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