Golfing can be an expensive past time, especially if you have to take golf lessons to boot. Taking golf lessons gives you the ability to have someone guide you and spot critical mistakes in your golf swing. There is another alternative to golf lessons even though golf lessons are the fastest and best way to a better golf game.
There is a lot of good reading material on the Internet that helps in solving your slice, hook, or whatever problem you have getting the golf ball to the hole. Taking a good golf book seriously and implementing the instructions on the course will turn your game around in no time. If your having trouble breaking 100, 90, and even 80. This article has a few tips on reaching your goals at your own pace.
Whatever book you decide to choose on the Internet or local store, read the chapters over several times before you take these instructions on the practice range. Practice at least three times a week. There are a few points to keep in mind when practicing any kind of new golf swing that amateurs tend to overlook.
Consider the slope of terrain that you are implementing your new golf swing. Take a large bucket of balls and practice the swing with different slope positions. Swing easy at first, then gradually step up to your normal swing speed. You’re not always going to have a flat lie out on the golf course. It may take half dozen balls or more to get comfortable with different types of fairway slopes, but once you follow the book closely and practice, you will soon overcome any problems at first. Be persistent!
Choose the shorter clubs first and gradually work your way to the driver. Do not leave any club in the bag. Practice them all. If you’re having trouble with a longer club, do not skip it and move past. Pause with the lesser club and go backwards until you gain confidence to move back to the golf club you dislike hitting. Pause at the club before and keep hitting it until you feel confident to play the golf club your having problems with.
Always shoot towards a target and always keep the distance in mind for each golf club. You will eventually have stronger wrists and arms as you progress through a full month of practicing three times a week. The distance will change as you move forward in your persistent self-golf training. The golf holes will get shorter. As you read through your golf book, look for tips on choking down on the club to take a little distance off your newfound power.
Find a nice quiet place to practice your short game. You need to be at least 100 yards out and work your way in with the putter being the last club to practice. If you are not hitting the greens, you must know how to chip and play out of bunkers. Mastering your short game will also take a bundle of golf strokes off your game.
Practicing your golf swing as much as three times a week for at least 1 month, and reading up on golf swing instructions will eventually move you towards a much lower scorecard if you are persistent with your goals.
Improve Strength For Golf To Reach Your True Potential
Strength for golf is a term you’ve all heard by now. It’s all over the television during professional tournaments, and golf instructors are now throwing the term around.
What makes strength for golf so important and why should you listen?
Let me briefly explain.
The golf swing is traumatic to the body! I can’t put it any simpler than that. When you are swing an object that is over 3 feet long at over 85 mph, there is a physical cost.
The physical cost is undo stress on the major joints of the body. The lower back is the most common area to get injured, along with the hips, shoulders, knees and even wrists.
If your body is physically weak and restricted (low level of flexibility), you will have a minimal chance at playing good golf and staying injury-free as well.
How many times have you gone to the range or the course, only to come home with your lower back stiff, aching or in pain? What about other body parts? I’ll be you’ve felt your hip joints or maybe even your shoulder joints at some point.
If you saw a slow motion video of the human body swinging a club, you’d be shocked. The body is put in some torqued positions throughout the swing. When the body is weak it breaks down. That’s a fact!
In comes strength for golf!
By working your golf specific muscles, you will not only improve your swing mechanics quickly, but your game will transform. You will feel like a different golfer on the course. Your playing partners will be in awe.
You may think I’m hyping this up, but all the above is true! You will quickly realize this has been the missing link to your golf game improvement all along. And don’t ever think it’s too late to start a program of strength for golf.
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What makes strength for golf so important and why should you listen?
Let me briefly explain.
The golf swing is traumatic to the body! I can’t put it any simpler than that. When you are swing an object that is over 3 feet long at over 85 mph, there is a physical cost.
The physical cost is undo stress on the major joints of the body. The lower back is the most common area to get injured, along with the hips, shoulders, knees and even wrists.
If your body is physically weak and restricted (low level of flexibility), you will have a minimal chance at playing good golf and staying injury-free as well.
How many times have you gone to the range or the course, only to come home with your lower back stiff, aching or in pain? What about other body parts? I’ll be you’ve felt your hip joints or maybe even your shoulder joints at some point.
If you saw a slow motion video of the human body swinging a club, you’d be shocked. The body is put in some torqued positions throughout the swing. When the body is weak it breaks down. That’s a fact!
In comes strength for golf!
By working your golf specific muscles, you will not only improve your swing mechanics quickly, but your game will transform. You will feel like a different golfer on the course. Your playing partners will be in awe.
You may think I’m hyping this up, but all the above is true! You will quickly realize this has been the missing link to your golf game improvement all along. And don’t ever think it’s too late to start a program of strength for golf.
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5 Golf Facts That Will Change Your Game
Are you seeing the same decrease in your handicap that reflects your hard work and efforts? Do you consistently fall short on your drives or feel exhausted at the end of 18 holes? Do you carry the disappointment of a missed putt over into the next hole? If you are plagued with problems like these then it is time to give your golf game a boost. Change your golf game for the better by focusing on the following five areas: flexibility, strength, endurance, nutrition, and mental toughness.
Flexibility:
Have you ever rushed to the golf course, quickly stepped up to the tee and felt stiff when you swung your golf club? Warming up your muscles can help relieve stiffness, but it is better to be more proactive in your approach. Therefore, it is essential to stretch on a regular basis. This allows you to increase and maintain your flexibility. You only need a small investment of your time in order to see significant gains in your range of motion.
Strength:
Have you incorporated strength training into your exercise routine? Many golfers are tempted to swing as hard as possible when hitting the golf ball. There are several adverse side effects of doing this. Your muscles may not be physically prepared for the intense strain and you may become injured. Increasing strength will enable your body to tackle the demands of the golf swing and prepare it for the action ahead.
Endurance:
Do you lose your intensity or feel tired after a few holes? If so, then focus on your endurance. At first glance, golf may not appear to be a game in which aerobic fitness is necessary. However, golfers that walk the course can walk nearly five miles over the course of 18 holes. Try to work in 20-45 minutes, 3-5 days per week of cardiovascular activity.
Nutrition:
Your body needs the proper fuel to work efficiently. Common sense dictates that loading up on junk food is a bad idea. So what exactly should you eat? An optimal sports nutrition menu plan will include high quality carbohydrates, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water.
Mental Toughness:
Are you still thinking about the drive you sliced on the first hole as you set up to tee off at the second hole? This negative thought pattern will adversely affect your game. How you perceive the situation affects each shot. One way to increase your mental toughness is not to relive missed shots. Visualize a good shot to help erase the missed shot from your mind.
Take these five facts into account and you’ll likely see better results with your game. It will take some time to make these activities a habit, but will be well worth the effort.
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Flexibility:
Have you ever rushed to the golf course, quickly stepped up to the tee and felt stiff when you swung your golf club? Warming up your muscles can help relieve stiffness, but it is better to be more proactive in your approach. Therefore, it is essential to stretch on a regular basis. This allows you to increase and maintain your flexibility. You only need a small investment of your time in order to see significant gains in your range of motion.
Strength:
Have you incorporated strength training into your exercise routine? Many golfers are tempted to swing as hard as possible when hitting the golf ball. There are several adverse side effects of doing this. Your muscles may not be physically prepared for the intense strain and you may become injured. Increasing strength will enable your body to tackle the demands of the golf swing and prepare it for the action ahead.
Endurance:
Do you lose your intensity or feel tired after a few holes? If so, then focus on your endurance. At first glance, golf may not appear to be a game in which aerobic fitness is necessary. However, golfers that walk the course can walk nearly five miles over the course of 18 holes. Try to work in 20-45 minutes, 3-5 days per week of cardiovascular activity.
Nutrition:
Your body needs the proper fuel to work efficiently. Common sense dictates that loading up on junk food is a bad idea. So what exactly should you eat? An optimal sports nutrition menu plan will include high quality carbohydrates, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water.
Mental Toughness:
Are you still thinking about the drive you sliced on the first hole as you set up to tee off at the second hole? This negative thought pattern will adversely affect your game. How you perceive the situation affects each shot. One way to increase your mental toughness is not to relive missed shots. Visualize a good shot to help erase the missed shot from your mind.
Take these five facts into account and you’ll likely see better results with your game. It will take some time to make these activities a habit, but will be well worth the effort.
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Ping Putters
Putting is the most important part of the game and something everyone needs help with whether it’s getting your lag putts close or constantly hitting those par putts. Ping has been making putters since the 1960s so have a number of years of experience behind them. These days they are still making putters with the same amount of dedication as they did in the 1960s but are making putters that suit the modern playing styles of golfers today.
Golf Buy It Online stock and supply a huge range of Ping Putters so every golfer can find a Ping putter to suit their style. Currently in stock at Golf Buy It Online are Ping Golf Ug-Le Putters, Ping Golf Redwood Zing Putters, Ping Golf i-Series Half Moon Putters and Ping Golf G5i Piper Putters as well as many others.
Ping Golf Ug-Le Putters feature an insert cavity that is precision machined to ensure consistency and set the Ug-Le putter apart from the rest. Ping Golf Redwood Zing Putters are made from “303” stainless steel; this series offers classic model shapes designed for players seeking the very best. Ping Golf i-Series Half Moon Putters feature increased Moment Of Inertia and easier alignment to produce a firm response with a soft feel. Ping Golf G5i Piper Putters have a dual-durometer insert to provide the feel and distance control golfers long for on putts of all lengths.
This is just a small selection of the Ping Putters from Golf Buy It Online. We only sell products for companies for which we are authorised retailers and they come with the full year’s manufacturer's warrantee so you have piece of mind that the products are 100% genuine.
Golf Buy It Online stock and supply a huge range of Ping Putters so every golfer can find a Ping putter to suit their style. Currently in stock at Golf Buy It Online are Ping Golf Ug-Le Putters, Ping Golf Redwood Zing Putters, Ping Golf i-Series Half Moon Putters and Ping Golf G5i Piper Putters as well as many others.
Ping Golf Ug-Le Putters feature an insert cavity that is precision machined to ensure consistency and set the Ug-Le putter apart from the rest. Ping Golf Redwood Zing Putters are made from “303” stainless steel; this series offers classic model shapes designed for players seeking the very best. Ping Golf i-Series Half Moon Putters feature increased Moment Of Inertia and easier alignment to produce a firm response with a soft feel. Ping Golf G5i Piper Putters have a dual-durometer insert to provide the feel and distance control golfers long for on putts of all lengths.
This is just a small selection of the Ping Putters from Golf Buy It Online. We only sell products for companies for which we are authorised retailers and they come with the full year’s manufacturer's warrantee so you have piece of mind that the products are 100% genuine.
Golf Training Aids
Golf training aids can often give you that little extra help to improve your game of golf. They are available for every aspect of the game - your swing, putting, aim, grip - even measuring the slope of a green. There's quite an array of golf aids out there with varying degrees of usefulness. Here's a small list of available golfing training aids to give you an idea of what to look for, starting with golf aids for the swing. They're not arranged in any order of importance.
1. The Swing Hat. is composed of a microchip incorporated inside a comfortable golfing cap with earphones. Instant audio feedback is relayed to you about your spine angle, and the tempo of your stroke. It has an adjustable metronome and motion sensor. It is designed to help you improve while you are performing the swing or putt.
It's concept is based on the two basic principles of a good golf swing. First, that your spine angle remains constant, and second, using your own personal "tempo", which can be found by experimentation.
2. The Swing Analyzer. is a portable device packed in a holster. It aims to help you maintain control of lateral rotation, and rotation of your trailing hip. It lights up, vibrates and beeps every time you are not swinging correctly! It can be usd to monitor your putting strokes as well.
3. The Swing Glove. This golf training aid helps develop a feel for proper wrist and hinge movement. The glove extends up beyond the wrist and has a swivelling aluminium rivet sewn inside which eliminates wrist cupping and loopy swings. It forces the hand to remain in the correct plane throughout the entire stroke. After several uses one gets the 'feel' of a proper hand and wrist action.
4. The Impact Ball. again provides its user with the feeling of the best stroke to increase distance, keeping the club face square. Other methods teach you to memorise the mechanics, and this is often an unnecessary distraction. The method takes the focus away from the ball, and concentrates on the body and golf club working together. The large ball-like device, fits between the forearms and prevents those "flying elbows", "ckicken wings", scoops and slices. There are two sizes, one for men, the other for women.
5. The Leader Board Swing Trainer</B> lets you feel correct balance, and helps achieve proper timing in the swing. It consists of three pads covered in artificial grass. One is the "hitting pad" on which the ball is placed. The right foot is placed on the second pad which sits atop two rails, and slips backwards and forwards as the stroke is made. The third pad is for the left foot and remains stationary.
The device teaches the user to put less weight on the back foot. Drills are suggested which target the components of the swing, and train the body to move in the proper sequence. Power cords are also available for resistance training to develop the muscles used in the swing.
6. Putting Greens and Putting Mats. come in many shapes and sizes, with slopes and measuring rods. A few incorporate an auto return ball feature and other gizmos. They all help with alignment to give a straight stroke path, and a feel for slopes up or down.
7. Putting Glasses. have markings on the lenses to align the golf ball, the feet, body posture and also align the track and distance to the hole. The idea is based on right or left eye dominance.
8. Forward Facing Putter. The golfer faces the hole with feet pointing to the target, and the putter is held by the side of the golfer and pushed forward. The motion is rather like that of croquet. Apparantly it is easier to read the green, and the stroke is said to be more natural.
9. Green Readers. locate the slope, and the angle of that slope. Modern instruments provide an instant readout. They give a good indication of how much to adjust your stroke for uphill or downhill putts. It is against the rules to use them in actual competitions, but it is quite legitimate to use them in practice rounds on the same greens before the competition.
10. Practice Nets. come in all sizes from mini ones to large cages 10' X 10' X 10'. Some have a target at the end, and others have an auto return device for the ball. They need a baffler if regular golf balls are used to practice.
11. Speed Sticks. help you to hit the ball further by increasing the speed of your swing. The faster you swing the club, the further the ball will go. You simply swing the stick and read the indicator, then set it to zero again.They can be used indoors and outdoors. A "speed gauge", calibrated in miles per hour, tells you what the speed is. No guesswork, and you can track your progress.
12. A Thumb Caddie. keeps your golf grip consistent throughout your wing to give straighter and longer shots. It keeps your hands in the proper position, eliminating hooks and slices. The device slips onto any club.
There are numerous other devices available which should not be too difficulkt to find, but the old addage, "Practice, practice, practice" still holds good. Golf training aids are after all only "aids".
What Causes Golf Back Pain?
Why it that golf back pain is such a common complaint in golf and amongst golf players on any course?
Does golf back pain have something to do with the game or do most players bring back pains acquired elsewhere into the game?
While it is true that there are golfers who started having back pains and related problems long before they set foot on the course, there is clear evidence that golf does cause back pain, especially to those who do not exercise and condition their bodies for the game.
One reason is that many of the golf back pains are aggravated by playing the game for long periods.
So why do many golfers continue to suffer in silence and yet simple golf specific exercises can permanently cure a golf back pain for good? The following effective, but simple exercise has helped many golfers gain more endurance to play golf the whole day without experiencing the usual nagging lower back problems that are extremely common on the course.
This golf back pain exercise also does an excellent job in adding endurance and strength to the muscles and usually makes such a tremendous difference in your strength that you have to try it to believe and experience the impact for yourself.
This exercise that cures golf back pain is done by lying flat on the floor on your stomach with your hands at your sides. You then raise your chest and upper body as well as arms and legs as high as you can. You do this so that your stomach supports the weight of your entire body. Hold the position and go for a count of 10. Doing this simple exercise for 2 sets daily will completely eliminate your low back pain for good.
Keeping yourself golf fit by getting involved in a good golf specific exercise program will keep any golfer free from golf back pain.
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Does golf back pain have something to do with the game or do most players bring back pains acquired elsewhere into the game?
While it is true that there are golfers who started having back pains and related problems long before they set foot on the course, there is clear evidence that golf does cause back pain, especially to those who do not exercise and condition their bodies for the game.
One reason is that many of the golf back pains are aggravated by playing the game for long periods.
So why do many golfers continue to suffer in silence and yet simple golf specific exercises can permanently cure a golf back pain for good? The following effective, but simple exercise has helped many golfers gain more endurance to play golf the whole day without experiencing the usual nagging lower back problems that are extremely common on the course.
This golf back pain exercise also does an excellent job in adding endurance and strength to the muscles and usually makes such a tremendous difference in your strength that you have to try it to believe and experience the impact for yourself.
This exercise that cures golf back pain is done by lying flat on the floor on your stomach with your hands at your sides. You then raise your chest and upper body as well as arms and legs as high as you can. You do this so that your stomach supports the weight of your entire body. Hold the position and go for a count of 10. Doing this simple exercise for 2 sets daily will completely eliminate your low back pain for good.
Keeping yourself golf fit by getting involved in a good golf specific exercise program will keep any golfer free from golf back pain.
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Effortless Power Golf Swing
A power golf swing is the dream of every golfer. How many times have you hit one just perfect and tried desperately to remember what you did that caused this to happen?
A power golf swing is not about swinging hard.
So many times a golfer will try to “put a little more into it” to get a few extra yards. If you’ve tried this…what happened? Did you get those extra yards or did it go shorter and even offline?
That’s the point I’m trying to make!
To hit a LONG drive or add yards to every club in your bag…you need to be able to generate more clubhead speed, but under control. That’s where most golfers lose it.
If your body can’t physically make an optimum swing, from a mechanical standpoint, you have no business trying to swing any harder. The result will be a blown up score and drives that go significantly shorter…not longer.
The beauty of getting your body in better ‘golf shape’ is that you can hit the ball with more force…but with much less effort.
Let me explain.
If you’ve improved your core strength and flexibility for example, you will be able to make a FULL shoulder turn (backswing) with minimal tension. This backswing has now a ton of torque built up. With your newfound strength and flexibility…you will be able to ‘unleash’ that torque, powerfully into the golf ball.
Doesn’t that make sense?
Now imagine if you improved your overall body specific to golf. Now you’ve got a power golf swing that is under control and killing it off the tee! Your playing partners won’t know what hit them.
So the key to remember in an effortless power golf swing is improving your bodies ability to rotate and store energy…then ‘unleash it’ into the ball at impact.
If you are lacking distance and feel like you’re trying to swing harder, this is the reason why. A fit golfer has a HUGE advantage over an out-of-shape one.
Follow this advice and you’re on your way to an effortless power golf swing!
A power golf swing is not about swinging hard.
So many times a golfer will try to “put a little more into it” to get a few extra yards. If you’ve tried this…what happened? Did you get those extra yards or did it go shorter and even offline?
That’s the point I’m trying to make!
To hit a LONG drive or add yards to every club in your bag…you need to be able to generate more clubhead speed, but under control. That’s where most golfers lose it.
If your body can’t physically make an optimum swing, from a mechanical standpoint, you have no business trying to swing any harder. The result will be a blown up score and drives that go significantly shorter…not longer.
The beauty of getting your body in better ‘golf shape’ is that you can hit the ball with more force…but with much less effort.
Let me explain.
If you’ve improved your core strength and flexibility for example, you will be able to make a FULL shoulder turn (backswing) with minimal tension. This backswing has now a ton of torque built up. With your newfound strength and flexibility…you will be able to ‘unleash’ that torque, powerfully into the golf ball.
Doesn’t that make sense?
Now imagine if you improved your overall body specific to golf. Now you’ve got a power golf swing that is under control and killing it off the tee! Your playing partners won’t know what hit them.
So the key to remember in an effortless power golf swing is improving your bodies ability to rotate and store energy…then ‘unleash it’ into the ball at impact.
If you are lacking distance and feel like you’re trying to swing harder, this is the reason why. A fit golfer has a HUGE advantage over an out-of-shape one.
Follow this advice and you’re on your way to an effortless power golf swing!
Increase Golf Flexibility for Greater Power
Flexibility is defined as the available range of motion about a specific joint. The range of motion can be limited by many factors. Some of these factors are nervous system control, muscle constraints, joint constraints, or skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Flexibility is considered by many to be one of the most important factors of a successful golf swing. The logic behind this belief is because it increases the movement distance for force application. Studies have demonstrated that greater amounts of force can be produced when a muscle is pre-stretched before performing the activity demanded of it.
A pre-stretched muscle creates elastic recoil that applies additional force for a more powerful contraction. This procedure is also known as preloading the muscle. By understanding the dynamics of flexibility, it only makes sense that it contributes heavily to a more powerful golf swing.
Golf is a power sport. The golfer must be able to generate near-maximum power a certain number of times during a round of golf. Regardless of a player's talent level, most effective and powerful swings are produced when the force-generating muscles are preloaded first. The force generating muscles are found in the lower body. There must be transfer of this force to the upper body in sequential motion in order to create a powerful and effective golf swing. This can only occur if the muscles in both areas are properly stretched and flexible.
Balance also plays an important role in the flexible movement and correct postural alignment for an effective golf swing. To some degree, flexibility and balance go hand in hand.
The fact is that no matter what your natural talent, age, gender, or current level of play if you condition your body for an increased level of flexibility the chances are very good that your golf swing will consistently improve. Even a few minutes a day of stretching exercises can go a long way to achieving improvement.
Flexibility is considered by many to be one of the most important factors of a successful golf swing. The logic behind this belief is because it increases the movement distance for force application. Studies have demonstrated that greater amounts of force can be produced when a muscle is pre-stretched before performing the activity demanded of it.
A pre-stretched muscle creates elastic recoil that applies additional force for a more powerful contraction. This procedure is also known as preloading the muscle. By understanding the dynamics of flexibility, it only makes sense that it contributes heavily to a more powerful golf swing.
Golf is a power sport. The golfer must be able to generate near-maximum power a certain number of times during a round of golf. Regardless of a player's talent level, most effective and powerful swings are produced when the force-generating muscles are preloaded first. The force generating muscles are found in the lower body. There must be transfer of this force to the upper body in sequential motion in order to create a powerful and effective golf swing. This can only occur if the muscles in both areas are properly stretched and flexible.
Balance also plays an important role in the flexible movement and correct postural alignment for an effective golf swing. To some degree, flexibility and balance go hand in hand.
The fact is that no matter what your natural talent, age, gender, or current level of play if you condition your body for an increased level of flexibility the chances are very good that your golf swing will consistently improve. Even a few minutes a day of stretching exercises can go a long way to achieving improvement.
Three Golf Tips For Balance During Your Golf Swing
Golf tips for balance. Balance is very essential in executing the right golf swing and in this article I point out three reasons why you may be having difficulties achieving the required balance and I also give three golf tips for balance to correct the situation.
A) Poor setup A good setup as you approach your shot is essential to helping you maintain balance throughout the golf swing. Setup is easily the most critical golf tip on balance and being able to make a good shot. If your setup is good, even if your other technique is wrong the chances of making a good shot become very high. Part of making a good shot of course involves maintaining your balance throughout the swing.
B) Trying to hit the ball with all your strength Here is a rather familiar problem amongst amateur golfers. You want to make your drive as long as possible and therefore you hit the ball with all your strength. Not surprising this action rarely has the desired effect and in many cases it results in loss of balance. The golf tip here to correct the balance problem in this case is that the golf club is specially designed to do most of your work for you and technique and golf fitness will work much better than brute force.
C) Weak flabby and unexercised muscles Your level of golf fitness will have a big say in how well you maintain your balance during and after a golf swing. Golf fitness means that you will have strength and power in your muscles which will give you more confidence and help you maintain your cool and the correct posture all the time. The golf tip on balance here is that strengthened and conditioned muscles will always make a huge difference, not only in your balance but also in your entire game.
These golf tips on balance should help you correct any balance problem you may be having.
A) Poor setup A good setup as you approach your shot is essential to helping you maintain balance throughout the golf swing. Setup is easily the most critical golf tip on balance and being able to make a good shot. If your setup is good, even if your other technique is wrong the chances of making a good shot become very high. Part of making a good shot of course involves maintaining your balance throughout the swing.
B) Trying to hit the ball with all your strength Here is a rather familiar problem amongst amateur golfers. You want to make your drive as long as possible and therefore you hit the ball with all your strength. Not surprising this action rarely has the desired effect and in many cases it results in loss of balance. The golf tip here to correct the balance problem in this case is that the golf club is specially designed to do most of your work for you and technique and golf fitness will work much better than brute force.
C) Weak flabby and unexercised muscles Your level of golf fitness will have a big say in how well you maintain your balance during and after a golf swing. Golf fitness means that you will have strength and power in your muscles which will give you more confidence and help you maintain your cool and the correct posture all the time. The golf tip on balance here is that strengthened and conditioned muscles will always make a huge difference, not only in your balance but also in your entire game.
These golf tips on balance should help you correct any balance problem you may be having.
Drivers and Fairway Woods
Whether you are a professional or an amateur golfer, Drivers and Fairway woods are the words that you must have heard thousand times. In simple words drivers are the commonly known golf sticks especially designed for short shots.
You will find number of golf drivers in the market made up of Titanium, Copper, Carbon, Nickel and some other alloys. These alloys provides hardest look to the golf driver. Almost all golf drivers available in the market are built with an idea of compression golf ball at impact. Golf drivers with flexible face, designed to eliminate energy at impact, are considered better for improvement of game.
Golf Drivers are considered as the longest club. Presently golf drivers with 45 inches length are common. This length factor makes it difficult to control the swing. On the other side shorter clubs are known as fairway woods, generally referred to as fairway metals. Materials used for manufacturing both golf drivers and fairway woods are same. These fairway woods posses the proprietary of progressiveness like irons. There are different types of fairway woods like 3-wood, 4-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood and 9-wood. One may rarely find a 2-wood. These fairways woods may decide the distance the golf club go after hit.
Usually fairway woods have smaller heads comparing to golf drivers. This aspect makes fairway woods easier than drivers when it comes to controlling the swing. It is advisable for beginners to opt for fairway woods instead of trying to use a driver. You can use the fairway to hit the driver if you are a skilled golfer. Greater lofts and smaller heads of fairway woods help in hitting the ball high into the air. Fairway woods are convenient to handle than long drivers and are used basically by amateur golfers and beginners. The main purpose of both drivers and fairway woods is to strike the club. In simple words drivers are used to hit the ball on the upswing and fairway wood is used to hit the club at swing bottom.
Fairway woods consists of large heads, bulging clubface, flattened soles sliding over the ground and are spherical in shape. In the past club-heads were made from persimmon and maple wood. Club heads in the present era are made from metal alloys and hence are termed as metal-woods. Senior players and ladies prefer fairway woods that are higher lofted. It is so because fairway woods give them easier hit to the club while hitting the club high in the air at lower speed.
Shaft length of fairway wood may differ from 40 inches to 45 inches.
The longest version of club is termed as driver. Drivers have bigger club-head. Drivers are mainly used for hit off the tee. Skilled golfers can hit drivers from the turf. The standard length of driver is 45 inches.
You may choose a driver or a fairway wood according to your skills and style. Some skilled golfers prefer shorter shafts which facilitates them to use it easily despite the fact that shorter shafts are likely to reduce the distance. Usually fairway woods are fitted with graphite shafts considering their light weight. This light weight enables golfers to accelerate higher club-head speed and achieve longer distance. The USGA approved length of the shaft is 47 inches. However, you may find some fairway woods with shaft length of up-to 50 inches. These longer shaft woods are used for long drive tournaments but are illegal.
It is evident that success and improvement of your game depends upon the right club may it be drivers or fairway woods.
You will find number of golf drivers in the market made up of Titanium, Copper, Carbon, Nickel and some other alloys. These alloys provides hardest look to the golf driver. Almost all golf drivers available in the market are built with an idea of compression golf ball at impact. Golf drivers with flexible face, designed to eliminate energy at impact, are considered better for improvement of game.
Golf Drivers are considered as the longest club. Presently golf drivers with 45 inches length are common. This length factor makes it difficult to control the swing. On the other side shorter clubs are known as fairway woods, generally referred to as fairway metals. Materials used for manufacturing both golf drivers and fairway woods are same. These fairway woods posses the proprietary of progressiveness like irons. There are different types of fairway woods like 3-wood, 4-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood and 9-wood. One may rarely find a 2-wood. These fairways woods may decide the distance the golf club go after hit.
Usually fairway woods have smaller heads comparing to golf drivers. This aspect makes fairway woods easier than drivers when it comes to controlling the swing. It is advisable for beginners to opt for fairway woods instead of trying to use a driver. You can use the fairway to hit the driver if you are a skilled golfer. Greater lofts and smaller heads of fairway woods help in hitting the ball high into the air. Fairway woods are convenient to handle than long drivers and are used basically by amateur golfers and beginners. The main purpose of both drivers and fairway woods is to strike the club. In simple words drivers are used to hit the ball on the upswing and fairway wood is used to hit the club at swing bottom.
Fairway woods consists of large heads, bulging clubface, flattened soles sliding over the ground and are spherical in shape. In the past club-heads were made from persimmon and maple wood. Club heads in the present era are made from metal alloys and hence are termed as metal-woods. Senior players and ladies prefer fairway woods that are higher lofted. It is so because fairway woods give them easier hit to the club while hitting the club high in the air at lower speed.
Shaft length of fairway wood may differ from 40 inches to 45 inches.
The longest version of club is termed as driver. Drivers have bigger club-head. Drivers are mainly used for hit off the tee. Skilled golfers can hit drivers from the turf. The standard length of driver is 45 inches.
You may choose a driver or a fairway wood according to your skills and style. Some skilled golfers prefer shorter shafts which facilitates them to use it easily despite the fact that shorter shafts are likely to reduce the distance. Usually fairway woods are fitted with graphite shafts considering their light weight. This light weight enables golfers to accelerate higher club-head speed and achieve longer distance. The USGA approved length of the shaft is 47 inches. However, you may find some fairway woods with shaft length of up-to 50 inches. These longer shaft woods are used for long drive tournaments but are illegal.
It is evident that success and improvement of your game depends upon the right club may it be drivers or fairway woods.
Are Those The Right Golf Clubs For You?
What kind of golf clubs are you playing with these days? Are they the golf clubs that you should have chosen? Really? Do you even know? There are many different kinds of golf clubs out there and if you did not check them all out before you made your final decision you have no way of knowing if you choose correctly.
Purchasing golf clubs is one of the most important things, if not the most important thing that you will ever have to do when it comes to playing golf. Your golf game is going to depend on the golf clubs that you choose to play with. Your swing is everything to your game and without the right golf clubs you will not be able to swing the right way.
When choosing the right golf clubs you need to take a good long look at the shaft. The flexibility of the shaft of any golf club is going to tell you a lot about the club. Not everyone is comfortable with the same amount of flexibility and you need to find the golf clubs that you are the most comfortable with. Try out many different flexibility levels to see what suits you the best. The golf stores will let you do this. Even if you plan to buy them for less online you can still visit a golf store to see how the golf clubs feel in your hands. I recommend everyone do this before they commit to any particular golf clubs.
While you are in the golf store get your swing measured. This will also help you to find the best possible golf clubs for your golf game.
Different golf clubs have different lengths and not all lengths suit all golfers. You need to check out the different lengths to see which will suit your body and your game the best. In most cases a standard length is the way to go but short people and tall people will need a different length when it comes to their golf clubs. You do not want to have to bend in order to hit the ball, the length of your golf clubs is another essential aspect to a good golf game.
You will also want to take into consideration your handicap in golf. This too will have a bearing on the golf clubs that you should be choosing the next time you are in the market for new clubs.
Your ability in golf will have a direct bearing on your choice of golf clubs as well. There are golf clubs that are made for those just beginning to play golf and golf clubs made for pros. If you are just starting to play the game and you are not even sure that you are going to like it yet then you do not want to go out and spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your golf clubs do you? That would be crazy. What if you end up hating it? It is a far better idea to start out in a more affordable price range with your first golf clubs.
How Do The Golf Pros Train?
Before any golfer, pro or otherwise, picks up a club, they look at the capability of their body versus the requirements of the swing.
What exactly does this mean?
Most of us are aware that golf requires rotation at the hip joints, shoulder joints and spine. So, what if a golfer has a very tight low back or any restrictions in their shoulders? Well, the obvious answer is that any loss of range of motion creates swing flaws in addition to injuries. This is a fact based on human performance and movement. It is also necessary to create a fluid and natural golf swing. Not only does golf require good rotation at each joint, but it must be efficient and explosive.
Last fall I had the opportunity to visit such a human performance center where some of the more famous tour players train. I was able to explore the same tests they take as part of their initial assessment period. Remember since we are all built differently and have different strengths and weaknesses, we all test differently.
The results of these tests help guide, direct and prioritize any training program moving forward. How successful is this approach to golf conditioning? I watched it place a green jacket on a well deserving young player just a couple of years ago.
What exactly do you test for?
Muscle strength. Evaluate each significant muscle group. Are there any significant differences between your left side and your right side?
Range of Motion. Do you have adequate range of motion in the joints which most affect the golf swing? How does your lower body look versus your upper body? Does your left side match the flexibility in your right?
Core strength and endurance. Do you know how to properly engage your core region? If so, for how long?
Aerobic capacity and endurance. Do you have what it takes to last through a solid 18 holes? Is there an opportunity for improvement?
Balance. Do you have proper balance? Do you know what normal balance for golf looks like?
Physical assessment tests similar are commonly used by the top touring pros today. These tests are being offered at some of the top golf performance centers and will surely be the wave of the future. It is your true understanding of your relative strengths and weaknesses that creates opportunities for immediate and sound improvement in your game.
A Golf Driver Tip To Remember
Every golfer wants to know the best golf driver tip. I hate to disappoint you but there are many great golf driver tips that could be the key to unlocking monster drives for you. Every month the golf magazines have dozens of tips in them, but none of them get to the root of the problem.
Every golfer wants to know the best golf driver tip. I hate to disappoint you but there are many great golf driver tips that could be the key to unlocking monster drives for you. Every month the golf magazines have dozens of tips in them, but none of them get to the root of the problem.
If I were to get the opportunity to write a golf driver tip for a magazine, I’d say something against the norm. Something teaching instructors wouldn’t want to hear. Do you want to know what it is? It’s not some quick fix, because they never work long-term. The “only” thing that works long-term is working on you.
Your body has a current level of physical ability. I don’t care how many balls you hit at the range; how many lessons you take; and what driver you’re swinging. Hitting the ball further takes an increase in clubhead speed. Period. So hitting more balls or taking more lessons won’t improve this.
The only thing that can improve clubhead speed is strengthening your core rotational strength and flexibility. Your core is the engine to your swing. A weak or inflexible core will not give you the results you are looking for.
The golf swing a turn back and a turn through. Isn’t that about as simple as you can make it? If that’s true, why wouldn’t you improve your body’s ability to rotate quicker and more powerfully? This is the ticket to longer drives!
There are many simple, yet effective core rotational exercises you can do in your home, or even office to greatly improve your clubhead speed and driving distance.
Do you want an easy one you can do right in your chair?
Cross your arms in front of your chest. Sit up tall and erect. With a fixed head position, rotate to the right and left slowly. See how far you can go. Do this without stopping. As you feel a loosening of the core, start to rotate faster and faster. Do this 20 or 30 times when you think about it and I guarantee you’ll feel it.
Since time is such a valuable commodity, you’ve got to get creative. I’ve put together a complete section of my manual that covers simples stretches and exercises you can do right in your chair in your office. You can’t get more convenient than that.
I hope I didn’t disappoint you with this golf driver tip.
Every golfer wants to know the best golf driver tip. I hate to disappoint you but there are many great golf driver tips that could be the key to unlocking monster drives for you. Every month the golf magazines have dozens of tips in them, but none of them get to the root of the problem.
If I were to get the opportunity to write a golf driver tip for a magazine, I’d say something against the norm. Something teaching instructors wouldn’t want to hear. Do you want to know what it is? It’s not some quick fix, because they never work long-term. The “only” thing that works long-term is working on you.
Your body has a current level of physical ability. I don’t care how many balls you hit at the range; how many lessons you take; and what driver you’re swinging. Hitting the ball further takes an increase in clubhead speed. Period. So hitting more balls or taking more lessons won’t improve this.
The only thing that can improve clubhead speed is strengthening your core rotational strength and flexibility. Your core is the engine to your swing. A weak or inflexible core will not give you the results you are looking for.
The golf swing a turn back and a turn through. Isn’t that about as simple as you can make it? If that’s true, why wouldn’t you improve your body’s ability to rotate quicker and more powerfully? This is the ticket to longer drives!
There are many simple, yet effective core rotational exercises you can do in your home, or even office to greatly improve your clubhead speed and driving distance.
Do you want an easy one you can do right in your chair?
Cross your arms in front of your chest. Sit up tall and erect. With a fixed head position, rotate to the right and left slowly. See how far you can go. Do this without stopping. As you feel a loosening of the core, start to rotate faster and faster. Do this 20 or 30 times when you think about it and I guarantee you’ll feel it.
Since time is such a valuable commodity, you’ve got to get creative. I’ve put together a complete section of my manual that covers simples stretches and exercises you can do right in your chair in your office. You can’t get more convenient than that.
I hope I didn’t disappoint you with this golf driver tip.
Golf Swing Trainer - What Is It?
Golf swing trainer is a term you might think of for a training aid that works on your golf swing. I’ve come up with a new definition for a golf swing trainer. It happens to be what I do for a living.
Golf swing trainer is a term you might think of for a training aid that works on your golf swing. I’ve come up with a new definition for a golf swing trainer. It happens to be what I do for a living.
I won’t take up this whole article talking about myself, but I do want you to think of a golf swing trainer in a different light after reading this.
You see…I’ve watched and read about the millions of golfers who are in search of the “silver bullet”. The “magic pill” that will give them the perfect swing and the game they dream of. Well…it’s not out there! I hate to ruin the party, but there is no such thing.
There is hope!
I have spent the better part of 10 years studying the golf swing. And over 25 years in the field of fitness and exercise physiology. I have combined my two passions into the label of golf swing trainer.
It came to me one day when I was working with one of my personal golf clients. We were talking about his swing faults and I was prescribing golf stretches and exercises to eliminate the swing fault.
After just 4 sessions…his swing fault was gone! Completely! He was thrilled to say the least. He told me he had taken private golf lessons with 4 different golf teaching pros and couldn’t correct his golf swing fault.
When he explained it to me…it was obvious. It was a physical limitation that was not allowing his body to perform the prescribed technique all these teaching pros had told him he needed to do.
I was as thrilled as he was and now here I am. A golf swing trainer implementing golf exercises and stretches to eliminate golf swing faults. It’s the most effective way to permanently eliminate swing faults with minimal or now change in technique. The swing just falls into place when the body can perform at optimal strength and flexibility levels.
You heard it here first. Now I am quite confident you will hear more professionals in my field of expertise use it.
A golf swing trainer should have superior knowledge of the golf swing from a mechanical standpoint and physical standpoint. If one or the other is missing, then this individual isn't a qualified professional that should be working on your golf swing.
So next time you hear this phrase…think of improving your body…not taking more lessons, buying the latest, greatest gimmicky training aid, or hitting more balls.
Golf Swing Trainer!
7 Tips To Improve Your Golf
If you have bad golfing habits today, you probably learned them when you first took up golf. But the good news is that anyone can break bad habits and learn good ones. Here are a couple of tips to help you on your way to playing better golf.
It's when you start to play golf that you learn fastest. If you have bad golfing habits today, you probably learned them when you first took up golf. But the good news is that anyone can break bad habits and learn good ones. Here are a couple of tips to help you on your way to playing better golf.
1. Your aim is vitally important. If you can't send the ball in the right direction you will never get it in any of the holes. The clubface is the only thing that propels the ball, so line up the clubface with the target first, then take your stance with your shoulders parallel to the target line.
2. Always aim away from potential problems. Tee the ball on the side where the problem is. This will help to keep the ball in play and avoid penalties.
3. Bad wrist action equals a bad shot in 90 percent of cases. Keep the left wrist flat in relation to the back of the left forearm and the back of the left hand, and don't swing the club back farther than shoulder turn.
4. Read the green properly. A golf ball will generally roll away from a hill and towards a water source. So, keep this in mind and adjust as necessary.
5. The grain of the green is important too as it effects the roll. Shiny grass show the grain running away from you, and dull grass highlights the grain running towards you. Putts with the grain go faster and further. Those against the grain go slower and less far.
6. Your shoulders should follow your swing. They should be passive and not lead. Remember that your shoulder movement will determine the direction that your club, and therefore the ball, will travel.
Why Would You Want Rusty Clubs?
There are some clubs that are designed to oxidize or rust and the reason for this is to help control the ball.
Similar to the action that the sand between the clubface and the ball assists with spin when playing out of a bunker, light rust or oxidation can also help with spin.
There are clubs on the market such as Trusty Rusty that are specifically designed to rust over time and often clubs are labeled to advertise the fact that they will rust.
These clubs are made of mild carbon steel, which does rust, unlike most types of stainless steel, which are designed to remain rust free.
These are usually limited to wedges to help with spin and control.
Rust alone will not give you the spin.
You will only get that from good technique.
Which brings us to the question of; who needs rusty clubs?
Well you don't see them on the Pro circuit so that must be telling us something.
Rusty clubs are for those people who have yet to up skill their game where they can control and spin the ball with a good, rust free club.
Some people try to do their own preparation by sanding their clubs or resorting to leaving them in conditions such as salt water to assist in the rusting process.
Sandpaper can do more damage than good and the time would be better spent with practice.
Clubs that are advertised as raw iron are the ones that will rust naturally or those clubs that haven't been chrome plated to protect the steel.
Spin is in the swing at the end of the day and everything comes back to the need to practice and get good professional help with your game.
Shortcuts in golf usually cost more - and don't we all know that only too well?
READ MORE
Similar to the action that the sand between the clubface and the ball assists with spin when playing out of a bunker, light rust or oxidation can also help with spin.
There are clubs on the market such as Trusty Rusty that are specifically designed to rust over time and often clubs are labeled to advertise the fact that they will rust.
These clubs are made of mild carbon steel, which does rust, unlike most types of stainless steel, which are designed to remain rust free.
These are usually limited to wedges to help with spin and control.
Rust alone will not give you the spin.
You will only get that from good technique.
Which brings us to the question of; who needs rusty clubs?
Well you don't see them on the Pro circuit so that must be telling us something.
Rusty clubs are for those people who have yet to up skill their game where they can control and spin the ball with a good, rust free club.
Some people try to do their own preparation by sanding their clubs or resorting to leaving them in conditions such as salt water to assist in the rusting process.
Sandpaper can do more damage than good and the time would be better spent with practice.
Clubs that are advertised as raw iron are the ones that will rust naturally or those clubs that haven't been chrome plated to protect the steel.
Spin is in the swing at the end of the day and everything comes back to the need to practice and get good professional help with your game.
Shortcuts in golf usually cost more - and don't we all know that only too well?
READ MORE
No Great Expectations.
How often have you played a round of golf with someone who hasn't played in years and they hit a stellar round that you would be proud of with all your practice and experience?
Have you ever wondered why this happens?
It's not all that unusual for this to happen and there is a simple reason in most instances.
That reason is - People who haven't played golf for a long time, have no great expectations of doing well.
They have probably told everyone before the round starts that they haven't played, so not only have they let themself off the hook to play well, but they have also been given a pass from everyone else.
We all know the importance of practice for consistently playing golf well and with that knowledge in mind we know that it is not possible for anyone to put in a good performance 'if they are rusty'
So with all the pressure off the comeback king or queen they play like a demon, hitting long straight shots and putting from the edges of the green like they are Tiger Woods the second.
What allows them to continue playing well is their subconscious mind set that they are just having a lucky day, and as long as they believe in their luck it will continue.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could eliminate all the pressure that we place upon ourselves to perform and just get out there and hit the ball?
The results would probably be better than anticipated because there would be no great expectations and no matter what the score, we would not have failed.
Once again, it is all about the mind and only we can control it or else we will let it control us.
The more relaxed we can remain throughout the course of the day the more likely the chances of getting a good score.
READ MORE
Have you ever wondered why this happens?
It's not all that unusual for this to happen and there is a simple reason in most instances.
That reason is - People who haven't played golf for a long time, have no great expectations of doing well.
They have probably told everyone before the round starts that they haven't played, so not only have they let themself off the hook to play well, but they have also been given a pass from everyone else.
We all know the importance of practice for consistently playing golf well and with that knowledge in mind we know that it is not possible for anyone to put in a good performance 'if they are rusty'
So with all the pressure off the comeback king or queen they play like a demon, hitting long straight shots and putting from the edges of the green like they are Tiger Woods the second.
What allows them to continue playing well is their subconscious mind set that they are just having a lucky day, and as long as they believe in their luck it will continue.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could eliminate all the pressure that we place upon ourselves to perform and just get out there and hit the ball?
The results would probably be better than anticipated because there would be no great expectations and no matter what the score, we would not have failed.
Once again, it is all about the mind and only we can control it or else we will let it control us.
The more relaxed we can remain throughout the course of the day the more likely the chances of getting a good score.
READ MORE
Are You Still Thinking about Your Last Shot?
Will the last shot you played determine where the golf ball goes this time?
You might be surprised to realize that for many people the shot they have just played will have a major impact on their next shot.
The golf player who can switch his mind off that last shot, and move on, will always have a decided advantage over the competition.
If you are one of the many golfers who let their previous performance affect the rest of their game, then retraining your mind will do more for your game than all the tuition that any golf pro can give you.
How many times have we seen Tiger Woods play winning shots from out of the rough?
How many times have we seen him come from behind to win major tournaments?
There is one thing that other players will never do, and that is to write Tiger off if he has not been having a good game. This is because they know he has the mind power to put everything behind him.
In doing so, all the subsequent strokes are focused on winning the tournament.
Even the best golfers in the world duff their shots on occasions, but the way they handle those situations is a major reason why they are at the top of their game.
They don't let mistakes have any impact on the rest of their game, as they know that if they do, they will have no chance of recovery.
Your mind and the thoughts that you allow it to have, are the most powerful influences on the performance of your game.
It impacts on so many areas of play that it is often the downfall of so many golfers who could be better than their handicap suggests.
Consider the additional tension in your body when you are thinking about the last shot and how the next one needs to be so much better to compensate for your error.
That tension is translated into your swing and the possibility of a great shot is diminished accordingly.
READ MORE
You might be surprised to realize that for many people the shot they have just played will have a major impact on their next shot.
The golf player who can switch his mind off that last shot, and move on, will always have a decided advantage over the competition.
If you are one of the many golfers who let their previous performance affect the rest of their game, then retraining your mind will do more for your game than all the tuition that any golf pro can give you.
How many times have we seen Tiger Woods play winning shots from out of the rough?
How many times have we seen him come from behind to win major tournaments?
There is one thing that other players will never do, and that is to write Tiger off if he has not been having a good game. This is because they know he has the mind power to put everything behind him.
In doing so, all the subsequent strokes are focused on winning the tournament.
Even the best golfers in the world duff their shots on occasions, but the way they handle those situations is a major reason why they are at the top of their game.
They don't let mistakes have any impact on the rest of their game, as they know that if they do, they will have no chance of recovery.
Your mind and the thoughts that you allow it to have, are the most powerful influences on the performance of your game.
It impacts on so many areas of play that it is often the downfall of so many golfers who could be better than their handicap suggests.
Consider the additional tension in your body when you are thinking about the last shot and how the next one needs to be so much better to compensate for your error.
That tension is translated into your swing and the possibility of a great shot is diminished accordingly.
READ MORE
The Problem With Hills
There's nothing like a hilly golf course to test your skills.
In a perfect world the golf ball would always fall on flat smooth ground, but that's why golf is so addictive.
Every shot is different and the lie of the land is one of the factors that can make or break your game.
So what are you to do when your ball has just landed on a slope?
The first step is to have a practice swing to determine where your golf club is striking the ground.
Without the practice swing you will most likely be relying on good luck to hit the perfect shot.
When you see where your club is striking the ground you can alter your stance accordingly.
If your club strikes the ground nearer your back foot you will need to move your stance so the ball is nearer to your back foot and the inverse is the case if your club is striking the ground nearer your front foot.
Just position your feet back so the ball is nearer your front foot.
It might sound more difficult than it actually is but all we are doing is ensuring the ball is going to be in the right position for where the club is striking.
Now this is the simple explanation for when the ball is on an uphill or downhill slope but there will be many occasions where the ball will be on a side slope and this is where things can get tricky.
On a side hill lie you will position your feet according to whether they are above or below the ball.
If they are above the ball you will tend to pull the ball to the left due to the action dictated by your legs as you try to maintain balance and therefore slow your swing down.
With the ball above your feet you will normally hit it straight or to the left.
If that seems confusing then there is, as always, a good solution.
Take a few balls to a slope and practice.
There is nothing quite like it for getting the perfect shot.
READ MORE
In a perfect world the golf ball would always fall on flat smooth ground, but that's why golf is so addictive.
Every shot is different and the lie of the land is one of the factors that can make or break your game.
So what are you to do when your ball has just landed on a slope?
The first step is to have a practice swing to determine where your golf club is striking the ground.
Without the practice swing you will most likely be relying on good luck to hit the perfect shot.
When you see where your club is striking the ground you can alter your stance accordingly.
If your club strikes the ground nearer your back foot you will need to move your stance so the ball is nearer to your back foot and the inverse is the case if your club is striking the ground nearer your front foot.
Just position your feet back so the ball is nearer your front foot.
It might sound more difficult than it actually is but all we are doing is ensuring the ball is going to be in the right position for where the club is striking.
Now this is the simple explanation for when the ball is on an uphill or downhill slope but there will be many occasions where the ball will be on a side slope and this is where things can get tricky.
On a side hill lie you will position your feet according to whether they are above or below the ball.
If they are above the ball you will tend to pull the ball to the left due to the action dictated by your legs as you try to maintain balance and therefore slow your swing down.
With the ball above your feet you will normally hit it straight or to the left.
If that seems confusing then there is, as always, a good solution.
Take a few balls to a slope and practice.
There is nothing quite like it for getting the perfect shot.
READ MORE
Time for a Change in Handicap
There are always plateaus in the progress of any sport and golf probably has more than most.
You might get to a target handicap and seem to be stuck there unable to improve.
Often it is a mental barrier that we need to address before we can move on, but there are also other things you can do to reduce that score.
Even minor improvements can make a big difference over the course of a game.
Practice is the most obvious way to improve your game but new/different golf balls or golf clubs might just be what is needed to improve your game.
As we improve our needs change and this can mean you will need different compression golf balls or maybe stiffer shafts for your clubs.
As your swing changes so do the effects this has on your golf clubs and clubs that flex too much might no longer 'cut the mustard'
Have you ever considered you might be thinking too much?
Try relaxing a bit more and enjoy the game.
A better score might just follow.
Alternatively, some people just don't focus enough and bring a week worth of worries and concerns to the course and hope to play well.
Focus on the areas that are letting you down the most.
While they might not be the area that you prefer to practice, they are likely to be where you can find the most improvement.
Invariably it will be the short game letting most people down, and as over half of our strokes in a game of golf rely on these shots, any improvement can have a dramatic affect.
Finally, record any data that can help you improve.
Write quick notes on what you did on a particular hole and what the outcome of that was.
You can refer to these notes when you are away from the game and plan how to improve your play.
READ MORE
You might get to a target handicap and seem to be stuck there unable to improve.
Often it is a mental barrier that we need to address before we can move on, but there are also other things you can do to reduce that score.
Even minor improvements can make a big difference over the course of a game.
Practice is the most obvious way to improve your game but new/different golf balls or golf clubs might just be what is needed to improve your game.
As we improve our needs change and this can mean you will need different compression golf balls or maybe stiffer shafts for your clubs.
As your swing changes so do the effects this has on your golf clubs and clubs that flex too much might no longer 'cut the mustard'
Have you ever considered you might be thinking too much?
Try relaxing a bit more and enjoy the game.
A better score might just follow.
Alternatively, some people just don't focus enough and bring a week worth of worries and concerns to the course and hope to play well.
Focus on the areas that are letting you down the most.
While they might not be the area that you prefer to practice, they are likely to be where you can find the most improvement.
Invariably it will be the short game letting most people down, and as over half of our strokes in a game of golf rely on these shots, any improvement can have a dramatic affect.
Finally, record any data that can help you improve.
Write quick notes on what you did on a particular hole and what the outcome of that was.
You can refer to these notes when you are away from the game and plan how to improve your play.
READ MORE
Resistance Training for Top Performance
No doubt you have already heard of the benefits that can be gained from resistance training in different sports, but many people are unaware of the fact that resistance training can also be highly beneficial to the golfer.
Obviously, with all things being equal, a stronger golfer will be able to hit the ball further and any added distance that can be gained can have a huge affect on your scorecard at the end of a round.
When you add all the little improvements together that can be garnered from the correct clubs, to the best fitting shoes, to the simple things like remaining hydrated you can see substantial overall gains to your performance.
Now add resistance training to the equation, even if you only do it for 20 minutes three times per week and you will be sure to see an improvement in your game.
Resistance training also adds to your endurance and with the likelihood of fatigue being eliminated from the last holes of your game you can dramatically reduce your handicap.
I have seen golfers make massive changes to their performance with nothing more than an increase in their fitness from resistance training.
Imagine how well John Daly might play if he was as fit and healthy as Tiger Woods.
I am sure anyone can see that there would be an improvement in his game.
Small improvements at that level can be translated into big paydays.
Daly is good, but he could certainly be better, and the same applies to us.
Strength and fitness are just another part of the recipe for a top performance on the course.
In addition to the strength and endurance aspects of resistance training, it will also help to assist your posture and this can eliminate any areas of concern in your stance and swing when you know what to address.
Obviously, with all things being equal, a stronger golfer will be able to hit the ball further and any added distance that can be gained can have a huge affect on your scorecard at the end of a round.
When you add all the little improvements together that can be garnered from the correct clubs, to the best fitting shoes, to the simple things like remaining hydrated you can see substantial overall gains to your performance.
Now add resistance training to the equation, even if you only do it for 20 minutes three times per week and you will be sure to see an improvement in your game.
Resistance training also adds to your endurance and with the likelihood of fatigue being eliminated from the last holes of your game you can dramatically reduce your handicap.
I have seen golfers make massive changes to their performance with nothing more than an increase in their fitness from resistance training.
Imagine how well John Daly might play if he was as fit and healthy as Tiger Woods.
I am sure anyone can see that there would be an improvement in his game.
Small improvements at that level can be translated into big paydays.
Daly is good, but he could certainly be better, and the same applies to us.
Strength and fitness are just another part of the recipe for a top performance on the course.
In addition to the strength and endurance aspects of resistance training, it will also help to assist your posture and this can eliminate any areas of concern in your stance and swing when you know what to address.
I Am Not a Good Driver
The problem with most people who have trouble driving well off the tee is the fact that they haven't mastered their swing before using a driver.
If you are having trouble with your driver a good way to get back on track is to leave it at home and tee off with a 3-iron instead.
While you won't get the same distance initially you will have more room for error and you will have a better chance of hitting the ball a lot straighter.
The idea is to swing your 3-iron in the same manner, as you would do with the 7-iron.
When you have the right control with this club you will begin to get more distance and you will be swinging in a slower more controlled manner.
Once this is translated to the driver you will realize that you don't have to 'hit' the ball.
You will focus more on control with a slower swing and let the club do the work that you might have been expecting your body to do.
Now taking this one step further, you could substitute the 3-iron for your 7-iron.
As strange as this might seem it was the fastest way that one woman I was playing golf with learnt to master her drive.
She played the 7-iron off the tee until she was consistently getting straight shots and reasonable distance.
Her second shot was generally a 7-iron as well, so she was getting a lot of practice with that club.
While the initial shot wasn't going anywhere near as far as a 3- iron, they were straight and on many holes the combination of two 7-iron shots gave the same result for her as a 3-iron and a 9-iron.
After gaining consistency with the 7 she move to the 3-iron off the tee and eventually the driver.
Sometimes it is faster to take a few steps back to progress sooner.
If you are having trouble with your driver a good way to get back on track is to leave it at home and tee off with a 3-iron instead.
While you won't get the same distance initially you will have more room for error and you will have a better chance of hitting the ball a lot straighter.
The idea is to swing your 3-iron in the same manner, as you would do with the 7-iron.
When you have the right control with this club you will begin to get more distance and you will be swinging in a slower more controlled manner.
Once this is translated to the driver you will realize that you don't have to 'hit' the ball.
You will focus more on control with a slower swing and let the club do the work that you might have been expecting your body to do.
Now taking this one step further, you could substitute the 3-iron for your 7-iron.
As strange as this might seem it was the fastest way that one woman I was playing golf with learnt to master her drive.
She played the 7-iron off the tee until she was consistently getting straight shots and reasonable distance.
Her second shot was generally a 7-iron as well, so she was getting a lot of practice with that club.
While the initial shot wasn't going anywhere near as far as a 3- iron, they were straight and on many holes the combination of two 7-iron shots gave the same result for her as a 3-iron and a 9-iron.
After gaining consistency with the 7 she move to the 3-iron off the tee and eventually the driver.
Sometimes it is faster to take a few steps back to progress sooner.
Your Own Personal Golf Pro at Every Game
Have you ever considered what the source of your problems might have been when you just finished a poor round of golf?
Many people will be surprised to know that most of their problems stemmed from the way they were holding their clubs.
You probably already know the situation I am about to describe.
You hit a bad shot and then you tell yourself that the next shot has to be better to compensate and the pressure begins to grow.
Along with the increasing pressure is a tendency to grip the clubs too hard.
Tension has a tendency to make us do that.
Along with this tight grip we have on the club goes a corresponding loss of control.
The ball starts flying in all directions, and the tension builds ever more, until you look at your knuckles and they are white from the pressure.
If your clubs had to breath you would have choked them by now.
I had a playing partner who had a simple list of instructions that he would read when his game started to fall apart and at the top of that list was 'don't strangle the clubs'
It's simple and we all know about it, but this visual reminder was all that it would take to get his game back on course and ensure that the tension wasn't there in the rest of his game.
This technique of having written guidelines was so powerful that several other people started using it.
It was like having your own personal golf pro walking with you and giving you the necessary instructions when things started to go wrong.
Those words would allow him to focus on the next shot and release all the tension that would have otherwise crept into his game.
Try carrying your own list of 'game savers' around with you next time and don't hesitate to read them at the first sign your game might be falling apart.
It is an incredibly powerful technique.
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Many people will be surprised to know that most of their problems stemmed from the way they were holding their clubs.
You probably already know the situation I am about to describe.
You hit a bad shot and then you tell yourself that the next shot has to be better to compensate and the pressure begins to grow.
Along with the increasing pressure is a tendency to grip the clubs too hard.
Tension has a tendency to make us do that.
Along with this tight grip we have on the club goes a corresponding loss of control.
The ball starts flying in all directions, and the tension builds ever more, until you look at your knuckles and they are white from the pressure.
If your clubs had to breath you would have choked them by now.
I had a playing partner who had a simple list of instructions that he would read when his game started to fall apart and at the top of that list was 'don't strangle the clubs'
It's simple and we all know about it, but this visual reminder was all that it would take to get his game back on course and ensure that the tension wasn't there in the rest of his game.
This technique of having written guidelines was so powerful that several other people started using it.
It was like having your own personal golf pro walking with you and giving you the necessary instructions when things started to go wrong.
Those words would allow him to focus on the next shot and release all the tension that would have otherwise crept into his game.
Try carrying your own list of 'game savers' around with you next time and don't hesitate to read them at the first sign your game might be falling apart.
It is an incredibly powerful technique.
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Some Driving Tips
We don't always want our drives to be the same.
If there is a strong tail wind you should take advantage of the extra distance that can be gained with wind assistance.
To do this, tee the ball higher.
As a general guideline a ball placed higher on a tee will gain more height.
The inverse is the case when we want the ball to stay low.
Lower the tee and the ball will travel lower.
This is helpful where there is a headwind and when the fairway is fast and you can take advantage of the ball running on along the ground.
Depending on the conditions and your ability to use your driver it might be more beneficial to use your iron.
When the fairway is narrow and there is little room for error it might be better to use an iron for more control and even reduce your swing to maintain a more accurate trajectory.
The driver, being the longest club, is also the hardest to control.
You might find that you get better results from a driving iron.
It doesn't matter what club you use provided it delivers accuracy first and distance second.
You will also need to practice drives that aren't at 100%.
Lowering your position on the grip slightly and reducing your swing can achieve these ‘smaller’ drives.
The additional control that you gain will help in 'sticky' situations where you aren't confident to go for a long drive.
Everything is golf is variable even when using the same club and practice will help you to know the results that can be expected from changes in speed, swing and ball height on the tee.
There will be times when you need to decide what club to use when driving because the distance to the flag is between your club range.
The obvious choice is to use an iron rather than the driver, as safe shots are more productive to a good score than recoveries from overshooting the hole.
If there is a strong tail wind you should take advantage of the extra distance that can be gained with wind assistance.
To do this, tee the ball higher.
As a general guideline a ball placed higher on a tee will gain more height.
The inverse is the case when we want the ball to stay low.
Lower the tee and the ball will travel lower.
This is helpful where there is a headwind and when the fairway is fast and you can take advantage of the ball running on along the ground.
Depending on the conditions and your ability to use your driver it might be more beneficial to use your iron.
When the fairway is narrow and there is little room for error it might be better to use an iron for more control and even reduce your swing to maintain a more accurate trajectory.
The driver, being the longest club, is also the hardest to control.
You might find that you get better results from a driving iron.
It doesn't matter what club you use provided it delivers accuracy first and distance second.
You will also need to practice drives that aren't at 100%.
Lowering your position on the grip slightly and reducing your swing can achieve these ‘smaller’ drives.
The additional control that you gain will help in 'sticky' situations where you aren't confident to go for a long drive.
Everything is golf is variable even when using the same club and practice will help you to know the results that can be expected from changes in speed, swing and ball height on the tee.
There will be times when you need to decide what club to use when driving because the distance to the flag is between your club range.
The obvious choice is to use an iron rather than the driver, as safe shots are more productive to a good score than recoveries from overshooting the hole.
Are You Playing with the Right Golf Balls?
Many people buy their golf balls based on economics.
If your game is not up to par and you think those water holes are looking a little ominous, you are more likely to buy a box of cheaper balls knowing that the pain won't be as great if a few of them get lost in the 'drink'
If you are looking for peak performance, then your choice of golf ball is crucial.
Golf ball selection can be as important to the success of your game as the clubs you will be carrying around the course.
Your golf balls need to be matched to your swing and your style of play.
If your style and golf balls are mismatched then you cannot hope to get the best results.
Sure, they might all look the same, but golf balls are technologically advanced balls, and all of them are designed with a specific purpose in mind.
There are balls for all different levels of skill, from the beginner to the pro, and within those levels there are balls designed specifically to match various playing styles.
The balls are designed with different densities that allow for varying levels of spin, distance and control.
The various types of covers on the balls and the core of the ball determine these factors.
Before you even consider buying a golf ball, you need to know what your style of play is and what type of ball you need to maximize your performance.
This will change if you are still progressing through the game, and as you master new skills you will need to change the type of ball you use accordingly.
If you are unsure of your style, spend a little time with a golf pro and get him or her to watch you play some shots.
Ask them to tell you what type of ball you should be using.
If they are any good at their job, they will be able to advise you what balls to buy.
Good ball choice can also help correct some errors that you might have in your style of play.
It could be that the balls you are currently using are mismatched to the way you are hitting them and this is actually more prevalent than many people understand.
If your game is not up to par and you think those water holes are looking a little ominous, you are more likely to buy a box of cheaper balls knowing that the pain won't be as great if a few of them get lost in the 'drink'
If you are looking for peak performance, then your choice of golf ball is crucial.
Golf ball selection can be as important to the success of your game as the clubs you will be carrying around the course.
Your golf balls need to be matched to your swing and your style of play.
If your style and golf balls are mismatched then you cannot hope to get the best results.
Sure, they might all look the same, but golf balls are technologically advanced balls, and all of them are designed with a specific purpose in mind.
There are balls for all different levels of skill, from the beginner to the pro, and within those levels there are balls designed specifically to match various playing styles.
The balls are designed with different densities that allow for varying levels of spin, distance and control.
The various types of covers on the balls and the core of the ball determine these factors.
Before you even consider buying a golf ball, you need to know what your style of play is and what type of ball you need to maximize your performance.
This will change if you are still progressing through the game, and as you master new skills you will need to change the type of ball you use accordingly.
If you are unsure of your style, spend a little time with a golf pro and get him or her to watch you play some shots.
Ask them to tell you what type of ball you should be using.
If they are any good at their job, they will be able to advise you what balls to buy.
Good ball choice can also help correct some errors that you might have in your style of play.
It could be that the balls you are currently using are mismatched to the way you are hitting them and this is actually more prevalent than many people understand.
Getting Out of Trouble
It is always best to stay out of trouble in the first place and that is why learning to control the ball and place it where it should be is the fastest way to a better score rather than relying on big drives off the tee.
Unfortunately that is not always the case and as golf is constantly challenging us to perform better and better we strive to go for more distance or attempt shots that we aren't 100% comfortable with.
Obviously the inevitable will happen and we will need to decide how to get out of the rough and salvage the hole.
All too often golfers make the wrong decision by not erring on the safe side and accepting that one more shot or a different iron might be a better solution.
You might think you can clear that tree with a 7 iron but if there are any doubts whatsoever it will be wise to select a 'safer' 8 or 9 iron just to be sure.
Consider using a pitching wedge if you aren't completely sure you will make the shot with the 9.
A safe shot can set you up for a good recovery by placing the ball in an easier position whereas taking risks might mean you don't make any gains at all.
It's like a seasoned gambler where you know the odds and playing safe often leaves more money on the table at the end of the day.
Golf is all about making the right decisions more often than not and a decision not to play safe can be detrimental to your score, particularly when the distance you might have gained with another club would probably have been minimal anyway.
Always play within your skills when you find yourself in difficult situations.
Salvage bad shots and then take a few extra chances when there is less likelihood of error.
Unfortunately that is not always the case and as golf is constantly challenging us to perform better and better we strive to go for more distance or attempt shots that we aren't 100% comfortable with.
Obviously the inevitable will happen and we will need to decide how to get out of the rough and salvage the hole.
All too often golfers make the wrong decision by not erring on the safe side and accepting that one more shot or a different iron might be a better solution.
You might think you can clear that tree with a 7 iron but if there are any doubts whatsoever it will be wise to select a 'safer' 8 or 9 iron just to be sure.
Consider using a pitching wedge if you aren't completely sure you will make the shot with the 9.
A safe shot can set you up for a good recovery by placing the ball in an easier position whereas taking risks might mean you don't make any gains at all.
It's like a seasoned gambler where you know the odds and playing safe often leaves more money on the table at the end of the day.
Golf is all about making the right decisions more often than not and a decision not to play safe can be detrimental to your score, particularly when the distance you might have gained with another club would probably have been minimal anyway.
Always play within your skills when you find yourself in difficult situations.
Salvage bad shots and then take a few extra chances when there is less likelihood of error.
Are You a Leftie?
We can't blame the golf club manufacturers for targeting their most profitable market of right-handed golfers, but it is quite difficult for those golfers who play left handed to find the selection offered to the mainstream players.
I have known a few golfers who made the change early on by training to play right handed but this is unrealistic for most people.
You should be playing in the most natural manner possible and if that means left handed then so be it.
Unfortunately with everything these days it all comes down to economics and profitability and there just isn't enough money to be made for many manufacturers in the left-handed market.
The percentage of left handed players to right handed players is somewhere in the region of 8 percent so the market is quite small, although it is a niche market that some manufacturers are targeting albeit at more expense in most instances.
But there is always a silver lining to the problems that we might encounter.
At a recent after tournament function I was introduced to an elderly gentleman who was playing on a low handicap and had done so for many years.
During the discussion he mentioned left-handed clubs and the fact that he had started playing left handed initially.
He hadn't learnt how to play from a professional and had developed some bad techniques.
Eventually, due to frustration with his game and the inability to source the clubs he wanted to, he enlisted some professional help.
After much discussion it was decided that he should try playing right handed and the golf pro would give him the necessary tuition.
It was a godsend as he was effectively starting from scratch and he learnt how to play golf without any of the bad techniques that he had developed on his own.
The change from left to right, along with the professional training had held him in good steed for the rest of his golf playing life.
Sure, it was a major decision that most golfers wouldn't make, but you can never beat a golfer at trying to improve his game no matter what steps they might take.
I have known a few golfers who made the change early on by training to play right handed but this is unrealistic for most people.
You should be playing in the most natural manner possible and if that means left handed then so be it.
Unfortunately with everything these days it all comes down to economics and profitability and there just isn't enough money to be made for many manufacturers in the left-handed market.
The percentage of left handed players to right handed players is somewhere in the region of 8 percent so the market is quite small, although it is a niche market that some manufacturers are targeting albeit at more expense in most instances.
But there is always a silver lining to the problems that we might encounter.
At a recent after tournament function I was introduced to an elderly gentleman who was playing on a low handicap and had done so for many years.
During the discussion he mentioned left-handed clubs and the fact that he had started playing left handed initially.
He hadn't learnt how to play from a professional and had developed some bad techniques.
Eventually, due to frustration with his game and the inability to source the clubs he wanted to, he enlisted some professional help.
After much discussion it was decided that he should try playing right handed and the golf pro would give him the necessary tuition.
It was a godsend as he was effectively starting from scratch and he learnt how to play golf without any of the bad techniques that he had developed on his own.
The change from left to right, along with the professional training had held him in good steed for the rest of his golf playing life.
Sure, it was a major decision that most golfers wouldn't make, but you can never beat a golfer at trying to improve his game no matter what steps they might take.
You Have Fourteen Choices and One Level of Skill.
The rules of the game state that you are only allowed 14 golf clubs in your bag.
One of these will obviously be your putter, so that leaves you with 13 choices to get you around the course in the least number of strokes.
So what will you choose?
The beginner will generally choose the biggest driver they can buy with the intention of out driving all and sundry when they get to the course.
And I must admit to being one of those people when I started playing golf.
I learnt very fast that this was not the way to win, to improve my game, and to lower my handicap.
In fact my biggest handicap was the driver that I thought was going to be my savior.
There was no better lesson than the 80 year old playing partner I had one day, who consistently out drove me with his iron and a smooth effortless swing.
It was that day that I decided to change my way of thinking and concentrate on getting the most out of all the clubs in my bag rather than relying on a big drive and a pitching wedge to get me back on course.
Mastering the short game will do more for your handicap than any other aspect of your game, so getting the correct clubs for your style, physique and more importantly your skill levels will be the fast track to your success.
The difference in the distances that two people can drive off the tee can easily be compensated by skill with the irons in the approach to the greens.
There is more skill required for the short game and those who master the clubs that are needed between driving and putting will be at a decided advantage at the end of the day.
One of these will obviously be your putter, so that leaves you with 13 choices to get you around the course in the least number of strokes.
So what will you choose?
The beginner will generally choose the biggest driver they can buy with the intention of out driving all and sundry when they get to the course.
And I must admit to being one of those people when I started playing golf.
I learnt very fast that this was not the way to win, to improve my game, and to lower my handicap.
In fact my biggest handicap was the driver that I thought was going to be my savior.
There was no better lesson than the 80 year old playing partner I had one day, who consistently out drove me with his iron and a smooth effortless swing.
It was that day that I decided to change my way of thinking and concentrate on getting the most out of all the clubs in my bag rather than relying on a big drive and a pitching wedge to get me back on course.
Mastering the short game will do more for your handicap than any other aspect of your game, so getting the correct clubs for your style, physique and more importantly your skill levels will be the fast track to your success.
The difference in the distances that two people can drive off the tee can easily be compensated by skill with the irons in the approach to the greens.
There is more skill required for the short game and those who master the clubs that are needed between driving and putting will be at a decided advantage at the end of the day.
What Makes You Think You Can Play Well?
Many people take up golf and think they can play well from the outset.
Golf is a highly technical game that can take years to master yet we all expect to be playing a lot better than we do in a short space of time.
We expect to play consistently well with little or no practice, which is very strange because we would never expect that from most other sports.
All sports require skill, and none more encompassing than golf where a top round needs consistently good play on many holes and the right state of mind to allow that to occur.
Beginners luck is precisely that and unlikely to return to the golfer who doesn't put the time and the effort in to play regularly, practice regularly and learn from the professionals on the golf course and from the best books, DVD's and videos.
Taking shortcuts will land you in the bunker or the water and that is a fast way to put a dampener on your game.
The better your performance the more fun a round of golf will be as with any sport, and the only way that will happen is by applying all of the above recommendations to improve your levels of skill.
Where finances are a problem there are some excellent resources available offering instructions from the best golf pros in the world.
Most of this information is available relatively inexpensively, particularly on the Internet where information abounds.
There are also various golf aids available to help improve your swing even when you can't get outdoors.
Check out the major online golf stores and see what they have available, you might be surprised to see the help you can get with very little money down.
Also consider getting some good tapes to help you with mind control as all things being equal, the person who has the top few inches of their head in the right place on competition day will always win.
Golf is a highly technical game that can take years to master yet we all expect to be playing a lot better than we do in a short space of time.
We expect to play consistently well with little or no practice, which is very strange because we would never expect that from most other sports.
All sports require skill, and none more encompassing than golf where a top round needs consistently good play on many holes and the right state of mind to allow that to occur.
Beginners luck is precisely that and unlikely to return to the golfer who doesn't put the time and the effort in to play regularly, practice regularly and learn from the professionals on the golf course and from the best books, DVD's and videos.
Taking shortcuts will land you in the bunker or the water and that is a fast way to put a dampener on your game.
The better your performance the more fun a round of golf will be as with any sport, and the only way that will happen is by applying all of the above recommendations to improve your levels of skill.
Where finances are a problem there are some excellent resources available offering instructions from the best golf pros in the world.
Most of this information is available relatively inexpensively, particularly on the Internet where information abounds.
There are also various golf aids available to help improve your swing even when you can't get outdoors.
Check out the major online golf stores and see what they have available, you might be surprised to see the help you can get with very little money down.
Also consider getting some good tapes to help you with mind control as all things being equal, the person who has the top few inches of their head in the right place on competition day will always win.
Getting the Right Feel for Putting
Putting is all about 'feel' and there is no better way to get the feel of your putter than by blocking out all other outside distracting factors.
You are probably wondering how you might be able to do this.
Try closing your eyes for a moment and see how you can focus more easily something.
Just the action of closing your eyes will eliminate more than half of the distraction that we encounter constantly throughout the day.
So this is lesson in playing golf with your eyes closed.
Seriously - this is a great way to perfect your putting by getting the right 'feel'
You won't need the ball initially - just the putter and you standing on the green.
Now get into your normal putting stance and visualize a ball on the ground and line it up with the hole.
Swing your putter, as you would do if you were to hit a ball.
Now do it again with your eyes closed and become aware of the pressure of your hands on the grip.
Feel the lightness of your grip and the weight of the putter hanging in your hands.
As you swing gently, be aware of the club as it grazes the grass on the green.
You should be able to feel the pressure of the grass dragging lightly on your club.
You can continue to swing backwards and forwards in a fluid motion making slight adjustments to eliminate the drag on your putter and more importantly you will be able to focus on the lightness of touch you have on the grip of your club.
This is the important part of this exercise.
This will allow you to swing your putter while retaining the same light grip throughout the movement not squeezing tighter on the club at any point through your swing.
Once you have done this a few times with and without your eyes closed, place a ball on the ground and concentrate more on the 'feel' of the club in your hands than the ball you are hitting.
This is also excellent training for getting the right distance on the green, as you will begin to have a better feel for what you putter will do and your action will be more consistent.
You are probably wondering how you might be able to do this.
Try closing your eyes for a moment and see how you can focus more easily something.
Just the action of closing your eyes will eliminate more than half of the distraction that we encounter constantly throughout the day.
So this is lesson in playing golf with your eyes closed.
Seriously - this is a great way to perfect your putting by getting the right 'feel'
You won't need the ball initially - just the putter and you standing on the green.
Now get into your normal putting stance and visualize a ball on the ground and line it up with the hole.
Swing your putter, as you would do if you were to hit a ball.
Now do it again with your eyes closed and become aware of the pressure of your hands on the grip.
Feel the lightness of your grip and the weight of the putter hanging in your hands.
As you swing gently, be aware of the club as it grazes the grass on the green.
You should be able to feel the pressure of the grass dragging lightly on your club.
You can continue to swing backwards and forwards in a fluid motion making slight adjustments to eliminate the drag on your putter and more importantly you will be able to focus on the lightness of touch you have on the grip of your club.
This is the important part of this exercise.
This will allow you to swing your putter while retaining the same light grip throughout the movement not squeezing tighter on the club at any point through your swing.
Once you have done this a few times with and without your eyes closed, place a ball on the ground and concentrate more on the 'feel' of the club in your hands than the ball you are hitting.
This is also excellent training for getting the right distance on the green, as you will begin to have a better feel for what you putter will do and your action will be more consistent.
Accuracy First and Distance Will Follow.
Most beginners have one thing in mind, and that is to hit the ball as far as possible.
Many golfers never quite get out of this mindset and this is one of the reasons why they will never get the distance that they are capable of hitting the ball.
The wise golfer will practice for accuracy first and concentrate on the distance once they have mastered the art of control.
It's not much point hitting the big yards off the tee if the ball is going to end up on another fairway or in the rough.
All you will succeed in doing is make the following shots all the more difficult.
A drive down the center of the fairway, albeit a few meters shorter, will set you up for a better approach shot and a lower round score.
By playing with smaller, more controlled swings, you will gain control of your shots sooner and you will progress to the longer distances faster.
You will be learning correct techniques that will hold you in good steed for the rest of your playing career.
By developing accuracy first, you will also be lengthening the distance of your drives and will in fact hit the ball further.
By starting with smaller swings it will be easier to train your body to develop the correct actions, and these actions will always be needed when you progress to the longer drives.
As you master your swing, you can progress to a full swing knowing that you will have the control to hit the ball in the right direction.
This combination of correct action and a full swing will ensure you will hit the ball further than would be possible if you had only aimed for the big shots from the outset.
If you find that your drives are going wayward, then it would be wise to focus on control, even if that means limiting your swing until you are hitting the ball straight.
Many golfers never quite get out of this mindset and this is one of the reasons why they will never get the distance that they are capable of hitting the ball.
The wise golfer will practice for accuracy first and concentrate on the distance once they have mastered the art of control.
It's not much point hitting the big yards off the tee if the ball is going to end up on another fairway or in the rough.
All you will succeed in doing is make the following shots all the more difficult.
A drive down the center of the fairway, albeit a few meters shorter, will set you up for a better approach shot and a lower round score.
By playing with smaller, more controlled swings, you will gain control of your shots sooner and you will progress to the longer distances faster.
You will be learning correct techniques that will hold you in good steed for the rest of your playing career.
By developing accuracy first, you will also be lengthening the distance of your drives and will in fact hit the ball further.
By starting with smaller swings it will be easier to train your body to develop the correct actions, and these actions will always be needed when you progress to the longer drives.
As you master your swing, you can progress to a full swing knowing that you will have the control to hit the ball in the right direction.
This combination of correct action and a full swing will ensure you will hit the ball further than would be possible if you had only aimed for the big shots from the outset.
If you find that your drives are going wayward, then it would be wise to focus on control, even if that means limiting your swing until you are hitting the ball straight.
Are You Better on the Front or Back Nine?
Looking at the way you perform through the course of a game can give you a lot of powerful information that can be transferred into results the next time you play.
I have talked to many golfers and there seems to be a consistency with a lot of them relating to their performance on the front nine compared to the way they play on the back nine in most tournaments.
Not that there is a consistency in their game, but a consistency in the part of the game where they consistently fare worst.
Some people struggle to get their game right for the first nine holes and then improve on the back nine, whilst others start off fine and then fade on the last nine holes.
It is like there is a switch that gets flicked half way through the game and their performance changes in one direction or another.
There is always a reason why this is happening and targeting that reason can result in some excellent improvements to your score.
More often than not the second nine holes result in a poorer performance and this can be due to a number of factors.
Those factors can be fatigue or a lack of hydration.
Hydration in itself will result in fatigue.
These are simple factors that can be easily addressed with regular intake of water and foods containing some carbohydrate content to keep the energy levels up.
Other people find they perform worse on the first nine holes and that can often be from tension where they tend to relax later in the game and start playing better.
Once again, if you are aware that this is happening you can address the problem by making an effort to relax.
Learning relaxation techniques can do more for many people's game than all the advice in the world and it might be just what you need to take your game to the next level.
I have talked to many golfers and there seems to be a consistency with a lot of them relating to their performance on the front nine compared to the way they play on the back nine in most tournaments.
Not that there is a consistency in their game, but a consistency in the part of the game where they consistently fare worst.
Some people struggle to get their game right for the first nine holes and then improve on the back nine, whilst others start off fine and then fade on the last nine holes.
It is like there is a switch that gets flicked half way through the game and their performance changes in one direction or another.
There is always a reason why this is happening and targeting that reason can result in some excellent improvements to your score.
More often than not the second nine holes result in a poorer performance and this can be due to a number of factors.
Those factors can be fatigue or a lack of hydration.
Hydration in itself will result in fatigue.
These are simple factors that can be easily addressed with regular intake of water and foods containing some carbohydrate content to keep the energy levels up.
Other people find they perform worse on the first nine holes and that can often be from tension where they tend to relax later in the game and start playing better.
Once again, if you are aware that this is happening you can address the problem by making an effort to relax.
Learning relaxation techniques can do more for many people's game than all the advice in the world and it might be just what you need to take your game to the next level.
Do Balls Make a Difference?
What are the benefits of changing your golf balls?
As there are continuing developments in all aspects of the sport, from the design of the golf clubs to the type of golf balls we use, it becomes all the more important that you use what's best for YOUR game, and that can even mean a change of the type of golf balls you use.
To ensure consistency with your game you will need to use the same balls in practice that you intend to use when you are playing in tournaments.
This is not quite so imperative when practicing at the driving range where you won't be expected to lose a bucketful of high dollar golf balls amongst the driving range hacks.
You will need to use your preferred balls when practicing your short game, as the type of ball you use will determine the distance you can expect from your swing.
You need to be assured that the practice swings you do in training, will equate with the same performance on the course.
Golf balls have had more development than any other sports ball and that development continues to improve the quality of our game beyond what many golfers understand.
You need to choose the ball that best suits your swing and this decision can have as big an impact on your game as choosing the correct golf clubs.
There are three main categories of golf balls.
The first and cheapest balls are the solid two-piece balls that consist of a hard shell covering an inner core.
These balls are the best for beginners because they allow for less than perfect swings and they are easier on the pocket when they get lost in the rough or the water.
The intermediate style balls are three piece or multi-layered.
These are for more advanced players as they allow better control and the ability to add spin to the ball.
The downside is the fact that the ball is softer, and a softer ball won't have the distance of the harder and cheaper balls.
The high performance balls are for advanced players and offer the best of all options with more control and the ability to go the distance.
These top-of-the-range balls are considerably more expensive and unless you can exploit their benefits the intermediate balls are probably a better option.
As there are continuing developments in all aspects of the sport, from the design of the golf clubs to the type of golf balls we use, it becomes all the more important that you use what's best for YOUR game, and that can even mean a change of the type of golf balls you use.
To ensure consistency with your game you will need to use the same balls in practice that you intend to use when you are playing in tournaments.
This is not quite so imperative when practicing at the driving range where you won't be expected to lose a bucketful of high dollar golf balls amongst the driving range hacks.
You will need to use your preferred balls when practicing your short game, as the type of ball you use will determine the distance you can expect from your swing.
You need to be assured that the practice swings you do in training, will equate with the same performance on the course.
Golf balls have had more development than any other sports ball and that development continues to improve the quality of our game beyond what many golfers understand.
You need to choose the ball that best suits your swing and this decision can have as big an impact on your game as choosing the correct golf clubs.
There are three main categories of golf balls.
The first and cheapest balls are the solid two-piece balls that consist of a hard shell covering an inner core.
These balls are the best for beginners because they allow for less than perfect swings and they are easier on the pocket when they get lost in the rough or the water.
The intermediate style balls are three piece or multi-layered.
These are for more advanced players as they allow better control and the ability to add spin to the ball.
The downside is the fact that the ball is softer, and a softer ball won't have the distance of the harder and cheaper balls.
The high performance balls are for advanced players and offer the best of all options with more control and the ability to go the distance.
These top-of-the-range balls are considerably more expensive and unless you can exploit their benefits the intermediate balls are probably a better option.
Should You Continue to Get Lessons?
If you are wondering whether you should continue to get lessons once you have learnt how to play golf and have a relatively good handicap, then the answer is a definite yes.
Unless you are the best golfer in the world then you still have lessons to learn.
Even the best listen to the advice of their caddies so you can certainly improve your game with more lessons.
While we might think we are playing to the best of our ability, golf is a game that no one ever masters completely so any minor change that can help your play can pay major dividends when it comes to competition time.
We all develop quirks in our game and these can make the difference between winning and losing.
There is nothing better than having a professional watch you while you swing your club to see what areas might need adjustment and improvement.
Golf lessons are a golfers best investment and this also applies to competent players.
Not only could your golf improve but also playing better always adds to the enjoyment of the game.
No one ever hits the perfect shot every time, so that in itself shows that we all have more to learn.
The more advanced you get, the more important it is to ensure you get professional help that can actually benefit you and this might mean you need to seek the advice of a PGA or LPGA Professional rather than the club pro you might have used in the past.
Lessons will help you to play more consistently, drive straighter and further, and correspondingly you will score better.
Fine-tuning your play is best left to a golf professional who can pin point where you might need to make changes.
Even advising you on different equipment, golf balls or golf shoes can have a positive effect on your game.
Golf development is ongoing so what might have worked best for you yesterday could be inferior to the products that are available today.
Unless you are the best golfer in the world then you still have lessons to learn.
Even the best listen to the advice of their caddies so you can certainly improve your game with more lessons.
While we might think we are playing to the best of our ability, golf is a game that no one ever masters completely so any minor change that can help your play can pay major dividends when it comes to competition time.
We all develop quirks in our game and these can make the difference between winning and losing.
There is nothing better than having a professional watch you while you swing your club to see what areas might need adjustment and improvement.
Golf lessons are a golfers best investment and this also applies to competent players.
Not only could your golf improve but also playing better always adds to the enjoyment of the game.
No one ever hits the perfect shot every time, so that in itself shows that we all have more to learn.
The more advanced you get, the more important it is to ensure you get professional help that can actually benefit you and this might mean you need to seek the advice of a PGA or LPGA Professional rather than the club pro you might have used in the past.
Lessons will help you to play more consistently, drive straighter and further, and correspondingly you will score better.
Fine-tuning your play is best left to a golf professional who can pin point where you might need to make changes.
Even advising you on different equipment, golf balls or golf shoes can have a positive effect on your game.
Golf development is ongoing so what might have worked best for you yesterday could be inferior to the products that are available today.
A Few Putting Tips
How often have you been frustratingly close to sinking a putt only to come up short?
Or maybe you have only just missed the hole to see your ball go sailing past adding too much distance for the return putt.
A lot of games have been lost on the putting green and in most instances it has been due to the wrong distance, rather than the direction of the ball.
Most beginners quickly get a feel for the direction the ball will travel, even on sloping greens.
You've probably seen it yourself when a newcomer to the game places the ball within inches of the hole on a sloping green time and time again.
What you won't see quite so often is the ball stopping a few inches past the hole when they miss.
There are many factors that come into account when determining the distance a ball will travel on the green, from the slope, to the preparation of the green and whether it is wet and slow or dry and fast.
It can make a huge difference depending on the time of the day with greens getting faster as they dry off in the afternoon sun.
So reading the distance of a putt is what you really need to concentrate on to get your ball to drop in that hole.
Once again it all comes back to practice and there is no better practice than on the day of the tournament in the conditions that you will be playing in.
Always take some time to have a few practice putts before you start play to 'dial in' your distance.
One thing you must always remember; the golf ball will never drop if it doesn't reach the hole.
Sounds too obvious to even need mentioning doesn't it, but more often that not putts will come up short.
Always aim for the back of the cup so that, provided you have your direction right, you are going to have a chance of making the putt.
Or maybe you have only just missed the hole to see your ball go sailing past adding too much distance for the return putt.
A lot of games have been lost on the putting green and in most instances it has been due to the wrong distance, rather than the direction of the ball.
Most beginners quickly get a feel for the direction the ball will travel, even on sloping greens.
You've probably seen it yourself when a newcomer to the game places the ball within inches of the hole on a sloping green time and time again.
What you won't see quite so often is the ball stopping a few inches past the hole when they miss.
There are many factors that come into account when determining the distance a ball will travel on the green, from the slope, to the preparation of the green and whether it is wet and slow or dry and fast.
It can make a huge difference depending on the time of the day with greens getting faster as they dry off in the afternoon sun.
So reading the distance of a putt is what you really need to concentrate on to get your ball to drop in that hole.
Once again it all comes back to practice and there is no better practice than on the day of the tournament in the conditions that you will be playing in.
Always take some time to have a few practice putts before you start play to 'dial in' your distance.
One thing you must always remember; the golf ball will never drop if it doesn't reach the hole.
Sounds too obvious to even need mentioning doesn't it, but more often that not putts will come up short.
Always aim for the back of the cup so that, provided you have your direction right, you are going to have a chance of making the putt.
Do Warm Balls Travel Further?
It is a fact that a warm golf ball will travel further than a cold ball all things else being equal.
The reason for this is the fact that the added heat affects the compression of the ball.
It is hard to say how much heat would be needed to gain extra length and the gain in distance would be relatively minimal anyway.
Having said that, golf is all about making gains, no matter how big or small in as many areas as possible.
There are some golf pros who prefer to carry their golf balls in their pocket as this helps to retain heat in the ball, so whether it helps mentally or actually enhances the actual distance they get, it is going to benefit them at the end of the day.
If you are playing in particularly cold conditions the ball will lose it's heat quite fast so you will only get the benefit of the first shot in all likelihood.
Once again, even if you can make one gain in one area of your play on each hole, that can add up to a lot of good when the score card is tallied after a round.
You can always heat the balls before a tournament but you had better be sure that you don't damage the inner core while doing so or you will be doing more harm than good.
With the mental part of golf being such an important part of the game, having your golf balls warm might just be the edge you need to give you the confidence to pay better.
If that is the situation, then the benefits will be far more than any increase in distance you might possibly get.
You could always practice with a few balls having heated some of them and the others at normal temperature.
If you notice a difference then you should run with it.
The reason for this is the fact that the added heat affects the compression of the ball.
It is hard to say how much heat would be needed to gain extra length and the gain in distance would be relatively minimal anyway.
Having said that, golf is all about making gains, no matter how big or small in as many areas as possible.
There are some golf pros who prefer to carry their golf balls in their pocket as this helps to retain heat in the ball, so whether it helps mentally or actually enhances the actual distance they get, it is going to benefit them at the end of the day.
If you are playing in particularly cold conditions the ball will lose it's heat quite fast so you will only get the benefit of the first shot in all likelihood.
Once again, even if you can make one gain in one area of your play on each hole, that can add up to a lot of good when the score card is tallied after a round.
You can always heat the balls before a tournament but you had better be sure that you don't damage the inner core while doing so or you will be doing more harm than good.
With the mental part of golf being such an important part of the game, having your golf balls warm might just be the edge you need to give you the confidence to pay better.
If that is the situation, then the benefits will be far more than any increase in distance you might possibly get.
You could always practice with a few balls having heated some of them and the others at normal temperature.
If you notice a difference then you should run with it.
Retrain Your Mental Approach to the Game
Making changes to your mental approach can see you take control of your game and slash your score faster than you might imagine.
In most professional sports, psychologists are an integral part of the coaching team and golf is quite possibly the sport that can benefit from mind power more than any other.
It is more than just self-doubt and negative thought that you need to eliminate from your game.
You need to focus purely on the shot you are about to play.
There should be no thoughts about the last hole or the next hole.
You shouldn't be focusing on the water hole.
How many times have you hit the ball into the water knowing that the ball would never have landed there if it were grass?
It is almost as if we will it into the water sometimes.
This happens when you are so focused on the water that you can't play the shot, as you should.
This can be likened to a learner driver in a car when they are having their first lessons and find that they are veering towards cars that are driving beside them simply because they are so focused on those cars rather than where they are going.
If you believe you are going to slice the ball you are bound to do so.
If that bunker is constantly on your mind you can be sure that the next shot you play will be from the sand.
You need to train yourself to play one shot at a time and only give thought to that one shot.
Nothing else matters - Not what your competition is doing or what your score is at that stage of the game.
Thinking about a bad score will only make matters worse.
No matter how bad the round might be there are still opportunities to make the most of the remaining holes and that's all that matters.
In most professional sports, psychologists are an integral part of the coaching team and golf is quite possibly the sport that can benefit from mind power more than any other.
It is more than just self-doubt and negative thought that you need to eliminate from your game.
You need to focus purely on the shot you are about to play.
There should be no thoughts about the last hole or the next hole.
You shouldn't be focusing on the water hole.
How many times have you hit the ball into the water knowing that the ball would never have landed there if it were grass?
It is almost as if we will it into the water sometimes.
This happens when you are so focused on the water that you can't play the shot, as you should.
This can be likened to a learner driver in a car when they are having their first lessons and find that they are veering towards cars that are driving beside them simply because they are so focused on those cars rather than where they are going.
If you believe you are going to slice the ball you are bound to do so.
If that bunker is constantly on your mind you can be sure that the next shot you play will be from the sand.
You need to train yourself to play one shot at a time and only give thought to that one shot.
Nothing else matters - Not what your competition is doing or what your score is at that stage of the game.
Thinking about a bad score will only make matters worse.
No matter how bad the round might be there are still opportunities to make the most of the remaining holes and that's all that matters.
The Right Golf Clubs for You
You invest a lot of money into a good set of golf clubs so it is a wise decision to get the help of professionals to determine which golf clubs are best suited to your style of play.
There are many factors that need to be taken into account including your height and the level of your game play.
Also, you will need to decide how big your pockets might be able to stretch as you can spend a small fortune on good brand name clubs.
But will they make you play any better?
Well, all things being equal they certainly will assist with your playing ability.
They are the only thing between you and the ball so you had better make the right choices.
You can always try your playing partners clubs to see how they feel and whether you feel comfortable with them, but there is nothing like the knowledge you will gain by getting a golf professional to help you in your decision.
If you are getting lessons from a golf pro it will make their job all the easier as they will know where your strong and weak points are and the correct club selection might just help to counter any inherent problems that you have.
No matter how many people a golf pro might teach, they will understand that every golfer has a different swing.
Everyone from amateur to professional has a different swing and their own unique way that they shift their weight during their swing.
By having a golf pro observe your swing they will understand your dynamics better than anyone else and this will help them to help you decide on your best golf club options.
Once you get a set of golf clubs that match your own unique swing you might be astounded to see how much your game can improve.
You might find that some of the 'bad' aspects of your game can be eliminated with clubs that are suited to your style.
I'm sure you have already seen the vast difference you can have when you try out friends clubs.
Now imagine the change you could expect if you found the optimum clubs for you.
There are many factors that need to be taken into account including your height and the level of your game play.
Also, you will need to decide how big your pockets might be able to stretch as you can spend a small fortune on good brand name clubs.
But will they make you play any better?
Well, all things being equal they certainly will assist with your playing ability.
They are the only thing between you and the ball so you had better make the right choices.
You can always try your playing partners clubs to see how they feel and whether you feel comfortable with them, but there is nothing like the knowledge you will gain by getting a golf professional to help you in your decision.
If you are getting lessons from a golf pro it will make their job all the easier as they will know where your strong and weak points are and the correct club selection might just help to counter any inherent problems that you have.
No matter how many people a golf pro might teach, they will understand that every golfer has a different swing.
Everyone from amateur to professional has a different swing and their own unique way that they shift their weight during their swing.
By having a golf pro observe your swing they will understand your dynamics better than anyone else and this will help them to help you decide on your best golf club options.
Once you get a set of golf clubs that match your own unique swing you might be astounded to see how much your game can improve.
You might find that some of the 'bad' aspects of your game can be eliminated with clubs that are suited to your style.
I'm sure you have already seen the vast difference you can have when you try out friends clubs.
Now imagine the change you could expect if you found the optimum clubs for you.
The Benefits of Happy Feet
Many people don't realize the effect a good pair of golf shoes can have on their game.
Apart from the fact that good shoes will help you to have more control when you are swinging your clubs, a good fitting pair of shoes will be more comfortable and aid your performance.
Tired feet can cause a lot of fatigue, and that fatigue gets translated into a tired mind and reduced performance on the course.
Hot or wet feet will affect your game, as will feet that are uncomfortably tight in the wrong size shoes.
Golf is a game where all aspects of your performance are related, from the top two inches of your head (your mind control) right down to the comfort of your feet.
You are going to be spending a lot of time on your feet during a round of golf so you really do need to ensure your comfort.
There are many different types and styles of shoes allowing almost anyone to find something suitable.
Before you buy you will need to find out what types of shoes are allowed on the courses that you will be playing at, as some courses don't allow the cleated or spiked golf shoes.
Having cleats or spikes on your shoes can assist in stabilizing your feet during your swing and this can add a lot of power to your stroke.
Having the reassurance of knowing that your feet aren't going to 'break loose' after you have just done a big drive will allow you to push the limits of your ability just a little but more and that can be the difference of winning or losing a game at the end of a round.
Every little benefit helps and chipping away at all these factors will eventually lead to a lower handicap and a happier golfer.
Apart from the fact that good shoes will help you to have more control when you are swinging your clubs, a good fitting pair of shoes will be more comfortable and aid your performance.
Tired feet can cause a lot of fatigue, and that fatigue gets translated into a tired mind and reduced performance on the course.
Hot or wet feet will affect your game, as will feet that are uncomfortably tight in the wrong size shoes.
Golf is a game where all aspects of your performance are related, from the top two inches of your head (your mind control) right down to the comfort of your feet.
You are going to be spending a lot of time on your feet during a round of golf so you really do need to ensure your comfort.
There are many different types and styles of shoes allowing almost anyone to find something suitable.
Before you buy you will need to find out what types of shoes are allowed on the courses that you will be playing at, as some courses don't allow the cleated or spiked golf shoes.
Having cleats or spikes on your shoes can assist in stabilizing your feet during your swing and this can add a lot of power to your stroke.
Having the reassurance of knowing that your feet aren't going to 'break loose' after you have just done a big drive will allow you to push the limits of your ability just a little but more and that can be the difference of winning or losing a game at the end of a round.
Every little benefit helps and chipping away at all these factors will eventually lead to a lower handicap and a happier golfer.
Golf Technology
There is a lot of technology that goes in to the development of many golf products, from the clubs to the golf balls, which have more technological input than any other type of sports ball.
Sometimes you wonder where it might end but there is a lot more exciting development yet to come.
Imagine never having to worry about losing your golf ball again, unless of course it lands in a water hazard.
GPS tracking might be the next step to help you find your golf ball no matter where you might hit it.
The technology is already there to embed devices into golf balls so they can be tracked via GPS.
There will be the inevitable increase in price but think of all the money that you could save by never losing a ball again.
If you consider the number of balls that are recovered on golf courses each week that could add up to a substantial saving across the board.
As these devices become smaller and smaller their applications become more plausible with items such as balls that can be tracked.
There would be a market for such a ball, and where there is a demand someone will certainly decide to supply it sooner or later.
With advances in club designs we might all be driving as far as the Pros of today helped by the constant development of balls that are easier to hit and travel further in the process.
There is one thing that will always make golf a continuous challenge that we will never fully master and that is the human factor.
We can have all the best golf clubs, balls, shoes and more and still make a mess of the simplest shot.
And that is why so many people all around the world go out week after week and try to master the game.
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Sometimes you wonder where it might end but there is a lot more exciting development yet to come.
Imagine never having to worry about losing your golf ball again, unless of course it lands in a water hazard.
GPS tracking might be the next step to help you find your golf ball no matter where you might hit it.
The technology is already there to embed devices into golf balls so they can be tracked via GPS.
There will be the inevitable increase in price but think of all the money that you could save by never losing a ball again.
If you consider the number of balls that are recovered on golf courses each week that could add up to a substantial saving across the board.
As these devices become smaller and smaller their applications become more plausible with items such as balls that can be tracked.
There would be a market for such a ball, and where there is a demand someone will certainly decide to supply it sooner or later.
With advances in club designs we might all be driving as far as the Pros of today helped by the constant development of balls that are easier to hit and travel further in the process.
There is one thing that will always make golf a continuous challenge that we will never fully master and that is the human factor.
We can have all the best golf clubs, balls, shoes and more and still make a mess of the simplest shot.
And that is why so many people all around the world go out week after week and try to master the game.
READ MORE
Stroke it Don't Hit It
Young guys are the worst offenders of this.
A young string guy comes to the golf course and there is an overwhelming tendency to hit the ball.
It's the big drives that impress and big drives need big hits don't they?
I have done this myself only to be out-driven by a small lady or an elderly gentleman.
They were stroking the ball rather than going for the big hit.
This allowed them to have more control, which translated to more distance and they were hitting the ball better.
We all watch the professionals and see them hit the ball with fast powerful drives, but they aren't actually 'hitting' the ball.
They are actually stroking the ball albeit at a lot faster speed and a whole lot more powerful manner than people who 'hit' the ball.
This 'stoking' becomes all the more important with short play where a stroke will result in more accuracy and a more accurate level of distance for the particular choice of club.
If you are a 'hitter' of golf balls then you can start correcting this area of your game by concentrating on how you putt.
Everyone naturally has a tendency to stroke the ball on the green because they know that the distance can be achieved with a light touch.
The next step it to take that relaxed action to the next step with your short game using the pitching wedge, 9-iron and 7-iron.
Once you see how well the ball will travel and the additional control you have by stroking the ball you can then use that same relaxed flowing action with the other clubs in your bag.
As you move to your woods and then your driver you might be quite surprised how a change in action from hitting to stroking the ball will get you all the distance you have been aiming for effortlessly.
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A young string guy comes to the golf course and there is an overwhelming tendency to hit the ball.
It's the big drives that impress and big drives need big hits don't they?
I have done this myself only to be out-driven by a small lady or an elderly gentleman.
They were stroking the ball rather than going for the big hit.
This allowed them to have more control, which translated to more distance and they were hitting the ball better.
We all watch the professionals and see them hit the ball with fast powerful drives, but they aren't actually 'hitting' the ball.
They are actually stroking the ball albeit at a lot faster speed and a whole lot more powerful manner than people who 'hit' the ball.
This 'stoking' becomes all the more important with short play where a stroke will result in more accuracy and a more accurate level of distance for the particular choice of club.
If you are a 'hitter' of golf balls then you can start correcting this area of your game by concentrating on how you putt.
Everyone naturally has a tendency to stroke the ball on the green because they know that the distance can be achieved with a light touch.
The next step it to take that relaxed action to the next step with your short game using the pitching wedge, 9-iron and 7-iron.
Once you see how well the ball will travel and the additional control you have by stroking the ball you can then use that same relaxed flowing action with the other clubs in your bag.
As you move to your woods and then your driver you might be quite surprised how a change in action from hitting to stroking the ball will get you all the distance you have been aiming for effortlessly.
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Hydration – Are You Getting Enough Water?
One of the aspects that many people fail to address on the golf course is remaining hydrated.
For many reasons, golfers fail to drink enough water to remain sufficiently hydrated and correspondingly their quality of play suffers.
Whether it is due to the inconvenience of needing to go to the toilet, or the fact that most people just don't even think about drinking enough water when they are playing, it is a fact that your game will suffer if you become, even slightly, dehydrated.
You don't need to consume gallons of water, but you do need to drink sufficient to maintain the correct balance of fluids in your body.
The hotter the climate where you are playing, the more likely you will need to address this issue, as you will be losing a lot more moisture from your body when playing in hot conditions.
It's quite simple to carry a water bottle around with you and get in the habit of taking a small sip before or after each time you play a shot.
One of the first areas to suffer from dehydration will be your mind - the way you think and concentrate.
Your levels of concentration will diminish rapidly as you lose hydration and as golf is a 'mind game' as much as anything else, you can expect your ability to play well to diminish accordingly.
You might find that the illusive handicap you have been shooting for and never quite achieved is actually 'sipping' not slipping away from you.
Yes - I said sipping because having regular sips of water as you play your round of golf might be all that you need to lift your game play to the next level.
I have seen it happen many times when people just weren't aware that they were lacking hydration.
Once they addressed the problem their scores improved - some quite dramatically.
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For many reasons, golfers fail to drink enough water to remain sufficiently hydrated and correspondingly their quality of play suffers.
Whether it is due to the inconvenience of needing to go to the toilet, or the fact that most people just don't even think about drinking enough water when they are playing, it is a fact that your game will suffer if you become, even slightly, dehydrated.
You don't need to consume gallons of water, but you do need to drink sufficient to maintain the correct balance of fluids in your body.
The hotter the climate where you are playing, the more likely you will need to address this issue, as you will be losing a lot more moisture from your body when playing in hot conditions.
It's quite simple to carry a water bottle around with you and get in the habit of taking a small sip before or after each time you play a shot.
One of the first areas to suffer from dehydration will be your mind - the way you think and concentrate.
Your levels of concentration will diminish rapidly as you lose hydration and as golf is a 'mind game' as much as anything else, you can expect your ability to play well to diminish accordingly.
You might find that the illusive handicap you have been shooting for and never quite achieved is actually 'sipping' not slipping away from you.
Yes - I said sipping because having regular sips of water as you play your round of golf might be all that you need to lift your game play to the next level.
I have seen it happen many times when people just weren't aware that they were lacking hydration.
Once they addressed the problem their scores improved - some quite dramatically.
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Golf is all about balance
You need to get the right balance on your feet, in the movement of your body, in the swing of the clubs and so on.
Balance goes further than just the body however.
You need a balanced approach to the game with your mind in sync with your body.
You need to only consider the one stroke that you are playing and not let other holes impact on your balance.
When we get golf lessons we're taught about the distribution of weight on our feet and the weight distribution when we swing to strike the ball.
Many of the techniques seem foreign to the beginner but it is all about training the player to find balance in their game so the actions are effortless and natural.
Our balance should flow through with the movement of the swing in one fluid action to the striking of the ball and even after the ball has been hit with a balanced follow through.
It is a natural feeling that will become second nature with practice.
It is through finding balance in your mind and body that you will start hitting consistently good shots.
Without this it will be very difficult to find any consistency in your game.
Once you get your upper body correctly positioned behind the ball, you will find that you are naturally placing more weight on the back foot.
Try it next time you have a practice swing.
Stand balanced on your feet with no more pressure on the front of the foot than the back.
Position yourself behind the ball and gently swing through without making any effort to concentrate on the distribution of the weight on you feet.
You will find that this will come naturally with no effort at all and that is precisely how you should feel when you are striking the ball.
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Balance goes further than just the body however.
You need a balanced approach to the game with your mind in sync with your body.
You need to only consider the one stroke that you are playing and not let other holes impact on your balance.
When we get golf lessons we're taught about the distribution of weight on our feet and the weight distribution when we swing to strike the ball.
Many of the techniques seem foreign to the beginner but it is all about training the player to find balance in their game so the actions are effortless and natural.
Our balance should flow through with the movement of the swing in one fluid action to the striking of the ball and even after the ball has been hit with a balanced follow through.
It is a natural feeling that will become second nature with practice.
It is through finding balance in your mind and body that you will start hitting consistently good shots.
Without this it will be very difficult to find any consistency in your game.
Once you get your upper body correctly positioned behind the ball, you will find that you are naturally placing more weight on the back foot.
Try it next time you have a practice swing.
Stand balanced on your feet with no more pressure on the front of the foot than the back.
Position yourself behind the ball and gently swing through without making any effort to concentrate on the distribution of the weight on you feet.
You will find that this will come naturally with no effort at all and that is precisely how you should feel when you are striking the ball.
READ MORE
What is Golf Ball Compression?
Understanding golf ball compression will assist you in determining which balls you should be playing with.
Once you match your golf balls to your style you will notice an improvement in your game.
Sometimes a change of ball might be all you need to nudge your handicap in the right direction if progress has stalled recently.
The compression of the golf ball is measured by how tightly it is wound.
There are three main compression ratings with golf balls and they are named as follows.
Firstly there are the 80 compression balls, which are the softest of the balls on the market.
These are the balls that beginners love because they fly further than the other types of balls, and beginners love to see how far they can hit the ball.
They are also suited to a slower swing, which benefits the beginner.
Women and elderly players often prefer these balls too.
When these softer balls are hit, they compress somewhat and that gives them a slingshot effect, which assists in the distance they can be hit.
There is a downside to everything and softer balls offer less control.
The next category of ball is the 90 compression and as expected these are a mid range compression that offer more control with a little less distance.
And finally there are the 100 compression balls.
These are the hardest balls and because of this fact they require a faster swing to get the same distance.
These are the balls that the pros use because they offer the highest level of control and that is what they are more concerned with.
They are able to hit the ball with sufficient speed to get the required distance and they can take advantage of the added control that these balls offer over the other ball compressions.
It is a good idea to buy one or two of each type of ball and test to see which ones you prefer to use, as it is not set in rock that a slow swinging golfer must use a softer ball.
These are just guidelines that are commonly followed.
Once you match your golf balls to your style you will notice an improvement in your game.
Sometimes a change of ball might be all you need to nudge your handicap in the right direction if progress has stalled recently.
The compression of the golf ball is measured by how tightly it is wound.
There are three main compression ratings with golf balls and they are named as follows.
Firstly there are the 80 compression balls, which are the softest of the balls on the market.
These are the balls that beginners love because they fly further than the other types of balls, and beginners love to see how far they can hit the ball.
They are also suited to a slower swing, which benefits the beginner.
Women and elderly players often prefer these balls too.
When these softer balls are hit, they compress somewhat and that gives them a slingshot effect, which assists in the distance they can be hit.
There is a downside to everything and softer balls offer less control.
The next category of ball is the 90 compression and as expected these are a mid range compression that offer more control with a little less distance.
And finally there are the 100 compression balls.
These are the hardest balls and because of this fact they require a faster swing to get the same distance.
These are the balls that the pros use because they offer the highest level of control and that is what they are more concerned with.
They are able to hit the ball with sufficient speed to get the required distance and they can take advantage of the added control that these balls offer over the other ball compressions.
It is a good idea to buy one or two of each type of ball and test to see which ones you prefer to use, as it is not set in rock that a slow swinging golfer must use a softer ball.
These are just guidelines that are commonly followed.
You Don't Need to Pay Full Price for Golf Gear
Finding the right clubs is only half of the equation.
Now you have to pay for them!
Yes golf clubs are an expensive item, and in fact most golf gear, from apparel to trundlers can lighten your wallet in flash, so how do you get the golf gear that you want and need without breaking the bank?
Well first of all you need to find exactly what you really do need.
You need to try on the golf shoes, find out which golf clubs are best suited to your swing and only after you have found your most suitable golf solutions can you begin to look for the bargains that are available.
Obviously the best solution for getting a golf bargain is to look at the Internet Golf stores that are fighting for your dollar.
With lower overheads and reduced staffing expenses they are able to offer better deals than you might find at the local golf pro shop.
You can shop around in minutes armed with the information that you need for the equipment that you have decided to buy.
This can help you to buy items that were previously out of your price range and that can certainly be good for your game.
Even smaller items like golf balls are worthwhile shopping for online, as they will leave more money in your pocket for the all-important purchases at the 19th-hole:-)
The online good shops offer money back guarantees as you would expect from any store 'in the real world' and delivery is always prompt and right to your door (just like Father Christmas)
Besides, you won't feel quite so bad when the next golf ball ends in the water if you haven't paid full price for it will you?
Now you have to pay for them!
Yes golf clubs are an expensive item, and in fact most golf gear, from apparel to trundlers can lighten your wallet in flash, so how do you get the golf gear that you want and need without breaking the bank?
Well first of all you need to find exactly what you really do need.
You need to try on the golf shoes, find out which golf clubs are best suited to your swing and only after you have found your most suitable golf solutions can you begin to look for the bargains that are available.
Obviously the best solution for getting a golf bargain is to look at the Internet Golf stores that are fighting for your dollar.
With lower overheads and reduced staffing expenses they are able to offer better deals than you might find at the local golf pro shop.
You can shop around in minutes armed with the information that you need for the equipment that you have decided to buy.
This can help you to buy items that were previously out of your price range and that can certainly be good for your game.
Even smaller items like golf balls are worthwhile shopping for online, as they will leave more money in your pocket for the all-important purchases at the 19th-hole:-)
The online good shops offer money back guarantees as you would expect from any store 'in the real world' and delivery is always prompt and right to your door (just like Father Christmas)
Besides, you won't feel quite so bad when the next golf ball ends in the water if you haven't paid full price for it will you?
The Best Golf Investment You Could Make
What do you believe your best golf investment is?
Is it your clubs?
Maybe it is your driver?
Maybe the golf balls you use or the shoes you wear?
The best investment you could probably make would be to get lessons from a good golf professional.
The sooner people get professional instruction the better their golf will be simply because they won't need to relearn the correct techniques to replace bad habits.
Golf is all about fine tuning and making small improvements that compound over the course of a round to sometimes quite dramatically reduce your score and handicap.
Imagine the benefit of becoming more proficient with the use of your putter where it helps to save a shot every few holes.
At the end of the round, that could be the difference between a score in the 80's and dropping into the 70's.
Imagine knowing that should you get in the rough you will be able to chip out and set yourself up for a better approach.
Having the confidence to play from anywhere on the course will also make the game more enjoyable and this only comes from experience.
There is no faster way to gain experience than through the help of a professional.
They will be able to stand and observe you to correct any errors in your swing that you wouldn't be able to target on your own.
You might be only a fraction of an inch away from setting your balls up in the right position or your hand placement on the club might be slightly ill placed to get the correct movement.
A well-trained golfer will do more with a poor set of golf clubs than an inexperienced player with the best clubs in the world.
It is wise to get some good tuition first and then you might just find that you will be ready for a better set of clubs as your experience has risen to the next level.
Golf lessons are a very wise investment if you intend to play for any length of time.
Is it your clubs?
Maybe it is your driver?
Maybe the golf balls you use or the shoes you wear?
The best investment you could probably make would be to get lessons from a good golf professional.
The sooner people get professional instruction the better their golf will be simply because they won't need to relearn the correct techniques to replace bad habits.
Golf is all about fine tuning and making small improvements that compound over the course of a round to sometimes quite dramatically reduce your score and handicap.
Imagine the benefit of becoming more proficient with the use of your putter where it helps to save a shot every few holes.
At the end of the round, that could be the difference between a score in the 80's and dropping into the 70's.
Imagine knowing that should you get in the rough you will be able to chip out and set yourself up for a better approach.
Having the confidence to play from anywhere on the course will also make the game more enjoyable and this only comes from experience.
There is no faster way to gain experience than through the help of a professional.
They will be able to stand and observe you to correct any errors in your swing that you wouldn't be able to target on your own.
You might be only a fraction of an inch away from setting your balls up in the right position or your hand placement on the club might be slightly ill placed to get the correct movement.
A well-trained golfer will do more with a poor set of golf clubs than an inexperienced player with the best clubs in the world.
It is wise to get some good tuition first and then you might just find that you will be ready for a better set of clubs as your experience has risen to the next level.
Golf lessons are a very wise investment if you intend to play for any length of time.
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