Thursday, August 30, 2007

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

Sunday, August 26, 2007

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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Thursday, August 23, 2007

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

Monday, August 20, 2007

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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Saturday, August 18, 2007

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

Friday, August 17, 2007

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

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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Friday, August 10, 2007

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

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

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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Sunday, August 5, 2007

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

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

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.
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