Make Old Clubs Like New

Over the years, I've learned that some golfing tips are better than others. To be honest, some of the best golf tips are also some of the simpliest to apply. This may be one that falls into that category.
If you're like me and find yourself not able to afford a new set of clubs this year or you simply don't want to get rid of your old favorites, consider reinvigorating those old clubs with some new grips.
Depending on how much you play and practice will determine when you should be thinking about replacement grips. And, of course, better made grips should last longer than less expensive ones. But, overall, after two or three seasons, it's time to take a look at those grips to see if they are still holding up.
Generally speaking, common sense, coupled with a keen visual inspection, will tell you if it's time to replace the grips. Look for flat spots, worn areas, and nicks and cuts. Also, check the tightness of the grip on the shaft. There is nothing worse for your game than a loose grip. And, no, wrapping it with duct tape is not the answer.
If you decide that is time to replace those old, worn-out grips, do a bit of research before jumping into the replacement phase. Take a trip to a good pro shop and ask the pro there for some advice. Most better pro shops will actually do the replacements for you and are happy to spend some time with you as you decide on the right type of grip.
Keep in mind that you do not have to replace your old grips with the exact same type of grip. It may be time to explore a new model of grip. Issues such as grip thickness, material, length and overall "feel" in your hands, can all be changed at this point. Find something that really feels as if it is a part of your hands. Something that fits you perfectly. Again, the pro can help you with this decision and show you various kinds of grips to fit your individual needs and budget.
Now as much as I love the Internet and all that it is capable of doing, I don't recommend that you buy your grips online until after you have had a chance to physically test a few grips. If you plan to replace your grips with exactly the same style and model of grip that you have now, this isn't too big an issue. But if you're planning to switch models, then do yourself a big favor and test some out in person before ordering online. Getting a set of new grips that look awesome online but feel "wrong" in your hands will only disappoint you.
The fact is, putting new grips on old clubs is a great way to save money and improve your game. It's almost like getting a new set for a fraction of the cost!1
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Robert Partain

The Delight Of Using A Golf Cart Instead

You probably just take them for granted when you play golf, and never think about their origin. I'm talking about golf carts, those miniature vehicles dotting every golf course.
However, golf cart production is a multi-million dollar industry and different models abound. They are treated as small cars, and golf-cart companies provide leasing and financing options just as the big car companies do.
Golf originates from a medieval game played on the coast of Scotland during the 15th century. Golfers would hit a pebble instead on a ball around the sand dunes using a stick or club.
As time passed, stones were exchanged for man-made balls, the earliest of which were thin leather bags stuffed with feathers. The gutta-percha ball was not invented until 1848 and could be hit a maximum distance of 225 yards.
In 1899 rubber balls were invented that could reach distances of 430 yards. Golf sticks evolved into carefully weighted golf clubs, and in the 1880's golf club bags first became fashionable.
The caddie, a servant who carted all the player's gear aound the golf course, had his burden lessened by the invention of the golf car in the early 1950's.
The first golf car manufacturers were E-Z-Go, Pargo, Harley Davidson and Cushman.
The price was astoundingly high for this era, $1200, but as more manufacturers entered the field it dropped to $600, still high in terms of inflation. E-Z-Go still manufactures golf cars today.
There are hundreds or golf car manufacturers listed on the internet, and most of these companies specialize in these small vehicles, and do not make larger cars.
The first golf cars were gas-powered, but recently the market has shifted to more battery-powered models. Golf carts can be customized just like cars, and lift kits and ATV wheels are sold to golfers who want to stand out on the course.
There are companies which specialize in creating entire custom golf cars, or miniaturized versions of full sized cars, such as the Humdinger (Humvee), mini Jeep, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac or Mercedes-Benz.
Golf carts come in 3 forms: manual push/pull carts, electric motorized carts, and electric or gas golf cars that hold passengers as well as gear.
Push/pull carts have 2 or 3 wheels and a vertical support for a golf bag. They are basically manual dollies with clips and holders especially adapted for golf gear, and sell for $50 to $100.
Moving up a level in sophistication, motorized golf caddies cost approximately $500 all the way up to $1000. Golf cars, which resemble dune buggies in size, start at about $1800 for a small basic model.
Ebay has a large selection of both new and used golf carts at low prices but service can be a problem with small vendors.
Manufacturers are also expanding their sales by renaming carts "Electric Utility Vehicles" and suggesting alternate uses for them, such as hauling lawn equipment and traveling around rural properties.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com -By: frank vanderlugt

Speed and Break Tips while Putting

As you already know, the act of putting is a series of combined efforts. From getting the right stance to following through properly, putting is an entire series of techniques and flow, and they all have to come together in order to sink that ball. But there are two areas in putting that have almost nothing to do with the mechanics of putting, and, yet, they are crucial to keeping your putting strokes down. They are: judging speed and estimating the break.

Learning how to deal with these two issues is one of the toughest parts of the golf game to improve, and usually it takes a lot of practice and experience before you are able to make any significant change. However, there are some things you can do to help you improve your consistency on the greens and help you to sink more putts.

Here are a few tips that might help:

Examine the grain first: The term 'grain' is simply the direction is which the grass grows. This can be determined by looking for the 'shine' or 'sheen' of the putting surface. When the green reflects the sunlight and appears brighter, you are looking down grain. Putts down grain, or with the grain, will usually run faster.

2. Reading the Contour: When you are walking to the green, study the general slope of the land. A good rule of thumb to remember is that most greens are built higher at the back and lower toward the front. This will definitely impact how you play a shot on the green. It's also good to know when you're chipping up to the green in your approach.

When you are putting from the front of the green (assuming that it slopes downward from back to front), the putt will be uphill. When you are putting from the back, the putt will be downhill.

Now with this mind, any putt across this kind of green will usually break toward the front lower portion of the surface, which only makes sense. But knowing this ahead of time can shave a few strokes off your score.

For the beginning golfer, when you understand contour and grain, you can put the two together and think of putts this way:

Putts that are running with the grain will tend to "run" faster, so you will need to adjust your putting "force" accordingly. In other words, you won't have to hit the ball as hard to make it go the same distance.

When you are putting cross-slope and your putts are running with the grain they will break more and must take this into account when you are lining up your shot.

If you are putting cross-slope against the grain, your putt with break less, and, again, this must be taken into account before you even touch the ball with your putter.

If you have to putt against the grain, strike the ball a little harder than usual. These putts will tend to run slower and without that added force you'll be coming up short.

When you have to putt downhill and with the grain, your putts will not only run faster but they will break more. In this case, strike the ball with less force and let gravity take care of the rest.

The opposite, of course, is also true. If you are putting uphill and against the grain, expect your putts to run slower and break less. In this case, put a little extra on the ball to get it up the hill and to overcome the break.

When judging the break, think of a plumb bob.

The rule of thumb when judging a break, and the size of the break, is to use plumb bobbing. Golfers have been using this technique for years and the reason why is because it works!

First, you need to find your dominant eye.

Here's how you can do that. Make a circle with your thumb and forefinger, and with both eyes open, place an object in the middle--something like a tv, lamp, or book will do. Now alternately close your left eye, and then your right eye. Whichever eye keeps the object in the middle of circled fingers is your dominant eye.

Now that you know which is your dominant eye, line up your putter, with the putter hanging freely between your thumb and index finger, behind your ball so that it matches up with the flag stick. With your dominant eye open, you will notice that the ball is either to the left, right, or straight on. Straight on means there is no break.

If the ball is to the left, the putt will generally break right to left. And, of course, it will break left to right if the ball is to the right. This is not an exact science, but it will helps give you some idea of where the ball will go and you can plan your putt accordingly.

If you keep of all of this in mind the next time you putt, you should notice an improvement in your putting. But nothing, and I mean nothing, takes the place of good old practice.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Robert Partain

Tips For A Well Executed Chip Shot

If you've played golf for any length of time at all, you know that chip shots are one of the most important shots in your arsenal.

Well-executed chip shots are absolutely mandatory for keeping your score down. The reason for that is simple: In any round of golf you WILL be faced with at least a few chip shots in order to get on the green.

How you play those chip shots determine how the ball lands on the green (or in some cases, overshoots the green). In other words, a chip shot is a set up shot for your putt... or at least it should be.

In technical terms, a chip shot is a low-flying, long rolling shot that is normally hit from fairly close to the green. The trick is the shot should hit the green immediately and then ROLL toward the hole. With this in mind, one of the more difficult parts of chipping is selecting the right club to get the job done.

Choosing the right club for the shot depends on how the ball is laying and how far it has to fly before it can hit the green.

As with all of these tips, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. But, in general, you want to get that ball on the green and rolling as quickly as possible. You do not want to lob it high in the air and let the wind dictate where it goes. In order to do this, you need to be comfortable with a small arsenal of clubs that you can use in your chip shots.

A good idea is to start with your 7 iron and work your way down to your pitching wedge. If you try to master and use just one club for all of your chip shots, you'll have to make some big adjustments for each shot depending on how far it is from the green. For example, a shot made with a pitching wedge from 50 yards will take a lot more force than a shot made with the same club from 10 yards. However, if you take those same shots using other clubs (and those clubs will depend on your personal game) then your swing (the arc and speed) can remain close to what you're used to with that club. In other words, let the club do the work.

As with everything in golf, the very best way to implement this tip is to practice. Use your pitching wedge when the ball is close to the green, or if you need to go over a trouble area. Then experiment with other clubs when the ball is farther off the green. How you play these various clubs is truly up to the individual player.

But nothing will be gained without some practice.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Robert Partain

Putting: The Secret To Shaving Strokes

My friend and I were having coffee the other day and he was whining about how his game has become stale. He really believes he's reached a plateau where there are no more strokes to be gained during a round of golf. He was depressed, to say the least, but he was also wrong.

My buddy is no Sam Snead (and neither am I) but he's a solid player. His drives are usally reasonable in both distance and trajectory, meaning he doesn't hook or slice anymore than the rest of us. His mid-game is good, he knows how to choose and use his long irons, his close game is very good and he can get out of a bunker when he finds himself in one. All in all, a good solid game.

Until he gets on the green.

What I suggested to him is something I think we can all learn from. If you four or five putt most of the greens on your course, you're adding a lot of strokes to your overall score. My suggestion to my friend was that rather than try to improve the other parts of his game, if he would simply putt one less stroke (on those four and five putt holes) he'd shave a significant amount of strokes off his game. If he could take one putting stroke off each hole, he'd save 18 strokes!

Now if you're a good putter already, this probably won't work for you. But if you normally get on the green in regulation and then have to putt more than twice to get into the cup, well, maybe you, too, could shave some strokes off your game by simply improving your putting abilities.

There are a gazillion tips on putting--some work and some are just goofy--but nothing will improve your putting more than practice. My friend never spends time on the practice green and it shows when he's on the course. But in his case--and in a lot of other cases, I suspect--there is really no other part of his game that he can significantly improve. And, frankly, he doesn't need to spend time on his drive--he's got that nailed. He needs to spend time putting. That's what's killing his score card.

If you know--or even suspect--that your putting is poor, get off the driving range and get on the putting green. You will be amazed at how fast your putting can improve when you spend just a little time each week practicing those putts. That improvement will carry over to your next round of golf, too, and you'll see strokes simply fading away.

Practice those putts!

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Robert Partain

Golf Carts And Their Many Uses

So, you love playing golf and getting out in the fresh air but hate the walking between holes then perhaps golf carts are for you. What a great way to get around the course. Just throw your golf bag in, jump on and off you go. You can even take passengers if you wish.

These golf carts are so much fun let alone convenient. Not only convenient for the avid golfer but since their production many years ago they have been used by many companies as runabouts for their employees to get from one end of the production site to the other. Some people have them at home on their estates to get around as they are so efficient and versatile to use.

Most people don't realize the benefits of golf carts as they only think of them as a travel means on the gold course. And for sure they are great for that purpose. Did you know you can get them in electric, gas and also a manual push pull version. So the choice is yours. They also come in a few different designs and sizes for your convenience.

Some people even like the idea of having one different and unique such as a customized version. Many companies will be happy to customize one for you to look like your favorite car. Imagine being out on the golf course in your favorite little sports car style buggy. You will be the envy of everyone around!

Now that you know the options that you have with golf carts there is nothing stopping you finding the one best to suit your needs. Start by checking out the web and finding reputable manufacturers of golf carts and seeing what they have to offer you. Usually you can find what you want at very affordable prices when shopping this way compared to the usual way.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Susan Dean

When You're Losing Distance

One of the most annoying (and disheartening) problems that golfers often face is losing distance on their shots. One round of golf and you're hitting the ball like Tiger Woods, the next week you're hitting so poorly you probably feel as if you could throw the ball farther than what your club face is doing for you.

So what happened?

Could be any number of things, really. Before blaming it on your swing (which you will eventually do) consider a few other suspects--which can and do affect your swing.

If you've had an especially stressful week or if you've been hitting the gym and your muscles are tight or sore, that could be the culprit. When you muscles aren't lax enough to make a full swing without hurting, they will compensate (with or without your permission or knowledge) to avoid moving into the painful position. It doesn't take much to throw your swing off and that can certainly lead to losing distance.

If by chance you've changed drivers and have one of the new power woods, you may want to try to tee your ball up a little higher. These wonder woods need a bit more height on the tee to connect with the ball properly. In fact, you may need to buy some longer tees.

Lifting your head even a fraction of a second too soon can result in poorly hit ball. Keep your head down and keep your eyes on the tee spot until you've followed all the way through your swing.

Make sure you take a full swing at the ball. Again, this can go back to your muscle tone. But it could be you're just hanging up before you get the full arc completed. Have a buddy watch to see if you're turning fully or not. Or set up a video camera and record a few swings and then watch yourself. One thing is certain, it is nearly impossible to know if you're taking a full swing without some "outside" help. You need to see yourself or have someone watch you.

Also, make sure that you're not gripping the club shaft too tightly. If you're knuckles are turning white, you need to relax.

You also want to ensure that your left side stays firm and your left knee is bent through impact. Again, too much tightness will kill your distance. Swing through the ball and not "at" the ball. Being fluid is key.

And lastly, make sure your arms stay extended through the arc. Don't let them collapse too soon.

The best advice, perhaps, when you're losing distance is--Hey, it happens to all of us. Don't panic or stress over it. Your game will return and then it will be your buddy's turn to 'throw' his ball.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Robert Partain

All For The Love Of Golf

Golf is supposed to be an enjoyable game. We golf over and over again, because we love the game. So why do we beat ourselves up, just before we get off the first tee box? Have you ever heard yourself with a bunch of negative emotions before the golf round?

“Another day out on the golf course and my back is killing me.” Why would you even consider golfing, if it were painful? Why did those even consider golfing with a bad back? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I have to get through this eighteen with the least amount of pain.” Why not play nine holes instead of eighteen? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I am not too sure if the mental part of my game can take any more. It’s tough mentally when things just aren’t going right.” If your confused mentally, why even bother picking up a golf club? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“I hope this is not going to be another brutal round, like the other day?” When things are not going right, why not take a day off from golf and meditate instead? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“If I do not hit the fairway on the first tee box, I think I’ll quit playing golf after eighteen.” Why quit after eighteen when the first shot may be the reason to quit? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“If I do not make par on the first hole, I am not going to keep score for the rest of the round.” If your temper is that bad, why carry a scorecard at all? I’ll tell you why. All for the love of golf!

“The first water hazard my ball ends up in, my golf clubs are going in with it.” Do yourself a favor and play with rentals. Why? All for the love of golf!

“I better not three putt any greens today. I’ll break my putter on the first three putt green, if I do.” Do yourself a favor and pick up for two. Why? All for the love of golf!

“Frosty will never see winter, if I get a snowman today.” Do not play golf with anybody by the nickname Frosty. Why? All for the love of golf!

To help avoid some of these negative emotions, booking a tee time in advance will help keep your mind on a positive level. Why? All for the love of golf!

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: George Gabriel

The Best Way To Eliminate Lower Back Injuries In Golf

One out of every two golfers will incur a lower back injury during their playing careers, are you one of them?

Almost every golfer on the planet has at some time or another felt their lower back “tighten” up on the course, after a round, or even getting out of bed. Why is this so? The reason for the high number of lower back injuries in the sport of golf is a result of the golf swing itself!

The golf swing is a rotational movement. It requires you to rotate around a fixed spine. The lower back takes the brunt of the pressure of the twisting and turning.

The rotation and torque can make your lower back very easily fatigued or injured. The question to ask is how to counteract the stresses placed on the lower back?

There are a number of ways to help you “dodge the injury bullet” when it comes to the lower back.

Lower back injuries generally occur because of three different reasons.

1. Poor Swing Mechanics

2. Weak Lower Back Muscles

3. Workloads

The first category has to do with your swing mechanics.

A research study (don’t quote me on the exact %) indicated that the rate of lower back injuries in the amateur golfer was 60% higher than professionals in the sport. The study determined the number was statically higher in amateurs because of the shear forces created in the golf swing.

The amount of shear forces created in the amateur’s golf swing was exponentially higher than the professional. Professionals have a much more efficient golf swing, lowering the shear forces placed upon the lower back compared to the typical amateur.

The second category refers to the physical aqspect of the golf swing.

The lower back is used extensively in order to swing the golf club properly. If the lower back is weak, over time it will become fatigued. Once the muscles of the lower back become fatigued, the ability to swing the club with the same force becomes much more difficult. Additionally, once the lower back is tired, and you continue to perform the movements of the golf swing. The lower back will become sore and eventually you will injure it.

The final reason golfers tend to have many lower back injuries is workloads.

Simply put, workloads are the number of swings you take within a certaintime frame. For example, a PGA Tour player during a competitive week on Tour may swing a club well over 1,000 times. This is the total number of swings over a 7 day period can be defined as the Tour players workloads for that week.

A lower back injury can incur if the workloads for any golfer become too high. Regardless of the efficiency within the golf swing mechanics or the strength of the lower back, too high of a workload will lead to injury. For example, in you were to go to the range and execute 1,000 swings of the golf club in a 3-hour time frame. The likelihood of a lower back injury is very high. Why? Because the workloads are too high within the give time fame for any golfer!

The key in regards to workloads is to match up the efficiency of your golf swing and the strength within the lower back. If you have poor golf swing mechanics and a weak lower back, your workloads should be very low. If you have moderately efficient golf swing mechanics and a fairly strong lower back. The workloads can be higher.

What is the best way to avoid a lower back injury?

Simple, it is a 3-step process.

Number one; develop efficient golf swing mechanics. This can be done through proper instruction, practice, and time.

Number two; implement a golf fitness program into your exercise routine. This type of program will strengthen your lower back in relation to the golf swing.

Number three; monitor the number of swings you make with the club in relation to points one and two.

Sean Cochran

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Sean Cochran

Secrets Of Golf's Longest Hitter

Would you like to discover the secrets of golf's longest hitter? If so, read on...

Over 31 years ago, 64-year-old, Mike Austin set the Guinness Book World Record for "longest drive in competition" by driving a golf ball 515-yards.

No one in the history of the game has come within a football field of this amazing record.

Just to prove to you the statement above is true check out these top drives of some of today's hottest golf pro's:

Jason Zuback averages 355 to 375 yards.
Tiger Woods averages 300 to 330 yards.
John Daly hit a 414 yard drive.
Sean "The Beast" Fister nailed a 406 yard shot.

By the way, Tiger Woods did crush one 412 yards... but... it was during a practice round. And Tiger's drive is 103 yards short of Austin's world record. Despite the fact Tiger is in his prime and Austin was an "old" man of 64 when he set his record.

Anyway, golf insiders have speculated why Austin was able to hit the ball so darn far. The fact is he used four simple swing secrets anyone can learn.

Swing Secret #1: The Forward Press
This is how Austin would start his swing. The forward press gets the body into motion and initiates the backswing. All of which builds the power for monster drives.

Swing Secret #2: The Compound Pivot
Harnesses your body's natural strength from a simple 8" shift in your center of gravity.

Swing Secret #3: The Hands And Arms
Sets the club on plane and keeps it there for distance and pinpoint accuracy.

Swing Secret #4: The Release
Modern golf instructors teach that delaying the release is proper form. Nothing could be further from the truth. The major secret to massive power is the release. Because it takes advantage of gravity so you get a running start at the ball.

Austin's four power swing secrets landed him in the Gunniess Book of World Records.

They do take a little bit of practice... but... once you get them down your game is going to change forever.

Hit 'Em Long.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: John Anghelache

The Importance of a Good Golf Bag!

Few things are more important to a golfer than a good golf bag. First off, golf bags come in many styles and a wide variety of colors. You can choose a bag for style, features or pick a color to match your mood.

Some have legs that fold out when they are placed on the ground and stand upright so the golfer doesn’t have to bend down and pick it up. That’s a nice feature in golf bags, especially if the golfer tends to walk the course, as many do. There is plenty of bending to be done when a golfer is trying to remove an obstacle from around his or her ball, or to get the ball out of the cup, so any way to avoid bending over is more than appreciated.

All golf bags have compartments where the golf clubs are to be placed. Each golfer has his or her own way of doing this and putting clubs where he or she wants them. Some golfers, though, are lazy and just stick their clubs in the compartments, grabbing whichever one they want when a particular club is needed. But, some golf bags have tubes to protect the club grips. These are nice to have. With the tubes, a golfer can get his or her clubs out easier. The clubs are never tangled up, and the grips last a lot longer.

Another important factor in choosing a golf bag is the number of pockets it has. Frankly, there’s no such thing as too many pockets in a golf bag. First, one of the pockets will be used to hold the golf bag’s hood. The hood is used to keep the clubs and bag from getting drenched when it rains. Another pocket will be used to keep extra towels (believe it or not, extra towels are important in the summer to keep the sweat off the brow and out of the eyes, along with keeping the hands relatively dry. Then, there is the pocket used for keeping the extra golf tees and possibly the divot tool. Finally, a pocket is needed for the golf balls themselves, and it doesn’t hurt to have a pocket to carry another dozen balls in, just in case.

Some courses are so difficult it is easy to lose a lot of balls during 18-holes of play. This makes having an extra box of balls around a good thing, but there has to be somewhere in the golf bag to keep them, which means another pocket.

Imagine trying to play golf without a bag. The golfer would be constantly stooping over picking up clubs, tees, balls, towels and the divot tool. Then he or she would have to walk to the ball, drop all of the clubs and stuff, select a club, hit the ball, and start the process all over again. It would be a major pain in the neck, and would make it nearly impossible to finish playing a round of golf. So, golf bags are an essential part of the game of golf.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Hans Hasselfors

Golf Tips - Good Gear and Sportsmanship

If you are just getting into the sport of golf, you have probably heard thousands of golf tips from well-meaning golfers. However, what many golfers fail to realize is that many of the golf tips that work well for one golfer, simply do not work well for another. Here are some golf tips that work well for everyone.

As a beginner, do not rush out and buy a set of high priced clubs. Buy a set of used clubs, or better yet rent your clubs. Take a little time to see if you really enjoy the game of golf, and if you will stick to it first. The used or rented clubs won’t be the top of the line, but they will get you through several games of golf to see if you are going to stick with it. This is also a good opportunity to start researching exactly what clubs you need when you are ready to buy a new set.

Golf is fun, but the sport should not be taken lightly. It is a sport – it isn’t just a bunch of retired men knocking a ball around. It takes a great deal of skill and technique to master the game. The pros you see on television make it look quite simple – but it isn’t. The concepts you will learn from more experienced golfers will sound easy – and look easy – in theory, but in practice, they are quite difficult. The sooner you realize this, the faster you will start to improve your game.

While golf does require skill and technique, it is still meant to be enjoyed and the experience should be relaxing. If you get angry over bad shots or you find that you are not enjoying the game, you should back up and re-evaluate your reasons for playing the game. Try to look at things from a new perspective. It is a game that tests your skill – but it should not test your patience!

Choose your golf aids carefully. A great deal of money can be wasted on aids, courses, and videos that turn out to not be any help at all. When possible, buy used aids, courses, and videos. Save your golfing money for more important things – like clubs, balls, and tees! Used clubs aren’t very good – used training equipment usually works quite well.

Golf is great exercise. Riding in a golf cart defeats that purpose though. Walk, don’t ride! Save the cart for the days when you really are too old to walk a short distance – take advantage of the exercise that you will get by walking from one tee to the next, and take the time to actually enjoy the walk!

Alcohol is often served at the clubhouse – but you should wait until you finish your round of golf before consuming any. First, the alcohol will greatly alter your game. Second, alcohol is a dehydrating substance, and this isn’t safe in the hot sun. Carry water with you during your game, and make sure you drink plenty of it!

Becoming good at the game takes a lot of practice. Use your practice sessions to learn what mistakes you are making, and work to correct them. Don’t just keep making the same mistakes over and over, thinking that it doesn’t matter, or that it is too hard to learn! If you’re going to play, play to win!

Use training aids, and if possible, video tape yourself playing a round of golf, making sure that you get close up shots of you teeing off, close up shots of the club hitting the ball on the tee-off, and even shots of you putting. Have a friend run the camera for you for best results, and review the tape in slow motion to see what needs the most work.

The most important golf tips you will ever receive are the ones that focus on good sportsmanship. Never make fun of other players. Some people do look funny playing golf – but those funny looking people can probably beat every aspect of your game, and they will have the last laugh. Be respectful of your fellow golfers, and listen closely to the advice of the seasoned players.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Trevor Mulholland

Golf Swing Instruction - Ask a Pro

Sometimes, no matter how much you practice, perfecting your swing or even correcting small problems in your swing seems impossible. In this case, you might require golf swing instruction from a pro…even if you have been playing for some time. Golf swing instruction will probably help you even more than you realize.
Golf pros are different from ordinary golfers. They have perfected their own game, and then they learned to study other people’s games to help them perfect their games. A golf pro knows that all golfers are different, and each one will have different needs to correct small problems. Pros are trained to help you correct those problems – in ways designed just for you.
Finding golf pros is easy – finding golf pros that are good is a little harder. Finding a golf pro that suits your particular needs can seem absolutely overwhelming… but it doesn’t have to be. There are certain steps to take to find a good golf pro. Don’t just settle for the guy that works in your local pro shop.
First, ask your friends for recommendations. Find out where the pros are located, and if possible, watch them with their other students from a distance. How do they interact? Are they patient? Do they seem to know what they are doing, and what they are talking about? Visit your local pro shop, and ask about the pros that are available in the area. Don’t worry about insulting the pro running the shop – he probably no longer offers instruction anyway.
Most clubs have golf pros on staff. Follow the same protocol, and watch them from a distance, after the practice session that you watch, try to catch up with the golf student, and ask questions about the golf pros instructional skills, and ask specifically if they would recommend him. Ask them if there has been any improvement in their game since they started the lessons.
Ask for references – and check them. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch the pro in action on the course, ask to join a training session for observation purposes. Don’t be alarmed if the pro says no to this – it may simply be to protect the privacy of his or her clients. You might even offer to pay half of the hourly rate for the opportunity to watch them in action with another student.
Once you’ve started instruction with a golf pro, give it a few sessions to determine whether or not this is the right golf pro for you. Sometimes, people simply don’t get along well. It may be that this particular golf pro cannot convey the concept to you in a way that you understand. If it isn’t working out, don’t be afraid to stop working with that particular pro, and start your search for another one. The current pro may be able to make a recommendation if you just explain the situation to them in a nice way.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can perfect your golf swing in just one or two sessions with a golf pro – or even three or four, and maybe not even in ten sessions! Everyone learns at their own pace, and golf techniques take time to learn, and even more time to perfect. Also, really listen to what your golf pro is telling you. If you aren’t willing to listen, you are wasting your time, your money, and the pros time as well. Stay completely focused during your training sessions, and make sure that you put in the additional practice time that is recommended by your pro.
If you feel that you have been given quality golf swing instruction by your pro, don’t be afraid to tip them, or offer them a bonus. This is a common practice, and many pros depend on tips a great deal. Treat your pro with respect – they are not underlings. Failure to give proper respect to your pro may result in him or her walking off the job! Golf pros have a true love for the game – and if you demonstrate that same feeling for the game, you may find that you receive superior instruction!
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com-By: Trevor Mulholland