Golf Tips For Choosing A Driver

By Lea Hairson

The irons weigh from 14½ ounces for the No. 2 to 16½ for the No. 9. Sand wedges will go up to 17½.
Shafts of clubs are graded in three types, flexible, medium, and stiff. Most of the bigger, stronger pros use the stiff shaft. The medium shaft is for the average player. The flexible is generally considered best for players of more advanced age and for women. It is best suited for a slow swing. The limber-ness of a shaft is known to the manufacturers as shaft deflection.

The amount of loft in the face of a club (the amount it inclines from the vertical) varies from 10½ degrees for the driver up to 58 degrees for the sand wedge. There is only one degree difference between the No. 4 wood (19 degrees) and the No. 2 iron (20 degrees). Here are the lofts of the standard clubs:
Woods Irons
Driver 10 ½ degrees

No. 2 20 degrees
No. 2 13 degrees

No. 3 23 degrees
No. 3 16 degrees

No. 4 27 degrees
No. 4 19 degrees

No. 5 31 degrees
No. 5 21 degrees

No. 6 35 degrees
No. 7 39 degrees
No. 8 43 degrees
No. 9 47 degrees

Pitching
wedge 53 degrees
Wedge 55 degrees

Sand
wedge 58 degrees

We have heard a great deal, for years, about swing weight. The term is tossed about so loosely, in fact, that few players have much of an idea what it is. Swing weight indicates the distribution of the weight of a club. It is the proportion of the weight in the head compared to the shaft and the grip. Swing weights are listed from C-0 to D-9.

But a D-9, for instance, doesn't mean that 9 ounces of a club weighing 13% ounces are in the head. D-9 is merely one of the calibrations on what is known as a lorythmic swinging weight scale.
A D-9 is no club for the average player to use, either. It is what Arnold Palmer and many of the other pros use, and it is for a strong, fast swinger. For the average player the ideal swing weight is from D-1 to D-4. For women the range is from C-4 to C-6.
In a general sense, the more you "feel" the head of the club when you waggle it or swing it, the higher the swing weight. You have often heard players say, and no doubt you have said it yourself, when handling a new club, "Feels like a lot of head in this." What you are feeling is the swing weight.

You could be fooled, of course, by the shaft. A medium swing weight, for instance, in a club with a flexible shaft, would feel like a very high swing weight. You would "feel" an inordinate amount of head when you swung it. In fact, with a club like this, you would have a very difficult time developing a decent swing at all. But the manufacturers have taken care of this. They do not put out clubs with high swing weights on flexible shafts. In men's clubs the swing weights for a flexible shaft are D-0 and D-1. For medium shafts they are D-1 to D-4. For stiff shafts they are D-4 to D-9.

Which Clubs to Carry
Since the USGA permits the carrying of fourteen clubs, it would be difficult to persuade the average golfer that he shouldn't take full advantage of the rule. He would not be happy, indeed he would feel himself laboring under a handicap, carrying fewer than the rule allows. So, which ones should they be?

From the conventional set of three woods, nine irons, a sand wedge, and a putter, the average player should drop the No. 1 iron and the No. 2 wood. For these he should substitute the No. 4 wood and a pitching wedge. The No. 2 wood and the No. 1 iron, with their relatively straight faces, are the hardest clubs of all to use. Many pros dispense with the No. 2 wood, the old brassie, though most of them carry a No. 1 iron, mostly for use off a tee. If the pros cannot use them effectively, what chance does a 16-handicapper have to make them behave?

It is also a fact that most golfers find a lofted wood easier to handle than a long iron. This seems to be specially true as the player grows older. If you are one of these, and do not want to or cannot take the time to master the longer irons, then drop out the No. 2 and pick up a No. 5 wood.
Generally speaking, we recommend the carrying of a driver, Nos. 3 and 4 woods, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 irons, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a putter.

There are some to whom the No. 1 wood, the driver, seems to be a special type of poison. There is no logical reason for this. Anybody who can hit a 3 wood, or any other wood, off the fairway has more than enough ability to hit a teed-up ball with a driver. If you hook or slice so badly with the driver that you are afraid to play it, something is radically wrong with your swing.

Lewis is and avid golfer. He has trained, played and gives expert golfing lessons golf for a number of years.
To learn more about his golfing style check out Golfing Tips
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The Importance of Keeping Track of Your Golfing Scores

By Joseph Pahl

Golf is truly a unique game. You use different clubs for different purposes. There are different stances and different grips for those purposes. It's the only game where the playing field changes from course to course, unlike basketball, football and other sports.
You can play with others, or you can play alone. Keeping score can be a bit of a hassle, so why, when it's a friendly game or if you're golfing by yourself should you keep score? What does it really matter if you keep score or not?

What matters is the reason why you took up golf in the first place; because you wanted to do something where you could get out in the fresh air and challenge yourself. As fun and as competitive as play among friends is, the ultimate player that you play against is yourself.
There's something keenly satisfying about watching that slice that you have been working on getting rid of suddenly disappear. Or when your short game becomes your best game. But you won't be able to keep record of these events unless you keep scores of your games.

Everyone wants to lower their handicap, but, if you don't keep a score card, how will you ever know if it's going down. Or up, for that matter.
Keeping track of your score will help you to map your problem area, find your strong points, and keep track of your handicap. You can watch from course to course to see if the problems you run into at your home course come up when your at a different course at a different locale. But you can't do that without keeping track of your score.

Enjoy playing with others? If you all have a similar handicap the game will be more enjoyable. Your can study each others scores and help each other get better and more consistent play.
Playing golf is more than a game. It's a mindset. It can help you to better yourself by watching how you improve over time. This can be very motivating, especially if your workplace is a pressured environment. But you can't tell if you've improved if you don't keep accurate scores. Where would you be in your business if you didn't keep track of your progress?

Golf is about fellowship, fun, personal fulfillment, personal growth. Keeping score will simply keep all those elements working together.

Joe Pahl
Want to learn more about how to easily reduce your golf score by 7 strokes in just seven days? Go to http://www.7Days7Strokes.info to find out how.
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How to Avoid Obstacles When Golfing

By Robert J. Carlton

The obstacles you face on the golf course range from sand traps to water and trees. Even though you will not usually encounter more than one obstacle during the game, having to move your golf ball from behind a tree or trying to get it out of a sand trap could end up costing you a higher score. Golf balls that are lost in the water cannot be retrieved, so you will have to place a new golf ball near the water and sacrifice a shot in order to get back on track. Because of these obstacles, your game may never be as good as another golfer, but it is the obstacles that make the game much more interesting.

If you dread the obstacles on the golf course, you are not alone. They can be a real pain to get around and could cost you valuable strokes. In order to avoid these obstacles, the best way is to perfect your swing so that you can purposely avoid these obstacles. If you see a few sand traps, or brush up ahead, plan your next move. This could be anything from shooting over the trees, shooting around the sand trap, or shooting past the water to get to the green.

Once you reach the green, you should not think that you are safe from obstacles. Greens that are on hills are also obstacles you much overcome. If you don't hit the ball correctly, it may roll down into a sand trap or small pond. When trying to get the ball on the green, you should gauge the distance and use enough force to push the ball to the top of the green and close to the hole. Inexperienced golfers are apt to overshoot the green, which can cost them two or three strokes if they are not careful.

When practicing at home properties in La Manga, Spain, you can create obstacles such as hills and bodies of water by purchasing a putting green and moving to different areas in your yard. This will help you learn how to gauge your shots and learn how to control your ball. You can also practice at the driving range or on the golf course. Golfing at different courses that offer a variety of obstacles is a great way to learn even more about controlling your golf ball so that you can avoid these obstacles.

Golf is a great game, but it takes patience and practice in order to become better. If you are prepared to have a good time while golfing and you are able to focus on performing well, the game of golf will become even more enjoyable.

Being especially interested in Oliva and Denia, Robert Carlton has been writing countless short articles on the matter. You might come across his publications on properties in la manga spain at http://www.alicante-spain.com
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The Golfing Experience in San Diego

By Jonathan Blocker

Golfing in San Diego is great fun. The weather is warm and mild for much of the year, so golfing can make a fantastic year-round sport here. When you make golf reservations in San Diego, not only will you enjoy the delightful scenery that all of the great golf courses offer, but you will also benefit from the healthy exercise you will get while golfing on these beautiful courses.

One of the great aspects of golfing is that it is a sport that can be enjoyed in the later years of life as well as in earlier ones. All athletes, regardless of their age, can benefit from the great strides that science has taken in the areas of sports nutrition and injury treatment. Due to this, golf enthusiasts profit from being able to recover from injuries more quickly than was possible in the past due to advances in sports medicine. In addition, older golfing athletes can enjoy the sport for a longer period of time if they train effectively by using golf conditioning, which was popularized by the legendary Tiger Woods. These include exercises focusing on the body parts that must endure the most stress during a game of golf. These exercises will help not only improve your balance, coordination and flexibility, but they will also increase the muscular strength of your core, or center of the body, as well as the arms and legs, which are strenuously used in the sport. It makes sense to start conditioning a couple of months before you want to play, so that your body will have time to adjust and improve from the exercises.

Walking is a great cardiovascular activity that is easy to do, and the time will fly by as you exercise when you are walking on the fantastic golf courses of San Diego. Book your San Diego discount tee times soon, and put the fun back into your exercise routine. There are so many lovely golf courses in San Diego that you owe it to yourself to visit. One is the Oceanside Golf Course. This course is fairly flat, so it makes for an easy walk. No matter if you are a beginner or an expert, Oceanside will offer you a great game of golf. You can get your fill of water features here, with a dozen offering aquatic excitement, as well as a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean on the twelfth hole. If you enjoy variety in your walking routine, try the Mission Trails Golf Course. You will wander through a beautiful valley for the first half of this eighteen-hole course, and then you will get to traverse the Lake Murray shoreline for the second half of your fun exercise experience.

Jonathan Blocker is an avid business and travel writer. He has been traveling on commercial airlines and air charters for several years. He has traveled millions of miles around the world using charter flights and jet charter services
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Jack Nicklaus - Simply The Greatest Golfer Of All Time

By Terry Edwards

Talk to any golfer, or any knowledgeable sports person for that matter, and ask them who the greatest golfer of all-time is and they will most likely answer Jack Nicklaus. This is no dis-respect to Tiger Woods, but Jack Nicklaus changed the world of golf for over 40 years. Jack's 20 majors are five more than his closest challenger and is a tribute to his incredible desire to win. This will applies not only on the course, but off of it as well. His work ethic and dedication to golf are what others only dream about.

Born in Columbus, OH January 21, 1940, Jack Nicklaus burst onto the PGA Tour in 1962. Along with his friend Arnold Palmer, they forever changed the golf world as we know it. They brought golf to television, and there classic duals changed the way people thought of golf. It helped to make it a household word. Suddenly, golf became cool.

One of the things that separates Jack from other athletes is that he did it the right way. You never heard about Jack being arrested for doing something he shouldn't have been doing. There were no scandals. There were no performance enhancing drugs. No alcohol issues, etc. Jack Nicklaus exemplified the meaning of the word class.

Jack is one of only two golfers who have won all four majors more than once. He is also the only player to have won all of golf's majors in both the PGA and Senior Tours.
One of the most memorable of Jack Nicklaus' performances came at the 1986 Masters. At the age of 46 few, if any people had given the Golden Bear any hope of playing well, let alone any chance at winning. But, for Jack, winning is what runs through his heart.

Trailing by 4 shots behind guys like Greg Norman, Tom Kite and Seve Ballesteros, things didn't look real good after nine holes. But, what followed on those final 9 holes will be forever remembered by anyone who loves golf. He birdied 9 - 10 - 11 and 13. Next came an eagle on 15 and the crowd, along with the TV audience knew they were witnessing something special. Then Jack nearly hit a hole-in-one on 16, making an easy birdie. At 17, Jack made a 12 putt for another birdie that put him in the lead. The crowd had never roared as loud as they did that day.

The golfers playing behind Jack could not even set up and play their shots at times due to the noise. When Jack made par at 18 for a 30 on the back 9 at Augusta, all he could do was wait and see what the other golfers would do. Amazingly, Seve Ballesteros hit his ball in the water, took a double bogey on the 15th hole and took himself out of a chance at winning. Tom Kite missed a crucial putt on 18 that would have tied him with Jack. Next, Greg Norman, who was tied with Jack at the time, made a bogey on the finishing hole to give Nicklaus the win and the green jacket. It's a tournament that will forever be remembered by golfers and fans alike.

The list of accomplishments in the career of Jack Nicklaus is immense. He finished with 73 PGA Tour wins and led the Tour in money earnings eight different years.
An interesting story at the end of Jack's career came at the 2005 British Open. Jack had announced earlier in the year that he would retire in 2005 at the British Open on the Old Course at St Andrews, the birthplace of golf. Well, the Open was not scheduled to be played at St Andrews until 2006. So, the organizers of the Open decided to move the schedule up one year and play the Open at St Andrews in honor of Jack's final tournament.

Today, Jack Nicklaus enjoys spending time with his family as well as his love of designing golf courses around the world. His design company, which he runs with his sons and other family members, is responsible for the design of nearly 1% of all the golf courses in the world. He also owns his own golf equipment company and runs the Memorial Golf Tournament, an annual stop on the PGA Tour.

It was only fitting that Jack finished his final hole of his last professional golf tournament with a birdie at St Andrews. Sinking a 15 foot curling putt, Jack raised his arms an extended his putter high in the air as he has done for so many years when he would sink a critical putt.

The golf world, and the world in general, has been blessed by having known Jack Nicklaus. Simply put, he is the greatest golfer of all-time.
You can find out much more about Jack Nicklaus as well as get valuable golf tips and information at our website http://www.Golf.InfoFromA-z.com.
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3 Golf Tips to Lower Golf Handicap And Improve Your Golf Game

By Tim Lee

If you are looking for means to lower your golf scores, then here are some valuable tips that are sure to help golfers of all ages and abilities to lower their golf handicaps.

(1) Practice…Slowly
Good form during a swing is very important in improving one's performance. However, too many people make the mistake of simply going for many repetitions instead of honing their form per swing.
If you do not force every practice swing to form perfection, simply doing repetitive exercise can actually be detrimental since you could be repeating a wrong form over and over again. This could burn the wrong form into your muscle memory and could seriously hinder your bid for better performance – and a lower handicap.

Practicing a golf swing in slow motion can be a great way to fine tune your swing and get the right form while you are at it. Your mind will connect better to the proper muscle movement and form.
You can start speeding up a little a time while you do this. Eventually, you can get yourself doing the right form over and over again. This is when repetitive exercise can help.

(2) Get a Grip
Good golf grip is important for any serious golfer. And the best way to develop your grip is by practicing it every time you can. Most golfers have golf clubs by their sofa – for easy access whenever they lounge by the television – so that they can practice their grip as often as possible.
With enough practice, holding a club properly will become second nature to you. So keep those clubs within constant range for a better golf grip.

(3) Get a Mirror
A mirror is a great way to monitor and evaluate how your swing is going. You could use a video recorder as well to get better angles of your swing – and they are great for keeping you focused on swinging instead of looking at the mirror. Choose whatever option is convenient for you.
Mirrors and videos can help you get immediate feedback on whether what you are doing is correct. You may also want to send this video to instructors who can then tell you what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong.

Conclusion
As with most things, only practice makes perfect. However, you can avoid wasting your time during practice by learning to practice smarter instead of just more. The tips mentioned above will help you get started on this road.
To learn more tips on lowering your golf handicap, please visit http://www.supergolf.info/
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All The Secrets To Buying Discount Golf Equipment Online

By Dane J Stanton

When people think of golf they think of a sport that is based more around mental capabilities than physical aspects, however there is also one another part of golf that is perhaps the most necessary and that is the equipment a play carries with him or her. Whether it be the set of clubs he or she is using to play with, the balls they choose to hit, gloves, shoes and so many more, golf equipment is a huge part of the game. But can every afford to buy the best equipment? Put straight, no they cannot, but don't fret. There is a way to buy discount golf equipment online and you can save vast sums of money doing so.

As we all know, there isn't a cheap piece of equipment that goes along with playing golf. If you take a look at the price of an average set of clubs in your local golf store, you will notice that the price is most of the time over your budget. There are many discount golf stores available all over the country, but if you could not be bothered looking for one nearby, do what everyone else is doing, search the internet.

There are a myriad of discount golf stores online and all of them will do anything to get you to buy something from their catalog, so use this to your advantage. Ask these stores if they can improve upon their current prices. Shop around first to see if there is the same piece of equipment for sale somewhere else that's cheaper. This way you can get these discount golf stores to bring down their prices. Of course you aren't going to be able to reduce the price of a set of golf clubs, for example, by a couple hundred dollars, but you are going to save 'some' money that you can spend on other equipment, like golf balls, because we all know you can't have enough balls right?

Quality and Price
Any seller can give you discount golf products at any time of the year but stocking up at end-of-season summer clearance sales might be a good idea when golf shops are getting rid off inventory before winter.

Brands such as Nike, Adidas, Mizuno and Callaway sometimes have promotions and discounts on all their golf products, ranging from their golf clubs to golf balls and golf shirts to shoes. These discount golf products do not lack in quality just because they are on sale, as the same amount of effort is put into each product because they are backed by the manufacturer’s brand name.

Accessories
You could save money on golf apparel as even though it looks great to be in correct golf gear from head to toe, it is not necessary for your game. So do not scrimp on golf clubs. Rather, wear regular sports clothes on the course and save.

Also, know where to draw the line between fancy extras and core equipment. Often, salespeople might explain how a particular feature is a must-have, but your homework or advice from golfing buddies can prove otherwise.

Let me tell you this, there are also many discounted golf accessories, like golf bags and shoes that have already been launched during a particular time of high demand. Of course the market has then slumped a little and they have been forced to sell their equipment for less. There are so many ways to buy discount golf equipment and it's imperative that you take advantage of all the offers you can find.

If you want to learn more about Golf including free information, reviews and much more, or you want to join our free weekly newsletter then please visit golf shops (Recommended) or for more free articles all about golf visit http://www.GolfShopReview.com/GolfShops
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Beginner Golf Swing Instruction Tips

By Tim Gorman

If you are a beginner at the fine sport of golf you may need some beginner golf swing instruction. Where can you find beginner golf swing instruction? What are some beginner golf swing instruction tips? You have come to the right place for beginner golf swing instruction tips and information.

Start by contacting your local golf course or country club and inquire about beginner golf swing instruction. You can also talk to the people at a community college close to you and see if they are offering any classes on beginner golf swing instruction.
Check the newspaper and find out if there are any individuals who might be interested in teaching beginner golf swing instruction.

You may also be able to find lots of help with beginner golf swing instruction online. There are free golf web sites as well as videos and books on beginner golf swing instruction that you can purchase.
As a new learner you should consider a few things before you start beginner golf swing instruction. The mental part of the game is very important. Before you start beginner golf swing instruction remember that self confidence plays a key role in your success.

Learn how to talk to yourself in a positive way before, during and after you take that first swing. Beginner golf swing instruction may be a negative experience if you worry about what others are saying about you.
Keep your mind on the swing and focused at all times. This is another key in successful beginner golf swing instruction.

Find a good instructor or other way to learn and get yourself ready mentally and you will have good results in the area of beginner golf swing instruction.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Golf-Swing-Improvement.com. He provides more golfing tips, putting tips and golf swing instruction tips that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
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Serious Tips For Running a Successful Golf Tournament

By Dan Boever

The following is an interview with Chris Obert. Chris is PGA member and head golf professional at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club in Springfield, MO. He has run over 500 corporate and charity related golf tournaments. He knows his stuff when it comes to making people happy on the golf course. I hope you enjoy.

What common mistakes do you see people make when organizing their golf tournament?
They pay too little back to players or to not enough players. Committees can sometimes get caught up on the present event and how much they are raising for their charity and do not stay focused on the future of their event. If they keep future participation in mind and give back to those participating, they will continue to grow their event year after year.

Do you see the same problems with corporate events?
Corporate events rarely have this problem since the host company usually doesn’t charge an entry fee and covers all expenses for a wonderful day of golf, food and beverage. At times I have seen corporate events cut corners and not host beverages on the course, this can be a disappointment to clients they are entertaining. If you plan on winning over your current or future customers, don’t cut corners. Make a great impression on your clients by giving them a small gift on their cart seat (Preferably a Towel, Repair Tool or Sleeve of Balls) with the course logo you are playing that day or your company logo. This always makes a great first impression.

What common threads do you see with events that do well year after year?
Tee gifts, big or small will immediately get your participants attention. But remember this, if do it once, they will expect it in the future. Keep this in mind when deciding how much you want to spend and don’t try to over impress every year. Keep the gifts simple and consistently priced from year to year. Make sure to give a gift that will not be left in the cart and thrown away at the end of the event by the course staff while cleaning carts. Players will tend to hold on to course logo items, accompany the course logo with your company or charity logo. It will cost a little extra for the second logo, but your items will not be left behind.

Can you typically get what you need at most pro shops?
Yes, you can consult the PGA Professional or Course Tournament Director for ideas, pricing is usually better through them since they are making profit on guest fees, food, beverage and gift certificates. Most courses will make only 10-15% or less on these extra tee gifts as a service to you and to keep you returning to their facility for years to come. After the first year, the course will have your logo on file for the future gifts to make this a simple process from year to year.

What is the best time of year for groups to hold their event?
It is very important to contact your desired facility to book your event before the first of the year. Most courses that host events will book up prior to the end of January. Expect to have a Monday event day if you choose a private facility. If you are starting a new event, it is best to get into a good facility and be less demanding on the date, rather than allowing your exact date to determine the course. In the years to follow, you can advise the Professional or Tournament Director that you would like to move your event to a different date if one opens. Most courses will have repeat tournaments that will have preference on their date.

Is it that tough to get a date you really want?
Once you establish that you are viable event with good participation (100+ Players) you soon will have the date you desire at a great facility. Once you have established a desirable date at a good course, try to keep it on that same date from year to year so that your participants and sponsors can anticipate it. FYI: Some charities prefer to take early dates in the year so that corporate donations they are looking to acquire will not be depleted. You must contact those companies as soon as you have an established date, time and location to best achieve your charity goals.

Dan Boever is a highly sought after golf entertainer and 11-time World Long Drive finalist who has traveled the country for the past 10 years performing power trick shot shows for over 600 of America's largest companies and charities. Dan has been featured on CBS, ESPN, The Golf Channel and has been in 8 National television commercials for Pinnacle Golf. Dan also appeared in the New Line Cinema movie "Hoot", released last May. For more information about Dan and how you can energize your next golf event with Dan's one of a kind golf exhibition go to http://www.danboever.com or view http://www.metacafe.com/watch/477188/through_the_legs_at_200_mph/
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Quickly Improve Your Golf Game With Golf Swing Software

By Tim Gorman

Every golfer wants to improve their game and there is no shortage of companies that are willing to help you. Of course the main thing that most golfers want to improve is their swing.

Having a good swing is the basic requisite for playing well and ultimately lowering your golf score. If your swing is off then you cannot direct the ball well or hit it with the right degree of power and accuracy. Improving your swing will help you to get a good solid game that you can build on. There are numerous books, videos and other assorted gadgets to help you. One of there newer and also more useful golfing aids available is golf swing software. It sounds a bit complicated but like all good things it is relatively simple.

Golf swing software is really just way of looking at your swing, seeing what is wrong with it and telling you how to put it right in much the same way as a lesson with a golf pro or teacher would. Of course the advantage with golf swing software is that when you have bought it you can use it as much as you want and whenever you want.

It can be a real help if your game is a bit off and you cannot figure out or isolate what is wrong, to use the golf swing software to analyze your swing so that you know if you have started to do something differently. It can also be a good way of monitoring your improvement when you are trying to make adjustments to your swing. That way you can work out what you are doing right and what you need to improve a bit more. Lessons can be very expensive if you have to keep going back every time you are not sure if you are doing something right or not.

Although it sounds complicated and difficult golf swing software is actually very simple to use. The basic idea is that you take a video of your technique and then upload it to the software, it then tells you what it wrong and what you should be doing to improve your swing. It does not have to analyze the whole swing at one go. Instead it can analyze each part of the swing separately. This makes it a lot easier to see where you are going wrong and how to put it right. This software is not a replacement for real or paid for golf instruction from a pro but it can be a very helpful way to make your progress even better.

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

Women's Golf Through the Decades – The Battle to Promote Female Athletes

By Sulaiman S.

Golf has stereotypically been a game for wealthy men – doctors who play a few holes on their lunch break, lawyers who use the country club to schmooze new clients, and stockbrokers who make million-dollar deals on the green. Although some women enjoy the sport and even play professionally, they have been mostly confined to the LPGA – Ladies’ Professional Golfing Association. That is beginning to change, however, with the emergence of bright young female athletes like Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie, who have the skill, the talent, and the drive, to challenge the world of men’s golf on their own turf. The History of Ladies’ Golf.

Professional golfing events for women got their start in the 1950’s with the foundation of the LPGA. The LPGA was a labor of love at the beginning, with many of the competitions on the tour offering no prize money whatsoever. At the end of the decade, the total prize money for the 21 events on the tour finally reached $200,000 – still a paltry amount compared to the rewards offered to male golfing pros. In the 1960’s, corporations began to take note of the women’s golf movement, and began offering sponsorships and prize money. The first television broadcast of a woman’s golfing event took place in 1964, and the accomplishments of LPGA member Mickey Wright, who dominated the sport in her time, began to capture the imagination of the American public. By the end of the decade, there were 34 events offering prize rewards of $600,000.

In the 1970’s, the LPGA becomes big business. A number of hot stars enter the women’s golfing world, including Judy Rankin, who was the first LPGA member to break the $100,000 earnings mark in a season and Nancy Lopez, who broke record after record with her wins. At the end of the decade, prizes for winners topped $4.4 million.

By the ‘80’s, female golfing has hit its stride. LPGA members break the $1 million earnings mark, prizes soar to $14 million, and LPGA events are regularly televised. The LPGA starts a retirement fund, colleges and high schools begin to offer programs for women golfers. Throughout the 1990’s, this popularity continues to grow. The LPGA is now a multi-million organization, with several million-dollar events on its roster.

Women Cause Controversy in the PGA
With the event of better-trained and more enthusiastic professional female golfers comes the question of whether competing in a woman’s league is satisfying enough. World-class LPGA member Annika Sorenstam shocked the world of golfing when she accepted an invitation to play in a PGA tournament. Vijay Singh, a male golfer from Fiji who was ranked number seven in the world at the time, stated that Annika Sorenstam did not belong in a PGA tournament, and he would refuse to play if paired with her. Although he issued an apology for the statement, he did withdraw from the tournament.

Although Singh and many others believed that women should stay in the LPGA, there are no gender restrictions for playing in the PGA. Proponents of gender neutrality in the PGA say that the tournaments should feature the best of the best, no matter who they are. Although Annika Sorenstam was the first to play in a PGA event, she surely won’t be the last. The world of golfing currently has its eye on Michelle Wie, a professional golfer from Hawaii who was regularly hitting 300-yard drives in competition when she was only 13 years old. At 14, Michelle Wie missed the cut at the 2004 PGA Tour Sony Open by just one shot. Suzy Whaley and Se Ri Pak are also female golfers who stand a strong chance at playing in PGA events. Are Women in the PGA detrimental to the LPGA?

An argument against women playing in the regular PGA tour is that it will detract star power from the LPGA. If the LPGA loses its audience and its sponsors, there will be no training grounds for female golfers and no source of income for professional women. A counterargument is that women playing in the PGA increase awareness and of the female side of the sport, and promote popular interest.

For more information about Golf you can visit this link Annika Sorenstam Solomon S. is the owner and operator of Top Seo Experts - http://www.topseoexperts.com offering wide range of SEO services and internet marketing.
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A Golf Player's Guide to Buying Quality Golf Clubs

By Jeffery Dodd

Golf players generally need to have the right clubs and golf accessories to perform well in golf. This explains why it necessitates some golfing wisdom and some know how in buying a new set of golf clubs. If you have just been hooked by the addicting sports and you are looking for new golfing sets, some basic know how will help you. Here a few things to remember when buying golf clubs:

Know which golf club is right for you. Take into consideration your body size when buying golf clubs. The golf clubs that are most appropriate for your body size are ideally those that measure the same size as the length from your navel to the floor. This means that if you are big or tall enough, the standard sets will not do well with you. Another way to identify the appropriate club for you is to try golf clubs before purchasing them. This will give you an idea if you will be comfortable with a particular club or if you will have a better swing with another.

Learn which golf clubs are the best. This does not mean looking for the most popular and most expensive brands in the market. This means asking friends who play golf what particular golf clubs they are most comfortable with. You may also check what kind of clubs good and experience players are playing. You can also get an idea which golf clubs are the best by reading golf magazines, searching about golf clubs and accessories in the internet, and evaluating users’ reviews which are available in some online merchant sites. Seeking advice from a golf pro, however, is not advisable because some of them may be endorsing particular brands in the market.

Take into consideration your needs as a player and your available resources when setting your budget. When you are on the lookout for golf clubs and accessories, you will be encountering a wide array of golf club prices. Knowing your needs as a player and your available resources will help you determine the appropriate amount that you have to spend for golf clubs and accessories. Buying expensive clubs is okay as long as you have lots of money and if you intend to engage in the sports more often. If you don’t intend to play much and you have a limited budget, however, buying expensive golf clubs is not advisable. You may instead look for cheaper brands or second hand golf clubs.

Golf clubs are necessary for you to enjoy and excel in the game. If you have finally made up your mind to buy a golf club set for yourself, remember to take these tips in consideration. This will have you buying the best and appropriate club for you that your resources can afford.

Jeffery Dodd is an accomplished writer who specializes in sports and recreation. For more information on Golf Course, just visit us at http://golfcourse.thesportstar.net
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Golf Tips for the Beginning Golfer

By Sarah Freeland

Much like any other game or sport, beginner golfers look to the experts to learn the fundamentals, rules and other golf tips in order to increase the quality and enjoyment of their games. These golf tips can vary from how to prepare to play, how to effectively play throughout the game, and how to practice.

One particular golf technique teaches golfers the proper grip. This grip will reduce many beginners’ tendency to slice. A good grip keeps the club head square when hitting the ball and also keeping the shaft from turning in the golfer’s hands. By holding the club in a relaxed, comfortable feel, the golfers’ game success can be more assured.

Yet another golf strategy involved with preparing to tee off is concerned with setup. It is imperative that a golfer stands square --- with their feet placed parallel to the target line. A closed stance will create a swing path that is inside to outside, driving a ball out of the intended path. This stance allows the athlete for more freedom for a golfer’s arms and shoulders.

When preparing a golf stance, another effective golf tip is involved with a swing path. An inside to square swing generally results in a straight shot because it encourages a hook from the club to the ball. The target line is an imaginary line that extends from the ball to the intended target. A golfer’s goal is an inside-outside swing path that ultimately moves slightly outside after impact.

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12 Golf Tips For Pitching

By Anthony Lee

Pitching is a very important aspect of golfing; however, it is often ignored by most amateur golfers.

A great pitching game could take off several strokes from your handicap. Pitching is very useful especially when you need to hit above trees, water hazards and bunkers. Here are some golf pitching tips:
1. Do not look at your shot after making it. A lot of people are so excited to see how their shot goes, but watching it often turns into disaster.
2. Keep on focusing to deliver a mild downward wallop to your golf ball.
3. Try using lofted clubs for pitching. A sand wedge, pitching wedge, or a lob wedge usually does well for this. If you do not know which of your clubs is a pitching wedge, look at the sole of that club and look for the PW mark, sometimes you would just see a W or rarely, a number 10.
4. Position the ball at the center of your stance.
5. Depending on the length of you shot, your backswing should be shoulder-high, standard full-swing, or shoulder-high.
6. While standing on the tee or the fairway, always thing about the next shot you are about to make. Do not focus so much on the yardage that the hole has.
7. Instead of holding your club directly down the lower part of your grip, take hold of it. Hold it as if you are doing a chip. Keep your grip at the center.
8. Incline your body's weight for about 60 to 40 percent on your forward foot.
9. Keep the butt or the top of your club pointing to your forward leg.
10. Be sure to take your club straight to the back as you swing.
11. In your follow through, try brushing the ground using your club's head.
12. Take these tips on the course and practice as much as you can.

If you have not paid attention to your golf pitching, it is about time you check out how you pitch. Use these tips and see how quickly you improve your pitching.
To learn more tips for golf improvement, please go to http://www.improve-golf-game.info/
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Exercises and Workouts for Golf Fitness

By Mark Norton

Because many people would not consider golf to be a sport that could require more exertion than basketball or football, most would see no reason to do exercises and workouts for golf fitness. But beginning golfers who believe that golf is in some way less of a sport than other games will be in for an aching surprise. People who walk the green and complete 18 holes in a regular golf game for the first time tend to earn a body suffering from something like a larger scale version of carpal tunnel syndrome, the pain a person gets in their wrist from doing the same motion repeatedly for long periods of time.

The more you do…
If a new golfer does not commit to doing exercises and workouts for golf fitness and some supplementary tactics, the corkscrew motion of her/his back during a golf swing could have long-lasting ill effects. People who prepare their bodies for the little-acknowledged rigors of golf can spare themselves much pain.

Some exercises and workouts for golf fitness include but are not limited to:
Stretches - Increased flexibility enhances the range your body can overall put into a golf swing. A good golf swing does not reside only in the arms of a golfer. Posture - To avoid back spasms and joint pain, a new golfer should always practice straight, square-shouldered posture on every swing. It takes only one golf swing while in bad form to keep a golfer of the green for weeks on end. Core strength training - Good exercises and workouts for golf fitness focus intensely on upper body strength. The distance a golfer puts on a ball begins with the strength that golfer has in her/his torso, not just in his arms. The arms are just the extension of the power one has in the turn of his torso during a well done golf swing.

Taking care of your muscles and body
Also, good chiropractic care is a must. During exercises and workouts for golf fitness as well as throughout a full 18 holes of golf, a golfer who takes every precaution and is in the best form possible can sometimes use maintenance on her/his joints and discs. Chiropractic medicine acts as a preventative, rehabilitative as well as overall soothing agent to the golfer’s body that has been well worked by the exercises and workouts for golf fitness as well as the game itself.

With conventional joint care and innovative offerings of vitamin B12 shots and hyperbaric therapy as well as exercises and workouts for golf fitness, a new golfer can be well on his way to the elusive hole-in-one.

www.Scottsdale-Personal-Trainers.com
Why use Mark Norton? His extensive knowledge of exercise science, nutrition, human physiology, program design, movement analysis.... Those are some great reasons and all accurate but the most important the dedication to our clients success.
Why use a personal trainer? A trainer will progress you through an exercise program with proper form, the proper intensity level, progress the difficulty of your exercises to match or improve fitness levels. A trainer can modify exercises to help with existing injuries and help reduce the chance of future injuries. Trainers most importantly provide motivation accountability and consistency.
We offer private sessions, as well as semi-private sessions, lunch hour groups, Internet coaching and on-site training for sports teams.
We are not a corporate gym where the membership is looked at like a dollar sign. We are just as invested in your success as you are. Our business succeeds when you succeed. In fact, we give our promise that you’ll be 100% satisfied or you’ll get your money back. http://www.scottsdale-personal-trainers.com
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5 Pro Golf Techniques You Shouldn't Even Attempt

By Joshua Spaulding

There are five things that an everyday golfer shouldn't even try to attempt! This article will explain what you should and should not try. Simple methods are the best, and I'm sure this will take strikes off your game.
1. All of the pros say, “Never release the club to soon if you’re on plane”. Many amateurs are set on retaining a wrist ring for as long as possible, and then end up with serious control issues. The secret to “lag” is not your wrist cock; it is the ability to turn your lower body wide open before the club face meets the ball, while keeping your shoulders square to the tee. This will be your real source of power. For best hot control and distance, release your hands sooner and concentrate more on body posture, not the way you grip the club.

2. Let me guess, your still after getting more distance? Consider finding a softer shaft, it will help your “lag” to feel more natural, this is because of better loading and bending applications. With the proper fitting you can find a shaft designed to release in the best location for maximum club-head speed in the place you need it most.

3. Now, for the control issue, pick out a shaft with a softer tip section, the “soft tip” will do two things, your shots will be straighter with more torque, and you will have more forgiveness on off center shots. Pay attention and get the right flex, length, and weight for all clubs in your bag. It will make a difference in your game.

4. Maintaining a straight left arm and holding both feet on the ground at the top of your back-swing is almost impossible. Trying this maneuver will give you the risk of dropping your left shoulder, or developing a bad habit of reverse pivot. Allow your forward foot to lift and maintain while having a little flex in your left arm, this will produce bigger turns. Your stance should be narrower, allowing you to strengthen your coil away from the ball.

5. Flexibility is more than just being able to get the body into a more powerful position. Flexibility will also be a preventative measure that will make your game enjoyable for years. Take a few minutes before your next round to get loose. Pay attention to your posture. You will reduce the risk of injury after time. Stretching before your game will reduce the risk of injury and you will find yourself more relaxed and able to produce a more natural swing.

Remember, just be you and mingle at the clubhouse, ask questions about other people’s techniques, and just have fun and relax. You can meet lots of interesting people, which could lead to a better quality of life.

To find many more Free Golf Tips, including Golf Putting Tips visit http://www.freegolfswingtips.net/ where you'll find everything you'll ever need to know about lowering your golf score.
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Chasing The Perfect Golf Swing

By Helen Hecker

Even the guys who play golf for a living and get the best golf instruction in the world still struggle to improve their golf swing and they practice each and every day. When your golf swing is off and you're playing golf badly it isn't a lot of fun, but you can change it if you apply yourself. Golf is a difficult game to master and most golfers just don't have the time it takes to practice, practice, and practice to significantly improve it.

Golf requires tough mental fitness as well as physical fitness and this is often overlooked. Keep the good positive energy flowing and don't give in to any negative thoughts. On the golf course focus or concentrate totally on your swing and you'll get the best score. Don't let unrelated thoughts slip in. Say to yourself 'be here now' to stay focused. As you swing, visualize exactly where you want the ball to land.

At the end of a proper golf swing, the weight should have shifted almost entirely to the left foot, with the body fully turned to the left and the hands should be above the left shoulder with the club hanging down over the back. The most important thing about the golf swing is the angle, not the strength that's applied to it. That is only one of many swing secrets. Ask your club golf pro to evaluate your posture and biomechanics while you're swinging.

Swing slowly and steadily using good rhythm. And make sure not to grip the golf club too tightly.
Many golfers who are left-handed prefer the right-handed golf swing. Now at the end of a backswing the hands are above the right shoulder with the golf club pointing more or less in the intended direction of the ball flight. When you swing, if you have a problem with your left knee buckling, imagine holding a soccer ball between your knees.

Make sure to use the basic 'hitchhiker' position when working on your back swing. One of the problems that most inexperienced golfers share is that they think much too much about their swing.
Most golfers don't know that there are techniques that will greatly affect swing mechanics. You can get an edge by changing your approach. You can get rid of any annoying shoulder problems with some simple techniques. In order to prevent injury and improve swing speed and distance your body needs to be strong and flexible. Using some simple tips, techniques and stretches, you can increase your drives by up to 20 yards in a short period of time.

Keep in mind that with some golf swing trainers, you may still need some help from an expert. And most of all you don't want to waste your money on a golf swing aid you don't need or will never use. If you're looking for a golf swing trainer to improve your stance they are easy to find.
There are swing aids that will act as driving range simulators too. And you can find golf trainers that will help you with your wrist and arm position. There are golf swing aids to help you with your swing alignment.

Before you buy any aid or trainer for your swing, check with an expert to get an idea of what problem you need to work on first; for example, back lift of golf swing, momentum of downward thrust or your stance. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just starting out, get just one trainer or aid and go to work on your natural, proper golf swing. Look for golf swing trainers at your local golf course too.

And need I mention that with plenty of practice, a super golf swing will be the end result. There are hundreds of free and simple golf tips to seek out in consumer and sports magazines, in books, ebooks, software and DVDs both, online and offline. And if you apply both mental and physical workouts, your reward will be super golf swing improvement.

It's important to just try to relax and enjoy your game while you play. And when you play a round of golf, concentrate on your putting, improving your golf swing or something specific for that day. Always have a plan in mind.

For more information on super golf swing improvement, golf swing trainers and perfect golf swing fitness go to http://www.Best-Golf-Guide.com specializing in golf tips, techniques, help, advice, resources and instruction including information on free golf swing tips
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Driving a Golf Ball

By Edward Charkow

There is nothing in the world sweeter than making that perfect connection between your driver and the ball on the tee. If you enjoy the masochistic undertaking that we all lovingly refer to as golf, then I am sure you know what I mean. It’s that one in a million hit when you immediately want to start doing the celebration dance. Every movement felt right and you watch your ball sail effortlessly through the big blue sky, then down, down, down, onto the fairway just short of the green.

Then you wake up from your daydream and realize that you’ve managed a rather ugly slice and your ball is actually laying somewhere within the jungle of rough on the right hand side of the course. If you’re really creative, and really lucky you might bogey this hole. At least that’s the way my reality has worked more often than not.

While I claim to be no expert in the world of golfing there are a few no nonsense tips I can give that will help you when driving a golf ball. For the complete novice that may be reading this, driving a golf ball is what we refer to as the act of hitting the ball off the tee. My biggest recommendation for learning the proper way to drive a golf ball off the tee is to hire a pro. Take advantage of the expertise and advice they can give you. I recommend that you seek the services of golf pro very early in your golfing experience because it is much easier to learn to do things the right way first than it is to unlearn bad habits that you may have established with your golf swing.

A pro will help you learn your body and the way it should feel during your swing. He or she will help you begin to understand that physics behind your golf swing and how it relates to where the ball ultimately goes. Learning the basics from your local golf pro will give you an advantage over most weekend golfers and who wouldn’t want that? Another thing that hiring a golf pro gives you is expert advice on what kind of club would most benefit your personal needs based on your size, height, swing, physical strengths and weaknesses.

In addition to hiring a golf pro, you should spend many, many, many hours at the driving range. I can’t stress enough how many hours you should spend striking the ball with different clubs in order to achieve a clear understanding of how each club should feel when you swing, how far the ball will go (on average) with each club, and most importantly, you should track your improvement. If you ever get to a point where you aren’t improving you should consider new lessons with your professional instructor or perhaps changing instructors. Occasionally golfers outgrow their instructor. It’s a really good thing when that happens and doesn’t reflect poorly on you or the pro.

If you do these two things and listen and follow through you will see dramatic improvement when driving a golf ball. Good luck and have fun! That’s what it’s all about after all.
Edward Charkow is the administrator for Worst Golf Swing. For more information please visit http://www.worstgolfswing.com
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How To Find The Best Golf Gifts For The Women Golfers In Your Life

By Gregg Hall

When you wonder about golf gifts for women, you may be thinking what kind of things just a women golfer might need that she doesn’t already have. It may be a surprise to some, but the best golf gifts that you can give are the ones they can use on the course. There are many golf gifts for women that are made just for women, to be used on the course.

Some of the most useful types of gifts for women to use on the course could be as simple as tees, balls, golfing gloves and other small items that are useful that you can stuff into a smaller bag. You can look at these types of gifts as a golf basket instead of a gift basket. Items like these placed in a small bag are items that a women can use on the course so she doesn’t have to worry about looking for them when she needs them.

Although the most of women want to wear visors and caps, almost every woman wears a cap at some time on the course. Which makes a cap a good idea for a golf gift? The best type of cap to get is one with a soft bill, so that it can better fit women around the face area and so she can keep the sun out of her face while she is playing.

Also another great golf gift for women is a feminine time watch. As you may have already known if you are a golfer yourself, is that women don’t wear watches on the course because it can tend to throw off their swing while playing, which is why time pieces make very good gifts for women on the course.

More great golf gifts for women can be light clothing so they can be less sweaty on the course and can swing better. There are many custom cut and light clothing products just for women to wear on the course. There are even matching pairs of clothing for men and women which would make a great gift for a couple who loves to golf.

Like the sport of golf, there is a wide market for golf gifts for women. All these gifts are wide in variety and all can be a gift for a women golfer. Even if you may think she already has it get something like it and make sure she can use it on the course. Remember all gifts that she can use on the course are the best golf gifts of all. If you don’t try then you don’t succeed so just try and make it special for her when you try and buy something that will help here. Anything that will help her on the course she will most greatly appreciate.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about golf as well as golf gifts at http://www.everythingforgolfgame.com
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Famous Professional Golfers

By Sarah Freeland

If you’d like to become more knowledgeable about famous golfers, but just don’t have the time or desire to sit and read a book or even full page article on each one, this is the place for you. This article will offer you a condensed version of each of the most famous golfers. Best of all, it’s only 5 paragraphs! And you’re done with the first one already!

Our first famous golfer is Tiger Woods. Eldrick “Tiger” Woods was born December 30, 1975 in Cypress California. Tiger began playing golf when we was only two years old. He even appeared on television as a toddler because of his unbelievable golf skills. After turning pro in August of 1996, he became the youngest Masters winner ever in 1997. Do date, he has won three Masters titles, two U.S. Open Championships, and three PGA Championships.

Our second famous golfer is Michelle Wie. Wie was born October 11, 1989 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She began playing golf at the age of four and was winning nearly every junior even by the age of 11. Two years later at the age of 13, Wie became the youngest player ever to make the cut in a LPGA event. She turned pro on October, 5 2005 and has since competed alongside some of the best male and female golfers of our time.

Our third famous golfer is Phil Mickelson. Mickelson was born in San Diego, California on June 16, 1970. He began playing golf at age three. He attended Arizona State after high school and quickly became the face of amateur golf. Although it took him a little longer than others, Phil won his first Masters in 2004 and won it again in 2006.

Our final famous golfer is Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus was born in Columbus Ohio on January 21, 1940. He began playing golf at age 10 and won five straight Ohio State Junior events when he was only 12. He began his professional career in 1962 and defeated the heavily favored Arnold Palmer at the 1962 U.S. Open. Jack Nicklaus then went on to break all the records. In 1978 he achieved a triple career slam, winning all four professional golf majors three times. He’s the only golfer to have ever done this.

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Play Golf Like A Professional

By Nigel Kerry

Golf is an interesting game but at times it can get very frustrating when everything you do goes wrong and nothing ever seems to work the way it should. There will be days when your drives are too short, too long, too low, too high, too much to the left or too much to the right. This is all part and parcel of the game and there are ways to improve your games so you have nothing to fear.

Swing mechanics is the most important aspect when it comes to driving the ball. Swinging requires a certain amount of flexibility, balance, strength and endurance. All this clubbed together is referred to as golf fitness.

Golf fitness is about having extremely good rotational flexibility and strength of the muscles and joints in the lower back, shoulders, hips and the abdominal area. Improved golf fitness equates to improve golf shots. There are some who have good golf fitness but still can not get their shots right. Here, golf players have to concentrate on body stance and ensure they have a good balance and stability. Golf players have to ensure that they improve their swing mechanics without injuring their muscles or joints.

Another important aspect involved in improving your golf game is the equipment. Using the right club the right way is the key. Golf has three basic clubs. The club that drives the ball on a low trajectory is used for long distance shots. Then the iron club lifts the ball and is used to place the golf ball in a certain position on the fairway or green. And finally, the putter is designed to roll the ball into the hole.

There is also a heavy club that is used to get the ball out of the sand traps or grass. Generally, professional golf players use a set of 14 clubs which includes 5 driver, 8 irons and a putter and a weighted club.

In order to start playing like a professional golf player, you first have to improve your swing mechanics, followed by golf fitness and the last on the list is the equipment. Once you have taken care of the first two, the equipment will fall into place.

About the writer: Nigel Kerry is an American free lance writer born in Los Angeles, California. Kerry writes Sportsbook reviews, sport book articles and articles with respect to Sports Betting.
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Grooved Golf Swing Series - How To Deal With Dog-Legs And Other Golfing Tips

By Bill Maitland

Always hit your shots with and not against the dog leg.
On my course there is a dog leg to the right which has to be navigated. To hit a straight ball is to be assured of giving your ball a watery grave.
Yes, there is a pond well within hitting distance for even the not so long hitter, and if the ball does not fade around the corner or dog leg, this is where the ball finishes.

Do you have a hole like this?
Ok, you believe you can cut the corner by hitting your ball over the trees or what ever trouble makes the dog leg.
If your dog leg is from left to right, and you have to fade the ball round the corner, to go over the top, draw your ball.
Vice versa for a right to left dog leg. You can see that by doing this, you will avoid drawing or fading your ball into the trouble that constitutes the bend in the fairway.
When you tee off, have a look at the tee. Is it level, or are there some areas where the ground is not absolutely flat?

Make sure you tee your ball up on a totally flat area of the tee. Pay attention to the small details during a round of golf, and your score will improve as a consequence.
What about in a strong wind? What do you do if you are hitting your tee shot into this? Do you tee your ball lower so that it will fly lower and so under the wind?
Well, the most important thing is to hit your ball with the full club face of your driver. So make sure you tee your ball high enough to do this. A solid hit is much more important than a lower ball trajectory.

A low teed ball will have less run.
Also, if you are not a very experienced golfer, you will be aware that your ball is lower, and you may try to hit down onto it. More drastic is your concern about hitting the ball well and opening your club face at impact to try to do this and get it airborne, resulting in a bad slice.
So, even in a strong wind, don’t be in too much of a hurry to change things on the tee to make allowances for this. It is much better to play as usual and take what comes.
It really will be very good and you will not be inconvenienced by the wind nearly as much as you thought you would be.
Then there is the iron from the tee on a par three.
You will see people hitting off the turf. Sometimes they give it a bang to raise a small lump of ground to act like a tee.
Why do this when you can use a tee. The problem with hitting from the ground is that if you get a blade of grass between your club and the ball you may get a flyer.
The ball will go much too far and not stop on landing, but run and run. This is a bit like hitting out of light rough where the same might happen.
No, you are allowed to tee up and this is an advantage. So take this option.
For your short irons, tee up about ¼ inch above the ground and for a 6, 5, 4 iron tee up about ½ inch.
You will be assured of a good clean hit with your ball so placed.

Bill Maitland is a thinking, inventive golf guru. He thought out and developed simple techniques and tips which enabled him to lower his handicap from 25 to 18, then from 18 to 15, and finally from 15 to 12. He is a passionate golfer, and delights in helping others with their game should they want his help. To receive a valuable weekly golf tip go to his web site http://www.onlinegolfershandbook.com and subscribe to his free Hole In One News Letter. You will be so glad that you did.
Author of On Line Golfers' Hand Book. An e-Book that takes you step by step to being the best golfer that you can possibly be. The basics in great detail. To learn about his tips and simple techniques and order his book, visit his web site
www.onlinegolfershandbook.com
Sign up for his free news letter and receive a wealth of great tips every time. He really tries to tell you everything and leaves nothing out as so often happens. When you sign up, receive his free chapter from his book on bunker play.
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A Few Golf Tips From Tiger Woods

By Wade Robins

Tiger Woods is the undisputed king of professional golf. With a smooth technique you could set your watch by, he makes winning those championships look like a walk in the park.

Imagine if you could sit with Tiger for a few minutes and pick his brain to help improve your game. Here are some great golf tips from Tiger Woods.

It's All About Rhythm
Every player has their own natural rhythm. Some players are energetic and full of motion; others are stoic and deep in concentration.
Tiger says that when he's playing his best, everything he does is just second nature. He just goes with the flow, and there's little else involved. That's because he's found just the right groove that suits his natural rhythm.
If the rhythm's off, Tiger misses a swing or two. When things are flowing for him, he has to work a little to get it back into a natural rhythm.
So, how do you learn to keep your natural rhythm? There are a few ways Tiger suggests to help you find your groove and keep it.

Stick To Your Routine
Rhythm and consistency are important, so how you get ready both physically and mentally for the game is essential. Tiger has a practice routine that he does before every single game. He uses the same clubs, and the last club he uses for his pre-game warm-up is the one he plans to use for the first hole.
The point isn't to practice swinging, but to get into your groove.

The First Hole Is The Most Important
Long before he swings for that first hole, Tiger plans the whole game ahead. He prepares himself for the game mentally and emotionally. This involves relaxation, and deciding his game plan beforehand.
An awkward, uncertain first shot is a sure-fire rhythm-killer.

Keep Things Steady
To keep your rhythm going, you have to keep the tempo steady. When you get stressed, you start to speed things up. All that nervous energy makes you hurry to the next hole, and you end up making silly mistakes you wouldn't have made otherwise.
The next time you watch Tiger play, pay attention to the way he walks to the next hole. Even after a great shot, you'll never see him rush on to the next one. He'll pump his fist, smile, and stroll to the next hole with the same leisurely pace.
Tiger recommends a good pre-routine warm-up that helps you get into a relaxed frame of mind. This will get you started on the right foot.

Posture Means Perfect
When asked for practical golf tips, Tiger Woods always mentions posture. Tiger always stands straight and tall, a decent distance from the ball so that he can keep his chin up. Lots of golfers (including Tiger when he was a beginner) put their address position too close to the ball, and end up having to bow their head down too much. Tiger says to keep a good distance away so you don't have to lean over the ball.

Tiger Woods is not only one of the best players, he's also one of the most reflective. Perhaps the key to his success is his ability to look at his mistakes and shortcomings, and work to improve them, instead of getting frustrated. This is why his golf tips are so helpful to his fans. When you blow it, think about why you did it. Then, correct it next time, and you'll see improvement.

You can also find more info on golf swing instruction and golf driving distance. GetGoodAtGolf.com is a comprehensive resource golf enthusiast to improve their game through helpful tips and instructions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins

Golf Training Videos - A Sociable And Great Value Way To Train

By Richard C Myers

So you’re having trouble with your golf swing and want to call in a pro. You could head over to a local golf course and literally call in the pro, for a hefty price. You could also order in an affordable video or DVD, shut the blinds and work on your swing in private.

For most people, the in-home training beats hiring a pricey golf pro hands down. Why? There are many reasons.

First, and maybe we’ve established this already, but there’s no expensive golf pro working on that swing for you. You might get his lesson in one session or you might have to pay that hefty fee more than once. Depending on the pro and the golf course, you could pay up to $100 for this service. That really eats into green fees.

Second, and depending on your personality, this one can be important – privacy. You can close the blinds, move the furniture and really practice the moves as you see them performed for you on your TV. Even better, you can slow down or stop the tape or DVD. This gives you a chance also to really work on the things that are troubling you and speed past those that aren’t.

Third, repetitiveness. If you are having trouble with the same thing over and over again, a pro might get a little annoyed having to work with you on it over and over. But with a video or DVD, you can watch the same swing as many times as your patience will allow, but this redundancy is a little like teaching a child multiplication – drum it into their heads over and over until they “get” it. If you’re really having trouble with your golf swing this same principle can apply.

Fourth, you can share your videos. Unlike a pro, who likely wouldn’t appreciate you showing up with a few friends, you can share your golf video with others and really get more bang for your buck.

Richard C. Myers is a keen golfer and his web site http://www.thinkandreachpar.com and http://www.golfforleftys.com contains many free tips and great golfing advice to help you to improve your swing and lower your score as well as providing the opportunity to source some great training videos.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_C_Myers

5 Keys To Mental Toughness For Junior Golfers

If you have any interest in seeing first hand the impact that mental toughness has on sport performance, go no further than the PGA or LPGA Qualifying tournaments or "Q-School". Each year for the past several years, I have worked with players on site during this event. A great many of the conversations that the players have are a rehashing of their performance this past year on the PGA, LPGA, Nationwide, or mini-tour circuits. What I have heard frequently are things that could help the junior golfer get a head start in his or her career.

In attempting to describe why they hadn't reached their outcome goals for the season I hear these professional players repeatedly talk to one another about "trying too hard", "not letting it happen out there", "playing tentative" and many other frequently used mental game phrases. The challenge for many of these professionals is not only to sharpen their swings and putting strokes for this critical week, but to sharpen their mental games as well. The players who do well in Q-School are the ones that will follow some basic rules about the mental game. Each of these also has application for the junior golfer:

1. Keep each shot in perspective. This is especially true in a 108-hole tournament. Q-School, of all tournaments, is understood to be a marathon and not a sprint. There is no rational reason to be unnerved by a bad hole or two. Similarly, the junior golfer has years and years of opportunities ahead. There is no particular shot in any tournament that is "life or death".

2. Focus on the task rather than the outcome. This is probably the most difficult of the "basics" for players to follow. It is natural to think about the result and then the consequences of the result. This thinking will not help get the job done. Whenever these thoughts come to mind, replace them with thoughts of the immediate task at hand.

3. Breathe. Even the best in the world get tense in this type of situation. That tension can increase a player's tendency to hold his breath in anticipation of a shot or a putt. This then impacts muscle tension even more, and potentially affects his ability to swing the club smoothly. Deep breaths = slower heart rate and less physiological tension. Creating a habit of doing this as a junior player will be invaluable as your golf career progresses.

4. Remember that you cannot control things. Anyone who plays this game knows that something unexpected happens in nearly every round. A great tee shot lands in a divot, a club you've been hitting well all week suddenly starts getting shaky, or a two-foot putt is missed. The successful players in Q-School and elsewhere will recognize that they have control only over their preparation and reactions, and not over anything else. If they know they've prepared the best they could for each shot, and know that they are capable of controlling their reaction after each shot, they've done all they can possibly do to achieve their goals. Move on to the next one.

5. Play to succeed. Nearly every year there is a player or two held up at the end of Q-School as an example of a late tournament collapse. In nearly all of those instances, the player interviewed will speak of having thoughts of "trying to hold on" or "trying not to make a big number". Many players will have a tendency to play to avoid mistakes and/or prevent something bad from happening. The players who are successful are those who are confident in their abilities to go out and get the job done, and will be playing to succeed rather than to avert failure.

These mental game essentials will help you as a junior player ingrain habits that can help you reach the ultimate golf goals for which you strive!

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

5 Important Things To Consider When Choosing Golf Clubs

Every golfer knows that having proper equipment is essential. Choosing golf clubs has become some what of a daunting task because of the enormous market out there. We have come up with 5 simple things to consider when choosing golf clubs.

1. First of all you have to be honest with yourself in deciding what skill level you're at.

Are you a beginner just starting out, an intermediate weekend golfer, or an expert golfer who plays all the time? This is critical because there are different types of equipment designed to help every level of player. Playing with expert equipment if you are just starting out will only hurt your game.

2. Stay within your spending limits.

You have to know what type of budget you are working with. Golf can become very expensive if you don't stay within your means. There is equipment and accessories designed for every budget, you just have to know where to look.

3. Figure out your strengths and weaknesses.

Do you know if you hook or slice the ball? Are you a long or short hitter? Do you sink many puts when you have to, etc.? You must know these qualities of your game. When you go to your local shop or golf pro it will be easy for them to get you fitted correctly if you know this information.

4. How often do you play?

Are you a weekend golfer or an addict who plays all the time? This will determine what golf clubs and accessories you should purchase. Don't go out and spend a fortune on complex equipment and other things if you only play the game on the weekend with your buddies. On the other hand if you travel all over competing and playing, you are going to need the quality equipment that allows that.

5. Finally make sure you do your own research.

Read golf magazines, articles, newspapers, and anything else you can get your hands on. Go to demo days at your local club or driving range and any local golf shows. Check online at manufacturer's websites and other informative golf club websites. You can find anything online. Doing research is the key to getting what you want.

If you use these 5 simple tips to choosing golf clubs it will be simple for you to get fitted with exactly what you need. So go out and get those brand new clubs you have been thinking about for a while.
More great tips on choosing your golf clubs can be found at: www.golfequipmentsource.com/golfclubs.html

John Bolt is the full time owner of www.golfequipmentsource.com/golfclubs.html
With years of competitive golf experience under his belt, he understands the importance of having properly fitted golf equipment. You can visit him online at his website.

5 Golf Fitness Tips That Work

If you have turned on the television to watch any golf tournament over the last couple of years, you obviously already know the strong role that fitness plays in improving your golf game. When you engage in a regular fitness routine, you're preparing your body for improved performance by building a lean, strong, fit physique capable of more control and consistency with your clubs. Being fit enables your golf skills to shine through, and is generally reflected in a lower handicap.

Give up your old gym routine.
Change is often difficult to come by, but necessary as times change and we learn new information. Make sure that the exercises you are concentrating on now will help you out on the course. Adding bulk to your frame is being replaced with a more sculpted look which focuses on athletic performance. New routines include more emphasis on cable systems, fitness balls, dumbbells, and medicine balls. When it comes to golf training, it's time to think outside the box!

Improve your muscle strength.
You want your muscle strength to be the same on both sides of your body to create a fluid, powerful swing. You should particularly focus on back and shoulder strength where strength discrepancies can come into play.

Focus on core stability.
Your core is your torso - the parts of your body that are actively involved in your swing. You want to perform exercises that will strengthen your core or trunk region. This will provide you with needed stability during your swing.

Focus on balance.
If you have good balance, you will be able to transfer your weight during your swing maintaining stability throughout the motion. Good balance also improves your reaction times and movement speed.

Build flexibility.
Range of motion is important to the game of golf because it allows you to execute an exceptional swing without limitations or restrictions. Along the lines of balance, make sure that your flexibility is equal on both sides of your body. Always take a few minutes to stretch and warm-up before you begin a round of golf, so you begin in a flexible state.

If you learn one thing about improving your golf game, hopefully it will be the strong role that physical fitness plays in making you a better golfer and more solid player. These are some great areas to begin your road to improvement.

Susan Hill is a nationally recognized fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises or stretches, visit www.fitnessforgolf.com

5 Golf Facts That Will Change Your Game

Are you seeing the same decrease in your handicap that reflects your hard work and efforts? Do you consistently fall short on your drives or feel exhausted at the end of 18 holes? Do you carry the disappointment of a missed putt over into the next hole? If you are plagued with problems like these then it is time to give your golf game a boost. Change your golf game for the better by focusing on the following five areas: flexibility, strength, endurance, nutrition, and mental toughness.

Flexibility:
Have you ever rushed to the golf course, quickly stepped up to the tee and felt stiff when you swung your golf club? Warming up your muscles can help relieve stiffness, but it is better to be more proactive in your approach. Therefore, it is essential to stretch on a regular basis. This allows you to increase and maintain your flexibility. You only need a small investment of your time in order to see significant gains in your range of motion.

Strength:
Have you incorporated strength training into your exercise routine? Many golfers are tempted to swing as hard as possible when hitting the golf ball. There are several adverse side effects of doing this. Your muscles may not be physically prepared for the intense strain and you may become injured. Increasing strength will enable your body to tackle the demands of the golf swing and prepare it for the action ahead.

Endurance:
Do you lose your intensity or feel tired after a few holes? If so, then focus on your endurance. At first glance, golf may not appear to be a game in which aerobic fitness is necessary. However, golfers that walk the course can walk nearly five miles over the course of 18 holes. Try to work in 20-45 minutes, 3-5 days per week of cardiovascular activity.

Nutrition:
Your body needs the proper fuel to work efficiently. Common sense dictates that loading up on junk food is a bad idea. So what exactly should you eat? An optimal sports nutrition menu plan will include high quality carbohydrates, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water.

Mental Toughness:
Are you still thinking about the drive you sliced on the first hole as you set up to tee off at the second hole? This negative thought pattern will adversely affect your game. How you perceive the situation affects each shot. One way to increase your mental toughness is not to relive missed shots. Visualize a good shot to help erase the missed shot from your mind.

Take these five facts into account and you'll likely see better results with your game. It will take some time to make these activities a habit, but will be well worth the effort.
Susan Hill is a nationally recognized fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises or stretches, visit www.fitnessforgolf.com