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What Makes A Great Golf Swing

2008-08-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

by Reggie Dunn

Think about the following questions. What makes a good golf swing and why are some people able to do it while others cannot? The major part of the answer lies in how you engage yourself off the golf course. It may surprise you to know what a little effort it can take to bring your golf swing to the next stage. What follows now are some easy to do tips that are sure to improve your golf swing and make you score big time. They could show the dissimilarity between shooting three digits and shooting in the 90s or for that matter, even 80s.

1. Do warm up exercises to stretch your muscles before you go off to tee

In case you have been to a live pro golf event, you will know that the golfers do not just make an arrival at the course and then run off to the tee box. On the contrary they head off to the driving range, stretch for sometime and then hit some balls. We know that warming up positively effects your body and you do better at your golf swing. You will thank yourself if you make it a point to reach the golf course a little earlier, relax your muscles and take a few swings.

2. At times when you are off the course exercise your golfing muscles

You need to carve out a simple workout routine for the muscles utilized during your golf swing so that you become a good player. You can expect a huge impact on your game if you get into the habit of doing this even 10 minutes every day.

3. Don’t swing for the fences just yet

It is a known fact that for good golf you absolutely need to have mental strength and holding back the temptation to give your swing the extra push is a difficult task. But the truth is you must have that control to have a good golf swing. If you can successfully control it then giving that little extra is great. But if you cannot, perhaps you will never lay your eyes on that ball again. The thing that you need to understand is that you can uniformly hit the ball more than 200 yards with a good, smooth and controlled swing.

4. Take suggestions from the veterans

In contemporary times you do not need to pay exorbitant amounts for a personal golf instructor to help you out with the game. At a negligible cost you can get your hands on plenty of good golf instruction material available through the web. When managing your deficiencies, internet-based golf lessons can be really fruitful.

Reggie Dunn is a long time golf player and lover of the game. Get more information about golf at his blog, which can be found at golf swing

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

Improving Your Game with a Golf Mat

2008-08-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

by Golf-Offers

There are various types of golf mats that are worth purchasing to practice and even refine your golf game. Many avid golfers find that a golf practice mat is an ideal way to keep improving, even when they don’t have the time to actually get out on the green every day. Golf is truly a game that takes quite a bit of practice, and a golf mat in your home can help you get the practice you need so that you see a difference every time you are out on the course.

There are several different golfing mats out on the market. Generally you’ll see mats for indoor use, as well as golf chipping mats for the outdoors, as well as a golf driving range mat. With all of the different golf mats out there it can be difficult to know what is what and which product is right for you. Perhaps you need more than one, depending on how often you practice and where you play. A golf mat almost always comes in handy, regardless of how long you have been playing as it will help you refine your skills even more.

One of the best golf practice mat solutions on the market is the Expand-a-Green golf mat. This is a professional quality golfing mat that will allow you to practice all of your big swings, putting, and chipping in any area. The Expand-a-Green is very portable so that you can take it with you to a friend’s house, on vacation, or to the park. This golf mat will only run you about $120 and for all of the versatility that it offers that is quite a steal.

If you want something that can easily be used indoors you may want to look at a chipping and driving mat. These will usually run about $90.00 and can be used in doors and they provide a place that is big enough for your full stance so that you can get all of the practice that you need chipping and driving before you actually head out to the course. This is a great way to really up the ante on your game in the privacy of your own home.

If you aren’t looking for anything to help with your practice, you may be looking for a golf driving range mat that will help you eliminate the need for a tee. With one of these mats that measures roughly six inches by eight inches and eliminates the task of carrying around a tee and sticking it in the ground throughout the course. One of the better brands is the Upright Tee Mat and really will come in handy if you are not a big fan of golf tees. This type of golf mat will run you just over $20 and is a handy piece of golf gear to carry along with you in your golf caddy.

Whether you need a golf mat to practice in the comfort of your own home or your yard or you simply need something to eliminate the golf tee, you’ll find that the golf mat is a great tool to better your game. You’ll find that a golf mat is not necessary, no matter what type you are looking for, but golf is all about improving your personal game and every golf mat can help you do just that.

If you’ve considered buying a golf mat, now is the time to go for it. Your golfing mat may very well be one of the best golf investments that you ever make, even though it is not one of the most costly.

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Are Those The Right Golf Clubs For You?

2008-08-01T14:39:00.001-07:00

by Carl Walker

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.

Golf Information: improve your golfing game with tips and tricks to help you with your game of golf.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

The Golf Tip Used by Successful Players

2008-07-25T14:25:00.001-07:00

by David Ferrers

There is one golf tip that is used by most professional players and very few ordinary amateurs. It makes a real difference to your game.

One of the key differences between professionals and ordinary amateurs is that when the professional decides to take a golf tip on board he really works at it. I mean to say that he gives it a lot of thaught and he stays with it for enough time to give it a chance to work.

The ordinary amateur on the other hand will hear a golf tip, give it a try and then probably discard it before they have given it a real chance.

One of the most commonly used golf tips employed by top sports people in all fields is the mind movie. They rehearse exactly what they are going to do in their mind before they carry out the action.

They use a mind movie as a kind of software program to tell their muscles what to do and how to feel during their swing. Then, when they step up to the ball, all they have to do is go on to auto-pilot and a good, well-grooved swing reproduces itself.

This is a golf tip anyone can use.

An important part of this golf tip is to program your swing properly before you make your mind movie. It's a bit like driving a car, you drive on auto-pilot, but you had to have some lessons when you first started to drive, then you had to practice until your program for driving became automatic. You can learn to do the same thing with your golf swing and get the same good quality results.

The easy way for an ordinary golfer to adopt this golf tip and achieve a correct and well-grooved golf swing is to develop a mind movie of their own. Then, simply by running this mind movie every time you step up to the ball you will set your well grooved swing in motion. This is what Jack Nicklaus always did.

You can get this golf tip and learn to build your own golf mind movie. Just go to the Google Internet search engine and type in the words 'golf mind movies'. There you will find a number of sites which will tell you how to develop a powerful and accurate golf swing that repeats even under pressure.

David Ferrers is the author of The Golf Swing Mind-Movies Power Pack. This major new golf tip quickly became one of ClickBank's top selling publications. He researches and writes quick, easy-to-use ways to play golf well. You can read more about this great golf tip at: http://www.The-Golf-Bandit.com/golf-tip-Golf-Mind-Movies.htm

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All For The Love Of Golf

2008-07-18T11:06:00.001-07:00

by George Gabriel

Golf is supposed to be an enjoyable game. We golf over and over again, because we love the game. So why do we beat ourselves up, just before we get off the first tee box? Have you ever heard yourself with a bunch of negative emotions before the golf round?

“Another day out on the golf course and my back is killing me.” Why would you even consider golfing, if it were painful? Why did those even consider golfing with a bad back? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I have to get through this eighteen with the least amount of pain.” Why not play nine holes instead of eighteen? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I am not too sure if the mental part of my game can take any more. It’s tough mentally when things just aren’t going right.” If your confused mentally, why even bother picking up a golf club? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I hope this is not going to be another brutal round, like the other day?” When things are not going right, why not take a day off from golf and meditate instead? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“If I do not hit the fairway on the first tee box, I think I’ll quit playing golf after eighteen.” Why quit after eighteen when the first shot may be the reason to quit? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“If I do not make par on the first hole, I am not going to keep score for the rest of the round.” If your temper is that bad, why carry a scorecard at all? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“The first water hazard my ball ends up in, my golf clubs are going in with it.” Do yourself a favor and play with rentals. Why? All for the love of golf!

“I better not three putt any greens today. I’ll break my putter on the first three putt green, if I do.” Do yourself a favor and pick up for two. Why? All for the love of golf!

“Frosty will never see winter, if I get a snowman today.” Do not play golf with anybody by the nickname Frosty. Why? All for the love of golf!

To help avoid some of these negative emotions, booking a tee time in advance will help keep your mind on a positive level. Why? All for the love of golf!

Learned to play golf as a caddie. Caddied for as many as three players at once. Played as much as 54 holes of golf in a day. Why? All for the love of golf! Now running a tee time site at http://www.gofanchor.net and a golf site at http://www.golfanchor.com

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How To Choose Your "Home Course"

2008-02-24T06:47:00.001-08:00

Many factors go into choosing a regular golf course, or the home course, for a golfer. Among the most important things to consider for most are cost, location, the normal condition of the course, facilities, amenities and service.

Most golfers are not only looking for a course that they can enjoy time after time, but also a place that they can be proud to invite guests. The most overriding factors in course selection are normally location and cost.

Considering that a trip to even the closest the golf courses will be at least a five hour excursion, a player may want to limit his drive time so as not to take up a larger portion of his day. The cost of a round is also a major consideration, but costs can be reduced at some courses by applying for a club membership, or by purchasing multi-round packages.

As cost is such a consideration, the issue of value comes enters into the equation. That is to say, is the golfer getting out of his round of golf the money that he has applied toward it? Most golfers want to play at a course that is well kept. The fairways should be neatly mowed several times a week, greens should be manicured daily, trees should be trimmed, repairs should be ongoing and facilities should be clean and accommodating.

Putting in a fair amount of practice before a round is vital to shooting a low score, so players should also consider the practice facilities provided by the course. One would hope that a good course would have a driving range to allow the golfer to warm up his golf swing before the round. A manicured practice putting green is also a plus, to work on some putting and chipping.

Facilities are also important to a lot of golfers, and they may be looking for a pro shop, a snack bar and/ or a locker room. Most golf courses do have a fully operational pro shop that sell a wide variety of golf equipment and accessories. There is usually a large price mark-up on many items in a pro shop, and this is a good source of revenue for the golf course. Although they are not standard, many courses include some sort of restaurant or bar for the golfers to relax in after a long round of golf.

Finally, as a consumer, golfers like to be treated to a high quality of customer service at the golf course. Most of the staff at courses are trained to deliver friendly and efficient customer service to its guests.

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Here You'll Realize How to Walk onto Any Course and Play The Best Game Of Your Life - Every Single Time You Play.

All About Golf Clubs, What You May Not Know

2008-02-24T06:47:00.000-08:00

A good set of golf clubs is the weapon of choice for the advanced golfer. A complete set of clubs consists of woods, irons and a putter. According to the rules of golf, as set forth by the United States Golf Association (USGA), a golfers bag may hold 14 clubs.

Most golfers will carry a driver, two fairway woods, 7 irons, 3 wedges and the putter. A driver is a long-shafted club with a full head used to strike the ball that is set upon a tee. The club head does not have much lift to it, to achieve maximum distance off the tee. The fairway woods have club heads that are slightly more lofted than the driver, and are used for long shots when the ball is lying on the ground.

Most brand name drivers cost between $200 and $400. Fairway woods normally retail from $150 to $300. Golf irons are the essence of a set of golf clubs. Two thirds of the shots in a normal round of golf will utilize an iron. Irons are used to hit the golf ball off the ground from distances of 125 yards to 225 yards. Each iron is assigned a number based upon the loft angle of the club head.

The 9-iron has the most loft, and is used to hit short, high shots. A 2-iron has very little loft, and is used to hit low, long shorts. Wedges are normally included in the purchase of a set of irons. The most common wedges are the pitching wedge, the sand wedge and the lob wedge. These golf clubs are used for short, controlled shots, normally very close to the putting green.

Some golfers may choose to remove one of the wedges in lieu of a 2-iron. Also worth noting, there are two primary types of irons available. Forged irons are precision clubs that can give experienced golfers a greater ability to shape their shots.

Cavity-back irons are considered to be more forgiving, with a larger sweet spot and primarily for golfers who want to focus on hitting straight shots. A set of 10 irons can range in price from as little as $250, to as much as $1,500. The final and perhaps most important golf club, is the putter.

The putter is also known as the money club because it is the club used to tap the ball into the hole. The purpose of the putter is to roll the ball, so there is no loft on the club head. There are many varieties of putters in all shapes and sizes.

Some of the putter shafts are so short that the golfer grips it near his knees, and some are so long that they are gripped at the golfers chest. Many golfers spend their entire lives changing putters to find the one that feels right for them. Simple putters can cost as little as $20 but some of the more exotic putters can cost as much as $300.

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Here You'll Realize How to Walk onto Any Course and Play The Best Game Of Your Life - Every Single Time You Play.

What You May Not Know About Golf Tournaments

2008-02-24T06:46:00.000-08:00

Many average golfers want to go see how the pros do it when a professional golf tour comes to their area. Although golf seems to be a spectator sport that plays better on television, golf enthusiasts should go experience a live event at least once. Here are some tips and information that may help you. Most professional golf events have websites that can answer frequently asked questions.

Most professional events allow you to purchase tickets on a per-day basis, or sell ticket packages for the duration of the event. For most PGA Tour, LPGA and Champions Tour events, expect to pay around $30 for a single day ticket, and around $75 for a four-day pass.

If you wish to attend a Nationwide Tour Event, single-day tickets cost about $10, with week long event packages in the $30 range. Major tournaments will likely cost a little more to attend. It is important to check with the particular event you will be attending to determine what you can and cannot bring to the course with you (esp. refreshments, chairs and cameras).

Backpacks are usually allowed as long as they are carrying towels, sunscreen and clothing. Generally, you will want to travel light, since it will be a long day, and you will likely be walking several miles. Dress comfortably, protect yourself from the sun with sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

Parking and Accommodations. Again, you should check with the event regarding parking. Because many country clubs and golf courses that host professional events are located in suburban neighborhoods, parking may be limited. Field or roadside parking may be available, but in many cases, spectators will need to park at a remote location and ride a shuttle to the golf course.

The tournament website should also list nearby hotels that will likely provide shuttle service to and from the course etiquette. Because golf is a gentlemans game, it should be respect as such. Silence is golden, and spectators should not talk while a golfer is preparing to swing, take pictures during a golfers swing, or talk to a golfer in between his or her shots.

Stay outside of designated boundaries, do not touch a ball that has been hit into the gallery, and although there may be a mad scramble to surround a miss hit ball, use common sense to avoid standing in an area between the golfers miss hit ball and his next target.
Failure to follow proper spectator etiquette can get you expelled from the course without a refund.

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Here You'll Realize How to Walk onto Any Course and Play The Best Game Of Your Life - Every Single Time You Play.

Golf Traps - Some Tips To Help You Stay Out!

2008-02-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

It is every golfers worst-case scenario. You are golfing great, you have got a perfect swing, the perfect stance, and you were able to get rid of that slice that has been on your back. NO matter how well everything goes, even the best golfer can find himself (or herself) occasionally stuck in a sand trap, stuck in the grass or trapped behind a giant tree on the golf course. Unfortunately, the traps are what make the game interesting. Without them, the game would probably become boring for even the most devoted golfer. Obstructions help to make golf a more interesting and challenging game, and you will learn to appreciate the traps when you find the best ways to get out of them.

The odds that your golf ball will roll to a stop right behind a tree are slim, but it does happen. There are ways out of this situation. You could chop down the tree, or drill a hole in the tree large enough to hit your ball through, but that is probably not going to make the maintenance crew of the golf course very happy.

A lot of golfers just sacrifice one putt so that they can place the golf ball in a more favorable position. How well this works depends on your ability as a golfer, and what you aree willing to risk on one play. If there is another tree close by, you can try a ricochet shot, but it is not very reliable. You cannot judge where the ball will go once it hits the rough bark of the tree.

A good solution is to practice a curve ball before you get into this situation, so that you will know what to do when the time comes.

Sand is a whole other problem completely on the golf course. Many golfers opt for the whack and see technique. To do this, pull a sand wedge from your golf bag, hit the general vicinity of the ball, then watch the sand to see if your golf ball takes flight as well.

Consistency is the crucial to your golfing game on the whole, and getting out of a sand trap is not exclusive to this. It is hard to control a golf ball in the sand. Golf balls do not really roll in sand and difficult to control a putt from a sand trap. In addition, you are probably going to be dealing with an upward slope of the trap before you are out on the course again. Therefore, the only really dependable way to get out of a sand trap is to use the wedge and try to get enough lift on the ball to clear the sand.

Make sure that you choose your wedge cautiously. Keep in mind that you want enough lift to clear the sand. However, less lift is usually easier to manage.

No matter what obstacle you are facing on the golf course, having good control of the ball, choosing the right club for the job, and setting up your shot just right are the ways that you will be able to get out of those sticky situations on the golf course.

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Golf Conditioning: Phase Two Off Season Power Training

2008-02-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to talk about phase 2, the power phase. In this phase you will work on making big gains in strength and power to really increase your driving distance. We are going to focus on a lot of strength exercises in this phase but you must NOT neglect mobility and flexibility training.

A good warm-up is essential in this phase also and should never be skipped. Ideally you would like to spend at least four to six weeks working in this phase but eight weeks would be great. You want to focus on the large muscle groups like the chest, back, hips and core. Stay away from machines as much as possible and try to do more dumbbell and bodyweight drills that will also incorporate the smaller stabilizing muscles also. Do whole body workouts three days a week. Let's take a look at some sample exercises for phase 2.

Warm-up; The warm-up can stay the same as it was during phase one. You want to get a sweat going to really get your muscles and joints warmed up to reduce injury risk. Forward and sideways lunges, inch worm, bear crawl forward and backward, walking knee to chest, walking straight leg raise, and carioca are great warm-up exercises.

After the warm up I like to alternate performing either core stabilization exercises or mobility exercises. On one day perform core exercises like bird dog, prone plank, side plank, crunches, and diagonal upward and downward chops. Follow these with hip and thoracic mobility exercises including foam roller mobilization. On other days perform the core exercises toward the end of the work out. Training the core while fatigued is important for developing good spine stability. I like to do the mobility exercises after the warm-up. You will work hip mobility pretty good during the warm-up but make sure to do the hip rotation exercises as this is a key component to reducing the risk of low back injury. This is also a good time to do foam roll exercises for soft tissue work and thoracic spine mobilization.

After you finish these exercises you are ready to hit the power exercises. Focus on the large muscle groups and if time is a factor perform a circuit. Always work the big three-chest, hips, and back. A good start would be a chest exercise like push-ups, bench press, or dumbbell bench press. Follow this with a leg exercise like squats, lunges, step ups, or split squats. Then incorporate a back exercise such as lat pulls, vertical or horizontal pull-ups, or bent over rows. A good circuit example would be: 15 pushups followed by 15 squats and then 10 pull ups. Rest 1-2 minutes and repeat. Perform 3-4 times. Vary the reps depending on your ability and ease. You can vary the exercises each time and substitute as you like but always do at least one of each back, chest and leg exercise. Most of the power in your back swing comes from your hips and chest muscles but you need a strong core to transfer this power. Neglecting to work your back muscles can lead to imbalances which can cause injury especially in your shoulders.

After the big three is a good time to add more explosive exercises like medicine ball overhead slams, diagonal and rotational throws. These can be very strenuous on your low back, especially the rotational throws, so make sure you brace your core and use correct form. Elastic band or tubing diagonal chops both down and upward should be added now.

Stability ball work can be incorporated in this phase including bridges, pushups, reachouts, hamstring curls and medicine ball rotation and overhead while lying on the ball. Any other supplemental exercises can be added in this phase also. Exercises like dumbbell press, lateral raises, bicep curls, tricep pushdowns or dips, calf raises and wrist dumbbell work should also be added in this phase. If you notice any substantial weakness in one area this is the phase to make corrections. For example, if you can do 30 push-ups but only 2 pull-ups then you are unbalanced regarding back strength. Focus on more sets of back exercises including lat pulls, assisted and eccentric pull-ups and bent over rows.

Finish your workout with flexibility work including stretches that focus on the lats, hips, chest, and hamstrings. Hold each stretch about 30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times. The next article will address phase three, the season preparation phase.

Rob Siclair is a Physical Therapist with a degree in Movement & Sports Science. He recently released Ultimate Performance for Golf as the first in a series of sports training videos for all skill levels. For more information go to http://www.ultimateperformanceonline.com

Off Season Golf Training: Phase One Regeneration

2008-02-20T13:48:00.001-08:00

The first phase in an off season golf conditioning program is the regeneration phase. The second phase is the strength and power phase and the third phase is the preparation phase. Today we are going to focus on phase one recommendations.

This first phase will focus on getting your body ready for the more intense workouts to come but more importantly it is the time to recover from any nagging injuries or aches and pains from the season. This phase should also be used if you have never exercised or are just starting up again after a long lay off. During the season you probably spent more time actually on the golf course or driving range then you did working out.

The most common injury for golfers is low back pain but many golfers also will experience hip, shoulder, knee, elbow, or wrist pain. The golf swing puts a lot of stress on the low back due to the high rotational forces. During this training period we will avoid any rotational exercises to allow your spine time to recover.

If you have been exercising regularly during the season and you do not have any injuries you could skip this phase but I would still recommend doing two weeks of this phase. If you live in an area where you can golf year around it would be extremely beneficial to take 2-3 weeks off from the course and perform this phase. One 2-3 week session every six months should make a huge difference in your injury risk and overall performance. Now lets get into the details of phase one.

The first component is the warm-up. This is essential and should not be skipped. Proper warm-up increases the temperature of the tissue which makes it more resistant to stress and less likely to fail or be injured. A good warm-up also will improve your flexibility and mobility. The warm-up should target all the major muscle groups and put your joints through a variety of movements. Examples are walking lunge, inchworm, overhead squat, forward and backward bear crawl, and side lunge with overhead raise.

The next component would be foam roll techniques. This is great for releasing stubborn trigger points and tight muscles. Main areas to focus on are the glutes, quads, hamstrings, back, and lats. When you hit a sore area try to stay on it for about 30 seconds with small oscillatory movements. Also perform self mobilization on the thoracic spine by lying on the roll about shoulder blade level. Cross your arms in front of you to keep your shoulder blades clear and roll up and down your spine. Good thoracic mobility will decrease your risk of low back injury and increase your swing arc. You also want to work on hip mobility which is addressed partly in the warm up. In standing tighten your stomach, place your hands on your hips and rotate back and forth in a slow controlled fashion. There should not be any twisting in your low back. The motion should occur through your hip joints.

Now we want to begin some strength exercises. Never do an exercise that causes you pain. Start with about 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions. You have some flexibility here on the exercises you do. I recommend a circuit of several exercises that focus on the big muscle groups. An example would be alternating a set of push-ups with a set of pull-ups or bent over rows. You also need a good leg exercise such as a dumbbell squat with overhead press, split squat or a one leg bench squat. No seated leg extensions or curls. A couple core exercises like the bird dog, side plank, and prone plank will round things off nicely. Finish your workout with flexibility exercises. Main areas to target are the chest, hamstrings, glutes, lats, and posterior shoulder. Hold the stretches about 30 seconds. A good chest stretch is placing your hands about shoulder height in a door way and lean into the door way.

You should be able to get this routine finished in about thirty minutes. Try to get in two to three workouts a week for at least two to three weeks. Feel free to incorporate some supplemental exercises like curls, crunches, lat pulls, etc as you wish but make sure you get the main exercises done first.

Rob Siclair is a Physical Therapist with a degree in Movement & Sports Science. He recently released Ultimate Performance for Golf as the first in a series of sports training videos for all skill levels. For more information go to http://www.ultimateperformanceonline.com

Off Season Conditioning for Golf; A Three Phase Approach

2008-02-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

There are many different ways you can address off season training but one I recommend is a 3 phase approach. Each phase can run somewhere between 3-8 weeks depending on your fitness level, training experience, overall health, and training goals. Where you start will also depend on where you are when you finish the season.

If you have been working out regularly during the season and do not have any injury issues you should be okay to start off with phase 2. If you have any injuries, stiffness, aches and pains, or have not been working out at all then you should start in phase 1. This first phase should focus on recovery and regeneration from the season that just ended. If you live in an area where you golf year around it would still benefit you to take a little time off. Most injuries in golf are due to repetitive movements. Having a short break of even one to two weeks will often give you a jump in your performance.

In this phase we want to allow the structures that get overstressed time to fully recover and not add more stress to them during training. Emphasis in this phase should be on light exercises to rejuvenate your joints and muscles. Focus should be on foam roll techniques for soft tissue release, stretching, light resistance exercises and avoiding spine rotation exercises which you get such a high volume of during the season.

Phase 2 will usually last about 6-8 weeks and is when you really want to focus on big strength and power gains along with maintaining your flexability and mobility exercises. Still try to be light on the rotation exercises. Explosive exercises with a medicine ball and leg exercises like the squats or single leg squats are also important to incorperate into phase 2. Gradually progress the exercises as they become easier. This can be done by adding weight, increasing sets and/or repititions or performing a more advanced version of the exercise. Plyometrics should also be incorperated into this phase.

Phase 3 should last about 3-4 weeks and is your preperation phase. This phase will end right as your season starts. This is when you will start to add in the rotational training to prepare your spine for the stresses it will undergo during the season. Start gradual and and slowly progress the force and speed. Continue to work on mobility especially of the hips and thoracic spine. Stretching should also continue with emphasis on the shoulders, chest, glutes, and hamstrings. Core stabilization training should be incorperated into all phases but with more emphasis in this stage. Having a strong core will reduce the risk of injury and help you generate and transfer power to the ball. A proper warm up is important in all phases as is incorperating all aspects of training including flexibility, mobility, and stability along with strength.

I recommend a 3 day a week whole body training program. You can vary your routine each week or even each session by substituting exercises or changing up the number of sets and repititions. You should also continue to exercise during the season to maintain a good fitness level but eliminate the rotation exercises.

Rob Siclair is a Physical Therapist with a degree in Movement & Sports Science. He recently released Ultimate Performance for Golf as the first in a series of sports training videos for all skill levels. For more information go to http://www.ultimateperformanceonline.com

Golf Mental Game Tips To Help You Reduce Your Scores

2008-02-19T03:48:00.000-08:00

The game of golf is one of the most mental games in the world. It is one of the few sports where you control when you make a play. The ball just sits there on the fairway or green and it is up to you to take as much or little time as you want to hit it. Most other sports you are forced to make a play due to pressure from the competition. Learning how to master the mental game is perhaps the key to unlocking your unlimited potential as a golfer.

The best players in the world have learned to master the mental game of golf and that is what makes them great. Positive thinking and confidence are critical in becoming a great player. Of course, you will need to still practice regularly on the mechanics in order to maintain your skills. However just working on mechanics alone will only get you so far at the game of golf and you will reach a plateau.

In order to break through that plateau you must develop the ability to maintain and build confidence regardless of what happened on the last shot good or bad. Maintaining confidence is a great challenge however there are many things you can do to become a more confident player.

The first step is to see yourself as a great player. You need to remind yourself regularly of all the great shots you have ever hit and all the great putts you have ever made. Take a few minutes out of each day to think about your top five greatest shots ever and also see yourself playing well in the next round you will be playing. Be realistic, so every now and then you may picture yourself missing a green or fairway but then also picture yourself recovering and making those shots back in the next few holes.

The way you think as you are about hit the ball is very important. You must learn to trust your mechanics and in your ability to execute mechanics without consciously thinking about it. Instead you need to stay focused on the targets you select and block out other thoughts. A good exercise to help you to develop this focus is by concentrating on the tip of a pen. Try only to think about the tip of the pen and nothing else. If other thoughts enter your mind then return your focus back on the pen.

Learning about proper course management is also essential in order to play better golf. Many times you will be tempted to hit shots that are too difficult based on your current skill level. You must resist this temptation and hit the shot you know you can hit and that you have hit before several times in practice.

Sometimes laying up on a par 4 can often be the best option in order to shoot low scores. Rely more on your short game to help you make pars and as your long game gets better you will inevitably make more birdies. When picking clubs make sure that you select a club that you can comfortably swing to get the ball to the hole, if you have to take an extra club if it means being able to make an easier swing.

Do not get caught up in what your playing partners are doing and try to match their distance. Also remember that golf really is an individual sport so do not try to beat your playing partners but rather focus on playing the course and shooting the lowest score possible on that day. Use some of the mental strategies to help you lower your golf handicap.

Shakil is an online researcher, avid golfer and a regular contributor to http://www.golfswingtips4u.com which is a site that can help you to play better golf.

A Storm is on It's Way - Let's Play Golf

2008-02-18T18:48:00.002-08:00

The game of golf can pit us against some exteme challenges if bad weather moves in. How we respond can make all the difference in the world, not only in this game but in future games. A "quitter" will sabatoge his future game.

Bad weather and poor playing conditions on the golf course can either bring the best out of you, or, regretfully, the worst, depending entirely upon your attitude! Most of us who have a great adoration, bordering on carnal desire, for golf absolutely derive pleasure from it when the conditions on the course change at the drop of a hat. That is what makes golf fun and almost brazen.

Think about it, if you make every shot with a faultless lie, with absolutely no wind, and with zero barierss to play around, then what would be the challenge? Of course the game would be much easier and you would probably score very well on each game you play, but there's no zest when constantly playing in perfect conditions, no adaptation required, nothing to test our abilities at golf, nothing to learn.

The Bliss Of Overcoming Stormy Weather

Overcoming the ever-changing challenges of golf is what it's all about. What changes are out there that can make the game exciting? For starters, bad weather! Having a storm roll in at the last minute can cause all kinds of obstacles that may dramatically change the game.

Golf is an outdoor sport, always has been, and always will be. It's an admirable and beautiful thing, knocking out a good round with your friends under the great blue sky, getting a sexy suntan, and watching nature as you move from hole to hole. However, this perfect picture can change in an instant when a storm hits the area. Every shot you make will be affected by these weather conditions.

The good players, those that have an affirmative mental attitude will adapt to these challenges and will adjust to the changes in the environment and on the course. Other men and women who respond to stormy weather as annoying, and obviously have a bad attitude, will complain and more than likely quit their game out of total discomfiture.

Learn To Take Advantage Of Poor Playing Conditions, Like The Pros Do

Ironically, there are many accomplished and professional golf players that actually prefer to play in bad weather. This, of course, completely changes their shots from hole to hole, their total game. The reason they enjoy this is so that their competition will obviously not do as well as normally expected.

While those of us like you and I do not compete and are playing golf purely for enjoyment, professionals that are competing in major tournaments are out there solely to win. The competition is bloodthirsty and stormy weather will bring out the very best in those players who can adapt.

When the weather brings a bad turn during these tournaments, those players that only fare well in normal conditions are eliminated. Then only the better, more experienced golf players are left to compete. These men and women are able to use the conditions to their advantage including the wind, the precipitation, and the extreme temperatures.

So, the bottom line is, take full advantage of the so-called bad breaks. Turn them into your advantage to make yourself a better golfer. That's what the pros do.

Verlyn Ross owns and operates a website dedicated specifically to the enjoyment of golfing. It includes a wealth of free articles in which you may have an interest. For a great place to get answers, go here! http://golf-strategy.com or to http://golf-strategy.com/blog for a great blog.

Now, Resolve to Master the Best of Chip Shots!

2008-02-18T18:48:00.001-08:00

A chip shot can be one of the most difficult in the game of golf and requires a great deal of practice, but, in reality, is not that tough to master.

Chipping is when you are so close to the green that you're talking feet, not yards (or at least not more than a few yards).

A chip is typically a low trajectory shot that rolls further than it flies and you must choose the right golf club that can carry the ball just onto the green. Have the correct stance and learn the proper technique of making a chip shot.

This article will help you to decide which club is best for executing a chip shot, goals and expectations, and finally, how to hit the best chip you can.

The Right Club

There is no firm rule for selecting the right club when a chip shot is needed. However, you must decide by examining the terrain and deciding how you need the ball to travel. For example, If you are very close to the hole, then you won't need much loft.

The 7-iron and 8-iron are the most popular clubs used when golfers need to make a chip shot. Their club faces are less lofted. This gives them more accuracy as chipping tools. Personally, if I had to choose between the two, the 7-iron is my favorite for chipping shots. You may have another preference. If not, you should also work with a 7-iron to improve your chipping shots. It is important to practice with the same club, in order to master your technique.

Have Positive Expectations

Before looking at how to make a chip shot step-by-step, I want to mention the importance of having positive goals and positive expectations before going into your swing. This is not only important for chip shots, but for every shot you make on the golf course. Visualizing in your mind what you desire to accomplish is vital to your success.

What is an acceptable result?

Your goal should be to chip your ball onto the green every time. You may not make it when you want to, but having self-confidence and the mental picture of success will not only increase your chances of hitting the ball correctly, it also calms you down physically and lowers your blood pressure (which can have a very positive effect on your swing).

How To Chip The Ball

Learning how to chip the ball properly is not rocket science. But, it does take practice and technique to enable you to get it right every time. The following steps help break down a chip shot in order to better understand it:

1. Grab your club, preferably a 7-iron, and stand up close to the target line.

2. Keeping your weight in the center of your stance, open up your front foot and the shoulders toward the target. You should literally be facing the hole.

3. Take a light, yet solid grip on the club.

4. Look at the green and select the ideal spot in which you want the ball to land.

5. Take a brief moment and visualize your swing making perfect impact with the ball, and having it land in that exact same spot.

6. Keeping your wrists firm, draw the club back and keep it low to the ground. Your turn should be rotated by the shoulders, keeping your legs and lower body out of the swing and as still as possible.

7. Now swing your club back along the target line, then downswing through the ball.

8. Once you make contact with the ball, keep your form solid and watch the ball hit the exact spot you aimed for, and rolling ever so slowly toward the hole.

9. Now practice your chip shot over and over, and in various terrain settings on the course.

Mastering this chipping technique will help you improve your game significantly.

Cut strokes from your game by reducing your chip shots per round.

Verlyn Ross owns and operates a website dedicated specifically to the enjoyment of golfing. It includes a wealth of free articles in which you may have an interest. For a great place to get answers, go here! http://golf-strategy.com or to http://golf-strategy.com/blog for a great blog.

Golf Beginners - Here's What You Need to Start Down the Road to Success!

2008-02-18T18:48:00.000-08:00

Golf is the only sport that requires a mixture of the physical, the psychological and the practice of patience. The golf beginner has a tremendous amount of things to learn. He/she needs to understand some important basics in order to keep from participating in the high mortality rate of golf beginners.

Many books have been written on how to make the game of golf more understandable - more enjoyable for the beginner who has a high expectation level. So many newbies to the sport of golf make the same mistakes repeatedly. Then, they end up giving up before they reach the point of actually enjoying the sport and making meaningful progress.

While scores of tips could be offered for every new player, there really are just a few basic rules which you should follow in order to enjoy yourself and establish the right foundation. Your goal of becoming a better player each and every time you head for the golf course can be realized..

Most mistakes that beginner golf players make are strictly mental - pschological in nature. They start the game and then they quickly find themselves over their head. And, do you know where that luxuriously, expensive set of golf clubs ends up? Right, in the garage sale.

Practice A Little Perseverance

Like everything in life that is worthwhile, you must determine to hang tight, despite all the daunting obstacles that you will face starting out. Our age of instant gratification does not fit well with golf. The truth is that golf is not like many other sports or hobbies. Gratification will always come later, rather than sooner. You must understand that it takes quite a long time to become a skilled golfer and build up the necessary motor skills which lead to a great shot.

Hitting the ball, as simple as that sounds, is quite difficult when you are actually playing through a course. And most people start playing golf as adults.

This means that our basic youthful skills of learning are long gone. Our bodies and minds are not as amiable as they once were when we were kids. It's a disturbint face that young children learn the game much faster than adults. So, the only way to overcome these initial problems is simply to stick to it, no matter what.

Patience Is A Virtue

If patience has not been one of your greatest attributes, you are soon going to realize just how much of it you must learn to have. And, it is a learned skill.

Golf takes a few years before you will start making some serious headway. There are numerous aspects of the game which will take a long time to grasp. Without patience, frustration will set in and take over.

How Difficult Can It Be?

Golf is made up of many different challenges. For example, there is the long game which will require great timing and strength. Then, you have the short game, which will require very precise motor skills using your hands. You have putting, which demands aiming ability. Then, for every hole you play, you will face specific hazard zones that you need to avoid when hitting the ball.

In other words, while you can read and practice tip after tip, your greatest capacity to become a better golf player will depend on how much patience you have, and upon the will power to stay with the game

Please understand that moving along at at a slower pace will keep you involved and enjoying this wonderful game for years to come.

Verlyn Ross owns and operates a website dedicated specifically to the enjoyment of golfing. It includes a wealth of free articles in which you may have an interest. For a great place to get answers, go here! http://golf-strategy.com or to http://golf-strategy.com/blog for a great blog.

Now, Resolve to Master the Best of Chip Shots!

2008-02-18T18:47:00.000-08:00

Learning To Tackle Golf Tools

2008-02-18T12:50:00.001-08:00

As golf fanatics might observe, some golfers blame a bad golf game to certain factors like posture, swing, balance or tempo. To some golfers, more especially budding players, practicing several facets of a golf game can entail several hours, but in fact, they do not require any practice at all. Cases like this tell you to check if you are using the equipment that suits yourself or your play style.

Indeed, it is worthwhile to utilize some tips to know right then and there, without the hassle of practicing endlessly, if the equipment is what you've got precisely and rightly for the job.

To a junior player or beginner who uses pre-owned golf clubs, ensuring fully-checked golf tools must be done before purchasing. As a major golf apparatus, all aspects of golf clubs should be tested out. The club heads, the shafts and the grips should pass thorough inspection, initially. Even if grip replacements can be done fairly easily, check beforehand if the price is worth it. Remember not to purchase if the shaft or club head is damaged, because these are potentially hazardous to your game. Though you intend to purchase previously owned golf clubs, it pays to countercheck how much it is to buy new ones. Some golf sets that are previously owned are not necessarily cheaper than brand new sets. In fact, it can cost even more if the clubs need to be re-gripped or certain parts have to be rectified before they can be used.

Sets of golf clubs that require re-gripping should be handled extra carefully. A golf club's grip solely allows you to create some contact with the club, so they should be gripped accurately by ensuring a correct alignment. In selecting the perfect grip, consider your own hand size. Grips that misfit your hands lead you to wayward shots and spell disaster for your golf games.

It is best that prior to purchase, measurements should be taken. Golf clubs must be checked and the fitter should watch you as you try a number of swings. Importantly, the shaft should be of the length that is right for you. The golf clubs you use, regardless if they are wedges, irons, woods or putters, should match the level of skill that you have as a golf player.

Custom fitting your golf clubs is tantamount to getting brand new golf club sets. Golfers agree that the custom fitted set is most probably a worthy investment in golf. Having professionally modified golf equipment suited accurately for your individual needs just makes the game even more exciting.

As tedious as it may sound, cleaning and changing your grips should be done regularly. Well-cleaned and well-maintained grips can save you shots of round in the entire game.

The focal point of the matter is that comfort must be an utmost priority with the golf paraphernalia that you have selected to use. Once you feel comfortable, you will take on some confidence and, therefore, make swings that get better one after another. Overall, you get to enjoy the game at its best.

James Brown writes about http://www.golfgearonsale.com

Golfing Your Way To Good Health

2008-02-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Playing golf regularly naturally gives the body a workout in the overall. In a short span of time, the evidence of the sport's good physical benefits becomes evident in our appearance.

Not too physically demanding on our bodies, golf requires high concentration level from the player. Golf also serves as an excellent outlet for the setbacks that bring us stress everyday. Golf can be a very therapeutic sport, the fresh air and surrounding scenery help greatly to relieve our tension.

When combined, a golf player's swing that is repeated from 70 to 100 times and the distance covered by his or her foot eat up more than 1000 calories and equate positive gains for the player. These activities in golf that are done within four hours and 10 kilometers are equivalent to a very controlled and gentle workout.

Only a few numbers of sports allow the extensive ranges of gender and age to enter level playing field competitions like golf does. Still, only a handful of outdoor activities can be gentle and executable enough to pass for a regular exercise, much less for the much younger or much older generations alike.

These days, even four-year-old children are learning golf through certain classes. These course groups are headed by young and would-be professional golf players. Nowadays, it is common to find young lads play off handicaps of single figure. They also regularly compete for major and top honors in the entire gaming season. These encourage the younger generations to keep fit and enjoy the benefits that outdoor activities bring.

For an adult over 40 years old, warming up before playing the game is significant to help prevent muscles from getting pulled. The correct way to do the golf swing does not cause a serious body injury; however, it is sensible to build up your back, torso and thigh muscles to avoid any bodily injury from possibly occurring.

All golfing equipment underwent tremendous changes since the inception of the golf. Nowadays, accessories are available to add enjoyment to the sport. Besides comfort, these accessories and added tools help a player balance and maintain control of his or her muscles and help achieve body symmetry throughout the game.

A notable golf tool is the golf trolley, which offers benefits both to the improvement of game play and the positive overall effects to health. The pulling and pushing of heavy trolleys strain the muscles. Those who pull their carts are most prone to getting back sprain, and can in fact lead to stroke in the worst cases. The battery-operated electric golf trolley, on the other hand, is a cart that is automatic, but can be used either with a remote control or manually. The trolley makes transporting of tee clubs to green even more efficiently. By this, the electric trolley encourages an upright and normal posture during walking, thereby reducing the risks of injuries and strains. Moreover, on the game side, the electric trolley is an added comfort that ultimately allows the golf player to fully concentrate on the swing he or she will take.

With these benefits, fighting the strains and stresses in our daily lives can actually be done through playing golf. Being a gentle sport for all ages and body types, golf gives great health benefits beyond the excitement that the game brings.

James Brown writes about http://www.golfgearonsale.com

Playing Golf Has Many Physical And Mental Benefits

2008-02-17T12:48:00.001-08:00

For those who are competitive, the game of golf is about winning or improving their overall game. The competitive individual wants to add distance to their drive, shave strokes off of their game and chase the elusive hole in one. The game of golf certainly meets the needs of those with a competitive spirit.

In addition to these benefits there are other benefits to playing golf. Those additional benefits include exercise, interaction with others and enjoying the outdoors.

Exercise

One of the most beneficial by-products of playing golf is the exercise an individual can achieve. This exercise is comprised of walking on the golf course from hole to hole, the swinging of the golf clubs and the carrying of the golf clubs.

There are basically two types of overall exercise categories. Those categories are moderate and vigorous. Golf can be considered as a moderate type of workout activity. It is estimated that for every one hour spent playing golf an individual can burn 370 calories. This estimate is based on that individual being a male, weighing 154 pounds and standing at 5'10" tall.

Interaction With Others

Another benefit of playing golf is the friendships and interactions that are developed on the golf course. Generally, golfers team up in pairs or play their golf game with three other individuals.

This foursome provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to interact with each. This interaction is usually highlighted through the telling of jokes, the sharing of stories, conducting business, getting to know each other in an informal setting, etc. All of this is conducted in a non-threatening, but competitive environment. This type of interaction will prove to be therapeutic as well as an opportunity to bond with other individuals.

Enjoying The Outdoors

One additional benefit of playing golf is the opportunity to be outdoors and enjoy the natural surroundings. Being outdoors is an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature and breathe in fresh air.

In addition, the individual playing golf can use the quietness of the golf course to center themselves and focus on the simple things of life. In addition, being outdoors will provide a change of venue and help the individual to get away from their normal environment or routine. This normal environment could be the workplace or a stressful situation that they maybe experiencing in their home life.

Being outdoors and enjoying the game of golf can be an ideal way to release any possible stress in the golfer's life.

Roland Jefferson is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free resources covering Grand Cayman Golf, please visit: http://web.mac.com/recommends/Golf/Grand_Cayman_Golf.html

Golf Courses Are Unique In Themselves

2008-02-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

There are certainly many golf courses that you can play on all around the world, some of them cheap and some expensive. If you have the money to spend on an expensive golf course you may expect to find that most golfers playing there are of high professional standard and have many years of golfing behind them. They are well adapted to playing under difficult conditions and so they pay more for the chance to play a challenging round of golf.

Inexpensive Courses Are Ideal For Beginners And Novices

However, if you happen to be a beginner or novice golf player, then playing on an inexpensive golf course is the right course of action for you. Such courses are not difficult to play on, and are ideal for learning the ropes. Even though prices may be low, you should remember that each golf course has its own characteristics, and it requires getting used to.

Before playing on a golf course, it is a good idea to get the general layout of the course in your mind, which can be as important as playing the game itself. With a mental image of the whole golf course in mind, you will be able to set yourself up to play the course in accordance with its special characteristics, and you may even need to have a plan of the course on hand.

Planning ahead is fine, but you will also need to understand the signs on the golf course that point the golfer to the next hole. It is often the case with beginners that they miss out on the signs and get lost on the course. With the large expanse of greens that golf courses encompass, it is certainly necessary to know and understand the signs in order to properly navigate across the course.

The golf course has a number of other golfers ahead and behind you with some better and some worse. Once on the course, you should take care to know and follow the golfing etiquette and not cause any holdups in play by allowing other golfers to pass you by while you are addressing the golf ball, if need be.

Every golf course is unique in itself, and with some practical sense as well as practicing of the game itself, there should not be any problem navigating the course and improve your game at the same time. It does require patience and practice to master the intricacies of the golf course, and each little step will add up to an eventual great golfing experience.

Roland Jefferson is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free resources covering Grand Cayman Golf, please visit: http://web.mac.com/recommends/Golf/Grand_Cayman_Golf.html

The Augusta National Golf Club: A Brief History

2008-02-14T17:49:00.000-08:00

The Augusta National Golf Club was fonded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. It opened in 1932 and has been has been home to the prestigious Masters Tournament since 1934. Situated in Augusta Georgia, the course is one of the most well known courses in the world, not to mention one of the most stunning too. The course is located on land that, once upon a time, used to be a fruit tree nursery.

A Beautiful Sight to Behold

Sixty one large magnolia trees line the road from the entrance gate to the clubhouse. This is Magnolia Lane - it's 330 yards long and it dates back to the late 1850s. The Augusta national golf club is full of beautiful trees, flowers and shrubs. Every hole on this stunning course has been given the name of a tree or a shrub that can be found on that particular hole. In the its early days it stood out from other golf courses due to the small number of bunkers it contained.

Changes to the Course

Course architects have made various design changes to Augusta over the years. More bunkers have been built on the course and the number of contours on the greens was reduced when the type of grass on the greens was changed in 1981 from Bermuda grass to Bent grass which provided a faster playing surface. More trees have been placed on the course and also more rough areas have been created. The greens at the Augusta course had a long tradition of being made from Bermuda grass.

Fans of Augusta are probably familiar with the big oak tree that is located on the course side of the Augusta clubhouse and is thought to be between 145 and 150 years of age. The Eisenhower tree is a Loblolly Pine which is situated on the 17th hole of the Augusta national golf club course.

Historians of the course claim that the tree was hit with a golf ball so many times by President Eisenhower that he recommend that they remove the tree form the course completely. The chairman of the golf course at the time did not want to have to dismiss the recommendation of President Eisenhower but he also didn't want to get rid of the tree and so he decided the best thing to do would be to adjourn the meeting.

Ike's Pond was also named after Eisenhower who at the time was a general. He had taken a walk in the woods on the eastern portion of the Augusta national Golf Club grounds and informed the chairman of the club that he had located a great place to build a dam if he ever wanted to create a fishpond. The pond was built based on his recommendation and takes up three acres. The Augusta national golf club course is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.

Lisa Davies is a freelance witer. For more information about golf visit our site How To Break 80 - Golf Fundamentals at http://www.the-golf-master.com

Get To Know How To Handle Golf Information?

2008-02-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

How to find and incorporate the best golf information for your game.

There are mountains of golf information available. As far back as the turn of the century, golfers wanted tips and techniques, and many golf professionals and authors were happy to oblige.

You need to assess the quality of information. Have you been recommended by someone who has tried it, can the method be demonstrated and shown to be used by top professionals?

Is the information given in sequence? The information needs to come in a logical step by step sequence. If you try a move in the downswing with mistakes in the backswing and stance, it is unlikely that move will work. If you don't have a good impact position when you chip, it will be more difficult to achieve that when you pitch or make a full swing.

Can you understand the information whether in written form, video or in person?

If you don't understand something or you don't think it is working for you, ask questions. If you feel you are getting overloaded, just master one thing before you go on to the next.

You need some detail about what you are learning so you understand why and how the process works. Keeping it simple does not necessarily make it easy to execute if it is incomplete. So it is necessary to know the principles, but the goal is simplicity and unconscious thought in the motion.

How practical is the information?
Practice makes you perfect, so are there drills, positions, movements to copy so you can learn?

How are you going to get feedback about what you are learning?
The ultimate test is how your shots improve in practice or on the course. Have you got a way of recording and assessing the information?

You can get observations from a coach who can analyze video and help you into the right positions.

You can practice in front of a mirror with a swing sequence taped to it. You can use your own video and even download to a computer. You can use a launch monitor program on your own computer. Even get a golf simulator, which is great where you can't play in winter.

Whatever path you choose it will take some commitment on your part, even if it is only 10 minutes every second day. Even this small amount of worthwhile practice is better than aimlessly hitting balls hoping you will discover the secret.

Improving your golf will take an investment of time and money. You can try and find out by yourself or buy other people's experience and shortcuts.

Ranju assistant to Doug Kercher is an PGA Golf Professional from past 17 years. He has completed the first part of his life work, "Golf - Your Perfect Plan For Practice and Play" for golfers. Visit the website http://www.dougkerchergolf.com for a variety of golfing thoughts and reviews.

How You Can Improve Your Golf Swing

2008-02-13T06:49:00.000-08:00

How do I improve my golf swing? This has got to be the number 1 question on the lips of a large percentage of amateur golfers. Well, there's one simply way to approach it.

Golf swing improvement can only begin once you know how the golf swing works - you need to know the why as well as the what to do.

The reason for this is explained in the following example:

You have been given a golf swing tip (this might be from a friend, a pro or even have seen it in a golf swing magazine). You use this tip the next time you go out to play a round of golf.

What happens... this tip might suddenly give you a great improvement in your swing consistency, it might have you knocking the flags down and peppering the holes. You think 'great I've finally susssed this game'. Does this sound familiar? If it does then I'm with you all the way as I've been there.

What happens next? You feel all cocky and think I've got this game mastered. You see a magazine with the tag line 'Improve Golf Swing' and you think 'I don't need that anymore I've got my swing sorted'!

Next time you go out with your friends you're feeling all confident and are ready to rip the course up!
But this time you hit a duff shot, then another, you start really analysing every move you make, you start doing slow practice swings to see what's happening, you start to think really hard during your proper swing... and all of sudden you're back to were you were before that great swing tip made your sudden transformation, it's as if that great last round had never happened. I'm with you, as it's happened to me before.

So how do we start to resolve this, how can we stop this cycle of boom and bust and really improve our golf swing?

The answer is in the first words you read on this page 'golf swing improvement can only begin once you know how the golf swing works - you need to know the why as well as the how'. To truly benefit from golf swing instruction you must understand the WHY and HOW as well as the WHAT to do. If you understand HOW and WHY you are making a change to your swing then you are far more likely to stick with any advice you are given because you can test it against your own logic. I simple tip gives no supporting evidence that you can draw on when things don't go so well.

Next time you are given a golf swing tip then ask WHY you are making a change and HOW it effects your swing - that way you will know whether you should stick with it.

Jon Barrett WAS a frustrated golfer who studied the golf swing for 5 years in search of information to improve his golf swing but without success... UNTIL he discovered what only 1% of golfers know. Read about his eye opening concepts you won't find in standard advice: http://www.golfswingeureka.com

Golf Short Game Tips To Help You Lower Your Handicap

2008-02-11T12:44:00.000-08:00

The short game of golf is certainly a critical element in the process of learning how to shoot lower golf scores. Perhaps the most important key to remember is that there are no shortcuts to learning the short game as it will require both time and effort on your part to master. Wedge shots are very important to learn as they can set the foundation for the rest of your golf swing including the longer clubs.

Usually if you develop mastery with your wedges you will find it a lot easier to become a more consistent ball striker with your long irons and driver. The best ball position when hitting wedges is to place the ball in the center of your stance. The wedge game really is all about practice so make sure you are spending appropriate amounts of time hitting these shots.

Remember that solid wedge shots can save you tons of strokes during a round of golf. Also keep in mind that a great short game really does help your long game too since you will swing more freely and with less fear of missing a fairway or a green since you know that more often than not you will be able to recover from poor shots with your longer clubs.

Do not forget to spend some time hitting bunker shots too. When hitting shots out of a bunker your objective is to hit a few inches behind the ball and use a cushion of sand to lift the ball out of the bunker. Be sure to accelerate through on your downswing instead of slowing down. Chipping and hitting flop shots are another key element to the short game.

Hit chips from many different lies from bare lies to deep grass and get comfortable hitting from these tight lies. For most chips you will want the ball position to be more towards your right foot if you are a right handed player to help avoid hitting chunk shots. Also make sure to maintain a straight line between the left hand and the club through the chip shot. This will also help to avoid chunking a chip shot and will help to promote a downward blow so that your chips have more backspin and stop more quickly on the green.

Developing a good pre-shot routine is important as it will help you to stay focused both mentally and physically on each shot. There are essentially 2 components to a pre-shot routine and they are the mental routine and the physical routine. The physical routine usually varies for many players depending on the shot at hand. It may be a good idea to have some flexibility in your physical routine.

For instance in some situations you may want to spend more time taking a few more practice swings if you have an awkward stance until you feel you are ready to execute a good golf shot. The mental routine usually is consistent and stays the same for all shots. Perhaps the most important key to the mental routine is decisiveness. You must not doubt your ability to execute the golf shot at hand. Also make sure you are tightly focused on the target and not thinking about anything else like swing mechanics.

Trust your ability to execute the shot without any conscious effort from yourself like reminding yourself of all the mechanical swing tips you need to follow to hit a perfect shot. Putting is primarily a mental component to the game of golf so work on building confidence. A good tip to build greater putting confidence is to hit a lot of short putts. Since you will make most of these short putts it will help to build greater confidence and also remember that short putts can also save you a ton of strokes on the course too. Use some of these golf short game tips to develop a lower golf handicap.

Shakil is an online researcher, avid golfer and a regular contributor to http://www.golfswingtips4u.com which is a site that can help you to play better golf.