It should be rather clear to everybody that the gift a golfer will ordinarily appreciate the most, is the one that improves their game. Most golfers are constantly looking for ways to improve on their game. It usually dominates their every thought when they are on the course and many times when they are off it.
Before selecting a gift for a golfer, it is useful to ask yourself the following 3 questions and to get adequate answers for them. Remember that this is a task that is much more complicated than it may seem at first sight.
A) What is their particular golf weakness?
What is the particular weakness of the golfer who you are seeking a gift for? The fact that they have a problem with their golf swing is not goof enough. What particular aspect of the swing? Do they tend to slice the ball or does their swing weakness have to do with a nagging back problem that doctors do not seem able to deal with? This is very important information that you should have long before you even start considering the gift options for a golfer.
B) What are they using currently?
Chances are that the golfer has already taken some action to deal
with their weakness. It is important to know what they have done so far because you do not want to get a gift for the golfer that they already have.
C) What do the experts think?
Expert advice always makes a difference. We have golf exercise experts who can be of great help when you are selecting a gift for as golfer. They will be able to advice you on the best way and therefore the best equipment to correct the particular golfer who you purchasing a gift for.
You will be much better off with them than with the shop assistant or store salesperson whose job is to sell as much merchandise as possible. Their golf knowledge is also bound to be limited and even if it is not, it cannot be compared to that of the golf exercise experts. It will certainly help if you seek expert advice before settling on your gift for the golfer you have in mind.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Visit his new golf fitness site at Perform Better Golf.
KY Fitness Tips – diet plan, exercises, weight loss and gain muscles latest information.
The fundamentals of golf, as I see it, fall into four natural groupings: those that relate 1) to the grip, 2) to the stance and posture, 3) to the first part of the swing (from address to the top of the backswing) and 4) to the second part of the swing (from the start of the downswing to the finish of the follow-through).
The first point about backswing I want to emphasize is this: if his body, legs and arms are properly positioned and poised to begin with, any golfer with average equipment can learn to execute the proper movements. This is why you must build on a correct grip and stance, for the golf swing is an accumulative thing. All the actions are linked together.
For instance, when your grip is correct you will have the proper live tension in the muscles which run along the inside of the arms all the way to the armpit. These are the arm muscles you want to work with-they tie in with the muscles of the body that should be used in the golf swing.
With practice, these movements will all blend harmoniously together and fuse into one smooth over-all movement. A bad swing is tiring drudgery. A good
swing is a physical pleasure.
When a good golfer is going through his waggle, to the uninitiated eye it sometimes looks as if he were simply getting the fidgets out of his system or finding a surer foothold with his spikes.
He is, as I have described, doing something far more purposeful than that. He is adjusting to the shot, establishing his coordination in the process. He is, in effect, conducting an instinctive roll call of the parts of the body he will be using, alerting them and refreshing their memory of the movements they will be making during the swing.
Throughout these lessons we have placed special emphasis on the fact that the golf swing is, in principle, a continuous chain of actions. Like the component parts of the engine of an automobile, the component parts of the swing fuse together and work together in a purposeful sequence. As each component performs its part of the operation, it sets up the proper operation of the other components with which it is connected. I bring this up at this particular point, for if golfer clearly grasps the interrelationship of the hands, arms, shoulders and hips, he will play good golf-he cannot help but play good golf.
Golf exercise program – with the exploding number of so-called golf fitness experts these days, it becomes very confusing. It’s easy for a golfer to be misled and end up in a program that will hardly have the desired objective of improving their game.
In fact the wrong golf exercise program can end up making a golfer’s game deteriorate rather than improve.
It is therefore very useful to know what constitutes a complete golf exercise program
A complete golf exercise program will tend to have the following attributes;
A) Golf specific stretch exercises Stretch exercises are a very important part of any genuine golf workout program. Stretches help improve the golf swing and correct many common mistakes and weaknesses in this area. They sometime help alleviate or even eliminate nagging back problems in some golfers. Many stretch exercises can be done in the comfort of the office or home.
B) Golf specific strength training Strength training is also a key area in any good golf workout program. Strength training usually has a dramatic effect on the quality of the game of any golfer. Dumbbells
are usually used and the program for building strength for golf is usually very different from a body building program because the idea here is not to build muscles.
C) Should be able to focus on certain common player weaknesses A good golf exercise program should also be able to focus on certain common weaknesses amongst most amateur golfers with the aim of helping to improve and deal with those weaknesses. This at times may involve the use of certain golf aid equipment. However it should be very clear what particular aspects of the game are being developed by what golfing aids.
A complete golf exercise program should help any golfer improve their game dramatically and feel much more confident every time they set foot on the course.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his golf fitness site – Perform Better Golf.
MI Fitness Tips – diet plan, exercises, weight loss and gain muscles latest information.
As a newcomer to the sport the tendency to purchase the largest and most technologically advanced driver can prove overwhelming. If however you purchase a driver based on this premise without taking into account swing style – you’ll find the whole experience less than confidence inspiring.
A beginner’s set of golf clubs should ideally consist of a small assortment of woods – namely 1, 3 and 5-woods. The number 1 wood is referred to as the driver and is most commonly played club for long, straight tee shots. These clubs are fitted with large profiled club-heads up to 460cc (cubic centimetres) – the largest size permitted under international regulation.
The concept of using a large wood (or driver) for long distance strikes is sound in principle – unfortunately, the driver is one of the most difficult golf clubs to use effectively and is not recommended for the inexperienced player. It is also fair to say that because of the enlarged club-head the chances of a player connecting with the ball through the sweet-spot are greater. If you follow golf in the media you’d be hard-pressed to miss the likes of Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington using large headed woods for a majority of their shots.
Finding the optimal club weight can also be beneficial for improving the control of your swing. Modern day drivers are traditionally lightweight through the use of graphite shafts and titanium-based club-heads. Weight is typically concentrated inside the club-head to produce a sweet-spot – an area of the club-face that produces optimal launch characteristics. More manufacturers are producing
drivers with interchangeable weights to allow players the option to reconfigure the weight distribution of the club to match a player’s swing type.
If you are a beginner it is worth seeking the advice of a professional coach who will most likely advise you to master control before concentrating on the latest features and design of a driver.
The degree of flex should also be considered when selecting your first driver or set of woods. A flexible shaft is understood to deliver more power from the swing to the ball – compared to a stiff graphite shaft or stainless steel shaft. A slower swing speed is better suited to a flexible shaft such as those used in junior , ladies and senior woods. A fast swing should benefit further from a stiff shaft – either graphite or stainless steel; the latter will allow a greater degree of control at the sacrifice of gaining additional weight.
For all levels of player the best way to achieve an optimal swing is to purchase a custom fit driver, woods or both. Forgan of St. Andrews for example have launched an online custom fit golf clubs service that allows players of all ability to purchase optimally fitted golf clubs in a shorter time and at a fraction of the cost of traditional custom fitting.
Finally, remember to protect any golf driver with a high quality head-cover. Remember if you purchase a driver from a large online golf retailer like The Sports HQ you are sure to receive a quality product with excellent after-sales support.
How do I improve my golf driving distance? I hear this question daily. This is the dream of almost every amateur golfer. To hit it longer. But to improve golf driving distance isn’t what you think. No it’s not your equipment. It’s not pounding more balls at the range. And it’s not even taking more lessons.
It’s about working on the machine that swings the club. Are you following me? Do you know what I’m getting at? You’re an athlete if you play golf. Don’t laugh. I’m serious! To swing a golf club effectively takes a tremendous amount of golf specific strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and stability.
None of the above can be accomplished without an optimum level of golf specific fitness. When was the last time you made a swing and felt like it was an effortless, full and produced maximum power? I’m sure it’s happened on occasion, but not as often as you want right?
The reason why is your body can’t produce a repetitively powerful swing. It’s not capable of it. Why? Because you need to work on it ‘off the course’ with simple golf strength and stretches to build up the golf specific muscles that can make this happen.
To improve golf driving distance you must take this attitude. If not, be ready to accept the same swing, game and results you’ve been getting for a long time. I don’t mean to mix words, but the truth is needed.
No sugar-coating! This is “throwing all the cards on the table” and deciding how bad you want to improve your golf driving distance.
Golfers have been bombarded with ads about the latest-greatest driver, guaranteed to add 30 yards to your driving distance. I say bs on that. It’s you that swings that club. Doesn’t matter what club you have if your body is in poor condition.
The critical area to work on for the quickest results is your core (mid-section). Your core is the engine that drives the swing and produces all the power. You’ve got to strengthen this area from a rotational standpoint to improve golf driving distance.
Not only will this approach improve your golf driving distance, but it will eliminate low back pain and injury. Low back pain is the most common complaint among golfers. It’s no wonder since the golf swing is such a torquing movement that directly affects the lower back if you have weak and restricted muscles.
The benefits far outweigh the effort involved. Longer drives, no more injuries and years of golf enjoyment. There’s no better return than that. So take a different approach to improve golf driving distance.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country. Golf Magazine’s expert at golfonline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing trainer site – Perform Better Golf.
AK Fitness Tips – diet plan, exercises, weight loss and gain muscles latest information.
He wanted golf to be experienced by all, And hoped his daughter would heed the call.”C’mon!”, he said. “You’ll have a ball!”"Why?”, she asked. “Are we going to the mall?”
He’d often take his golf cart to work,And all his co-workers there would smirk.He didn’t know why, and thought, “They’re jerks!”"How could they belittle such a perk?!”
His swing was big and grand, yet dopey,He cried and cried when he made a bogey.Kids thought, “What’s wrong with this old fogey?”He thought, “I’m not old. I sport a goatee.”
He loved his old and tattered bag,His caddie thought it was such a drag.But he hated more “golf cart tag”,The golfer played with him, when he didn’t move the flag!
Forever chasing the elusive par,He’d hit the ball straight and far.In the traps, his ball seemed stuck to tar!He’d still be there, when “parking” had narrey a car!
He loved the smell of the “fresh-cut green”,But to him it proved such a fiend.It’s favor to him, was always lean!Despite it’s beauty, it could be so mean!
The
point of golf? To put the ball in the hole.You do that with a “curved-end’ pole.But the path, always guarded by a “troll”,Or maybe yet, some “ticked-off” mole!
He was never any good in the traps, In fact, his “game” would always flap.But to others, it seemed to sit on their laps,While he was reduced to stomping his cap!
He’d read the “mags” to take his golf game higher.He wanted the best ball–best putter—best driver.Often going to his wife to borrow a “fiver”,She wouldn’t budge. No matter how hard he tried to “jive” her!
To the links, early morning he’d often travel,Sometimes his bathrobe and pajamas his only apparel.Unfortunately, the knot would often unravel,After jumping up and down at a lucky roll, he’d marvel!
Copyright 2005 by Kevin D. Rolle. All rights reserved.
My name is Kevin D. Rolle, and I have a site at http://www.golf-humor-asylum.com which is dedicated to the humorous and comedic aspects of golf, which are displayed through a fresh, exciting golf comic strip, and my commentary. Thanks.
If you play a lot of golf, then you know the challenges of finding the right kind of sunglasses to let you see the greens and the ball in all kinds of lighting conditions. Avid golfers recognize the need for wearing golf sunglasses that address your needs when playing golf in all kinds of weather. Since you cannot change the direction of the sun when you tee off, you need special golf sunglasses to help you play the best game.
There are several designers that make sunglasses for golf. One of these is NYX and this company has developed a full line of golf sunglasses because they know that regular sun glasses are not enough. There are three different lens styles in these sunglasses made just for golf. The amber lens series of these best sport sunglasses are great for all kinds of contrasting conditions on the golf course. They filter blue light to enhance the color of the greens.
If you want the colors to remain true, then the best sport sunglasses to choose are the NYX golf sunglasses in the traditional line. In this line of sun glasses for golf, you can choose either gray or yellow lenses. The gray
lenses in the sun glasses helps to minimize the color shift and the yellow lenses help to increase the flow when the light is low or flat.
Of all the golf sunglasses, the ones that combine the features of the amber and traditional lenses are really the best sport sun glasses for golf. These sunglasses for golf contain a darker lens to reduce the glare and they help improve the visual acuity you need when playing golf.
Golf sunglasses need to be lightweight because of the length of time you are outdoors. They also need to have 100% UV protection in a wraparound design. This feature in sunglasses for golf gives you the ultimate protection and at the same time provides you with unobstructed vision. It’s no good to be able to hit the golf ball really well and make a hole in one if you can’t see the ball.
If you play a lot of golf you need golf sunglasses.
For a website totally devoted to Sunglasses visit Peter’s Website Sunglasses Explained and find out about Sunglasses as well as Gucci Sunglasses and more, including Discount Sunglasses, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Rayban Sunglasses, Chanel Sunglasses, Oakley Sunglasses and more.
As someone who really likes to write about health, I was challenged recently when a friend asked me how I would pick a pair of golf shoes that were most beneficial to my health.
I hadn’t thought much about it but a little research shows that it is an issue worth investigating.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 43 million Americans per year suffer from foot-related health issues, costing $3.5 billion in treatment and lost workdays.
The average golfer will spend 4 – 6 hours on the golf course each time he or she plays, walking on typically hilly terrain. Adequate foot comfort during this time is a must as there is a lot of potential here for feet, ankles and back to become strained due to ill-fitting shoes, particularly in older players.
Ultimately, safe and protective footwear will reflect on your game too. Experts have stated that the game of golf begins from the feet. According to Jack Nicklaus: “All timing, distance, and direction comes out of the lower body with the feet leading the way”.
Choosing golf shoes has become harder over time. 15 years ago we were restricted mainly to “traditional” models (brogues or similar). Nowadays there are all sorts of variations, from boots to sandals.
How do you know which golf shoe will be right for you, and also best for you feet, your back as well as your swing?
Here are some tips for getting the healthiest golf shoes for you:
Take your time when trying potential new golf shoes on. Allow yourself time to walk around in the pro store. Don’t be embarrassed to spend 5 minutes or more feeling the fit of a pair of shoes.
Some people advise that you come to shop following a 20 minute walk when your feet are fully expanded. Certainly, it
is better to shop in the afternoon, than in the morning, for this reason.
When trying shoes, wear the same thickness of sock that you would on a golf course. Failure to do this could result in shoes that tighter or looser than normal, which could cause blisters or sore feet.
Try on both shoes, wearing golf socks. Lace fully and walk about to assess comfort.
If you’ve had ankle problems you might want to try one of the new high-top models that give more ankle support. However, bear in mind that you need to be able to swing out and around your shoes, at the ankle. So you need to ensure that such shoes won’t impede your movement.
Do you have one foot markedly larger than the other? You could investigate a range of shoes by High-Tec created to address this. With these models, you can adapt the fit of each shoe to suit the shape of each foot.
Do you wear orthoses in your regular shoes? Then remember to transfer them to your golf shoes if your podiatrist has recommended this.
Finally, if a round of golf leaves you with painful feet, first assess the fit of your shoes. Consider changing to more supportive, stable footwear. If the pain persists and does so for more than 3 consecutive rounds, consider visiting a podiatric sports physician.
The right golf shoe should let you stay comfortable through your round and help you concentrate on your game. If you can go through several rounds without noticing your feet, the shoes are doing their job.
Golf shoe tips are specially brought to you by http://www.ourgolfshoes.com and its partner site http://www.bfshoes.com. For more shoe tips, especially where to find the latest bargains online, be sure to check out either site.
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He’s not eager to reveal his handicap;Around the truth he would often tap.They told him his game was taking a nap;That it never showed up; it needed a map!
Of his golf apparel he was Oh so proud!But people thought it was just too ‘loud’.Often suggesting it needed a shroud;This caused a fight; a rolling dust cloud!
To his heart, golf was the key.It was on the green his soul felt free.He could hardly await the time for ‘tee’;But club dues must be paid; this ride’s got a fee.
Once in a blue moon he made a birdey;Though he knew much about golf (a little nerdy).About to tee off- his feet stood sturdy;But only took up a divot–brown and verde.
It didn’t take long for his eyes to in-take;The path of the ball; the flight it must make.”Easy!”, he thought. “This is gonna be cake!”But the fish all braced for it’s entry into the lake.
In secret, the rules he would often bend;From his mind, a rationalization he would lend.To him, the means justified the end;Like the fiercest warrior, his handicap must
he defend.
Into his ‘golf life’, sand traps would rain;Bogeys rolled in like some ghastly train.Cancelling out any birdeys he’d gained;”Another golf game”, he sighed. “Oh, the pain!”
Shuffling into the house, his face fell. It tapered.His wife smirked, “You lost again, didn’t you?” And imagined the caper.With an outstretched hand that ‘said’, “Pay her!”;Into her purse his $20 went. It vanished like a vapor!
“No dinner for me, thanks. I’m heading in early.”"Awww, it’s just a game,” she said. “No need to be surley.”"I’m not”, he said. “I need to rise early.”"Suuurrre!”, she said. “You and the proverbial ‘birdy’.”
He took a shower to wash away the day;It didn’t help much. That golf game would ‘stay’.His spirits were lifted, though, when he thought, “But hey!”And danced around saying, “Tomorrow’s another ‘golf day’!”
Copyright 2005 by Kevin D. Rolle. All rights reserved.
My name is Kevin D. Rolle, and I have a website calledhttp://www.golf-humor-asylum.com which is dedicated to the humorous aspects of golf through a fresh, new golf comic strip called, “Divott and the Caddie Chronicles,” and my commentary.Thanks.
One of the most common and deadly mistakes I see with amateur players is they try to learn and improve while playing on the course. This is a mistake, and I can tell you right now: it’s not going to work. When you get out there to play, that’s the time to relax and enjoy yourself, but also try to score. It’s not the time to practice or perfect your skills.The time to do that is during what I call “bridge time.” This is the critical learning period between lesson and putting green/driving range practice time (when you are absorbing feedback and instruction) and when you actually go out to play a round. Many players neglect to incorporate bridge time into their golf routine, but it’s a crucial part of the learning process.
The ideal learning progession is this: first, you take a lesson; second, you spend a fair amount of time developing what you learned in the practice areas; third, you play a practice round by yourself, without the pressure of a round played with others, and then finally, you take whatever swing you have and use it when you play a real round. (At that point, the time for practicing and thinking through the fundamentals or remembering what your coach said during your last lesson is over).So what exactly is bridge time, you ask? Bridge time is when you play a practice round by yourself. Unlike a real round, the pressure is off; however, when you have the luxury of redoing and practicing shots that are giving you particular trouble, but in realistic course conditions – i.e., real conditions you are likely to
encounter during a round. While you’re out there, take a couple of extra drives, as well as approaches, chips, pitches and putts over the course of nine holes. During this time, you are rehearsing your game in a practice round setting before taking it out into live action play. This practice round is thus the link, or bridge, between learning time (the lesson) and application time (live play, when it’s time to score). Bridge time is an essential part of the overall learning process.
If you set yourself apart from most amateur players by using this knowledge to your advantage, you’ll see a vast improvement in your playing skills on the course, when it matters most: during a live round. You’ll not only improve your score, you’ll enjoy each round more by allowing yourself to simply go out, have fun, and appreciate golf as the relaxing, enjoyable game that it is.
Tom Patri is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and author of The Six-Spoke Approach to Golf (2005, The Lyons Press; foreword by Fred Couples; available at http://www.amazon.com). Tom currently heads his golf instructional school, TP Golf Schools, based in Naples, Florida. Prior to that, Tom served eleven years as the Director of Golf Instruction at the Westchester Country Club (home of the Barclay, formerly the Buick Classic PGA Tour event) in Rye, New York and four years as the Director of Golf Instruction at Naples Grande Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. In 2003, Tom was chosen as Southwest Florida PGA’s Teacher of the Year. For more information about Tom and his unique teaching approach, please visit his website, http://www.tompatri.com