Golf Tips and Secrets

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Thursday, May 25, 2006

How To Cure A Nasty Golf Hook by Joseph Tierney

A golf hook can be compared to Pele's 'banana kick' in football. In the case of a right hander, when the golf ball strays severely, from the right to the left, it is referred to as a hook. Where left handers are concerned, the ball would sway from left to right. The golf hook is, more often than not, referred to as an error made by beginners. Of course, professional golfers may deliberately use this method to place the golf ball where required.

It is by doing a lot of practice that beginning golfers lose the golf hook. It is important to hold the club in a firm grip, and make sure the surface of the club does not end up pointing in the wrong direction as it strikes the ball. It is the lower hand (the right hand in case of right handers) that controls the basic power and direction of the stroke, and this needs to have a really firm grip on the club. The other hand provides support to this. At the same time, don't overdo the whole thing by holding the club in such a tight grip that the muscles on your entire arm are tensed, this will immediately affect your swing. Be comfortable and firm.

Your swing needs to be smooth and comfortable, ending over the shoulder level. Practice swinging the club over and over without the ball. While playing the shot, many beginners make the mistake of 'stopping' the swing once the ball is struck. Avoid this, and complete the swing, giving a nice follow through after the club connects to the ball. Also, remember that your body needs to move in the direction where you intend for the ball to travel. If this is not maintained, the stroke looks and definitely results, in a very clumsy effort.

Like any other sport, golf requires intense practice. One way golf is different is that it is a sport where you don't react on the spur of the moment. For example, a cricket player needs to strike the ball very much with a subconscious effort. But a golfer has all the time in the world to plan and execute his stroke. That's why it is nice to be able to visualize the shot before you play it. Look at the area where you want the ball to travel to, plan out what stroke you will need to play, and imagine yourself making a clean hit with a good follow through, that does you the job!

At the end of your swing, if your weight is on your back foot, then there is no way the ball would not have landed where you didn't intend for it to. This is the commonest of reasons for the hook, and can easily be corrected as long as a conscious effort is made. Keep in mind that during the swing, your weight starts on your back foot, and is transferred totally on the front foot, by the time it is completed. The toe of the back foot will point in the general direction where the ball lands.

Finally, a word on your stance. When your legs are close together, it makes you a little unsteady (try standing in a moving bus with your legs packed together and you'll see!). Open up your stance to give that solidarity to your shot, and yeah, in the bus as well! The result of the golf hook is generally due to the last two reasons mentioned, and I stress on that. So make sure your weight is transferred to the front foot and open up your stance. These are the last tips I am parting with you help you perfect your golf game.

About the Author

Joseph Tierney is a golfer and college student from Florida. You can find out more about improving your golf swing at Golf Swing Tips

Monday, May 22, 2006

Golf Basics – Back To Basics Each Season by Jeff O'Brien

I would like to focus the jest of this article on the basis of the golf swing… the grip. With spring in the air and golf on our minds let’s get this year off to a good start by not overlooking the basics.

Unquestionably the biggest mistake I see in people’s golf swing isn’t in their golf swing itself.

Nope. Not at all.

More often than not the mistakes happen before the swing even begins. The first mistake is made in how the golfer holds the golf club. After that the next mistake usually comes in with how they stand up to the ball. Poor posture. Then after having two strikes against them, they then finish the job of making it almost impossible to hit a good golf shot by improperly lining up to their intended target.

Of course, after hitting several (possibly several hundred) balls with only a minute few being what they think is acceptable the tired frustrated golfer asks… what am I doing wrong with my swing?

For the purposes of this article I want to discuss the very first part of the proper golf swing … the golf grip. In fact, let’s be even more precise here; the left hand grip on the golf club. Oh sure… there’s much more than just the grip including the aforementioned posture and alignment. But there’s only so much typing I can do at one time so let’s stay with the grip for this communication.

The position of your club face is greatly influenced by your grip. And this is especially true as your club face enters the impact zone and contacts the ball. Certainly there is an abundance of golf swing peccadillo’s that can occur that can cause those woeful golf shots. You know the ones I’m talking about: the banana ball, the smothered hook, skied, skulled, and chili dipped. Ok, I’ll stop… If you’ll stop trying to correct your golf swing by in incessantly hitting ball after ball trying to make every physical adjustment known to man (and some that aren’t) within your golf swing itself and begin by using a fundamentally sound grip.

So you’re going to continue on with me… great! Let’s talk about the left hand (right handed golfers) first and foremost.

The left had should come in contact with the grip of the club in such a manner that the grip cuts a diagonal across the palm of the left hand from the crook in the index finger down and across to the bottom right pad of the left hand.

When you close your left hand, your club should be held in the first to fingers and your palm.

The key that you look for out of your left had grip is quite simple. As you address your ball and look down, you should only see two knuckles of your left hand. As an instructor standing directly across from you, I too should only see the same. If I don’t see EXACTLY two knuckles of your left hand then we take a step back and re-grip until we get it right. And don’t try to cheat and re-grip club just as you begin to take the golf club away and into your back swing. FOUL I say. And I will stop you.

Ok. I certainly haven’t given you that much to remember here. But seriously golfers, resign yourself to go through a quick, short checklist before you begin the journey we call the golf swing. Start with your grip. Get used to it. A proper grip will feel awkward to you particularly if your grip has been way off. Stay with it. Know that it’s the right way to grip the golf club. Piece by piece let’s lay the foundation for a good swing.

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Jeff O'Brien is a youth and beginning golfer instructor with a real insight on getting your golf swing and game off to a start by establishing a good foundation onto which you build your golf swing and game. Please visit http://www.golf-ology.com for more of Jeff's golf tips and online golf lessons.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Some Warm Up Tips for Golfers by Lee Collins

When it's time to warm up, some golfers think they need to hit the driving range with everything they've got. In truth, warming up to make your game as effective as it can be means that you work on a variety of swings and become familiar with the conditions.

For example, you golf differently on a windy day than if the air is still. You probably play at least a bit different on days when the temperature is raging than when it's cool. Here are some tips from those who hit the courses on a regular basis.

Driving is a good way to start, but start slowly. Choose a short iron for your first few drives, giving your muscles a chance to loosen up and to get the feel for the day. Work up to longer drives, but remember that the goal isn't only to see how far the ball will go - control is more important than distance and this is your chance to gather your skills to exercise that control.

Don't just drive. Some people make the mistake of thinking they've completed an adequate warm up once they've managed to make a few successful drives. Take time for some chipping and putting as well. Make the most of your swing and any recent lessons you've had. Remember that a round of golf is much more than teeing off.

One of the most important warm up tips is to get your mood and emotions under control. Smacking your frustrations out on a golf ball probably isn't going to help your game at all - though it might arguably be good for your frustrations. Take time to gather your calm, focus on your game and let the day's troubles fall away. Your mood - especially if it's a bad mood - can greatly impact your game.

Another mistake many people make at the warm up session is to start practicing. This isn't the time to try out new clubs, new swings, or new information. This is a time to play your best game, just as you'll be doing shortly - at the first tee. It's okay to put in a few practice swings if you're working on something you want to put into play for this game, but don't get caught up in a practice session. One of the purposes of a warm up time is to build your confidence. You can't do that if you're continually making errors. Use the techniques you're most familiar with and be ready to congratulate yourself on all your successes during the warm up.

If you are doubtful about the need for a good warm up period, just think back to a recent game of golf that you didn't warm up for. How was your first tee? How was the fourth? Did you spend the rest of the game making up for some poor strokes early on? The warm up is a chance to make those mistakes before they're being engraved on a score card.

Take time to make yourself confident and you'll play a confident game.

About the Author

Lee Collins is an avid golf enthusiast who has improved his golf game tremendously in a very short time using the "How to Break 90 in 3 Easy Lessons" system available only at http://www.easygolfinstruction.com.




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Webmasters comments: Warming up is essential, by not warming up you're increasingly likely to pick up an injury, this is any sportsmans worse nightmare, so make sure you warm up effectively!

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Golf - Driving The Ball Long By Michael Russell

No matter what anyone says, everybody wants to hit the golf ball a mile. When we see Tiger Woods and John Daly on TV hitting the ball 350 yards, we are envious. We desire to do the same thing when we get together with our Saturday foursome. It's only natural to want to drive the golf ball as far as possible.

While you may never be able to hit your drives as long as Phil Mickelson, you can still learn how hit the ball farther off the tee. You can also lower your golf handicap and develop a much better technique.

These 7 keys will help you increase your driving distance:

- Give yourself a wider stance for increased stability
- If you're right-handed, point your left toe more inline to the target
- Waggle the club head back and forth over the ball
- Stay calm and don't hurry your backswing
- Take the club back as far as possible on your backswing
- Swing harder and put more of your right hand into the hitting the ball
- Take full advantage of the elements, especially the wind

Good technique promotes good shots. Of course, that's easier said than done. You should always practice your technique as often as possible on the golf practice range. Whether you're driving, putting, chipping, or hitting pitch shots. Practice your technique. Remember, good technique begins with your addressing the ball.

When you've decided on your target and determined your ball's path, get set up in an address that is designed to give you maximum power. Be sure to widen your stance, which gives you more stability and provides a solid base to allow a more powerful golf swing. You want approximately 60% of your body weight on your left side. This will give you a more powerful coil.

Greg Norman will do a couple of other things to generate more power when he swings. He will point his left toe toward the target slightly and he waggles the club above the golf ball, which gives him a smooth one-piece takeaway. It also gives him more rhythm in his swing.

When you're at the top of your backswing, be sure to turn your shoulders a full 90 degrees. Your back should actually be facing the target. Look at John Daly when he drives the golf ball. He has a massive shoulder turn. Many players ask him all the time how he does it. He says it's due to having a sound technique and a wide swing arc. He always has a rhythm to his golf swing and is never out of sync on his swing.

After you reach the top of your backswing, you're ready to begin the downswing. Do not rush your downswing. If you do, you'll have an increased chance of swinging straight down on the ball and eliminating any power you had going. You will also most likely chilli dip and miss hit the golf ball. Look at Fred Couples and his downswing. It's nearly flawless.

Make sure to keep your left arm straight during your transition. When you keep your arm straight it enables the club head to remain square and hit the ball properly. Don't have a herky-jerky swing. Keep your golf swing smooth. Picture yourself hitting through the ball, not just to it. Hit hard with your right hand.

Be sure to take advantage of the playing elements to help give you more distance. Especially using the wind to your advantage. When you have the wind at your back, tee the golf ball higher than normal. This gives you a higher ball flight with more carry in the air. That means greater distance.

When you're playing into the wind you want the opposite. Tee the ball down a little more than usual.

Once you've practiced these golf techniques, you will begin to see dramatic improvements in distance and control. Who knows, you may even start driving the ball like John Daly.


Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Golf

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Friday, May 19, 2006

Five Steps for Improving Bunker Technique By Jack Moorehouse

Although hitting from a bunker is straightforward once you learn the basics of stance and posture, the thought of hitting into a greenside sand trap unsettles many golfers. Improving your technique reduces the fear of bunker play and builds self-confidence in your shot-making capabilities.

Assuming the texture of the sand is similar, and the ball is not plugged, the technique for hitting out of a greenside bunker remains the same for shots up to 30 yards (27m). The key to making this shot, as I’ve explained in my golf tips, is hitting the sand about 1 to 2 inches behind the ball, throwing the sand forward with the ball. For longer shots the only thing that changes is the swing’s length. Rhythm and tempo remain the same.

Below are 5 points I cover in my golf lessons on bunker technique. They’re the focus of my golf instruction once I’ve reviewed how a wedge works and the fundamentals of stance and posture.

1. Move Arms Away in Unison

Having taken a slightly open stance, resist the temptation to get too steep early in the takeaway. Keep the wrists passive as you sweep the club away. Try to synchronize the arm swing and body turn. In other words, make the first part of the takeaway a one-piece movement. Also, make sure the clubhead follows the path away from the ball parallel to the line of your toes.

2. Rotate and Open

Rotate your left arm and wrists as the swing continues, as if you were looking at a wristwatch. It’s a visual I often use in my golf instruction to help players remember to make the move. It opens the clubface and helps maximize the bounce effect on the sand wedge at impact. Also, start hinging your wrists as the clubhead passes your right thigh. Keep your head still, turn the left shoulder in under the chin, and turn your back to the target.

3. Turn to the Top

As your body turns, you should feel as if your clubhead is pointing toward the sky and your wrists are cocked. Keep your head and body centered over the over the ball. Swing the club down on a slightly flatter plane, with good rhythm and tempo, as always. This is a key move any time you swing a club.

4. Make the Right Contact

Hitting the right impact point is critical when playing from the sand. In golf lessons I tell students to visualize the ball sitting on top of a tee instead of the sand, then focus on clipping the tee beneath the ball, which just happens to get in the swing’s way. Executed properly, this move will throw the ball out of the bunker with just the right amount of sand.

5. Create a Controlled Explosion

As the club comes down in the downswing, you should feel your hands drag left, pulling them across the ball through impact. Make sure that your right hand doesn’t cross over the left and that you clear your left hip as the club comes through. If the stance and clubhead are open sufficiently, the ball will fly straight, with a high trajectory.

Of course, the technique for longer bunker shots differs slightly. The key with longer shots is in the follow-through. Use a full finish for long bunker shots, and a short finish for shorter bunker shots.

Below are two exercises that I use in golf lessons to help students improve their bunker technique:

• This exercise establishes how the sand wedge should really work. Stand in a practice bunker without a ball. Adopt your normal bunker stance and take several swings down into the sand. The object is to get the feel of the clubhead dragging through the sand, not digging into it. After a dozen shots, try hitting a ball. Pick out a spot where you want the ball to land and then go for it. Repeat the exercise until you’re comfortable with the feel of the wedge splashing through the sand.

• Focusing on a spot where the clubhead hits can divert attention from where it emerges, resulting in a fluffed shot. The “Two Lines” exercise helps eliminate the tendency to lose focus. Stand in a bunker and take your normal bunker stance. Draw two lines in the sand about 6 to 7 inches apart. The lines represent the length of the sand you should carve from under the ball. Line up several balls between the two lines then hit them. The clubhead should enter the sand where the first line is and emerge where the second line is.

Practicing these two exercises while keeping the 5 points in mind will help build better bunker technique. As you become more and more comfortable with hitting out of a bunker, you will increase your self-confidence. And that, as I often tell my students, leads to better play and lower golf handicaps.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Moorehouse

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Golf Tips: The Simple Secret to Solving the Slice

The slice is a shot which usually starts off slightly to the left, then swerves to the right in the air. The slice is a common fault that occurs in many beginners game and has to be one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a golfer. In most cases, the slice is uncontrollable and is destructive more often than not resulting in the ball being sent deep into the rough. It is also far more common than the hook which occurs when the ball does the opposite through the air.

Ways to cure the slice:

Firstly, make sure your body alignment is correct, your shoulders, chest hips and feet should all be parallel to each other as well as parallel to the ball to pin line. If your body is not aligned correctly and is aiming too far to the left, the upper body can not and does not rotate properly. This leads to an 'out to in' swing which means that the club will not be hitting through the ball but instead will be moving from outside the ball to inside the ball as the impact takes place. The consequence of this is side spin being generated on the ball and the dreaded uncontrollable slice follows.

Even if your alignment, swing and grip are perfect, the positioning of the ball in the stance can make a good straight shot into a shot that slices wildly out of play. This occurs when the ball is placed too far forward in the stance.

Once again the slicing of the ball occurs because the club face is no longer square on at impact with the ball. This is because the club face has come past square and is moving in from the ball to pin line, this again generates side spin resulting in the ball slicing again.

Ideal ball placement is different for every club, but this is a rough guide:

For woods and long irons, the ball should be placed inline with the inside of your left heel (opposite for left hand players), for short irons place the ball in the centre of the stance, for medium irons the ball should be placed between two positions mentioned above.

Posture should be checked as weight distribution can also have an affect. Having your weight too far forward can encourage the slice so be wary of your weight distribution.

If all else fails, try strengthening your grip. Do this by moving your hands slightly clockwise around the club, then adjust your grip so you're holding it more in your fingers and lighten the pressure, this should help reduce the affect of the slicing.

Happy golfing!

For some excelent help please click here: Golf Made Easy!



(Feel free to use this article online and in your email newsletters as long as you leave it intact and do not alter it in anyway. The byline and biography must remain in the article.)

Copyright © Ally Canaway 2006

Importance of Golf Etiquette By David Stone

Golf is a game of skill and etiquette that are both equally important. To many people the etiquette is the most important part of the game. Skill is based on practice and talent, but everyone is capable of proper etiquette. The key to great etiquette is knowing the rules and using them every time you play. That way you will not forget them when it is important. The etiquette of begins before you have even arrived at the course. Dress is very important. Athletic clothing is prohibited, unless you are just messing around at the local public course. Pants or shorts must have belt loops and no cuffs. You shirt must have a collar; polo style shirts are a popular choice. Most golf courses now prefer that you wear shoes with rubber spikes instead.

It is polite to arrive about 20 minutes early to allow everyone to partner up and get organized. If you would like to hit some balls before the match, you can arrive earlier and practice at the driving range. When you reach the first tee it is appropriate for the person with the lowest handicap to tee off first. From the tee each person furthest from the hole should hit respectively. If players that are sharing a cart hit their ball to opposite sides of the fairway, one player should be dropped off at his ball with a couple of clubs. All divots should be replaced with sand and the removed grass.

On the green, the furthest from the hole still hits respectively. You should never cross the path of someone's ball. Either step over the path or go behind the path. This ensures that your footprint does not alter the path. If your ball is near or in the path of another ball, you must place a marker in front of your ball and remove it from the green until it is your turn to putt.

Other than these specific rules, always follow general safety guidelines. Never hit the ball if someone is near its path, and always stand far enough away from someone swinging a club to give them ample room. The most important thing to remember is to respect your fellow golfers and enjoy the game.

Find more great information about golf at http://www.get-golf-clubs.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Stone

Left Handed Golf Tips For The Beginning Golfer By Tim Gorman

One of the main mistakes that some left handed golfers make is also actually one of the more obvious ones, they attempt to play right-handed. Honestly, why they do this is not hard or difficult to understand, unless you have the money to buy a new set of clubs the very first time that you play golf then the chances are that you will end up borrowing some clubs just to see if you like the game and of course the clubs you borrow are very likely to be right handed.

Many left handed golfers do actually go on to buy their own clubs that are the correct style for them but some still carry on with the right handed clubs based on the fact that they have been playing too long with them and do not want to learn how to play golf all over again with left handed clubs. Naturally, this does mean that they will not ever be quite as good a golfer as they could become with the right (in this case left handed) clubs. When people search for left handed golf tips they have already embraced the most important tip for a left handed golfer and that is to play the game of golf using their natural swing with left handed golf clubs.

One of the best left-handed golf tips for beginners is to be careful when choosing your clubs. When you are left handed there is a much more limited choice available to you, especially if you are shopping at a small local golf shop or club. But rather than taking a set of golf clubs that you are not happy with, you would be better off waiting for a while until you have the opportunity to travel to a larger shop with a more comprehensive selection of clubs and golf equipment to choose from. The other option if you are nowhere near a golf equipment or sporting goods store with a good selection of clubs is to buy them by mail order.

There are two ways of doing this, you can either get a catalog and order your clubs that way or you could go to one of the online golf stores that have a good selection of equipment and everything that the left handed golfer could want or need I order to successfully play the game of golf. Of course, one of the best ways for a left handed golfer to learn how to correctly play and also receive some quality left handed golf tips is by taking lessons from a left handed golf pro. Some right-handed pros have a tough time when trying to teach left handed players and if you can swing it taking lessons from another left handed golfer is a much better idea and will significantly improve your golfing skills and game. With the right (left handed) clubs and good tuition there is every chance that your game will steadily get better and you will enjoy it even more.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Golf-Swing-Improvement.com. He provides more golf swing tips, putting tips and more information on left handed golf tips that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

How to Develop a Proper Golf Swing

How to Develop a Proper Golf Swing
By M Taylor




The first question you have to ask yourself is - What is a proper golf swing? All golf swings have the same three main components - the backswing, downswing and the follow through. Sounds simple, but to develop these three components into a strong, powerful swing takes a lot of practice on the course, as well as some training off the course.



In the game of golf, no two people ever have the same golf swing. The way one person swings a golf club may not work for another person, even if they are near in body types. Every golfer has to find the playing style that fits him or her to help them produce the results that they want. Practicing the fundamentals of golf will build a solid foundation upon which you can build upon to create that powerful swing. All the great golf players of the world did this and now it is simple and easy for them to drive a golf ball down the course.



One of the essential things that will affect all three of the golf swing components is your grip. Many golfers feel tension when they address the ball and get ready to execute their golf swing and this results in a tight grip on the club and stiffness in their arms. After the first swing that did not go as they wished it would, the tension builds and starts a vicious cycle that will affect the rest of their swings.



The first thing you can do to help develop a proper golf swing is to relax. Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and visualize the result of your swing - the ball screaming down the course.



Next, take a firm but not tight grip on the club and think about the golf swing sequence.



The backswing - draw your club back in a smooth arch until the knuckle of your thumb is above your right ear. As you draw back, the club head will trace out a large circle and at the top of your backswing your chest will be pointing away from your target.



The downswing - this is where you swing your golf club down and the club head makes contact with the ball. Let the natural motion of your body carry the club head through the golf balls position down the range toward the target.



The follow through - your body continues and completes the swing arc after contacting the ball. Your finish position is part of your golf swing, so do not stop abruptly and try to keep your motion fluid.



When you start your backswing, take a deep breath as you draw back and release it slowly as you start your downswing. Holding your breath will create stiffness in the upper body that will affect the fluid motion you are trying to develop in your golf swing. Here are some tips to remember while visualizing your golf swing:



- Keep your left elbow straight during the backswing as the club goes straight up and back.

- Let your left arm roll slightly clockwise at the start of your downswing.

- Your wrists should be at a 90-degree angle when your left arm is parallel to the ground.

- Start your downswing with your lower body, NOT your shoulders.

- As you bring the club down, turn your hips as fast and powerful as you can towards the target.

- At the bottom of the swing arc, your wrists should snap and you will start the follow through.

- Your right arm will swing across your body and end up near your left shoulder.

- Your shoulders will be perpendicular to the target.



At the completion of the follow through portion of your golf swing, your weight should be balanced on your front hip and your back toe should be on the ground. Your hands will come to rest above your left shoulder and with your left knee facing the hole.



Now, going back to the original question – What is a proper golf swing? First off there is no simple golf swing as many people try to believe. People who have never played golf will tell you that hitting the golf ball is easy. Just take a club and hit the ball as hard as you can. However, as any golfer will tell you it is never that easy because there are quite a lot of variables and small nuances that go into developing a good golf swing. Therefore, a proper golf swing is one that you can execute repeatedly, and feel good about the results.



To develop your own golf swing, it will take practice and training both on and off the golf course. Take some time to build your body off the course through a golf specific fitness training and conditioning program, and then get onto the course to develop your own proper swing by practicing the fundamentals of golf until they are second nature. Anything you do in life, your overall attitude and expectations of yourself, will ultimately determine your enjoyment of the game. View each golf swing, water hazard, hook and slice as another opportunity to improve. Remember, great players are not born; they work at becoming a great player through training and practice.




The proper golf swing comes from improving upon the basic fundamentals of golf. Visit http://www.realgolftraining.com for golf swing tips, training aids such as swing trainers and other training aids to help you imrove your golf swing.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Taylor

Monday, May 15, 2006

5 Reasons why you should Go out and Have a Game of Golf!

Firstly, golf is a great way of getting outside and to get some fresh air, a top tip is to go for a round of golf in the morning before work, and this kick starts your body into gear and will leave you feeling fresh and awake all day!

Secondly, it's a great way to lose weight; in 18 holes of golf you can walk many kilometres over a long period of time. Walking for an hour by itself burns between 150-300 calories, add on to that carrying a bag or wheeling your bag, furthermore as its over a long time period then it burns a higher proportion of fat, and so you have got a good fat burning system in place!

Thirdly, golf is character building! Golf like several other sports can be extremely frustrating; there are the good times, and the bad, and it pushes your patience and nerve to the limit. This helps you become a more rounded person as you learn to deal with the ups and downs, this in turn can then be applied to life!

Fourthly, it can be great fun; there is hardly a greater thing than having a pleasant round of golf on a sunny afternoon, stretching the legs out and hitting a few birdies in the afternoon sun!

Finally, it is great way to meet people and to expand your social circle, whether it's on the course or in the bar after your round of golf, golfers are usually a happy, sociable breed who will be glad to have a chat. Going for a round of golf provides you with the opportunity to meet like minded people and also opens up networking opportunities!

So go out today and have a round of golf, as well as it being fun, it'll be healthy and give you the opportunity to meet new people as well as helping you to become a well rounded person!

Happy Golfing!

(Feel free to use this article online and in your email newsletters as long as you leave it intact and do not alter it in anyway. The byline and biography must remain in the article.)

Copyright© Victor Lensora 2006

Sunday, May 14, 2006

The Top Five Golf Tips For Better Scores By Steadman Issenburg

For a few golfers improving their score is all about making small adjustments in their mechanics that can shave a stroke or two off their already great score, but for the majority of golfers, learning some basic golf tips can knock off several strokes from each round and help them play much better golf very quickly. So here are some tips that have been proven to be very effective in shooting a better golf score for the average golfer.

* Get some golf lessons. Yes, you can just go to the driving range and try to do your best on your own, but if you want to make the most progress in the shortest amount of time possible, you need to get at least a few lessons under your belt. It will get you off to a good start and help you enjoy the game instead of just feeling like you are fighting it all the time instead. And there is no substitute for having a qualified teacher give you personal attention and help adjust your swing mechanics in person.

* Use enough club to get to the hole. Its amazing how many golfers assume that they can muscle a shot up to the hole and use a club that is one or two clubs too short on their approach shot. Instead, get to know your club distances by going to the driving range first and writing down how far each club length carries for you in distance on the average. Then use that as a guide to help you decide how much club you need to get to your target instead of just using the same club that someone else just used, or making an overly optimistic guess. You can shave lots of strokes off your game if you hit most of your greens instead of come up too short and have to pitch it on all the time.

* If your ball is only a foot or two off the edge of the green putt it instead of using a wedge. A lot of amateur golfers think that they need to use a wedge at all times when they aren't on the green, but that is not necessarily so. In fact, a lot of golfers would be able to get the ball closer to the hole if they putted the ball instead of pitching it in those situations, especially if your short game is not all that good. So if its within a few feet of the green try the putter first and see if it doesn't give you better results.

* Keep your head as steady as you can in your swing. This is often one of the most common mistakes that golfers make on the backswing. By moving your head this causes quite a few swing flaws that will adversely affect your contact with the ball. Think of your head as the pivot that the rest of your body turns around, almost as if it were nailed into position. Of course, its not possible to keep it absolutely still, but the quieter your head is in the swing, the more solid contact you should be able to make with the ball.

* Keep your sense of humor. Golf is a trying game even for the best players in the world. So don't expect to be perfect or even come anywhere close to it. Be able and willing to laugh at yourself and not take yourself or the game too seriously, at least not to the point that it loses its fun for both you and others who are playing with you. A little good humor can go a long way.

These tips and suggestions may seem very simple, and for the most part they are, but if you put them in practice you can be sure of both shooting a lower score and having fun every time out on the course.

Steadman Issenburg writes on many consumer related topics including golf. You can find golf tips for beginners and a free golf swing tip by visiting our Golf Tips website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steadman_Issenburg



Notes from Victor Lensora - Revolutionary New Golf Swing Help - Click Here

Friday, May 12, 2006

Golf Tips, finding that winning grip and the cures for grip related problems

The correct grip is a key fundamental component of a golfer's game and is required to have a consistently good straight game, giving you the ability to shoot low scores with ease.

When the grip is faulty, poor shots often result along with an inconsistent and unreliable game. Therefore it is essential for your game that your grip is correct if you want to take your golf to the next level.

Firstly place the club in your left (opposite for lefthanders) hand, close your left hand around the grip as if you were shaking somebody's hand. Your thumb should be pointing down the grip, slightly to the right of centre.

Then bring in the right hand, firstly interlock the little finger of your right hand with the forefinger of your left hand. The underside of the grip should be placed on the joints of the second and third fingers of the right hand. Your right thumb should also be pointing down the grip, while your right palm should be facing towards the target with your left hand facing away from the target.

Two V's should be formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand, these should both point somewhere between your right shoulder and eyes.

When holding the club, the club must be held firmly but with the minimum of effort. Having the correct grip allows your hands to work freely with the utmost control while a poor grip leads to a lack of club head control.

Key Points:
1 Your arms and hands are relaxed.
2 Your left forefinger is linked with the little finger of right hand, 2 or 3 knuckles should be visible.
3 The V's created by the forefinger and thumb on each hand should point be to between your right shoulder and eyes. These V's should be pretty much parallel to each other.
4 The grip should be comfortable yet held firmly with little effort, it is vital that the club head does not open or close on impact.

To test that you have a good grip, it should feel as though both your hands work together as if one. When you lift the club and move it, your hands should feel comfortable and secure.

Problems and cures for slightly faulty grips: You may find that you are slicing the ball; this could be due to a problem with your grip, (although it may be due to other reasons mentioned in my other article that aims to solve the slice) try rotating your grip slightly clockwise around the grip; also try holding the club more in the palm of your left hand.

If you have problems with hooking the ball, make a conscious effort to feel the ends of the fingers on your right hand pushing upwards through impact with the ball. This should help prevent you from closing the clubface on impact and so helps prevent you from hooking the ball.

(Feel free to use this article online and in your email newsletters as long as you leave it intact and do not alter it in anyway. The byline and biography must remain in the article.)

Copyright © victor Lensora 2006

Golf Tips, Tips to improve your putting

If you are seriously considering lowering your scores, then you must take your putting seriously, as roughly half the strokes you play in a round of golf are likely to be on the putting green. However good you are at driving, pitching and chipping, if your putting is not up to standard, you will never make the next level. My Dad told me the famous quote when I was probably about 12 or 13, 'Drive for show putt for dough', this says it all! That is why it is quite incredible that putting is not often concentrated on.

Tips for setup:

First of all I'd just like to say that there is no one correct putting grip/posture/stroke, there are wide variations, so if your technique is different, don't worry, some of the top golfers have very different putting actions e.g. Bernhard Langer, Ben Crenshaw and Tom Watson all have very different techniques. These are basic tips that can be applied to most techniques to help improve your game.

An ideal putting stroke should strike the ball on the up, to do this the ball should be placed opposite the inside of the left heal (for a right hander), this results in the ball being hit on the up and top spin is generated.

In relation to setup, the hands should be either inline with the ball or ahead of the ball, if the hands are behind the ball, then a clean consistent strike of the ball is not likely, and the common result is the ball popping up in the air.

Tension on the green is one the most destructive things that can happen to your putting, especially with the short putts, this is known as getting the 'yips', this is caused by moving during the stroke. This causes you to 'fluff' your shot and miss your putt. To avoid this happening, concentrate on the spot where the ball was after impact rather than following the ball. This ensures that you do not move your head during impact and will help give you the clean smooth impact you require.

A simple technique to reduce the tension in the body and the stroke is simply to let your arms dangle in front of you before you putt and gently shake them. This should relax your muscles enabling an enhanced sensation of feel and touch, both vital for reliable consistent putting.

Tips for the swing

Your grip should not be too tight, and your arms should be relaxed. Gently and smoothly in a one piece action, sweep the putter backwards. It is important to keep the triangle formed between your arms and the line joining your shoulders consistent through the whole shot and the shape should not change. The move backwards should be like a pendulum movement with your arms, while your wrists remain stiff. A good tip for making sure that this is correct is by starting the action by dropping your left shoulder; this will get the pendulum motion started.

Keeping the triangle mentioned before in tact, in a pendulum motion, accelerate the putter smoothly through the ball; the ball should be hit on the up. Throughout this whole period, keep your eyes fixed on the ball to avoid fluffing the putt and keep the eyes fixed on that spot after impact.

It is vital after impact that the left wrist remains firm and does not break; the follow-through should go inline with the direction you were aiming and should be the same length as the backswing.

The Secret of Alignment for improving your game!

The alignment is an absolutely crucial and vital part to any golfer's game. You swing round your body, therefore if your body is offline, your swing in turn will be off line and out of sync, resulting in a poor swing and a poor shot, usually ending up deep in the rough.

When setting up to the ball, firstly ensure the clubface is square to the 'ball to pin line' (the line between the ball and the pin), and ensure that your shoulders, hips and feet are all parallel to the 'ball to pin line', if these 3 are not aligned and one is out, a good body turn is ruined with a poor swing resulting.

When training, on the driving range or wherever you can practise, a useful technique for lining up is to place a club on the floor and check that you're your feet, hips and shoulders line up with each other, the shoulder alignment is particularly crucial because your body turn starts with your shoulders.

Ideally, you should be lining your body up slightly to the left of the target (slightly to the right for left hand players), as opposed to trying to line your body up with the target itself.

On the course a simple test to see if this is the case, is to look at the target, if you can see your left shoulder, then you are lined up to too far to the right (visa versa for lefthanders), your shoulder should be just out of sight.

Poor Alignment can have several affects, these are all negative. Aligning too far to the left most commonly leads to the slicing of the ball, this occurs because you are not parallel to the line running from ball to pin. As a result the backswing is limited so an 'out to in' swing results. As a consequence the club face is slightly open on impact which generates side spin on the ball. This leads to the common problem which is the slice which I will explain in another article.

If you align too far to the right, the opposite will take place and a hook will occur due to the 'in to out' swing of the club, although quite common with beginners and inexperienced players.

Often they will subconsciously become aware of this and try to adjust mid-swing, over adjusting by opening up the clubface as impact approaches. This again results in the slicing of the ball, which is very difficult to control and usually leads to 'the rough'.

Alignment is an often overlooked and crucial part to any golfer's game and therefore must be addressed for you to succeed at any level of golf. For as long as you're alignment is out, you will never be able to consistently hit straight accurate shots and will increasingly find yourself hooking or slicing into the rough, turning those pars into bogies and taking your round from a 75 to 85.

So get that alignment sorted and go shoot some birdies.