Why to Avoid Golfing without a Warm-up
July 29, 2008
A warm-up is very important to playing golf. Golfing professionals indicate that is one step any golfer cannot afford to forego. You may be in great shape, play often and are ready to step up to the tee immediately. But, are a couple practice swings sufficient before teeing off? Although you may be mentally ready to play as soon as you step onto the course, you also may find yourself playing a poor game or, even worse, injured because you skipped a quality warm-up.
Cars from a few years ago always required a brief warm up before heading out to the highway. You started the engine, allowed the fluids to circulate and then knew the car was ready to go. Your body is no different. No, there have been no major upgrades over the past several years. Your body still needs time to warm up. In fact, it becomes even more essential as you age.
What exactly is a good warm-up, then? You do not have to hit an entire bucket of balls on the driving range, nor do you need to do a full workout of stretches. Just take time to hit at least a dozen balls but do so starting slowly. Start by hitting a few short range shots, gradually working up to longer drives.
Some gentle exercising is always a good idea, even if it consists of a brief walk. The reason so many people have heart attacks on the green is because they did not prepare their bodies for the physical demands of golf. Even if you are playing a casual, recreational game, golf places some strenuous physical demands on your body.
If you do not play regularly, a warm-up of at least a half hour to an hour would be proper before the golfing begins and you tee off. This requires you to arrive early or doing your warm up somewhere other than the course, perhaps at home. However, you may find that the driving range at the course is the best place to warm-up prior to a game. Some golfers spend some time practicing with training tools before leaving home, then park a good distance from the clubhouse allowing the walk up to serve as part of his or her warm-up.
If you play golf often and are in good physical condition, you may be fine with a shorter warm-up period, but you still should set aside some time for warm-up before making your first swing. If you do not, you may find yourself straining muscles that are not ready for such rigorous use on the course. Not only will pulled muscles hamper the rest of your game, they may also keep you off the course and in the clubhouse much longer than you want.
Some golfers use the warm up period as a time to be alone and concentrate on the upcoming game whereas others like to warm up friends and partners. Either way, it is essential that you set aside some time beforehand to prepare for the game. You will play better at this game and future tee times!
Augusta National Golf Club: A Fantastic Golf Course
July 29, 2008
The Augusta national golf club has been the location of the well known and highly televised Masters Tournament. The course is located in Augusta Georgia and has be placed on land that used to be a tree nursery.
An elegant designed golf course enjoyable, for those with the skill to enjoy.
The club is adorned with mant trees, flowers and every hole has the name of a tree that is located on the hole. In the early days it stood out from the rest of the golf courses due to the small number of bunkers, compared to other golf courses. The widths of the fairways on the course were also different from the other professional courses.
Changes to the Course
Over the years architects have made changes to the course such as placing more bunkers, decreasing the contours of the greens and placing more trees on the course. The creation of serveral rough areas made the course more challenging.
The greens at the course had a long tradition of being made from traditional Bermuda grass. In 1the early 80s, they were changed to being made from bent grass, which provides a faster surface on the green. This was the deciding factor for the changing of the contours that were placed on the green.
Members of the Augusta national golf club are probably familiar with the large oak tree that is located on the course and is thought to be over 140 years old.
The Eisenhower tree is a solid pine tree, which is situated on the 17th hole of the course.
Historians of the course claim that the tree was hit with a golf ball numerous times, (to his disgust) by President Eisenhower, and so he recommend that they remove the tree. The chairman of the course at the time did not want to have to ignore the recommendation of the President, however he decided the best thing to do was close the meeting.
The course also has Ike’s Pond, which was named after General Eisenhower. He had taken a walk in the woods on a distant portion of the club, and advised the chairman of the club that he had found a great place to include a pond. The pond was built based on his advice.
The chairman’s job was an extremely diplomatic role, with so many top names of politics and high ranking officials. It allowed its first African-American member in 1990. It is currently an all-male membership.
The Augusta course is a spectacular golf course, for both professionals and the weekend players. I highly recommend it if for only to pick out the specific famous peole, who have played there, and to identify how they moulded course.
Golf Aids Can Help Beginners Play Well
July 29, 2008
While it may seem simple, the game of golf is highly difficult to become proficient in. Besides the amount of training involved in getting the mechanics of the swing down, choosing the right clubs, balls, and other equipment to have a better chance of playing well is a difficult proposition for some. Luckily, there are some tips that can be followed and aides that can be used to ensure that your experience with the game of golf is fun and enjoyable.
One way to learn the fundamentals of golf or improve your game is by attending a beginner clinic or reserving individual time with a golf trainer or club professional. Most public and private courses include a staff pro who is available for basic training sessions for a set rate. Usually, the staff pro is a certified instructor and can identify areas that need improvement and offer you help in the areas where you need it most.
Private lessons can be expensive so a cheaper alternative is a group lesson or golf clinic. Some golf schools offer training clinics that attract many participants - these are usually taught by professionals or respected players but are usually more expensive and don’t provide one on one training that some people need. It is better for most people to have individual lessons to gain the basic skills to play the game.
One option for those trying to improve their golf game without spending too much time on the course is to purchase practice aids that allow you to advance your game in your own yard. A chipping net is a frequently used practice aid that gives the new player a focus point to hit and also includes a device that collects the balls that have actually hit the net.
For someone who wants to practice their game in their own homes, a putting return system is another of a series of popular training tools that can be utilized to improve your game. A putting return works on a few levels to help the player, as it can return the ball automatically after a good putt, but can also allow the player to use different surfaces to putt upon, simulating different course conditions.
Purchasing a set and having them custom tailored to the player is the most advisable thing for a new player to invest in. Even the most basic clubs can be custom tailored to a player, and that tailoring can be the difference between struggling and succeeding as a player. Most course pro shops can custom grip and custom size the shafts of the clubs (the most common adjustments made) to a player for a nominal fee. Investing in this service can immensely improve the feel of the game for a beginning player.
Quickly Improve Your Game Of Golf
July 29, 2008
Mastering your back swing is critical if you really want to have a great golfing experience. You simply can not expect a good game of golf without this skill. You could definitely play but improving this skill would not only improve your golf performance but improve your putting skills also. Focus more on improving your form and distance than improving your power. Remember this as you start working on this area.
Aligning with the ball, the right posture and good shoes would help you to improve your swing. Why do you need a strong posture is because without it you could twist at an in appropriate moment resulting in your incapability to hold the club properly. Your attempts at making a good back swing can be jeopardized when all these things combine. The first line of defense in the game is to have the right posture. This allows a good follow through to your swing.
The most effective way to improve your stance is to have a picture taken of yourself. Compare the correct stance with the photograph which shows the way you are standing. Take a lesson on how to correct postures if this option is not suitable. Building your skills upon a good set of foundation skills is necessary in order to ensure that you are learning the right skills as you need them.If you have the skill to work alongside a golf instructor this would be a more beneficial since they can be more honest with you regarding the problems with your stance than you will be with yourself.
Your next set once you have corrected your stance is to look at the problems with your grip. How does one have a bad backhand from the beginning? It is when you overextend your grip or hold the club the wrong way. Great back swings are impossible unless your grip of the club is absolutely right. Remember that it is impossible. It would only result in more frustration from numerous attempts. A tiny shift in the placing of your hands could really change the picture.
If you want to improve your back swing, remember to pull the club from the ball before it leaves the ground. Lifting and pulling the club at the same is a common mistake made by most players. Not only do you hit the ball off-center but it can affect the movement too. You could notice instant improvement when you pull the club before lifting it from the ground. This neither hard or complicated thing to do. Just pull the club before lifting off the ground and you could see a dramatic improvement in your backswing skills.
Discover The Open Golf Courses In England
July 29, 2008
If you are planning your European golf vacations then you should consider playing some of the golf courses in England. Although, as a Scotsman, I would recommend that you start of by playing the historically famous courses in Scotland first. The courses in England are nearly as famous nowadays because of their exposure as venues of The Open. So, here are the championship courses that have held the event over the years.
Strangely, the top golf courses in England, where The Open Championship has been held, are located in only two regions of England. The first area is the county of Kent on the south-east corner of the country, just south of London. The other area is up in the north-west, between Blackpool and Liverpool.
Golf Courses In England - The NW
Between Scotland in the north and Wales in the south is the coastline of the northwest region of England. The links of three of The Open golf courses are to be found here. You can easily reach this area by flying to either Manchester or Liverpool airports, which are both about an hours drive from the golf courses. Why not make Liverpool a base for playing the three courses as it is a beautiful city - as well as being home to The Beatles.
Royal Liverpool, or Hoylake, has the honor of being the first in the northwest to host The Open and is also the second oldest of the links golf courses in England. It has now held the event 11 times, starting from 1897 and has regularly held the event every decade until 1967. It was not held again until 2006, the year that Tiger Woods won. In 1930, Bobby Jones won here on his historic way to winning the grand slam of golf.
Royal Lytham & St. Annes was founded in 1897 but didn’t hold its first Open until 1926. It is one of the finest and most challenging links courses in Britain with over 200 bunkers to negotiate. It has seen its share of legendary golfers winning the Championship; Bobby Jones in 1926, Englishman Tony Jacklin in 1969, South African Gary Player in 1974, Spaniard Seve Ballesteros in 1979 and 1988, amongst others.
Royal Birkdale is the newest of the courses in England to hold The Open. Since 1954 it has held the event regularly, nearly twice a decade, up to 2008. With its towering sand dunes, it is a popular golf course and, you could say, a lucky golf course for the US golfers. Even though Peter Thompson won here in 1954 and 1965, and Ian Baker-Finch in 1991, Americans have taken top spots in the other 5 events.
Golf Courses In England - The South East
The southeast of the country is home to three Championship courses all located on the south coast of Kent, just to the south of London. This close proximity to London makes the area easy to reach for the visitor. To enjoy playing the three courses here, you would do well to stay in one of the charming villages and make the beautiful countryside of Kent as your base.
Royal St. Georges has held The Open a total of thirteen times and was the first course in England to host the event back in 1894. I would make this course a priority when enjoying your European golf vacations. In the early days, this course witnessed two wins each by legendary golfers Harry Vardon and Walter Hagan. There have been many closely fought Opens here, including the 1993 event which saw Greg Norman shooting a brilliant 64 to beat Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer.
Royal Cinque Ports or Deal as it is sometimes known has only held The Open twice - 1909 and 1920. Through misfortune it hasn’t held further events due to the war in 1915 and high tides in 1938 and 1949 which made the course unplayable. It is worth playing though, as it is a very challenging course that requires very straight shots to stay out of trouble.
Prince’s is a Championship course which you have probably not heard of before because it was only used once in 1932 to hold The Open. Golf legend Gene Sarazen won that year with a faultless display of golf and scored 283, which was a Championship record that was unbeaten for 18 years. Incredibly, the beautiful Prince’s course was used by the Royal Air Force for bombing practice during WW II. Renovation of the course was carried out in the 50’s which managed to include the use of 17 of the original greens which stood undamaged by the bombs.
These are the six Championship golf courses in England that you can play; your only problem might be fitting in the six in one trip as they are at opposite corners of England. Remember that you will have to book tee times in advance and you should visit each course’s website to find out about the dress code for each course and clubhouse.
US Open Golf Tournament Facts
July 29, 2008
The US Open golf tournament is the second oldest of the modern golf majors, having started in 1895, 30 years after the first British Open. The golf majors initially consisted of The (British) Open, The Amateur Championship (British), The US Open, and The US Amateur Championship. Even though The PGA started in 1916 and The Masters in 1934, it wasn’t until about 1960 that the modern day golf majors were known as The Masters, The US Open, The Open, and The PGA.
The US Open had a difficult start as it was played for the first time during the same week and on the same course as The US Amateur Championship. The course was the Newport Golf and Country Club, Rhode Island which was a 9-hole course. The event consisted of 4 rounds of the 9-holes played on the same day and the winner was Englishman, Horace Rawlins. There were only 10 professionals and one amateur playing each other for a prize total of $335.
The format of the U.S. Open has changed a number of times over the years. The USGA extended the championship to 72 holes in 1898, with 36 holes played each of two days. In 1926, the format was 18 holes played each of two days, followed by 36 holes on the third day. In 1965, the present format of four 18-hole daily rounds was implemented for the first time.
The popularity of The US Open coincided with the incredible career of Georgia amateur, Bobby Jones, who won in 1923, 1926, 1929, and 1930. Another contributing factor was that spectator tickets were sold to the public for the first time in 1922. The next big surge in popularity happened in 1954 because the event was televised on national television for the first time. All 18 holes from the final two days had live coverage in 1977 and, believe it or not, it wasn’t until 1982 that there was live broadcasts of the first two days.
From 1895 until 1910, the British dominated The US Open, or more correctly, the Scots - winning 12 of the first 15 events. One of those Scots, Willie Anderson, won The US Open four times in the 1900’s. There has only been a total of four players that have won four times; the other three were Bobby Jones in the 1920’s and 1930 (when he won the Grand Slam); Ben Hogan from the late 40’s to early 50’s; and The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus who won his first in 1962 and his last in 1980.
With Tiger Woods third victory at the 2008 US Open, it can only be a matter of time before he joins the illustrious golfers with four wins, and who knows, maybe he will go into the golfing history books with 5 wins or more. Did you know that a European has not won the event since 1970, when Tony Jacklin from England won? Another Englishman, Lee Westwood, had a chance in the 2008 US Open but missed a 15 foot birdie putt on the last hole.
Surprisingly, only 5 players have managed to win The US Open as well as The Open, The Masters, and The PGA. None of them have won all 4 majors in one single year though - Bobby Jones did his Grand Slam with The Open, The (British) Amateur Championship, The US Open, and The US Amateur. The five players to win the four golf majors were Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
Since 1911 Americans have largely dominated the event, winning the event 78 times. South Africans have had the best record since the end of the British domination, with 5 wins. Other nations that have had a win or two since 1911 are Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, England, and Scotland. As a Scotsman, I have to ask myself what has happened to Scottish golf since 1910. The last Scotsman to win the US Open was Willie MacFarlane in 1925 and the last one to win a major on American soil was Sandy Lyle at The Masters in 1988.
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Golf Weather - Compensating for Wind
July 29, 2008
There are many factors to consider before you choose a club and take a swing. One of the biggest factors to consider is golf weather. While a wet course will make your ball roll slower and a dry course will have the opposite affect, it?s really the wind that will have the biggest impact on your round of golf. Wind affects the direction your ball will go after you hit it and even after it touches the ground. Here are some basic golf tips for helping you compensate for wind.
The majority of golfers are right handed so we’ll go over this as if you are right handed. If you are left handed then you?ll need to adjust accordingly.
The first thing to do is determine which way the wind is blowing. If the wind is blowing on your back then you?ll strike the ball softer than usual especially if it is a brisk wind. This can certainly work in your favor especially on a drive. Hit the ball high and let the wind do most of the work. If the wind is blowing directly into the front of you then the opposite is the case; strike the ball harder than you normally would to counteract the force of the wind.
What if the wind is blowing from the right or left? If you don?t compensate then you?ll find that your shot will fall to the left or right of your intended target and might end up rolling completely off the green. For example, if your hole is 150 yards from the tee box and the flag is in the middle of the green you?ll need to alter your stance to compensate. Depending on the amount of wind you may also need to keep the ball low so the trajectory is not as greatly impacted. If the wind is blowing severely then you may consider choosing a club bigger than usual; a five or six iron instead of a seven iron.
Usually a breeze won?t have a huge impact on putting since the wind is less powerful near the ground but this isn?t always the case. If you are on a rise or the wind is very powerful then you?ll also need to compensate on these shots.
To play golf you have to take into account a number of factors and wind is one that shouldn?t be underestimated. Next time there is a windy day, don?t skip on golfing but take advantage of it and practice on the driving range so you know how to compensate.
Golf Balls - Not the Only Gift for the Enthusiast
July 29, 2008
Are you in search of a gift for a golf enthusiast? Maybe you?re looking for something for yourself that will improve your game or make it more personalized. Golf is one sport that has a plethora of accessories; it?s almost mind boggling. There are accessories in all price ranges so there?s always something that will fit your budget.
A golfer?s golf clubs are something that is very important and something that has been acquired after much shopping and trial and error. Ask any golfer and they will tell you that borrowing or renting clubs will only be done if they?re desperate. As this is the case, think about golf accessories for their clubs. The easiest one is a cleaning kit to keep their prized possessions shiny and new. There are also head covers that range from basic to ones in the shape or animals or more conservative monogrammed ones. Golf club grips are another idea; there is a diverse selection and if the accessory is for yourself then you might think about shelling out more for a custom fit grip.
There are other golf accessories to make the game more personalized. There is a wide variety of golf tees and golf balls. They come in an array of colors and styles and you can also get them personalized. Tees come in rubber or brush; brush is preferred since it is supposed to be longer lasting and give the golfer better accuracy. Golf balls come in many colors and it?s more of preference than anything else so pick one in your or your friend?s favorite color. A good compliment to balls and tees is a golf ball cleaner.
A ball retriever is another accessory that is popular for the golf enthusiast. There are affordable, yet effective, generic ones to choose from or you can get one personalized.
There are also gifts and accessories that are used in the sport but have no real bearing on the game or relation to the equipment. Golf towels are something that every golfer has and many are available with logos but most choose monograms or to personalize it with a family crest. Also think about getting a personalized visor or some nice, wrap around sunglasses with sufficient UV protection.
To find golf accessories, a good sporting good store will have the basics but if you want something special then visit a pro golf shop; the staff will be able to help you find the perfect accessory. You can also find some unique items online.
The Best Place To Buy Discount Golf Shoes Is Online
July 29, 2008
The Internet is becoming a popular place to shop as more and more people are looking to save money. Golfers have also discovered that they can get a great deal on discount golf shoes online, as well as the best choice. When faced with prices of over $400 for the newest top name drivers and over $40 for the newer 4-piece golf balls, golfers are looking to save some money with discount golf shoes.
This doesn’t mean that they have to settle for inferior golf shoes, far from it, as the best golf shoes from a few months ago are now the clearance golf shoes of today. Golf shoe designs are advancing quickly which leaves room for many manufacturers to offer discount golf shoes with savings of up to 60% and sometimes more.
When buying golf shoes online you have to know the exact size that fits you. Luckily, golf shoes come in many sizes and widths which makes finding a pair that fits you easy. No matter what size or width you are looking for, you can find discount golf shoes for under $100 - anywhere from sizes 4 1/2 up to 16 and from narrow up to extra wide golf shoes.
When looking for cheap golf shoes you don’t have to consider only unknown golf shoe brands. There are dozens of top brand name golf shoes that are priced at under $100, for example: Adidas Tour 360 II, Nike SP-7 TW Tour, Footjoy Dryjoys PODS, Puma Concorde GTX, Etonic G-SOK XCR Spikeless golf shoes, and ECCO Classic Crossfire Saddle golf shoes. Other top brands that you can also find for under $100 include Hi-Tec, Bite, and Callaway golf shoes.
You are not limited to only choosing boring styles when shopping for cheap golf shoes. You will find softspike golf shoes, spikeless golf shoes, casual and classic golf shoes, golf sandals, as well as all the womens golf shoes available. All these golf shoes can be found with some sort of discount, whether it is clearance, on sale, or closeout prices.
Another option for cheap golf shoes, especially if you like Footjoy golf shoes, are golf shoe blems. A blem is characteristically a golf shoe that has a very minor cosmetic imperfection. With FootJoy’s blems, these shoes also include factory overruns and retail store returns. Any blemish does not affect performance or the warranty; these are brand new shoes in the box.
Footjoy blems are a great option if you want the latest Footjoy golf shoes at fantastic savings. Shoes like Footjoy Classics Tour, Contour, Dryjoys, Dryjoys Pro, Reelfit, and GF II golf shoes can all be found with up to 50% discount. So if you really want those $320 Footjoy Classics Tour and are willing to accept blems, you can pick them up for around $160.
Buying golf shoes online is a fantastic way to save money and also you will have more choice. As it is easy to shop around on the Internet, you will be able to find your favorite golf shoes with discounts of 60% or more. Some stores stock some discontinued styles that they sell with a final clearance tag, often at cost or below. When you buy discount golf shoes, with what you save, you will be able to buy a couple of dozen Callaway Tour ix or Titleist Pro V1x golf balls.
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Costa Blanca - A Perfect Golf Destination for the Entire Family
July 29, 2008
Are you trying to plan a golf holiday but finding it difficult to locate golf destinations that also cater to non-golfers? While your passion is golf, your wife and kids may find a golf holiday the furthest from their idea of a perfect vacation. A perfect place to combine both your “need for green” and a fun-filled holiday for the rest of the family is the Costa Blanca region of Spain. Golf property in Costa Blanca has something for everyone; you are in close proximity to sunny beaches and culturally rich cities for sightseeing.
Relaxation and Entertainment
The Costa Blanca area specializes in golf and relaxation so there is plenty in the way of spa treatments including massage and facials. There are also a number of beautiful beaches to soak in some sun and relax. After a day of fun you’ll be able to enjoy the many dining options that range from cafes to five star dining. There is also nighttime entertainment catering to all ages and tastes.
Finding Accommodation
There are many options to choose from in the Costa Blanca region but if you want to stay in luxury accommodations then four and five star properties abound. Many of these properties are located near top notch courses including Campoamor Golf, Alenda Golf, Alicante Golf and Villamartin Golf. Many of the courses offer discounted green fees if you stay at a partner property. For example, if you stay at the Campoamor Golf Hotel you will receive deep discounts at the Campoamor Golf course. All of these courses and properties are within 50 kilometers of Alicante and/or Murcia airports. If you like to shop then Costa Blanca won’t disappoint with its many shops selling well known labels as well as traditional wares.
Buying Property
Many who spend time in this amazing region of Spain find that it is a perfect “home away from home” and decide to purchase real estate here. By purchasing property here you’ll have the ability to keep a set of clubs here and stop in for a weekend when you want. There are luxury properties available just steps away from the golf course. There are always new developments popping up such as the Puerto Banus and the San Pedro Alcantara courses. These properties offer course-side real estate and golf shares which is actual membership shares in the course so you can feel like you really own part of the course.
Research Costa Blanca
To find out more about Costa Blanca you can use the internet. You can research destinations and nearby sights to keep you and the family entertained. If you’re on a budget then there are several online tools to help you find affordable accommodations at the time you want to visit. If you’re searching for a property to buy then the internet is a great way to see what the market is like and look at pictures of potential properties.
