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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Showing posts with label 8 Golf Rules That Are Difficult To Remember. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 8 Golf Rules That Are Difficult To Remember. Show all posts
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.
The Difference Between Club Shafts
The type of golf club shaft that is best suited to your style of play will depend on your swing speed.
The faster you swing the stiffer the shaft should be.
Shaft flex is determined by the ability of the shaft to bend during your swing.
A stiff shaft will not bend as easily as a regular shaft in steel or graphite.
Some people prefer graphite shafts because of their lighter weight.
Shaft flexes will vary from one manufacturer to another so this is an important element that needs to be taken into consideration as a regular shaft from one manufacturer won't necessarily give you the same flex as a regular shaft of another manufacturer.
To get the correct shaft for your game you should really get your swing speed tested, as this will determine what clubs to get.
The reason you need to understand how much flex you need is because the flex determines whether your club head will impact squarely on the ball at the point of impact.
If there is too much flex in the shaft the club head will impact in a closed or more lofted position.
The opposite is the case where the shaft is too stiff with the club head hitting in an open and less lofted position.
It can get difficult when your swing speed is on the borderline between club shaft selections and you might even need to get different shafts for the various clubs you use to optimize your game.
Club shafts have various ratings and they are as follows.
L Shaft is for a swing speed less than 70 mph.
A Shaft is between 70 and 80 mph
R Shaft is between 80 and 90 mph
S Shaft is between 90 and 105 mph
X Shaft is over 105 mph
This is a guideline but it will help in your selection.
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The faster you swing the stiffer the shaft should be.
Shaft flex is determined by the ability of the shaft to bend during your swing.
A stiff shaft will not bend as easily as a regular shaft in steel or graphite.
Some people prefer graphite shafts because of their lighter weight.
Shaft flexes will vary from one manufacturer to another so this is an important element that needs to be taken into consideration as a regular shaft from one manufacturer won't necessarily give you the same flex as a regular shaft of another manufacturer.
To get the correct shaft for your game you should really get your swing speed tested, as this will determine what clubs to get.
The reason you need to understand how much flex you need is because the flex determines whether your club head will impact squarely on the ball at the point of impact.
If there is too much flex in the shaft the club head will impact in a closed or more lofted position.
The opposite is the case where the shaft is too stiff with the club head hitting in an open and less lofted position.
It can get difficult when your swing speed is on the borderline between club shaft selections and you might even need to get different shafts for the various clubs you use to optimize your game.
Club shafts have various ratings and they are as follows.
L Shaft is for a swing speed less than 70 mph.
A Shaft is between 70 and 80 mph
R Shaft is between 80 and 90 mph
S Shaft is between 90 and 105 mph
X Shaft is over 105 mph
This is a guideline but it will help in your selection.
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How Do You Keep Your Head Still?
One thing we are all taught when getting golf lessons is to keep your head still when you hit the ball.
Obviously this is not completely possible and even the best players in the game have some head movement during their swing.
Observe them next time you see them play and you will see what I mean.
There is one thing that all good golfers do manage to do and that is, they keep their head behind the ball at the point of impact.
They might have some movement on their back swing but they will ensure that their head is behind the ball when they strike it and that is what is most important.
You should certainly try to keep your head as still as possible and the less movement you have the better, however as you drive faster and harder you will naturally get more head movement.
While you need to control your head movement it is not something that you should have to focus on when you are playing.
This action should come naturally and that will happen more easily with practice.
As soon as you start thinking too much when you are about to take your shot you will begin to have trouble.
Your head will naturally move to the back of the swing as it would do with any swinging motion, and the bigger the swing the more your head is likely to move.
Once you have hit the ball your head will follow through naturally with the movement of your shoulders.
You can even observe how some golfers actually tilt their head to their trailing arm before their downswing to ensure that it is behind the ball at the point of impact.
This is something that you could try, but at all times your swing should feel comfortable and the movements should feel natural or you will revert to actions that won't deliver the best results.
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Obviously this is not completely possible and even the best players in the game have some head movement during their swing.
Observe them next time you see them play and you will see what I mean.
There is one thing that all good golfers do manage to do and that is, they keep their head behind the ball at the point of impact.
They might have some movement on their back swing but they will ensure that their head is behind the ball when they strike it and that is what is most important.
You should certainly try to keep your head as still as possible and the less movement you have the better, however as you drive faster and harder you will naturally get more head movement.
While you need to control your head movement it is not something that you should have to focus on when you are playing.
This action should come naturally and that will happen more easily with practice.
As soon as you start thinking too much when you are about to take your shot you will begin to have trouble.
Your head will naturally move to the back of the swing as it would do with any swinging motion, and the bigger the swing the more your head is likely to move.
Once you have hit the ball your head will follow through naturally with the movement of your shoulders.
You can even observe how some golfers actually tilt their head to their trailing arm before their downswing to ensure that it is behind the ball at the point of impact.
This is something that you could try, but at all times your swing should feel comfortable and the movements should feel natural or you will revert to actions that won't deliver the best results.
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Thinking Too Much about Golf?
We all know that golf is a mind game but sometimes you just need to flick the switch and turn those thoughts off for a while.
Imagine trying to hit a good shot after having to remember to get your feet in the correct position, and keep your eye on the ball, and get your hands and shoulders in the right position, and remember to hold the club correctly and not too tight - the list goes on and on but there is one thing for sure...
If you try to go through the whole list of actions you need to take for the perfect shot, you are never going to hit the golf ball well.
It's not possible to play well if all these thoughts are whirring through your mind just waiting to explode the moment you try to hit the ball.
There's just too much to think about all at once.
That tension makes you grasp the club all the harder and before you know it, your golf ball is sailing through the air on a curving trajectory that you couldn't reproduce if you tried.
There is a time when a blank mind will do you the world of good and that is just before you hit the ball.
This process is made easier through practice as the various actions become second nature and you don't need to think about what you are doing.
This is the importance of the repetitive nature of consistently hitting the same shots at the driving range or on the practice tee.
What your body can do on autopilot; will negate the need to think, when thinking will only get in the way.
All those things that you learned, either from a golf pro, or through instructional books and videos, needs to be acted upon but not thought about to the extent that you can't follow through effortlessly with your swing.
You need to switch off for success.
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Imagine trying to hit a good shot after having to remember to get your feet in the correct position, and keep your eye on the ball, and get your hands and shoulders in the right position, and remember to hold the club correctly and not too tight - the list goes on and on but there is one thing for sure...
If you try to go through the whole list of actions you need to take for the perfect shot, you are never going to hit the golf ball well.
It's not possible to play well if all these thoughts are whirring through your mind just waiting to explode the moment you try to hit the ball.
There's just too much to think about all at once.
That tension makes you grasp the club all the harder and before you know it, your golf ball is sailing through the air on a curving trajectory that you couldn't reproduce if you tried.
There is a time when a blank mind will do you the world of good and that is just before you hit the ball.
This process is made easier through practice as the various actions become second nature and you don't need to think about what you are doing.
This is the importance of the repetitive nature of consistently hitting the same shots at the driving range or on the practice tee.
What your body can do on autopilot; will negate the need to think, when thinking will only get in the way.
All those things that you learned, either from a golf pro, or through instructional books and videos, needs to be acted upon but not thought about to the extent that you can't follow through effortlessly with your swing.
You need to switch off for success.
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Constant Small Improvements for Long-term Success
You should analyze your game after the shot.
Look where the ball went and question what you did to get that result.
Information and education will assist in improving your game.
Get that information from recommended books and videos.
Get it from golf professionals who know what they are talking about, but always be wary of getting advice from friends and playing partners.
There are always people willing to give you advice but bad advice is a lot worse than no advice at all.
If the ball has gone somewhere other than the right direction, check your alignment and see if your final stance is correct.
There will be a lot of information as to why your shot has gone astray.
You can look at the ground and observe the path of your club.
Look at the position of your feet after the shot.
Maybe your shoes are letting you down by allowing too much movement in the conditions you are playing in.
Look at the final position of your golf club.
Consider how you were holding the club and whether you were gripping it too hard.
You shouldn't over analyze during the course of a game but making small improvements throughout play, when you notice areas that need adjustment, can pay dividends at the end of play.
By constantly chipping away at all aspects of your game you will see noticeable improvements that can take your handicap to the next level and that is why practice is so important.
And the practice that is most important are in the areas that you find you have the biggest weaknesses.
While it might be more fun to go to the driving range and hit the ball as far as possible, you will probably see better results from practicing improving your short game or getting better at getting your distance right on the putting green.
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Look where the ball went and question what you did to get that result.
Information and education will assist in improving your game.
Get that information from recommended books and videos.
Get it from golf professionals who know what they are talking about, but always be wary of getting advice from friends and playing partners.
There are always people willing to give you advice but bad advice is a lot worse than no advice at all.
If the ball has gone somewhere other than the right direction, check your alignment and see if your final stance is correct.
There will be a lot of information as to why your shot has gone astray.
You can look at the ground and observe the path of your club.
Look at the position of your feet after the shot.
Maybe your shoes are letting you down by allowing too much movement in the conditions you are playing in.
Look at the final position of your golf club.
Consider how you were holding the club and whether you were gripping it too hard.
You shouldn't over analyze during the course of a game but making small improvements throughout play, when you notice areas that need adjustment, can pay dividends at the end of play.
By constantly chipping away at all aspects of your game you will see noticeable improvements that can take your handicap to the next level and that is why practice is so important.
And the practice that is most important are in the areas that you find you have the biggest weaknesses.
While it might be more fun to go to the driving range and hit the ball as far as possible, you will probably see better results from practicing improving your short game or getting better at getting your distance right on the putting green.
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Renegade Mental Golf Perfect Golf Training
3 Ways to Improve Your Game
1.The power golf hypnosis
2. It Works All the Way to Your Subconscious
3. Relaxation at your Fingertips
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"The secret to heal that part of Golf .When nothing worked until this moment for you? '
Do you ask yourself after a bad round "Why
am I even golfing at all" ?
Have you gone to the range and somehow you miraculously started to hit straight golf shots, saying to yourself... "I think I got it, I think I got it!" ... then when you hit the course your score card still looked horrible ?
... Or are you the type of golfer that wants to get better, spending countless dollars on lessons and expensive clubs, but nothing seems to put a dent in your Golf Slice ?
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Have you gone to the range and somehow you miraculously started to hit straight golf shots, saying to yourself... "I think I got it, I think I got it!" ... then when you hit the course your score card still looked horrible ?
... Or are you the type of golfer that wants to get better, spending countless dollars on lessons and expensive clubs, but nothing seems to put a dent in your Golf Slice ?
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The Golf Beginners Guide - 20 Reasons Not to Play the Game?
This is a need to know golf beginners guide that will either
support your reasoning to take up the game or it will have you selling
your clubs online before they have lost their sheen.
One of the more difficult things to do as a golfer is to "Lighten Up" and not be so outrageously serious. So with that in mind, I have listed 20 Things You Absolutely need to be aware of before ever taking up the game!
It should be pointed out that if you enjoy self inflicted pain, embarrassment and public humiliation, don't let anything below stop you from challenging the greatest game of all.
Flying by the seat of my pants I have a list of reasons why golf may not be the game suited to you.
1) You have to be honest, truthful and self policed with your integrity placed on the line every time you merely cough, sneeze or perform above and beyond your normal levels.
2) If your expectations include success at a quick rate because you think you deserve it..the queue may be longer than you wish to join.
3) There are more rules and regulations to learn than pages in the War and Peace novel.
4) If you join a club; committees and senior members will welcome you through what appears to be a time warp as you swear blind that headmasters and teachers are all around you.
5) You cannot swear, curse or become over emotional without been summoned to apologise to the powers that be.
6) The golf course is no place to find out you require anger management.
7) If making decisions is not your forte, save the heartache and take up bowls.
8) If you are a beginner and think you will be welcomed with open arms and invited into the "inner circles', think again. No long standing member was ever a beginner..Just ask them.
9) Golf requires an amazing amount of patience and if you take this fact lightly, be it at your own peril. (expectations can really bring you undone here)
10) There is nobody and nothing to blame for your results. Try as you might.... you will always be the one to blame which is no fun at all seeing it is never your fault!
11) If failure is not an option, golf will leave you dissatisfied more than you will be able to handle. More bad results than good is what confronts you!
12) The game will cost you lesson money, green fees, membership fees, clubs, balls, gloves and quite possibly your sanity amongst everything else.
13) If you sufferer from high blood pressure, the fresh air and the relaxing outdoors only lure you into a false sense of security. Stress is just around the corner.
14) If you are overly competitive, come back when you have something that resembles a chance to win. There are vultures on every fairway just waiting for your money.
15) If watching money get drowned as golf balls disappear into the lakes is not part of the family budget, take up beach fishing.
16) An ability to clean up after your own mess is a pre-requisite to social acceptance.
17) A round of golf could potentially take up to 6 hours or more (Heaven forbid), let alone the time taken to replay every shot to your mates in the bar afterward. Very time consuming.
18) Fragile egos will be fully tested as people twice your age and half your strength with only a fraction of your ability beat you week after week with regularity.
19) You will be fooled into thinking that winning a $5 ball that cost you $50 to get is a good thing.
20) You could potentially become addicted with nothing else in the world mattering except when you get a chance to redeem yourself.
One of the more difficult things to do as a golfer is to "Lighten Up" and not be so outrageously serious. So with that in mind, I have listed 20 Things You Absolutely need to be aware of before ever taking up the game!
It should be pointed out that if you enjoy self inflicted pain, embarrassment and public humiliation, don't let anything below stop you from challenging the greatest game of all.
Flying by the seat of my pants I have a list of reasons why golf may not be the game suited to you.
1) You have to be honest, truthful and self policed with your integrity placed on the line every time you merely cough, sneeze or perform above and beyond your normal levels.
2) If your expectations include success at a quick rate because you think you deserve it..the queue may be longer than you wish to join.
3) There are more rules and regulations to learn than pages in the War and Peace novel.
4) If you join a club; committees and senior members will welcome you through what appears to be a time warp as you swear blind that headmasters and teachers are all around you.
5) You cannot swear, curse or become over emotional without been summoned to apologise to the powers that be.
6) The golf course is no place to find out you require anger management.
7) If making decisions is not your forte, save the heartache and take up bowls.
8) If you are a beginner and think you will be welcomed with open arms and invited into the "inner circles', think again. No long standing member was ever a beginner..Just ask them.
9) Golf requires an amazing amount of patience and if you take this fact lightly, be it at your own peril. (expectations can really bring you undone here)
10) There is nobody and nothing to blame for your results. Try as you might.... you will always be the one to blame which is no fun at all seeing it is never your fault!
11) If failure is not an option, golf will leave you dissatisfied more than you will be able to handle. More bad results than good is what confronts you!
12) The game will cost you lesson money, green fees, membership fees, clubs, balls, gloves and quite possibly your sanity amongst everything else.
13) If you sufferer from high blood pressure, the fresh air and the relaxing outdoors only lure you into a false sense of security. Stress is just around the corner.
14) If you are overly competitive, come back when you have something that resembles a chance to win. There are vultures on every fairway just waiting for your money.
15) If watching money get drowned as golf balls disappear into the lakes is not part of the family budget, take up beach fishing.
16) An ability to clean up after your own mess is a pre-requisite to social acceptance.
17) A round of golf could potentially take up to 6 hours or more (Heaven forbid), let alone the time taken to replay every shot to your mates in the bar afterward. Very time consuming.
18) Fragile egos will be fully tested as people twice your age and half your strength with only a fraction of your ability beat you week after week with regularity.
19) You will be fooled into thinking that winning a $5 ball that cost you $50 to get is a good thing.
20) You could potentially become addicted with nothing else in the world mattering except when you get a chance to redeem yourself.
The truth is that nothing comes easy. Golf is certainly no exception. My Golf Beginners Guide that covers the reasons not to play can certainly bring things into perspective.
Life as a golf professional had its ups and downs just like all professions but getting paid to do what you really enjoy cannot be beaten. Join me as we and share all things golf.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_L_Bennett
Life as a golf professional had its ups and downs just like all professions but getting paid to do what you really enjoy cannot be beaten. Join me as we and share all things golf.
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Golf Swing Tips - How to Hit a Fairway Wood High Or Low For Duffers
With the advent of the hybrid clubs fewer and fewer golfers are
playing the 3-wood or 5-wood from the fairway these days.
I don't blame them really; I have a 2-hybrid (16 degrees) that I use for the second shot most times on the par fives. I am usually left with a short pitch for my third shot leaving me a birdie putt. That is all I can ask for on most days.
However, on some days when I am swinging well and the ball carries long I may find myself inside 235 yards for my second. That's when I begin thinking about pulling out the 3-wood and going for it in two.
The odd thing is that, on my home course, the two par fives on the front side require two different ball flights for this same club.
The fourth green is downhill with a small opening in the front where you could run a ball onto the green. The ninth green is elevated and requires a high shot to get it to stop. Same club in my hand but I need two different ball flights depending on the hole.
Have you ever wanted to reach a par five in two? You'll need courage, confidence and to know how to fly the ball high or low.
Below are the five tips to fairway wood swing and then the adjustments to fly it high or keep it low.
The High Fairway Wood Swing
Place the ball back - Most duffers play the fairway wood too far forward in their stance. This is not a tee shot so you do not want to hit up on the ball. Moving it back will promote the proper angle of approach.
Sweep the ball - The clubhead should pass through the hitting area nearly parallel to the ground. You do not want to take a divot on the shot. The clubhead should just disturb the grass in the impact area.
Use a descending blow - The clubhead should pass through the impact area with just the slightest downward trajectory. This will create the proper backspin on the ball you will need to control the shot.
Weight transfer - The success of this swing is determined largely by the transition. Once the club reaches the top of the backswing, start the downswing by shifting your weight from the back leg to the front leg. That weight transfer is vital for the club to bottom out at the ball.
Swing through the shot - Stay committed to the shot. Swing within yourself to a full finish. Avoid the tendency to over swing or to lift the ball into the air with the club. Make your best balanced swing and take what the swing and club will give you.
Now that you have the swing down, you should take note of the adjustments you will need to make in order to flight the ball either high or low. Generally speaking those adjustments should be to your stance or set up rather than altering your swing. Stance adjustments using the same swing will produce the desired far more often than if you attempt change something in your swing.
The High Fairway Wood Shot
For the high shot adjust your set up from that mentioned above by moving the ball a bit forward and holding your hands lower (closer to the ground) at address. Tilt your spine away from your target placing a bit more weight on the back foot. Swing as outlined above. The set up will add loft to the club and the ball will fly higher and land softer.
The Low Fairway Wood Shot
To play a shot with a lower, creating a more piercing trajectory, just reverse the directions above for creating a high shot. The ball should be positioned a bit farther back similar to where you would play a long iron shot. Lean the shaft forward a bit creating a forward press to de-loft the club. You weight should be more on the front leg. This set up combined with the swing discussed above will keep the ball down for the low running shot.
Don't dismiss the fairway wood shot too quickly. I know they are among the longer clubs in your bag and are therefore more difficult to hit properly. Under the right conditions this shot could well give you a attempt at eagle with an almost certain birdie. You are a full stroke better off than the alternative lay up strategy.
Let the fairway wood shot save you that lay up shot. Because we all know that every shot counts, except those you don't have to take.
I don't blame them really; I have a 2-hybrid (16 degrees) that I use for the second shot most times on the par fives. I am usually left with a short pitch for my third shot leaving me a birdie putt. That is all I can ask for on most days.
However, on some days when I am swinging well and the ball carries long I may find myself inside 235 yards for my second. That's when I begin thinking about pulling out the 3-wood and going for it in two.
The odd thing is that, on my home course, the two par fives on the front side require two different ball flights for this same club.
The fourth green is downhill with a small opening in the front where you could run a ball onto the green. The ninth green is elevated and requires a high shot to get it to stop. Same club in my hand but I need two different ball flights depending on the hole.
Have you ever wanted to reach a par five in two? You'll need courage, confidence and to know how to fly the ball high or low.
Below are the five tips to fairway wood swing and then the adjustments to fly it high or keep it low.
The High Fairway Wood Swing
Place the ball back - Most duffers play the fairway wood too far forward in their stance. This is not a tee shot so you do not want to hit up on the ball. Moving it back will promote the proper angle of approach.
Sweep the ball - The clubhead should pass through the hitting area nearly parallel to the ground. You do not want to take a divot on the shot. The clubhead should just disturb the grass in the impact area.
Use a descending blow - The clubhead should pass through the impact area with just the slightest downward trajectory. This will create the proper backspin on the ball you will need to control the shot.
Weight transfer - The success of this swing is determined largely by the transition. Once the club reaches the top of the backswing, start the downswing by shifting your weight from the back leg to the front leg. That weight transfer is vital for the club to bottom out at the ball.
Swing through the shot - Stay committed to the shot. Swing within yourself to a full finish. Avoid the tendency to over swing or to lift the ball into the air with the club. Make your best balanced swing and take what the swing and club will give you.
Now that you have the swing down, you should take note of the adjustments you will need to make in order to flight the ball either high or low. Generally speaking those adjustments should be to your stance or set up rather than altering your swing. Stance adjustments using the same swing will produce the desired far more often than if you attempt change something in your swing.
The High Fairway Wood Shot
For the high shot adjust your set up from that mentioned above by moving the ball a bit forward and holding your hands lower (closer to the ground) at address. Tilt your spine away from your target placing a bit more weight on the back foot. Swing as outlined above. The set up will add loft to the club and the ball will fly higher and land softer.
The Low Fairway Wood Shot
To play a shot with a lower, creating a more piercing trajectory, just reverse the directions above for creating a high shot. The ball should be positioned a bit farther back similar to where you would play a long iron shot. Lean the shaft forward a bit creating a forward press to de-loft the club. You weight should be more on the front leg. This set up combined with the swing discussed above will keep the ball down for the low running shot.
Don't dismiss the fairway wood shot too quickly. I know they are among the longer clubs in your bag and are therefore more difficult to hit properly. Under the right conditions this shot could well give you a attempt at eagle with an almost certain birdie. You are a full stroke better off than the alternative lay up strategy.
Let the fairway wood shot save you that lay up shot. Because we all know that every shot counts, except those you don't have to take.
Find more help for your golf swing here: Golf Swing Instruction
Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of more than 30 years and golf writer.
He partners with Dooley Duffer over at Dooley Duffer Golf. Are you a duffer? Know you can play better and want to learn how? We are devoted to helping ordinary golfers (duffers) improve every aspect of their games.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hudler
Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of more than 30 years and golf writer.
He partners with Dooley Duffer over at Dooley Duffer Golf. Are you a duffer? Know you can play better and want to learn how? We are devoted to helping ordinary golfers (duffers) improve every aspect of their games.
How To Putt Better With Distance Control?
Golfers have been
tricked to believe touch and feel in their putting stroke and on the
putting greens is something hard to achieve. In golf, we are told
that putting distance control is something that is supposed to be
difficult. Realistically, putting is no different from throwing a ball
or opening the door in the morning. Learning how to putt a golf ball
better with proper technique shouldn’t be a mystery any longer.
Learn How To Putt Better For a Lifetime
You use this skill everyday and there is no reason why distance control on the putting green should be difficult or any different. You already posses the ability required to be a great putter.
The closer you get to the hole, the more important putting speed control becomes. The counterpart to distance control is direction, which is more important the farther away you are from the golf hole. Scoring well in golf requires a rock solid performance within 100 yards and how well you putt on the greens. This makes distance control one of the most important aspects in golf as it relates to scoring. As a keynote, the less loft you have on a golf club, the more side spin you can impart on the golf ball. This is why direction control is more important off the tee just as distance control is the closer you get to the green. Typically within 100 yards you have a sand wedge in your hand, which has a lot of loft, making it hard to put much side spin on the golf ball. This causes the ball to naturally fly straighter putting more emphasis on distance control.
Thankfully, on the putting green side spin isn’t an issue. The ball turns because of the contours of the putting green and speed. Even if we put side spin on the ball, it is quickly removed from the friction between the green and the ball.
Putting comes down to controlling distance and starting the ball on a specific intended line.
Learn how to roll the ball a specific speed to make the hole the biggest and make more putts.
Changes In Putting Green Speed
No two golf courses are alike, the speed at which the ball will roll is dependent upon the green speed which is out of our control. To measure the green speed, most golf courses use a stimpmeter to specify how fast or slow they are by assigning a number to them.(the higher the number, the faster the green) To make matters more complicated, there are several types of different grasses with different grains, all affecting the speed and how the ball will roll. The same green can even experience a degree of change throughout the day because of the grass growing. Add spike marks, imperfections, uphill, downhill putts, and wind to putting and you can see why putting speed control becomes difficult. Perfect your attitude, control what you can, and you know how to improve your putting.
Learn The Speed Through Your Putting Stroke
Unlike hitting a wedge shot to a specific distance, your feel for a specific distance on the putting green will be different day-to-day. Before playing a round a golf, make a few putting strokes from several different distances to get acclimated to the speed of the greens. Be sure to putt a combination of uphill and downhill lag putts and short putts. Also, do not forget to take in wind speed and direction. Just because your golf ball is on the ground doesn’t mean wind will not affect how the ball rolls.
Putting Tips For Distance Control – Proper Stroke Techniques
Solid Contact
If you want to know how to putt better, the first step is making sure your hitting your putts solid. A putting stroke that yields an end over end role, caused when clubface matches path, struck in the sweet spot of the putter face consistently. A putt hit with the same force off the toe will not travel the same distance if struck in the center.(same for anywhere else on the club) You can test to see where you impact the golf ball with a small strip of impact tape placed on your putter.
Lock your lower body
Any extra movements (laterally) in the body will cause the ball to travel inconsistent distances. Develop a putting stroke with the fewest moving parts. Using just your shoulders and arms to create the power. As a drill toe in both your feet at address to feel this sensation or a stable lower body. You can also imagine your shoes being stuck in cement.
Feedback is Key
Your hands are an incredible source for both touch and feel. The stronger you grip the club the less feel you will have. Grip the club as light as you possibly can without it falling out of your hands. The best way I can describe it would be having a light pressure in the hands and fingers. The club is very secure because of a stable and tight grip while the pressure is light.
READ MORE
Learn How To Putt Better For a Lifetime
You use this skill everyday and there is no reason why distance control on the putting green should be difficult or any different. You already posses the ability required to be a great putter.
The closer you get to the hole, the more important putting speed control becomes. The counterpart to distance control is direction, which is more important the farther away you are from the golf hole. Scoring well in golf requires a rock solid performance within 100 yards and how well you putt on the greens. This makes distance control one of the most important aspects in golf as it relates to scoring. As a keynote, the less loft you have on a golf club, the more side spin you can impart on the golf ball. This is why direction control is more important off the tee just as distance control is the closer you get to the green. Typically within 100 yards you have a sand wedge in your hand, which has a lot of loft, making it hard to put much side spin on the golf ball. This causes the ball to naturally fly straighter putting more emphasis on distance control.
Thankfully, on the putting green side spin isn’t an issue. The ball turns because of the contours of the putting green and speed. Even if we put side spin on the ball, it is quickly removed from the friction between the green and the ball.
Putting comes down to controlling distance and starting the ball on a specific intended line.
Learn how to roll the ball a specific speed to make the hole the biggest and make more putts.
Changes In Putting Green Speed
No two golf courses are alike, the speed at which the ball will roll is dependent upon the green speed which is out of our control. To measure the green speed, most golf courses use a stimpmeter to specify how fast or slow they are by assigning a number to them.(the higher the number, the faster the green) To make matters more complicated, there are several types of different grasses with different grains, all affecting the speed and how the ball will roll. The same green can even experience a degree of change throughout the day because of the grass growing. Add spike marks, imperfections, uphill, downhill putts, and wind to putting and you can see why putting speed control becomes difficult. Perfect your attitude, control what you can, and you know how to improve your putting.
Learn The Speed Through Your Putting Stroke
Unlike hitting a wedge shot to a specific distance, your feel for a specific distance on the putting green will be different day-to-day. Before playing a round a golf, make a few putting strokes from several different distances to get acclimated to the speed of the greens. Be sure to putt a combination of uphill and downhill lag putts and short putts. Also, do not forget to take in wind speed and direction. Just because your golf ball is on the ground doesn’t mean wind will not affect how the ball rolls.
Putting Tips For Distance Control – Proper Stroke Techniques
Solid Contact
If you want to know how to putt better, the first step is making sure your hitting your putts solid. A putting stroke that yields an end over end role, caused when clubface matches path, struck in the sweet spot of the putter face consistently. A putt hit with the same force off the toe will not travel the same distance if struck in the center.(same for anywhere else on the club) You can test to see where you impact the golf ball with a small strip of impact tape placed on your putter.
Lock your lower body
Any extra movements (laterally) in the body will cause the ball to travel inconsistent distances. Develop a putting stroke with the fewest moving parts. Using just your shoulders and arms to create the power. As a drill toe in both your feet at address to feel this sensation or a stable lower body. You can also imagine your shoes being stuck in cement.
Feedback is Key
Your hands are an incredible source for both touch and feel. The stronger you grip the club the less feel you will have. Grip the club as light as you possibly can without it falling out of your hands. The best way I can describe it would be having a light pressure in the hands and fingers. The club is very secure because of a stable and tight grip while the pressure is light.
READ MORE
What’s The Weakest Part Of Your Golf Game?
The Proven 5 Step Consistent Golf Formula™
Step 1
Remember your last 5 games of golf and then rank these four aspects that make up a game of golf from the weakest to strongest:
a) The Long Game – this includes driving, fairway woods, hybrids and iron shots
b) The Short Game – which comprises of pitch shots, bunker shots and chip shots
c) The Putting Game – This is made up of short putts, long putts, green reading, distance control and so on.
d) The Mental Game – And this includes such things as concentration, anxiety, confidence etc.
b) The Short Game – which comprises of pitch shots, bunker shots and chip shots
c) The Putting Game – This is made up of short putts, long putts, green reading, distance control and so on.
d) The Mental Game – And this includes such things as concentration, anxiety, confidence etc.
Step 2
Get a proven step-by-step practice program that will improve the weakest part of your golf game.
Step 3
Follow that improvement program and focus exclusively on improving the weakest part of your golf game until it’s at a level you’re happy with….considering the time and effort you want to put into it.
Step 4
Golf The Real Thing
The grass is always greener on the other side. Not as green as I felt on
the inside the day I decided to check out this golf lark.
I could never get my head around why all the excitement and fuss at the sheer mention of the word golf.
Off to the local driving range I did go, selected myself a golf club and purchased a token for fifty golf balls..Maybe if I had more knowledge on the game, I would have realized the importance of choosing the right size golf club.
Inserting my token into the slot to collect the golf balls. What a nightmare. Well? no one told me to place a basket underneath the shoot. Those balls came flooding out like Niagra falls. I hasten to add these balls did not roll they bounced. Some even higher than me, cursed they were without a doubt.
Doomed from the start a golf stick to suit Shrek and only twenty balls of my fifty. The rest for all I know could be in Timbukto.
I remember more misses than hits but I was slowly beginning to like and enjoy this so called golf lark.
Why not try the real thing? a voice called out from the cubicle next to me. Is this not the real thing I asked. No mate, came the reply. You need to be on a course.
Determined to find out why this sport is so popular. I went in search of a course to play the real thing.
Found myself a course with eighteen holes. Now for the real thing.
Taking the first shot and not taking my eyes of the ball, I watched it rotate in and around several humps down a funnel and then swirl in and out of a maze of curves. Bit like the krypton factor but I was desperate to find out about the real thing.
It is 5pm and we are closing the attendant called out. But I am only on hole number three I explained. I am sorry sir, why not come back tommorrow? and that I did for the next fornight. Because that is how long it took me to finish this particular course.
Pedro (The Attendant) and I had struck up a friendly relationship in all the time I was going back and to. I am afraid Pedro this golf lark is not for me.
Senor this is crazy golf, it is not the real thing. What is the difference I asked. I will need to show you senor? he answered.
Pedro explained that he had a few friends that he would like me to meet up with. He also went onto say that they could help me in my quest to find out what the major attraction in golf is for many thousands of people.
What lovely people Pedro’s friends were. Very informative on the game. Oh and boy oh boy they sure showed me a few tricks of the trade.
It is was all falling into place now.
Knowing all the rules simplified and made this game more understanding.
Yes? I was loving this new found sport that was to change my whole way of life for the rest of my life.
It was time to leave so I thanked everyone for their expert guidance. Now over to my good friend Pedro, who I grabbed with so much force giving him such a manly hug and shaking his hand at the same time. I could not thank him enough for his time and patience. It was a pleasure Senor, Pedro replied. By the way I did not quite catch your name senor.
I could never get my head around why all the excitement and fuss at the sheer mention of the word golf.
Off to the local driving range I did go, selected myself a golf club and purchased a token for fifty golf balls..Maybe if I had more knowledge on the game, I would have realized the importance of choosing the right size golf club.
Inserting my token into the slot to collect the golf balls. What a nightmare. Well? no one told me to place a basket underneath the shoot. Those balls came flooding out like Niagra falls. I hasten to add these balls did not roll they bounced. Some even higher than me, cursed they were without a doubt.
Doomed from the start a golf stick to suit Shrek and only twenty balls of my fifty. The rest for all I know could be in Timbukto.
I remember more misses than hits but I was slowly beginning to like and enjoy this so called golf lark.
Why not try the real thing? a voice called out from the cubicle next to me. Is this not the real thing I asked. No mate, came the reply. You need to be on a course.
Determined to find out why this sport is so popular. I went in search of a course to play the real thing.
Found myself a course with eighteen holes. Now for the real thing.
Taking the first shot and not taking my eyes of the ball, I watched it rotate in and around several humps down a funnel and then swirl in and out of a maze of curves. Bit like the krypton factor but I was desperate to find out about the real thing.
It is 5pm and we are closing the attendant called out. But I am only on hole number three I explained. I am sorry sir, why not come back tommorrow? and that I did for the next fornight. Because that is how long it took me to finish this particular course.
Pedro (The Attendant) and I had struck up a friendly relationship in all the time I was going back and to. I am afraid Pedro this golf lark is not for me.
Senor this is crazy golf, it is not the real thing. What is the difference I asked. I will need to show you senor? he answered.
Pedro explained that he had a few friends that he would like me to meet up with. He also went onto say that they could help me in my quest to find out what the major attraction in golf is for many thousands of people.
What lovely people Pedro’s friends were. Very informative on the game. Oh and boy oh boy they sure showed me a few tricks of the trade.
It is was all falling into place now.
Knowing all the rules simplified and made this game more understanding.
Yes? I was loving this new found sport that was to change my whole way of life for the rest of my life.
It was time to leave so I thanked everyone for their expert guidance. Now over to my good friend Pedro, who I grabbed with so much force giving him such a manly hug and shaking his hand at the same time. I could not thank him enough for his time and patience. It was a pleasure Senor, Pedro replied. By the way I did not quite catch your name senor.
Jesper Parnevik Helps Golfers Get Into The Swing Of Spring
Spring marks the return of warmer weather and outdoor activities, and
for golf enthusiasts, the beginning of peak golf season. But for the
more than 35.9 million people who suffer from seasonal allergies,
enjoying the outdoors can be challenging. That is why golfing expert and
allergy sufferer Jesper Parnevik is offering tips that help golfers get
into the swing of spring.
Springtime Golf Tips
From Jesper Parnevik
• Avoid tee times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when pollen levels are at their highest. Check out www.Benadrylusa.com or a weather information Web site in advance for pollen counts.
• Pack essentials such as sunscreen and Band-Aids in your golf bag or cart. For allergy sufferers, pack an effective allergy medication like Benadryl, which can help to relieve even your worst allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, watery eyes and itchy throat.
• Clubs aren’t one size fits all, so when purchasing clubs, consider length, shaft flex, lie angle, loft and grip size. Remember, for virtually the same price as off-the-rack clubs, you can be fit for a custom set that will improve your game.
• Choose the right course. Seasonal allergies are often caused by trees and grasses that have small, light and dry pollens, so picking the right type of course is important. For instance, a “links” course is relatively treeless, so it may have fewer allergy triggers.
• Putting is one of the most essential parts of the game-so try to spend about 40 to 50 percent of your practice time on the short game.
• If you’re planning a golf vacation, try avoiding vacation destinations with hot, dry and windy weather, which generally means more pollen in the air.
• Don’t forget the cardinal rule in golf-proper etiquette. Try not to move, talk, make unnecessary noise (such as sneezing) or stand close to or directly behind someone who’s addressing the ball or making a stroke.
Read More http://c1eae9rhfnx3w9jwwzph44tuax.hop.clickbank.net/
Copied with permission from: http://plrplr.com/30833/jesper-parnevik-helps-golfers-get-into-the-swing-of-spring/
Springtime Golf Tips
From Jesper Parnevik
• Avoid tee times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when pollen levels are at their highest. Check out www.Benadrylusa.com or a weather information Web site in advance for pollen counts.
• Pack essentials such as sunscreen and Band-Aids in your golf bag or cart. For allergy sufferers, pack an effective allergy medication like Benadryl, which can help to relieve even your worst allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, watery eyes and itchy throat.
• Clubs aren’t one size fits all, so when purchasing clubs, consider length, shaft flex, lie angle, loft and grip size. Remember, for virtually the same price as off-the-rack clubs, you can be fit for a custom set that will improve your game.
• Choose the right course. Seasonal allergies are often caused by trees and grasses that have small, light and dry pollens, so picking the right type of course is important. For instance, a “links” course is relatively treeless, so it may have fewer allergy triggers.
• Putting is one of the most essential parts of the game-so try to spend about 40 to 50 percent of your practice time on the short game.
• If you’re planning a golf vacation, try avoiding vacation destinations with hot, dry and windy weather, which generally means more pollen in the air.
• Don’t forget the cardinal rule in golf-proper etiquette. Try not to move, talk, make unnecessary noise (such as sneezing) or stand close to or directly behind someone who’s addressing the ball or making a stroke.
Read More http://c1eae9rhfnx3w9jwwzph44tuax.hop.clickbank.net/
Copied with permission from: http://plrplr.com/30833/jesper-parnevik-helps-golfers-get-into-the-swing-of-spring/
Resort Golf Can Vastly Improve Your Game
There is more to a golf vacation than spending your day on the golf
course and driving range. The golf course may be the main attraction for
various golf resorts around the country, however many also offer
fitness centers, spas, and healthy cuisine. The availability of onsite
fitness resources, such as workout equipment and aerobics classes, has
become common. Pleasurable amenities including spas and healthy menu
options have brought depth to the golf vacation experience.
At many of the top golf resorts in America, golfers are offered an array of personal training services to compliment their game. Golfers now have an opportunity to work in conjunction with club teaching professionals and golf fitness trainers to maximize their performance on the course.
Golfers are now more widely accepted as athletes. Successful athletes strive to improve their fitness through strength, flexibility, and stability training. Their vacation time can now be intermingled with their practice, preparation and goal setting while providing a more relaxing and productive environment for growth and development of your game.
When choosing a golf vacation destination, begin by using the internet or a travel planner to find those spots where you can play great golf as a compliment to a complete health and fitness weekend. Find settings where you can enjoy healthy cuisine on and off the course, a spa for a gentle massage and a training studio where experts can assist you in fitness for golf. Certified golf fitness instructors can assess your current fitness level and create a personalized fitness plan just for you. They can demonstrate proper stretching and weight training techniques specific to golf.
After a long day on the course or an intense workout you will need to unwind. What better way than to have a massage at the resort spa? The massage therapist can work out your kinks and sore muscles. What better way to feel revitalized and ready to play another round tomorrow!
Golf resorts can also offer a healthy cuisine. You expend a great number of calories in one round of golf and need the appropriate food to refuel your body. Skip the hamburgers and chips you normally get at the turn and dine on some non traditional healthier options for a change of pace.
After your trip is over, you will feel energized, productive and excited about the new changes you’ll see and feel in your body and your game. Resort golf can kick start your engine for a great golf season. It can rejuvenate your body and passion for golf at any time during the year. Those two benefits alone can vastly perk up your golf game.
At many of the top golf resorts in America, golfers are offered an array of personal training services to compliment their game. Golfers now have an opportunity to work in conjunction with club teaching professionals and golf fitness trainers to maximize their performance on the course.
Golfers are now more widely accepted as athletes. Successful athletes strive to improve their fitness through strength, flexibility, and stability training. Their vacation time can now be intermingled with their practice, preparation and goal setting while providing a more relaxing and productive environment for growth and development of your game.
When choosing a golf vacation destination, begin by using the internet or a travel planner to find those spots where you can play great golf as a compliment to a complete health and fitness weekend. Find settings where you can enjoy healthy cuisine on and off the course, a spa for a gentle massage and a training studio where experts can assist you in fitness for golf. Certified golf fitness instructors can assess your current fitness level and create a personalized fitness plan just for you. They can demonstrate proper stretching and weight training techniques specific to golf.
After a long day on the course or an intense workout you will need to unwind. What better way than to have a massage at the resort spa? The massage therapist can work out your kinks and sore muscles. What better way to feel revitalized and ready to play another round tomorrow!
Golf resorts can also offer a healthy cuisine. You expend a great number of calories in one round of golf and need the appropriate food to refuel your body. Skip the hamburgers and chips you normally get at the turn and dine on some non traditional healthier options for a change of pace.
After your trip is over, you will feel energized, productive and excited about the new changes you’ll see and feel in your body and your game. Resort golf can kick start your engine for a great golf season. It can rejuvenate your body and passion for golf at any time during the year. Those two benefits alone can vastly perk up your golf game.
The Official Rules of Golf Made Easy
The official rules of golf are governed by the Royal and Ancient
in St. Andrews. They are the Worlds rules and development body for
Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and The Americas (outside the USA and
Mexico). The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the game's
governing body in the United States and Mexico.
Since 1952, the R & A and the USGA have worked together to continually review, revise and clarify the golf rules. The idea behind this is to have consistency for rules in golf, so that players all over the World can play with the same laws.
All PGA professional golfers should know every single golf rule as the penalty for not can be very costly for them. But for the casual golfer, there is normally much need of going into some of the complicated golf ball or club rules as regards to equipment specifications.
In this article, I will not go into all of the golf rules and regulations; instead we will look at etiquette and golf rules made easy for the average or casual golfer. Even if you are just playing for fun or if you occasionally enter local amateur golf tournaments, you will get more enjoyment out of the game if you know the more important basic golf rules.
Golf Etiquette
As golf is still considered to be "the gentleman's game", it is important to understand what behavior on the golf course is frowned upon. As golf is played without close supervision, it is up to the individual golfer to show integrity, honesty, and sportsmanship. This is what golf etiquette is all about - it is the spirit of the game of golf. Here are some more specific golf etiquette rules:
* Safety - Don't swing your club when someone is standing nearby and could be hit by your club, ball, or some other object.
* Don't tee off or hit your approach shot to the green until the group in front is well out of reach or have departed the green.
* When your ball is hit in the direction of someone and there is a danger that it may hit them, you are obliged to shout a warning such as "fore".
* If you loose your ball or think that it may be lost, you should first play a provisional ball. When looking for your ball, you should spend no more than five minutes doing so, and you should signal the group behind to play through if you are holding them up.
* Once your group has finished on the green, you should immediately vacate it to let the group behind play. Don't fill in your scorecard on the green, wait until you are well clear of the green to do so.
* If your group is consistently playing slower than the group behind, then let them play through. You should always be ready to play your shot when it is your turn.
* Show consideration to other golfers - don't make any noises, cast a shadow, or make movements when they are taking their shots.
* Tending the pin - if you are nearest to the pin when another player is taking their putt, it is customary to tend the pin.
* After hitting out of a bunker, you should rake away your footmarks and any other marks you make. In fact, golf etiquette dictates that you should leave the bunker in a better condition than you found it.
* On the green, you should repair the mark your ball made when it landed with your divot tool plus one other mark.
* You should always replace or fill in your divots on the fairway.
Basic Rules Of Golf
If you don't want to annoy your golf partners, you should learn the following basics:
* Golf club rules - the maximum number of clubs that you are allowed to carry is fourteen. There is nothing to say that you can't have two drivers or two different types of putter, just that the total number of clubs is limited to fourteen.
* Order of play - the player who tees off first has the "honors". In other words, the player who scored the lowest score on the previous hole. If it is the first hole, you can decide amongst yourselves or toss a coin. On the fairway or green, the player who is furthest from the green or hole goes first.
* When the ball is in play (after teeing off), you are not allowed to touch or move the ball until it is holed out. The exceptions being; on the green you can mark your ball to clean it before putting; when taking a drop, you have to lift your ball; or you have hit the ball out of bounds and you remove the ball.
* When on the fairway or especially in the rough or amongst trees, you can remove loose twigs and leaves from around your ball but the ball must not move when doing so.
* When teeing off, you have to place the ball between the two markers and never in front of them. You can stand outside of the teeing area to hit a ball that is inside, but you can't move the markers if they are in your way.
* When addressing the ball on the tee and the ball falls off, you may replace it without a penalty.
* On the green, you can remove any loose objects from your line of putt.
* When it is your turn to putt, you must wait until the previous player's ball has stopped moving.
* You will be penalized if you hit the flag stick with your ball while putting from on the green, but not from off the green.
* If you hit your ball into a water hazard or out of bounds, you must play another ball from the designated drop zone or from a position any distance behind the hazard (including the original position of where your ball was) but no closer to the hole - you will be penalized a stroke.
These are a few of the golf rules made easy to understand for the casual golfer so that they get more enjoyment out of the game and so that there are no conflicts between players.
There are many more that you should learn to have a full understanding of the game. You can download a PDF file of the R & A golf rules from their website and learn a few more every day.
Since 1952, the R & A and the USGA have worked together to continually review, revise and clarify the golf rules. The idea behind this is to have consistency for rules in golf, so that players all over the World can play with the same laws.
All PGA professional golfers should know every single golf rule as the penalty for not can be very costly for them. But for the casual golfer, there is normally much need of going into some of the complicated golf ball or club rules as regards to equipment specifications.
In this article, I will not go into all of the golf rules and regulations; instead we will look at etiquette and golf rules made easy for the average or casual golfer. Even if you are just playing for fun or if you occasionally enter local amateur golf tournaments, you will get more enjoyment out of the game if you know the more important basic golf rules.
Golf Etiquette
As golf is still considered to be "the gentleman's game", it is important to understand what behavior on the golf course is frowned upon. As golf is played without close supervision, it is up to the individual golfer to show integrity, honesty, and sportsmanship. This is what golf etiquette is all about - it is the spirit of the game of golf. Here are some more specific golf etiquette rules:
* Safety - Don't swing your club when someone is standing nearby and could be hit by your club, ball, or some other object.
* Don't tee off or hit your approach shot to the green until the group in front is well out of reach or have departed the green.
* When your ball is hit in the direction of someone and there is a danger that it may hit them, you are obliged to shout a warning such as "fore".
* If you loose your ball or think that it may be lost, you should first play a provisional ball. When looking for your ball, you should spend no more than five minutes doing so, and you should signal the group behind to play through if you are holding them up.
* Once your group has finished on the green, you should immediately vacate it to let the group behind play. Don't fill in your scorecard on the green, wait until you are well clear of the green to do so.
* If your group is consistently playing slower than the group behind, then let them play through. You should always be ready to play your shot when it is your turn.
* Show consideration to other golfers - don't make any noises, cast a shadow, or make movements when they are taking their shots.
* Tending the pin - if you are nearest to the pin when another player is taking their putt, it is customary to tend the pin.
* After hitting out of a bunker, you should rake away your footmarks and any other marks you make. In fact, golf etiquette dictates that you should leave the bunker in a better condition than you found it.
* On the green, you should repair the mark your ball made when it landed with your divot tool plus one other mark.
* You should always replace or fill in your divots on the fairway.
Basic Rules Of Golf
If you don't want to annoy your golf partners, you should learn the following basics:
* Golf club rules - the maximum number of clubs that you are allowed to carry is fourteen. There is nothing to say that you can't have two drivers or two different types of putter, just that the total number of clubs is limited to fourteen.
* Order of play - the player who tees off first has the "honors". In other words, the player who scored the lowest score on the previous hole. If it is the first hole, you can decide amongst yourselves or toss a coin. On the fairway or green, the player who is furthest from the green or hole goes first.
* When the ball is in play (after teeing off), you are not allowed to touch or move the ball until it is holed out. The exceptions being; on the green you can mark your ball to clean it before putting; when taking a drop, you have to lift your ball; or you have hit the ball out of bounds and you remove the ball.
* When on the fairway or especially in the rough or amongst trees, you can remove loose twigs and leaves from around your ball but the ball must not move when doing so.
* When teeing off, you have to place the ball between the two markers and never in front of them. You can stand outside of the teeing area to hit a ball that is inside, but you can't move the markers if they are in your way.
* When addressing the ball on the tee and the ball falls off, you may replace it without a penalty.
* On the green, you can remove any loose objects from your line of putt.
* When it is your turn to putt, you must wait until the previous player's ball has stopped moving.
* You will be penalized if you hit the flag stick with your ball while putting from on the green, but not from off the green.
* If you hit your ball into a water hazard or out of bounds, you must play another ball from the designated drop zone or from a position any distance behind the hazard (including the original position of where your ball was) but no closer to the hole - you will be penalized a stroke.
These are a few of the golf rules made easy to understand for the casual golfer so that they get more enjoyment out of the game and so that there are no conflicts between players.
There are many more that you should learn to have a full understanding of the game. You can download a PDF file of the R & A golf rules from their website and learn a few more every day.
Mick Euan Tait is a golf webmaster where you will find Online Golf Lessons to improve your game and also information on how to learn golf from a Golf Instruction Video.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mick_Euan_Tait
8 Golf Rules That Are Difficult To Remember
Maybe you are new to the game of golf and are finding some of the
rules too hard to remember. In such case it is great to carry a handy
check list of rules you can refer to on the course.
Especially with traditional rules of the game, you could get confused with ones concerning hazards or stroke penalties for instance, so it is good to have the rules at hand at all times on the field.
In rare cases when you may disagree with another player it is good to be able to refer to the laws of the game to settle the matter amicably.
You may find it difficult to get your hands on a short checklist of golf rules, and we all would agree it is tedious to write on our your self. What we provide here can be used as a printout to carry when on the course.
Take a printout of the rules mentioned here, and use it as reference when you need to. We have taken the liberty to include some laws pertaining to the etiquettes of the game, which are also very important in a "gentlemen's" game such as golf.
1. You are never allowed to touch the ball while in play. The exception to this rule is when you are on the putting green area, and after the ball has been marked, and also at a time when you are about to play a stroke penalty, thereby removing the golf ball from a hazard or lie.
2. The only time you should play first in the fairway or the putting green is when you are the player who is furthest from the hole.
3. Do take the trouble to avoid slow play of the game. Use the time you have while waiting for others to play their shots by thinking about your own shot selection and club selection.
4. The player allowed to tee off first is he who has scored lowest on the previous round. It is impolite and against the rules to play first unless that fits your position.
5. Carrying more than fourteen clubs in your golf bag will lead to disqualification.
6. When another player is about to play his shot, do not talk or make sudden gestures or movements.
7. When you are on the putting area, take care to stay out of the line of a shot by another player on the same area.
8. Many golf courses have dress codes. If you are unsure of this, it is better to stay on the safe side by wearing a collared shirt.
It is a good idea to check with this list even before you take to the course, as a last minute reference.
Especially with traditional rules of the game, you could get confused with ones concerning hazards or stroke penalties for instance, so it is good to have the rules at hand at all times on the field.
In rare cases when you may disagree with another player it is good to be able to refer to the laws of the game to settle the matter amicably.
You may find it difficult to get your hands on a short checklist of golf rules, and we all would agree it is tedious to write on our your self. What we provide here can be used as a printout to carry when on the course.
Take a printout of the rules mentioned here, and use it as reference when you need to. We have taken the liberty to include some laws pertaining to the etiquettes of the game, which are also very important in a "gentlemen's" game such as golf.
1. You are never allowed to touch the ball while in play. The exception to this rule is when you are on the putting green area, and after the ball has been marked, and also at a time when you are about to play a stroke penalty, thereby removing the golf ball from a hazard or lie.
2. The only time you should play first in the fairway or the putting green is when you are the player who is furthest from the hole.
3. Do take the trouble to avoid slow play of the game. Use the time you have while waiting for others to play their shots by thinking about your own shot selection and club selection.
4. The player allowed to tee off first is he who has scored lowest on the previous round. It is impolite and against the rules to play first unless that fits your position.
5. Carrying more than fourteen clubs in your golf bag will lead to disqualification.
6. When another player is about to play his shot, do not talk or make sudden gestures or movements.
7. When you are on the putting area, take care to stay out of the line of a shot by another player on the same area.
8. Many golf courses have dress codes. If you are unsure of this, it is better to stay on the safe side by wearing a collared shirt.
It is a good idea to check with this list even before you take to the course, as a last minute reference.
Abhishek is an avid Golfing enthusiast and he has got some great Golfing Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 63 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Enjoying Golf" from his website http://www.Golf-Skills.com/97/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
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