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