.
Golf Stand Bags - 5 Questions to Have Answered Before You Buy
There are many different golf stand bags on the market let alone the availability of all types of golf bags. Though all of us would like to find cheap golf stand bags, I am not sure that we are ready to put up with the lack of quality or durability that we are looking for in a bag.
What are you looking for in a golf bag? If you walk any rounds of golf at all then you will need to own what is called golf stand bags or golf carry bags. A cart bag is way too heavy to carry around the course and enjoy your round.
What else are you going to need to know before you can make the decision on which of the golf stand bags will be your new purchase? Below are five questions that will help you through all of the different types of golf stand bags and make sure that you select the best golf bag for you.
What is my price range?
This may sound like a simple question but it is one that needs to be asked before looking at golf stand bags. Within reason, you will get what you pay for. This does not mean that the mid-priced stand bags are not as good as the most expensive golf bags. However, there is a big jump from the cheapest bags to the mid level bags.
How much are you going to play?
If you do not play much, you may want to go with a cheaper bag. Since you will not be using it as much, it will not need to be as durable over the long haul as for someone that plays multiple times in a week.
Other than golf clubs, how much equipment do you usually carry?
This would include a rain suit, umbrella, extra gloves, extra balls, hats, teaching aids, snacks and maybe even medicine. You need to keep in mind that every extra thing that you take will equate to extra weight that you will be carrying out on the golf course.
Does it have all of the features I need?
This is where the question of how many pockets and where they are located becomes important. You can now buy a ladies golf bag with up to nine pockets on it. Can you fit a jacket into the bag in case you get cold or it begins to rain? Do you need a pocket for a water bottle and do you really need it?
Is it the right color for you?
No I am not talking about does it match your skin color but do you like the color scheme of the bag? With the golf stand carry bags being built as unisex bags sometimes the only thing that will make it a ladies golf bag or a men's golf bag is the color scheme. Many ladies like a pink golf bag to show their feminine side.
Answering these 5 questions before you start searching through the many new golf stand carry bags will help you make a better decision on the golf bag that is right for you and will help you enjoy the game.
Whether you are a professional or an amateur golfer, golf travel bags are a must for any golfer who travels to play golf on business or vacation. If you are anything like me when it comes to packing for a trip, I want to take as little as possible. I end up packing some of my stuff in my golf travel bag along with my golf bag and golf clubs.
As you are looking to purchase a golf travel bag you will want to debate which of the following features are important to you and which features that you will need as opposed to features that you want:
Storage Size
Face it, though we all would like to live out of a golf travel bag, most of the time the bag will be in storage somewhere in the house or the hotel room while on your trip. How small does it fold up becomes a legitimate question especially on your trip. Obviously, this question is already answered, if you purchase a hard golf case as it will not give.
TSA Approved
If you fly to your golf destinations you will want to make sure that you purchase a TSA Approved Travel Bag. As the airlines are restricting the types of bags they carry as well as the overall weight of a bag, owning a TSA Approved golf travel bag can ease many of your headaches. Many times, manufacturers will offer a TSA Approved lock for your bag. This will keep you from needing to purchase a new lock if the TSA decides they need to search the bag.
Wheels
Some people will think that this is a given but some golf travel covers today are still made without wheels. All you have to do is lug a golf travel bag through any major airport one time and you will be ready to purchase a unit with wheels. It makes maneuvering through the airport much easier and much less stressful.
Colors
The colors available are absolutely endless. You can purchase a black, green, pink or navy golf travel bag. You can pick your favorite colors or even pick your favorite college teams colors in order to show your school spirit. Many manufacturers will also allow embroidery on the bag. You can create a personalized golf travel bag by having your name, company logo or again your favorite college teams logo embroidered on the side of the bag.
Pockets These can be on the outside or on the inside of the bag. Many bags will have pockets on the inside in order to carry your shoes on the trip. Other interior pockets can be used to store extra clothes for your trip if you are going to be in multiple climates while on your trip.
As you are shopping for your travel golf bag, you will need to compare the amenities that you need as opposed to what you want. Then comparison shop as you would for any other item to find yourself the best deal. Once you are done with this then you will be ready to plan a golf vacation.
Set up your own driving range right at your house with a golf practice net that will allow you to work on your golf game without going to the driving range. Today, there are many options of portable golf nets that you can use at your home and we will give you information on three nets from Izzo.
The Big Mouth by Izzo
Utilizing a fiberglass hoop frame, the Big Mouth golf practice net from Izzo eliminates the hassle of setting up frame poles and clipping net hangers. Simply toss The big Mouth golf practice net where you want it and the net will automatically spring to life. From there, it is up to you on how fast you can place a tee in the ground and start practicing.
Closed, the Big Mouth is a thirty-six inch flat disk that only weighs about fifteen pounds and stores practically anywhere. The Big Mouth expands from a three-foot disk to a seven by nine foot golf net what will feel faster than you can get away the first few times.
Another feature of the Big Mouth is the introduction of woven netting. This "knotless" technology allows the mesh to stretch and absorb the ball's force resulting in a net that is thirty percent stronger. In addition you will have an adjustable chipping net that hangs in the middle of the Big Mouth's frame. The chipping net is suspended on four sides by adjustable chords which allow you to set the position of the chipping net to work on high lob shots or low bump and run shots.
The Super Cage Mouth Net
The Super Cage Mouth Net is a premium practice net and will allow you to improve your golf game at home or take it to your in-laws to give you something to do while you are there! The Super Cage Mouth Net has a patented pop-up design from Izzo and is a premium practice net made of high durability nylon. It easily folds flat to 46-inches and can be used indoors or outside. Folding flat, The Super Cage Mouth Net can be stored easily when you are not using it as it. The Super Cage Mouth Net has a 10' x 12' Hitting Area.
The Izzo Golf Giant Mouth Net
The unique shape of the Izzo Golf Giant Mouth Net allows you to hit all of the clubs in your bag. Whether you need to work on your Driver, Fairway woods, Irons or Wedges, the Izzo Golf Giant Mouth Net has the room to allow you to work on any golf club in your golf bag. The Giant golf net is the perfect way to practice your swing without going to the range.
The premium mesh netting is engineered and tested to be the strongest in golf. This golf net comes with a nylon storage case that travels easily wherever you want to take it. Do not mess with confusing complicated driving nets, the Giant is quick and easy to setup as well as to take down.
Beginners Guide To Golf Your First Set Of Golf Clubs
The golf clubs are expensive items yet are essential when is comes to playing the game of golf. The most important tip I was given was that when first starting out was never buy a new set of clubs. Once you are sure you enjoy the game enough to take it seriously then and only then should you contemplate new clubs.
When you are starting out there is so much to consider and learn. Golf is a difficult sport and you may decide it is not for you. Once you have got past the initial learning stage you will want to choose clubs that fit you and suit your golfing style. The best way to start is to begin your golfing career with cheap used clubs.
So you have decided you want to play golf and you don't want the expense of new clubs but where are you going to find these cheaper alternatives the following are some excellent suggestions:
" Golf rental clubs - Most golf clubs have sets of clubs that can be rented these are predominantly for visitors who have not been able to bring their own but can also be hired by beginners. Whilst playing with others or on the driving range ask your friends if you can try their clubs this will provide you with an opportunity to find which clubs suit you.
" Ask the resident expert - Most golf clubs have a golf shop with a resident expert, they will be able to advise you where to start and may also have some previously owned clubs that have been traded in by members upgrading. Some clubs also offer a service to their members where they will offer to sell their unwanted golfing goods.
You should always consult people who know golf equipment well as they will be able to offer you the best suggestions for clubs etc to suit your style and ability
" Car Boot Sales And Internet Auctions - These are fantastic places for picking up bargains to try. You can buy individual clubs or whole sets. It is a great way to try different clubs without spending a fortune and is the club is not for you then you can resell it on e-bay! The downside is that you are unable to try before you buy but if you have done some research beforehand you will have a fair idea what it is you are looking for.
You may find that your second hand clubs are a little worn this shouldn't be a problem as it is quite inexpensive to replace grips and a little 'spit & polish' goes a long way. Try to pick clubs that are in good condition but be realistic in the fact that all clubs need maintenance at some point
Remember the best way to choose a used club is to actually hold it in your hand and attempt to play the shot they were meant for this will give you the chance to see how they 'feel'. The feel of a golf club is important as if you feel comfortable with the club the more likely you are to be successful with it. Confidence is a big factor when playing golf.
The golf franchise industry has seen an explosion in new and exciting concepts over the past 5 years. With an aging population and many people wanting to get out of corporate America, take control of their schedule, take control of their earning potential and start a new career, golf franchising is answering the call. Many of these new golf franchise systems are following the roots of franchising and offering food related systems. For those who do not want to be stuck in a kitchen or restaurant during their golden years, there are many franchise systems that outdoors and based on activities that have a broad appeal. The game of golf is no exception to this growth.
Traditionally golf franchise systems have been concerned with the sale of equipment through retail stores. Long hours, high investment and over head were just some of the reasons people did not want to get involved in a golf business. Most golf business occurs on the weekends and during holidays. Spending your golden years working 12 hour days behind a counter over the weekend does not sound very golden, does it?
What if there was another opportunity that would get you outside, still be involved in golf, give you control over your schedule and not leave you income up to the latest big bertha club that was created? Synthetic turf products have come a long way over the years and one company IntelliTurf, Inc. actually installs golf greens that hold shots from 180 yards away and play just like natural grass.
IntelliTurf’s franchisees are sales and marketing professionals that love golf. They are people who are looking to build a business with a golf career, not buy a job. Golfers who would like to build equity in a business related to their passion. After training they become golf designers of backyard putting greens and consultants for all types of properties from multi-housing developments to some of the nicest residences in their protected territories.
This golf business franchise opportunity calls for the marketing, sales, design and installation of putting greens, short game practice areas, and actual golf courses. IntelliTurf’s artificial greens are actually golf greens, not just for putting. They hold shots from 180 yards away and the pace of the greens can be altered to match the greens in the area.
As the owner of this golf business the franchisee can set their own hours, price jobs as they see fit which gives them control of their profit margin and design beautiful amenities that add value to their client’s property. This is a good opportunity for an entrepreneur.
While IntelliTurf is primarily focused on golf surfaces, other products are offer for many applications and properties. Artificial turf is installed as lawns for private residences and on public and commercial land. Play areas provide up to 4 inches of cushion for playgrounds at schools, churches, parks and neighborhood amenity areas.
IntelliTurf offers a golf franchise business opportunity but also includes many other applications that golfers and business professionals will enjoy representing.
To quote a line from Ed Norton, “Step up, plant your feet firmly, and address the ball- Hello Ball” For all of you Honeymooner fans out there, I’m sure you will recall that this was Eds’ direction to Ralph in the famous Honeymooner Golf Episode, which is one of my all time favorites. In order to prepare for the golf swing, the set up is where you will step up to the ball, place your feet in position and address the ball, so Ed was pretty accurate in his direction to Ralph, except of course for the Hello Ball part.
After the ball is set on the tee, step back and “Relax”. The next step is to position your body in relation to the ball. The proper alignment to the target is key to accuracy in the set up. You should choose an intermediate target directly in front of you and in line with the golf ball and your intended landing area. Once you have selected your spot the next step is to take your stance parallel to that line. Note: To practice aligning correctly to the target two clubs can be placed on the ground - One will be placed adjacent the golf ball and will be pointing directly in line with the ball, your intermediate spot and the landing or target area. The other will be placed in parallel to the first but at the area where your feet will be placed. Once you practice for a while utilizing this method you should acquire a feel for the correct alignment technique. (Note: The set up can be performed with the feet and body positioned open or closed, in other words, out of alignment to the target line which will allow the golfer to work the ball left or right depending on the set up of the golf hole. This is done deliberately to promote the left to right or right to left ball movement. It is also a technique employed by the more experienced player and is not recommended for the beginning golfer). After you have established your line, the next step is the placement of your feet. When I take my stance, I like to place my right foot almost perpindicular or turned slightly to the right of perpindicular to target line and my left foot is angled about 45 degrees left of a perpindicular line toward the target Note: the information provided is meant for the right handed golfer and should be reversed for those left handed. The distance between my feet is approximately shoulder width, especially for the driver. This allows for stability in the stance, which is important in maintaining good balance thru out the swing. As you take your stance the knees should be bent slightly and the upper body should be tilted forward a bit at the waist. The head should be kept upright so the chin does not impede the backswing and shoulder turn, which will be addressed in the next step. As the body tilts slightly forward at the waist and you have taken your grip, make sure you allow your hands to fall in a relaxed position almost directly below your line of sight if you looked straight down - not too far or too close to your body. I would estimate the hands and club to be approximately six to eight inches away from the body, depending on your height, if done correctly.
I will again emphasize the importance of ”Relaxing” for the set up and the entire golf swing. I don’t mean to the point of falling asleep, but there should be no tension in the body, especially the arms, shoulders and legs. This will promote a much better tempo and allow the speed of the swing and the club to do the work, which in turn will produce much better results. Since all golfers are different in stature and ability, they may utilize a variation on the ideology noted above. This information is derived from personal knowledge and over 30 years of experience of playing golf and I would hope it would be helpful to the majority of golfers. There is nothing like practice and experience for learning the correct way to swing a golf club. In order for the practice to be efficient and your ability to improve you must have the basic foundation in place for the proper swing, playing techniques and strategies of the game. Learn “The Right Way”. Happy Golfing To All!
Now that you've taken your Grip, performed your Set Up Routine and The Waggle you're ready for action.
Before we start the backswing a few reminders or tips =
1. When you tee the golf ball, especially for use with the driver be sure to set it at the proper height. Note: The rule of thumb is the ball should sit approximately 1/2 of the diameter of the golf ball above the clubhead when the club is set on the ground.
2. Stay "Relaxed" during all phases of your swing. Note: If you've chosen to incorporate The Waggle into your swing routine then utilize it to its fullest advantage and make it not only your swing trigger but your reminder to "Relax" as well.
3. Make sure your head is upright so as not to impede the shoulder turn on the backswing.
4. Keep your left arm as straight as possible Note: Keeping the left arm straight may feel uncomfortable at first but it is critical to promoting consistent ball striking, accuracy and distance.
Now you're ready to go. In the instructional books and videos that I've studied I have sometime gotten conflicting information as to how to start the backswing. That does not mean that one method is right or wrong there are just different techniques and methodology used by different instructors. Immediately after The Waggle or no waggle, if that is your preference, you are ready to execute the swing. Most of the instructional material, when I was first learning to play, taught a move to start the backswing called the "One Piece Take Away". This means that your two arms, hands and the club formed a Y shape, which it does, and they would move back away from the target in one piece or motion while maintaining the Y shape. I had utilized that method for many years before I read about and experimented with the immediate wristcock, or setting of the wrist right at the onset of the backswing. By this I mean that instead of taking the club back in the Y formation I would break the wrist and start the backswing in more of an L position. Either method will work and it is a matter of personal preference and which feels more comfortable for you. In either method the wrists should be set by about waist height and the club should be pointing skyward as your arms approach parallel to the ground. Your weight should shift to your right side ( without a lateral movement of the body ) and your upper body should continue turning away from the target with minimal turning of the hips. This will allow a coiling of the upper body and a more powerful release as you uncoil in your Downswing. Make sure your shoulder turns under your chin and your back is facing the target, which will also promote a more powerful and accurate swing.
Note: Do Not Overturn or Over Rotate. In Step 2 - The Set Up I mentioned to tilt the body slightly forward at the waist and remain in a reasonably upright position. This will create a spine angle which should be maintained during most of your swing. The Backswing and The Downswing should rotate around the spine as the central pivot point. The more that rotation can be maintained the more accurate and powerful the results will be.
When you reach the top of the backswing in practice make sure the club is pointing back toward the target line, which will happen automatically if your wrists are set properly. This will allow the club to stay on line to prepare for The Downswing. I would also like to stress again the importance of a straight left arm and to "Relax" always. Let's recap our checklist so far - Tee the Ball ( not on the checklist but I think you may have a problem going forward if you leave this out ), take your grip , perform your Set Up Routine and re-adjust your grip, if necessary, execute the Waggle, and make your backswing and most importantly - Have Fun!
Power Walking - How To Improve Your Golf Game With One Simple Exercise
Do you have a spring in your step while playing a round of golf or do you feel completely exhausted by the 15th hole? Sometimes you may feel out of breath just walking to your next shot.
Hours of sitting at computers, driving to work and then watching TV at home, all lead to being less physically fit, posture-related aches and pains and a general feeling of sluggishness. Then you get to the golf course and wonder why you simply just don't have the energy to complete a nice round of golf.
Golf is no different than any other sport. You need to be physcially fit to perform at your best. This is even more important if your a recreational golfer since you really don't have time to practice.
One of the most natural forms of exercise is walking. Walking is an aerobic exercise that will not only increase your cardiovascular strength, but is good for the bones and improves your posture as well. I would like to introduce you to power walking and list some of the benefits it has on your golf game.
Power Walking
This is a form of aerobic exercise consisting of rapid walking accompanied by vigorous, controlled swinging of the arms. Simply put, it is an exaggerated walking style that has more health benefits than just a casual stroll.
You want to get your power walking speed up to 4.0 to 4.5 mph for optimal calorie burning. However, if you are just starting out you may want to go at a slower pace and gradually pick up the pace over a few weeks time.
Power Walking Benefits
1. Cardiovascular fitness is improved thus giving you more endurance to complete a full round of golf, not to mention reducing the risk of coronary disease and strokes.
2. Mental well-being is improved resulting in a reduction in anxiety, stress and tension allowing you to relax and focus on the golf course.
3. Muscles are toned and strengthened allowing you to better handle the physical demands of the golf swing.
4. Helps to reduce body fat and manage your body weight therefore improving your golf physic.
5. Boosts energy so you don't tire as easily going form shot to shot.
The above are just a few of the physical and mental benefits to be gained from power walking for golf. It is a low cost form of exercise. No special clothes or equipment are necessary except a good pair of walking shoes.
Although any form of walking is beneficial, power walking is extremely helpful with golf performance, both mentally and physically. So grab your walking shoes and power walk yourself to a better golf game!
As always consult your doctor before starting your power walking program.
Golf Putting Tips To Help You Become A More Solid Putter
The game of golf can be very rewarding to learn and play. There are many aspects to the game and putting has often been said to be a separate game altogether. Learning how to putt can be quite a challenge. Some people pick it up quickly and become good but often they encounter difficulties down the road and develop the dreaded putting yips. Here some useful tips to help you become a good putter and stay that way.
Putt To Make It:
Many golfers on long putts try to just get the ball close to the hole. They often will aim for a 3 foot circle. The problem with this strategy is that you are just increasing your margin for error. A better approach would be to always putt to make it. This means that on every putt your goal is to make the putt.
This does not mean you have to hit the putt hard in order to make sure to get it to the hole. Instead think of making every putt by seeing the ball dying into the hole on the last rotation. This way your misses will be much closer.
Trust Your First Impression:
When you are reading greens it can be very easy to get overwhelmed and start doubting how the putt will break. When you first approach a green take a bit of time to look at the putt from a few different angles. After that simply come up with a good solid first impression and stick with that.
It is very important to be decisive on your putts. You must trust the read you make and believe the ball will go in the hole. This does not mean you will make every putt. Your goal is to give every putt the best chance of going in the hole and this way of thinking will allow you to do that. Remember that even the best professionals misread greens so when you do misread a few putts just forget about them and believe your next read will be accurate.
Focus On Your Successful Putts:
If you play a lot of golf then you will inevitably miss a lot of putts. It can become very easy to dwell on these misses. However there is no doubt that you have made a fair number of putts too and some of them have probably been quite spectacular. Be sure to celebrate all the great putts you have made. This will ingrain into your mind the good putts you have made and will help to build your putting confidence.
Be sure to remind yourself of some of the greatest putts you have ever made. One good thing to do is each day before you go to bed think about the top 3 putts you have ever made. Replay them in your mind as vividly as you can and really experience the joy and satisfaction that making those putts gave you. Never suppress your emotions on successful putts, of course do not brag too much either, instead celebrate internally so you do not appear rude to your playing partners.
Do Not Think Too Much:
It is easy when you are about to hit your putts to start thinking about all sorts of things. Make sure that when you are about to hit your putts you are focused on your target. So make sure to pick out a target like a blade of grass on the edge of the hole or somewhere to the right or left of the hole if you expect the putt to break. Also make sure your target is something small.
Do not think about putting mechanics or how you made the last putt or about how the putt will break as you are about to hit the putt. Just focus on the target and let your mind and body strike the putt in the most accurate manner that will allow the putt to go to the hole with the right direction and speed. Use some of these tips to help you make more putts.
Every day more and more people are taking it up for the first time. I was once a beginning golfer myself and I remember the frustrations of learning the swing and playing well. And that was with a Golf Pro Father.
There are a lot of books and other information products available for established golfers, but not a lot for adults who are brand new to the game. Amongst all the tour talk, long drives and 400cc drivers, it seems beginners are left out.
A golf is a great game providing a lifetime of enjoyment and when you finally achieve a certain level of proficiency, a whole new element of the game appears, ensuring there is always a challenge.
Many schools offer an introductory 4 hour class - usually for around $320 - on the basics of golf, but you are better off to work on those yourself, then pay for lessons when you are comfortable with the basic knowledge. You won't be effective until you have mastered at least the basics, so by doing it at home, by yourself can remove much of the embarrassment that is often felt by beginners.
I have seen beginners made to play rounds of golf way too early in their development. The result is a bad experience that can, in some cases, turn them off golf forever. A much better strategy is - you guessed it - get the basics down first.
There are many opinions on the golf swing but we can agree that without doubt, the most effective, not to mention quickest way to improve is to study, then practise what you have studied.
You've heard it all before - there are no short cuts... Well, for golf it is especially true. Study and practise will get you there. Repetition of the skills and the swing will help develop your game, playing will help you develop the magical quality called 'touch.'
Having the right knowledge is the key.
Just as there is a technique to hitting a ball in tennis, or throwing a football, golf has a correct motion which must be learned. The swing can be broken down into phases to assist with learning where the body should be for each phase of the swing. The sooner you can do this, the sooner you can start to enjoy playing the game of golf.
Some of the basics you need to know in order to get started.
The game: etiquette - You need to know about the game and the things you shouldn't ever do on the golf course. It is a game with rules of conduct. This is listed first, because respecting the traditions of the game is vital.
The swing - The fundamentals of the movement and how to repeat it. Knowing the plane the club should swing on and getting familiar with where things should be at the various stages of the movement.
The grip - The point of contact between the hands and the golf club takes some getting used to - I am yet to meet a person who doesn't think it feels strange at first.
The address position - How to line up with the ball for both hands and feet.
The back swing - The check points to ensure a correct back swing and proper setup for the Down swing.
The down swing - Knowing how it is initiated and where the club needs to be at impact.
Club and ball positions - Where you should play the ball in your stance for different clubs.
The short game - Handling shots around the green, including basic putting technique.
Difficult lies - The adjustments you need to make for a non-level lies and other tricky situations that exist on the golf course.
Rules of play - The most common encountered rules on the course.
Mostly people start out in golf with no knowledge whatsoever. They watch the PGA tour and expect to be able to play just as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. It takes knowledge and practise. Lot's of it.
Having an understanding of all these things is the key to experiencing some early improvement. If you don't understand the basics, then golf lessons won't help you. If you do have some knowledge, then you can consciously understand the instructions you'll be given and will well on the way to getting the basics of golf together so you can start enjoying this wonderful game.
Golf has always been a popular sport among many different people. It's often associated with executive businessmen and while it is true that golf is a particularly popular choice with many businessmen, it is also popular in other walks of life. There are a number of good reasons to take up golf but the only real way to find out if it is a good choice for you is to give it a go. You should be able to borrow or rent some clubs in order to play a couple of rounds of golf because a set of clubs can prove fairly expensive if you only use them a couple of times before putting them in the attic.
The Golf is a healthy sport. As well as getting you out in the fresh air it also exercises the heart, the lungs and many muscles when you are walking round the course. It may not seem much, but playing a round of golf every week is a very good way of helping to prevent heart disease and other illnesses.
A Golf can be a good way to socialize. Visiting the clubhouse after a round of golf gives you the opportunity to meet new people and chat to friends about how your round went and your life in general. As another aspect of this, it also gives you the opportunity to network if you are a businessman.
The modern golf game is centered around perfect shots, scientific practice and ability. Gone are the days of wearing plus fours and cloth caps and in are the days of larger heads, metal woods and graphite shafts. While talent and ability are obviously the most important factors, there is certainly a lot of equipment around that claims to improve different aspects of your game.
Golf is a great game: sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but highly addictive. Getting started in it is actually not so difficult, and hopefully this article can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls.
The first steps. The biggest mistake by people wanting to start in golf is to rush out and buy a brand new set of shiny and expensive golf clubs. While they are nice to look at you should keep in mind that today’s golf equipment comes in great varieties to cater for different golfing types and abilities. Since you're just starting out you do not know which set fits you best. Just imagine the envious looks you get at the driving range when you come with your $2000 set, and the subsequent laughter when you try and just 'hack away' - not worth the embarrassment! Once you spend a few hundred or even thousand $$ on a set that doesn't suit your style you're stuck with it or you have to sell it to somebody else at a loss.
If you feel you want your own clubs get a half set. This generally comprises five irons and perhaps two woods and a putter. Usually the irons are the odd numbers 3,5,7,9 and wedge. These clubs are more than enough to get you started. A better alternatively: most Driving Ranges will have clubs for hire, so you can try out a few different ones. You can also borrow one or two clubs from a friend. The shortest iron (nine iron) or a wedge are the best clubs to start, practicing with it will give you the feeling of hitting the ball in the air and should be fairly straight forward.
Where to get golf clubs? Most Pro shops and driving ranges sell second hand clubs. They will also be able to offer you advice and let you try some clubs out. Nearly all driving ranges will have clubs for hire if you want to have a go without committing to a set until you get the hang of it. Or ask other people at the driving range, you will soon find out that many have another set of clubs at home because they made the exact same mistakes I mentioned above. Make sure you try before you buy, if they fit (and only if they fit!) you can often get them for a steal. Make use of these opportunities. DO NOT buy expensive brands at this stage.
"I want to play, I want to play!" As hard as it will be to contain yourself, don't even contemplate going anywhere near a golf course. Golf is technically quite demanding, and without at least some basic training you'll end up with a lot of frustration. You've seen the top players on TV loosing their cool in frustration, imagine how you will feel if not even a single shot goes where you want it to. Besides, the other people having to wait for you will also not be happy. As a beginner at the great game of golf, start off at a driving range, take at least four or five lessons, learn the fundamentals, progress to a 9 hole course and eventually venture out into the great unknown of an 18 hole golf course. Believe me, it will be a lot more fun for you and those around you if you follow this path.
Where to get lessons?
You will meet lot of people at the range who will teach you the 'innermost secrets' of golf. Fact is that most of them have started playing not long before you. So the answer to the above question is: go to a Professional. As you have seen on TV, even the world’s top players have a coach. Tiger Woods, probably the best golfer the world, still takes lessons. Certified Golf Professionals are the only people qualified to teach you how to play the game. Lessons from a Pro will cost you money but will be the best investment you'll ever make. Taking the advise from the 'know-it-all' people at the range will likely screw-up your game at the very early stage, and it will take a long time to correct the faults later. The 2 places to get golf lessons are at driving ranges and golf clubs. You don't have to be a member of a club to get a lesson from the Pro. You bring in money, so they will be glad to help. The usual cost is about $25-40 per 45 min, but you will get reductions for a block booking. If you are a bit on the budget see if they do group bookings, those are also cheaper than individual lessons.
What else to do?
Golf Books and the Videos can be invaluable in learning the basics. To build a sound golf swing you will need the three fundamentals: Grip, Stance and Posture. There are some very good books and videos on the market that will help you to establish the three fundamentals. And watch the Pro's on the TV, or better still video them and play back in slow motion, you'll learn a lot this way. Don't get blinded by too much science, you're still a beginner. Stick to Grip, Stance and Posture and you'll be on your way.
Summary 1. Don't waste your money on expensive clubs until you have reached a basic level of competency. 2. Don't go near a Golf Course, again until you have reached a basic level. 3. Get lessons from a qualified professional. 4. Learn the three fundamentals 5. Watch the Pro's. 6. Practice. 7. Learn the rules of golf and the basic golf etiquette .
Keep in mind that when someone slices the ball, their body is moving faster than their arms and club. A person who hooks the ball too much is doing the opposite. Their hands, arms and club are moving faster than their body. Since most people slice the ball, it is easy to see that it is almost impossible to swing your arms too fast.
The Swing Plane
The swing plane is the angle at which the club travels throughout the swing. There have been numerous theories about which swing plane is the proper or best swing plane. After viewing thousands of golf swings, both amateur and professional, our conclusion is that the swing plane has not been properly described to date.
Most golf instructors today draw a line up the golf shaft and consider that the plane.
We believe that the line drawn up the shaft is an indicator of where you want the club to be at impact, (within about three degrees to allow for the bowing of the shaft). If you are able to maintain a swing path that is parallel or directly on the original shaft angle at address then your chances of returning the your address position at impact increase.
For example, if you were to swing the golf club very steep to the plane, or original shaft angle at address, then you must make a rapid adjustment to reroute the golf club back to the plane or address angle. Not impossible to do but far more difficult. Here is a good example of keeping the golf club traveling on a proper plane. Notice that the address plane and the impact plane are not exactly alike. The golf club is in motion and your thrust toward the target will make the golf club attack the ball from an angle slightly higher than the address position. This is why the toe of your club head should be slightly off the ground at address to accommodate the higher plane at impact.
Impact:
The impact point is simply another location along the swing path. Of course, in mechanical terms, impact is the moment that matters. However, it is not the thing that should matter most in the mind of the golfer. It is more useful to imagine where you are going in the swing rather than where you are at a given moment. This is the reason we would like to limit your focus on impact.
I have found that most great golfers end up in an impact position that is slightly higher than that of the address position. A more accurate measurement is a line drawn from the golf club head through the elbows.
The most important thing to understand is that the golf club head must be as close as possible to 90 degrees from the path of the golf club in order to hit the ball straight.
Your left wrist should feel slightly bulged at impact. The left leg also straightens at impact.
Immediately after the impact position, the forearms rotate, allowing the golf club to remain square to the follow-through path and allowing the left arm to bend. One might need to feel as though this is happening before the impact area, in order to accomplish the club face passing the hand position through impact.
If these principles seem a bit abstract to you now, do not worry. They will become much clearer as we analyze your swing in more depth with the video camera. Just keep them in mind now and refer back to this section as you proceed through your instruction program.
Faulty Movement
Scooping Typical Cause: Body too far in front of the arms, falling back on your right foot. Remedy: Keep the left hand bulged at impact, limit the body movement in the swing, get your upper body to move forward on the follow through.
The Transition: The transition from loading to unloading should be smooth and rhythmic. The tempo may vary form person to person but it is important not to make the transition too “jerky.”
The downswing is always initiated from the ground up. Most people feel that they initiate the swing with the body. Cause the body has a small circumference around which to travel, verses the very large circumference the club has to travel, it will feel like the arms must begin the downswing rather than the body. This is only a feeling. The video will show this to be the case.
Some players have described the downswing as pulling down on a rope. Some may describe the downswing as a driving of the knees toward the target or swing path.
In any case, the one thing a golfer must avoid is an unwinding of the shoulder in the downswing. Since the body does have less territory to cover in the downswing, a premature unwinding of the shoulders will cause the body to be either ahead of the arms or open at impact. This may cause a pulling of the golf ball or a pull slice if the club face is open to the path.
Faulty Movement
Starting Down with the Shoulders Typical Cause: Beginning as if in a baseball swing, with a turning of the shoulders. Remedy: Pull down with the hands and arms first, and begin the downswing with the knees driving toward the golf ball.
An excellent time to make lasting changes in your swing movement. Why? Because it takes slow deliberate repetitions to teach your body to change motions or patterns which you probably would not be willing to do during the season because you want to play.
1) Must Have a Good Grip.
Most golf professionals have a golf club along side they’re sofa. After all, we do have to make any television viewing productive. When a silly commercial message comes on you hold the golf club in your hands right up in front of your face so you so you can see your grip. Grip the golf club slowly.
Notice where your fingers are and how it feels to you. You need to grip the golf club in your fingers. If you have one of those training grips that would be a good idea as a reference. One commercial use the training grip, and next commercial use the golf club. Compare the too and keep doing it until the golf club grip feels and looks very similar to the training grip.
Once you think you have the two grips feeling similar then stand up and make a stance. After you make a stance lift your grip up in front of your face again so you can see and feel the proper grip.
2) Drills for Your Address Position.
It would be best if you could do this in front of a full length mirror. You’ll also need a helper the first time to help put masking tape on the mirror.
Stand before the mirror as in the picture below. Then place the tape where I have the lines drawn. If your address position does not match the one in the picture below, please put your masking tape according to my picture and now follow those lines and angles in setting up to a golf ball.
Step back and set up to the ball again once the tape is on the mirror. Once you think you’re set up properly swivel your head up so you can see where you are.
Be careful not to lift your back out of position! Just slowly swivel your head. If the angles are perfect step back and do it again. You can’t do this too much. If you can’t set up to the golf ball perfectly every time, how can you expect to produce the same ball flight every time.
Next get to work on your down line view. Look at the picture below and follow the same procedures. The big key here is the 90 degree spine angle found in every successful golfer.
3) Top of the Back Swing Position.
Remaining in the down line view make a back swing, hold the top of the back swing position, turn very slowly and swivel your head looking at the mirror to see if you have lifted your spine out of position. You MUST maintain spine angle to be consistent! You may need to feel as though your chest is working downward on the back swing in order to stay level. Many golf professionals talk of the back swing as being down hill.
Go for the frontal view and see if you remain in the proper position at the top of the back swing. Also notice if your head moves slightly backward at the top of the back swing. Moving your head laterally if fine just avoid any upward or downward movement.
4) Starting the Down Swing.
Once you’re at the top of the back swing position, stop and look at the mirror, then very very very slowly start your arms straight down toward the ground while holding your body perfectly still. The more you do this the better.
The arms and golf club have more territory to cover on their way to the impact position so they must get a head start on the body. This drill will really help in your creating a feeling of the arms moving first on the downswing without the body helping or shifting laterally prematurely. An early turn of the body is the killer of many a good golf swing.
5) The Finish.
Go ahead a make a full golf swing now. Once you make a swing hold your finish. If you have trouble holding your finish position you have a problem somewhere in your swing motion.
Once holding the finish swivel your head over to the mirror and see if your back is nice and straight and that you’re balanced on your front foot. Any bending in your spine, (the reverse “C”) is not desirable.
Starting in the game of golf can be confusing with all of the equipment available, people offering you free tips, and the feeling that you have to take everything so seriously. There are 3 golf tips for beginners that I was given by my instructor when I started, and that has really been a big help to me.
1. Don't Break the Bank With Your First Set of Clubs
As a beginner, you are not going to get all of the benefits that come from a top of the line set of golf clubs. As a beginner, you are not going to have the consistent contact or club head speed needed. Instead, think about buying a cheaper set, or better yet, get yourself a used set. You may also be able to use a free set from one of your more experienced friends until you figure out which clubs would be best for you.
2. Be Aware of Who is Giving You Instruction
Your friends, relatives, and sometimes people who don't even know you will think they have the golf tips for beginners that will fix all of your problems. Granted, if you have friends who are pretty good golfers, it may help to listen to them when you are first starting. However, to really understand the game, as a beginner, get your instruction from a professional. Golf pros are experienced in fixing swing problems and explaining things to you in terms of how they affect ball flight. Lessons are available at most any golf course, and even just a couple will really help set a good foundation for your game.
3. Enjoy Yourself
It may sound simple, but one of the best golf tips for beginners is to just have fun with the game. Keep in mind that you are probably not going to be getting your PGA card. Being competitive is fine, and of course you are going to want to continue to improve, but golf is a leisure game. Take your time out there and have fun with your friends.
These 3 golf tips for beginners can make all of the difference in the world. If you just get the right clubs to start, take instruction from those who know the game, and have fun, then golf will be a great way for you to spend your leisure time.
There are lot of options available to learn to play golf. You can self teach, have a relative or friend teach you, go to your resident pro at the driving range, take lessons from the golf professional at your country club or pro shop, go to golf-tec at the Golfsmith locations or if your high school or college offers a golf program join the program. The method you choose can greatly affect how quickly you learn and how adept you become at the game. At the time I started playing I opted to teach myself. I read "The Golfers Bible " and "The Five Fundamentals of Golf" by Ben Hogan. The books were both very informative and contained valuable information to help one get started to play. In my opinion, and any one who knows about the history of golf would agree, Ben Hogan was one of the most natural and skilled golfers who ever played the game. I was confident that any book that he authored on golf could only be informative and benefit someone who wanted to learn to play. I can attest first hand that it helped me tremendously.
Depending on one's budget and how quickly someone wants to develop their skills, I would recommend lessons from a teaching professional. Unless you are born with a natural talent for the sport, which from my experience those so gifted are few and far between, lessons are the way to go. As I stated earlier I am self taught and have been playing for about 30 years. The learning curve is different for everyone, but I noted that most golfers who are good at other sports, especially baseball and hockey have a tendency to learn to play well. Having been self taught I had to experiment with different techniques over the years to improve my game. Until today I am still reading up on the latest and greatest on Instruction and Equipment and continuing to experiment to try to play better. With the increased popularity of golf, thanks in most part to the arrival of Tiger Woods on the scene, the teaching techniques and availability of teaching professionals has increased tremendously.
I would strongly recommend that lessons are the way to go. Golf is a sport which requires muscle memory for a repetitive swing. Once your swing techniques and mechanics are ingrained in the subconscious, it will be harder to correct if you do not learn properly at the onset. Having the proper basics is crucial for learning to play the right way.
Golf will be so much more enjoyable if you play well and learn the proper techniques for the swing. There are a number of steps to master the correct golf swing and a teaching professional will be able to show each of them to you. You will learn much quicker than reading about them and experimenting for years . Some of the steps are as follows: The Grip - How you set the club in your hands, The Set-Up - (How you address the ball) the positioning of your body and alignment in relation to the ball, The Waggle - This is a trigger or initial movement to allow the swing to start properly, Tempo - The speed and timing from the start of the backswing through the hitting area and the follow thru, Backswing - the move immediately following the waggle -the cocking of the wrist and the turning or coiling of the body together with the arms and shoulders away from the target to prepare for the Downswing, The Downswing - immediately follows the backswing and is the part of the swing where impact with the ball takes place including the pronation of the hands thru the hit, The Follow Thru - the completion of the golf swing which concludes the transfer of your weight from your right side to your left (for right handed golfers - opposite would be true for lefties) and body positioning to face the target.
If any of the aforementioned steps is not executed properly it can greatly affect the result of the shot. With the advent of Video Instruction, the instructor can play back the video and explain and show you exactly what you were doing right or wrong during the course of your swing. You've heard the expression that "One picture is worth a thousand words", well it would most definitely apply in this case. Though you can read a book on golf or watch golf teaching videos ( some are very good), it is still not the same as being taught first hand by a professional.
Lately, 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. T he 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. Younger golfers and women, all with lower handicaps, saw more immediate results on the golf course. However 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.
Finding 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 professionals. 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.
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 also 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. 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.
A 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.
Electric Golf Trolleys... Making Golf Games Better
Golf is a game of swings. The better and more accurate your swing is, the better golfer you are. However, mastering a perfect golf swing exposes you to a lot of health hazards. Some of the very common health hazards that a golfer often face are problems with lower back, elbows, shoulders, hands and wrists. Lot of assistive golf equipment has been introduced lately to ward off these hazards and make the game of golf a better one. Plenty of new concepts have also emerged to help golfers reduce the hazards of the game and assist in achieving the perfect swing.
Some of the commonly used pieces of assistive golf equipment are ball teeing devices that help a golfer to tee up their ball while in standing position, magnetic ball markers which when used with a putter help a golfer to mark their ball on the green without the need of bending down, mini caddies that allow a golfer to carry 2 balls, tees, pencil etc. in one that attaches to belt or bag, tee tools, remote controlled or manual electric golf trolleys etc.
All these piece of equipment somehow or other help to reduce a golfer’s stress and make the game of golf more comfortable and enjoyable. The most vulnerable parts of a golfer’s body which are always open to hazards are the shoulders, neck and lower back. And these are the parts that are used mostly in the golf swing. If these areas are tired, the game becomes tough for a golfer and eventually he/she cannot give his best. As a result the probability of losing the game is fairly high.
Before these pieces of equipment emerged, the only way to move around a golf course was to walk, and with the addition of carrying the heavy golf bag on the shoulders. For a person with knee, back or shoulder problems this idea was definitely not comfortable. The process of carrying the heavy bag, putting it down and again picking it up all through the game was tough even for a person with no health issues.
The most notable amongst the items of assistive golf equipment is probably electric golf trolleys as they effectively reduce this hazard to a large extent. The golfers who using electric golf trolleys do not need to carry a heavy golf bag on their shoulders as they move around the course between swings. This reduces the stress, especially in the lower back and shoulders, that adds to the stress of walking and thus helps to effectively reduce a golfer’s handicap. Walking between shots definitely does have cardiovascular health benefits, but pulling a thirty to forty pound golf bag along does not.
The electric golf trolleys can be manual or remote controlled. The items often come with batteries, rain covers, travel bag, chargers and toolkits. Some of the electric golf trolleys are foldable and are very easy to store. Some more advanced ones come with a score card holder. Stylish as they are, with all the features to reduce the hazards of the game and aiding golfers in their efforts to achieve the perfect swing, electric golf trolleys go a long way towards making the game of golf a better one.
There's a new way of thinking in the golfing community and it just might affect the career choice that you make. The new movement of anti golf pro is starting to emerge and for those that want to make a career out of the sport that they love, it just might cause you to listen to what everyone has been saying.
As a golf pro, your job is to help other golfers be the best golfer that they can be. You might work with them on their swing, their putting and even their sand traps. All of the work that you are doing is helping them to get closer to their dreams of being a better golfer. The sounds all fine and dandy, but with all of the new books and videos available, it almost seems like the personal touch is going out of style.
Golf instruction DVDs and seminars are mainly geared to one thing: making money. Along the way, they might also help the golfer to improve their swing and maybe shave a few strokes off their games. However, in the end, they're just another product on the market that may or may not work. The videos are neither able to give corrections if the golfer is doing something wrong, nor are they going to be available when the golfer is actually working through what they've learned. However a golf pro is a hands-on teacher that can move with the golfer through the issues that they have as they're actually experiencing the problems.
A golf pro can help the golfer adjust their swing as they're practicing so that they can build the muscle and memory to be able to take the skills that they have learned onto the golf course. A relationship between the golfer and the pro emerges and allows them to interact with each other in order to create better golf players and better golf scores.
What's happened recently is that many more 'golf pros' are touting themselves as such without the background in the game. These are business profiteers that are trying to get into the high price golf market with flashy slogans and big promises. However, they do not have the skills to back them up. But to the average everyday consumer, they don't realize this fact and succumb to inferior instruction that doesn't help them at all. And then they need to move onto the next 'golf pro' that they find.
The real golf pros have had to prove to their clients that they are more than just another person trying to make money. You'll find these true professionals employed through golf retailers as well as through country clubs and golf courses. These are pros that have had extensive training in golf and teaching golf skills in order to improve someone else's game.
What a golfer should do is investigate the credentials of the golf pro that they have chosen. Perhaps they can look into the classes that the pro states they have taken or perhaps look at their golfing scores to see if they practice what they preach. Any 'pro' that touts his or herself on the Internet or via another print media should be looked upon with caution as you can't verify their credentials or see them in action.
When you're looking to become a golf pro, you will want to make sure that you know what you're doing and that you can show your prospective clients that knowledge. All of the videos and training books in the world cannot teach golf as well as a true professional can.
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. The 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.
The exact origins of the game of golf remain a subject of continual debate. Though Scotland is generally considered as the birthplace of the game, as it is played today. The claim is due in large part to a number of specific historical references dating as far back as the mid 1400s.
The most commonly cited of these references is a written record that a games called either geoff, gowf or gawd , this is a hard game was played during the reign of James II of Scotland. In 1457 King James proclaimed by royal decree that the playing of “fluteball : and “gowf” were forbidden so that the men of Scotland could concentrate on their archery practice.
Thus the pursuit of golf remained outlawed until the signing of the Treaty of Glasgow in the year of '1501 m which brought peace between the warring parties. At this point even Scotland James IV took up the game of golf himself. A long relationship between golf and royalty ensued – although both commoners and gentry alike frowned upon Mary Queen of Scots when, in 1567 was found to be playing golf just days after the death of her husband Darney.
In an alternate theory of golf’s beginnings, a Dutch historian, Steven von Hengel, has argued that golf originated in Holland around 1297. A form of the game called spel metten kove and also called Colf. Colf, it is believed, was played primarily on ice. Nevertheless golf may have grown out of this game and another game that was popular in Holland, called Jeu De Mail. This letter carrying game was played in wooden shoes with soft spikes.
Without question golf’s major growth occurred in Great Britain, primarily in Scotland. Golf became an accepted part of the culture as early as 1604, when William Mayne was appointed Royal Clubmaker, although the game was still reserved for the elite who had the wealth and leisure to enjoy it. Early golf was played with a feathery golf ball - a stitched leather ball stuffed with boiled goose feathers. A feather ball cost three times as much as a club and because feathery balls were so delicate, players had to carry three to six balls In addition the balls flew poorly in wet weather, a fact that further dissuaded the working class who, unlike the gentry did not possess the flexibility of flexible time and leisure for scheduled games of golf.
The ball, as it has throughout history, dictated other matters pertaining to the development of the game. Because the feathery ball performed so inadequately when damp, early golf was played predominantly on the relatively arid eastern side of Scotland. Furthermore the eastern seaside location was popular because the underlying sandy soil drained more rapidly than the and the grass was naturally shorter. It must be noted that the invention of the lawn mower is a relatively current occurrence. Along the way this short grassed seaside golfing location came to be too referred to as links.
If the debate over whether the Scots or Dutch created the game of golf, the Scots certainly had a hand in creating the golf club. Leith is considered the birthplace of organized golf, and the golf club called the Honorable Company of Gentleman Golfers was founded by William St. Clair in Leith in 1744 and later became the Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Ten years later, the Royal and Ancient Golf Company was founded under it original name, the Society of St. Andrews Golfers. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club runs the British Open and British Amateur duties that it assumed in 1919 , and since 1951 has administered the rules of golf in cooperation with the United States Golf Association . The R & A also established 18 holes as the standard golf course. In 1764, the Old Course at St. Andrews consisted of 22 holes with golfers playing 11 holes out and 11 back. Eventually the last 4 holes on each side, all short converted into 2 holes leaving 18 to be played.
Become a More Athletic Golfer to Improve Your Golf Game
Golf and Fitness are two terms that can finally go hand in hand, thanks to one Tiger Woods and his famous mystery workout routine, and the other professional and amateur players who have followed his lead. Once an activity perhaps identified more with pot bellies, motorized carts and cups of beer on the course than physical strength and a good physique, there is now no question that golf has entered the world of a full fledged sport that requires physical training to perform at its best. Golfers on the professional tours look like athletes now, with more and more toned athletic bodies being seen on TV crushing the ball down the longest, most difficult courses in the world. Spending some time in the gym has been shown that it can make as big a difference in a golfer's score as time on the range or putting green. The game itself has changed, and the way players approach it has changed, as well.
What my friends on the golf team did in the high school weight room in the early 80's was primitive to the workout science and programs that are available to golfers now, but they were definitely on to something. One way to look at it was that before it became popular, they were athletes who happened to play golf, and it showed in the length they had off the tee. This athletic approach can be applied to any golfer's game in the present day and immediately improve their ability to play better. With some examination, it is easy to see why.
The golf swing itself is actually an incredibly complex movement that combines virtually every muscle in the body into one coordinated action. The requirements of balance, coordination, flexibility, stability, strength and power all come into play in just one swing. Over the course of a practice session or round, endurance becomes a factor as well. Having some physical fitness in all of these areas can make for a much more effective swing. It is a bit ironic that golf itself does not require you to be in shape to play (unlike running a 10 k race, for example, which needs a level of fitness to even be attempted), nor will it really get you in shape by playing regularly (unless you walk rather than ride a cart). Yet working out overall dramatically increases the ability to perform the golf swing itself. So many players look to the next big expensive driver to add yardage off the tee. Well, what it they could hit it harder by being in better shape, and straighter, too?
To get into the specifics of golf fitness, flexibility is paramount in the modern golf swing. The ability to turn the body through the trunk away from the ball, storing potential energy on the backswing, while maintaining an anchored, solid stance through the legs and hips, is what has been shown to generate the most power. Tiger Woods has a tremendous shoulder turn on his backswing which sets him up to uncoil with great speed through the ball on the downswing.
A person taking golf lessons and attempting to emulate Tiger's shoulder turn typically doesn't even have a body physically capable of doing that motion effectively! They may be taking lessons, yet are prevented from practicing the motion that they are learning by a lack of flexibility and fitness in the muscles of the trunk and back. Only by improving their fitness in these areas through proper training can they then expect to perform the proper motion.
In addition to flexibility, core strength and stability throughout the body are essential as well. These fitness terms refer to the body's strength in the trunk and the ability of the muscles of the entire body to operate in a coordinated, athletic way, which provide a stable "platform" in the body for hitting the golf ball. The more coordinated and stable the body is, the less motion is wasted during the swing and the more effort goes straight into hitting the ball where it is meant to go.
After flexibility is attained and a good amount of core strength and stability as well, more basic strength can then be added into a fitness routine. This could be along the lines of the classic term "lifting weights" that my high school buddies wanted me to do. A flexible and stable body that gets stronger, as long as the flexibility is not lost, can add significantly more effort to the golf swing, especially in situations where the ball may be in the rough or have a lie that requires more effort than the typical swing. I f you watched Tiger Woods during the US Open in June, 2007, his physique from his fitness routine looked more muscular than ever, yet was very flexible. There were comments from the TV announcers many times on the level of his fitness and how it played out in making his game more effective. He is quite capable of hitting shots no one else on earth can because of his fitness level. As a result, he has more shots available to him to help him score.
So we know now how fitness has changed the game of golf and what is available to the player who chooses to add more fitness to their routine and golf game. Anyone can benefit from some exercise that is golf specific, and can participate at the level that they want. A person doesn't have to workout like Tiger Woods to get better. Sometimes even just working out regularly itself can make all the difference.
