Monday, February 15, 2010

5 Ways To Enjoy Golf More

We all love the game of golf, but some times it is just as they say, a good walk spoiled. Here are a few ways to enjoy golf more.

1 Don't play the blue tees.
Unless you are at least a 10 handicap or lower, why bother making the golf course even harder than it has to be. If you are shooting in the 90's or triple digits, it makes no sense making a conscious decision to making the course more difficult. Play the white tees and take the extra level of anxiety out of the equation.

2 Improve your lie
When you are having a recreational round of golf, there is no way you should be playing the strict rules of golf. The average round of golf would be at least 6 hours at courses all over the world. Golfers would be returning to the tees all day after hitting there first ball out bounds, or searching for every lost ball for 5 minutes. So if we are bending the rules to save time, why not bend them to improve your lie, something you can actually benefit from. Play winter rules all the time.

3. Play different games
Instead playing the same match with your buddies, compete in other categories other than score. Some examples would be:
Most fairways hit
Least amount of 3 putts
Most 1 putts

4 If it is your honor, take it.
You just birdie the hardest (or easiest) hole on the golf course, it's your tee, you earned it, take it. Challenge yourself to get another one, you will be surprised how often you can have two birdies in a row if you are actually trying to get two birdies in a row.


5 Lower your expectations.
If you are a average golfer you play golf twice per week if you're lucky, on top of that, you don't practice as much as you should.. You can't honestly think that your game is not exactly what it should be. Just enjoy the game itself, don't be so hard on yourself when you're not playing well. Even the pros have bad days.


All-Golf
»»  read more

Friday, February 12, 2010

Get Fit For Golf To Play Your Best

Fit for golf is a term you should have heard by now. It’s all over the television and now becoming mainstream with amateur golfers wanting to reach their full potential. Golfers are now realizing there is a fitness component to golf, and are seriously considering getting fit for golf.

It may sound like an oxymoron, but tell me if you’ve ever hurt yourself playing golf. How about a strained lower back? Or, a sore shoulder after playing? The list of injuries from swinging a golf club is a mile long.

This would defend the point that getting fit for golf is NOT an oxymoron, but in fact a necessity, if you want to end the frustration, and play like you know you are capable of.

Golf is a ‘physical’ game that puts a tremendous amount of stress on the body. Muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints pay the price if your golf muscles are not strong enough to withstand the forces from swing at up to 100 mph.

Think about that!

You swing a 3 foot implement at up to 100 mph, while maintaining a very dynamic body position. That’s physically impossible unless you’ve got the muscular strength and flexibility to achieve these swing mechanics.

Look at putting! How often have you practiced for only 5-10 minutes and your lower back was killing you? You know what the culprit was? Tight hamstrings and a weak lower back. Golfers who are fit for golf don’t experience this. They can practice putting for an hour and not feel it.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

How about hitting out of deep rough? How many times did you leave the ball right where it was when you started? Or if you did advance it, your wrist was killing you after that?

This would not happen if your were fit for golf!

You’ve got to take a look at the facts! Golf is ‘physical’. Golf takes a tremendous amount of strength and flexibility. Golf causes injuries to body’s that are out of shape. Golf is frustrating when you are the shortest hitter in your foursome. Golf can make you crazy!




»»  read more

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Combining Golf and the Internet Successfully

People all around the world turn to the internet to allow them to really explore the great vast sea of information that is available. Whether you are looking for stock quotes, a perfect video game, or information on a specific subject the internet is the perfect place to get start at. You can find virtually everything you may ever dream of having on the internet which will allow you to really expand your knowledge and improve your computer skills all at the same time. Golf is a classic example, while most people look towards the television and various golf tournaments that are televised to give them information about golf in general, using the internet you can learn so much more much quicker.

Using the internet, you can easily look up and study the vast array of different golf terms. Simply trying to learn all of the golf terms as you actually play, or even from watching television can be an incredible hassle. The internet however makes the entire process much easier since you can easily study when you have the time, without worrying about looking foolish on the green. This can be a huge help and will allow you to spend the time you spend watching golf on television actually watching the game, rather than trying to have a vocabulary lesson.

The internet is also the perfect place to do research on the ultimate golf courses that are both in your area and around the world. This can allow you to plan out the best vacation possible, or even shop around for the perfect country club for your particular needs. If you are trying to find a golf course, using the internet you have the ability to search based on difficulty, location, and even the name of the course. This can be a huge help so you can find the exact course that you are interested in, without worrying about wasting time looking at golf courses that you do not really like.

Those golfers who love to see who they are playing against before a competition can even use the internet to do a bit of research about their opponents. If you know whom you are going to be playing against, or whom you might be playing against you can take the time to look around and see how well they play in different circumstances. This allows you to be fully prepared before you ever walk out onto the first green on the day of the tournament. You may decide that you just simply want to look up player’s profiles and statistics even if you do not actually play but rather watch, this is quite possible using the internet as well.

One of the other major uses of the internet in relation to golf is the ability to learn some tips and tricks that can allow you to quickly and easily troubleshoot your game. Of course not all players need some help with troubleshooting their game but the vast majority of players could use a bit of improvement help. Using the internet you can search for the specific problem that you are having and read up as much as possible and work to practice the tips and tricks that you learn. This can be quite helpful in improving your game if you really carefully read over the advice that is given. In addition, it can help you avoid having to pay for expensive golf lessons if you are just trying to improve your game.

If you are looking for a golf instructor, the internet can be quite helpful in looking for the perfect person as well. While most people would have to search around at the local country clubs to find a potential instructor you could search around online from the very comfort of your home and find exactly what you want in an instructor. This is a huge savings time wise, plus allows you to look over a great deal more instructors before you make a decision.
»»  read more

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

All For The Love Of Golf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Seven Tips to Better Golf

What are the seven magic keys to unlocking your golf potential? That question can’t be answered. You could spend a round of 18 just debating it. There are not seven specific tips, hints or secrets that are going to make you compete with Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods. However, by taking note of these seven very practical, surefire tips, you will improve your game; and maybe you’ll find yourself smiling more as you approach the green on the 18th hole. Grab a pad and paper, or click print and add these few to your growing knowledge!

Mentality
No great athlete or gamesman would hesitate to tell you that the vast percentage of success depends on your mental state. Are you focused? Are you playing for fun? Are you working a specific part of your game? Are you prepared? These are all questions worthy of asking yourself before you begin any round, or if you are simply hitting balls at the range. It is said that a mad player equals a bad player. Simply meaning, frustration will lead to bad play. Most people hoping to excel in certain events are often unaware of the level of concentration needed to find success. It is not only mentally, but physically exhausting to stay intensely focused on your game. Build upon your patience and mental toughness. There is no game that calls for it more than the game of golf!

Your Sticks
Once you’ve set your mind to the task, take into consideration your tools. Are you playing with the right clubs? Are they too short; too long? Are your grips too small? Playing with the improper clubs will lead to poor placement and a probable bad introduction of the club face to the ball. Those grooves in your irons are there for a reason! If you are hitting the ball with the toe of the club because you’re hunched over trying to take a good swing, it might be a good idea to slide a machete into your bag so you can hack through the jungle trying to find your ball.

Define Yourself
Without a doubt, every time you set foot on the links, you are coached by everyone and their uncle. Ignore it. You may want to consider it if they are a pro, but generally, they feel they’ve defined themselves and are going to impart their knowledge on to you. Just as easily as they may be teaching you quality, they will also help you develop some incredibly bad habits, hoping to improve your play in a scramble. Try different techniques and find your own game!

Utilize the Range

If you’re a beginner or feel a bit rusty, get back out to the driving and practice range. As a beginner, there is nothing that can turn you off more than paying for 18 holes and going through 36 balls. Hitting a little white ball with a piece of metal may sound and seem easy, but if you’ve done it once, you know, you need to do it a thousand times! Learn to hit and then play!

Don’t Overanalyze
I can’t tell you how many times a playing partner will step up to the ball and take practice swing after practice swing, getting their aim perfect, waiting on the wind and watching all four seasons pass by as everyone else is napping in the carts: Here comes the back swing...shank! The same player steps up to the next shot, not caring whatsoever, checks his lie, lines up, addresses the ball and pop! Within ten to the pin! Feel it, don’t think it.

Elements
In regards to play, consider your entire environment. If you have ever hit a ball on a windy day, you know how the wind can help or hinder you. If the ground is wet, stay out of the rough and keep your ball in play. If it’s a beautiful, warm summer day, take an extra towel to help absorb some sweat. And if it’s snowing, what are you doing on the golf course? Yes, it’s all common sense, yet commonly forgotten during play.

Take a Lesson
This is obvious. Find a pro you like talking to and pay them/barter with them for a lesson. They will do the analytical work and pass it on. It will offer you new perspective and will help you to improve on your own in the future!

Golf is a wonderful, social and solitary game. Enjoy the repetition of the skills you learn and all knowledge imparted to help increase your level of play. At some point, everything old will become new again. Greet it all with a smile and enjoy the constant challenge of chasing an impossible perfection! Maybe that’s the best tip ever.
»»  read more

Monday, February 1, 2010

Golf - the rich mans hobby?

Golf was invented in 15th-century Scotland, where some of the world’s oldest golf courses are located. It is a relatively simple game that sees you using a club to hit a ball into a hole, yet it is also complex, mainly thanks to the huge size of the courses compared to the tiny balls and holes.

Golf is played with golf clubs, which come in three types: wood, iron and putters. Clubs can be expensive, but a good set of clubs will help your game, as there are differences between each one that affect how far the ball goes. A one wood (a driver) will hit the ball very much further than an eight wood, for example.

There are many golf tournaments in the world today, with the two most important being the professional tournaments, the Masters and the PGA Championship. Many countries also hold open tournaments that amateurs can also enter, such as the US Open and the British Open.

Probably the most famous golfer in the world today is Tiger Woods, who was won ten major golf tournaments to date, making him one of the best golfers ever. Most people think that Jack Nicklaus is the best golfer ever, as he won more tournaments than any other, but if Tiger Woods keeps playing and winning like he is for another decade or so then that could easily change.

If you want to get into golf, there are plenty of ways to learn without having to go around a full-size golf course. Many places have ‘pitch and putt’ mini-golf courses, where you can go with nothing more than a chipping club (an iron) and a putter, and play on mini-holes. Children who are not yet old enough to do this can play crazy golf, which is generally putting-only, and has fun, brightly-coloured obstacles on the course and holes which make the ball do interesting things. It’s surprising just how fun golf can be, and many kids get their start with crazy golf only to go on and play real golf as a hobby for the rest of their lives.


»»  read more