Sunday, 28 June 2009

Super Golf Swing Improvement Made Easy

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

Visualize where you would like the ball to land, as you swing. Always be aware the mental aspect of the game contributes one way or another to the difficulty of the golf swing. If you've hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time; the subconscious mind knows the correct number and sequence of muscle contractions and nerve impulses needed, called muscle memory.

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

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

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

Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. The most important thing about the golf swing is the angle and not the strength that's applied to it.

Using some simple tips, techniques and stretches, you can increase your drives by up to 20 yards-- practically overnight. Conditioning your golf muscles will reward you with straighter swings. Hold a medicine ball and turn back and forth; it must be rotational to improve your driving distance.

Sporting goods stores have golf aids to improve your game. If you're a golfing novice just starting out, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing.

Be careful about the claims on TV commercials and magazine ads; seek expert advice before you buy because they may not live up to their claims. Golf swing aids can be found online and are often cheaper. Look for golf swing aids at your local golf course.

Overall, investing in golf swing aids will greatly improve your golf swing and your golf game. Keep in mind that with some golf swing aids, you may still need advice or help from an expert. Ask an expert, who is not associated with the shop you would buy your golf swing aid from, for advice on the right aid for you.

There are a number of good golf swing aids on the market today. There are golf swing aids that will help you with swing alignment.

Try to concentrate on one golf swing weakness at a time. There are hundreds of useful golf tips to seek out in golf magazines, consumer magazines, sports magazines, in books, ebooks, DVDs, online and offline. Take as many private lessons as you can afford with a good golf pro.

For more information on golf swing improvement golf swing aids and golf swing fitness go to http://www.Best-Golf-Guide.com specializing in golf tips, help, advice, resources, and instruction including information on golf swing tips

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

How to Play Faster - Golf Tips

Some golfers get frustrated and are looking for golf tips, because an 18 hole round of golf can take over 5-6 hours and take a whole day out of a busy schedule. If this is one of your frustrations, there are some solutions to the problem.

Of course you might have to check to see if you are one of the reasons for slow play. Do you look for lost balls for more than a few minutes? Do you take 10 practice swings? Do you take a long time to putt? If you have any of these slow habits, you might need to overcome them by golf tips, golf putting tips and golf practice tips.

Several other tips that I found useful in being able to play a more enjoyable and less time consuming round of golf:

1. Join an exclusive country club that is rarely crowded.

2- Don’t play at a course that allows fivesomes.

3- Try to play during the week if you have a flexible schedule.

4- Find out what time the first players are allowed on the course and be one of the first groups to play even if it is 5 or 6 am.

5- If you live in a metropolitan area, you might have to drive an hour out of town to find a less crowded course. It could be very well worth the drive with your friends.

Remember these golf tips if you want to play a more enjoyable game of golf and not have to wait 10 or 15 minutes on every hole because of slow play.

A leisurely enjoyable game of golf shouldn’t take much over 4 hours for 18 holes. Enjoy your game.

Don Halloran is dedicated to making everyone have a more enjoyable and better golf experience. Don is not a professional golfer but has accumulated many tips through his years of golfing through many lessons and books to share with fellow golfers.

To subscribe to Don's free newsletter For Golf Tips visit http://www.4golftips.com.

Thursday, 18 June 2009

Snapshot of Golf Rules

Did you know there are over five hundred pages in the official USGA rule book. Well instead of reading all five hundred pages, allow me to give you an overview.

Remember, the rules may not always be fair, but like your parents' rules — they're rigid. To keep the integrity of the game, rules must be adhered to.

First, let me explain a little history. In 1744, the Company of Gentlemen Golfers was established in Edinburgh and then codified the first rules of play which have been evolving ever since.

GOLF RULES

Tee Time - Remember to tee off either between or behind (up to two club-lengths) the tee-markers. Don't tee off in front of them.

Playing The Ball - Play the ball where it lies and don't try to make the course any better by moving, adjusting, fixing or bending and of the natural scenery (except when taking your stance or making your swing).

Ball Lost or Out of Bounds - If you lose your ball and can't find it after five minutes, you have to play another ball from the spot where the last shot was played and you lose one stroke.

Ball Interference - If you deflect or stop your ball in motion you've cost yourself two strokes. Accidents will happen, but you still pay the price. If a ball struck by you is interfered with by someone else, play it as it lies. If your ball is struck by another ball, there's not much you can do about that.

Ball At Rest Moved - If you move your ball after it's come to rest, you've cost yourself a stroke.

Obstructions - If they are in your way, It's allowable to move obstructions such as rakes, trash, leaves, etc. If an immovable obstruction, such as a water fountain, interferes with your stance or swing, you're allowed to drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest clear point that's not nearer the hole.

On The Green - After getting your ball on the green, remove the flagstick from the hole and replace it when all players have finished the hole. You can pick up and clean your ball on the green, provided you replace it exactly where it was.

NOT JUST THE RULES OF GOLF, BUT....

Use common sense - The idea here is just common sense courtesies. When it comes to attire, make it appropriate. Regarding noises, don't make loud noises. How about the trash on the course? Well, if you don't like your car filled with trash, then don't toss cans or bottles on the course. Oh, talking on your cell phone is kind of rude also. Just remember common sense courtesies are all about "doing onto others as you would have them do unto you".

Arrive on Time - Most courses are pretty busy so arrive on time.

Let Others Play Through - If you can't get through a hole or a shot in a reasonable amount of time, let those behind you play through.

Toss A Coin - Who plays first is usually decided by a coin toss, but you can be creative. Spin the beer bottle works for some.

Stand Clear - Don't get in the way of someone's shot. This is not only courteous but in the best interest of your safety. A one-pound clubhead moving at 100 miles per hour can easily turn your head into mush.

Replace Divots (also known as chunks of turf and earth scooped up during a swing) - This would include raking the sand trap after you're done making your bunker shot.

Do Not Launch a Club - Don't fling your club fifty yards when you miss that two foot putt. It may hit Johnny Cochran or someone else and you might find yourself in court.

Even though some can get pretty uptight on the course, having a great time out there should also be included when it comes to the rules of golf. After all, it's just a game.

John Culotta is an ePublisher who really enjoys a round of golf. You can learn more about his golf instruction tips and resources at e-golf-instruction.com

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

How To Enjoy Golf Without Hurting Your Lower Back

The golf swing, lower back, and injury are common phrases in the world golf. It is understood the golf swing places large amounts of stress on the lower back. This is simply a result of the mechanics of the golf swing itself. The execution of the golf swing places the lower back under immense shear forces each and every golf swing, and the muscles of the lower back must withstand these shear forces. Muscles of the body when under stress from physical activity eventually become fatigued. Once the lower back muscles are fatigued, supporting the stressors of the golf swing and executing the mechanics of the golf swing are compromised. Resulting in some very common situations for the golfer.


Again, we are all aware the lower back is one of the most oft injured areas of the body in the game of golf. Statistics indicate approximately 50% of all golfers will incur a lower back injury during their playing careers. This statistic tell us a great deal about the importance of keeping the lower back healthy in the game of golf. Outside of the lower back becoming injured from the golf swing. The situation of performance on the golf course comes into play. Often times prior to injury occurring, a drop in performance will occur. This is a result of the fatigue within the lower back not allowing the mechanics of the golf swing to be executed correctly.


On the PGA Tour keeping the lower back strong and injury free is a daily task. It is understandable how much time is spent on lower back injury prevention when the biomechanics of the golf swing are understood. The biomechanics of the golf swing place the lower back under large amounts of shear force/stress every time you swing a golf club.


Over time, this can easily cause injury if you do not take the correct steps. This leads me to e-mail I received a little while back from BioForce subscriber Bryan.

He wrote in with a question about his lower back and here is what he had to say;

"Sean,
I am 54 years of age and a very keen golfer.
Lately I have been experiencing back pain, maybe because of to much golfing?
I need your kind experience to advise me on this subject so that I can enjoy golf
without any harm to my back."
Thank You,
Bryan

First and foremost the reasons for lower back pain is numerous and is best identified by a qualified physician.

My first suggestion is to get the lower back checked out by a back specialists. This will determine what exactly is going on with the lower back and what is the best treatment.

Now Bryan brings up a very good point in his e-mail. He discusses the possibility that his lower back discomfort is caused by playing too much golf. (you can never play enough golf!, well…maybe)
This absolutely could be the reason why his lower back is “tight” and “sore”.

Again, we know the lower back is placed under high amounts of stress every single swing of the golf club. Over time the muscles of the lower back can become fatigued from the golf swing. This will eventually lead to the muscles of the lower back “giving up” and becoming fatigued.
Once the muscles of the lower back are fatigued it is a very short step to injury. What is the process of eliminating this type of scenario playing out?

It simply requires the development of muscular endurance in the lower back to withstand the stressors of the golf swing. Bottom line the golf swing is a repetitive movement, requiring the body to perform the swing over and over again. In order for the muscles (lower back muscles included) involved in the golf swing to perform the repeatable movements of the golf swing over and over again in an efficient manner.

Muscular endurance is the ability of the neuromuscular system of the body to perform a repetitive biomechanical movement (i.e. golf swing) without becoming fatigued. How do you develop muscular endurance specific to the golf swing? By simply, implementing golf fitness exercises into a structured program.

In addition to the development of increased muscular endurance the efficiency of the golf swing mechanics may require adjustment. Efficiency within the mechanics of the golf swing can directly affect the amount of stress placed upon the lower back.

Additional research has indicated the shear forces placed upon the lower back of a professional golfer is significantly less than the amateur golfer. The reason for the difference is the mechanics of the golf swing performed by the professional is much more efficient, placing less stress on the lower back.

Stated previously, numerous reasons exist for the lower back to become injured. The mechanics of the golf swing and endurance with muscles of the lower back are only two of many possibilities. If the lower back is weak the shear forces placed upon it by the golf swing will eventually lead to fatigue. The development of higher levels of muscular endurance can counter act this situation. The utilization of golf fitness exercises is best in relation to the golf swing for this situation.

Additionally, the efficiency in which the mechanics of the golf swing are executed affects the lower back. A less efficient golf swing places higher levels of shear force upon the musculature of the lower back causing fatigue and possible injury. A comprehensive golf fitness program to develop higher levels of muscular endurance and the creation of a efficient golf swing golf through instruction may assist keeping your lower back injury free.

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

Wearing the Right Golf Apparel

Golf is a great sport. It is very challenging. A golf enthusiast will constantly strive to do better in his or her game. Improving on golf will of course require the aid of the essential golf equipment and the comforts brought by the right golf apparel.

Never underestimate the role of correct golf apparel in a good game. There will be lots of walking involved in playing golf and you will do this under the sun. As such, it is important that you stay comfortable throughout. Finding the right golf apparel therefore is very crucial.

It is easy to find golf apparels in the market. You can find such golf apparels in almost every sports shop. There are also specialty stores for sports gear. Some retail shops and department stores even have their own sports sections where you can easily access golf apparels.

1. Find the Right Fit

People who are fortunate enough to be born with nice bodies can easily get golf apparels in the right fit. More often than not, they can wear the ones displayed with the mannequin models. However, if you do not have the same case, then it is crucial that you be cautious of the sizes and styles of the golf apparel you buy.

Be sure that the clothes you get are in your size. Fit them first before purchasing them. If you can freely move with the apparel then it is a right fit to you. If you did not find a golf apparel that fits your measurement, then it is best to buy the one that is one size larger than your measurement and have it altered.

2. Choose according to Your Taste

There are many choices when it comes to golf apparels. Many stores for sporting goods can give you wide selection for your golf apparel. Thus, it is best to browse through the different stores and pick the item that best suits your taste and sense of fashion. You must be comfortable enough to the item that you will wear. For men, the basic golf apparel is a combination of a nice golf shirt with comfortable golf pants. Women can choose to wear golf skirts or pants with their golf shirts.

3. The Right Golf Shirt

The best top to wear when you play your game is the golf shirt. This shirt is usually made of cotton to ensure comfort in the course, although some can be made of different materials. The golf shirt is collared, T-shaped and has slits on the bottom sides. Some golf shirts provide an extra pocket. You can pick among the different brand names for your golf shirt. There are also all sorts of color to choose from.

Men and women need to find the right golf tee for playing. Get the measurement of your chest and shoulder area to ensure that you get the right size. Make sure that the shoulder seams of the shirt falls squarely to the shoulder joints. Be sure to fit the golf shirts too. Try moving your arms around as you do the fitting. You need room for mobility. However, buying a loose shirt will also have its disadvantages. A proper fit should be aimed for.

4. The Right Golf Pants

You must know your waist and hip measurements when buying your golf pants or skirts. Keep in mind that the fit is a crucial factor. The length of the pants should also fit right. It should be made of materials that will allow easy bending for the legs. It must not be tight-fitting.

5. The Right Golf Shoes

There is a lot of walking involved in the golf game. Thus you need the right golf shoes to provide the support needed by the feet. It is very crucial that you know the right size that fits your feet. Be sure also that your choice of golf shoe support the type of arch in your feet. This way the golf shoes can give you the maximum comfort as you walk.

Conclusion

Wearing the right golf apparel is a must when you play golf. This ensures that your sense of style and fashion in the golf course will support the need for comfort and mobility as you play.

Thursday, 4 June 2009

Golf Carts- Not Just For Golfers Anymore

According to new research, more than 60% of cars in the USA North America travel less than 15 miles per day and nearly half of drivers travel less than five miles away from home. With gas prices climbing higher every day and air being polluted with gas emissions, a golf car is the most environmentally friendly vehicle out there. With all the golf cart accessories available, golf carts can become one of the most stylish and eco-friendly vehicles on the road.


Golf carts are widely used in university campuses where they transport people, goods and equipment, and are even used in cases of medical emergencies. They are also used in quiet neighborhoods, at large sports events by the personnel, and of course, on golf courses by golfers. Many golf carts are purchased by disabled people who appreciate the higher speed and safety of golf carts compared to those of power wheelchairs.


Driving a golf cart is extremely economic. It costs around one cent per ten miles to operate an electric golf cart. It’s also ten times cheaper to maintain and repair a golf cart than a car. However, not many automotive giants readily leap into the golf cart market, claiming that there is currently no demand for golf carts.


Still, more and more neighborhoods, especially in resort areas or those surrounded by golf courses, switch to golf carts to access malls, movie theaters, schools and restaurants without having to ride on the highway. In university campuses golf carts can be used only on designated streets and paths. Golf carts, as neighborhood electric vehicles with a proper license can travel on roads with posted speed limit of 35 mph.


Golf carts were introduced in the 1950s and later became popular thanks to golf visionaries such as Billy Dolan. With golf carts, golf greatly evolved as a game. Smaller, more efficient and nicely designed golf carts with cute stylish accessories such as custom wheels and seats, lift kits and even programmable speed controls, golf carts are becoming safer each year.


As a vehicle, golf carts can have three or four wheels. They can be powered by electric or internal combustion motors. The most famous golf carts manufacturers include Cushman, Club Car, Daihatsu, and many more.


Among the most popular golf cart accessories today are lift kits that add clearance to the golf cart which help with accessing rocky places and bumpy roads. Many lift kits include off-road tires that can be used on the golf cart making it a rough little off-road beast.


Another popular golf cart accessory that is in huge demand in colder seasons is a rain curtain. These curtains can be snapped to the car frame to sit permanently on the car body, or they can be clipped to the car with hooks and removed in warmer seasons.


Many golf cart accessories basically do nothing except add some flare. Racing-style aluminum pedal kits, graphic and even 3D camouflage, custom steering wheels will add a stylish touch to any golf cart.


Golf carts are slowly spreading beyond student campuses, golf resorts and retirement communities. Well-designed and safe golf carts may soon be as common on city streets as scooters and bikes.