golf: พฤศจิกายน 2008

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 30 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Golf Gifts: For the Experienced Golfer

Whether it be Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Christmas, birthday, or any other gift giving occassion, a golf gift for an experienced player is a sure winner, if it's the RIGHT gift.

Let me start by saying that experienced golfers and novice golfers are two entirely different players with different wants and needs when it comes to their golf games. The experienced golfer has been playing for quit some time and probably has developed personal preferences in the types of balls, clubs and equipment he or she uses while playing.

Purchasing a set of new clubs for an experienced player might be a nice idea. However, you would definitely want them to be involved in the selection and buying process. You want to be sure they are even in the market for a new set of clubs, and that they get the right clubs. Many experienced or good golfers become very attached to their clubs, or very selective when purchasing a new set. Also, many experienced golfers have clubs "fitted" for their body style and game, so they need to be included the process of buying the clubs. You wouldn't want to purchase them a set of clubs that they would never use, or that are not appropriate for their level of play.

Golf balls are always a welcome gift, provided they are the right brand and type. Many experienced golfers are as selective with their golf balls as they are with their clubs. You can easily find out what ball they play through general conversation, or from someone who knows them or their golf game quite well. Again, purchasing an experienced golfer the wrong brand or type of ball would just be foolish, they would never use them, except maybe for practice.

Golf bags, shoes, and apparel are all items that a golfer may want and need, but they may have a personal preference when it comes to these items as well. Your best bet here may be a gift certificate at a golf store or proshop.

Stay away from any of the golf gadgets, trinkets, items to hang on their bag, silly golf hats, etc. They probably have received similar items in the past, and may no longer find these items as cute, or as humorous, the second time around. Also avoid things like instructional books, videos, and swing trainers. They have already been exposed to most of these items, and not knowing their level of play, you really can't be sure if any of these items would even benefit their game.

So, what do you get them? A gift certificate for a round of golf at a course they would like to play, or regularly play, is a good gift. A gift certificate at a golf or pro shop that they can use for either lessons or equipment (balls, clubs, apparel, gloves, etc.) A golf trip to a well know resort is a great gift. Tickets to PGA event is also a great gift. They might also enjoy a good book on golf courses, golf history, golf stories, or on any one of the many great players of the game.

Of course, it all depends on your budget. The potential for gift ideas is endless. Golf is an extremely popular sport, and golfers worldwide are spending millions playing the game. Any gift, appropriate for experienced player, would be welcomed, used, and enjoyed. (If it's the RIGHT gift!.) Remember, it is the thought that counts.

Ernie Horning is a business owner and avid golfer, and also writes articles for <a target="_new" href="http://www.golfgodz.com">http://www.golfgodz.com</a>

Golf Training Principles That Produce Results

Time is a precious commodity when it comes to golf. We need to set aside time for practice, play and training in addition to managing our jobs, our families and other priorities and interests. Training should be a compliment to our complete process of development for a better game. Let's keep things simple when it comes to golf training by focusing on those things that can make a solid difference in the shortest period of time.

Performing too little is the same as performing too much. In either case, this is not a productive approach. Overtraining is a common problem among elite athletes and it isn't any different for golf. Your body needs an opportunity for repair, remodeling and growth so give it proper rest to see the best results. The opposite effect can also occur which is performing too little. If you follow one of the principles of progressive resistance then you should always use resistance that is greater than what your body is accustomed to.

Power is driven from the core. The abdominal muscles should never be trained in isolation because they are never an isolated movement in golf. Core training serves as the foundation for strength, power, speed and all elements of movement. When performing rotational movements, make sure you set your body in the proper position first. Begin by establishing good posture. Specifically, this means placing your feet about shoulder width apart with chest up, shoulders back and down and navel pulled in. This creates a solid position which actively engages the core so you can achieve optimal training results. When performing rotational movements like wood chops and medicine ball tosses, always check to make sure your movements are core driven.

Muscle integration is superior to isolation. Functional training for golf is a system that focuses on training the body the way it will be used when you compete or play. This makes it the most efficient and effective form of training today. Functional training improves athletic ability, enhances performance, and reduces injuries while developing golf specific movement patterns. The goal becomes not only the development of more efficient patterns of movement, but endurance patterns as well so the motion has a better chance of being repeated swing after swing.

Balance is an essential element. Balance comes in many forms when you think about golf training. Each golfer should strive for improved balance by assessing strength and flexibility discrepancies looking for opportunities of self improvement. Look at your body as individual segments comparing your top half to your bottom. How strong is your upper body compared to your lower body? How does the strength of your mid section compare to the strength of your lower back? Next, take a look at your flexibility. How is the rotation of your shoulder joints on your left arm compared to your right? Is your left side less flexible than your right? Is your lower body tighter than your upper body? Each of these assessments are considerations in seeking a higher functioning, more balanced body for golf. Weaknesses create opportunities for injuries to creep in as well as ways for the body to perform less optimally.

Susan Hill is a fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. Her work has been featured in Golf Illustrated, Travel Golf, SELF magazine and Resort living. For on-line golf specific exercises and stretches, visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitnessforgolf.com">http://www.fitnessforgolf.com</a>

วันเสาร์ที่ 29 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

How A Golf Stretching Routine Can Impact Your Game Quickly

Even as you read this article, golf stretching routines continue to positively revolutionize the games of many golfers around the country and indeed around the world. Golf stretching routines play a major role in helping many golfers achieve consistent and good results on the course with their swing.

Still many golfers are yet to fully appreciate the potential of golf stretching routines and many are not aware of the fact that they usually have a huge impact on a golfer's game.

A golf stretching routine will tend to concentrate on the muscles and parts of the body used when playing golf and especially during the golf swing. A useful golf stretching routine will be able to help any golf attain more flexibility as well as strength on the course. It is important to remember that most of the body is used for a golf swing.

Right from the feet to the knees, hamstring and hip, the lower part of the body is critical to the golf swing. Then there are the more obvious participants in the body like the arms and upper body and neck.

A Golf stretching routine does a significant job of ensuring that most of these muscles are ready for the strain that golf usually exerts on them.

Usually the golf stretching routine is combined with weight training for maximum effect and results. In fact there are some stretch exercises that involve the use of dumbbells.

Part of the better golf stretching routines will also involve a warming up process and some stretching exercises shortly before you start your golf swings.

This work well to help many a golfer's body feel much more comfortable during the golf swing. The truth is that the more comfortable a golfer feels when executing a golf swing, the better the results will be.

In fact a golf stretching routine is at the very heart of any genuine golf exercise program.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his <a target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com">golf fitness training</a> site - Perform Better Golf.

Online Golf Program Features and Benefits

There are many features and benefits to look for when it comes to choosing an online golf program over a personal golf trainer who charges by the hour or lesson. In this article, I will focus on the most important benefits. I will be discussing what you should be looking for when choosing an online golf program and the many benefits of working with an online golf trainer.

What to look for in an online golf program

You should try to find a program that is comprehensive in nature. The golf program should be able to effectively teach you how to improve your golfing techniques, mechanics and consistency of your game. To be able to consistently hit the ball properly every time! But, it is not enough just to join a program that only focuses on golf. To be the best golfer that you can possibly be, you need to perform the proper exercises and follow proper nutrition as well. Golf specific exercises will allow you to improve your golf swing and hitting distance. Exercising will also improve your flexibility, prevent injuries, make you feel healthier and increase your strength. By strength we mean not muscle mass but power because if you get too bulky, it will hinder your swing.

Convenience

An online golf program allows you to access the program any time you want, no matter where you are. You may be at your office or job and looking for a break to take your mind off work. Or you may be travelling and have some free time in your hotel. In all these situations, you could easily access the online golf program and continue from where you last left the site. Compared to a personal golf trainer with whom you have to be on the course at a specific time. What if a meeting suddenly comes up? Well you have to cancel. With online golf programs, you dictate when you want to learn or improve your golf game and not the other way around.

Online golf program versus personal golf trainer

Paying a golf trainer can get very expensive and you may not be able to remember everything they said during the lesson. Online golf programs are extremely inexpensive and offer many more additional benefits. Information on a particular topic can be accessed whenever you wish. Information can be viewed in written form as well as diagrams. Most importantly it should also have online video demonstrations. With online videos you can get a better visual representation of particular golf swings or exercises for golfers. You could even go through the motions along with the specific videos. Sort of like having a live golf trainer whenever you want, wherever you may be.

The golf program should be able to allow you to contact them via email or other form of online communication when you need help or have a specific question.

One of the many added benefits of online programs is that software is often provided free of charge such as game tracking software.

Nutrition and health

To be the best golfer you can be, you must be healthy so it is important that the program be able to provide nutritional or weight loss advice and proper golf exercises to prevent injuries from occurring.

Online Community

Interactivity with other golfers, be they amateurs or professionals, is an important aspect for learning on the Internet. To improve your golfing game or just make new friends, you may wish to be in contact with other golfers. Look for a program with a discussion forum or any form of online golfing community.

Conclusion

Joining a quality online golf program is like having 24/7 access to a golf fitness trainer, golf psychologist, sports medicine expert and golf nutrition expert. This article discusses just some of the key points that I feel are important when looking for golfing instruction. I emphasized that the program you join should be comprehensive incorporating golf specific instruction as well as golf specific exercises and nutritional advice. One program I feel that fits all this criteria is the Golf Trainer's online golf program which can be found here: <a target="_new" href="http://www.popularfitness.com/golf-trainer.html">http://www.popularfitness.com/golf-trainer.html</a> because Mike Pederson's golf program is comprehensive and covers every facet of the game. He has been a certified fitness professional for over 20 years and has worked with golfers exclusively for the past 9 years.

About the author:
Peter Kudlacz is the owner of <a target="_new" href="http://www.popularfitness.com">http://www.popularfitness.com</a> where you can find online fitness and golf programs, exercise instruction guides, articles, resources and tips.

วันศุกร์ที่ 28 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Golf Fitness Dominates The PGA Tour

Have you been curious why some golfers seem to take control and rule the tournaments these days? Tiger Woods is the golfer who is widely acknowledged with starting the revolution in fitness training, although many players before him like Gary Player are known exercise enthusiasts. While Tiger made it not only acceptable, but preferable, to train for golf, the majority of players are now taking their fitness levels very seriously.

Do you have to be fit to play good golf? You may be surprised to hear me say "no". However, if you want to be able to place at the top of the leader board on a consistent basis from tournament to tournament, then the answer changes to absolutely "yes".

Physical conditioning is critical to every major contributing factor in your game including swing mechanics, stamina, mental acuity and good judgment. The ability to continue the through a tournament in peak form is a competitive advantage for any golfer in the peak of his season.

Assuming you understand and agree with the concept of physical conditioning for golf, then how do you get started?

Give some honest and open thought to your current level of conditioning. You likely know best where you may be falling short on consecutive rounds of golf. Are you feeling weak? Do you feel tired? Do you feel sharp mentally? Are you tight? If so, where?

The answer to these questions is what helps you to set your goals and priorities moving forward. Flexibility may be your single biggest issue or just a small portion of the weaknesses you face today. Maybe stamina is a small issue, yet strength loss is a major factor. It could be just one thing or any combination of things that work together and against your game.

When you set your fitness goals, begin with your weaknesses, not your strengths. This will allow you to improve your game the quickest. All of your efforts will make the difference between a good golfer and an elite pro golfer.

Susan Hill is a nationally recognized golf fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises or stretches, visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitnessforgolf.com">http://www.fitnessforgolf.com</a>

Perfect Golf Swing Is Within Reach

The perfect golf swing. Aren't we all look for it? Now the educating part. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Did that get your attention? Let me say it one more time. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Unless?you have a higher level of strength and flexibility specific to golf.

I know you've probably heard this before?but the question is?did you take it to heart? Or did you just shrug your shoulders and continue on the same frustrating path to your hopeful golf improvement?

When we break down the golf swing mechanically and physically?it's amazing to see what the body goes through when a near perfect golf swing is performed. There is an enormous amount of core strength and flexibility. Upper spine and low back strength. Then hamstring strength and flexibility. Shoulder stability from a rotation standpoint. Quad strength to maintain adequate knee flex and posture. I could go on and on.

Are you getting the picture?

To achieve a near perfect golf swing takes a physical approach. One that focuses on your current limitations and how it is affecting your golf swing. Once you realize what limitations are causing your swing faults?you'll be well on your way to a perfect golf swing.

How many times have you made an attempt at a golf swing only to fall off balance and mishit your shot badly? How about your backswing? Have you tried and tried to make that 90 degree shoulder turn like your pro said, only to create such a tense and powerless golf swing you were ready to give up the game?

I'm here to tell you?you've got to change your approach if you want to achieve that perfect golf swing. Start with YOU and you're on your way!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his <a target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com">golf swing trainer </a> site - Perform Better Golf.

Master Flexibility Training And You?ll Conquer The Playing Field In Golf

Is it difficult to rotate your body through the full range of motion in your golf swing? Do you stop short on your back swing? Lack of flexibility can adversely affect not only your golf game, but your health as well. Different muscles are called upon at different points in the golf swing. If you are not flexible you are more prone to injuries. Your body will try to overcompensate by engaging other joints and muscles that are not ready for the stress and strain of the movement.

Many golfers lack flexibility in the rotation of their spine and hips during their golf swing. They may overcompensate with their arms. Trying to hit the ball hard with your arms can leave them feeling sore and worse, injured from overuse of the shoulders. Therefore, flexibility should be one of the main components of your golf fitness training plan.

What flexibility exercises should you add to your fitness program? Before you start a flexibility program it is imperative to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses with regards to your current range of motion. Most athletic trainers, sports conditioning specialists, golf fitness trainers and physical therapists can take you through a battery of flexibility tests. They are trained to properly identify areas of restriction and potential for improvement.

The next step is to creating your own stretching program that is geared towards your personal situation. It may mean that you spend more time stretching your right rotator cuff muscles as opposed to your left or spending more total time on your addressing the flexibility in your spine. Depending on your level of restrictions, different stretching methods can be used to help you progress to the next level.

With a flexibility training program in place you'll conquer the playing field as your mechanics improve and you feel better about your movement. Take the time to learn about your current body restrictions and you'll easily take your game to a whole new level.

Golf Core Exercises For More Power

Golf core exercises . You hear that phrase quite often on the television by the commentators referring to the area a lot of the touring pros focus on to improve their power output and prevent low back injuries.

Vijay Singh for example uses weighted medicine balls to work his golf core muscles throughout the whole week of the tournament. In fact his caddie is his rainier. How convenient! The best of both worlds!

But hearing the phrase golf core exercises and knowing what your core is are two different things entirely. As a fitness professional it's easy for me to throw out that phrase often to impress would-be clients or customers to my golf fitness training products.

But that's not the case. Understanding what your core is and how it plays a critical role in producing maximum power; injury prevention and even stability is very important. Once you know?you'll soon realize this may be your missing link to a great game.

This area (core) starts roughly at your belly button and goes up to the bottom of your sternum. It is the engine of your body and awareness of your core affects golf the most. Think of it as the link in the chain that needs to be the strongest, not the weakest.

Two simple golf core exercises that will quickly strengthen your core is ab crunches and back extensions. These would be your initial exercises to give you the strength to move onto rotational exercises that put a little more stress on your spine if the muscles aren't conditioned enough.

Once you've accomplished the above exercises, you can move on to a crunch with a twist and a back extension with a twist. This will hit your rotational strength right away...which will quickly equate to greater power output and distance.

You can then progress up to standing on your feet doing several different variations of rotational movements with a single dumbbell, standing upright and also in your golf posture.

Now that you have a basic understanding of golf core exercises?you hopefully will see how important it is in your overall golf improvement plan.

So next time you hear the phrase on the television?you'll know what golf core exercises are.

วันพุธที่ 26 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Gifts: Giving To The Beginner Golfer

It's golf season again! And you might be looking for a gift to give to someone who's just starting off in golf. So, here are some suggestions. These beginner golf gifts target those new golf souls... the ones who don't yet know what their in for, or the ones who are already hooked after just playing a few times.

Golf Lessons

The single best choice out of all gifts for the golf beginner is golf lessons. There's nothing that the beginning golfer can use more. It's even better than a set of clubs, because it will give him/her a chance to really decide if he/she likes the game and wants to stick with it. After all, golf can be extremely frustrating, but it's also highly addictive. Start them off right with a lesson and give them a good swing foundation. Contact your local golf course or instruction facility to find out what options you have in your area.

Golf Books

If you can't afford to buy golf lessons for the beginning golfer, at the very least, get him/her an instruction book or DVD. There are lot to choose from, many with the beginner in mind. Don't forget that along with frustrating and addictive, golf can also be intimidating, so help them to be better prepared for their experience. And even if you do decide on giving lessons, instruction books or DVDs are excellent complementary beginner golf gifts.

First Set of Golf Clubs

A lot of new golfers start out by borrowing or renting their clubs when they play, so to help them along you may want to start him/her off with their own set of golf clubs. Don't go with anything extravagant or expensive with their first set. Clubs are usually a pretty personal choice, and it's probable that their first set won't be the one they stick with in the long term. This is even more important if you're buying the first set of clubs for a child, as they will most likely outgrow them by the next summer. If you do get a set of clubs, make sure you get a bag to go with it.

Driving Range Membership

It's very common for a new golfer to want to just get out there and whack the ball! Actually, many experienced golfers want to do that. And while that may not be the best thing to do on the course, it's certainly fun to do at the driving range! You can give a membership to a local driving range. Other options include a gift certificate, ball tokens, or a 10 bucket pass. What the practice facility offers in the form of a membership or package deal will determine what options you have for these beginner golf gifts.

Golf Shoes

Depending on where he/she will be playing, the beginner golfer may need to wear golf shoesicon to get onto the course. Check into this first, as many courses have rules in this regard. Consider buying a pair of either soft spiked shoes, or ones that can be converted to soft spikes, as this, too, is a requirement for some golf courses. If they don't need golf shoes right away, avoid choosing them as your beginner golf gift selection. We say this for a couple of reasons: 1) any type of shoe is hard to pick out as a gift, and the fit of a golf shoe is important for comfort, especially if you consider the amount of walking that a golfer does. 2) It's actually better for golfer's balance to practice without golf shoes, as the golfer cannot depend on the stability of the spikes to hold them in place. An alternative to golf shoes as a beginner golf gift is the ever-present gift certificate, so they can pick out their own shoes.

Golf Balls

Like golf clubs, the type and brand of golf balls aren't important for the beginner. While you may want to consider compression when picking them out (the softer the hitter, the lower the compression), the type and construction of the golf ball will have very little bearing when he/she is first starting out. It would probably be a more appreciated gift if you were to personalize the balls with their name, nickname, or other custom logo, but that might make them all the more upset when the balls are lost (and they WILL be lost).

Gloves and Accessories

Don't forget the accessories! Gloves, tees, and ball markers are inexpensive items that will add a nice touch for beginner golf gifts. It's like giving a golf starter kit. Get him/her a glove - it will make them feel more confident or credible when holding their clubs - like a "real" golfer! Remember, the right-handed golfer needs a left-hand glove (and vice-versa). And get them some tees (perhaps personalized) and a few ball markers. You don't want them to feel left out, do you?

Save the expensive and fancy golf gifts for another gift occasion. If the recipient of your gifts decides to give up golf, then the expensive or extravagant gifts would be a waste. If he/she sticks with the game, then the more elaborate golf gifts will be more appreciated down the road. For now, focus on simple beginner golf gifts to get them started.

A Heath is a gift researcher for <a target="_new" href="http://www.the-gift-wizard.com">http://www.the-gift-wizard.com</a>

Fix Your Slice: The Cause & Simple Cures For The Beginner Golfer

Are you slicing all or some of your tee shots? If so, you are no different than most new golfers, And even more experienced golfers still slice shots from time to time. Here are some simple things you can try to fix it:

First, the problem is hardly ever the club. If you feel it is, have your driver examined by your local pro-shop, so no doubt lingers in your mind.

Now, let's consider what happens to a sliced ball when it is in the air. Here it seems best to state exactly what is meant by the term 'sliced ball' because a drive that finishes in the rough on the right of the fairway is not necessarily sliced. A sliced drive is one that starts straight, or nearly straight, from the tee and curls in the right of the line on which it started. The reason for this is that the ball is spinning from left to right, and the air pressure, being greater on the side which is turning into the wind, in this case the left side, pushes the ball to the right. A ball that is correctly driven has back-spin imparted to it by the club, and the air pressing on the underside of the ball tends to make it rise in flight. A hooked ball naturally has the reverse spin to a sliced ball.

This is very basic, but it is useful knowledge from a beginner's point of view, because it may give you a clue as to why you are slicing: To impart a left-to- right spin to a ball, the face of the club must be drawn from right to left across the ball during the moment of impact. This right-to-left movement of the club may be the result of several faults: the player may be hitting at the ball, instead of through it, in other words, checking the swing of the club at a critical moment; or the grip may be faulty, too tight with the left hand, too loose with the right, possibly the position of the hands on the shaft may be wrong; or the player may be drawing in his arms and not throwing them, as it were, after the ball. Certainly the best method of locating the fault is to go to your local professional, but if that is not possible, most experienced golfers would be able to spot it.

But once the problem is found it, is by no means cured; it is quite possible to know what you are doing wrong without being able to prevent yourself from continuing to do it!

Sometimes a simple cure will overcome the slicing habit: Try turning the right hand a little more under the shaft or gripping a little tighter with it. You can also try taking up the normal stance and then drawing the right foot back a few inches.

In the beginners' case slicing is just going to happen! But I'm convinced that if the beginner works hard, it can be cured in a month or two instead of wearing itself out perhaps in the course of a year or even longer.

Jarrod Cash & Michael Black have created: "Psychology of Golf: The Complete Study Course." Available at <a target="_new" href="http://www.LostGolfSecrets.com">http://www.LostGolfSecrets.com</a> If these simple cures don't fix your slice, learn advanced mental golf techniques to stop slicing for good!

How To Use Exercise For Golf To Strengthen Your Swing

Using exercise for golf to strengthen your swing could be one of the wisest decisions you've ever make in regards to improving power and distance.

Have you tried those gimmicky training aids in hopes to strengthen your swing? If so, were you successful? I can take a guess, but I won't get on you too much.

Most of the touring pros are now using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing and have seen their driving distance go way up. And yes?their equipment has a little bit to do with it, but can't take all the credit.

I have said thousands of times, "it's your BODY that plays the game, not your equipment". Doesn't that make sense to you?

Like any athlete?he or she spends a huge amount of time strengthening their muscles specific to their sport.

Why wouldn't you as a golfer do the same thing?

Hopefully after reading this article you'll give it strong consideration.

Using exercise for golf to strengthen your swing entails the use of a stability ball, exercise tubing, handweights and even a weighted medicine ball. These are all inexpensive golf training tools that can have a dramatic affect on your game.

I can't tell you how many golfers (thousands) have emailed me telling me their amazing improvements in power, distance and accuracy from using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing.

It's a very simple approach that won't leave you sweating like a pig and spending hours upon hours in your gym. In fact?you don't need a gym to do the kind of golf training I'm talking about.

With the above golf training equipment, you can do a simple golf exercise program in less than 30 minutes "in your home". Now that's time-savings and even financial savings not having to keep up a gym membership.

The premise of using exercise golf golf to strengthen your swing is one that warrants quick results with a minimal time requirement.

วันอังคารที่ 25 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Increase Golf Swing Speed Easily

Golf swing speed is an elusive term for most amateur golfers. We've all heard of it and know it relates somehow to longer drives, but how can we increase golf swing speed quickly and effectively?

Do you think it's swing harder? Have you tried that approach? What happened? I can take a wild guess. The ball didn't go anywhere! You were so tense that your golf swing speed was actually much slower.

That's not what you want!

So how do you achieve the ever-elusive higher golf swing speed?

It starts with your engine. Your core. The center of your machine. The stronger and more flexible you get your core, the faster the arms, hands and club will come through without swinging harder. Resulting in longer and much straighter drives.

Just take a look at the main movement in the golf swing!

It's rotational!

In ALL sports movement?what dictates the power? One guess. It's your core. That's why athletes spend so much time throwing weighted medicine balls, pulling weighted cables and doing tons of twisting exercises with resistance.

The same approach should be taken for the golfer wanting to improve golf swing speed. Start with simple rotational exercises that incorporate both strength and flexibility like the seated rotation with a club. <ul> <li>Sit upright with a club on your shoulders behind your neck. <li>Grab each end with your hands. <li>While facing forward, focusing straight ahead, rotate to the right and back to the left. <li>You will feel tight and restricted at first. <li>Maintain an erect posture with eyes straight ahead. <li>Do this slowly at first, then build up the rate of speed. <li>Rotate back and through 10 times for 3 sets. </ul> This is a starting (basic) core exercise that will make a HUGE difference if you haven't worked on your core before. You will notice a difference in your range of motion and power output on the course quickly.

You would then progress up to more resistance related rotational exercises with handweights, tubing (cables), weighted medicine balls and even weighted clubs.

With just a little bit of effort you will see a dramatic increase in golf swing speed !

5 Best Uses for Hybrid Utility Clubs

Have you seen those new hybrid utility cubs? They are showing up all over the place, rescuing golfers from all kinds of situations. The reason for this is simple; they open up opportunities for a number of great new shots.

Even the tour pros are using them to help them win big tournaments. (Todd Hamilton ? British Open, David Toms ? PGA Championship, Reteif Goosen ? US Open) We have come up with what we believe are the 5 best uses for these hybrid clubs.

1. OFF THE TEE ? These clubs are great for long par 3's and short par 4 tee shots when you must carry a bunker or water hazard. Most long irons shots have a low piercing trajectory. These hybrids have a lower center of gravity that helps to launch the ball up into the air. Because of this high ball flight, the ball will come down on a steeper angle making it easier to stop on the green.

2. FROM THE FAIRWAY ? They are good for long approach shots to the greens on par 5's and long par 4's. Because of their great distance control and accuracy, these hybrids will build your confidence. Hitting this club form the fairways will have you going for more par 5's in 2 and leaving you short putts for eagle.

3. FROM THE ROUGH ? Most long irons get caught up in the rough causing them to twist easily and produce mishits. The bigger size and mass of the hybrids over regular irons makes it easier for the club to drive through the rough while keeping the face square. This squaring of the clubface is also aided by the rudders and rails on the sole of the club going through the turf.

4. OUT OF A BUNKER - Move the ball back in your stance to promote a little steeper angle of attack. The bigger club heads and larger ruddered soles of hybrids make it easier to swing through the sand without catching it fat or heavy. It is very important on these long bunker shots to hit the ball first. This will help get the ball up in the air very quickly and out of the bunker.

5. AROUND THE GREEN ? Hybrid utility clubs work great for bump and run shots around the green (just ask Todd Hamilton). They help to eliminate the chance for error by getting the ball rolling on the ground as quick as possible. Because the shafts are shorter you can play these shots almost like a putt without choking down on the shaft to gain control. This eliminates the chance of a skull, chunk, or a decelerating wedge shot.

We find these hybrid utility clubs to be one of the most versatile clubs you could have in your bag. Get more info about hybrid utility clubs from our website. Then try one out in your bag today! <a target="_new" href="http://www.golfequipmentsource.com/hybrid-golf-clubs.html">www.golfequipmentsource.com/hybrid-golf-clubs.html</a>

John Bolt is the full time owner of GolfEquipmentSource.com. With years of competitive golf experience under his belt, he understands the importance of having properly fitted golf equipment. You can visit him online at: <a target="_new" href="http://www.golfequipmentsource.com/">http://www.golfequipmentsource.com</a>

วันจันทร์ที่ 24 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Quickly Improve Your Golf Swing

Do you need some golf swing tips? If you could use a few golf swing tips you have come to the right place.

Golf swing tips will help you with confidence as well as improve your game in general.

Golf swing tips #1: Find a way to talk to yourself in a positive way while golfing. Negative self-talk will not help you or your game.

Golf swing tips #2: Develop a good mental attitude, be tough.

Golf swing tips #3: Practice, practice, practice!

Golf swing tips #4: Learn how to perform in tough situations

Golf swing tips #5: Find golf swing aids that may be helpful

Golf swing tips #6: Spend a few sessions with a golf pro

Golf swing tips #7: Read some good books that offer golf swing tips and then practice them.

Golf swing tips #8: Watch a golf video and learn from the pros

Golf swing tips #9: Work on a few golf swing tips each week until you have mastered each one or at least improved.

Golf swing tips #10: Take lessons that concentrate on golf swings.

Golf swing tips #11: Use the "hitchhiker" position when working on your backswing. Try looking back at your thumb and making sure it is pointing to the sky like you are hitchhiking.

Golf swing tips #12: When you are working on your backswing keep your weight on the inside of your right foot. Also be sure to keep a slight bend in your knee.

Look these golf swing tips over and choose a few to work on before your next golf game or tournament.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Golf-Swing-Improvement.com. He provides more golf putting, golf swinging and <a target="_new" href="http://www.golf-swing-improvement.com">golf game improvement tips</a> that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Important Mental Perspective For The Senior Golfer

One would be hard pressed to find an individual who isn't feeling an increase in stress and anxiety in these troubled world times. Both domestically and abroad, news reports continually speak to societies across the globe exhibiting signs of higher degrees of uncertainty and instability. In large-scale protests and in individual conversations, there are many who would like to "turn back the clock" to the way things were just a few short years ago. Interestingly, it is especially during these times of tension that we in America have historically turned to sport and recreation as a diversion. Whether as a spectator or as a participant, for many there is something therapeutic about the environment that these activities can create to "help us get away from it all". For some, the connection with golf at this time allows for a single-minded, "in the moment" experience that frees up that part of the mind that has been under strain. For others, simply the physical release of pent-up energy can have attendant calming benefits.

Like so many things in life, it regularly takes a significant event or events to shake us out of our comfortable world that we take for granted and help us put things in a more accurate light. Ask a person who can no longer walk how much they appreciated being ambulatory. Ask a person who can no longer see how much they appreciated their sight.

Where I'm going with all of this is to suggest to the Senior golfers to make a point of deeply appreciating the opportunities that you have, and to put into perspective some of those things in golf that you typically allow to upset you. Missing a short putt, hitting a drive OB and hitting an "easy" shot into a hazard are much easier to cope with when put in the context of how fortunate we are to be able to play at all. The level of frustration, anger, and anxiety that I regularly witness in golf stems in part from the person's difficulty with putting his/her experience into context. While acknowledging that many golfers have trained or practiced hard, there is, at times, an "over reaction" relative to life's big picture. I am not suggesting that anger or frustration or worry is an inappropriate emotion in golf, I'm merely proposing that these emotions be managed such that the encounter with the game not be contaminated. How sad to be unfulfilled and/or dissatisfied doing something that ostensibly has the potential to bring such joy. For many of you senior golfers, this is what you've worked hard for your whole life- to finally be able to enjoy this great game.

Next time you find yourself upset when on the golf course, catch yourself and reflect upon how important really in the scheme of life is that with which you are stewing. My suspicion is that you will enjoy yourself more if you incorporate a "big picture" outlook in your reactions.

Jeff Troesch, MA, LMHC is an internationally recognized expert in the mental side of golf. As the former Director of Sport Psychology for the David Leadbetter Golf Academies, Jeff has worked with thousands of golfers nationwide and brings a wealth of experience to seasoned golf professionals as well as the recreational golf lover. You may contact Jeff directly through his website, <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitnessforgolf.com">http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.</a>

Tiger Woods, the Greatest Ever? ?NOT!

Tiger is great but still a long way from claiming the title of "Greatest That Ever Played The Game". Although I do believe he is more then on his way to claiming that illustrious title, God willing. But until then, Slammin' Sammy Snead is my pick. That's right, not even Nicklaus.

If you look at the 11 win gap between Jack's 70 total victories and Sam's 81 and then figure Sam's total of 165 victories he claims, no one even comes close. Sorry Jack. Now figure in the shape of the courses today, the equipment and the level of competition and there is no doubt in my mind that Sammy is the man. Keep in mind, Sam played against, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan -- all born the same year - they were considered the era's Big Three. Hogan amassed 63 total wins and Nelson won 52, putting both of them in the top 5 of the all time winners list. Does anyone really thing that Tiger's best competition today, is going to end up in that illustrious group? I think not.

Statically speaking there is a large gap between the top of the all time winners list that not even the great Walter Hagen bridges. Hagen, in 7th place with 40 wins, is eleven short of the 6th placeholder, Billy Casper. Eleven wins is an entire career for even a great player on the tour today. Again I ask you to look at the gap between number 2 on the list, Jack Nicklaus and Number 1, Sam Snead, eleven wins.

Even if you are the most vehement "Tigernite" or Nicklaus Nut, you have to admit, the real all time golf elite includes only a very few, 6 to be exact: Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson and Billy Casper. And Billy Casper gets my vote for the greatest player with the least recognition, by far.

Now I'm going to really tick you Tigernites off. My money says he never gets there. (However, I'm not betting the really big money) Why? I think he runs out of desire. The bigger he gets, the closer he gets, the more he wins, the more the pressure will build. If he has shown any weakness at all, it is his temper that occasionally gets the best of him. As the pressures mount, and with the glare of the media of today it will, I think that pressure will sooner or later wear him down. No, I'm not predicting he will go "postal" and toss a camera in a lake with the owner still attached, but I think the "fire in the belly" will dime. And if I am right, it will be a travesty to lose, not the greatest that ever played, but one of the greatest, that could have toppled "the" Greatest Player That Ever Lived, Sam Snead!

Only time will tell!

More Great Golf Stories at: http://www.sbmag.org/Golf_Stories/Great_Golf_Stories_Index.html

No permission is needed to reproduce an unedited copy of this article as long the About The Author tag is left in tact and hot links are included. Email floyd@sbmag.org.

Floyd Snyder is the founder and former owner of Executive Advertising, Camera Ready Art and Strictly Business Magazine. Currently he is the owner of Strictly Business Magazine at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sbmag.org">http://www.sbmag.org</a>

Secrets Of The Avid Golfer

Every avid golfer has got to be the sort of person who enjoys the game immensely. It has been proven that we tend to be very good at doings things that we enjoy doing and this should be no exception to the case of the avid golfer of today.

This also means that the avid golfer tends to constantly improve their game and handicap all the time.

This whole picture must seem like an impossible dream to the majority of amateur golfers struggling in courses across the country. Many have often left a game deeply humiliated and swore to themselves that they would never set foot on a golf course again. Sadly there are some who have kept to that vow they made to themselves.

In most cases their opponent was this avid golfer with a secret that has improved their game so much that there are able to easily run circles round an opponent, almost at will. So what is this secret of most avid golfers?

It is simply preparing their bodies and the muscles in their body better for the game. Some of this preparation actually takes place in the comfort of the office or home.

These are specifically stretch exercises designed to improve on the golf swing and also helps to strengthen the back muscles for golf.

Actually the truth of the matter is that a golfer who does not exercise will hardly stand a chance against an avid golfer who does.

Most avid golfers will do anything to improve their golf game, and it usually shows quite clearly in dramatic improvements on their game. Thus exercise and in particular golf-specific exercises do not frighten them.

Not that they should put terror into anybody. They are actually fairly easy to go through because they are being done by folks of all ages who are avid golfers.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Visit his new <a target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com">golf fitness training</a> site at Perform Better Golf.

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 23 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Golf Training Principles That Produce Results

Success in Golf and Meditation - The Same Skills?

When we say to people that you need the same skills to be a successful golfer as you do meditator it usually raises a huge laugh. Golf and meditation are miles apart. Some often suggest that in hitting the perfect Golf shot you need to be in a focussed meditative state, but that's as far as it gets.

What do you think?

I know. You think we're crazy. But let's look at the evidence. Let's just look at what's needed to be a successful meditator and you can decide whether the same skills and behaviour patterns are needed to be successful in golf.

Meditation, at least in our experience is very rewarding but extremely frustrating. We often feel that everything is great. Our concentration is high and we feel really peaceful and happy only to find the next day that we are back to square one and cannot focus at all. Our thoughts are all over the place. During meditation we invest many hours thinking about our strengths and how we may improve.

We know that in order to be successful we must sit down and practice every day. In fact, at least twice a day. We know, to our cost, that we cannot afford to miss a practice session. After all the more you practice the less surprises you get.

The key to success is our thoughts. If we can get our thoughts right the rest will follow. If we can keep focussed on our strengths and positive thoughts then we can access our naturally peaceful and happy selves. To us negative thoughts are no more, no less than waste thoughts. They are a waste of our time and effort because they don't produce anything they just take away from us.

The feelings you get from meditation is so addictive that before you realise it meditation becomes the key to your life and you can't manage a day without it.

Food is so important to maintaining concentration. When we eat the correct food, food that is high in nutrients and vitamins we perform better.

At the same time we must ensure that we drink enough water because if we become dehydrated then our performance is impaired. In other words instead of meditating we fall asleep.

The correct amount of Rest and Sleep are important because if you skimp on either then you don't perform. You cannot concentrate. You cannot focus the mind. If your concentration is high then you reap the reward. If your concentration is low your mind wanders and sleep invades the space.

Meditation is a solo sport. Although, we can and do sometimes meditate with a group. Although we can sometimes feel we perform better when meditating with others. The bottom line is it is me and my connection, me and my thoughts. It is not a team game even though others appear to be doing the same thing.

But perhaps the most interesting of all is what makes us and other mediators keep returning time after time.

WE LOVE THE CHALLENGE

People who meditate love the challenge of calming their minds. We love the thought that it is possible to rid the mind of all the rubbish and concentrate on our strengths. We love doing things that test our skills. We love questioning our ability.

Meditation like Golf is the ultimate challenge because it has not been beaten. There is no one who has completed the perfect round. Although we all strive to be perfect, we are involved in pursuing an activity where perfection is impossible. Therefore it is the ultimate Zeigarnik effect.

The Zeigarnik effect: named after Bluma Zeigarnik, a Russian psychologist is the drive within us to complete tasks. That part of us that cannot stand the fact that something is incomplete. Hasn't been finished.

Both meditation and Golf are tasks that are, by their very nature, incomplete tasks. They cannot be completed. There is no perfect round. No one alive has reached that perfect state of being. Thus people who follow Golf and meditation are drawn by the fact that it cannot be completed. If it was possible to complete then we would leave them and try something new.

Therefore we are addicted to meditation because we are addicted to completion. The fact that we always leave our meditation without reaching that perfect state of love, peace and happiness makes us return to try again. To move towards "completion".

Is it the same for Golf? Are you addicted to that perfect round? Do you constantly return to the course to improve your handicap. Are you in search of the "completion".

We have many friends who have retired to perfect their golf. Many of them now see their job as playing golf. Everything else is secondary.

They like us want to learn. We all want to complete the task. We want to be able to say we have completed the ultimate challenge.

Good Luck

Graham and Julie
www.desktop-meditation.com

To improve your intuition, initiative and energy levels please go to: <a target="_new" href="http://www.desktop-meditation.com">http://www.desktop-meditation.com</a> It's free.

วันเสาร์ที่ 22 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

This IS Golf - Womens Golf

The Korean women golfer Jeong Jang (JJ) chose the British Women's Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, to win her first title. What's more she led from start to finish to win by four clear shots. Birkdale is a typical British seaside links, undulating greens protected by deep bunker traps.

Her final score of 16 under par was far too good for her rivals who could not get close enough to land a telling blow. JJ claimed the first prize of 160,000 pounds sterling from a total prize purse of more than a million pounds, comfortably her best ever payday.

The cold wet weather of earlier in the week finally made way for some sunshine to welcome JJ into the final stretch. Sophie Gustafson of Sweden finished in second place on minus 12, with another Korean, Young Kim finishing in joint third with the teenage sensation Michelle Wie on minus 10. Annika Sorenstam finished a further shot back after suffering an out of bounds penalty as she pressed late on to get in touch.

Afterwards JJ gave her caddie huge credit for all the advice and support he had shown her. The charismatic Michelle Wie took the Smith's Salver as the highest placed amateur. When interviewed she said she still had not decided when she should turn professional. She is incredibly still only fifteen years old.

The thought that a fifteen-year-old boy could enter the Open and run so close to the winner is absolute fantasy, yet Michelle Wie is already a force to be reckoned with in the women's game. She revealed she is considering entering the men's open to run on the same course in 2008, and who is to say this is not simply the confidence of youth?

There is something of the Tiger Woods about her, certainly she brought back memories of the young amateur Tiger playing in the Walker Cup in 1995. She is a breath of fresh air for women's golf, there is little doubt about that, and a breath that is sorely needed after women's golf memberships in Britain have been surprisingly falling. The sport has been crying out for a young interesting talent. Golf has one now.

But this was JJ's day, and the likeable Korean endured a dousing in champagne immediately after sinking the final put, before setting off with her fans for a celebratory night out in Southport.

Betting on JJ after day two was light as she showed few signs of letting her grip on the giant Waterford Crystal trophy slip. Afterwards she said she would have to start working out in order to lift the heavy prize. Starting the day two to one on, she swiftly went shorter and her odds on winning gradually slipped throughout the afternoon.

You can still bag a free $30 bet on Betfair.com if you open a new account by typing in the code 6CHE3VPWJ when prompted. Betfair.com is not only the leading betting exchange in Britain, but probably the best supported betting exchange for sports trading anywhere, and it is an essential trading medium for serious sports traders.

David Carter has written hundreds of articles published in a wide variety of publications. His latest work is SPLAM! A 240+ page property letting manual. Check out <a target="_new" href="http://www.splam.co.uk">http://www.splam.co.uk</a> for details. He also runs a holiday cottage website, <a target="_new" href="http://www.pebblebeachmedia.co.uk">http://www.pebblebeachmedia.co.uk</a> where you can choose from over 6,000 fantastic holiday cottages, apartments and villas throughout the world. For home business check out <a target="_new" href="http://www.homemax.co.uk">http://www.homemax.co.uk</a>. You can contact David directly at <a href="mailto:supalife@aol.com">supalife@aol.com</a> on any matter.

Golf Gifts: For the Experienced Golfer

Whether it be Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Christmas, birthday, or any other gift giving occassion, a golf gift for an experienced player is a sure winner, if it's the RIGHT gift.

Ernie Horning is a business owner and avid golfer, and also writes articles for <a target="_new" href="http://www.golfgodz.com">http://www.golfgodz.com</a>

Improve Your Golf Game Right Now

Improve your golf game right now you say? I say, absolutely! Don't waste another dime on new golf equipment; taking one more lesson; or hitting one more ball at the range, until you finish reading this article.

You see?it's not what you think that's not allowing you to improve your golf game.

It's something very simple and easy to remedy. It's YOU! How your body moves throughout your golf swing.

Let me ask you?do you feel nice and loose, relaxed and fluid when you swing a club on the golf course? Do you feel like your backswing is what it should be? How about your distance off the tee? Are you happy with it?

Now let me ask. What have you done to improve the above situation? And has it worked up to now? If it has?congratulations! I am very happy to hear that another golfer is improving.

If it isn't working?don't you think you should try a different approach? One that makes total sense from a mechanical (technique) standpoint.

If you've tried all the above?there's only one thing left. As I said above?YOU!

Your body is what swings the club and produces the end-result. Not the equipment, balls or all the lessons you take.

You've got to start with the engine (your body) first, to be able to make a mechanically sound and repeatable swing for 18 holes of golf.

Your body has physical limitations. All of ours does. Each person is unique, and has a different set of physical issues that need to be addressed. But when they are?look out! The game gets much easier and a whole lot funner.

With our country getter bigger (heavier) by the day?this is a great reason to embark on a golf training program that will not only improve your golf game, but help you achieve your health goals also. Now isn't that reason enough to get started right away?

You will be amazed at your fast rate of golf improvement once you take this approach. You will be making swings and producing power you've never seen before. Why? Because you are eliminating your physical limitations that have kept you from achieving the golf swing you know you are capable of.

The jury is out! All the pros are doing it. You've got to be next!

It's time to improve your golf game once and for all!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness manual and dvds at his <a target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com">golf swing trainer</a> site - Perform Better Golf.

วันศุกร์ที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Improve Your Golf Swing Timing

Golf swing timing is an important aspect of the game. Golf swing timing is something you may need to practice. You can improve your golf swing timing.

To improve golf swing timing you may want to start with your set-up. The set-up is the first crucial part of golf swing timing.

Look at your posture. You need to have good posture at the address if you want good golf swing timing.

The proper takeaway is a key factor when it comes to golf swing timing. All these things need to be in place before you can concentrate on golf swing timing.

You can work on drills to improve your golf swing timing. Drills that focus on posture, rhythm and balance may be helpful.

Do you swing too quickly? This can be a factor in poor golf swing timing. You need to swing with power but for better golf swing timing you should pause for just a moment at the top of your backswing.

When you are on the backswing you should keep your weight on the inside of the right foot. This golf swing timing tip will help you send the ball flying.

If you need help with golf swing timing you may want to take a few one-on-one lessons. You could also find information about golf swing timing on the web. Look for additional suggestions about golf swing timing in golf magazines and books. Some golf courses offer seminars that will teach you how to improve golf swing timing.

Proper golf swing timing will make a difference in your game.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Golf-Swing-Improvement.com. He provides more golfing tips, putting tips and <a target="_new" href="http://www.golf-swing-improvement.com/Golf-Swing-Instruction.html">golf swing instruction tips</a> that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Learning The Correct Golf Instruction Swing Sequence

There are three segments of the golf instruction swing sequence. They are namely the back swing, the down swing and thirdly the impact and follow through.

The first golf instruction swing sequence is the back swing, which is very important to the entire golf swing. This is because if the technique is not correct at this early stage, the other parts of the golf instruction swing sequence will not matter and the result will be a very poor drive.

The main focus at this stage of the golf instruction swing sequence should be on body rotation and club and arm extension.

The downswing golf instruction swing sequence actually starts with the legs and hips rather than the arms, which does the actual swinging of the golf club. There should be a clear transfer of body weight from back to front with the knees, thighs and hips all starting to move forward. This is the correct instruction for the downswing segment of the golf swing sequence.

Finally at impact the body weight should be on the outside of the forward heel and the inside of the rear foot. This is the only correct golf instruction for this swing sequence.

Getting the golf instruction swing sequence right is really impossible without golf-specific exercises to condition and strengthen the relevant muscles. What you should remember is that the golf swing is usually a very alien and unnatural movement, which the body violently resists.

This is the reason why it is so difficult to get right the golf swing, something that looks so simple and easy to master when you look at it from a distance.

Golf specific exercises are a very effective way of getting the body to adjust so that it will be a lot easier to master the golf instruction swing sequence.

About The Author:
Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Visit his new <a target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com">golf fitness</a> site at Perform Better Golf.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 20 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Improve Your Golf Game With Perfect Golf Swing Drills

Perfect golf swing drills will help your golf game improve dramatically.

There are perfect golf swing drills you can do on your own. You may want to take lessons that will center around perfect golf swing drills. A golf pro may be able to help you with perfect golf swing drills. You can get information online about perfect golf swing drills.

Check out golf magazines and see if they have any articles written about perfect golf swing drills. You can purchase videos that show you perfect golf swing drills. Another idea if you are looking for golf swing drills is to buy a book about golf.

At the beginning of the perfect golf swing drills practice you should consider your posture. If you do not have perfect posture the perfect golf swing drills will not help you.

One part of a perfect golf swing drills program is the takeaway. The left arm is attached to your chest and the clubhead should be outside your hands as the club is about halfway back. Perfect golf swing drills centered around the takeaway continues with your left wrist cupped, right arm above your left and right knee flexed.

Perfect golf swing drills continue in the takeaway area when you put the butt of the club into your stomach as you grip the long iron just below the handle. Keep the shaft elevated so the clubhead is at knee height and then think about your arms, torso, legs, hips and club as being one unit.

The drill progresses when you take the club back by turning your body and feeling that your hands and wrists are not involved in manipulating the club.

Perfect golf swing drills may be just what you need to cut some strokes off your game.

The Size and Weight Of A Golf Ball

Golf ball manufacturers pay attention to how most weekend golfers play and address those issues in accordance with the minimum and maximum tolernaces for golf balls.

Most golf ball manufacturers are looking for the same thing, sales. They achieve this by customer staisfaction for their product. Keeping these in mind, along with adhering to the rules set out by the United States Golf Association, manufacturers for the most part will produce golf balls with the minimum and maximum requirements.

The size of the golf ball, according to the rules of golf is as follows. The diameter of the golf ball must be at least 1.680 inches or 42.67 millimeters. A smaller ball has a tendency to fly further than a larger ball due to less air resistance on a smaller object in flight, or in other words the smaller ball does not need to displace as much air as a larger ball. Keeping this in mind, most manufacturers will produce golf balls to the minimum size.

On the other hand, the weight of a golf ball, according to the rules of golf, must not exceed 1.620 ounces or 45.93 grams. The heavier the ball the less it is slowed by air resistance, and thus the furhter it will fly. For this reason most manufacturers produce balls to the maximum weight allowance.

Using this information you can check the size and weight of golf balls you purchase. If you are a higher handicap player looking for a few more yards, use the smallest and heaviest ball.

In further articles I will discuss golf ball compression, what is meant by spin, and why golf balls have dimples.

Read more articles by this author, about this and other subjects, <a target="_new" href="http://whatinowknow.com"> here </a>.

The active and updated feed for the main article site is: http://whatinowknow.com/whatinowknow.xml

About The Author

Bob Power has been an Internet entrepreneur for longer than he would like to remember. He is currently on a voyage of learning, thanks to his readers, who have asked him to answer questions about topics they want more information on. You can see some of the surprising, and at times exciting results, and variety of topics and paths this has taken him on, or to contact Bob Power please <a target="_new" href="http://clubrrss.com">click here</a>.

These articles may be reproduced exactly as shown above. No revisions or changes are permitted.

วันพุธที่ 19 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Why The Golfing Game Has Changed Tremendously In Recent Years

The world has changed a great deal in recent years and so has the golfing game. Those who are resisting the changes in the world instead of trying to understand them and adapt have often ended up in serious trouble.

It is exactly the same in the golfing game. Those amateur golfers who are ignoring the great changes that we have witnessed in the golfing game in recent times have run into lots of difficulties and many of them no longer enjoy playing the game they way they used to, not too long ago. Some have even altogether given up the golfing game.

Many of these frustrated golfers have failed to see the tremendous changes in the golfing game that have ended up affecting them.

One of them is the change in the way golfers are training and preparing themselves for major tourneys and games. Actually the golfing game has always been considered a leisure activity where one need not even break into a sweat, let alone exercise.

However this thinking and approach has changed completely in recent years. Most professional golfers these days schedule regular golf exercises into their daily routine. Numerous amateur golfers have done the same and the result is that even the physical appearance of major players of the golfing game has changed. They are getting more and more physically fit.

When you compete with players of the golfing game who are involved in a golf-specific exercising program, the going can get very tough, because the level of their game is bound to be much higher than yours. And contrary to what many people think, these exercises as not so rigorous.

My program has included senior citizens of upto 80 years old who have no problem in adapting to the exercises. And in the end the golf exercises have had a tremendously positive impact on their golfing game.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Check out his new <a target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com">golf fitness ? golf training</a> site at Perform Better Golf.

Golf Specific Core Exercises Improve Your Drive Distance

What if I could give you three important exercises for golf and you were able to hit the ball further than you've ever hit it before? What if these exercises could be performed with a minimal investment of time and required no equipment. How about if I made it so simple and convenient you could simply perform them in the evening in the comfort of your own living space? What are you waiting for?let's get started.

The golf swing starts with core stability, then adds in the elements of strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Core conditioning is very important for a golfer because all movements in the upper and lower body are tied together, supported, and coordinated by your core.

The core is where the body's center of gravity is located, and it is where movement begins. Because all movement begins at the core and then progresses out to the arms and legs, core strength is essential. The core acts to produce force, it stabilizes the body to permit other musculature to produce force, and it's also called upon to transfer energy.

So, what types of equipment or tools are best to most effectively train this power region of the body? I'll give you a hint. It's not the machines in your gym. If you like the gym, then use the equipment that will provide the best results like pulley systems, free weights, and exercise/ medicine balls which provide far more neurological advantages than your typical exercise machine. Not only is the core challenged to fatigue with these alternatives to traditional machines, but you can recruit more muscle groups in two or three planes of motion compared to only one with machines.

Most people have a very weak core, and as a result, chronic posture problems. Over time, this creates wear and tear on the body. A golfer with a weak core is vulnerable to injury and will never be efficient in their swing. These weaknesses must be reversed in order to promote proper health and function. For now, let's put the gym equipment at rest and get started with those simple, home based exercises and get ready to create some serious distance with those woods.

Crunch ? Lie on the floor facing up with knees bent. Place your hands behind your head or across your chest and crunch forward. Contract the abdominals to raise the shoulders off the floor, pause and lower. You may also try this exercise on a Swiss ball.

Twisting crunch ? Identical to the crunch except as you crunch up you rotate the shoulders to alternating sides. Don't forget to contract your abdominals.

Plank - Begin by lying on your stomach with legs extended. Place elbows directly beneath your shoulders with hands reaching forward. Push your body up onto your toes and elbows. Pull navel up and towards your spine. Do not allow your low back to drop towards the floor. Try and hold this position for 30 seconds to start.

Strengthen your core region for golf and add an extra 20 yards to your drive distance. Perform these three exercises several times weekly and you'll see your hard work pay off in longer length off the tee.

Susan Hill is a CHEK Golf Biomechanic, Sports Performance Nutritionist and President of Fitness for Golf. For exercises targeted to lower your handicap and give you a competitive edge every time you play, then visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitnessforgolf.com">http://www.fitnessforgolf.com</a>

10 Ways to Increase Your Energy Instantly with a Golf Performance Diet

A golf conditioning program should always be accompanied by a solid golf nutrition plan. In essence, what you eat determines how you play. So, which foods produce champions and which foods hinder play? Let me give you a few hints.

It goes without saying that proper nutrition is important for all of us. But, if you are serious about shaving valuable strokes off your scorecard, you need to make some tough decisions on seeing your diet through. If you travel for golf, or play in frequent tournaments, it is important not to fall into the trap of 'settling' for fast food or a quick bag of chips or chocolate bar. Make a commitment to use some or all of the following tips and your energy will reach new heights in your next round.

? Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both of these are diuretics and cause fluid loss. They also both affect performance. Coffee can over stimulate your mind or your muscles, making your performance uncontrolled. Excessive consumption of alcohol severely affects your coordination.

? Avoid large amounts of food in the two hours leading up to tee time. Food in your digestive system diverts blood away from your brain and muscles, affecting concentration and physical performance. A meal two to three hours before play is preferred.

? Don't skip meals. Golfers need that slow and steady release of energy to see them through difficult or long hours of play. Smaller meals are better to help increase metabolism.

? Eat 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day. This gives your body the nutrition it needs to last.

? Drink lots of water. Think in terms of 8 to 10 glasses each day. Continue throughout your round to stay hydrated especially during the summer months.

? Combine carbohydrates, proteins and fats at each meal. This aides in overall digestion and ensures you are getting the proper nutrients.

? Bring a snack or bag lunch. Beverage carts are not known for healthy choices, so don't put yourself in a position to feel forced to rely on them.

? Avoid high processed foods or sugar based foods. They tend to raise blood sugar levels quickly and, then, drop rapidly causing fatigue.

? Stick with the basics. Don't try new foods just before you play. Stick with what you know your body responds well to.

? Keep it simple. There is no need to make elaborate meals or go to great extent in preparation. A piece of fruit and bag of nuts will go a long way in replenishing energy when you need it.

As a golfer, especially if you are of a championship caliber, it is essential to have a wide variety of complex carbohydrates to maintain your energy through an 18-hole match or a 72-hole tournament.

Mentally your brain needs to stay conditioned to tell your body what to do, not to mention calculating distances, swing strength and maintaining focus. Follow these 10 tips and watch your scorecard drop to new lows.

Susan Hill is a CHEK Golf Biomechanic, Sports Nutritionist and President of FitnessforGolf.com, a private, member's only, online golf fitness website dedicated to the improvement of golfers worldwide. If you are looking for ways to increase your endurance on the course, then visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitnessforgolf.com">http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.</a>

Putting Causing You Some Problems?

You can be the greatest golfer alive but if you have trouble when it comes to putting, it doesn't matter. Maybe you just need some golf putting tips. Golf putting tips can help you improve that final part of each hole.

Golf putting tips are helpful because there are little things about putting that you need to concentrate on. When you take a look at these golf putting tips you may find the problems you are having can easily fixed.

You can find golf putting tips at a gold pro shop. There are golf putting tips online at one of the many golf sites. Look for golf putting tips from instructional videos. Read a good book on golf that contains golf putting tips.

Maybe you are ready to talk to the golf pro at your local club for some golf putting tips. Consider signing up for a class that will put an emphasis on golf putting tips. You could also get a subscription to a golf magazine; they often have golf putting tips in almost every issue.

Golf putting tips abound and here is one that may help you, you may need to spend a lot of time working on your putting if you are not getting the result you want. Other golf putting tips involve establishing a routine of about an hour at a time and staying with this schedule.

Be sure to take the time to figure out where you want to send the ball, learn to read the green. Work on your putting mechanics. You need a good, consistent stroke. Figure out how much energy is needed to produce the distance needed to make the put.

These are just a few golf putting tips that will help you to improve your game.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Golf-Swing-Improvement.com. He provides more golf putting, swinging and <a target="_new" href="http://www.golf-swing-improvement.com">golf game improvement tips</a> that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

วันอังคารที่ 18 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Making Your Program Golf Specific

"Golf-Specific" means different things to different people. One of the things I have learned from my education and experience in working with elite trainers and golfers is that in order to improve someone's performance you must know where their strengths and weaknesses currently exist. This is, of course, the real value of assessments. If you look at the requirements of the golf swing itself, a golfer needs adequate spinal rotation, hip rotation, shoulder rotation, core engagement, some degree of cardiovascular endurance, and some degree of strength and stability.

You don't need to be a bodybuilder or powerlifter for golf, just enough strength to produce a powerful swing. So, in evaluating a golfer you simply look at the rotational ability of the joints that most affect the golf swing. It is also helpful to look at a golfer's current level of strength and stability or muscular imbalances which have the potential to create injury.

But then what? Well, if you are assessing a golfer who always complains about lack of distance and you find out they have very limited spinal rotation then you just found out a potential reason "why." If a golfer lacks adequate spinal rotation, then its virtually impossible to produce respectable distance because you are not able to move your body freely through this motion, at least without finding another way to compensate in the body like excessive hip rotation or other variation.

The good news is that if this is discovered in an assessment, then a few simple stretches which focus entirely on improving spinal rotation will likely yield distance you have never experienced.

This brings us back to the meaning of "golf specific". If we understand the biomechanics of the swing, then we can look at an individual and determine where they need improvement. With some golfers, a few stretches will produce results they've never seen before. With other golfers, they need considerably more strength. Some golfers are very strong, yet can't move through a full range of motion or lack proper core engagement to keep their backs protected. Each golfer is different and therefore has different needs.

Susan Hill is a CHEK Golf Biomechanic,sports nutrition specialist and golf fitness columnist for Golf Illustrated. For exercises and stretches based on your individual strengths and weaknesses,visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitnessforgolf.com">http://www.fitnessforgolf.com</a>

วันจันทร์ที่ 17 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Important Mental Perspective For The Senior Golfer

How Golf Training Can Transform Your Game

Golf training has been brought to the masses thanks to Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam, Larry Nelson and now by the Number One player in the world?Vijay Singh. Vijay is a golf training machine. His personal trainer travels with him on tour and works him out all the way through the week. Vijay has his golf training routine down to a science and doesn't deviate even a fraction.

When Annika implemented a golf training program she shot a 59 that year and dominated the LPGA. No one was even close. She was the one to beat every week. She even went as far as saying she needed to challenge herself, so she played in a men's PGA event. And almost made the cut!

Now club pro's, tournament golfers, seniors and even juniors are catching on. They are now realizing that it's the BODY that's keeping them from a great game. Work on your body with some easy-to-use, golf specific stretches and strength exercises and your swing will come to "life".

Doesn't it make sense?

Making a powerful backswing, with tons of stored energy ready to blast your ball WAY down the fairway!

I've seen golfers of all ages dramatically transform their game. And it didn't' take years to accomplish, or hitting thousands of golf balls. If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you get.

Have you heard that phrase before?

It's very true and so easy to stay in this rut. But if you're tired of the frustration and want to finally capitalize on your potential, then a golf training program is your answer.

If the pro's are doing it and seeing great results, that should reassure you that it's the right approach. In your mind, you should see a golf athlete. And like all other athletes, they train for their sport. Why wouldn't you.

Your golf training program should incorporate strength, flexibility and even endurance training. Doing a flexibility program without incorporating a strength program won't get you the results you're looking for. A combination of the two is best.

It's time to put metal to the floor and make it happen!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is a respected golf fitness expert, and the author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, numerous golf fitness tips and founder of several online golf fitness sites. For more information on his new, cutting-edge golf fitness e-book, go to <a target="_new" href="http://www.ultimategolffitnessguide.com.">http://www.ultimategolffitnessguide.com.</a>

Play Better Golf Through Exercise

Play better golf. Isn't that what every golfer thinks about 24/7? Golf can be the most humbling game you will ever play?but we keep coming back for more. To play better golf consistently you need to look at the source.

Do you really think it's your equipment? How much money have you invested on new equipment only to see the same game show up on the course? No it's not your equipment.

How about lessons? I am a firm believer in swing mechanics to play better golf. If you don't have a clear understanding of them, you will never improve. But have you taken lessons only to get more frustrated with your game? What I mean is?you just took a lesson and you're excited to go play. You get to the course and can't "find your swing". You're thinking of too many tips and become locked up on the course.

So what's left?

One guess? You're looking right at it. YOU!

In order to play better golf your body has to have a reasonable level of strength, flexibility, endurance and ENERGY! You can't get this hitting more balls; taking more lessons; or buying more equipment.

You attain this "off the course" through exercise. I know what you're thinking?ugh.

No?wait?it doesn't have to be that way.

You don't need to get a gym membership. You don't have to spend hours a day. You don't have to kill yourself. You just have to devise a plan that is efficient and tailored to YOUR needs.

If you really want to play better golf?this is the only way to achieve it quickly.

How many times have you walked off the course in disgust? You know you can do better, but your body just won't do what your brain wants it to do. I hear this all the time. In fact, I've received hundreds of emails saying just that.

My answer is the same every time!

To play better golf you've got to improve your range of motion specific to golf, as well as your strength for all phases of the golf swing.

The most important aspect for improving distance is rotational strength and flexibility. The ability to rotate back to a full 90 degree shoulder turn; store up all that energy in your core; and then unleash it during the downswing?crushing that ball.

Now that's a fun game when that happens.

So focus on improving your range of motion and strength from a rotational standpoint. That doesn't take a gym or fancy equipment. All it takes is simple equipment like dumbbells (hand weights), an exercise ball and exercise tubing.

With this equipment you can literally break down the swing into multiple phases and do golf exercises for each phase. You won't find many of these exercises in the "so-called" golf fitness books in the store. All you'll see is the golfer "sitting" in a machine in a gym.

That's not fitness for golf; that's "general fitness" Not altogether a bad thing, but won't help your game at all.

I hope I've given you food for thought.

The ultimate goal is to "play better golf!"

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Mike has just released his Ultimate Golf Fitness Dvd's at his <a target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com">golf fitness</a> site - Perform Better Golf.