Golf Tips to Remember

Golf TipsIf you are like me - and I suspect you are because you are here reading this blog in order to find a golf lesson - your golf game leaves a lot to be desired. The most difficult thing for me has been finding a consistent swing that is mechanically correct. I would hit a nice 250 yard drive on one hole and then go for about 100 yards on the next. Following is a basic golf lesson I found that help improve my golf swing.

1) Exercise. Like all games, golf involves the use of muscles. Exercise helps train your muscles to respond consistently time after time. If you have ever trained using free weights you understand what I mean. The first time you try a bench press your arms are wobbly and it is somewhat difficult to hold the bar motionless. Over time your supporting muscles become used to the motion and you can easily control the bar. The same holds true for your golf swing. If you exercise and target the appropriate muscles you will be able to get consistent results every time you swing.

2) Warm up. This is something that beginners often take for granted. Your body performs better if it is warm. There is nothing more frustrating than using the first half of your round of golf to warm up before you get consistent results from your body. Arrive a few minutes early to allow time to stretch and get loose. Take a few practice drives to get your body ready for what is to come.

3) Don't swing too hard. This is one I am guilty of...especially off the tee. The temptation is great to swing as hard as you can and crush the ball. However, if you haven't yet learned to control your swing you will most likely end up will less than desirable results. Give yourself time to learn to control your swing. Take easy, relaxed swings to get the motion down. I watched a tip on the golf channel the other day that said Payne Stewart used to warm up with his driver by taking slow, fluid swings with the goal of driving - yes driving - the ball no more than 150 yards. He felt this allowed him to get a better feel for and control over his swing.

Through all of this you need to realize that no two bodies are created the same. Your buddy's golf tips may not work for you because of differences in range of motion and flexibility. What will help you most is to understand the factors that affect the golf ball. One of the best resources I have found for this is called How to Break 80. You can get this book by clicking here.

Jared Jones

Golf Tips

Super Golf Swing Improvement Made Easy

Most golfers don't know that eighty percent of the world's golfers have a handicap of 18 or more. Finding ways to improve your golf game, then applying what you've learned and practicing, is the number one way to get ahead of the game. Even the guys who play golf for a living and get the best golf instruction in the world still struggle to improve their golf; and they practice each and every day!

Visualize where you would like the ball to land, as you swing. Always be aware the mental aspect

of the game contributes one way or another to the difficulty of the golf swing. If you've hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time; the subconscious mind knows the correct number and sequence of muscle contractions and nerve impulses needed, called muscle memory.

As the body matures, the ability to rotate the upper torso is affected by age, and the hand action can also slow down requiring a slightly stronger grip. It's difficult for a golfer to practice hitting shots longer than short pitch shots unless one pays to play golf or pays to practice at a driving range or indoor golf training facility. After the ball is hit, the follow-through stage consists of a continued rotation to the left.

One of the problems that most inexperienced golfers share is they think too much about their swing. Putting can become a nightmare and a condition called the 'yips' has affected not only amateurs but professionals as well; get expert advice and consider a golf swing aid. Try not to grip the club too tightly.

Accomplished golfers purposely use sidespin to steer their ball around obstacles or towards the safe side of fairways and greens. Make sure to use the proper technique. Many golfers who are strongly left-handed in their daily life prefer the right-handed golf swing.

Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. The most important thing about the golf swing is the angle and not the strength that's applied to it.Using some simple tips, techniques and stretches, you can increase your drives by up to 20 yards-- practically overnight. Conditioning your golf muscles will reward you with straighter swings. Hold a medicine ball and turn back and forth; it must be rotational to improve your driving distance.

Sporting goods stores have golf aids to improve your game. If you're a golfing novice just starting out, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing.Be careful about the claims on TV commercials and magazine ads; seek expert advice before you buy because they may not live up to their claims. Aids can be found online and are often cheaper. Look for aids at your local golf course.Overall, investing in golf swing aids will greatly improve your golf swing and your golf game. Keep in mind that with some aids, you may still need advice or help from an expert. Ask an expert, who is not associated with the shop you would buy your golf swing aid from, for advice on the right aid for you. There are a number of good golf swing aids on the market today. There are aids that will help you with swing alignment.Try to concentrate on one golf swing weakness at a time. There are hundreds of useful golf tips to seek out in golf magazines, consumer magazines, sports magazines, in books, ebooks, DVDs, online and offline. Take as many private lessons as you can afford with a good golf pro.

Senior Exercise For Golf Prolongs Golfing Life

Senior Exercise For Golf Prolongs Golfing Life

Senior exercise for golf is becoming evident, but not enough to make a dent in the aging golfers’ approach to golf improvement. So many golfers who reach their 60’s and up are looking for anything that will help them improve and yet the last thing they look at is their body. With age comes a declining level of strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, coordination and more. With that being said, why wouldn’t a senior golfer take care of those issues with a golf training and conditioning program? It is quite obvious the body at that age dictates the outcome. With a slight improvement in both strength and flexibility the senior golfer can see dramatic improvements on the course. The return on investment is well worth it! If you’re a senior golfing wanting to enjoy many years of good golf, you need to take a serious look at a senior exercise for golf program. One that suits your needs and current physical fitness level. Once you do… you’ll need to create some consistency to see results. There’s no such thing as a “quick-fix” in regards to health, fitness and even golf. At the same time, it doesn’t need to be a commitment of several hours every day seven days a week. You would be setting yourself up for failure from the ‘get-go’. Being realistic with your goals and commitment level will give you the best results in the shortest amount of time. The number one cause of failure is adherence. Stick to it long-term and the sky is the limit. A senior exercise for golf program can consist of 4-6 strength exercises, and 3-4 flexibility ones. That’s how simple and easy it can be. If you get the “fitness bug”, you’ll naturally do a little more. But starting off with this type of program format will be doable and enjoyable. As soon as you start seeing results in your driving distance and accuracy, you’ll become a believer in fitness for golf. It really is the missing link to a great game. The main focus of your senior exercise for golf program will be your core rotational strength and flexibility; along with hamstrings and maybe shoulders. Those are the key areas that will give you a noticeable improvement in power output and consistency of swing. The best part is you can do this type of program right in your own home. I’ve developed all my golf performance programs and websites to utilize minimal (and affordable) equipment in the home or even office. I’ve received over 10,000 emails in the last 6 years, since launching the first online golf performance website…on how great it is to not need a gym membership. So take a look around or do a search for golf fitness or golf training to see what senior exercise for golf program suits you the best.

A Look at Golf Technology

The talk of the city is about the extra-ordinary improvement in science and technology. We prefer carrying handy cams to record the unforgettable moments in any place. We love to use web cams to have video conference and chats. But most of us never think about the role of technology in sports particularly in golf. Especially the video recorders have changed the world of golf.
The technology in golf has undergone extra-ordinary metamorphosis right from ancient times. Primitive tools and techniques were replaced by advanced equipments and technology. The game golf is being played by the people right from eleventh century. So this game has nurtured lot of successful golfers just because of its great advancement in its technology. This wonderful golf game is the fore father of all the other games in the advancement of technology. the term golf technology not only indicates the advancements in the equipments but also the maturity in the mind of golfers, their nutrition, their way of treating injuries, techniques in tilling grounds and maintenance of greens on the course.
Newer varieties of machines with advanced technology are used in case of golf. The advancement in video capturing technology has drastically influenced the advancements in technology of golf. Earlier, human eye was the only measure in assessing the flaws made by the golfer but recently, the sudden boom in electronic video capturing and recording technology helps the people in assessing the mistakes made by the player much accurately, much precisely and much quickly than manual. this video technology not only helps in assessing the faults of the player but also it helps in finding out the exact speed of the golf ball, the force exerted by the golfer on the golf ball, the velocity with which the golf ball travels in space, the swing of the golf ball. It even predicts whether the hit of the golfer over the golf ball could reach the target or not. In such a way the camcorders assists golf lovers. Recently an advanced tool named launch monitors is invented. The purpose of using this launch monitor technology in golf is that it greatly helps in finding out the golf head speed, and angle of motion of the golf ball in flight, its orientation in space and trajectory of the projected golf ball. This remarkable achievement is not a one day match. It took a long course of time to reach this state. The club heads are designed specially by the design engineers.
The greens in the grass are cared by the grass keepers .primitive tools were earlier used in tilling the golf courts but the techniques used at present would have been a un imaginable thing to the prior workers who strained a lot manually in tilling the entire area of golf court. The same is the case with the care takers of greens in the golf court. The wedges used by the player in hitting short and precise shots were earlier made of low quality iron which is now replaced by strong alloy of iron. The modern clubs are made of special variety of wood namely ‘hybrid’, but during earlier times the name hybrid would not have been familiar. Continuous efforts of the scientists in making the golf ball let to the invention of a new technology which is named as ‘RFID’ technology.
The advantage of this technology in making golf balls is that the golf players are able to locate the errant shots accurately. Each and every field in this world undergoes some advancement in technology. But as far as the field ‘sports’ is concerned, golf has achieved the ‘fore front’ status in technological advancements.

Golf Driving Tip That Will Add Yards Quickly

A golf driving tip that can make the difference between being the shortest hitter in your foursome to the longest…consistently would interest you right? Well…the tip I’m going to discuss is not what you’d think, but you need to take notice and apply it…if you want to own your foursome off the tee! When you think of a golf driving tip I’ll bet you think of swing mechanics. Am I correct? If so, has it worked? I mean…have you added 10,20 or even 30 yards to your swing taking this approach? If most of you are being honest you’ll say no. For those of you who have accomplished the above with that approach…congratulations. You are a small percent of the golfing community that is successful. So if a golf driving tip pertaining to swing mechanics isn’t it…what else is left? Well…you’re looking at it if you look in a mirror. It is your physical make-up. What your body is capable of doing at this moment. All the swing thoughts and golfing tips in the world won’t help if your body can’t physical perform them. And no matter how hard you try…you won’t be successful. You see…your body needs to move with a certain level of flexibility (fluidity), strength (power) and sequence (body awareness). Most of these qualities dissipate with age. Do you feel as flexible, strong or with great body awareness as you did years ago? If your answer is no, then you need to take the ‘physical approach’ to hitting your drives longer (and straighter). The more you work on your current physical abilities the easier you will be able to make a sound and repeatable golf swing. You’ll look back and wish you would have taken this approach years ago…but it’s NEVER too late! You can improve your physical capabilities well into your 80’s if you are willing to put a little bit of effort into it. The areas you need to focus on are rotational strength and flexibility; posture and spinal strength; and hamstring/low back muscular endurance (flexibility). Focus on these and you will see dramatic improvements in your driving distance and accuracy. This is my golf driving tip that will change your game forever!

The Three Most Important Factors When Perfecting Your Golf Swing

There are prior factors and there are post factors in a golf swing. Let me call upon a scientific formula to help explain this order of importance that I am discussing. The formula reads as follows:Ultimate results depend on post factor efficiency.These seven words succinctly describe the artistry of a golf swing; there are things to do, but there is a certain time to do them.First the golfer must handle his weight; but shifting the weight from one foot to the other does nothing of itself, it only places the player in a position where he can use and utilize his body correctly.Secondly, only when the golfer has the basic or prior footwork so that he is in a position to use his body to swing the club, are the hands free to exert over the club the proper sense of position and control, and the ability to apply the club correctly to the ball. In other words, a golf shot only flies as the club makes it fly, and how the ball flies is a direct result of the club position. The club position is a direct result of what the hands are doing, and what the hands are doing is the post factor that determines ultimate efficiency.No wonder so much time and effort is concentrated on the correct grip in golf.I have often said that a runner runs with his feet, but a golfer golfs with his hands. Of course, for the runner to get his feet in action, there is a lot of arm and shoulder work, and for a golfer to get his hands working, there is a lot of footwork and body action.To repeat, there are three basic factors in golf:Footwork, for balanceBody action, for powerHand action, for club controlBut to these three factors there is an order of importance, a delicate sense of timing that so many golfers miss. They fail to get the knack of properly coordinating these three factors into a working arrangement.As there is a certain order of importance, so likewise there is a certain order of performance in these three basic operations of a golf swing. In other words, in the properly executed golf shot the player moves smoothly from one operation to the other, but all operations function collectively towards the final goal of applying the club to the ball. So there is in the golf shot an order of importance and an order of performance which precludes any such thing as a one-piece swing. Be prepared to reach your ultimate goal of a smooth, flowing performance through a natural step-by-step procedure rather than through any short cut.The other comment I wish to make is that if there is error in the performance of any operation in the swing, then such an error would multiply and increase as it would be carried on into the next operation. So there must be sure performance in the execution of each of the three factors.

The Essentials Of Golf

At the core of golf there is competition. Yet the most essential part of golf is patience. Patient competition seems like a contradiction. Yet golf is not contradictory at all. On the other hand it has been said one person can find golf relaxing, while another individual might think it the most stressful sport in the universe. Professional golfers tend to be graceful. It is as if they are very aware of how the muscles in their body propel them forward. Languid strides and flexibility are words that come to mind when imagining the professional golfer at work. Some people link golf to sports like bowling or billards. Not particularly something you want to watch unless you understand the game fully and know the participants well enough to be cheering one or more toward the grand first prize. Serious golf fans are loyal and just as radical (in a subdued manner) as any professional football fan can be. As a spectator sport golf ranks high on the television ratings. It is highly unlikely anyone has seen the World Cup void of fans on any given year. The collective silences and cheers of golf fans exude a respect for the game. That respect is the attention grabber. As with any sport, the interest of the young people is a natural part of survival. Without future golf players there is no future to golf. Since golf has been around for arguably five centuries it is not a concern that the sport will ever die away completely or vanish like a lost civilization. Fresh new blood keeps the arterial channels flowing more freely though. The diversity of golf is found most obviously in the participants of golf. Any level of physically fit persons can choose golf as a sport. It is known to be beneficial exercise. When golf becomes a set part of your scheduled regimen it is very likely extra pounds will come off. Any societal level of persons can play golf. It is nit the game of the rich and famous, on the contrary there are many affordable public golf courses emerging. Whether you are male, female, young or mature golf is a game of competitive spirit. We mustn’t forget it is a patient competitive spirit. Not only are you competing against other golfers you are also being constantly challenged by difficult golfing courses. A public or private golf course has its fair share of challenging factors on the fairways, in the sand traps and across the rolling hills. The most appealing challenge for most golfers is the challenge of improving your game. You might have seen the cartoons where the golfer has a club wrapped around a tree limb in frustration or yet another where it appears Zen golf might be a new fad. Either account can be considered a fair account when you are talking about a sport with diversity, versatility and class. If you have never golfed in your life, think about it the next time you have some free time. You might be surprised how much fun golf can essentially be.

Power Ball Long Drive Swing Golf

If you want to increase your power and accuracy, there are tools out there that can help you. Practice makes perfect, and adding a little extra weight to your practice can produce some results. This is where the Power Ball Long Drive swing trainer comes in.
The Power Ball Long Drive swing trainer by Power Ball Sports is a tool that helps you strengthen your swing, increase your accuracy, and hit farther.
The Power Ball looks like oversized 5-ounce golf ball. It's made of rubber, and although it looks like a golf ball, it isn't. They just picked that design because it looks good! It has a little 1 1/4 inch opening that allows it to slide onto your club. You slide it over the grip and down the shaft of your club, and it provides extra weight. It sits right on top of the metal hozzle.
The Power Ball has two purposes: One, it adds weight to your club and strengthens the muslces you use to make your golf swing. This will help you hit the ball harder and more easily. Second, it serves as a swing trainer. You can practice getting the ball where you want it with all the extra weight on your club.
If you practice with a heavier club, you'll end up being able to hit that ball farther, and be more accurate. Take the Power Ball out with you and practice with it, and you'll see. At first, it's heavy and ruins your swing. But, once you get used to it, you'll be able to swing recular club like a pro. The Power Ball is a weight training tool.
The Power Ball Long Drive swing trainer is PGA approved. It's used by newbies as well as pros to sharpen their swing. Weight training is a big part of what makes the pros the pros. If you practice with a little extra added weight, you'll see that ball go just where you want it, and you'll be surprised at how far you can hit it.

Can You Improve Golf Swing Speed With Training Aids

Golf swing speed is one of the key factors in hitting your drives as far as possible. Golfers of all ages and abilities are always trying to get more out of their drives…aren’t you? But what’s the most effective way to achieve higher swing speed?There are many new training aids on the market promising more distance and higher clubhead speed, but out of most of them, there are only a few that succeed. I say this, because the one limiting factor is your current physical status. If you don’t improve your golf specific strength and flexibility, you’re “dead in the water” no matter what! Training aids can only do what your body will let them!So that leaves you with a combination of the right training aid for golf swing speed improvement and a program focusing on core strength and flexibility to get you to move that club faster and in control through impact. Does that make sense to you?Just picture it! You are not in very good shape and you step up to the tee with the intention to kill it! What usually happens? Do you get that distance on the shot you hoped for? Did you keep it in the short grass or did you blow it in the woods?Golf swing speed means nothing if your swing is out of control, and some of these new training aids don’t mention this. All they focus on in their advertisements is faster and faster swings. Excuse me if I’m not correct, but ball-to-clubface contact is one of the key factors in maximizing distance. If you have a heel or toe shoe, doesn’t matter if you’re swinging at 140 mph, the ball isn’t going anywhere, or at least anywhere you want it to go!So next time you see a television commercial or read an ad in one of the golf magazines for a training aid that promises higher golf swing speed, does it talk about swing efficiency and control at the same time? If it doesn’t…move on to the next training aid.

Three important steps to lower Scores

The Three Steps

1. Play the shot you’re given, not the one you want

First, understand that you’re not Tiger, Ernie, Vijay or Retief. An honest appraisal of your situation and ability will help you decide the right shot and the club needed to play it. Forget what everyone else is doing; this is YOU. If your buddy is hitting an 8-iron from 160 yards and you need a 6, then hit the 6-iron. Ask yourself if you’d rather lower your score or stroke your ego.If you answered the former, then put yourself in the best position. You don’t need to hit an 8-iron just because everyone else is doing it.You will begin to get the prized lower scores when you start playing the BEST shot and not the one you’re aching to play. Sometimes they are the same shot; most often they are not.Play the percentages: Think about your real chance at nailing the risky low-percentage shot. Consider how many times you got into trouble by playing this shot. Imagine the strokes you can remove from your round by letting your head rule your heart and your ego.How many times have you said to yourself, “I’m going to ‘go for it’”? And how often has this added two more strokes to your hole. On a long shot, it may be best to lay-up and take the bogey, and save yourself a stroke.Try to play within yourself. Know your abilities as they stand RIGHT NOW and forget how good you’re going to be a year from now. Improved play will come if you don’t force it. The less you force, the faster it will happen.

2. Keep it simple: Process vs. Outcome

Simplify your round of golf by always focusing on process versus outcome. Never mind what you can’t control: think about what you can control. Consider your breathing, rhythm, your set-up and swing. Watch your pace between shots and visualize every shot before you attempt it. These are the processes that determine your success.You can control these things. What you CAN’T control are variables such as the weather, course condition, course layout and playing partners’ attitudes.Reflect back on all the times you focused on outcomes, like when you thought you just had to break 90. You probably didn’t. Your head was too full of what you were going to accomplish and not how you were going to accomplish it.Remind yourself that all the information you need to make the right choice about which club to choose and which shot to hit is laid out for you, if you just pay attention. Study the course design and its obstructions and you will know exactly where to go and where NOT to go. Focus on WHERE to go. And understand that the most perfect shot is the one that’s best suited to your current ability. Also remember the “fairways and greens” concept and play within those parameters – meaning ALWAYS stay on the fairways and greens. This applies to those with a 30, 15 or 5 handicap. Deep inside, you know that you can’t ‘outsmart’ the course. No one ever has, except Tiger or Jack, and then only on rare occasion.

3. Practice Your Short Game

Think about all the pros that lost a tournament when they got to the green in one or two shots but simply couldn’t get the ball in the hole from there. Everyone likes to go to the range and hit a buck of balls, and admire them fly. But many players badly neglect the short game.The next time you golf take a look at your partners and how many strokes they lose because of poor chipping, pitching and putting. Then think about how much better you could score if you did even a slightly better job – even if you can’t drive the ball as far.It’s important to spend as much or more time chipping, pitching and putting as you do driving the ball. As you know, the idea is to get the ball closer to the hole with each shot. You will do this far more efficiently by improving your short game. You will also build confidence in making tough shots, plus those easy ones that are far too often missed.The greatest players spend hours on their short game because they understand that hole after hole is lost as the shots add up on or leading up to the green.The short game is a huge weakness in many semi-pro golfers and it’s the very reason they haven’t graduated to a higher circuit. While they are busy admiring their long game, they are building strokes on the short game.

3 Simple Golf Practice Steps To An Effective Golf Game

Without constant practice, you cannot expect your golf game to get better over time. Even with the help of lessons, instructional videos and other aids that you purchase, you cannot get better without consistent and efficient practice. You need to practice consistently because with every practice session, your body goes through a series of exercises that help develop muscle memory. Also, you need to practice efficiently because it is important that you learn to pace your energy through the different kinds of exercises.Although this advice sounds simple enough, many tend to overlook it. It's tempting to go straight and tee-off as soon as you get to the golf course. Many golfers, even the pros are guilty of that too. This is simply because there are many golfers out there think that their score will improve as long as they spend enough time practicing at the practice range or even worst, on the course.This could not be further from the truth. In order to play a better game of golf, it is vital that you hold regular and disciplined practice sessions, the way that you would treat your golf game.Instead of thinking how boring practice sessions can get, do remember that it is with constant practice that you are able to develop better playing habits when you next play a round of golf. Also, it would help you to think of practice sessions as a fun part of learning and not look at is as a heavy burden or a chore .If you think practice sessions are fun, you would naturally play better and have more enjoyment in the game.

You practice sessions are generally divided into three parts. They are the:

- warming up stage

- fresh stage

- fatigued stage

In each of these stages, you will be doing different sets of activities, and when they are carried out in the right stages, they will effectively get you the results that you want and this can be seen when you are out playing golf with your friends.

The Warming Up Stage

Many people have the misconception that golf is an easy game that doesn't require any physical activities, as it only involves walking and swinging. Again, this is wrong. Even when you are swinging your golf clubs, you use your muscle groups to move and work in ways that you normally don't in your everyday routine.This means that when you play golf you can expect to have your arms, torso, and lower back muscles to work hard. This shows that it is very important for you to first go through some stretching activities for warming up. You should start from the top of your head and work down towards your feet.Remember that what you want is to get your muscles to move in full range and to achieve flexibility. Should you be unfamiliar with stretching activities, do consult your trainer or instructor at your club for some advice.

The Fresh Stage

Rightafter warming up, you could start practicing exercises that help build on a certain golfing skill which you would like to master. On the other hand you could work on parts of your game that you think needs the most work. These could include driving, chipping or putting.The aim is of course to work on your techniques and skills while you're still fresh and flexible from a good stretching exercise during the warming up stage as your body will be able to respond in a more positive manner to whatever exercise that you are practicing.Some people have the wrong idea about practice sessions. They think that golf practice means spending time on a golfing range. Why would you want to work on your driving, unless that is the area that you would most want to improve? If you think your putting needs serious practice, then by all means, work on your putting as soon as you've warmed up. (By the way, it has been noted that almost 60% of a golfer's strokes take place on the golf green. However, this is not considered by many golfers, which result in poor ineffective golfing habits).

The Fatigued Stage

Once you get a bit tired or breathless from all the earlier exercises, you can move on to other parts of your game that needs minor practice. As your body is already familiar with this facet of the game, you only need to reinforce and maintain this technique.Should you require any correction to your technique, your already stressed body will not be too pressured in trying to master a particularly difficult skill. As stated in the example above, only after you have done enough practice on your putting should you move on to the driving range reinforce and maintain your drives.Last but not least, take note of these suggestions and observations when you are practicing next.In order to get continuous and consistent improvement, do remember that a good practice to play ratio is about 2:1. This means that you have to spend twice as much time at practice as to the amount of time spent playing.On the other hand, remember to get sufficient rest in between your exercises and also in between the various stages. Even though it is considered as a work out, you should not exert yourself to the point of panting and gasping. That would not bring any good but will bring even more harm to you.Your golf game should improve as your practice sessions get more disciplined and more organised. Remember to be consistent and to note the results of all your exercises so that you can improve your golf game one stroke at a time.

By: Juzaily Ramli

How Golf Ball Spin Can Help You Beat Your Competition

Have you ever wondered what in the world can make a golf ball fly so far to the left or to the right? How do you hit those unintentional duck hooks or wicked slices? Why can you never turn or move the ball when you really want to or have to, say to hook it around a tree. Some of these problems have to do with the players swing, and some has to do with the golf ball the player is using.The golf ball of today has so much technology packed into such a little piece of equipment it's incredible and picking the right one is almost as important as having the proper irons fitted to your game. Some fitting experts believe that almost 50 % o players are playing with the wrong type of ball. One of the main characteristics in the golf ball is the amount of spin the ball is designed to attain. There are some simple guidelines to follow so you get the proper spin golf ball. Here are the three main types of spin golf balls.

Low Spin Golf Balls

The lower spinning golf balls will help to eliminate the side spin on your shots, which in turn eliminates the chances of that big slice or hook. The ball will end up flying straighter through the air at the target. The one thing to mention about these types of balls is that they may not travel as far through in the air but they make up for it when they hit the ground. Due to the minimal amount of spin produced the balls will roll further when they hit the ground and not spin back. It's because of these two characteristics that these types of balls are geared toward higher handicappers. They help them hit their shots straighter and they also run out on the fairways.

Mid Spin Golf Balls

The mid spin golf balls are basically here to fill the gap between the low and high spinning balls. They are designed to incorporate both feel and distance together. Thus they attract a huge rage of golfers and with mid handicap games. These golf balls produce a nice feel and control to them as well as allowing some good distance when needed. This will vary depending on the manufacturer as they are offered by most.

High Spin Golf Balls

The high spinning balls are designed mainly to do what the name says; produce a lot of ball spin while they are in the air. A high spinning golf ball will produce a longer carry due to the backspin that happens at impact. They will not get any run on the fairways but they have a huge advantage around the greens. It is this added spin around the greens that allows the player a little more control should they know how to use it. It will help the ball stop quicker on the greens sometimes even with backspin. These balls are mainly used by the lower handicapped players who can take advantage of the characteristics.Now that you know the different spinning golf ball types, it is important to use them to your advantage. Having the ball that is best suited to your skill level and game should give you a leg up on your playing partners or competition. Try out different balls and take notice of the amount they spin. This simple observation can make a huge difference in your game.

Golf Training - The Key To Great Golf

If you’ve watched any golf on the television you’ve no doubt heard the commentator’s mention golf training. It’s no secret that 95 percent of professional golfers are doing some for of golf training.

If there livelihood depends on their performance and they are participating in golf fitness training, why wouldn’t amateur golfers do the same?

The golf swing is one of the most physically demanding movements on the human body of all sports.

Swinging a three and a half foot long implement at upwards of 100 mph, while maintaining balance, stabilization and proper swing mechanics is very difficult.

I don’t think I have to convince you of that do I?

The “only” way to be able to accomplish this is by improving the strength AND flexibility of your golf muscles.

What’s the simplest way to do this? I can tell you not on a machine in your local gym.

Just take a look at the golf swing to realize it’s “on your feet” and bent at the waist. How could sitting in a machine help that?

It can’t! You’ve got to do as many exercises as possible on your feet, involving balance, coordination, strength and flexibility.

You don’t even have to be a golf fitness specialist to come up with some creative golf exercises on your own.

How about making your golf swing while holding a single handweight? You can’t get anymore golf-specific than that.

What about some exercise tubing (that’s inexpensive) attached to your door and make your golf swing? Another very golf-specific exercise.

You don’t need a gym membership to do any of these and many more golf exercises. Convenience of doing these exercises in your home saves time and money.

There is a lot of information (including books) showing golfers on machines in gyms. That’s not “golf-specific”, that’s “general fitness”.

If you want to improve your game quickly and easily, try doing these “in-home” golf training exercises. You won’t believe how quickly your body will respond and how you’ll be the LONGEST hitter in your foursome in no-time.

10 Quick Tips To Improve Your Golf Game

Golf is a sport that attracts such a wide audience. Unlike other sports, golf is a game that one can participate in regardless of age or limits due to physical condition. As a fellow golf professional I instruct golfers of all ages and abilities. In my experience there are many common mistakes that most golfers make. Here is a list of 10 tips that will help improve your game.

1. Grip Pressure. Grip pressure and arm tension is something that all golfers fight. On a scale of 1 to 10, feel like you’re holding the club at a level 3. Golf is hard enough to play relaxed; tighten up and you won’t have a chance.

2. Set Up. So many times students say there is a problem in their swing. 90% of the time the problem is in their set-up. This usually results in poor posture. Make sure that your back is straight to allow for proper trunk rotation.

3. Alignment. Alignment is so important. Make sure that the line of your feet is parallel to your target line. Then make sure your knees, hips and shoulders are parallel to your feet.

4. Tempo and Balance. Tempo and balance go together like peanut butter and jelly. When you have the proper tempo, you create good balance. If you can finish a swing on balance, you have a much higher chance of getting a good result than if you are falling off balance during the swing.

5. Take One Extra Club. Leave your ego at home. Take an extra club and swing it 80%. Your balance will get better and you will start hitting more solid shots.

6. Loosen Up Before The Round. Loosening up allows you to relax and get some of the bad shots out. It also allows you to get familiar with the speed of the greens. Most importantly, it loosens up your body to prevent muscular injury.

7. Make An Aggressive Swing At A Conservative Target. Follow this advice, it really works.

8. Swing The Club; Don’t Hit The Ball. Amateur golfers hit the ball. Swing the club through the ball to a picturesque finish.

9. Don’t Keep Your Head Down. Where is your head when you finish your golf swing? Keep your head up through the swing and let your body turn through to the target.

10. Spend 70% Of Your Practice Within 50 Yards Of The Pin. This is not the fun part of the game to practice but this is the fastest way to cut strokes off your game. If you have any further questions, consult your local PGA Professional.

By: Marc Spencer

How Playing Short will Save You Strokes

It's a pretty simple tip really, but it will help you to lower your scores. What you should get out of this lesson is that short is usually better regarding approach shots, and I'm going to explain a few reasons why I believe this to be true.Let's set the scene. We'll use the same example throughout. Let's say that you usually hit your 8 iron around 150 yards, and you are 160 out. Now, most golfers would probably grab their 7 iron here, and think to themselves, "I'll just take a little off this, and I'll be right on the pin".Problem: Most recreational golfers don't have the ability to add and take off power from their swings.You should focus first, and foremost, on mastering one swing, including the tempo, speed, and power that it takes to perfect that one swing. Once you start trying to swing a little easier or a little harder, problems start to sneak into your round. You are trying to play for the pin and instead, you end up in the bunker on the right side of the green, and now you've just turned a par hole into a double bogey.The difference in distance between your 7 and 8 iron should be about 10-15 yards. The Point? Hit your 8 iron every time in the above situation. Don't mess with your swing. Go with what you trust. Hit the 8 iron 150 yards, and let the ball roll onto the green. At that point, anything can happen. You may end up 2 inches, 2 feet, or 20 feet from the pin, but at least you're putting.Benefit 1: If you mishit the ball a little further than usual, you're still in good shape because you played a little short in the first place. If you hit the ball a little short, you're still okay, because chances are, you're sitting in the middle of the fairway, maybe on the fringe. Benefit 2: If you go to the right or the left, since you played the shorter club, you're not going to be as far right or left as you would have been with the 7 iron. This could mean that you are still on the green, or it could mean that you are on either side of the fairway. But chances are that you are still in decent shape. Summary: When you're trying to decide between two clubs, take a second to look at the hazards around the green. If there's a bunker or some water guarding the front of the green, then sure, it may be a good idea to take the larger club. But other than this exception, you are almost always better off, taking less club. You'll stay out of trouble, and that is the key to lowering your overall score.

by David Nevogt

The Three Most Important Factors When Perfecting Your Golf Swing

There are prior factors and there are post factors in a golf swing. Let me call upon a scientific formula to help explain this order of importance that I am discussing. The formula reads as follows:Ultimate results depend on post factor efficiency.These seven words succinctly describe the artistry of a golf swing; there are things to do, but there is a certain time to do them.First the golfer must handle his weight; but shifting the weight from one foot to the other does nothing of itself, it only places the player in a position where he can use and utilize his body correctly.Secondly, only when the golfer has the basic or prior footwork so that he is in a position to use his body to swing the club, are the hands free to exert over the club the proper sense of position and control, and the ability to apply the club correctly to the ball. In other words, a golf shot only flies as the club makes it fly, and how the ball flies is a direct result of the club position. The club position is a direct result of what the hands are doing, and what the hands are doing is the post factor that determines ultimate efficiency.No wonder so much time and effort is concentrated on the correct grip in golf.I have often said that a runner runs with his feet, but a golfer golfs with his hands. Of course, for the runner to get his feet in action, there is a lot of arm and shoulder work, and for a golfer to get his hands working, there is a lot of footwork and body action.To repeat, there are three basic factors in golf:Footwork, for balanceBody action, for powerHand action, for club controlBut to these three factors there is an order of importance, a delicate sense of timing that so many golfers miss. They fail to get the knack of properly coordinating these three factors into a working arrangement.As there is a certain order of importance, so likewise there is a certain order of performance in these three basic operations of a golf swing. In other words, in the properly executed golf shot the player moves smoothly from one operation to the other, but all operations function collectively towards the final goal of applying the club to the ball. So there is in the golf shot an order of importance and an order of performance which precludes any such thing as a one-piece swing. Be prepared to reach your ultimate goal of a smooth, flowing performance through a natural step-by-step procedure rather than through any short cut.The other comment I wish to make is that if there is error in the performance of any operation in the swing, then such an error would multiply and increase as it would be carried on into the next operation. So there must be sure performance in the execution of each of the three factors.

By: Jimmy Cox

Choose The Right Golf Balls For Your Game

If there is one aspect of your game that you can improve for very little money, it is choosing the right golf balls. Whilst you cannot improve your game massively without practice, patience and skill, getting the right golf balls can help speed up the process of improvement can give you an edge over your opponents. There are balls for every type of golfer, from those who require better control on the greens to golfers who want that extra bit of distance on their tee and iron shots. Whatever sort of game you have, here are some examples of the best golf balls around that will add something extra to your golf game. Balls for practiceGetting better at golf is all about practice, and so it is important to have a good stock of practice golf balls to use. These balls still need to be of a good quality, but ones that perhaps you don't mind losing if shots go wrong. Practice balls are usually cheaper, and so it is advisable to buy them in larger amounts. You can also get softer or basic plastic balls to use in your garden on park to practice shots without damaging property or hurting people around you. These balls are great if you just want to practice your swing without going to the driving range or golf course. Make sure you have a variety of practice balls to help you improve your game.Balls for added controlThere are some golf balls on the market at the moment that are great for those players who need to add control to their game. If you have the power but lack accuracy, choose a golf ball that will help you hit straighter and keep those shots on the fairway. Many balls have the ability to cut out backspin, meaning you can be sure your balls will stop on the greens where you place them rather than running away from the hole.Balls for distanceMany of the golf balls on the market today are designed to give players more distance than ever before. These balls are hi-tech and can fly through the air at incredible speed. Particularly good for those players who can swing quickly, distance balls will allow you to hit the ball further than you have imagined doing before. If you are struggling with those par 5 holes and need the extra power, then a distance ball is a good choice.Novelty ballsNot all golf balls are about serious technology and features though. There are plenty of interesting novelty balls on the market as well. From balls that flash and light up when they are hit to balls shaped like American footballs, there is something for everyone in the novelty ball market. If you want to have a little fun with your golf game, then novelty balls are a great item to purchase.

Golf Tips to Improve Your Game

In this article we will talk about some basic golf tips you can start doing today that can knock strokes off your score in no time at all. These tips are so easy to implement and are essential to any good golfer's game.The GripHow important is the grip to your success in the game? The grip is the fundamental connection between you and your golf ball. In the grip, your hands are close together and apply even pressure with the left thumb providing additional support and control of the club from underneath the grip. Taking AimWhen setting up your swing, align your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel and slightly left of the target. When your body follows rotation through your center, the stroke will send your shot in the direction that is perpendicular to your alignment. To check your alignment, stay in golf stance, and rotate your chin towards the target. A smooth, tension-free swing improves the swing motion. If you watch professional golfers, you will notice that at the top of the swing, their arms are slightly bent, and there is an intentional awareness of being relaxed throughout the swing. Keep Your Eye on the BallAs tempting as it may be to look away from your ball, it is critical to your alignment to make eye contact until it is launched. It is very tempting to look towards your target once the down swing is almost complete, but this will change your swing so stay with the ball until it is on its way to the target.The Athletic Warm-UpBefore any event, a good athlete warms up for competition. The same should be true of golf. Arrive a few minutes early before a game, hit a few shots with your range of clubs taking note of your swing, practice a few chip shots, and finally get a feel for the greens with several putts of different distances. Understanding the greens will help you later when making critical decisions.Improving Your DistanceWhat happens to improve your distance happens prior to hitting your shot. It's all in the swing. Keep a light grip on your club as you coil, keep your left foot on the ground during the backswing, and remain relaxed. Let your arms and shoulders do the work with a fully-extended, wide range of motion. Gradually increase club speed on the down stroke, and swing through the golf ball.

Golf tips: How to get crisper golf chips and pitches

Do you have a problem with overshots in your short game? There are a lot of golfers who are very confident in their power swing but lose all faith the moment it comes to hitting the ball with finesse. There are a few tips that if followed properly will improve your chip and pitch shots dramatically. These shots once mastered become a reflex and can become the cornerstone of a strong golf game.
Hitting a short shot too fat can be due to a number of causes. The first thing to try to adjust is your downswing. What you are trying to do is drive the club in a powerful downward motion. A strong diagonal instead of the usual curve motion.
Have faith in your club. Do not try to do too much. Hit the ball hard at a ninety degree angle and let the club do the rest. It will loft the ball into the air at the appropriate range. Of course you will need to adjust your power according to the distance, but this is the technique.
Another key is making sure the club head hits the top of the grass simultaneous with the ball. You should be half as intent on hitting the spot as you are the ball. This is very important.
As far as your stance, make sure your head is directly above the ball. Many golfers find it helps to crouch down some in their open legged stance. This allows a better center of gravity and less motion transference during the swing, ie, less chance for it to be inaccurate. Golfers avoid this stance when doing power swings because it interferes with the backstroke, but in this situations it is ideal.
The most important thing of all, however, is to maintain hand control. This is more important the closer you get to the green. An exercise you can try is swinging the club with just your left "protection" hand back and forth. This is to develop strength and control in that hand so you can use the other hand to guide the shot without having to worry about jerking the club.
With these tips and some practice by yourself on the green you will have the muscle memories and confidence to step into an actual game and perform with great effectiveness. There is nothing in golf that feels better than hitting an accurate short shot.

4 Important Factors That Affect Your Golf Swing

In the game of golf, no two people ever have the same golf swing. Each person has their own individual body with its own strengths, flexiblity and range of motion. The way one person swings a golf club may not work for another person, even if they are near in body types. Every golfer has to find the playing style that fits them to help them produce the results that they want. Players that know what is going to happen to the ball when they hit it, and what factors affect that moment of impact can effectively use their body to create the consistent powerful golf swing that they desire.One thing that can help all golfers make immediate and positive improvements on their game is an understanding of the factors that affect the golf ball at the moment of impact by the golf club. Knowing what these factors are and how they affect the ball will enable you to understand what happens at the moment of impact and interpret the golf balls flight. When you understand what occurs and why, you can then make small adjustments to your swing and then see the effects on the next shot. The flight of the golf ball will tell you whether you were correct in your personal assessment and you made a good change towards a better golf swing. If you made a change that made the shot worse than before, all you should have to do is undo that change to your swing.The moment of impact (ideally the golf club sweet spot hitting the ball) is a combination of four factors that will ultimately determine what direction and how far the ball will travel. The golf ball will react to these factors regardless of how they occur. The first important factor that affects your golf swing is the angle of the clubface at the moment of impacting the ball. The position of the clubface at the moment of impact is the most important factor influencing the initial direction and the spin of the ball. The clubface must point in the direction of the target you've chosen farther down the course. If the clubface is straight and perpendicular to the golf ball at the moment of impact, it will travel straight down the course with no spin.The second factor at the moment of impact is the angle of the clubhead with relation to the golf ball. There is the horizontal angle of impact and vertical angle of impact, both of which are combined to determine the initial direction of the ball and the height of the golf balls flight path. The horizontal angle of impact determines the initial direction that the ball will travel. The vertical angle of impact will determine how high the ball will fly. Too low or too high and you lose distance in your shot.Thirdly, the clubface must hit the ball on the sweet spot. The sweet spot is the area on the face of the golf club that will transfer the power of your golf swing to the golf ball. Transferring this power effectively will maximize its potential and carry the ball far and straight down the course (as long as the angle of the clubface and the club head at the moment of impact are good).Lastly, the fourth factor that is important at the moment of impact is the the club head. The speed of your golf swing will determine how much power you transfer to the golf ball and ultimately how far it will go when you hit it on the sweet spot. The speed or power of the golf swing is not dependent on muscles alone. Other factors such as body flexibility and range of motion affect how a golfer employs those muscles in creating a fluid smooth swing.The golf swing is not just picking up a golf club and trying to blast the ball down the course. It is a combination of many factors that if you can interpret, you can influence by making adjustments to your swing. Knowing what causes the golf ball to travel as it does will allow you to improve your golf swing and gain distance and accuracy on your shots. However, knowing the cause that produces an effect, and affecting that cause to produce the desired effect are two different things, both of which can be learned over time and with practice.

How to Develop a Good Putting Stroke

Putts between 4 and 6 feet are ones that we expect to make most of the time. But research tells us that touring pros make only about 50-percent of their 6-foot putts, so the average golfer should not get too frustrated when their percentage is lower. However, with intelligent practice, we can do something to increase our success rate on this length of putt.

How to Practice
Take 10 balls and line up a straight putt of about 4 feet as I am here in picture No. 1:

It is important to practice a straight putt, because then you need only focus on the stroke and not on the break. Obviously, if you miss a straight putt you will know that you made a bad stroke; if you miss a breaking putt, you might have made a good stroke but just had the wrong speed. So it's important to pick a straight putt for this drill.
Now, start putting these putts with two objectives:

1. Make sure the putter head is going straight back as in picture No. 2 ...

2. Make sure your putter face is square to your line at all times (also noted in picture No. 3). This is the most common fault with poor putters and takes the most work and concentration, but will pay off huge if you have the determination to get it right.
Set yourself a goal for the number of putts that you can hole in a row. Gradually increase this goal until you can get up to 50. Remember, if you miss one you have to start at one again!
This teaches you how to putt under pressure, because as you reach 45, 46, 47, 48 - you don't want to start at one again - so you must make a good stroke.
The secondary benefit of this practice method is to your subconscious. As you hole putt after putt at this distance, your confidence escalates and you have less and less fear of these putts.
If you don't have time to go to the course, remember - you can practice this at home on the carpet. This drill is a great way to work on your putting stroke.

From Mel SoleRitson-Sole Golf Schools

Develop A Super Golf Swing The Easy Way

When you're playing golf badly it isn't a lot of fun. You need great hand-eye coordination, balance, athletic ability and creativity to play golf. You may receive all the greatest golf tips in the world, take countless lessons and get superior instruction and still may not be able to gain consistency.If you've hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time; the subconscious mind knows the correct number and sequence of muscle contractions and nerve impulses needed, called muscle memory. Concentrate totally on your game and you'll get the best score. Always be aware the mental aspect of the game contributes one way or another to the difficulty of the golf swing. Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. At the end of a backswing the hands are above the right shoulder, with the golf club pointing more or less in the intended direction of ball flight. Accomplished golfers purposely use sidespin to steer their ball around obstacles or towards the safe side of fairways and greens.Sidespin occurs when the clubface is not aligned perpendicularly to the plane of swing. As the body matures, the ability to rotate the upper torso is affected by age, and the hand action can also slow down requiring a slightly stronger grip. Ask your golf pro to evaluate your posture while swinging.Pick out a spot on the course, preferably the green of the fairway, and concentrate on hitting the ball to that spot. At the end of a swing, the weight has shifted almost entirely to the left foot, the body is fully turned to the left and the hands are above the left shoulder with the club hanging down over the players' back. Use the muscles in your legs and trunk when you swing.The backswing is a rotation to the right, consisting of a shifting of the player's body weight to the right side, a turning of the pelvis and shoulders, lifting of the arms and flexing of the elbows and wrists. Putting can become a nightmare and a condition called the 'yips' has affected not only amateurs but professionals as well; get expert advice and consider a golf swing aid.Hold a medicine ball and turn back and forth; it must be rotational to improve your driving distance. The state of the physical condition is very often overlooked as a possible cause of golf swing problems. To prevent injury and improve swing speed and distance requires your body to be both strong and flexible.Golf swing aids can be found online and are often cheaper. Golf magazines often review the newest golf swing aids and are reviewed by golfers, making it easy to choose the right one for you. Most of all don't waste your money on a golf swing aid you don't need or will never use.If you're looking for an aid to improve your stance they're not hard to find. Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing. You can find golf swing aids that will help you with your wrist and arm position.There are golf swing aids that act as driving range simulators. Before buying any golf swing aid, check with an expert to get an idea of what problem you need to work on first; backlift of golf swing, momentum of downward thrust or stance for example. Sporting goods stores have golf aids to improve your game.There are golf swing aids that will help you with swing alignment. There are a number of good golf swing aids on the market today.When you play a round of golf, concentrate on improving your golf swing, putting or something specific that day; have a plan in mind. There are a lot of places to get golf swing tips, golf game tips and golf instruction so when you do have time to hit the course, you'll have a plan in mind. Golfers can never get enough golf tips.

The Golfswing and How To Improve It

The Golfswing and How To Improve It

When anyone thinks about the basic elements of the golfswing they think about the grip, stance, and position of the ball and so on. People always think about the physical aspects of the game and thats only natural as thats what is in the magazines and what the professionals do in their practice lessons.
But not everyone thinks this way. These people think that the basic components are to do with radius, face, plane and the centering. Focusing on these in a lesson are sometimes as beneficial as the mechanics of the swing.
Face is the direction in which the ball travels when the clubface hits the ball. You need to have the face of the golfclub at the same direction when you bring your golfclub back as when you hit the ball.
Radius is keeping the same distance from your front shoulder to the ball. This needs to be the same all the way through the shot for you to execute the best strke.
Plane is the angle at which your club strikes the ball. To consistently get good shots this needs to be the same each time you take a shot. Like anything else practice is the key.
Centering. If you want to hit an accurate golf shot you must get this right. Every shot you take has a centre to it . You must keep your back and your head as steady as possible every time you play a shot. If you watch the professionals do it on TV you will notice how steady they keep their head and back through a shot.
You need to be able to do all the basics well to be able to repeat a good shot time after time. To be able to do one basic good and all the rest not so good is not enough.
If you want to be able to repeat a powerful and accurate shot you will need to do all these basic elements well again and again, but as with anything you must put the time in on the practice range to see the improvement in your game. If you practice these as well as the normal basics when people talk about golf, like ball position, grip and stance you will be well on your way to improving your golf handicap and enjoying your game. Golf can be a frustrating game at the best of times but it can also be relaxing and enjoyable when you get it right, happy golfing.

by jeff ryall

Choosing the Right Golf Bag for You

Choosing the Right Golf Bag for You

Golf bags are one of the most important elements of a comfortable golf experience. If you have the wrong golf bag you are bound to be miserable if it’s too heavy, too long, too short, or doesn't have enough space for all of your clubs and golf gear. Finding the right golf bag can take some time, so it's good to think about what you really need, what you want, and even plan for additions to your golf gear in the future. Many golf pros suggest starting out with a very basic bag and growing from there as you determine your golf style and what you need and expect from a bag. Golf bags are like almost anything else in golf, there are premium bags and very simple bags and everything in between with prices to match. What works best for you may not work best for someone else, so don't take the word of another golfer as gospel, research your options and then invest. One of the most popular golf bags is the Optima 9 Deluxe cart bag. This golf would definitely fit into the premium end of things, though it will cost you less than $150. The Optima 9 golf bag is great because it offers a 14-way divider system so that you know where each club is when you are looking for it. This divider system will not only make playing more fun, your gear will also be more organized so you are less likely to lose things. This bag is its own cart and it has a strap guidance system that allows you to easily pull this cart/bag behind you as you make your way through the course. The wheels are quite steady so there is no need to worry about spillage or anything of the sort. This impressive bag also offers a rain and travel hood, so your golf bag truly can go anywhere with you. The Optima 9 Deluxe also boasts seven easy access pockets, which are important for things like gloves, a hat, sun screen, tees, and anything else you may carry with you while golfing that you won't want to have to dig for. Many consider this the best golf bag on the market, as it does offer quite a bit in the way of features and functionality. As an added bonus this exquisite golf bag also offers a cooler pocket and a putter tube. The Bang stand bag is also quite popular for those that don't necessarily need something as luxurious as the Optima mentioned above. While this is not as luxurious as the Optima this is still a great bag that has its own metal frame that acts as a stand. No longer do you have to lay your golf bag on the ground as you go about your day on the course, now your clubs will be well protected and will not have to bang around in your bag as you drop it to the ground. This is also a very affordable bag considering that it is very light weight and is a great golf stand bag. A golf travel bag may also be ideal for you depending on where you golf and when. If you like to travel around the country to experience new courses a travel golf bag is definitely in order. These are typically hard sided bags that will protect your golf clubs and gear as you travel from city to city aboard a plane, train, or even in the car. A travel bag will run you about $130 but is more than worth the investment considering how much money you have probably put into all of your gear that you keep in your bag. A golf bag is truly a personal choice, and with so many options on the market you'll have no problem finding the one that is right for you. While some of the bags may be a bit pricey sales and online vendors can save you quite a bit of money while offering quality equipment. Your golf bag is something that you should feel comfortable with, no matter what the style

Three Keys to Successful Sand Play

Three Keys to Successful Sand Play

Being successful out of the sand depends on three things: correct setup, proper technique and consistent point of entry.
You should use a sand wedge when playing short sand shots around the green. A sand wedge may vary from 55 to 58 degrees of loft with 8 to 12 degrees of bounce. I personally prefer a 58-degree sand wedge with 8 degrees of bounce.

For the correct setup, I like to draw or visualize three lines in the sand, as shown in the photos above. Each line has a specific purpose. The line going from the target to the ball and then extending beyond the ball is called the target line. The line that is about 10 degrees open to the target line is the angle of our feet or toes. Then I draw a line perpendicular to the target line originating at the ball. This represents ball position, which should be off the left heel for righthanded golfers (photo below).

Once you have the correct setup with the same amount of weight on each foot, the face of the club should be slightly open (photo at right). This puts loft on the ball and allows the back portion of the bottom of the club to bounce off the sand, as opposed to having the leading edge dig into the sand.
The start of the backswing (see Swing Sequence photos below) should be straight back or slightly outside the target line. There is an immediate breaking of the hands as you start this motion, producing a more vertical swing which encourages the club to enter the sand about two inches behind the ball (this is the point of entry).
What you are actually trying to do is to take as little sand as possible without contacting the ball. Allow the sand to lift the ball from the bunker. (You can work on getting a consistent point of entry with the Point of Entry Drill described here.)
As you make contact with the sand there should be a cupping of the left wrist. Let me explain "cupping." Assume you are wearing a watch on your left wrist and the face, as usual, is pointing outward. When contacting the sand on the forward swing, you should try to take the back of your left hand and move it towards your watch face, thereby creating wrinkles underneath your left wrist. This action is called "cupping of the wrist" and it is very necessary in producing quality sand shots. Since this motion prevents the club from closing, the ball is lifted in the air with backspin.

These are the three most important things regarding sand play around the greens. You don't have to be perfect to get out of a sand bunker, but you have enough of the basic principles to get started.

Golf Equipment: How to choose the right Iron Set?

Golf Equipment: How to choose the right Iron Set?

Today's golf equipment manufactures make several different lines of golf clubs to fit many golfers & budgets. In order to find the best fit for your game is research. Many factors that go into this decision is Skill level, Price & Brand appeal.
Start with the skill level, if you are a scratch golfer to a 5 handicap, than the type of irons you would be looking for is a blade style that is made out of forged steel. Forged golf clubs offer a softer metal than a stainless steel, and it allows you to have more feel for the ball. Blade style irons also allow you to shape your shots with greater ease than a more forgiving golf club. Some great examples of this type of club are the Titleist 695 irons, or the Callaway X Tour irons. The Cost of these ranges from $800-$900 depending on options.
6-12 handicap players should be looking for a club that offers some forgiveness and also the ability to work the ball, but still have some margin for error. Some great examples of these irons are the NIKE CCI irons and the Callaway X-20 Irons. These clubs range from $650-$750
12-18 handicap players should be looking into a game improvement style golf club. A game improvement club is designed with large perimeter weighting, and larger sole. The purpose of perimeter weighting is to push the weight of the club around the club face, to allow the center of the face to be as forgiving as possible i.e. Large Sweet Spot. Clubs that would fit that description are the Cobra FP Irons, Callaway Big Bertha Irons & Tour Edge QL Irons. Price range $300-$550
18+ handicap players should be looking for an ultra game improvement club. These clubs vary in terms of materials and price. The concept of these irons sets is to make golf easy and enjoyable for the average golfer. The manufacturers do this in many ways. First of, almost all of the clubs in this category have a very wide sole, which makes it easier to get the ball airborne? Other features this category offers is the size of the head. The head size is much larger than a blade style to create a larger sweet spot. A good theory is that the larger the head the larger the sweet spot. This category also offers other materials such as Titanium and Polymers to increase strength without increasing the overall weight of the club. Great examples of these clubs are the Callaway Fusion Wide Sole, Cobra S9 & Nike Ignite Irons. They range from $400-$1,000 per set.
Other points to consider are golf shaft options. You have 2 options to choose from Steel or Graphite. Steel shafts are less expensive than graphite. They also offer more control for you shots, and give more ability to work the ball than a graphite shafts. Steel shafts are also known to be a stiffer shaft and offer a strong swinger a better platform to perform. Graphite shafts are more expensive than steel, but are much lighter. The difference in weight is almost half. A light weight shaft is around 55 grams opposed to 120 grams in Steel. The benefit of graphite shafts are for those golfers who have smooth tempo swings. You would let the club do the work for you when using a graphite shafted club. Graphite shafts are very popular with ladies and seniors due to there slower swing speeds.
Last but not least, hit the golf clubs to be sure which is best for your game. Manufactures have Demo Days at most all local golf course or golf shows so the end consumer can try the latest golf equipment products available.

Golf swing training aids = swing improvement

Golf swing training aids = swing improvement

The golf swing is the most crucial part of your golf game, determining if you are going to score well or have trouble during your entire round of golf. Many golfers spend much time trying to hone and improve their golf swing so that they can become the best golfers possible. There is a way you can work on your golf swing on your own time, without expensive golf lessons. Golf swing training aids are great for golf swing practice and achieving results that you can take with you to the course.
One of the most popular and useful golf swing training aids is the golf impact indicator. These can be used with your drivers, irons, and even your putter. The golf impact indicator is placed on the club face so that you can see exactly where you are striking the golf ball with your club. After you swing, a mark will be visible on the indicator, revealing if you are hitting the ball on the sweet spot. If you are missing the sweet spot with your golf swing, your ball flight and distance will be hurt. The sweet spot, or the area of the club face that the club has been designed to hit the ball, is especially important when it comes to putting.
There are some more expensive and involved golf swing training aids available. For example, you can find swing trainers that are stations made of rails to precisely guide your swing on the correct path. One of the most popular golf swing training aids is a weight that you can slip onto an iron where it will rest right above the club head. Swinging with a weight on your club will improve your strength and is perfect for stretching before a round of golf.
Not all golf swing training aids have to be expensive or complicated. Follow these quick and easy instructions to work on your golf swing with a surprisingly simple training aid. This exercise will help you improve balance, a crucial part of the golf swing.
* Place a quarter on top of your left shoe if you are a right-handed golfer, or right shoe if you are left-handed.
* Try to swing while not allowing the quarter to slip off of your shoe.
* After swinging, check to see if the quarter has remained on top of your shoe, and if not, see where it landed.
* If the coin has landed at the toe of your foot, you have moved your foot too much off the ground during your back swing.
* If the coin has fallen to one side of your foot, you may have finished on your heel during your swing.
* The goal is to achieve a balanced swing where the quarter manages to stay on top of your shoe.
Author: Brent Bonnett http://onlinegolfinfo.com/

Perfecting your putting

Putting is arguably the most important skill in golf.
Forget about reading the green until you have mastered pace. Getting this right comes from developing a smooth putting rhythm.
There are no hard and fast rules about how you address the ball - develop any style you like as long as it delivers a smooth and reliable stroke.

STEP ONE

Very few top golfers break their wrists when they putt.
Instead they let their arms hang loosely and hold the putter lightly so both hang like a pendulum from the shoulders.
Ben Crenshaw is one of the world's finest. He holds the putter so lightly he sometimes drops it - but this is how he achieves the 'touch' behind a smooth rhythm.
Set up with the ball near your front foot, the club face square to the target line and your eyes over the ball.
It is important to keep your hands level or ahead of the ball through the stroke.

STEP TWO



Move the putter away smoothly, the arms hinging from the shoulders not the elbows or wrists.
Keep the putter head as a low to the ground as possible.
Keep the putter on a line square to the target as you swing it back and then forth.




STEP THREE


Maintain your tempo through the swing, accelerating slightly into the ball.
Watch the putter head strike the back of the ball on the upswing, feeling almost as if the palm of your right hand is striking it towards the target.
The best putting strokes look smooth because the club is swung back and forward at the same speed.



STEP FOUR


Follow through to the hole with your club, not your eyes.
It is good to practice keeping eye contact on the spot where the ball was rather than trying to see where it has gone.
Practice counting two seconds in your head before you allow yourself to see how well you've done.

source http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/skills/4238292.stm

Drive like Tiger

The driver is the longest and least forgiving club in the bag.
It will ruthlessly expose flaws that go unpunished with shorter clubs.
Some golfers opt to play a safer club from the tee, such as a fairway wood or a low iron, if they are having problems with their driving action.
But nothing beats the feeling of letting one rip with the biggest club in your bag.

STEP ONE

Take a wider stance than usual and stand two or three inches further back from the ball than you normally do.
The ball should be positioned just inside your left heel.
Tee the ball up so about half of it shows above the head of the driver.
Accuracy is more important than distance.
To focus your mind, aim at a small target, such as a hollow or mark on the fairway, rather than a general one.

STEP TWO

Concentrate on keeping the clubhead low to the ground to create a wide arc as you take the club back

STEP THREE

Do not overswing.
It's very important to control your power.
Do this by keeping your right knee bent and making sure you don't overbalance onto the side of your right foot.

STEP FOUR

Swing back through the ball as smoothly as possible letting the club do the work.
Concentrate on 'sweeping' the ball off the tee.

STEP FIVE

Follow right through to the target.
Don't forget to follow the path of your ball, especially if it has landed in the rough.

Golf Tips - Back Pain And Golf Can Be Improved With Exercise And Stretching

Back Pain Caused From Golf

The repetitive nature of the golf swing predisposes the back to stress, strain, pain and injury. Back pain in golf is the most common injury among amateur golfers world wide. This is so prevalent that entire books have been written and chiropractors have dramatically improved their bank accounts thanks to golfers coming in 2 to 3 times a week indefinitely.
The golf swing requires both golf specific strength and flexibility, specifically in your core area to withstand the stress the low back is under. If your core is weak or inflexible, all the pressure goes right into the lower back, glutes and even hip area.
Rotating your upper body over a stable lower body is the physical demand we are talking about that can wreak havoc on golfers' low back and cause a high level of pain.
This movement occurs over a hundred of times per round when you combine practice before play (hitting balls), preshot swings before every shot, actual swings, and not to discount bending over to put the ball on the tee and to get it out of the hole after you've made your putt.

Golf Exercises To Withstand The Pressure

Golf exercises are one of the quickest ways to eliminate and prevent back pain from occurring. Exercises specific to the core from a rotational standpoint will be the most effective. The golf swing is a pure rotational movement, so training your body with exercises involving core rotation will give you the best return from your efforts.
These exercises do not have to be performed in a gym, nor with fancy equipment. You can incorporate simple and effective exercises with light dumbbells, exercise tubing and weighted medicine balls. All very inexpensive and available at most local fitness equipment stores in your locale.

Golf Stretching To Keep The Tension Out

Since the golf swing requires a higher level of flexibility, it is only wise to implement golf stretching exercises that isolate the core, lower back and even the glutes.
These stretches can be both dynamic (movement) and static (holding), depending on the time they are done. For example, before golf or practice should be dynamic stretches to prepare the body to perform, and after golf or after a warm shower in the morning should be static stretches isolating the above mentioned areas.
Golf stretching is only effective if done consistently. Preferably on a daily, if not every other day basis. Muscles can "go back" very quickly if left alone. They are elastic and can easily be improved, as well as quickly tightened if not stretched regularly.

The End Result A Better Game And Healthy Back

I hope this article has opened your eyes to the importance of fitness, exercise and stretching to not only reduce or eliminate back pain, but to improve golf performance and longevity of the game.

by Mike Pedersen source http://www.golflink.com/golf-tips/tips/pedersen001.asp