Your swing will change, your accuracy and distance
will improve with practice, and you’ll become deadly
with a putter, but you will always do these things
while standing on your feet.
Your feet need to be comfortable! Have you ever
developed a blister while walking or running? It’s all
you can think about and it ruins the experience. Don’t
let uncomfortable shoes ruin your golf game.
This is one area where you shouldn’t let your
frugality make the decision for you. You will be
wearing these shoes many times and they should be
considered an investment.
Comfort should be your biggest concern when buying
shoes. Your foot should not move at all on your heel
when you walk, yet your toes shouldn’t feel cramped.
Have you shoes professional fit to your feet and walk
around in them before you buy them.
Proper golf shoes should be waterproof so that your
feet remain dry in damp conditions. Good socks are
important too; they will wick perspiration away from
you feet, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.
All golf courses prohibit metal spiked shoes in the
effort to protect their delicate greens. Purchase
shoes that allow you to change the rubber spikes
easily, and while you’re there, purchase some extras.
You never know when you might lose one. Replace the
spikes when they become worn.
With all the things you have to worry about while
playing golf, your feet shouldn’t be one of them. When
it comes to golf footwear, quality counts.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Ladies Golf Attire and Fashion
I was perusing Golf for Women the other day and
wondered where are the women who wear the golf attire
modeled in women’s golf magazines? I’ve never seen
women, professionals included, who would dress in such
expensive and outrageous clothes!
It’s easy to spend money outfitting yourself for golf.
Hats, sunglasses, gloves, shirts, shorts, socks,
windbreakers and shoes all add up quickly, even if you
shop the sales. Add in equipment, bag and cart and you
have to play quite often to keep down the "CPU" - cost
per use.
One glossy advertisement showed a model in short
shorts (like that’s allowed on courses!) that cost
$275, the Tse golf shirt ($595), jacket by Ralph
Lauren ($185) and two-toned Utuser shoes ($425).
That comes up to $1480; I could never hope to get the
CPU on that outfit anywhere near a normal level in my
lifetime! Don’t get me wrong; I love clothes. I really
love shoes, but could never afford, or want, golf
shoes that cost more than the national budget of some
small countries.
Granted, you want comfortable shoes that don’t look
like something your grandmother would wear, but you
can easily find less expensive and fashionable shoes.
I have several really stylish golf outfits, none of
them brand name. If I totaled the cost of all of them
up it would not come up to the price of the Tse golf
shirt. Personally, I’d rather have several stylish
outfits and one outrageously priced one.
If I were to wear a $1480 outfit to play golf, I would
simply be too worried about getting dirty or
perspiring to play a decent round.
wondered where are the women who wear the golf attire
modeled in women’s golf magazines? I’ve never seen
women, professionals included, who would dress in such
expensive and outrageous clothes!
It’s easy to spend money outfitting yourself for golf.
Hats, sunglasses, gloves, shirts, shorts, socks,
windbreakers and shoes all add up quickly, even if you
shop the sales. Add in equipment, bag and cart and you
have to play quite often to keep down the "CPU" - cost
per use.
One glossy advertisement showed a model in short
shorts (like that’s allowed on courses!) that cost
$275, the Tse golf shirt ($595), jacket by Ralph
Lauren ($185) and two-toned Utuser shoes ($425).
That comes up to $1480; I could never hope to get the
CPU on that outfit anywhere near a normal level in my
lifetime! Don’t get me wrong; I love clothes. I really
love shoes, but could never afford, or want, golf
shoes that cost more than the national budget of some
small countries.
Granted, you want comfortable shoes that don’t look
like something your grandmother would wear, but you
can easily find less expensive and fashionable shoes.
I have several really stylish golf outfits, none of
them brand name. If I totaled the cost of all of them
up it would not come up to the price of the Tse golf
shirt. Personally, I’d rather have several stylish
outfits and one outrageously priced one.
If I were to wear a $1480 outfit to play golf, I would
simply be too worried about getting dirty or
perspiring to play a decent round.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Improve Your Hands and Improve Your Golf Swing
It seems as though many golfers are unaware of the importance the hands play in the execution of the golf swing. Obviously, we know that the hands grip the golf club and attach the body to the club. But what is the importance of them during the swing?
The answer has to do with releasing of the club. Let’s go back and do a quick golf biomechanics review. During the swing, from address position to follow-through, the hands are active in a passive type of manner.
Let me explain. The goal of the golf swing is to move the club on the correct swing plane to induce the intended golf shot that you want. This occurs through the body’s moving through a series of positions. These positions are found within the different phases of the golf swing.
The phases of the swing are address, take-away, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow-through. During all of these movements the body is performing, the golf club is being moved upon a swing plane. The swing plane is the path upon which the golf club is to travel. Proper impact with the golf ball requires the golf club’s traveling upon the correct swing plane.
In order for the club to travel on the correct swing plane it is necessary for the clubface to open and close. Oftentimes, in golf terms the opening and closing, of the clubface is termed “releasing of the club.” This is where the hands become an integral part of the golf swing.
If you talk to almost any instructor, they will say that any good player has “great hands.” This statement refers to exactly what was described above (the releasing of the club correctly). It’s obvious if you look at players such as Tiger, Phil, or Vijay.
I even remember walking the course at Doral in Miami with top-5 teaching instructor, Rick Smith. One point he continued to return to in terms of discussing the golf swing was “hands.” He stated more than once how any PGA Tour player has great hands. This just provides additional support for how important the hands are in terms of the golf swing.
But what does this all mean? Well, we know the hands are involved in the “opening and closing” of the clubface during your swing. This movement allows for the proper release of the club. As I mentioned, the hands are “active in your golf swing, but in a passive manner.”
Again, to open and close the clubface during the golf swing the hands move back during the backswing, hinge at the top of the backswing, return the club to square at impact, and release the club afterwards. In order for this to occur the hands must be passive!
What do I mean by passive?
You cannot force the hands to move through the golf swing and release the club. This creates tension in the golf swing, affects tempo, and, overall, results in poor shots. If you do not believe me, go to the driving range, grip a club as hard as you can, and attempt to swing. The results will be much less than optimal.
I think Dean Reinmuth, ranked by Golf Digest as a top-30 teaching pro, puts it best when speaking about the hands in the golf swing. He discusses “feel” as an integral part of the golf swing. He states that in order to have a successful golf swing you must be “tension free.”
“Feeling” the club move on the swing plane is an indicator of being “tension free.” And in order to have this feeling, your hands must be relaxed (i.e. passive).
How do you develop good hands in your golf swing?
Easier said than done. In order to develop “feel” in the golf swing, remove “tension” from your golf swing and develop great hands, you must develop three fundamentals.
Fundamental number one is an understanding of the golf swing. In order to know what the body and golf club are to do during the swing you must know the biomechanics of the golf swing. If you don’t, how are you going to know what the body and club are to be doing during each phase of the golf swing?
Secondly, you must develop the mechanics of the golf swing. Your body and mind must integrate the movements of the golf swing into a repeatable movement. This occurs through proper instruction and practice of the correct golf swing mechanics.
Finally, it is necessary to develop the body. Yes, the body! Your body must have the flexibility, strength, endurance, and power to perform the golf swing correctly. If the body is inflexible, weak, and powerless, how are you going to be able to perform the mechanics of the swing correctly?
The obvious answer is: you are not! Developing great hands in your golf swing comes down to developing a “basket” of fundamentals within your golf swing. Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing, develop the proper mechanics within your golf swing, and develop a body to support your swing. These are the keys to developing great hands in your golf game.
The answer has to do with releasing of the club. Let’s go back and do a quick golf biomechanics review. During the swing, from address position to follow-through, the hands are active in a passive type of manner.
Let me explain. The goal of the golf swing is to move the club on the correct swing plane to induce the intended golf shot that you want. This occurs through the body’s moving through a series of positions. These positions are found within the different phases of the golf swing.
The phases of the swing are address, take-away, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow-through. During all of these movements the body is performing, the golf club is being moved upon a swing plane. The swing plane is the path upon which the golf club is to travel. Proper impact with the golf ball requires the golf club’s traveling upon the correct swing plane.
In order for the club to travel on the correct swing plane it is necessary for the clubface to open and close. Oftentimes, in golf terms the opening and closing, of the clubface is termed “releasing of the club.” This is where the hands become an integral part of the golf swing.
If you talk to almost any instructor, they will say that any good player has “great hands.” This statement refers to exactly what was described above (the releasing of the club correctly). It’s obvious if you look at players such as Tiger, Phil, or Vijay.
I even remember walking the course at Doral in Miami with top-5 teaching instructor, Rick Smith. One point he continued to return to in terms of discussing the golf swing was “hands.” He stated more than once how any PGA Tour player has great hands. This just provides additional support for how important the hands are in terms of the golf swing.
But what does this all mean? Well, we know the hands are involved in the “opening and closing” of the clubface during your swing. This movement allows for the proper release of the club. As I mentioned, the hands are “active in your golf swing, but in a passive manner.”
Again, to open and close the clubface during the golf swing the hands move back during the backswing, hinge at the top of the backswing, return the club to square at impact, and release the club afterwards. In order for this to occur the hands must be passive!
What do I mean by passive?
You cannot force the hands to move through the golf swing and release the club. This creates tension in the golf swing, affects tempo, and, overall, results in poor shots. If you do not believe me, go to the driving range, grip a club as hard as you can, and attempt to swing. The results will be much less than optimal.
I think Dean Reinmuth, ranked by Golf Digest as a top-30 teaching pro, puts it best when speaking about the hands in the golf swing. He discusses “feel” as an integral part of the golf swing. He states that in order to have a successful golf swing you must be “tension free.”
“Feeling” the club move on the swing plane is an indicator of being “tension free.” And in order to have this feeling, your hands must be relaxed (i.e. passive).
How do you develop good hands in your golf swing?
Easier said than done. In order to develop “feel” in the golf swing, remove “tension” from your golf swing and develop great hands, you must develop three fundamentals.
Fundamental number one is an understanding of the golf swing. In order to know what the body and golf club are to do during the swing you must know the biomechanics of the golf swing. If you don’t, how are you going to know what the body and club are to be doing during each phase of the golf swing?
Secondly, you must develop the mechanics of the golf swing. Your body and mind must integrate the movements of the golf swing into a repeatable movement. This occurs through proper instruction and practice of the correct golf swing mechanics.
Finally, it is necessary to develop the body. Yes, the body! Your body must have the flexibility, strength, endurance, and power to perform the golf swing correctly. If the body is inflexible, weak, and powerless, how are you going to be able to perform the mechanics of the swing correctly?
The obvious answer is: you are not! Developing great hands in your golf swing comes down to developing a “basket” of fundamentals within your golf swing. Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing, develop the proper mechanics within your golf swing, and develop a body to support your swing. These are the keys to developing great hands in your golf game.
Tiger Woods Golf's First Billionaire
Tiger Woods will soon be a Billionaire
Tiger Woods is the most famous golfer in the world and he will soon be the first sports star to earn a Billion dollars. No other sports stars have ever came close to achieving such a huge amount of earnings, and according to Forbes- who compile the annual rich list- Tiger Woods is sure to reach this amazing feat by 2010.
The worlds greatest golfer has made more than 100million a year for the last 3 years in a row and will certainly match that in 2009, Last year Woods had a 8 month lay off after he had knee surgery but this had little effect on has yearly earnings, Tiger Woods actual earnings on the golf course only amount to 10% of his income the rest come from his massive sponsorships, Here is a break down of his annual earnings
Prize money: $8m Career prize money, The prize money is earned from competitions played around the world but mostly in America.
Appearance fees: $15mWoods demands $3million a time for prestigious events around the globe and on average he will accept five invitations a year.
Course Design: $10mThree courses are being built one in Dubai featuring mansions and palaces, one in Punta Brava, Mexico and his first designed in the US, The Cliffs at High Carolina.
Sponsorship: $55mNike pay $20m a year for Woods to promote the Tiger Woods name on their equipment, Gillette offer $15m for promoting their razors and global management consulting Accenture pay him another $20m a year. TOTAL AMOUNT $111million
Tiger Woods insists it is not the money that drives him on but the love of the glory, he is currently four Majors short of equaling Jack Nicklaus record of 18 Majors, At the age of 33 and with his form Woods looks like he will be equaling that record before long.
Tiger Woods is the most famous golfer in the world and he will soon be the first sports star to earn a Billion dollars. No other sports stars have ever came close to achieving such a huge amount of earnings, and according to Forbes- who compile the annual rich list- Tiger Woods is sure to reach this amazing feat by 2010.
The worlds greatest golfer has made more than 100million a year for the last 3 years in a row and will certainly match that in 2009, Last year Woods had a 8 month lay off after he had knee surgery but this had little effect on has yearly earnings, Tiger Woods actual earnings on the golf course only amount to 10% of his income the rest come from his massive sponsorships, Here is a break down of his annual earnings
Prize money: $8m Career prize money, The prize money is earned from competitions played around the world but mostly in America.
Appearance fees: $15mWoods demands $3million a time for prestigious events around the globe and on average he will accept five invitations a year.
Course Design: $10mThree courses are being built one in Dubai featuring mansions and palaces, one in Punta Brava, Mexico and his first designed in the US, The Cliffs at High Carolina.
Sponsorship: $55mNike pay $20m a year for Woods to promote the Tiger Woods name on their equipment, Gillette offer $15m for promoting their razors and global management consulting Accenture pay him another $20m a year. TOTAL AMOUNT $111million
Tiger Woods insists it is not the money that drives him on but the love of the glory, he is currently four Majors short of equaling Jack Nicklaus record of 18 Majors, At the age of 33 and with his form Woods looks like he will be equaling that record before long.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Most Important Key In Lefthanded Golf
There is no reason why golf cannot be played left-handed just as well and efficiently as it can be played righthanded.
We have emphasized the fact that a golf stroke is an ambidextrous action—that the first lesson in golf, footwork, is a lesson that will teach a person to become right-handed. He must learn to balance himself on his right foot so that he can raise the club using the right side and the right arm.
To bring the club through he has to train himself to become lefthanded, to shift his weight to his left foot, so that he can use his left side and his right arm to bring the club down and through the ball.
Actually a good golf swing requires an equal ability on both sides of the body. There are switch hitters in baseball like Mickey Mantle, and there could be switch hitters in golf. But everybody does not feel this way about lefthanded golf.
Some years ago while visiting in a neighboring city, a friend of mine and I, dressed in street clothes, found ourselves in front of a golf school. It was a canvas, tent-like enclosure where golf was taught by driving the balls from cocoa-mats against a loose canvas backdrop.
"Let's go in," I suggested. Upon entering we were cordially greeted, whereupon I said, "I'm sorry, I guess we got into the wrong place. We thought this was a tent show of some sort." "This is no show," came back the answer, "this is a golf school."
With that I picked up a righthanded #5 iron and approached a ball on the mat with a lefthanded stance. As I placed the back edge of the righthanded club to the ball, I said, "This is about the most awkward tool I ever saw—how can anybody play with this thing?"
"You are going at it incorrectly," volunteered the in¬structor. "You are going at it lefthanded, and that can't be done." "What do you mean that can't be done, this is the only way I could play," was my response.
"Well, it's wrong," said the instructor, "you can't play golf lefthanded." "What do you mean, I can't play lefthanded?" I asked. "Why can't I play lefthanded?" "It just can't be done," the instructor replied, "because golf courses are not built for lefthanded players."
With that remark I turned the club upside down (I made a lefthanded club out of a righthanded one), I raised the club with my left side and I smacked the ball against the canvas with a resounding bang.
I placed the club back in the rack and we left without saying a word. Incidentally, this trick of making a lefthanded club out of a righthanded one is very useful should you get up against a tree or a fence from where you must play left-handed. Curiously, each iron as it is turned upside down provides exactly the same angle of loft as it does in its righthanded position.
There are many stories of players who started playing golf lefthanded and improved their game after they changed and played righthanded. This is understandable. In fact, in righthanded golf a good strong active lefthand and arm are most necessary—and in lefthanded golf a good strong right arm and right hand are most helpful, but in each case both hands must be used.
There is, in other words, an ambidexterity that must be developed in both instances, in righthanded or in lefthanded golf.
A most remarkable performer in this respect is my long-time friend, Johnny Bulla, of Phoenix, Arizona. Bulla started as a lefthanded player but was persuaded that golf should be played righthanded, so he switched sides.
And he played it well. Competing in the Los Angeles Open, Bulla once registered an unbelievable score of 29, seven under par for the first 9 holes on the difficult Riviera Golf Course. He started this round with 5 straight threes, and finished the 9 holes with 7 threes showing on his card.
Bulla is now playing golf lefthanded again. Recently he turned in a remarkable performance at the Paradise Valley Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Playing righthanded, he established a new course record of 60, and shortly thereafter, playing lefthanded, he scored a 64.
Who says you can't switch hit in golf?
Early in this book we indicated that ambidexterity was the exception rather than the rule, and that the average person was more or less physically lopsided—he was either predominantly righthanded or predominantly left-handed. Medical authorities confirm this fact; however, there is nothing serious or detrimental about this situation. Everyone has the latent ability to be ambidextrous, but the inclination or tendency is to the contrary.
In many cases simple exercises will rectify and cure this tendency or condition, and there is no finer exercise than a golf stroke that is properly executed to cure this lopsidedness. For this reason, I recommend and urge most strongly junior golf activities and junior golf instruction. Properly coached, the junior golfer will develop a balanced physical setup, one in which he will be able to use his right hand as well as the left or vice versa, an ability that will be most helpful in any game and all future activities.
In the junior golf classes which I conduct at Bel Air, after teaching the youngsters the double 4 routine of the golf swing, I make them do it lefthanded.
This is done long before they are permitted to hit golf balls. The purpose, of course, is to have them actually know the golf swing, and be able to do it forwards and backwards—just as is often done in school when learning the alphabet.
To return to the original discussion, I would again like to state that golf can be played righthanded or it can be played lefthanded, but whatever way you play, don't try to do it one-handed—learn to use both hands—it will be easier, more effective and more fun!
We have emphasized the fact that a golf stroke is an ambidextrous action—that the first lesson in golf, footwork, is a lesson that will teach a person to become right-handed. He must learn to balance himself on his right foot so that he can raise the club using the right side and the right arm.
To bring the club through he has to train himself to become lefthanded, to shift his weight to his left foot, so that he can use his left side and his right arm to bring the club down and through the ball.
Actually a good golf swing requires an equal ability on both sides of the body. There are switch hitters in baseball like Mickey Mantle, and there could be switch hitters in golf. But everybody does not feel this way about lefthanded golf.
Some years ago while visiting in a neighboring city, a friend of mine and I, dressed in street clothes, found ourselves in front of a golf school. It was a canvas, tent-like enclosure where golf was taught by driving the balls from cocoa-mats against a loose canvas backdrop.
"Let's go in," I suggested. Upon entering we were cordially greeted, whereupon I said, "I'm sorry, I guess we got into the wrong place. We thought this was a tent show of some sort." "This is no show," came back the answer, "this is a golf school."
With that I picked up a righthanded #5 iron and approached a ball on the mat with a lefthanded stance. As I placed the back edge of the righthanded club to the ball, I said, "This is about the most awkward tool I ever saw—how can anybody play with this thing?"
"You are going at it incorrectly," volunteered the in¬structor. "You are going at it lefthanded, and that can't be done." "What do you mean that can't be done, this is the only way I could play," was my response.
"Well, it's wrong," said the instructor, "you can't play golf lefthanded." "What do you mean, I can't play lefthanded?" I asked. "Why can't I play lefthanded?" "It just can't be done," the instructor replied, "because golf courses are not built for lefthanded players."
With that remark I turned the club upside down (I made a lefthanded club out of a righthanded one), I raised the club with my left side and I smacked the ball against the canvas with a resounding bang.
I placed the club back in the rack and we left without saying a word. Incidentally, this trick of making a lefthanded club out of a righthanded one is very useful should you get up against a tree or a fence from where you must play left-handed. Curiously, each iron as it is turned upside down provides exactly the same angle of loft as it does in its righthanded position.
There are many stories of players who started playing golf lefthanded and improved their game after they changed and played righthanded. This is understandable. In fact, in righthanded golf a good strong active lefthand and arm are most necessary—and in lefthanded golf a good strong right arm and right hand are most helpful, but in each case both hands must be used.
There is, in other words, an ambidexterity that must be developed in both instances, in righthanded or in lefthanded golf.
A most remarkable performer in this respect is my long-time friend, Johnny Bulla, of Phoenix, Arizona. Bulla started as a lefthanded player but was persuaded that golf should be played righthanded, so he switched sides.
And he played it well. Competing in the Los Angeles Open, Bulla once registered an unbelievable score of 29, seven under par for the first 9 holes on the difficult Riviera Golf Course. He started this round with 5 straight threes, and finished the 9 holes with 7 threes showing on his card.
Bulla is now playing golf lefthanded again. Recently he turned in a remarkable performance at the Paradise Valley Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Playing righthanded, he established a new course record of 60, and shortly thereafter, playing lefthanded, he scored a 64.
Who says you can't switch hit in golf?
Early in this book we indicated that ambidexterity was the exception rather than the rule, and that the average person was more or less physically lopsided—he was either predominantly righthanded or predominantly left-handed. Medical authorities confirm this fact; however, there is nothing serious or detrimental about this situation. Everyone has the latent ability to be ambidextrous, but the inclination or tendency is to the contrary.
In many cases simple exercises will rectify and cure this tendency or condition, and there is no finer exercise than a golf stroke that is properly executed to cure this lopsidedness. For this reason, I recommend and urge most strongly junior golf activities and junior golf instruction. Properly coached, the junior golfer will develop a balanced physical setup, one in which he will be able to use his right hand as well as the left or vice versa, an ability that will be most helpful in any game and all future activities.
In the junior golf classes which I conduct at Bel Air, after teaching the youngsters the double 4 routine of the golf swing, I make them do it lefthanded.
This is done long before they are permitted to hit golf balls. The purpose, of course, is to have them actually know the golf swing, and be able to do it forwards and backwards—just as is often done in school when learning the alphabet.
To return to the original discussion, I would again like to state that golf can be played righthanded or it can be played lefthanded, but whatever way you play, don't try to do it one-handed—learn to use both hands—it will be easier, more effective and more fun!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Buying A Golf Cart
There was a time when using a motorized golf cart was something of a luxury. Most players back then used either their shoulders to carry their clubs or a three-wheeled buggy looking thing that you pulled behind you. Ah, those were the days.
In most places it's not like that anymore. Golf carts are fairly common and almost the norm. You rarely see people walking the course, which, in a way, seems sad to me. I've played courses in the last few years that more resembled bumper car games at the circus than a golf course. But there is something to be said for them. Over the years golf has become a very popular game and the average course has far more players today than it did ten years ago. With that many more players on the course, the golf cart has certainly helped in moving play along, resulting in less wait time on the tee.
In general there are two ways to have a golf cart at your disposal. You can rent one from the pro shop, which is what most people do, and this is a very good option for it keeps you from having to keep up with the maintenance of the cart. The other option is to buy your own, which can be costly at the outset but it lets you avoid those rental fees.
Buying a golf cart is a little like buying a car. You get them new or used. If you want to buy a new golf cart be prepared to pay anywhere from $4500 to $10,000 depending on the model, the seating capacity and whatever added options you may want. You will need to decide if you want a gasoline engine or an electric engine. You will need to consider a trailer (to get the thing from place to place) as well as some type of towing hitch to connect the trailer to your vehicle.
Safe and reliable used golf carts can be found in any price range, but they usually run around $2000 for a good one. This price may or may not include the trailer and hitching balls. If you are planning to buy a used golf cart, you can approach it the same way you would buying a used car. Examine the cart carefully, both topside and underneath and inspect the engine for oil leaks or frayed wires. Take it for a spin and make sure that the recharge equipment is in working order.
The Internet offers a lot of places selling both new and used golf carts. If you don't have a dealer near you, you can do a search through Google or Yahoo and come up with hundreds of dealers.
As stated earlier, golf carts have become the norm in many place and owning your own can be reasonably affordable if you do some shopping first.
In most places it's not like that anymore. Golf carts are fairly common and almost the norm. You rarely see people walking the course, which, in a way, seems sad to me. I've played courses in the last few years that more resembled bumper car games at the circus than a golf course. But there is something to be said for them. Over the years golf has become a very popular game and the average course has far more players today than it did ten years ago. With that many more players on the course, the golf cart has certainly helped in moving play along, resulting in less wait time on the tee.
In general there are two ways to have a golf cart at your disposal. You can rent one from the pro shop, which is what most people do, and this is a very good option for it keeps you from having to keep up with the maintenance of the cart. The other option is to buy your own, which can be costly at the outset but it lets you avoid those rental fees.
Buying a golf cart is a little like buying a car. You get them new or used. If you want to buy a new golf cart be prepared to pay anywhere from $4500 to $10,000 depending on the model, the seating capacity and whatever added options you may want. You will need to decide if you want a gasoline engine or an electric engine. You will need to consider a trailer (to get the thing from place to place) as well as some type of towing hitch to connect the trailer to your vehicle.
Safe and reliable used golf carts can be found in any price range, but they usually run around $2000 for a good one. This price may or may not include the trailer and hitching balls. If you are planning to buy a used golf cart, you can approach it the same way you would buying a used car. Examine the cart carefully, both topside and underneath and inspect the engine for oil leaks or frayed wires. Take it for a spin and make sure that the recharge equipment is in working order.
The Internet offers a lot of places selling both new and used golf carts. If you don't have a dealer near you, you can do a search through Google or Yahoo and come up with hundreds of dealers.
As stated earlier, golf carts have become the norm in many place and owning your own can be reasonably affordable if you do some shopping first.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Important Golf Tips for Beginners
Starting in the game of golf can be confusing with all of the equipment available, people offering you free tips, and the feeling that you have to take everything so seriously. There are three golf tips for beginners that I was given by my instructor when I started, and that has really been a big help to me.
1. Don't Break the Bank With Your First Set of Clubs
As a beginner, you are not going to get all of the benefits that come from a top of the line set of golf clubs. As a beginner, you are not going to have the consistent contact or club head speed needed. Instead, think about buying a cheaper set, or better yet, get yourself a used set. You may also be able to use a free set from one of your more experienced friends until you figure out which clubs would be best for you.
2. Be Aware of Who is Giving You Instruction
Your friends, relatives, and sometimes people who don't even know you will think they have the golf tips for beginners that will fix all of your problems. Granted, if you have friends who are pretty good golfers, it may help to listen to them when you are first starting. However, to really understand the game, as a beginner, get your instruction from a professional. Golf pros are experienced in fixing swing problems and explaining things to you in terms of how they affect ball flight. Lessons are available at most any golf course, and even just a couple will really help set a good foundation for your game.
3. Enjoy Yourself
It may sound simple, but one of the best golf tips for beginners is to just have fun with the game. Keep in mind that you are probably not going to be getting your PGA card. Being competitive is fine, and of course you are going to want to continue to improve, but golf is a leisure game. Take your time out there and have fun with your friends.
These three golf tips for beginners can make all of the difference in the world. If you just get the right clubs to start, take instruction from those who know the game, and have fun, then golf will be a great way for you to spend your leisure time.
1. Don't Break the Bank With Your First Set of Clubs
As a beginner, you are not going to get all of the benefits that come from a top of the line set of golf clubs. As a beginner, you are not going to have the consistent contact or club head speed needed. Instead, think about buying a cheaper set, or better yet, get yourself a used set. You may also be able to use a free set from one of your more experienced friends until you figure out which clubs would be best for you.
2. Be Aware of Who is Giving You Instruction
Your friends, relatives, and sometimes people who don't even know you will think they have the golf tips for beginners that will fix all of your problems. Granted, if you have friends who are pretty good golfers, it may help to listen to them when you are first starting. However, to really understand the game, as a beginner, get your instruction from a professional. Golf pros are experienced in fixing swing problems and explaining things to you in terms of how they affect ball flight. Lessons are available at most any golf course, and even just a couple will really help set a good foundation for your game.
3. Enjoy Yourself
It may sound simple, but one of the best golf tips for beginners is to just have fun with the game. Keep in mind that you are probably not going to be getting your PGA card. Being competitive is fine, and of course you are going to want to continue to improve, but golf is a leisure game. Take your time out there and have fun with your friends.
These three golf tips for beginners can make all of the difference in the world. If you just get the right clubs to start, take instruction from those who know the game, and have fun, then golf will be a great way for you to spend your leisure time.
Golf Stance And Its Physical Requirements
Golf stance is one of the most ignored terms and issues in the golf swing and yet the golf stance dictates the success of every golf swing you make.
When golfers think of golf stance, they don’t realize how hard it is to maintain over 18 holes (four and a half hours). Just take a look at the position your body is in during your set up. There are many physical issues taking place, even though it is a static position at the start.
Let’s go over the physical requirements of the golf stance right now.
Bend At Hips To Address Golf Ball
To achieve this initial movement takes strength and flexibility in not only the lower back, but the hamstrings and core muscle groups. If these muscle groups are limited, you will have a very difficult time achieving this simple move.
Flex In The Knees
A combination of bending at the hips and knees allows you to get to the ball. The shorter the club, the more the bend at both the hips and knees. If your quadriceps are weak, you will have a very difficult time maintaining the proper knee flex therefore causing you to create in improper golf stance…resulting in mishits and lack of distance.
Ankle Flexion
Take a look at the ankle joint of any golfer. It is definitely bent (flexed) to accommodate the bending of the knees and hips. If your calf muscles are weak/or tight, you will find it very uncomfortable to stay down at the ball. I see so many golfers with tight calf muscles and they never even knew it.
Spine Extension (Erectness)
This is a BIGGY! How many times have you seen the golfer (maybe even you) in his/her golf stance with the dread ‘camels back?’ This is very common among older golfers and is a KILLER in the golf swing. I could (and probably will) write a complete article on this physical limitation. But the bottom line is a rounded (weak) upper spine will dramatically hinder your ability to make a full backswing. Result: very short drives and a lot of embarrassment.
I just briefly covered just a couple of physical requirements of the golf stance, but I hope you know see the importance of addressing your physical limitations to achieve the end result.
Longer drives, lower scores and beating the pants off your golfing buddies! Pay more attention to your golf stance!
When golfers think of golf stance, they don’t realize how hard it is to maintain over 18 holes (four and a half hours). Just take a look at the position your body is in during your set up. There are many physical issues taking place, even though it is a static position at the start.
Let’s go over the physical requirements of the golf stance right now.
Bend At Hips To Address Golf Ball
To achieve this initial movement takes strength and flexibility in not only the lower back, but the hamstrings and core muscle groups. If these muscle groups are limited, you will have a very difficult time achieving this simple move.
Flex In The Knees
A combination of bending at the hips and knees allows you to get to the ball. The shorter the club, the more the bend at both the hips and knees. If your quadriceps are weak, you will have a very difficult time maintaining the proper knee flex therefore causing you to create in improper golf stance…resulting in mishits and lack of distance.
Ankle Flexion
Take a look at the ankle joint of any golfer. It is definitely bent (flexed) to accommodate the bending of the knees and hips. If your calf muscles are weak/or tight, you will find it very uncomfortable to stay down at the ball. I see so many golfers with tight calf muscles and they never even knew it.
Spine Extension (Erectness)
This is a BIGGY! How many times have you seen the golfer (maybe even you) in his/her golf stance with the dread ‘camels back?’ This is very common among older golfers and is a KILLER in the golf swing. I could (and probably will) write a complete article on this physical limitation. But the bottom line is a rounded (weak) upper spine will dramatically hinder your ability to make a full backswing. Result: very short drives and a lot of embarrassment.
I just briefly covered just a couple of physical requirements of the golf stance, but I hope you know see the importance of addressing your physical limitations to achieve the end result.
Longer drives, lower scores and beating the pants off your golfing buddies! Pay more attention to your golf stance!
Save The Body Sway For The Dance Floor, Not In Your Golf Swing
Body motion in the swing is necessary, but too much of a good thing can wreak all kinds of havoc with your golf swing.
I received a question over the weekend from a BioForce Golf subscriber about “body motion” in the swing.
The question from our subscriber asked how not to fall into the trap of too much movement backwards during the golf swing.
What we are really talking about is weight transfer during the golf swing.
Too much weight transfer onto the back foot during the take-away and backswing causes difficulty in getting back to your front foot on the downswing.
This creates some difficulties in your timing during the golf swing.
Oftentimes, this type of swing fault is termed “body sway.”
So how do we fix this golf swing fault?
Let’s take a brief look at golf swing mechanics.
Optimal golf swing mechanics are both a rotational (rotating around a fixed spine angle) and linear (weight transfer backwards and forwards) movement.
It is the sequencing (proper order) and combination of these two biomechanical movements that develop the great foundation of your golf swing.
Amateurs often have difficulty performing these two biomechanical movements simultaneously and in the correct sequence.
Discussing “Body Sway” in Relation to Linear Weight Transfer of the Golf Swing
Amateurs often shift their weight too far onto their back foot. Once this occurs, they are never able to get their weight forward, causing them to “spin out” and leave the clubface open at impact.
A conversation I had with top teaching pro Rick Smith on body sway enlightened me on one of his teaching points: the weight transfer in the backswing cannot go past the inside arch of the back foot.
In order to limit your weight transfer in the swing to this position, you must “feel” it in your swing. You must be able to feel your weight on the inside of the back foot and not allow it to move any farther back.
If your weight transfer exceeds this position, your timing will be off, your golf swing mechanics will be flawed, and compensation of the downswing will occur.
Now knowing what we need to know about golf swing mechanics and the problems resulting from “body sway,” how do we go about fixing it?
The golf swing is one of the most intricate athletic movements performed in sports today.
It requires precision in every biomechanical movement involved in the swing, the correction sequencing of each movement, and the correct timing.
As a whole, the golf swing is a very difficult movement to perform.
Attempting to “fix” a swing fault when swinging the golf club at full tilt is almost impossible.
So what are you to do?
Simply, it is much easier to break down the golf swing into parts.
Working on pieces of the golf swing and then re-building the swing is the way to go. This is a much easier task to achieve.
Once you have broken down the golf swing into pieces, then you can focus upon the area of the golf swing that is giving you difficulty.
Fixing the area of the golf swing that is giving you problems can be addressed by implementing swing drills.
Swing drills introduce and re-enforce the proper swing mechanics into your body and allow you to eventually cure your swing fault.
This will eventually return you to a position where you can “feel” every position in the golf swing.
So, if you are struggling from “body sway” in the golf swing, break down the swing into parts and address the area of the golf swing that needs help through swing drills.
I received a question over the weekend from a BioForce Golf subscriber about “body motion” in the swing.
The question from our subscriber asked how not to fall into the trap of too much movement backwards during the golf swing.
What we are really talking about is weight transfer during the golf swing.
Too much weight transfer onto the back foot during the take-away and backswing causes difficulty in getting back to your front foot on the downswing.
This creates some difficulties in your timing during the golf swing.
Oftentimes, this type of swing fault is termed “body sway.”
So how do we fix this golf swing fault?
Let’s take a brief look at golf swing mechanics.
Optimal golf swing mechanics are both a rotational (rotating around a fixed spine angle) and linear (weight transfer backwards and forwards) movement.
It is the sequencing (proper order) and combination of these two biomechanical movements that develop the great foundation of your golf swing.
Amateurs often have difficulty performing these two biomechanical movements simultaneously and in the correct sequence.
Discussing “Body Sway” in Relation to Linear Weight Transfer of the Golf Swing
Amateurs often shift their weight too far onto their back foot. Once this occurs, they are never able to get their weight forward, causing them to “spin out” and leave the clubface open at impact.
A conversation I had with top teaching pro Rick Smith on body sway enlightened me on one of his teaching points: the weight transfer in the backswing cannot go past the inside arch of the back foot.
In order to limit your weight transfer in the swing to this position, you must “feel” it in your swing. You must be able to feel your weight on the inside of the back foot and not allow it to move any farther back.
If your weight transfer exceeds this position, your timing will be off, your golf swing mechanics will be flawed, and compensation of the downswing will occur.
Now knowing what we need to know about golf swing mechanics and the problems resulting from “body sway,” how do we go about fixing it?
The golf swing is one of the most intricate athletic movements performed in sports today.
It requires precision in every biomechanical movement involved in the swing, the correction sequencing of each movement, and the correct timing.
As a whole, the golf swing is a very difficult movement to perform.
Attempting to “fix” a swing fault when swinging the golf club at full tilt is almost impossible.
So what are you to do?
Simply, it is much easier to break down the golf swing into parts.
Working on pieces of the golf swing and then re-building the swing is the way to go. This is a much easier task to achieve.
Once you have broken down the golf swing into pieces, then you can focus upon the area of the golf swing that is giving you difficulty.
Fixing the area of the golf swing that is giving you problems can be addressed by implementing swing drills.
Swing drills introduce and re-enforce the proper swing mechanics into your body and allow you to eventually cure your swing fault.
This will eventually return you to a position where you can “feel” every position in the golf swing.
So, if you are struggling from “body sway” in the golf swing, break down the swing into parts and address the area of the golf swing that needs help through swing drills.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Select The Best Golf Balls To Improve Your Game
When it comes to trying to select the best golf balls, there are literally hundreds of different types, brands and sizes that you can to choose from. Each golf ball manufacturer makes a number of different types of balls all designed with different playing styles, different types of players and different price brackets. So as a consumer how do you go about selecting the best golf balls for your needs? This is easy when you consider that golf ball manufacturers generally break their products into two distinct groups – the two piece balls and the multi layer balls. Let’s take a moment to examine each one in more detail.
The two piece golf ball is the traditional distance ball. This means that it is designed to travel. The two piece ball consists of the core and a cover and as a result of this design, the two piece balls travel the maximum distance no matter what the swing speed is. As a player, you will generally hear an audible click when you make contact with this ball when you hit it with your club. Because these balls get less sidespin they tend to fly straighter even if they are hit of the heel or toe. Two piece balls are generally cheaper than the multi layer balls.
The multi layer ball on the other hand is either a three piece or four piece ball and is made up of a core, a mantle, and then a cover. These are generally more expensive balls. They usually feel softer to hit and have a higher spin rate because of this softness. In the higher spinning balls, the mantle helps to transfer the energy to the core whereas in a lower spinning ball the mantle will help to reduce the spin off a player who chooses to use a driver or a longer club.
So how do you work out which ball will best suit and even improve your game? Firstly you need to determine what type of player you are or want to become. Players that are mostly concerned with getting more distance off the tee are better off opting for the two piece ball. Where as players who want more control in the ball should opt for the multi layer ball. The best way to decide between the two is to head to the gold range and hit a few buckets to get a feel for both types.
The two piece golf ball is the traditional distance ball. This means that it is designed to travel. The two piece ball consists of the core and a cover and as a result of this design, the two piece balls travel the maximum distance no matter what the swing speed is. As a player, you will generally hear an audible click when you make contact with this ball when you hit it with your club. Because these balls get less sidespin they tend to fly straighter even if they are hit of the heel or toe. Two piece balls are generally cheaper than the multi layer balls.
The multi layer ball on the other hand is either a three piece or four piece ball and is made up of a core, a mantle, and then a cover. These are generally more expensive balls. They usually feel softer to hit and have a higher spin rate because of this softness. In the higher spinning balls, the mantle helps to transfer the energy to the core whereas in a lower spinning ball the mantle will help to reduce the spin off a player who chooses to use a driver or a longer club.
So how do you work out which ball will best suit and even improve your game? Firstly you need to determine what type of player you are or want to become. Players that are mostly concerned with getting more distance off the tee are better off opting for the two piece ball. Where as players who want more control in the ball should opt for the multi layer ball. The best way to decide between the two is to head to the gold range and hit a few buckets to get a feel for both types.
The importance of stretching
Of course, in every sport you participate in, is it very important to stretch.
This can reduce, stiffness, cramps, injury's etc...
But the key is to stretch the right way.
Manny people think they are stretching correctly and still suffer with some small
body pains adn such.
Also when you want to perform a better game it is also advisable, you warm up and stretch before your game.
This will make your muscells smoother, and stronger at the same time.
Say, you are on the tee, and you aren't warmed up, it is very possible, you're
bal will drop less yards and so, you'll have to cover more fairway.
Also will there be a significant risk to back injury's as well.
I have tried this and i have to say, after warming up before my game, i hit a tee shot of about 30-50 yards further.
And it improved my game in general with about 6 to 10 strokes.
Sounds great doesn't it, well it is.
I learned all of this on a great dvd, i bought.
Called "Mike pederson's golf stretching for a better swing dvd"
If you want to find out more, then press the banner below.
To a great game
steffer
This can reduce, stiffness, cramps, injury's etc...
But the key is to stretch the right way.
Manny people think they are stretching correctly and still suffer with some small
body pains adn such.
Also when you want to perform a better game it is also advisable, you warm up and stretch before your game.
This will make your muscells smoother, and stronger at the same time.
Say, you are on the tee, and you aren't warmed up, it is very possible, you're
bal will drop less yards and so, you'll have to cover more fairway.
Also will there be a significant risk to back injury's as well.
I have tried this and i have to say, after warming up before my game, i hit a tee shot of about 30-50 yards further.
And it improved my game in general with about 6 to 10 strokes.
Sounds great doesn't it, well it is.
I learned all of this on a great dvd, i bought.
Called "Mike pederson's golf stretching for a better swing dvd"
If you want to find out more, then press the banner below.
To a great game
steffer
Here's my secret golf weapon...
Here's how to consistantly improve your game...
Hello readers,
Every year when the new season starts
I'm in top form AND it's not because
I'm in great shape.
It's more a mental thing.
I learned from the Pros that the littlest
changes can make a big difference to your game.
So like the Pros, a couple of years ago
I started tracking my rounds with a golf
handicap tracker, and I got to say, it's
really had quite an impact on my game!
So now when a new season roles around all
I need to do is look at last season's stats
and Boom I know exactly where to focus my
attention when I'm on the course.
That's really important to me and you.
Because unlike my buddies who are all over
the course, I simply focus on the strong
areas of my game and not the weak ones.
And so should you. And it's so simple.
Tracking your game is as easy as checking your
emails with an easy to use golf handicap software
like the one I use to help improve my game.
And the best part is...
It's now incredibly affordable!
It's so affordable that no golfer should
ever play without it. Once you start tracking
and analyzing your golf rounds your game will
never be the same.
I'm serious.
Check the link below to have a look.
You'll be glad you did and you'll want
to thank me later.
http://golfintel.com
Dedicated to your success on the green,
stef verheyen
PS - I don't know how long this low price
will be around for, so check it out now!
http://golfintel.com
Hello readers,
Every year when the new season starts
I'm in top form AND it's not because
I'm in great shape.
It's more a mental thing.
I learned from the Pros that the littlest
changes can make a big difference to your game.
So like the Pros, a couple of years ago
I started tracking my rounds with a golf
handicap tracker, and I got to say, it's
really had quite an impact on my game!
So now when a new season roles around all
I need to do is look at last season's stats
and Boom I know exactly where to focus my
attention when I'm on the course.
That's really important to me and you.
Because unlike my buddies who are all over
the course, I simply focus on the strong
areas of my game and not the weak ones.
And so should you. And it's so simple.
Tracking your game is as easy as checking your
emails with an easy to use golf handicap software
like the one I use to help improve my game.
And the best part is...
It's now incredibly affordable!
It's so affordable that no golfer should
ever play without it. Once you start tracking
and analyzing your golf rounds your game will
never be the same.
I'm serious.
Check the link below to have a look.
You'll be glad you did and you'll want
to thank me later.
http://golfintel.com
Dedicated to your success on the green,
stef verheyen
PS - I don't know how long this low price
will be around for, so check it out now!
http://golfintel.com
“Discover The #1 Swing Secrets... That Only The Pros Know!”
Want to discover jealously guarded Swing Secrets only the Pros know?
These simple swing techniques will take any weekend golfer and transform his or her game with just a few simple lessons.
With these FREE golf swing videos you'll discover...
* Explosive Driver techniques
* Why Putting is 2/3rd's of the game and how to master it!
* Secret strategies to your short game
* Eliminate any slice with 1 simple excercise
* How to play bunker shots and why this shot alone can change your game!
* And much much more..
So go ahead. Get your Free weekly Golf Swing Videos here and discover the simple weekly strategies to help take your game to the next level.
http://igolfvideos.com
have fun learning and watching.
steffer
These simple swing techniques will take any weekend golfer and transform his or her game with just a few simple lessons.
With these FREE golf swing videos you'll discover...
* Explosive Driver techniques
* Why Putting is 2/3rd's of the game and how to master it!
* Secret strategies to your short game
* Eliminate any slice with 1 simple excercise
* How to play bunker shots and why this shot alone can change your game!
* And much much more..
So go ahead. Get your Free weekly Golf Swing Videos here and discover the simple weekly strategies to help take your game to the next level.
http://igolfvideos.com
have fun learning and watching.
steffer
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